A husband and wife went to Ascension for their annual checkup. One of them walked out with a $600 bill.

From JSOnline:

Quinn ClarkTamia Fowlkes

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

In May 2023, Dan and Helen Lococo entered Ascension Hospital Southeast in Milwaukee for their first-ever annual wellness checkup.

The couple sat in the room together for the appointment as their doctor checked their height and weight and ticked through a series of questions about their medical history.

When they left, they anticipated Medicare would cover the routine appointment. 

But when a billing statement landed in their mailbox in September, the couple found that Dan Lococo had been charged for two additional services — an "established patient periodic preventive medicine examination" for $399 and an "office/outpatient established low MDM" for $180.

Helen Lococo, who had sat through an identical appointment, was not charged at all.

The billing discrepancy caused Dan and Helen Lococo over six months of emails, calls and sleepless nights while the couple pushed for answers from Ascension, culminating in a collections warning letter they received in the mail in December.

"This is your FINAL NOTICE," the letter read. "Your account may be placed with a collection agency and reported on your credit report if we do not receive payment immediately."

Then, on Jan. 23, Dan Lococo received a voicemail from Ascension letting him know all charges from the visit had been suddenly dropped, including some that he never disputed. The company's representative didn't give an explanation.

Now, the Lococos are asking why Ascension, one of the country's largest health care systems, was unable to explain the incorrect charges.

"(An annual wellness checkup) seemed like the right thing to do," Dan Lococo said. "But I have to say, I don't know that I'll ever do one again."

Experience working with insurance companies provides some answers

When Dan Lococo got the initial bill, he assumed Ascension had accidentally charged him too many times. When he asked Ascension, representatives told him he had to contact his doctor, he said.

He said his doctor attempted to dispute some of the charges, without success. By the end of October 2023, Dan Lococo still maintained over $600 in overdue payments to Ascension.

November and December were restless months for him and Helen Lococo, who said they toiled over documents, emails and old communications with Ascension. At night, she lay in bed replaying the appointment and billing dispute process in her head.

Early in their careers, both had worked in the health care industry on insurance billing and financial analysis. Based on their experience, the couple decided to request their appointment's insurance codes from Ascension.

Insurance codes are the set of letters and numbers representing the health care treatment or service given to a patient during a visit.

Through the codes, the Lococos confirmed that their annual wellness visit, coded G0439, was covered and not subject to copays and deductibles. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an annual wellness visit includes a personalized health issue prevention plan.

Still, Ascension maintained the validity of the charges.

"Somebody did contact us back, left a voicemail and simply said, 'Yes, we looked at the billing, and the coding is all correct,'" Dan Lococo said. "'These are valid charges. If you have any other questions, you have to contact customer service.'"

The couple said the struggle to speak with someone who could justify the extra charges became increasingly frustrating.

More:If you're having a health insurance dispute in Wisconsin, these organizations may be able to help

At one point, the Lococos said they requested a meeting with a representative from the hospital and a patient advocate to negotiate their case. Ascension did not respond, according to Dan Lococo.

By the time the couple received the collections notice in December, they had not spoken to Ascension in more than a month, they said. They decided to ignore the notice.

When Dan Lococo received the news in January that the charges had suddenly been dropped, he felt relieved, but remained frustrated with the lack of explanation.

Because Ascension also dropped his vaccination charges that he had never disputed, he suspects Ascension simply didn't want to deal with him anymore.

"I don't want to be that person that just (says), 'Well, you know what, I'll just be a complete jerk, and they'll back down,'" Dan Lococo said. "That doesn't sit well with me."

More:Ascension Wisconsin was blasted for poor staffing, lapses in care. Here's what the new CEO Daniel Jackson plans to do.

Shortly after Journal Sentinel inquiry, Ascension calls with explanation

The Public Investigator team contacted Ascension Wisconsin on Feb. 5 for an explanation of the Lococos' dropped charges.

