Kathryn Larson
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Emmy Award Winning Spectrum News Madison reporter
putting faces to stories!
kathryn.larson@charter.com
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Articles by Kathryn Larson
Everyday Hero: Madison volunteer marks 30 years with Meals on Wheels
MADISON, Wis. — A 76-year-old retiree has made Meals on Wheels deliveries part of her weekly routine in Madison, spending her Wednesdays bringing meals and making visits to people at their home. Vana Steffan has volunteered with Meals on Wheels for 30 years. She said she plans to continue for as long as she can drive and connect with people. “I enjoy doing it very much,” Steffan said.
Now Hiring: Kikkoman growth brings more job opportunities to southern Wisconsin
JEFFERSON, Wis. — Kikkoman is planning a $560 million investment in Jefferson as the company continues to grow its soy sauce production footprint in southern Wisconsin. The company has operated in Walworth County for more than 50 years. Brandon De Leon, Kikkoman’s production manager of bottling and drying, said the facility currently produces 40 million gallons a year. “What we do, we do very well,” De Leon said.
Now Hiring: Kikkoman growth brings more job opportunities to southern Wisconsin
JEFFERSON, Wis. — Kikkoman is planning a $560 million investment in Jefferson as the company continues to grow its soy sauce production footprint in southern Wisconsin. The company has operated in Walworth County for more than 50 years. Brandon De Leon, Kikkoman’s production manager of bottling and drying, said the facility currently produces 40 million gallons a year. “What we do, we do very well,” De Leon said.
Breast cancer survivor helps Monona patients see screening differently
MONONA, Wis. — In the midst of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, one Meriter employee is sharing her own breast cancer experience with patients at a Monona clinic to encourage them to get mammograms. Nola Carrel said she was the first medical assistant hired for family medicine at Monona’s Meriter Hospital Clinic. She said working in a clinic made it easier to keep up with screenings.
Everyday Hero: Madison-area soccer tournament helps girls in Zimbabwe stay in school
VERONA, Wis. — Madison’s Maka Chicowero is using soccer to help girls in Zimbabwe stay in school, avoid child marriage and pursue opportunities on and off the field. Chicowero, a recent college graduate, founded MTC Educate A Girl when she was 14. The nonprofit’s signature fundraiser is Soccer for Change, a yearly Madison-area tournament that raises money for girls in Zimbabwe. “Oftentimes, if a girl is not seen of value to the family, the next option is child marriage,” Chicowero said.
Now Hiring: Madison arborist jobs offer training from the ground up Original
Jacob Wells, arborist lead trainer, said the work is not something new employees are expected to do immediately at full scale. “This isn’t a day-one kind of job,” Wells said. “We start small and we work them up in stages of difficulty.” Riley Liska, Madison arborist 1, described the work as both physical and technical. “It’s the logic game,” Liska said.
UW Health at Meriter trains AI to help guide NICU breathing procedures
MADISON, Wis. — UW Health at Meriter is testing artificial intelligence to help improve precision during one of the most delicate procedures in its neonatal intensive care unit: placing a breathing tube for high-risk newborns. Dr. Ryan McAdams, a neonatologist at UW Health at Meriter, said the work builds on video-assisted laryngoscopy, a tool his NICU team already uses during intubation.
Police tie Fitchburg grocery store firework to social media challenge
A firework exploded on a shelf inside a Fitchburg Pick and Save last Friday afternoon, prompting an evacuation and a public safety response, according to police. Fitchburg police said the incident was not an accident and was connected to a social media challenge. Capt. Andrew McCarthy said the firework had the potential to seriously hurt someone. “Certainly not something that our officers were expecting coming in to work,” McCarthy said.
Now Hiring: Award-winning grooming team grows Pixel Paws in Blanchardville
BLANCHARDVILLE, Wis. — A mother-son grooming team known for creative dog grooming is opening Pixel Paws in Blanchardville and looking to add groomers as the business expands. Deb Compton and Jordan Jones have appeared on ABC’s “Pooch Perfect” and are now focusing on growing Pixel Paws while training the next generation of groomers. Compton is an international award-winning groomer, and the family team plans to share its experience with new hires.
