— Kohl’s has donated $1 million to five nonprofit organizations in Milwaukee to improve equity and economic empowerment for minorities in underserved communities.
“At a time when there is a clear call to action to do more to address inequities for People of Color, Kohl’s is committed to actions that support long-term sustainable progress in supporting these organizations,” said Michelle Gass, Kohl’s CEO. “We look forward to sharing more of our plans and actions in the future to enhance diversity and inclusivity in our workplace, in our business and in the communities we serve.”
The three new additions to its existing hometown partnership program include: $150,000 to the Milwaukee Urban League; $250,000 to Employ Milwaukee; and $250,000 to Acts Housing. Kohl’s renewed its commitment to Safe & Sound and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, which received $175,000 and $150,000 from the retailer, respectively.
In addition to financial contributions, the Menomonee Falls-based retailer will support the nonprofit organizations through associate volunteerism, leadership engagement and creating opportunities for a talent pipeline to Kohl’s.
Earlier this year, Kohl’s signed the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s Region of Choice Pledge commitment to increase the number of African-American and Hispanic or Latino employees in metro Milwaukee by 15 percent, and the number of African-American and Hispanic or Latino managers in metro Milwaukee by 25 percent, by 2025.
— Federal security compliance is becoming more critical as the Midwest economy increasingly becomes targeted by cyber criminals, causing disruption to manufacturers’ operations and the U.S. Department of Defense supply chain.
“To manufacturers that don’t have the internal resources to navigate it all, it can feel daunting. Even scary. But it doesn’t have to be, in fact, it can be an opportunity for them,” said Scott Singer, retired U.S. Navy captain and president of CyberNINES, a new cybersecurity company.
To lead manufacturers in the federal government’s effort to shield DoD data from cyber theft, a Madison-based IT company 5NINES and Singer have partnered to create CyberNINES.
The focus of CyberNINES is two-phased, according to Singer.
The company helps small and mid-sized manufacturers in Wisconsin and Minnesota that process, transmit or store certain sensitive information meet mandatory federal government compliance for cybersecurity.
CyberNINES also guides those manufacturers through new regulations, including the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification standard announced in January, to help them win more DoD business.
“Scott’s extensive background with the military and Department of Defense along with his former position as CIO of Par Systems is the perfect next-level fit with the growing cybersecurity department we’ve developed at 5NINES,” said Todd Streicher, president of 5NINES.
The CMMC standard will also bring a change to the current process of self-assessment, soon requiring that all DoD contractors be assessed by an accredited third-party organization.
“Our program was also created to help manufacturers prepare for certification by a third-party assessor,” Singer said.
— The 2020 Dem National Convention featured a series of Wisconsin-related events.
WisPolitics.com has compiled a video collection of many of those from a variety of sources.
See the video collection here: http://www.wispolitics.com/2020/2020-democratic-national-convention-video/
— As Wisconsinites take advantage of the last weeks of summer and the weekly average for positive COVID-19 tests remains high, the state Department of Health Services is urging people to use a new decision tool to help assess risk.
The tool takes the user through a series of questions to determine the best course of action to keep themselves, their families and communities safe.
“Like for example, visiting a state park instead of a large gathering, or enjoying a drink on your back porch instead of going to a crowded bar,” DHS Secretary Palm said Friday in a briefing.
The Decision Tool for Individuals and Families was released last week as Wisconsin continues to see significant COVID-19 activity. Recent information shows this is partly due to family and friends gathering.
Data from contact tracing calls indicate that the percent of people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 who reported attending a gathering, party, or other meet up with people outside their home in the past two weeks grew from 7 percent of cases in May to 21 percent of cases in June and 20 percent of cases in July, according to DHS.
“This tool is meant to empower people to choose safer activities whenever possible,” Palm said, noting all activities involve some level of risk depending on the individual and the community the activity is located.
Find the decision tool here: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/decision.htm
— Wisconsin health officials report 453 new COVID-19 cases.
The seven-day average of daily confirmed cases dropped from 708 to 674 — the lowest since July 11. And the seven-day average for percent of positive tests increased from 7.6 on Friday to 8 percent Sunday.
DHS officials have previously indicated that trend data is important to watch rather than daily counts since day-to-day testing is influenced by the availability of tests and the number of people tested.
The new cases bring the cumulative case count to 70,462, with 61,720 recovered. Meanwhile, 1.5 percent of patients have died with the death toll now at 1,081.
