Latest news with #Willems
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mile of Music PBS Wisconsin documentary will premiere on big screens June 16
A Mile of Music documentary is coming to TV screens around the state. The one-hour film, comprised of footage recorded by PBS Wisconsin at last year's festival, Mile 11, premieres 8 p.m. June 23 on television and online — but Fox Valley fans are invited to attend the movie's premiere a week early. Titled "Mile of Music," the documentary will play on a big screen on June 16 at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center, 355 W. Lawrence St. in Appleton. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the film will start at 7 p.m., followed by a 30-minute Q&A with the film's production crew and members of the Mile of Music team. Attendance to the premiere is free. Moviegoers are encouraged to register through EventBrite. Due to the high volume of content the documentary team filmed at the 2024 festival, a "streaming archive of performances" from more than 30 artists will be available online at at according to a news release from PBS Wisconsin. 'We are honored that PBS Wisconsin is able to share the magic of Mile of Music through the upcoming Mile of Music broadcast program,' Mile of Music founder Dave Willems said in a statement. 'We look forward to sharing our festival with a statewide audience, and beyond, through both the broadcast and online content." Willems said the Mile of Music team first welcomed PBS Wisconsin to the music festival in 2019 for early stages of documentary planning. After the pandemic hit, the production paused, then the PBS crew returned to scout locations at the 2023 festival and filmed in 2024. RELATED: 200 artists, 700 sets: Here's how Appleton's Mile of Music came to be, and what keeps it in tune Mile of Music, held annually at the beginning of August, has become a staple event in northeastern Wisconsin since its inception in 2013. The four-day festival is entirely free and made up of musicians performing 100% original music. It annually brings around 80,000 to 100,000 attendees to downtown Appleton, along a one-mile stretch of College Avenue. According to PBS Wisconsin, the documentary explores the festival "through the eyes of performers including Christopher Gold, Illiterate Light, Abby Posner, Ben Mulwana, Tommy Prine and more." This year, the 12th-annual Mile of Music will take place July 31 to Aug. 3. Contact Kelli Arseneau at 920-213-3721 or karseneau@ Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Mile of Music PBS documentary will premiere on big screen June 16
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oshkosh school board votes not to renew contract of ex-Vel Phillips dean involved in January student restraint
OSHKOSH – Christopher Willems is not returning to the Oshkosh Area School District. OASD's Board of Education upheld the district's decision to not renew the Vel Phillips Middle School Dean of Students' contract after his role in a Jan. 10 incident that led to a 13-year-old being handcuffed and pinned under a school resource officer for more than two minutes. Records obtained by the Oshkosh Northwestern from an executive session of a special board meeting May 6 showed the board voted 5-2 to approve the non-renewal of Willems' contract — with Kelly DeWitt and Timothy Hess casting the dissenting votes. Willems was initially placed on a five-day suspension in the immediate aftermath of the Jan. 10 incident, with plans of reassigning him to Jacob Shapiro Elementary. But the district eventually informed Willems he was being placed a non-disciplinary administrative leave with pay for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year on Feb. 26 — the same day the Northwestern published two articles about the Jan. 10 incident. One of the articles referenced his prior involvement with students of color within the district, where Black and biracial students were expelled from the former Merrill Middle School following a fight with a white pupil in a Donald Trump costume. The white student went unpunished. Willems was seen in body camera footage speaking with police after the incident saying, 'I'm not sure what happened ahead of time, but before the dance he had been grabbed by a bunch of students and thrown to the ground.' The ACLU of Wisconsin, in a civil rights complaint against the district, claimed the white student harassed and threw water on three Black and biracial students. Read more: OASD Assistant Superintendent Julie Conrad-Peters accepts offer to become superintendent in Florida Wisconsin Education Association Council Region 5 director John Horn accused the district of scapegoating Willems, saying OASD was concerned with public opinion. 'What changed in the several weeks between when the district administration signed this agreement and when it reversed itself and placed the employee on indefinite leave is that members of the Oshkosh news media showed interest in the incident and filed information requests,' Horn wrote in a public statement. 