The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area is proud to sponsor The State of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, The State of the City of Whitewater, and The State of the Whitewater Unified School District.”
Dr. Corey A. King, UW-Whitewater Chancellor, Samuel Karns, Whitewater Unified School District Superintendent, and John Weidl, Whitewater City Manager, are invited to present the state of their respective institutions.
The State of Our City and Schools will be held at the Whitewater Public Library, 431 W Center St, Whitewater,on Thursday, February 19th, from 6:30-8:00 pm.
You do not need to be a League member to attend. For questions or further information, please contact Mary Beth Byrne, wisconsinwoods@gmail.com.
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!
Missoula Children’s Theatre has been rehearsing The Jungle Book with a cast of local students this past week. They’re anxious to perform the show at the Young Performing Arts Center, 930 W. Main Street, on Saturday, February 14 at 3:00 p.m. All seats are $11. Tickets may be purchased online or at Ticket Services, 950 W. Main Street, or 262-472-2222, on Friday between 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. When purchased at the door there is a small per ticket surcharge. There is no charge for parking.
The synopsis: Ever been abandoned in the jungle, adopted by wolves, taught by a bear, befriended by a panther and chased by a tiger? In the Missoula Children’s Theatre musical adaptation of THE JUNGLE BOOK, Mowgli the man-cub has all these adventures and more. Join him as he escapes from the Bander-log, outwits a tiger, enlists the help of a rock-python, explores what it means to be human and learns a lesson from the brave mongoose Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. Original music and rollicking humor give new life to the classic tale by Rudyard Kipling.
Sheriff Fell is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer our first 2026 Boater Safety Education Course on March 12, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., and April 4, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the Rock Sheriff’s Office, 200 East U.S. Highway 14, Janesville, WI 53545. Students must attend both sessions to graduate.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1989, is required to complete a Boater Safety Education Course to legally operate a motorized boat or personal watercraft (PWC) on Wisconsin waters. It is recommended that participants are at least 12 years of age or turn 12 shortly after the class.
Boater Safety Education Course – Class #1 Session 1: March 12, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. @ Rock County Sheriff’s Office Session 2: April 4, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. @ Rock County Sheriff’s Office
Class size is limited to thirty (30) students. Upon submission of the registration form, the submitter will see an onscreen confirmation message with course information. The course fee of $10 per student will be collected at the first session. If the student is under 18 years old, a parent/guardian will need to attend the first session with the student. Students will receive course materials at the first session. Please direct any questions to Deputy Trevor Lund at trevor.lund@co.rock.wi.us.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Rock County Sheriff’s Department. The department has previously indicated to The Banner that Walworth County residence is not required to participate in the course.
The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is seeking applications on behalf of the Walworth County Administrator for a citizen appointment to represent people aged 60 or older and adults with disabilities on the ADRC Governing Board.
The ADRC of Walworth County provides information on a broad range of programs and services, helps people understand the various long-term care options available to them, assists people in applying for programs and benefits, and serves as the access point for publicly funded long-term care.
ADRC Governing Board members represent the needs, concerns, and well-being of older adults and adults with disabilities in Walworth County. Applicants must reside in Walworth County. Appointments are for a three-year term. In an effort to have representation of all populations residing in Walworth County, we encourage individuals who could represent the Latino population to consider submitting a notice of interest.
Applications can be requested from the ADRC at 1910 County Road NN, P.O. Box 1005, Elkhorn, Wisconsin 53121. You may also email Randy Kohl, Division Manager, at rkohl@co.walworth.wi.us, or download an application from www.co.walworth.wi.us/532/Apply-for-Boards-and-Committees. Submit applications by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026, to ADRC, Attn: Randy Kohl, at the above address.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Walworth County.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from UW-Whitewater. It is likely that some of the students listed did not live in Whitewater prior to their enrollment at UW-W. The university includes students who have registered with a Whitewater area address.
The following students will represent the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as student teachers during the spring 2026 semester:
53190 Whitewater, WI: Aidan Allamian, who is majoring in Physical Education and will work in Physical Education at Madison Elementary School the Janesville school district(s).
53190 Whitewater, WI: Daven Cooper, who is majoring in English Literature & Language Arts Education and will work in English at Milton Middle School the Milton school district(s).
53190 Whitewater, WI: Larissa Eaker, who is majoring in English Literature & Language Arts Education and will work in English & Language Arts at McFarland High School the McFarland school district(s).
53190 Whitewater, WI: Cameron Huntley, who is majoring in History Education and will work in Social Studies at Jefferson High School the Jefferson school district(s).
53190 Whitewater, WI: Megan Kasper, who is majoring in Elementary Middle Education and will work in Elementary & Middle at Lakeview Elementary School the Whitewater school district(s).
53190 Whitewater, WI: Katherine Sainsbury, who is majoring in Elementary Education and will work in Elementary & Middle at Purdy Elementary School the Ft. Atkinson school district(s).
Students from the university’s College of Education and Professional Studies will serve as student teachers through the end of the school year.
A total of 156 UW-Whitewater students were placed in school districts around the region starting in August. Student teaching is the final activity before teacher candidates earn their degree and license.
UW-Whitewater will partner with 191 cooperating teachers across 118 schools in 71 districts over the course of the semester.
Student teachers assist cooperating teachers with lesson planning, instruction and assessment. This spring, 33 UW-Whitewater teacher candidates were hired by school districts as student teaching interns as part of the Department of Public Instruction’s Wisconsin Improvement Program (WIP). Interns are licensed by the DPI to teach up to 50 percent of each day on their own and receive a stipend for the semester.
