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Wisconsin Natural Resources Board Expands Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area

Wisconsin Natural Resources Board Expands Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area

The Natural Resources Board in Wisconsin has approved the acquisition of 77 acres of land from the Kenneth W. Aldridge Living Trust, which will expand the Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area in Oneida County. This purchase, costing $231,000, will be funded through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. According to DNR Real Estate Section Manager Kaylin Helm, the parcel is located entirely within the existing Willow Flowage project boundary and is accessible to the public via adjacent department-owned land and its frontage on Camp Nine Road. The acquisition will add 1.5 miles of river frontage, enhancing recreational opportunities in an area already popular for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Resolutions of support for the acquisition were received from the Town of Minocqua and Oneida County, indicating local backing for the expansion. The Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area was originally established in 1997 with the goal of preserving its undeveloped character and scenic beauty for future...

Waukesha School District Closes Schools Amidst Declining Enrollment and Birth Rates

Waukesha School District Closes Schools Amidst Declining Enrollment and Birth Rates

The Waukesha School District in Wisconsin has closed schools and downsized its buildings due to a continuous decline in student enrollment and birth rates. Bethesda Elementary School is among the facilities closed this year to manage costs. Superintendent Jim Sebert noted that the district's student population has decreased significantly, from approximately 13,000 students in 2012-2013 to about 10,600 currently. A long-range planning process revealed a 25.5% loss in student population over a 20-year period, a trend expected to persist for the next decade. This decline has necessitated a 'right-sizing' of the district, leading to a reduction from 12 elementary schools to nine, and from three traditional middle schools to two. Sebert emphasized that this challenge is part of a broader national trend.

Wisconsin Experiences Measles Outbreak, Health Officials Urge Vaccination Amidst Declining Rates

Wisconsin Experiences Measles Outbreak, Health Officials Urge Vaccination Amidst Declining Rates

Wisconsin is currently experiencing a measles outbreak, with 39 cases reported in southwestern Wisconsin across Lafayette, Iowa, and Grant counties. This number more than doubled in a week, marking the most cases seen in the state in many years. The majority of those affected, particularly children under 17, were unvaccinated against the illness. Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), stated that while the state's overall kindergarten MMR vaccination rate is 85%, it falls short of the desired 95% needed for measles elimination. Local health departments are actively engaged in door-to-door investigations, vaccinating unprotected individuals, and connecting with national experts at the CDC for support. The outbreak highlights a concerning trend of declining vaccination rates in Wisconsin, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused disruptions in routine medical care.

Tens of Thousands Without Power in Indiana After Severe Storms

Tens of Thousands Without Power in Indiana After Severe Storms

In the aftermath of severe storms that struck Indiana over a week ago, tens of thousands of residents in Gary, Indiana, remain without power. The storms caused significant damage, including downed power lines and trees, leaving many communities struggling to recover. The situation is compounded by a heat dome gripping the southern United States, which is intensifying heat conditions across the region. Additionally, strong winds from the storms were reported to have flipped a car on an Ohio highway, and a powerful tornado caused further destruction in Appleton, Wisconsin. The ongoing recovery efforts highlight the widespread impact of these weather events. (Source time: Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:59:00 GMT)

Wisconsin Inmate Michael Maldonado Seeks Commutation After 31 Years for Juvenile Crime

Wisconsin Inmate Michael Maldonado Seeks Commutation After 31 Years for Juvenile Crime

Michael Maldonado, 47, who has been incarcerated for 31 years for a crime committed at age 15, is seeking a commutation of his sentence from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. Maldonado is one of 12 applicants being considered by Governor Evers’ Commutation Advisory Board. He was sentenced in June 1995 for first-degree intentional homicide in connection with the 1994 killing of Ruben Borchardt. While Maldonado initially claimed his role was procuring the weapon, other co-defendants testified he was the shooter. However, one of the co-defendants, Doug E. Vest Jr., later acknowledged via letter that he was, in fact, the shooter. This new evidence led to a sentence modification for Maldonado in October 2025, making him eligible for earlier parole. Maldonado's supporters, including the WISDOM Commutation Group, argue that he has served a disproportionately long sentence for a crime committed as a juvenile and has demonstrated significant rehabilitation during his incarceration. He has pursued education, worked res...

Senator Tammy Baldwin Introduces Bill to Address NFL Streaming Access for Wisconsin Viewers

Senator Tammy Baldwin Introduces Bill to Address NFL Streaming Access for Wisconsin Viewers

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin has introduced a bill aimed at ensuring Wisconsin residents can watch their NFL team's games without needing multiple streaming subscriptions. The move comes in response to a situation where four games this season are scheduled to be available only through various streaming services, potentially requiring viewers to pay for several subscriptions to follow their local team. Senator Baldwin's proposed legislation seeks to rectify this issue, advocating for broader accessibility to NFL broadcasts for fans in Wisconsin. The bill highlights a growing concern among sports fans regarding the fragmentation of sports broadcasting rights and the increasing cost and complexity of accessing games through digital platforms.