Dan Lococo said the following day — Feb. 6 — he received a voicemail from Ascension's director of revenue cycle operations, Karly Wagner.

When he called her back the next day, Wagner confirmed that he never should have been charged in the first place, he said.

"She went on to explain that this was an educational issue at the practice and customer service level, and that education will take place to avoid future problems," he said.

The same day, Matthew Hanselman, Ascension Wisconsin's chief financial officer, told Public Investigator that he could not comment on the Lococos' situation for patient privacy reasons.

In general, he attributed potential errors in billing and other "reimbursement challenges" to variations in insurance companies' internal systems for processing claims.

As commercial insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid have widely varying reimbursement and coverage policies, as well as different prior authorization and medical necessity requirements.

"These variations create reimbursement challenges, and payers, clinics, billing departments, and other parties occasionally make mistakes which could impact the consumer’s balance due," said Hanselman.

He added that Ascension appreciates when patients ask questions about their bills.

"We thoroughly investigate those instances and work to put solutions in place, so subsequent patients benefit from those learnings," Hanselman said.

Even with their charges removed, Dan and Helen Lococo worry that other patients might fall victim to billing mistakes if they lack the free time and energy to dispute incorrect charges.

"I got the sense that the goal of the call was to provide me with the impression that this was an isolated incident and to solicit a response indicating that I was completely satisfied with the outcome," Dan Lococo said in an email to Public Investigator reporters following the call.

The couple wonders if similar incidents have happened to others.  

"I can't imagine people who have tons of bills, how they keep that straight and go through at all," Helen Lococo said. "This was just one bill."

Quinn Clark is a Public Investigator reporter. She can be emailed at QClark@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @Quinn_A_Clark. Tamia Fowlkes is a Public Investigator reporter. Reach Tamia at 414-224-2193 or tfowlkes@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @tamiafowlkes.

Questions or tips? Contact Public Investigator

Government corruption. Corporate wrongdoing. Consumer complaints. Medical scams. Public Investigator is a new initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth. We'll investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to watchdog@journalsentinel.com or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit tips at jsonline.com/tips

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/investigations/public-investigator/2024/02/15/milwaukee-couple-spends-months-fighting-ascension-medical-bill/72443775007/

Ascension is notorious for failing patients regularly.  I'm an Aurora client.  They are no better.  I have been lied to by their doctors numerous times.  When called on their lies, the doctors drop you as a patient.  At this point, I've gone through numerous doctors.  Thirty years ago, when I first went to Aurora, things were quite different.  However, all of my doctors from that time have retired and the "new breed" are absolute crap.  There is an MD there that will kill someone, if she hasn't already.  Completely incompetent.  She had Aurora send me a threatening certified letter.  Of course, a patient has no chance against one of their MDs.  They will gladly take your money but they suffer criticism very poorly.  I wish we had a Froedtert in this area.

Time limit for preliminary hearing waived for former sheriff's deputy Preston Kite in need of attorney

From The Journal Times.com:

Preston Kite, a former Racine County Sheriff's Office deputy who is accused of child sex crimes, appeared in court via Zoom from the Kenosha County Detention Center next to Judge Timothy Boyle on Thursday morning. 

Hanna Van Den Einde

RACINE — Preston Kite, a former Racine County Sheriff’s Office deputy accused of sex crimes against children, was granted more time to retain an attorney in court Thursday morning.

Kite, 37, was charged Feb. 8 with possession of child pornography, five counts of sexual exploitation of a child, lewd and lascivious behavior and disorderly conduct. During his initial appearance Feb. 8, a judge set a $150,000 cash bond.

Kite is accused of exposing himself to a man in a public restroom. During the investigation into the incident, deputies from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department reportedly found child sexual abuse material on Kite’s phone, according to the criminal complaint filed in the case.

Kite was immediately removed from duty and placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the termination process, according to Lt. Michael Luell, public information officer for the sheriff’s office. Luell said Kite’s disciplinary process was completed Feb. 8, resulting in his termination.

