While the state has made some progress with the backlog in the past two decades, a “startling” number of plant closings during the recent recession has created “an entirely new generation of brownfields,” according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Currently, there are no official employment numbers for the state’s rapidly expanding frac sand industry. But the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, using job-site estimates developed by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, found that when existing mines and those being built are fully operating, the industry will employ about 2,780 people — a sizeable number given the state’s overall luckluster job picture.

The number of manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin had fallen in recent years, from nearly 600,000 in 1998 to just over 450,000 today. But manufacturing still accounts for about 16 percent of all state jobs. And in the past year, it has begun to rebound.

Frac sand fever has hit much of west-central Wisconsin, catching residents and local governments by surprise when demand for sand suddenly soared and permit applications began to pour in. The number of Wisconsin frac sand mining operations has more than doubled in the past year.

Job-seeking veterans work to overcome the disadvantages posed by the stigma of disability — whether or not they are disabled.

Main story: Adding insult to injury (July 4, 2012)
County Veterans Service Offices: Provides information and assistance in obtaining benefits and services
Wisconsin Employment Resource Connection (WERC): Offers free, individualized assistance to unemployed or underemployed service members and spouses
Office of Veterans Employment Services: Identifies training and employment opportunities
Dryhootch: Vet-to-vet and family support, coffee houses, [...]

This week, about 300 Wisconsin law enforcement officials received training on how to identify cases of human trafficking — which often are not spotted because victims are fearful to speak out.

Occupy Madison has maintained a nominal presence eight blocks from the Wisconsin state Capitol, the site of protests that have drawn tens of thousands of people as recently as mid-March. The site’s leaders are optimistic they will find a new location and firmly believe in their movement’s staying power. Yet it’s clear the Occupy movement, including the Madison encampment, is struggling to maintain relevance.