Natalie Leonardelli describes student sit-ins calling university administration to action.

Natalie Leonardelli describes recent demonstrations on the UW-Eau Claire Campus

A little over a year later, Student reporter, Ta'Leah Vansistine and the UW-Eau Claire community are reflecting on the challenges COVID-19 inflicted, the strengths revealed amid the pandemic and what instruction may look like moving forward.

Ta'Leah Vansistine Reviews A Year Of COVID At UW-Eau Claire

The Countdown presented a report for every contested legislative seat in the Chippewa Valley of Wisconsin leading up to the 2020 election. In this episode we feature the Senate race in the 10th District of Wisconsin, which includes most of St. Croix and Polk Counties, southwestern Burnett County, parts of north-central Pierce County, and west-central Dunn County. Democratic incumbent Patty Schachtner of Somerset faces a fellow legislator, former 29th District State Representative, Rob Stafsholt, of New Richmond.

Produced by Bailey Rieger-Borer

The Count Down: Wisconsin's 10th Assembly District Debate

The Countdown presented a report for every contested legislative seat in the Chippewa Valley of Wisconsin leading up to the 2020 elections. In this episode, we featured the assembly race in the 68th District of Wisconsin, which includes the eastern half of Eau Claire County, southeastern Chippewa County, northeastern Trempealeau County, parts of Jackson County, and much of western Clark County.
Republican incumbent Jesse James of Altoona was first elected to the Assembly in 2018 and served as former Chief of Police and Fire Chief of Altoona. The opposing Democratic candidate is Emily Berge of Eau Claire. Berge is a licensed counselor who owns a mental health office in Eau Claire. She was elected to the Eau Claire City Council in 2018.

Produced by Bailey Rieger-Borer

The Count Down: Wisconsin's 68th Assembly District Debate

The Countdown will present a report for every contested legislative seat in the Chippewa Valley. Today we feature the assembly race in the 67th District of Wisconsin, which includes parts of Chippewa and Dunn counties. Republican incumbent Rob Summerfield of Bloomer was first elected to the Assembly in 2017 and is now running for his third term. Summerfield is involved in the operation of his family business, the Two Acres Supper Club and is co-owner of Chippewa Valley Land Title. The opposing Democratic candidate is Chris Kapsner of Boyceville. Kapsner is an emergency room physician associated with Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin and Abbot Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. He also farms in the town of Sheridan in Dunn County.

The Count Down: Wisconsin's 67th Assembly District Debate

Produced by Bailey Rieger-Borer

"A COVID-19 test technician handles a test Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, at a pedestrian-friendly testing location at UW-Madison." Photo and caption by Angela Major/WPR.

Transcribed Excerpt:

(Rieger-Borer)
"While healthcare workers continue the fight in their hospitals, other public services are returning to remote operations in response to the recent surge. The Eau Claire school district has announced its plans for virtual learning due to a shortage of teachers and staff caused by the spread of Coronavirus. District leaders and public health officials are reevaluating the online model early next month as they consider the impact the holidays may have on the overall health of schools. 
Effective November 30th, 3 UW system campuses including UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout, and UW-River Falls will be moving to online instruction following Thanksgiving, just weeks before the end of their semester. 
Eau Claire’s L.E. Phillips Memorial Senior Center and Public Library have also both been temporarily closed to the public due to the influx of cases. 

Eau Claire county circuit court has issued official orders to suspend in-person proceedings. Hearings that can be conducted over Zoom or phone will commence, while trials that must participate in-person require specific approval from the court. 

And while Biotech companies such as Moderna and Pfizer are now reporting up to 95% efficacy rates in their new Vaccines, health officials say it may not become available to the general public for quite a while. Stephanie Schauer, a leader of Wisconsin State Vaccine Planning, says health care workers will be the first to receive the vaccine, along with people living in long-term care facilities and various high-risk populations. 

But while a COVID vaccine won’t be available for a while, Craig says there are still ways for people living in western Wisconsin can alleviate pressure from health care systems and keep themselves and those around them safe. Craig says hand washing, mask-wearing, and staying home remain effective, but he says another important element of defending western Wisconsin’s healthcare system is for residents to get their regular flu shots." 
 