The sheriff’s office also requested that the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department lead the investigation.

Kite appeared via Zoom from the Kenosha County Detention Center without an attorney for a preliminary hearing Thursday.

Kite said he has made attempts to get counsel through the State Public Defender Office in Racine and his family is trying to retain an attorney for him.

Judge Timothy Boyle found good cause that Kite was trying to find an attorney and waived the required time limits for holding a preliminary hearing.

Kite will appear in court again March 7 for a status conference.

Kite

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/former-deputy-preston-kite-appears-in-court-lacks-attorney/article_4fa7e86c-cc24-11ee-b61a-e3a8b34feebb.html

Former UW professor who resigned amid sex harassment probe fired by Goshen College

From JSOnline:

Kelly Meyerhofer

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Richard Brunson, a former University of Wisconsin professor who sexually harassed students and went on to land two other jobs in education, was fired by his most recent employer a week after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on his disciplinary history.

The story highlighted the unusual steps the UW System took to bring Brunson's background to light and how, despite those efforts, both a Wisconsin school district and an out-of-state college hired him.

Contacted for comment on the termination, Brunson's lawyer, Michael Brown of DVG Law Partner, asked the Journal Sentinel to "please leave us alone."

Brown has previously argued UW's actions amounted to overreach. He asked the student newspaper of the Indiana college where Brunson most recently worked: "At what point do ongoing punishments of Dr. Brunson become excessive (and unending)? … How, if at all, can Dr. Brunson ever have an opportunity to move forward with his career and community life and have a chance to prove he has changed, and is changing, for the better?”

Here's what to know:

Where did Richard Brunson work?

Brunson was a music professor at the UW-Stevens Point Marshfield campus for just over a decade.

A UW System investigation found he sexually harassed several of his students in a pattern going back several years, records show. Six students told investigators they received sexually suggestive messages from Brunson, often about masturbation.

While the disciplinary process was playing out, Brunson applied for a job teaching choir to middle and high school students in the Medford School District, about 40 miles north of the Marshfield campus.

Brunson resigned before the UW Board of Regents could vote on firing him. So instead, five months after Brunson quit, the board revoked his unused sick leave. A day later, a UW System lawyer called Medford's superintendent to share what had happened.

Is what UW System did in this case rare?

Yes. Proactively volunteering information on a former employee's disciplinary history is "unusual," one education risk-management expert told the Journal Sentinel.

But it's something more schools should consider doing if their state laws allow them to do so, Brett Soklow of TNG said. It can help curb a common problem in education known as "pass-the-trash," where someone commits misconduct, quietly leaves and is hired elsewhere.

How did Medford School District respond?

Medford put Brunson on paid leave for the next seven months until he resigned at the end of the 2022-23 school year, according to a settlement agreement Brunson struck with the district. Medford agreed to provide a neutral letter of reference for Brunson.

Medford Superintendent Pat Sullivan declined to answer questions about the district's hiring process.

How did Brunson land job at Goshen College?

Brunson applied for a music professor position at Goshen College, a private Mennonite liberal arts school in Indiana, two hours east of Chicago. He also sued UW System to prevent releasing public records associated with his time at UW-Stevens Point.

The chair of Goshen's music department contacted UW-Stevens Point's human resources office about Brunson in June 2023, UW System spokesperson Mark Pitsch said. The HR office responded, saying Brunson hadn't been employed there since June 2022 and an ongoing court case prevented the university from releasing public records.

A judge last August ordered the documents be turned over. Goshen had already hired Brunson by then.

What has Goshen College said about its hiring process?

Goshen College spokesperson Jodi Beyeler said the college had not submitted a formal records request to the UW System and did not know the reasons behind Brunson's resignations until the Journal Sentinel contacted the school in late January.

The UW investigation "was not revealed to us through references or background checks," Goshen College human resources director Marlene Penner later said in an email to students and staff.

