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National Forests Offer Christmas Tree Permits to Public, Promoting Forest Health

National Forests Offer Christmas Tree Permits to Public, Promoting Forest Health

Permits for cutting Christmas trees in several U.S. national forests are now available for purchase online through Recreation.gov. This initiative allows the public to engage in a holiday tradition while also contributing to forest health. National forest officials state that the permit system aids in thinning densely populated stands of small-diameter trees, which are often ideal for Christmas trees. This practice helps other trees grow larger and creates open areas that provide forage for wildlife. Specific national forests participating include Ottawa, Hiawatha, and Chequamegon-Nicolet in Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Permits typically cost $5, with limits on the number of trees per household set by each forest. Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit, though a $2.50 reservation fee applies. Visitors must create or log into a Recreation.gov account to complete the transaction and are advised to carefully review specific cutting areas, date...

Sweet Driver Chocolates Thrives with Handcrafted Confections in Eau Claire

Sweet Driver Chocolates Thrives with Handcrafted Confections in Eau Claire

Sweet Driver Chocolates Thrives with Handcrafted Confections in Eau Claire

Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health Announces Youth Mental Wellness Champions and Upcoming Events

Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health Announces Youth Mental Wellness Champions and Upcoming Events

The Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health (OCMH) has announced its 2026-27 Youth Mental Wellness Champions, a cohort of 15 high school juniors and seniors from across the state selected through a competitive application process. These champions will participate in a nine-month program from September through May, learning about mental health and well-being while providing feedback to OCMH. The program will culminate in an event at the State Capitol on May 13, 2027, where each champion will present a poster on a mental health topic important to them. Additionally, OCMH is hosting a virtual event on December 11, 2026, titled 'Let's Break it Down – Eating Disorders,' which will examine facts about eating disorders, their impact on Wisconsin children, and effective interventions. OCMH also highlighted its November 2026 'Showcasing Solutions' featuring 'Root 2 Rise Tutor Mentors,' a program where mentors gain real-world skills by working with elementary school children.

Wisconsin Rapids City Clerk Jennifer Gossick Dies on Election Day After Dedicated Service

Wisconsin Rapids City Clerk Jennifer Gossick Dies on Election Day After Dedicated Service

Jennifer Gossick, the City Clerk of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away on Election Day after a battle with undisclosed cancer. She had meticulously prepared for the election, overseeing tasks from recruiting poll workers to managing early voting, and reportedly refused to address her declining health until after the election was complete. Her husband, Lee Gossick, stated she worked every day leading up to the election to ensure its smooth operation. Mayor Matt Zacher described her death as a testament to her dedication to the integrity of elections. Colleagues and loved ones highlighted her passion for her work and her hometown, where she was known as both the clerk and a former real estate agent. Despite her severe illness, which had spread across her body and affected 80% of her lungs, she ensured the election ran perfectly, with no issues reported on Election Day.

LA parks see dramatic drop in visitors amid Trump ICE raids, study finds

LA parks see dramatic drop in visitors amid Trump ICE raids, study finds

Researchers found visits to LA County parks fell by 151,000 as the Trump administration ramped up its mass deportation campaign.

FTC urged to probe companies not sharing tariff refunds with consumers

FTC urged to probe companies not sharing tariff refunds with consumers

As companies receive billions of dollars in tariff refunds, Democrats are asking the FTC to investigate whether they should share them with consumers.

U.S. Households Face Significant Electricity Bill Increases Amidst Outdated Grid and Rising Demand

U.S. Households Face Significant Electricity Bill Increases Amidst Outdated Grid and Rising Demand

American households are experiencing a notable surge in electricity bills, with the average cost projected to reach approximately 18 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2026, marking a roughly 10 percent increase over two years. This follows a nearly 30 percent rise in residential electricity prices between 2021 and 2025, a rate that has outpaced inflation. Several factors contribute to these escalating costs, including an aging and outdated grid infrastructure that requires significant upgrades and replacements, according to Brandon Young, CEO of Payless Power. Fluctuating fuel costs also play a role in the expense of generating electricity. Additionally, increased demand from large consumers like data centers and industrial facilities is straining the grid's capacity. Extreme weather conditions, such as freezing temperatures and high winds, further challenge the existing infrastructure, leading to higher operational costs. The holiday season often exacerbates these increases due to higher electricity consumption ...

Big Ten Preview: Week 11

Big Ten Preview: Week 11

Penn State doesn’t play until Saturday night, meaning you have plenty of time to watch the other games in the Big Ten on Friday and Saturday…if you want. Or, more to the point, if they’re worth watching. Here’s what is scheduled for the weekend. FRIDAY NIGHT Illinois (6-3, 4-2) at No. 4 UCLA (9-0, 6-0), […]

Cal-Maine Foods and Other Egg Producers Deliver 2 Million Eggs to Wisconsin Food Banks Following Price Manipulation Settlement

Cal-Maine Foods and Other Egg Producers Deliver 2 Million Eggs to Wisconsin Food Banks Following Price Manipulation Settlement

Cal-Maine Foods, along with Versova/Centrum and Hickman’s Egg Ranch, has begun delivering approximately 2 million eggs to food banks and community organizations in Wisconsin. This action is part of a multistate settlement resolving allegations that these companies illegally coordinated to manipulate a daily price index for eggs, which led to increased prices for retailers nationwide. The settlement, announced in June, was the result of an investigation by a coalition of 17 attorneys general and the U.S. Department of Justice. Overall, the settlement secured more than 50 million eggs for consumers across the participating states and a combined $3.3 million from the egg producers. The first deliveries in Wisconsin included 42 pallets of eggs to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin locations in Appleton and Milwaukee. Attorney General Josh Kaul emphasized that the settlement aims to prevent Wisconsinites from paying higher grocery bills due to price collusion and to help provide food for families.

The Latest: House Republicans quash effort to impeach Defense Secretary Hegseth

The Latest: House Republicans quash effort to impeach Defense Secretary Hegseth

The House has turned aside a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, halting an effort to remove the Pentagon chief for his conduct in office and his handling of the war in Iran

The Latest: Hegseth slams his potential impeachment as a ‘political spectacle’ as House vote looms

The Latest: Hegseth slams his potential impeachment as a ‘political spectacle’ as House vote looms

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is slamming the impeachment effort against him

Here are some of the House seats that Democrats didn't expect to win this year

Here are some of the House seats that Democrats didn't expect to win this year

Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, who led the National Republican Congressional Committee, lost his seat this year