Media Releases

Highways & infrastructure

New report: Groups call on WisDOT to “Fix at Six”

  Plans to expand the I-94 East West corridor in Milwaukee could be replaced with a safer option that shifts investments to more pressing transportation needs, according to a new report released Tuesday. Titled “Fix at Six,” the study unveils the Transit/Rehab Alternative, which would better meet the current and future needs of Milwaukeans and Wisconsinites. The report comes out as the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) begins the public input process for a supplemental environmental review of the proposed highway expansion. 

Media Releases ●  September 22, 2021

Corporate responsibility

Report: Only one-third of largest phone companies have completely adopted anti-robocall technology

A looming deadline should finally force all U.S. phone companies to take stopping robocalls seriously. However, only one-third of the largest mobile and home phone providers nationwide -- and a more disappointing percentage of smaller telecommunications companies -- have installed caller ID verification aimed at squashing illegal robocalls.

Media Releases ●  September 18, 2021

Consumer alerts

Post-Ida Tips: Don’t compound tragedy by getting scammed, or poisoned by a generator

After making landfall in Louisiana on Sunday, Hurricane Ida tore a path of destruction from the Gulf Coast all the way to New York and New Jersey. With billions of dollars in damage from flooding, wind and tornadoes, far too many people must make insurance claims, repairs and begin rebuilding.

Media Releases ●  September 8, 2021

Consumer alerts

Back to school: financial literacy tips for college students, teens

During this time of year, families are thinking about the children going back to school, and for parents who are sending their kids to college, it can be a bit overwhelming. A key to addressing those concerns is making sure their teens are prepared for “adulting” -- in other words, taking care of their own lives.

Media Releases ●  August 3, 2021

Consumer alerts

Consumer tips: What families should know about child tax credit payments that start July 15

Starting Thursday, many families with children under 18 will start getting monthly payments as part of the American Rescue Plan that became law this spring. Eligible families will get payments every month through December by direct deposit or by paper checks or preloaded debit cards that come in the mail. These payments will add up to half the child tax credit you should be entitled to for 2021; you can claim the rest next year when you file your tax return.

Media Releases ●  July 14, 2021

Consumer alerts

New recalls of infant gliders highlight urgency of making products safer

Media Releases ●  June 4, 2021

Consumer alerts

Report: High-cost lenders in Wisconsin favor installment loans

High-cost lenders have changed the tactics they use to gather exorbitant interest payments from Wisconsinites struggling with their finances, according to a new report, Wisconsin’s Debt Trap, released Thursday by WISPIRG Foundation. A decade after the state legislature redefined “payday loans,” only two of the top 10 high-cost lenders now offer those products, while most offer installment loans.

Media Releases ●  May 20, 2021

Corporate responsibility

Lawmakers and public push Whole Foods to put “Planet Over Plastic” at upcoming annual meeting

AUSTIN, Texas --  U.S. PIRG Education Fund , Environment America Research & Policy Center, and Student PIRG sent 59,000 petitions and a letter signed by more than 40 state lawmakers Thursday to Whole Foods urging the company to commit to a comprehensive plan for phasing out single-use plastic packaging from its stores. This follows a March 2021 letter signed by more than 130 advocacy and community groups calling on the national supermarket chain to adopt a bold response to the plastic pollution crisis.

Media Releases ●  May 6, 2021

Toxic threats

Dangerous secrets: Popular cosmetics brands fail to disclose ingredients

A new report that surveys nearly 1,000 personal care products from 26 popular cosmetics companies finds that many of these companies are doing a poor job informing the public on what ingredients are going into their products, hiding potentially toxic chemicals from consumers.

Media Releases ●  May 5, 2021

Global warming solutions

Students host hundreds of local actions for Youth Earth Week

BOSTON - The Student PIRGs, a student environmental organizing group, is partnering with local organizations, student governments and elected officials to host in-person and virtual actions to celebrate Youth Earth Week, a national effort of more than 250 actions around the country to protect the environment, from April 19 to 23.

Media Releases ●  April 16, 2021