The school put Brunson on leave a day after the Journal Sentinel story published Feb. 5. On Monday, Penner emailed the campus to say Brunson had been terminated.

"We take all reports of sexual harassment very seriously, including from previous employers, and have sought to act with both due diligence and speed," Penner wrote to the campus community. "We are committed to examining our systems to strengthen our prevention and responses in the future."

Contact Kelly Meyerhofer at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @KellyMeyerhofer.

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/education/2024/02/13/goshen-college-fires-richard-brunson-former-uw-professor/72571917007/

"It can help curb a common problem in education known as 'pass-the-trash,' where someone commits misconduct, quietly leaves and is hired elsewhere."

That's how sex predators just keep going and going...

Battle Of Berlin: Latvian Legion | Final Defence | Forgotten History Of World War II

My parents were Latvian immigrants to the US after the war.  They didn't want to live under Soviet or German rule.  This video embarrasses me. 

Biden says his 'memory is fine' in reaction to report | REUTERS

Janet Protasiewicz campaign official claims vulgar reason for embedding horses in ads

From JSOnline:

Molly BeckJessie Opoien

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Supreme Court candidate Janet Protasiewicz (center) holds hands with Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice, Rebecca Dallet (far let),and Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley (right of Protasiewicz) at Protasiewicz’s election night watch party for state Supreme Court at Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel in Milwaukee on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. Wisconsin voters headed to the polls for the spring general election to determine a new justice on the Supreme Court as well as other local, nonpartisan offices. Protasiewicz is facing off against Daniel Kelly for a spot on Wisconsin's top court.

Mike De Sisti / The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MADISON - Wisconsin voters were bombarded with ads last year in the most expensive state court race in U.S. history, but they probably didn't notice commercials paid for by Janet Protasiewicz's campaign featured a number of horses. That unusual detail was never explained to voters — until now, when a campaign official claimed a crude reason.

Protasiewicz’s campaign for Wisconsin Supreme Court used a portion of its massive fundraising haul to hide horse figurines and feature neighing in ads as an apparent subliminal reference to baseless inside jokes about her opponent fornicating with horses, Protasiewicz's campaign manager said in a recent interview.

Protasiewicz's campaign manager Alejandro Verdin said in a Jan. 25 appearance with a liberal podcaster that the campaign hid images of horses in negative campaign ads against former Justice Daniel Kelly, and used audio of a horse neighing in one radio spot, to convey the message he alleged came from focus groups: that Kelly looked like a "horse (expletive)."

Alerted to Verdin's comments, Kelly told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "This goes a long way towards explaining why Janet Protasiewicz's campaign was so dishonest, undignified and lacking in respect for the office of Supreme Court justice."

"This is just sick," Kelly said. "Wisconsinites ought to be appalled by this kind of vulgarity and vileness."

Verdin boasted about the activities on "The Downballot," a podcast produced by the liberal Daily Kos, and promoted the episode on social media. He did not provide evidence to back up his claim.

According to a source with Protasiewicz's campaign, the new justice was not aware of the horse imagery in the ads. Verdin, Protasiewicz, and other members of the campaign declined or did not respond to interview requests.

A quick review of the campaign’s TV and radio ads found that there were, indeed, hidden horses on more than one occasion, such as positioned in front of a plant pot in one ad's background. A horse figurine can be seen in the background of at least three television spots (a fourth was too blurry to confirm).

The campaign also ran a radio ad poking at Kelly’s family history — the candidate described his dad, who worked on ranches in Wyoming, Colorado and California, as an “honest-to-god cowboy.” 

Kelly sometimes shared an anecdote on the campaign trail about his father promising that, while he could not leave him many material possessions, he would leave his son "a good name."

“There goes dirty Dan Kelly, riding off into the sunset of his pathetic, dishonest campaign,” said a narrator after the sound of a horse neighing.

Verdin told podcast co-host David Beard the initial accusation came from a participant in a focus group for Supreme Court Justice Jill Karofsky's 2020 campaign against Kelly. A former campaign aide for Karofsky declined to confirm the story.

