— The Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation is using a data platform from a startup called Redox for its First Breath program, a statewide smoking cessation effort aimed at pregnant women and young moms.
The Madison company is providing services to WWHF through a charitable program that subsidizes the cost of the health data services for nonprofits and other qualifying groups.
“‘Redox Gives exists to support organizations that traditionally wouldn’t have the resources to purchase Redox but would benefit from our integration platform and services,” said Niko Skievaski, co-founder and president of Redox.
The First Breath program relies on health care staff at OB/GYN clinics who refer targeted smokers to the Foundation, which has dedicated counselors to guide pregnant women and young mothers away from smoking.
A release shows WWHF has 240 First Breath sites that have served 20,000 women — and more than half of participants quit smoking or reduced their intake during pregnancy. Eighty percent of patients in the program say their homes are smoke-free six months after childbirth.
First Breath has coverage in all 72 counties, and has trained more than 900 health care staff to refer individuals to the program. Between 2017 and 2018, the number of sites grew by 50 percent. Over the same period, the program saw a 34 percent increase in reach to pregnant or postpartum women.
— Madison’s GreenPower program recently installed its 12th solar array in the city at Goodman Maintenance Facility.
The program, now in its fourth year, trains workers for the solar industry under the direction of the city’s Engineering Division. The new solar array was recently activated and will produce about enough power for 12 homes each year, according to a release.
The newest solar project is the 12th installed by GreenPower trainees and the 23rd installed on city buildings in Madison, the release shows. The solar project will provide about 35 percent of the building’s electricity usage.
During a press conference last week with Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, program trainee Sarah Burns explained the program is helping drive her interest in solar technology. It includes classroom training on the basics of solar energy, along with on-the-job training at city buildings, including the Goodman facility.
Rhodes-Conway stressed the need to “push the envelope” when it comes to pursuing clean energy.
“I love it that we are offsetting millions of tons of carbon dioxide — 54 million tons, as a matter of fact — of carbon dioxide this year, through our renewable energy efforts,” she said.
The state’s Focus on Energy program, which helps cover the cost of new energy efficiency projects, is providing $11,250 to the city for the new array. Joe Rolchen, an advisor for the program, said it delivers $5 in benefits for every $1 invested in the program.
A federal study this year concluded Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program is the most cost-effective energy efficiency program in the country.
Watch a video of the press conference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVJXh04Fe8c&feature=youtu.be
See a recent story on Focus on Energy: http://www.wisbusiness.com/2019/focus-on-energy-cost-effectiveness-highlighted-in-new-study/
– State tax collections came in $75.5 million higher for fiscal year 2018-19 than what the Legislative Fiscal Bureau had projected in May.
Still, the Department of Revenue noted in yesterday’s announcement the tax collection numbers haven’t been audited yet. That will be done in time for the state’s annual fiscal report released in October.
DOR also pointed out other factors will impact the state’s final bottom line once the books are closed on the 2018-19 fiscal year. That includes final figures on what the state spent during the fiscal year.
The LFB’s May projections also included an ending balance for 2018-19 of $948 million.
See the release:
— Former House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, has joined the board of directors for SHINE Medical Technologies, a manufacturer of radioisotopes for nuclear medicine.
In a statement, company founder and CEO Greg Peifer called Ryan “a visionary with a wealth of experience and an expansive network that are welcome additions to SHINE’s board.”
The company is headquartered in Janesville, where it is building a medical isotope production facility.
Ryan announced last week he was moving his family to the Washington, D.C., suburbs, though he isn’t selling his Janesville home.
See the release:
— Employees of UNFI/SuperValu in Green Bay have rejected a recently proposed contract, claiming the company aims to reduce their health benefits.
About 150 drivers and warehouse workers are striking, represented by Teamsters Local 662. The group’s Warehouse Division Director, Steve Vairma, notes UNFI/Supervalu is the largest distributor for Whole Foods, with more than $10 billion in net sales last year.
“They can absolutely afford to provide family-sustaining jobs and quality health care to all of the people who work hard to make this company function,” Vairma said.
Craig Vandenheuvel, an employee of UNFI/SuperValu for two decades, says workers have “given up wage increases over the years to keep our high-quality health care, and there’s no way we’re going to let the company take it away.”
