Dear Friends,

Breaking News: UW-System President Ray Cross announced he will retire. Ray Cross is a tremendous leader who always looks to the future. He is a fierce advocate of higher education. Thanks to him, the entire UW-System is in a better position to help prepare students for the future. I always appreciate his honesty and wisdom. I wish Ray and his wife the very best.

Congratulations to Homestead High School's Girls Tennis Team! They are headed to state today for the 13th time in school history. The Highlanders are the number one seed in the tournament and take on number eight Ashwaubenon at 5:30 pm this evening. Good luck, ladies!

Also best of luck to the Menomonee Falls, Homestead, Germantown, Grafton, and Whitefish Bay high school football teams! They are all headed to the WIAA playoffs. The road to Madison starts today!

Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Many of our communities are hosting drug take back events this weekend. See below for times and locations.

As always, if you have any concerns or ideas on how to improve our great state, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at 608-266-5830 or by email at Sen.Darling@legis.wisconsin.gov.

On, Wisconsin!
Suicide Prevention Grants
Tragically, suicide is the 9th leading cause of death in our state. For kids between the ages of 10 and 18, it's the second leading cause of death. This week, an important bill I am working on to get teens more help had a public hearing.

On Thursday, the Assembly Committee on Education heard my bill to help fund peer-to-peer suicide prevention programs for our schools. Peer-to-peer programs like Hope Squad and Sources of Strength are making a real difference in preventing suicides. The programs help change the way kids talk about mental health, train peers to identify signs of crisis and seek help, and train student leaders for kids to contact when they need additional support.

These programs will help kids see a support network in their school and help them understand that they are not alone. I would like to thank the student leaders across our nation who have shown that this model can help peers. My bill is a recommendation from the Speaker’s Task Force on Suicide Prevention. It's my hope this important investment will move quickly through the legislature. 
Governor Ignoring Drug Testing Law
It is extremely disturbing to learn that in the middle of an opioid crisis, Governor Evers is ignoring a state law that will help people get the treatment they need.

Governor Walker included a provision in his last budget to require drug testing for some non-disabled adults without children that are taking part in the FoodShare Employment and Training program. People with drug addictions struggle to find jobs. Our goal was to get them help, not to deny them benefits.

Governor Evers' administration had until October 1st to begin drug testing. We are still waiting for him to follow the law.

This isn't the first time the governor has tried to stop this potential life-saving law. Governor Evers tried to eliminate this requirement in his state budget. The Joint Committee on Finance stopped him.

This is such a crucial step to ensure that Wisconsinites have the opportunity to heal, enter the workforce, and continue on the road to recovery. As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage Wisconsin, it is appalling that Governor Evers is dragging his feet on referring addicted Wisconsinites to treatment.
Drug Take Back Programs in Our Area
The Village of Bayside Police Department has a 24 hour a day drop off location for old and unused medicine. Click on the picture above for more information.
As part of the national Drug Take Back Day and Cyber security Awareness Month, unused prescription drugs can be safely dropped off and sensitive documents can be shredded at Das Klean Out. Click on the picture above for more details.
Blue Books Available
Fall Color Report
Click the picture above for the full fall color report of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin is Still Winning!
Did you know?
Around the 8th...