Everyday Hero: Southern Wisconsin eighth-grader recognized for Wisconsin history documentary
MADISON, Wis. — A southern Wisconsin middle school student earned national recognition through National History Day after spending eight months and hundreds of hours producing a documentary about Wisconsin history. Sahir Kamal, now an eighth-grade student at Eagle School, created “Echoes on the Lake,” a 10-minute documentary about Chippewa spearfishing and treaty rights in Wisconsin, also known as the Walleye War.
Madison College nursing camp inspires future healthcare workers
WATERTOWN, Wis. — A summer nursing camp at Madison College’s Watertown campus is giving high school students a hands-on look at careers in healthcare while helping address the growing demand for nurses.
Madison council rejects Willy Street business relief proposal
MADISON, Wis. — Madison’s Common Council rejected two funding proposals this week, one aimed at helping Willy Street-area businesses after this summer’s deadly officer-involved shooting involving Corey Ruiz and another that would have provided additional funding for Independent Police Monitor Airmique Glass. Dell Lorensen, vice president of the Willy Street Marquette Business Alliance, said the failed business funding proposal leaves area businesses and workers vulnerable.
Everyday Hero: McFarland teen promotes unity through anti-hate student group
MADISON, Wis. — A McFarland High School rising senior is using her experience with prejudice to promote unity and cultural understanding through a student chapter of We Are Many United Against Hate. Mannat Bolla, whose family is from India, said she struggled as a child after facing language barriers and feeling pressure to hide parts of her culture. She said those experiences helped shape her work with the McFarland High School chapter of the organization.
Want to work at a top Midwest resort? Grand Geneva is hiring Original
WALWORTH COUNTY, Wis. — Grand Geneva Resort & Spa is looking to fill hospitality positions and internships at one of the Midwest’s top-rated resorts. The Lake Geneva resort was recently named the No. 1 resort in the Midwest by Conde Nast Traveler.
Dolly Parton’s Monroe memory still hangs on the wall 21 years later
MONROE, Wis. — Talk about a picture-perfect, pitch-perfect memory. For Steve Swenson, it was just another Saturday at work until Dolly Parton’s purple tour bus pulled up outside Monroe Health Services back in the fall of 2005. Swenson was working his 9-to-5 nursing shift when the Queen of Country walked through the front doors. “I mean, I didn’t believe it at all,” Swenson recalled.
Madison police monitor sues chief over records from deadly Corey Ruiz shooting
MADISON, Wis. — Madison’s interim independent police monitor is suing Police Chief John Patterson and the city’s public records custodian, arguing the police department has failed to comply with a subpoena seeking records from the deadly police shooting of Corey Ruiz. What You Need To Know Madison's interim independent police monitor, Aeiramique Glass, filed a lawsuit Aug.
Now Hiring: Wisconsin Youth Company hiring for school-year jobs
MADISON, Wis. — With the start of the school year just around the corner, Wisconsin Youth Company is hiring employees for its before- and after-school programs serving families in Dane and Waukesha counties. The nonprofit organization is celebrating 50 years of serving Wisconsin families and is looking for people who enjoy working with children while benefiting from flexible schedules and employee perks.
Everyday Hero: Madison teen creates lasting memorial for grieving pet owners
MADISON, Wis. — For many families, pets are more than animals — they’re family. Thanks to one Madison-area teen’s Girl Scout Gold Award project, those families now have a permanent place to remember them.
Independent Police Monitor breaks silence after Madison police confrontation
MADISON, Wis. — Interim Independent Police Monitor Aeiramique Glass said she was still dealing with pain and the emotional impact after a confrontation with Madison police officers. The department released drone footage showing the incident on Tuesday night.
How Grand Geneva kept 1,500 guests safe during July 3 storm
LAKE GENEVA, Wis. — What was expected to be one of the busiest and most festive days of the year at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa quickly turned into a crisis when a powerful July 3 storm knocked out power and forced a resort-wide evacuation. One month later, employees say teamwork—and a commitment to hospitality—helped them navigate the unexpected while caring for about 1,500 guests gathered for the holiday weekend celebration.
Now Hiring: Mercyhealth looking for nurses in its emergency department Original
JANESVILLE, Wis. — Mercyhealth is looking to grow its emergency department team, recruiting nurses for a career leaders say combines high-pressure moments with meaningful work, extensive training and benefits designed to support employees on and off the job.