"This was sort of like an internal joke that we all kind of laughed about, because it was just such like a weird thing. But then, like, weirdly, we started hearing it on the campaign trail from other people," Verdin said in the interview.

Verdin said the internal joke was taken "to another level" by media consultant Ben Nuckels, who also worked on Gov. Tony Evers' campaigns.

"He literally hid visuals of horses in nearly every negative ad produced against Dan Kelly," Verdin said. "You don't see it and we didn't catch on. And like, he did it really well."

Nuckels declined to be interviewed.

Verdin said he found the chatter "funny."

"The thing that was so funny about it was that one, it's an uncommon insult; two, it's just like a very weird thing. And three, the funniest thing about this is that Dan Kelly, his father was a cowboy from the West ... and Dan Kelly himself was a horseman."

Protasiewicz defeated Kelly by 11 points in April 2023, securing a liberal majority on the court for the first time in years. It was the most expensive judicial contest in U.S. history, with spending tallies from the nationally spotlighted election surpassing $50 million.

The Protasiewicz campaign spent nearly $13 million on TV advertising. It's unclear how much of that was allocated to ads featuring horses.

Molly Beck and Jessie Opoien can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com and jessie.opoien@jrn.com.

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2024/02/06/janet-protasiewicz-campaign-embedded-horse-images-in-anti-kelly-ads/72427170007/

'They're both dinosaurs': Concerns about age drive lack of enthusiasm for Biden and Trump

From JSOnline:

Molly BeckSam WoodwardLaura Schulte

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

SUPERIOR – Last week marked the first barnstorm of the 2024 presidential election cycle.

President Joe Biden visited Wisconsin's northwestern corner on Thursday while Vice President Kamala Harris stopped in Waukesha County on Monday and Biden's Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen capped off the week in Milwaukee while the Biden-Harris team pointedly weighed in on the Legislature's proposed 14-week abortion ban referendum.

Though the Republican presidential primary race is technically still underway, with former President Donald Trump leading former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley by double digits in polling, it's over to Biden as he and his surrogates blanketed the state with a message aimed at chipping away Trump support.

Both candidates have an uphill battle in a battleground state that each of them has won in the last two elections. Just 37% of Wisconsin voters polled by the Marquette University Law School in November said they had a favorable impression of Trump. Not many more said they had a good opinion of Biden, at 42%. In a head-to-head matchup, Biden edged Trump by three percentage points — within the margin of error.

Voters surveyed by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Thursday during a Biden trip to Superior and Duluth, Minn., signaled the candidates' ages and enthusiasm for either could be key challenges for both campaigns.

Ruth Hagenan, who works at Top Hat Tavern in Superior, is still an undecided voter. Despite her excitement over the presidential visit and being able to see Biden’s motorcade fly by the bar, she’s thinking she will likely vote Republican this fall because she’s concerned about the economy and believes it was better during the tenure of Trump.

But she has some concerns over both Biden and Trump’s cognitive abilities. As a former home care nurse, she sees symptoms of aging that alarm her.

“I’ve seen them both stumble in their thought process,” she said. “So to me, it’s like they need backup to help. Can they do this on their own? Can they do it quickly?”

Debby Strop, co-owner of Uncle Loui's Cafe in Duluth, told the Journal Sentinel she does not identify with either major party but appreciates Biden's visit. Strop's cafe was used as a backdrop in 2018 by Fox News' morning show "Fox & Friends."

"I'm glad he's here. It shows he really cares. If he didn't why would he be here?" she said, noting the cold and foggy weather. Despite this, Strop said she doesn't want either Trump or Biden to run. Their age is a major issue for the 67-year-old, saying deciding between candidates who are 77 and 81 is not ideal.

For Duluth resident and barista Afton Iliff, the 2024 election is the last thing on her mind. "I don't like either of them," she said. "Biden is way too old and Trump is a horrible person."