UW-Whitewater licenses the most teachers in the state of Wisconsin. Educating teachers was the university’s original mission during its founding in 1868. To learn more about the College of Education and Professional Studies at UW-Whitewater, visit uww.edu/coeps.
On Monday, February 9th the WHS choir department sent 14 students to participate in the Rock Valley Conference Honors Choir. They had the opportunity to work with Rachel Maki, a Grammy Award winning choral music professional. In just a few short hours students from all different schools in our conference came together to prepare four challenging choral pieces to perform for an audience. Congratulations to these talented students. Thank you for representing our school well.
Article and Photos Submitted by MacKenzie Gehrke Whitewater High School Vocal Music Instructor gehma01@wwusd.org
As part of its continued effort to prepare its graduates for in-demand jobs that serve workforce needs in the region, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has launched a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence major, effective in the fall of 2026.
Artificial intelligence is currently one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States and is an emerging technology affecting the personal and professional lives of millions of people around the world. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more than 350,000 annual openings in AI and related fields.
UW-Whitewater is among the early adopters within the Universities of Wisconsin to offer a dedicated AI major.
“The launch of our Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence reflects our commitment to career readiness and innovation, ensuring our graduates are prepared for some of the most in-demand roles in the region,” said Robin Fox, UW-Whitewater interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “We are embracing AI as a university and — through our steadfast commitment to hands-on learning and student success — look to be a leader in preparing the first generation of AI professionals.”
A matrices and linear algebra class taught by Dylan Spence, right, assistant professor of mathematics, meets in Upham Hall on Oct. 15, 2025.
The artificial intelligence major integrates computer science, mathematics, psychology, and philosophy to help students build both the technical skills and interpersonal skills needed for careers in AI. Graduates of the program will be prepared to enter high-demand fields, including data science, information security analysis, AI engineering, and machine learning development.
“This degree equips students with much more than coding skills,” said Jason Janke, dean of the College of Letters and Sciences. “Through an interdisciplinary approach that draws on the breadth of expertise across our college, students gain the technical, analytical, and critical thinking abilities needed to lead in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.”
Malachi Moore, a computer science student from Milwaukee, explains his research on racism in artificial intelligence. Students in the King/Chavez Program finishing their first year of college gathered at Andersen Library for the 10th Annual Research Symposium to present their research posters on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
The AI program includes courses in natural language processing and large language modeling, big data and data mining, cognitive psychology, technical and social responsibility, and more. Students in the program will also be encouraged to engage in the university’s Undergraduate Research, Innovative, and Creative Activities program and pursue internships to hone their skills in AI development.
A leader in AI
In the months leading up to the approval of the AI major, UW-Whitewater made investments to embrace the technology and serve as a leader in the region.
UW-Whitewater convened an artificial intelligence working group prior to the 2025-26 academic year to explore the use of generative AI at the university. The group established a plan to implement AI use and compiled recommendations and guidelines for students, faculty, and staff for efficient, ethical uses of GenAI. The university’s AI web page debuted last fall.
In September, Jon Spike was appointed by Fox as special assistant for AI integration to lead the overall AI efforts at UW-Whitewater in 2025-26. Spike leads the university’s Center for Ethical AI Integration, which serves as an interdisciplinary hub for research, education, and community engagement with a focus on responsible application of AI technologies.
From left, Ozgul Kartal, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, Jessica Patterson, math education major from Glen Haven, and Jon Spike, special assistant the provost for AI implementation, present to the Board of Regents about using virtual reality and artificial intelligence to develop a teachinglesson on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.
In December, Spike, Ozgul Kartal, professor of curriculum and instruction, and Jessica Patterson, a math education major from Glen Haven, Wisconsin, presented to the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents on using virtual reality and artificial intelligence to transform learning. This student teaching simulation included prompting an AI chatbot with questions about a complicated math problem.
In addition to the AI major, UW-Whitewater’s College of Business and Economics — the state’s largest business school — offers an emphasis in AI through undergraduate majors in business analytics and marketing.
For more information about the Bachelor of Science in AI program, contact Zach Oster at osterz@uww.edu.
Do you have Second Saturday at Studio 84 marked on your calendar? This Saturday you will have the opportunity to experiment with watercolors! Karina will be in the studio to show you some of the many creative possibilities of watercolor and watercolor techniques. Second Saturdays is free of charge, and anyone is welcome to stop in anytime from 10-2. Happy Valentine’s Day!
The Greater Whitewater Committee urges voters to meet the faces behind the April ballot at their upcoming social networking event.
The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) will be hosting its annual meeting; immediately following will be a public event where community members can personally meet with their candidates for the upcoming April ballot.
The event will be formatted as a speed network rotation where attendees will have the opportunity to personally meet with the candidates. The GWC encourages community members to partake in this event to help better understand the faces behind the April ballot. The candidates will each have their own table and every five-to-seven minutes, community members will rotate, in no specific order, their conversations with these candidates. The GWC hopes that this event will help the community members engage and build relationships in a comfortable setting.
The GWC’s annual meeting will take place on Thursday, February 12th between 4 and 5 pm at 841 Brewhouse banquet hall: 841 E Milwaukee St., Whitewater, WI 53190. The speed networking will begin at 5:30 p.m. immediately following.
“We are very excited to host this event. This is meant to be a unique opportunity for citizens to talk one on one with each candidate,” said GWC President, Jeffery Knight, “We are excited to see people being passionate about local elections, both common council and school board representatives.”
About the GWC
The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to collaborating with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. The agenda advances the economic, education, and social policies needed to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Greater Whitewater Committee.