The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
See the release: http://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/green-bay-teamsters-reject-contract-with-major-whole-foods-supplier-authorize-strike-300907128.html
— The Milwaukee Health Department and DATCP have shut down operations at Outpost Natural Foods after a routine inspection discovered “unsanitary conditions” and food products infected with Salmonella.
The agencies also found evidence of unsafe food handling practices at the co-op that could pose a risk to public health, according to a release. DATCP has suspended the business’s meat establishment license, while the city has suspended all retail food processing.
See the release: http://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Media/20190823OutpostSuspension.aspx
— Edge Messaging has launched a new podcast featuring discussions on marketing, advertising and public relations.
“We’re going to break down the fundamental concepts of communication and examine how everyone can more effectively spread their message, grow their audience and increase their impact on the world,” said Edge Messaging President Brian Fraley. “We’re also going to have some fun, give props where they are due and talk about our various industry-related pet peeves.”
Fraley will host the podcast alongside Dan Deibert, Edge Messaging’s director of creativity and innovation. Diebert previously worked in broadcast radio for 25 years before joining Edge Messaging in 2017.
The first two episodes of Plan2Win with Edge Messaging are now available online.
Check out the new podcast here: http://edgemessaging.com/podcast/
— The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce is promoting an upcoming event on the impact of federal research in Wisconsin as part of its annual Milwaukee Night in DC.
Panelists at the Sept. 17 discussion will include: Junhong Chen, a UW-Milwaukee distinguished professor of mechanical engineering and materials science engineering; Jim Thomas, medical director of the clinical trials office and associate director of translational research at the Medical College of Wisconsin; Shane Hubbard, a UW-Madison research scientists at the Space Science and Engineering Center; and Sandra Hunter, a professor of exercise science in the department of physical therapy at Marquette University.
The event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Capitol Visitor Center in Milwaukee.
See more event details: http://mmacwiassoc.wliinc28.com/events/The-Innovation-Connection-How-Federal-Research-Benefits-Wisconsin-2380/details
#TOP STORIES#
# Wisconsin’s millennial marketing campaign to continue, despite funding change
# Settlement would limit We Energies rate increase to 1.3% in 2020
# Northwestern Mutual partakes in $33M funding round for Japanese diagnostics company
# Wisconsin leads country in family-farm bankruptcies
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– State egg production on the rise
# BANKING
– Peoples State Bank planning West Allis branch
– Greenwoods State Bank celebrates opening of Waukesha branch
# CONSTRUCTION
– Camosy low bidder for Oconomowoc public-safety building
# ECONOMY
– Wisconsin collects $17.3 billion in taxes
# ENVIRONMENT
– Captive elk tests positive for chronic wasting disease
# FOOD AND BEVERAGE
– Food processing suspended at Outpost’s Bay View facility
– Kindred on KK closes in Bay View
# HEALTH CARE
– Immunization rates in Wisconsin schools continue slide
– AIQ Solutions of Madison raises $3.2 million for cancer treatment assessment software
# LEGAL
– Northridge Mall owner takes fight against demolition order to court
– More hearings scheduled for livestock siting rule changes
# MEDIA
– New tone for WTMJ radio talk shows is kinder, gentler
# POLITICS
– Wisconsin state treasurer, governor launch retirement task force
– Wisconsin congressional Democrats target Trump trade war
# REAL ESTATE
– Top-floor condo at Riverfront Lofts in downtown Milwaukee sold for $1.55 million
– Northridge Mall owner takes fight against demolition order to court
# REGULATION
– Great Lakes freighters may have to treat ballast water to curb invasives
– Proposed ordinance regulating use of plastic straws worries disability rights advocates, restaurant industry
# RETAIL
– Chicago-area furniture dealership enters Milwaukee market after Forrer shutdown
– Four Star Video Cooperative tries to hang on in a world of streaming
# TECHNOLOGY
– State to receive federal funds to boost rural broadband
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
http://wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 </i>
SHINE Medical Technologies: Former House Speaker Paul Ryan appointed to SHINE’s Board of Directors
Arts Wisconsin: Seeks nominations for 2019 Arts in the Community Awards
Maglio Companies: Mexico drought is taking its toll on limes
Lowlands Group: Expands Lowlands Brewing Collaborative with release of new ‘Now Playing’ series