Counties reporting deaths include: Milwaukee (479), Racine (85), Waukesha (70), Kenosha (61), Brown (57), Dane (39), Rock (26), Washington (26), Walworth (25), Winnebago (20), Ozaukee (18), Outagamie (17), Grant (16), Waupaca (17), Marathon (13), Clark (8), Fond du Lac (9), Sheboygan (8), Jefferson (6), St. Croix (6), Marinette (6), Eau Claire (6), Dodge (5), Forest (4), Pierce (4) and Richland (4).
Barron, Door, Taylor and Sauk counties report three deaths each. Adams, Buffalo, Calumet, Columbia, Kewaunee, Langlade, Monroe, Polk, Trempealeau and Wood counties report two deaths each.
Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Green, Iron, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marquette, Oconto, Rusk and Waushara counties report one death each.
Click here for more coronavirus resources and updates: http://www.wispolitics.com/wisconsin-coronavirus-resources/
Click here for a list of community testing sites: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/testing.htm
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August 27: ‘Miller Park, the Milwaukee Brewers and baseball: Economic recovery amid a pandemic’
Join WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com on Thursday, Aug. 27, from noon to 1 p.m. for a virtual event: “Miller Park, the Milwaukee Brewers and baseball: Economic recovery amid a pandemic.” Three experts will explore the pandemic-shortened baseball season and how it has affected the economic impact of Miller Park, which will be 20 years old next year.
* Rick Schlesinger, president of Business Operations, Milwaukee Brewers
* Tim Sheehy, president, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
* Kelly Jo Golson, chief marketing officer, Advocate Aurora Health
See a study on the economic impact of Miller Park from earlier this year: http://www.wisbusiness.com/2020/miller-park-has-2-5-billion-economic-impact-study-shows/
You must register in advance to view this event. Registration can be done by booking below. Those who register will receive a link on the morning of the event so they can view it live.
The WisPolitics.com Milwaukee Event Series is sponsored by the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wisconsin Academy of Global Education and Training, ELEVEN25 at Pabst, Milwaukee Police Association, The Firm Consulting, Medical College of Wisconsin, Spectrum and Bridge & Build, Sports with a Purpose.
Register here: http://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXswFUksidyNbVS5wAHH_wVNNcelEjxSokga7luC5pvkqypw/viewform
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#TOP STORIES#
# More than 50 Wisconsin fairs have been canceled this summer, but the Brown County Fair is underway
# DNC’s final night puts spotlight on Delaware, not Milwaukee
# How Wisconsin’s sports tourism business has been impacted by no spectators at games
# UW-Madison faculty help nation, state plan COVID-19 vaccine allocation
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Center for Dairy Research, WCHA get $6 million in dairy initiative grants
– Wisconsin Dairy Producer survey unveiled by DATCP
# ECONOMY
– Wisconsin’s job recovery slowed in July as state approaches recovery of half of lost employment
– By the numbers: Mass layoffs in Wisconsin attributed to COVID-19
# EDUCATION
– Thompson won’t say when UW would close due to COVID-19 http://apnews.com/d920508f81ff6dd962e02921f7a1cef6
– Madison School District makes ‘major’ changes to high school grading http://madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/local_schools/madison-school-district-makes-major-changes-to-high-school-grading/article_51a0d8f9-ba4a-54c4-80c7-c47a2571a3ee.html
– Association of Women in Agriculture elects new officers
– UW-Madison black student union calls for boulder removal
– ‘Very historic’ Natatorium on its way out at UW
# FINANCIAL SERVICES
– Johnson Bank to close six branches
# HEALTH CARE
– DHS: New positive cases above 900 for first time in a week
# MANUFACTURING
– Rockwell names Becky House to expanded role
# POLITICS
– Evers kicks off third night of virtual DNC as sole Wisconsin speaker
– DNC recap: Programming, ratings, convention bounce and another chance for Milwaukee in 2024?
# REAL ESTATE
– Site of long-planned subdivision on Good Hope Road in Menomonee Falls sold to developer
– Beverly Hills investor pays $16 million for 239-unit apartment property in Milwaukee
# REGULATION
– Wisconsin Cities Look At Expanding Ways To Vote http://www.wpr.org/wisconsin-cities-look-expanding-ways-vote
# RETAIL
– Kohl’s to donate $1 million to local nonprofits
# TOURISM
– Bice: Winners and losers from the Democratic National Convention http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/investigations/daniel-bice/2020/08/21/dnc-winners-and-losers-democratic-national-convention/3406364001/
# TRANSPORTATION
– Trucks were ready for unloading in Milwaukee when Biden, DNC changed plans
# UTILITIES
– State extends ban on utility disconnections amid COVID-19
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
http://wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 </i>
Mid-America Chamber Executives: Carol White elected to board of directors
Dairy Stream podcast: Task force leaders look ahead on Wisconsin water quality