Madison looks back as another police shooting reopens wounds
MADISON, Wis. — Another officer-involved shooting on Madison's east side is prompting renewed conversations about healing, accountability and trust, with many community members drawing parallels to the 2015 police shooting of Tony Robinson. Outside the Williamson Art Center, two signs honoring Robinson remain in place more than a decade after his death. Artist Sharon Kilfoy said they are a reminder that the community cannot afford to forget.
Everyday Hero: Teen's tote bags turn creativity into climate action
MADISON, Wis. — One Dane County high school student is proving you don’t have to wait until adulthood to make a global impact.
Now Hiring: Focused Interruption expands to grow its mission in violence prevention Original
MADISON, Wis. — A Dane County nonprofit nationally recognized for its evidence-based approach to gun violence intervention is growing its team as it expands into a larger headquarters. Focused Interruption recently moved into a new office near the Dane County Regional Airport.
Verona Woman's Family Survived Earthquake Against All Odds
VERONA, Wis. — A Venezuelan-born employee at Verona's Play Zone Cafe shared how her family survived a devastating earthquake after loved ones spent more than two days fearing the worst.
Everyday Hero: UW Health leader helping respiratory care breathe into the future
MADISON, Wis. — After a lifetime in respiratory care, Kris Ostrander still finds the greatest reward in helping patients. “I will say that still, after 40 years, the most satisfying part of my profession is working with the patients,” said Ostrander, who serves as the director of respiratory care at UW Health.
Wheelchair takes flight in magical 'Mary Poppins' show
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — If Mary Poppins taught the world anything, it is that a little bit of magic can change everything.
'Looming crisis': Wisconsin safety leaders warn of electric scooter injuries
MADISON, Wis. — What started as a routine ride with a friend forever changed one Wisconsin family’s life and is now part of a growing concern among doctors, law enforcement and safety advocates. UW Health leaders and members of the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission gathered Wednesday at American Family Children’s Hospital to raise awareness about the rising number of e-bike and e-scooter injuries across Wisconsin.
Now Hiring: Ian's Pizza looks to fill positions ahead of Verona opening Original
VERONA, Wis. — As construction nears completion on what will become the largest Ian’s Pizza location in Wisconsin, the company is looking to fill dozens of positions before opening day.
Written in stone: Sun Prairie company helped build Obama Presidential Center
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — Long before visitors could walk through the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, some of its story was already taking shape in southern Wisconsin.
Friends remember Boys & Girls Club CEO Michael Johnson
MADISON, Wis. — Southern Wisconsin is mourning the loss of Michael Johnson, the longtime president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, whose leadership, advocacy and commitment to children transformed lives across the region. Johnson died peacefully at 50, leaving behind his wife, children, friends and a community that many say is stronger because of his work.
Community push keeps Goodman buses rolling
MADISON, Wis. — A plan to end bus transportation connecting two Madison elementary schools with Goodman Community Center’s after-school programs has been put on hold after community members raised concerns about the impact on families. Madison Metropolitan School District officials recently announced that bus service from Lowell and Emerson elementary schools to Goodman Community Center will continue next school year while the district and community center work toward a longer-term solution.
Everyday Hero: Teen beats cancer, then lands surprise boat of his dreams
LODI, Wis. — What started with one handmade fishing rod for a little girl with cancer has grown into a mission casting hope for children across Wisconsin. For 14-year-old James Yedica of Kewaunee, that hope arrived as the surprise of a lifetime: a fishing boat of his own. James, a stage 3 T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma survivor who is now in remission, thought he was visiting Don’s Marine in Lodi for a routine stop.
Now Hiring: Lucille’s hiring ahead of busy Capitol patio season Original
MADISON, Wis. — A popular Capitol Square restaurant is ramping up hiring efforts as it prepares for a busy summer season fueled by patio dining and increased foot traffic.
From campus sisters to community leaders: AKA chapter celebrates 50 years in Madison Original
MADISON, Wis. — Fifty years after charter members first came together at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, generations of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority’s Kappa Psi Omega sisters are preparing to celebrate a legacy that has stretched far beyond campus life.
Circus World celebrates America’s 250th under the big top
BARABOO, Wis. — At Circus World, the circus still knows how to make an entrance. As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, the Wisconsin Historical Society site is highlighting the nation’s long relationship with the circus through patriotic big-top performances, historic wagons and a summer celebration rooted in both spectacle and nostalgia.