During the summer months, Iliff works as a heavy-equipment operator for a local construction company, working to consolidate highways and prepare for construction on the Blatnik Bridge — the replacement of which Biden visited the area Thursday to promote. She said she's happy the work is getting attention because the lack of accessible roadways affects the lives of those in the region, saying that most politicians aren't in touch with "real people's" needs. "The people in office are too old. They're not even going to see the changes they are voting for," she said. "They're older than sliced bread."

Illif said she wants to see a candidate focus on reining in spending on international conflict and instead restructure the health care and pharmaceutical industries.The 21-year-old said that even if she did like who was running, she doesn't think her voting would make a difference. She has never voted and is unsure if she will this year.

University of Minnesota Duluth senior John Leppik said the "age problem" in politics is not just an executive branch issue, downplaying it being unique to Biden.

"They're both dinosaurs, but, this is an issue with the wider political fabric, not just the presidency," he said. "We have the oldest Senate that we've ever had, the oldest house."

Leppik said he describes himself as "progressive" and voted for Biden in 2020 because he wanted "not Trump." The English and linguistics major said he was enthusiastic about Biden's pro-union policies and believes Biden has followed through with his goals on that issue. When asked if Biden can beat Trump in 2024, Leppik said "He did it already."

Kiett Takkunen, a former teacher who drove 40 minutes to wait outside of Earth Rider Brewery in Superior to see Biden, is not on the fence, however. She plans to vote for Biden in November.

Takkunen said she's worried about a redux of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol if Biden wins again. She said the issue of abortion is a motivating issue for her.

“I wonder if Trump’s people are going to go just crazy again, when he loses the next time, are we going to have another insurrection?” she said. “Some people talk about a civil war, but I think that might be a little extreme. But we’re so divided right now, it’s so sad.”

Wisconsin Republicans portrayed the Biden team's Wisconsin blitz as as an act of electoral desperation in the face of high grocery prices and disorder at the southern border. 

"Look, there's a reason we're getting all this tourism in Wisconsin from the White House," Republican Party of Wisconsin chairman Brian Schimming told reporters Thursday. "And that is not that we all know that President Biden will lose Wisconsin in November. It's because he's lost Wisconsin already."

Molly Beck, Sam Woodward and Laura Schulte can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com, swoodward@gannett.com and leschulte@gannett.com.

Original story: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/01/29/age-questions-hang-over-both-biden-and-trump-in-wisconsin-swing-region/72339800007/

I'm 72 and I also consider both candidates to be inept, old fools.  Come November, pick your poison. 

TMJ4 faces backlash for asking Black business owners to pay to appear on air during Black History Month

From JSOnline:

Drake Bentley

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Milwaukee's NBC affiliate TV station stirred up some ill feelings after marketing an opportunity to local Black-owned businesses to appear on a morning program during Black History Month, but only if they were willing to pay $1,000.

WTMJ-TV sent marketing emails to several Black business owners in the area offering an opportunity to appear on "The Morning Blend," TMJ4's daily lifestyle program, which airs weekdays at 9 a.m.

The email included an attachment with a Black History Month graphic that noted how important it is for the program to highlight Black-owned businesses during February.

"It is important to The Morning Blend to highlight black-owned businesses during Black History Month to celebrate their contributions, promote diversity, amplify voices, tell their story, and foster inclusivity and understanding in the community," the attachment read.

Business owners who pay will get a copy of the segment. "This is a great opportunity to tell your story and reach the members in your community," the attachment read.

It offered that a business' "investment" would be $1,000, which the email said was a discounted price.

“If you're going to invite us to celebrate Black History Month then we shouldn't be charged to come in to celebrate Black History Month,” said Tomira White, owner of Delicious Bites on Wauwatosa's east side.

TMJ4's station manager, Gregg Schraufnagel, told the Journal Sentinel that "The Morning Blend" is a lifestyle program, not part of the news division, and that it is common for content to be sponsored on the program. "That’s always been the format of the show," he said.

