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Wisconsin Judicial Officials Warn of Underfunded Courts Leading to Delays and Staffing Shortages

Wisconsin Judicial Officials Warn of Underfunded Courts Leading to Delays and Staffing Shortages

Judicial officials in northeastern Wisconsin are urgently calling on the state Legislature to address severe underfunding within the justice system. Brown County Judge Tammy Jo Hock reported that she pushes her staff to work extended hours to keep cases moving, describing the situation as 'unreasonable.' The judiciary received less than 2% of the 2025-27 state budget, which Judge Hock argues is insufficient for the state's needs. The Wisconsin Judicial Needs Assessment Survey, issued in April, identified Brown County as having the largest deficit of judges and court commissioners in the state, lacking nearly six officials. This underfunding contributes to court delays, staffing shortages in district attorney offices, low pay for public defense, difficulties in recruiting and retaining lawyers, and inadequate mental health treatment for defendants. Prosecutors face backlogs of thousands of cases, with about half of all criminal cases in 2025 taking over six months to resolve. Outagamie County District Attor...
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Wisconsin Cattle Test Positive for Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, State Officials Confirm

Wisconsin Cattle Test Positive for Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, State Officials Confirm

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has confirmed cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in non-lactating dairy cattle in Waukesha County. This viral infection, spread by biting flies (midges or no-see-ums), has also been detected in tissue samples from wild and captive deer in the region. EHD typically emerges in late summer and early fall when insect populations are at their peak, with new cases usually subsiding after the first hard frost of the season. The last reported EHD case in Wisconsin cattle was in 2013. While deer often show severe symptoms, cattle rarely do. When symptoms appear in cattle, they can include lameness, fever, weight loss, excessive salivation, and sores on the limbs, mouth, or teats. These symptoms can mimic Foreign Animal Diseases, necessitating further testing for an accurate diagnosis. Currently, there is no specific treatment for EHD.
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USDA Secretary Rollins Directs National Dairy Board to Cease All ESG Activities

USDA Secretary Rollins Directs National Dairy Board to Cease All ESG Activities

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has issued an order to the National Dairy Board, instructing it to discontinue funding social and environmental programs. The directive mandates that the board focus solely on promoting the consumption of dairy products. The USDA has given the board until September 30 to submit a comprehensive list of its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities, which include initiatives aimed at reducing methane emissions from cows and manure. Secretary Rollins stated on X, "American dairy farmers pay mandatory checkoff assessments to build demand for milk, cheese and butter — NOT to bankroll a radical climate agenda." This order comes amidst a suspended lawsuit between the USDA and three small dairy farmers in Wisconsin, who alleged that the USDA was allowing checkoff fees to fund programs imposing 'voluntary' reporting requirements to appease corporations and activists. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, representing the farmers, claimed that Washington D.C. ...
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Democrats eye Wisconsin Republican incumbent as congressional map expands in hopes of a blue wave

Democrats eye Wisconsin Republican incumbent as congressional map expands in hopes of a blue wave

As Democrats' optimism for the midterms grows, their map of potential pickups in congressional races is expanding to places like southeast Wisconsin
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Fall Colors to Peak Early in La Crosse This October

Fall Colors to Peak Early in La Crosse This October

The Driftless Region, including La Crosse, Wisconsin, is set to experience an earlier-than-usual peak in fall foliage this year, expected around mid-October. According to Adam Schneider, a biology professor at UW-La Crosse, cooler and rainier weather in September, combined with forecasted crisp nights in the coming weeks, has created optimal conditions for a vibrant display. This is a shift from last year when a warm, dry September delayed the seasonal transition. However, areas further north in Wisconsin may see a more modest display due to late-summer drought conditions. The U.S. Forest Service notes that the best conditions for fall colors include warm, sunny days followed by cool, crisp nights that are not freezing.
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Wisconsin DNR Urges Residents to Reduce Food Waste During Prevention Week