More than 800 SSM Health St. Mary’s nurses seek to unionize
MADISON, Wis. — More than 800 nurses at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison are taking steps to unionize. They said burnout, staffing shortages, low pay and workplace pressure have pushed them to take action.
Everyday Hero: Janesville grandmother turns wedding gowns into angel gowns
JANESVILLE, Wis. — A Rock County grandmother is transforming wedding dresses into something deeply meaningful for families facing unimaginable loss. Inside her sunroom, Rosann Cassiopi gives gowns a second life, sewing them into infant burial garments known as angel gowns.
Rescued research beagles learn love in Dane County
DANE COUNTY, Wis. — In a safe house near Sun Prairie, former laboratory beagles are beginning a life many of them have never known — one with soft voices, gentle hands and the freedom to simply be dogs. The rescued beagles are currently staying there as volunteers help them adjust to life outside research facilities for the very first time. Eventually, the dogs will be rehabilitated and prepared for adoption through several organizations locally and across the country.
Rock County sees third data center proposal request
TOWN OF JANESVILLE, Wis. — A third data center proposal may be under consideration in Rock County, adding to a growing wave of development discussions across the region. The Town of Janesville confirmed that a tech company is eyeing land in the township for a potential data center project. No formal application has been filed, but local officials said there has been early contact.
Now Hiring: Madison Fire Department seeks new recruits Original
MADISON, Wis. — Stepping into the fire service takes courage, and one Dane County agency is looking for its next class of recruits ready to answer that call. What You Need To Know Stepping into the fire service takes courage, and one Dane County agency is looking for its next class of recruits ready to answer that call Madison Fire Department offers competitive city benefits and 24-hour shifts, which allows for flexibility Applications are being accepted through May 26.
Sun Prairie co-op farm producing thousands of flowers Original
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — One Dane County farm is offering something meant to last far longer than a single bouquet as a Mother’s Day gift option: A shared piece of land, community and future blooms. At the center of it all is Stan Hinkley, a 75-year-old who calls himself “the temporary steward of the farm.” “If you would have told me two years ago I was going to buy a farm at 73-years-of-age, I would’ve told you you’re crazy,” Hinkley said.
Gas price spike in Madison squeezes drivers, youth programs Original
MADISON, Wis. — Experts warn that gas prices could rise dramatically in Wisconsin and across the Midwest soon, due to refinery issues in Indiana.
Her daughter was stillborn. Now her story helps others
MADISON, Wis. — Dr. Kim Whitmore never got to watch her daughter grow up. Years after losing her baby girl, Alana Rose, to a stillbirth, she recently saw a glimpse of what that future might have looked like — an AI-generated image imagining her daughter at 7-years-old.
Mifflin Street Block Party gears up as safety takes center stage
MADISON, Wis. — A Madison tradition born out of anti-war protests returns Saturday as thousands are expected to pack the city’s historic Mifflin Street Block Party, where celebration and safety preparations are sharing the spotlight. Organizers, city officials and first responders are preparing for crowds estimated around 10,000 people as the decades-old spring ritual once again transforms the downtown neighborhood into a daylong party.
Growing Yemeni coffee concept expands in Madison, creating jobs and late-night alternative
MADISON, Wis. — A rapidly growing coffee concept is expanding across southern Wisconsin, bringing new jobs and a different kind of nightlife to the capital city. At Qamaria Yemeni Coffee on Madison’s west side, the atmosphere is warm, busy and increasingly popular with customers looking for a place to gather outside the traditional bar scene, where each cup is carefully crafted.
Everyday Hero: At 79, theater director Dee Baldock still steals the show
VERONA, Wis. — For more than three decades, the curtain has risen again and again at the Verona Area Community Theater, often with one constant behind the scenes — director Dee Baldock.
Friends recall fearless reporter held hostage in Baghdad
MOUNT HOREB, Wis. — Freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was abducted in Baghdad on March 31, is now safe.
Now Hiring: Woof Gang Middleton brings paw-some jobs, perks Original
MIDDLETON, Wis. — A new pet grooming and bakery shop is now open in Dane County, offering what employees call a dream job with flexible hours for dog lovers looking to join the team.
Second NaturPak explosion turns deadly in Janesville
JANESVILLE, Wis. — Two workers seriously injured in an explosion at the NaturPak manufacturing plant in Janesville have died, according to the company.
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