"The Morning Blend" has been on the air for 18 years.

Schraufnagel declined to get into the specific details of show's makeup, how many of its segments are sponsored, its typical practices for reaching out to possible guests, or whether the program has charged for Black History Month segments in the past. "Things are evolving all the time," he said.

"We will all learn from this."

But he noted that "we absolutely do not charge for anyone to be on the news or for any news coverage, ever."

It's widely considered unethical for a news organization to pay sources for information or access, a practice advised against by the Society of Professional Journalists.

Kimberly Adams, owner of Signature Sweets, has appeared in multiple forms of media including on Food Network. She posted to Facebook on Wednesday about the emails, spurring many other Black business owners to come forward to express that they'd also received the email and felt insulted by it. Her post was shared dozens of times and had received almost 100 comments as of Friday evening.

"You know, typically when someone's celebrating or honored they're not paying to be celebrated or honored," White said.

Schraufnagel called White Friday afternoon to apologize for the marketing efforts, White said. "I did really appreciate that," she said.

"I reached out to members of our community who voiced an opinion about it, to explain the nature of the show, that it's paid content, and to express that we regretted the tie-in to Black History Month," he told the Journal Sentinel. "Everyone I spoke with was understanding."

Drake Bentley can be reached at DBentley1@gannett.com or 414-391-5647.

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2024/01/27/tmj-morning-blend-invites-black-businesses-on-air-for-a-price/72373364007/

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Another round: George’s Encore opening Feb. 20 in Racine

From The Journal Times.com:

RACINE — After George’s Tavern, a staple in Racine’s music community for nearly 80 years, closed Dec. 24, it was clear that the people wanted more — an encore, perhaps.

Caleb Robinson says he plans to deliver just that with George’s Encore, opening Feb. 20 at 1201 N. Main St.

George the Penguin, a 6-foot-tall, 30-pound metal sculpture, will greet patrons again when George's Encore opens Feb. 20 at the former George’s Tavern.

Clarissa Garza

Robinson said he wants to embrace the history of George’s Tavern and build upon the established community atmosphere.

A Racine native, Robinson was a patron of George’s Tavern and has known the previous proprietors, Gary, Sherry and Michael from the Gibson family, for years.

A long-time entrepreneur, Robinson has unique experience in both the live music and restaurant industries.

He celebrated his 12th season at Smoke’d On the Water, 3 Fifth St., this past summer.

The seasonal restaurant, open Memorial Day through Labor Day near the Pershing Park Boat Launch, features live music with karaoke on Thursdays, Open Jams on Fridays, two bands on Saturdays and one band on Sundays.

Before Smoke’d On the Water, Robinson ran Top Dog Hot Dogs, a mobile food stand usually set up on Monument Square.

George's Tavern, at the corner of Main and Hamilton streets, closed in December, but the Racine staple is set to reopen Feb. 20 as George's Encore under the ownership of Caleb Robinson.Clarissa Garza

Honoring George’s Tavern

The well-loved events from George’s Tavern like Open Jam Nights, Evening of Storytelling and Tom & Jerry cocktails on Thanksgiving morning will live on at George’s Encore, Robinson said.

He also plans to continue previous fundraising partnerships, such as working with Thoughts for Food.

George’s Encore will offer its venue space for the fundraiser benefitting Racine County Food Bank at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 2.

When Gary Gibson ran the kitchen at George’s Tavern, patrons valued his home-cooked meals, like the chili and soups. Robinson said George’s Encore will share this same commitment to home-cooked food.

Robinson said Jeremy Gibson, who will be running the kitchen and is not related to the tavern’s original Gibson family, and Jenni Sailor, who will run the bar, will help make the “Food, Fun & Friends” values the tavern was built on possible at the next installment of George’s.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/business/georges-encore-to-continue-racine-staple-bars-legacy/article_aa2ef84c-b55f-11ee-9b43-ab9482369653.html#tracking-source=mp-homepage

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