'The school district's policy and personnel decisions should be based on facts and what is in the best educational interests of students, not on public opinion.' The situation stemmed from Willems' role in the Jan. 10 incident, during which he called for a school resource officer's assistance to assist with a student who refused to hand his cell phone to another teacher. OASD Board Policy 5136 only references law enforcement with regards to cell phones if 'the violation involves an illegal activity' or the device is used to transmit things of a threatening, obscene, disruptive, sexually explicit or harassment nature. The SRO's body camera footage shows Willems shoving the kid through a door several minutes before he pushes that student up against a wall and assists the SRO in restraining the child after the kid shouted a number of expletives. Wisconsin Statute 118.305 prohibits "covered individuals" such as school staff from using techniques on students that 'cause chest compression by placing pressure or weight on the pupil's chest, lungs, sternum, diaphragm, back, or abdomen' or 'place the pupil in a prone position.' Read more: Oshkosh school district holding one final brick giveaway from Merrill Elementary June 10 In the district's investigation records, Willems said he didn't believe it was a law enforcement matter, adding he felt partially responsible for the student ending up in handcuffs. But Willems said he was 'following practices that have been accepted by leadership' in the same investigation and contended that he was 'unaware there was a MOU with the SRO.' The district investigation took issue with Willems on four separate issues during the incident, prompting administration to recommend two forms of discipline: suspending Willems without pay for five days or terminating Willems. After finding 'no previous discipline' on Willems' employee file, the district opted for the five-day suspension on Jan. 24, according to the records, before Willems signed a disciplinary agreement that would see him suspended Jan. 27-31. However, OASD reversed course on Feb. 26, writing to Willems that his reassignment 'will most likely be met with disruption by those not satisfied with the disciplinary outcome' considering 'the race component of the prior incident.' Willems' status between Jan. 31, the end of his five-day suspension, and Johnson's letter Feb. 26 is unclear. The student involved in the Jan. 10 incident was immediately allowed to return to Vel Phillips. The Oshkosh Police Department referred him on charges of resisting/obstructing and threats to a law enforcement officer but Winnebago County Juvenile Intake recommended closing the case, saying the situation was managed at the school level. Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@ and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @justinmarville. This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh school board votes not to renew contract of ex-dean involved in student restraint
The Star
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Author Mo Willems and The Pigeon stare down the future in a new book
Author Mo Willems has sold millions of books and won many awards, but the accolade that means most to him is when a parent says their child read aloud for the first time from one of his books. The author, illustrator and animator, 57, is best known for his bestselling picture books like the Caldecott Award-winning Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! and Knuffle Bunny. His latest book, Will The Pigeon Graduate? may look like it's aimed at children, but the titular Pigeon's fear of failure and an uncertain future are sure to resonate with people of all ages, especially during graduation season. Willems and his trusty friend The Pigeon (charmingly represented by puppeteer Bradley Freeman Jr) recently sat down with The Associated Press for an interview about graduating, Sesame Street, and the purpose of life. Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity. How did graduation come to mind for a book topic? Willems: As I am getting older, which I am, I'm getting into a new part of my life. And I'm wondering, am I equipped to be living in this part of life? And as I ask that question and I don't have the answers, then I think, well, what is that metaphor that kids are going through? And graduation seemed like the perfect thing. I'm graduating to a new stage in my life, and kids do this all the time. You graduate to tying your shoe. You graduate the first time you read. The Pigeon: Like driving a bus. Willems: Yeah, well, except for driving a bus. That is something you cannot graduate to, if you're a pigeon, but thank you for contributing to the conversation. The Pigeon: Of course. People may think this is just for graduates, but could it be about any transition? Willems: I think it's about asking yourself, "Am I equipped for something that scares me?' The real world is scary. We're always asking ourselves those questions. And often the answer is ... I don't know. And that's something that might feel uncomfortable to sit with, but it's also something that's very, very exciting. So like right now, I'm doing an interview with you and a giant pigeon. Is this gonna work out? If I'm going to get a little bit philosophical, I would say often we're trying to give the answers, and I think kids get exhausted from it. I want to give them the questions. I want them to have a chance to live with these questions themselves and work their way into an answer rather than telling them, "Oh, you'll be fine.' 