UW-Milwaukee Initiative Saves Students Millions on Textbooks

UW-Milwaukee Initiative Saves Students Millions on Textbooks

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is continuing its Open Textbooks and Open Educational Resources (OER) project to alleviate the financial burden of course materials for students. Launched in 2015, the program provides a free online database for students to access textbooks and other course materials, eliminating the need for costly purchases. Kristin Woodward, the teaching and learning team lead at UWM Libraries, stated that the initiative was created in response to high textbook costs driving students to avoid purchasing necessary materials, which negatively impacted their academic success. A 2023 national survey indicated that seven out of ten students worry about course material costs, and 41% received poor grades due to not buying textbooks. The project has been successful, with UWM reporting that in the 2024-2025 school year alone, 28,534 students saved $1.7 million. Since its inception, the program has helped over 43,100 students save more than $6 million.

Fake Polling by Median Strategies Raises Concerns About Election Survey Credibility

Fake Polling by Median Strategies Raises Concerns About Election Survey Credibility

Median Strategies, a previously unknown organization, admitted to fabricating at least three election polls across three U.S. states, including a Los Angeles mayoral race poll that was promoted by Mayor Karen Bass's campaign. The organization stated its purpose was a 'short-term social experiment examining how purported polling information could enter and spread through the political information ecosystem without independent verification.' The fake polls claimed to evaluate support in the Democratic primary for governor in Wisconsin, the gubernatorial race in Nevada, and the mayoral race in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles poll, which falsely showed Mayor Bass leading, was shared on social media by her campaign and covered by a news outlet before its fabrication was revealed. Median Strategies has since shuttered its website, and the Bass campaign has deleted its social media post, defending itself by noting the poll's initial media coverage.

Dozens of Deer Die in Wisconsin Due to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Outbreak

Dozens of Deer Die in Wisconsin Due to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Outbreak

An outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) has resulted in the deaths of an estimated 80 to 100 deer in Washington County, Wisconsin, since late July. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed the presence of EHD after testing a deceased deer in Richfield. Erin Larson, a Wisconsin DNR deer herd health specialist, noted that this outbreak is larger and occurring earlier in the season than typical, with average outbreaks usually causing 30 to 50 deer deaths and ending with the first freeze. EHD is a viral disease affecting white-tailed deer and other hoofed animals, often proving fatal within a week of infection. It is transmitted by biting flies, primarily midges, and does not pose a risk to humans or common household pets.

Wisconsin Cities Withdraw from Flock Camera Network Due to Privacy Concerns and Diminished Value

Wisconsin Cities Withdraw from Flock Camera Network Due to Privacy Concerns and Diminished Value

Several cities and towns in Wisconsin are withdrawing from agreements with Flock, a company providing automated license plate cameras, citing privacy concerns and a decrease in the network's overall value. Dane County, a significant user with a contract for 24 cameras, voted to cut $80,000 in funding and banned further expenditures on the system after citizen complaints and concerns from privacy experts. County Board Chair Patrick Miles stated that the company's technology violates Fourth Amendment rights. This decision led to the deactivation of Dane County's Flock cameras, cutting off data access for 140 other law enforcement agencies, including those in Missouri, New York, and Tennessee. Following Dane County's withdrawal, Monona, another city in the county, announced its Flock contract was 'under review' due to privacy considerations. The town of McFarland subsequently decided against deploying Flock cameras, with Chief of Police Brian Redman noting that the loss of Dane County's participation signific...

Wisconsin Measles Outbreak Expands to 39 Cases Across Three Counties

Wisconsin Measles Outbreak Expands to 39 Cases Across Three Counties

A measles outbreak in southwestern Wisconsin has escalated to 36 confirmed and three probable cases, totaling 39 infections. Initially, state officials reported two confirmed cases in Lafayette and Iowa counties on August 11, which rapidly grew to 15 confirmed cases within two days. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) confirmed on Tuesday that Grant County now also has two confirmed measles cases. Public health officials are actively working to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus. Dr. Ryan Westergaard, chief medical officer with the Wisconsin DHS Bureau of Communicable Diseases, stated that a DHS team is collaborating with county public health departments to conduct investigations, facilitate testing, and administer vaccines to at-risk individuals who are unsure of their immunization status. The DHS has not yet identified any public exposure locations linked to these cases. State data indicates that nearly all infected individuals this year...

Construction Worker Killed in Overnight Crash on I-41 in De Pere, Wisconsin

Construction Worker Killed in Overnight Crash on I-41 in De Pere, Wisconsin

A construction worker was fatally injured in a crash that occurred late Monday night on Interstate 41 in De Pere, Wisconsin. The incident took place just after 11:30 p.m. on I-41 at Scheuring Road. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, a 53-year-old man from Menasha was driving a semi-truck southbound on the interstate when it collided with a forklift operating within a designated construction zone. The operator of the forklift, a 26-year-old man from Chilton, sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured in the crash. Authorities have not yet released the names of the individuals involved in the incident, as investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the fatal accident.