(Craig) 
“It’s easy to forget that the flu vaccine is readily available and out there. It is critically, critically important as we look to minimize any potential exposure to respiratory illness to patients throughout the region and throughout the nation. And most important as we come upon the holiday season, ya know Covid fatigue is real, and it’s affecting people in a lot of different ways in a way we can all relate and certainly in a way our staff can relate. But this is not a good time let down our guard.”

WPR's "The West Side": COVID Update Feature

2-23-19

A Sunday news segment aired on Blugold Radio Sunday, WUECFM, featuring relevant local and national news stories each week.

Produced by Bailey Rieger-Borer

Blugold Radio Sunday: Update News

11-4-18
Produced by Bailey Rieger-Borer
Photo Provided by Skye Marthaler via WPR

*This is a Long-Form Production Profile Piece.*

My name is Bailey Rieger-Borer and you are listening to my show 'In Their Shoes', broadcasting on Blugold Radio Sunday. When I first thought of the idea for this show I knew I wanted to make something different. I didn’t just want someone to tell me what their life is like, I wanted to see it, I wanted to be a part of it for a short period of time. I wanted to see it through their eyes. My overall goal for this new show is to explore the lives of others from a journalistic standpoint. Every week I will spend time with someone who is completely different than me, sometimes living a completely opposite life than me. I take a new person or group and give you the inside look at what it’s like to well, be in their shoes. The show is my attempt to see life through a different lens. This week we’re following officer Tyler Stephens from The Eau Claire Police Department. We’ll have an in-depth conversation about what it’s like to be a policeman in a Wisconsin city, and how our nation’s social climate affects this discussion. During this ride along we speak on topics such as poverty, addiction, community relations, and police involvement.

In Their Shoes: Police Ride Along

*This is a long-form production profile piece.*

11-25-19
Produced by Bailey Rieger-Borer
Photo provided by The Leader-Telegram

My name is Bailey Rieger-Borer and you are listening to my show 'In Their Shoes', originally broadcasted on Blugold Radio Sunday, WUECFM. 
When I first thought of the idea for this show I knew I wanted to make something different. I didn’t just want someone to tell me what their life is like, I wanted to see it, I wanted to be a part of it for a short period of time. I wanted to see it through their eyes. My overall goal for this show is to explore the lives of others from a journalistic standpoint. Every week I will spend time with someone who is completely different than me, sometimes living a completely opposite life than me. I take a new person or group and give you the inside look at what it’s like to well, be in their shoes. The show is my attempt to see life through a different lens. In this part one of two episodes, we follow Eau Claire County circuit court judge, John Manydeeds. Judge Manydeeds discusses the reality of working behind the bench, his indigenous legacy, and the importance of representation in the judicial system.

In Their Shoes: Eau Claire County Judge

*This is a long-form production profile piece.*

10-20-19
Produced by Bailey Rieger-Borer
Photo Provided by Denton Postlewait via WEAU

Hello, my name is Bailey Rieger-Borer and you are listening to my new show In Their Shoes, broadcasting on Blugold Radio Sunday. When I first thought of the idea for this show I knew I wanted to make something different. I didn’t just want someone to tell me what their life is like, I wanted to see it, I wanted to be a part of it for a short period of time. I wanted to see it through their eyes. My overall goal for this new show is to explore the lives of others from a journalistic standpoint. Every week I will spend time with someone who is completely different than me, sometimes living a completely opposite life than me. I take a new person or group and give you the inside look at what it’s like to well, be in their shoes. The show is my attempt to see life through a different lens. In this episode, we follow an employee of the Bolton Refuge House, a women's and children's domestic abuse and treatment shelter. We discuss child welfare, the importance of privacy, and the future of the shelter.

In Their Shoes: Domestic Abuse Shelter

2021 UWEC Grad, Student Journalist, Midwest Native.

Bailey Rieger-Borer

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