'As I am getting older, which I am, I'm getting into a new part of my life. And I'm wondering, am I equipped to be living in this part of life?' says Willems. Photo: AP Mr Pigeon, what is your favourite part about collaborating on this book? The Pigeon: I really like how all of the books are about me. I like how I'm on, like, almost every page. You know, all of these books go through an approval process, and I get sent advanced - I call them screeners, nobody likes when I call them that! - but I get to look at them. And if I'm not on the first page and the last page, it does not get approved. Can you reflect on your nine seasons as a writer and animator on Sesame Street, winning six Emmys and helping to develop Elmo's World ? Willems: My love of puppets, my love of sketch comedy, my love of counting to 40 - all these things that I really, really love - came from Sesame Street ! And when it came time for me to make books, one of the things that I got to do that we didn't get to do on Sesame Street at the time was write about failure. Write about not driving the bus rather than driving the bus. So on one level, it was like going to grad school. I loved it. I learned so much. I met all of these great puppets and puppeteers. On the other, the restrictions of the show allowed me to find my own voice. Obviously, one of the book's messages is you have to believe in yourself. Willems: I don't know. I'm glad that you think that that's one of the messages because you brought something to that book. I only write 49% of the book. You put the meaning in the book; if the book is meaningful, that is because you are putting yourself within it. I try not to have messages as much as I can. I really try to live in the question. Mr Pigeon, do you think your participation in this makes you a little bit of a philosopher? The Pigeon: Yeah, I think there's a lot of very powerful things going on up here in this little bird brain. There's a lot of really deep questions, like, I don't know, can I drive the bus, maybe? You know, wondering maybe if I can stay up late? That would be really great. Willems: These are all fundamental Greek philosophical questions. The Pigeon: And what is the purpose of life? Willems: What is the purpose of life? Why are we here? Why are people mean? Why are people nice? Can I drive the bus? The Pigeon: Can I have a hot dog? - AP
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrat Nate Willems announces campaign for Iowa attorney general
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Democrat Nate Willems is running for Iowa attorney general. (Photo courtesy of the Nate Willems campaign) Nate Willems, a lawyer and former state representative, announced Wednesday he is running for Iowa attorney general. Willems, a Mount Vernon Democrat, is competing for the statewide elected position currently held by Attorney General Brenna Bird. She was first elected to office in 2022, when she defeated longtime Democratic Attorney General Tom Miller. Willems may not be competing against Bird in the 2026 general election. Bird is considering a run for governor following Gov. Kim Reynolds' announcement that she will not seek reelection. Though Willems may be competing for an open position, he said he wants to change the trajectory of how the state office is utilized, alluding to Bird's commitment to filing legal challenges against policies from former President Joe Biden's administration. 'Iowans deserve an attorney general focused on protecting Iowans and standing up for our fundamental rights and freedoms,' Willems said in a statement. 'As attorney general, I'll work to keep communities safe by holding violent criminals accountable and I'll take on corporations who try to rip off Iowans by price gouging or stealing their hard-earned wages.' If elected attorney general, Willems said he would use the office to investigate and prosecute corporations that break labor laws, as well as improving the state's consumer protections through the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. He also said he would work with prosecutors and local law enforcement to 'secure convictions for violent crimes.' Willems said has a background in this field, having worked as a lawyer focused on labor cases as an attorney and partner for Rush & Nicholson, P.L.C., in Cedar Rapids, a workers' compensation firm. He has also previously held office in Iowa, representing then-House District 29 for two terms, from 2008 to 2012. 'I've spent my career representing tens of thousands of Iowans who have had crimes committed against them,' Willems said. 'I've successfully taken on corporations who think they're above the law and steal wages, require off-the-clock-work, hurt their employees, or violate the rights of working men and women in our state. As attorney general, I'll fight to make sure every Iowan gets the justice they deserve.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa Democrat and labor lawyer Nate Willems launches a campaign for attorney general