Wisconsin DNR Urges Residents to Reduce Food Waste During Prevention Week

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is actively encouraging residents to participate in Food Waste Prevention Week, highlighting the significant environmental and economic impact of food waste. A state study conducted in 2020 revealed that food waste constitutes the largest portion of trash sent to Wisconsin landfills, amounting to approximately 854,000 tons. When food waste decomposes in landfills, it generates methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Beyond the environmental concerns, the DNR also points out the financial burden on American consumers, estimating that the average individual loses over $700 annually due to wasted food. To combat this issue, officials are recommending practical strategies such as meal planning, proper food storage techniques, and educating the public on the distinction between food quality dates and actual food safety concerns. This initiative aims to foster more sustainable consumption habits across the state.
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Road America's Unique Fan Views on Offer Explored

Road America's Unique Fan Views on Offer Explored

Road America, a renowned motorsport road course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, offers a distinctive and immersive experience for racing fans that goes...
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Michigan State vs. Wisconsin: Score predictions, analysis from Spartans Wire staff

Michigan State vs. Wisconsin: Score predictions, analysis from Spartans Wire staff

Check out our predictions for this week's matchup between Michigan State and Wisconsin
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Wisconsin Faces Hazardous Air Quality from Wildfire Smoke

Wisconsin Faces Hazardous Air Quality from Wildfire Smoke

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has highlighted the increasing importance of air quality monitoring due to the impact of wildfire smoke. In July 2026, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Wisconsin reached 'very unhealthy' to 'hazardous' levels, primarily due to smoke from wildfires in northern Minnesota and Ontario. Gail Good, Director of the Air Management Program for the Wisconsin DNR, reported a significant rise in emergency department visits for severe asthma during this period, with over 2,000 cases compared to the average of 1,600 in previous years. The northern part of the state has been particularly affected by high AQI levels, prompting discussions on expanding air quality monitoring coverage to better inform residents about potential health risks. Funding for these initiatives remains a concern. (Source: WXPR, 2026-09-29 12:24:59 GMT)
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Warmer Falls Extend Wisconsin Tornado Risk

Warmer Falls Extend Wisconsin Tornado Risk

Recent observations suggest that warmer fall temperatures in Wisconsin may extend the state's tornado risk beyond the traditional peak season of summer. This follows the extensive damage caused by an EF-3 tornado in Menasha, Wisconsin, on July 27, 2026. The tornado, which struck the Fox Cities area, left significant destruction along the northwest side of Lake Winnebago. Experts are concerned that climate trends could lead to a prolonged tornado season, increasing the likelihood of severe weather events in the fall months. The Wisconsin State Journal highlights the potential for these changes to impact local communities and infrastructure.
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National 'See Tracks, Think Train' Campaign Launched in Wisconsin Amid Rising Rail Incidents

National 'See Tracks, Think Train' Campaign Launched in Wisconsin Amid Rising Rail Incidents

A national rail safety campaign, 'See Tracks, Think Train,' has been launched in De Pere, Wisconsin, to raise awareness about the dangers of railroad tracks. This initiative comes as Wisconsin has recorded four rail deaths and 37 collisions as of August this year. According to the National Safety Council, a person or vehicle is involved in a preventable train collision every three hours in America. Special Agent Christopher Wendorf from the Canadian National Railway Police Department emphasized that trains always have the right of way and warned against crossing tracks when a train is stopped or attempting to board a train in unauthorized areas. Another special agent, Russ Kollmansberger, highlighted that rail fatalities are more common than people realize, stating that individuals are 20 times more likely to die in a crash with a train than with another motor vehicle. The campaign aims to educate the public on staying alert near railroad crossings, especially since some local ordinances allow train horns ...
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Wisconsin Manufacturing Agriculture Tax Credit Linked to Significant Job Growth, Report Finds

Wisconsin Manufacturing Agriculture Tax Credit Linked to Significant Job Growth, Report Finds

Wisconsin Manufacturing Agriculture Tax Credit Linked to Significant Job Growth, Report Finds