Do you know why the founding fathers of this country instituted the Electoral College? The founders did not want a direct popular vote; a concern was that the most populated states would control the vote.

At this time in our nation’s history, we have much to fear. Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. It can be real or imagined.

Changes are coming to U.S. trade policy, but it is too early to tell if we should expect dramatic waves or subtle ripples during the next four years. In the past decade, we have seen a significant shift by both Republicans and Democrats against free trade.

Last January, a person involved in local emergency management asked the Office of Open Government, part of the state Justice Department, whether emergency preparedness coalitions run by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) are subject to the state’s open meetings and open records laws. The answer to this question, it turns out, is yes.

It is not a gentle process, making wood. “Making wood” is technically not the right term.

I wish that we would stop calling Americans Black, Hispanic, Native or Asian Americans and just say American. I will focus on two identified minority groups: Blacks and Hispanics. Both groups traditionally vote Democratic. Using presidential election statistics from 1984 through 2016, President Barack Obama received 95% of the Black vote in 2008 and in 2012 71% of the Hispanic vote. George Bush Sr.