Labor lawyer and former state representative Nate Willems is running for Iowa attorney general in 2026, saying he wants the office to focus on protecting workers and seniors rather than engaging in "Washington political fights." Willems, a Democrat, told the Des Moines Register in an interview that his two top priorities if elected would be public safety and protecting Iowans from corporate crimes. He said in his work as a labor attorney and partner with Rush & Nicholson P.L.C. in Cedar Rapids, he's helped Iowans recover tens of millions of dollars in wages and other benefits. "There's $900 million a year stolen out of Iowa workers' paychecks at work, and that's in the form of not paying overtime, making people work off the clock, stealing tips, misclassifying people as independent contractors, or taking illegal deductions out of their paychecks," he said. "So I want the attorney general's office to investigate and prosecute corporations when they steal from Iowa workers." Nate Willems, a candidate for Iowa Attorney General, stands for a portrait on May 6, 2025, in Des Moines. In 2022, Willems helped secure a $15 million class-action settlement on behalf of 11,000 University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics employees who said managers didn't pay overtime, bonuses or accrued leave as quickly as state and federal laws require. "More broadly, though, I want the Attorney General's Office to adopt the mindset and the mentality that it goes to work every day for regular Iowans, workers, consumers and seniors and is not focused on Washington politics and political lawsuits," he said. It's a dig at current Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird, who campaigned on the idea in 2022 that she would aggressively push back on then-Democratic President Joe Biden's administration. She delivered on that promise in office, filing lawsuits against federal agencies and signing onto letters pushing back on Democratic policies. Since Republican President Donald Trump took office in January, Bird has used her office to forcefully defend his agenda, including joining other Republican attorneys general in urging the retailer Costco to end its DEI — or diversity, equity and inclusion — policies. Willems said if he's elected, he would consider on a case-by-case basis whether it makes sense to file lawsuits pushing back on federal policies. "There is a time and place when regular Iowans are impacted directly, and you feel that there has been an overstep by the federal government," he said. "There's a time and place to do that. I just am afraid that what we've seen here in the last few years is it's almost sometimes filing lawsuits or joining lawsuits just to issue a press release, and that's not the right reason to be getting involved in these national lawsuits." Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird speaks during the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition 25th Annual Spring Kickoff at Horizon Events Center on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Clive. Bird became Iowa's first Republican attorney general in decades after defeating longtime incumbent Tom Miller in 2022. Bird has not said whether she will seek reelection to a second term. She has hinted that she could be considering a campaign to succeed Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who announced in April she would not run again, potentially creating an open attorney general seat. Willems said Bird's decision doesn't change his outlook on the race. "I've been making these plans to put together a campaign and to pursue this for the next 18 months, because I feel passionately about what I can bring to the table on behalf of workers and consumers and seniors, regardless of whether Brenna Bird runs for reelection or some other office," he said. Willems is a lifelong Iowan, and he grew up in Anamosa where his father was an attorney and his mother was a public school teacher. Today, he lives in Mount Vernon with his wife, Maggie, also a teacher, and their three daughters. He previously served two terms in the Iowa House of Representatives. He said when he was in the Legislature, he served in both the majority and minority parties, and he believes that experience will help him work across the aisle. "I know how to work with both Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature," he said. "And that is important for the attorney general to be able to understand the lawmaking process, understand the rhythm and be able to develop open lines of communication with leadership, regardless of who's in power in the Legislature." If elected, Willems said he hopes to create a unit within the Attorney General's Office to focus on investigating and prosecuting corporations that steal from workers. And he said he wants to rebuild the office's consumer protection division, which he said has "atrophied" in recent years. He said he plans to dedicate the time and energy to win, even as Democrats have struggled to gain a footing in statewide races in recent election cycles. "I've scaled back my law practice to devote the time to this over the next 18 months," he said. "Because it's an incredibly important office, and it deserves a candidate to do everything possible to win." Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at bpfann@ or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Democrat Nate Willems launches campaign for Iowa attorney general
