Julian Emerson

Julian Emerson

Reporter, UpNorthNews

A fixture in west central Wisconsin journalism for over a quarter-century, Julian specializes in investigative work, politics, and social justice issues.

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Coronavirus A photo of the Fall Creek School District building in Eau Claire County. Gina Kildahl, a parent whose 7-year-old son contracted COVID-19 while attending the school, recently filed a lawsuit against the district for failing to implement masking requirements and other precautions aimed at mitigating the spread of the virus. (Photo courtesy of the Fall Creek School District)
Coronavirus Mom Who Sued Over Lack of COVID Protections in National Spotlight

Gina Kildahl sued Fall Creek School District for not protecting her 7-year-old son and other students from COVID-19.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson October 14, 2021 7:47 pm EDT
Coronavirus Keeping Wausau Kids Safe & Parents Informed, a local parent group based in Wausau, purchased a billboard to push for a mask requirement in the local school district. The group is one of several across Wisconsin who are forming to fight back against the loud minority of people against COVID-19 safety measures in schools. (Photo courtesy of Jean Radtke)
Coronavirus Wisconsin Parents Are Standing Up for COVID Safety In Schools

As school boards—many times influenced by groups funded by national conservative organizations—decline to enact COVID safety protocols, local parent groups are pushing back. 

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson October 8, 2021 4:49 pm EDT
Coronavirus Danielle Ralston said she is constantly nervous that her 10-year-old son Graham will contract COVID-19 and experience extreme symptoms because he has a rare stomach illness that makes him more susceptible to the virus. (Photo courtesy of Danielle Ralston)
Coronavirus Parents, Progressive PAC Weigh Lawsuits Against Schools That Refuse to Enact COVID Rules

Lawsuits against Wisconsin schools that don’t require masks could be filed soon following the death of at least two students who had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson October 4, 2021 4:45 pm EDT
Local Coverage Yee Leng Xiong, a Wausau County supervisor, speaks during a May 17, 2021, press conference in Wausau declaring the city a welcoming place for all people as Wausau Mayor, Katie Rosenberg, far left, and Marathon County Supervisor William Harris listen. (Photo courtesy of the Wausau mayor’s office)
Local Coverage With Afghan Refugees, Wausau Gets Chance to Show Welcoming Side After ‘Community for All’ Controversy

Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg hopes the Wausau community will be welcoming to the up to 85 Afghan refugees who will be resettled in the city.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson October 4, 2021 4:44 pm EDT
Infrastructure Bridge rebuilding in Ashland County
Infrastructure Wisconsin Desperately Needs Infrastructure Bills to Pass, Lawmakers Say

Two bills proposed by Biden would help Wisconsin address a range of issues, according to a Democratic state representative and GOP state senator.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson September 27, 2021 1:43 pm EDT

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The post-war economic boom of the 1950s and 60s sharply increased Wisconsin crop production. In this photo from the Wisconsin Historical Society, Latino farm workers hoe a cucumber field near Wautoma in 1967. Economy From Farms to Factories to New Businesses, Latinos Have Made a Mark on Wisconsin’s Economy for More Than a Century
This 2018 photo shows the signage of the Fayetteville Works plant where the Delaware-based Chemours Company manufactures C3 dimer acid, also known as GenX. The chemical has entered the Cape Fear River, a source of drinking water for much of the southeastern part of North Carolina for an unknown time period. (Photo via AP Photo/Gerry Broome) Environment Polluters of ‘Forever Chemicals’ No Longer Getting a Pass, EPA Head Pledges
A photo of the Fall Creek School District building in Eau Claire County. Gina Kildahl, a parent whose 7-year-old son contracted COVID-19 while attending the school, recently filed a lawsuit against the district for failing to implement masking requirements and other precautions aimed at mitigating the spread of the virus. (Photo courtesy of the Fall Creek School District) Coronavirus Mom Who Sued Over Lack of COVID Protections in National Spotlight
Getty Images Elections Michigan’s County Clerks are Still Living Through the 2020 Election
Coronavirus A COVID-19 outbreak forced Mondovi Middle & High School to close just four days into the new school year. With school having just started, hundreds of students and staff across Wisconsin have been forced to quarantine due to contracting or being exposed to COVID-19. (Photo via Mondovi School District)
Coronavirus A Mondovi High Schooler Died While COVID-Positive. The School Board Still Didn’t Require Masks.

Dylan Passa is the second school-age Wisconsinite to die after testing positive for COVID-19 since the school year began.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson September 24, 2021 3:32 pm EDT
Local Coverage Residents of the Kenosha Unified School District, led by a local chapter of a right-wing activist group, recently voted to slash pay for school board members and require them to attend meetings in person to get paid. It is just one example of a district where school board members are being punished, threatened, or even recalled for enacting COVID-19 safeguards. (Screenshot via Kenosha Unified School District/Youtube)
Local Coverage ‘My Family No Longer Feels Safe’: School Board Members Face Threats, Harassment Over COVID Safety Rules

One outgoing school board member says she hopes the current toxic political climate encourages more young people to speak up and get involved.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson September 23, 2021 5:42 pm EDT