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Wisconsin and Utah Implement Diverse Strategies to Combat Aquatic Invasive Species

Wisconsin and Utah Implement Diverse Strategies to Combat Aquatic Invasive Species

Northern Wisconsin and Utah are employing different strategies to combat aquatic invasive species (AIS). In Wisconsin, the Vilas County boat decontamination program, a partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, uses mobile heated pressure washers to decontaminate boats, primarily targeting the spiny water flea. Josh Stirn, part of the program, travels to four lakes known to have the invasive species, offering voluntary decontamination. In 2025, approximately 13% of boats were decontaminated using this mobile unit. Meanwhile, Utah, battling invasives like quagga mussels and Eurasian water milfoil, has adopted large 'dip tanks' for watercraft decontamination. These tanks, developed by Clean Wake LLC, allow boats to be lowered into heated water, flushing out invasive organisms from internal systems. Utah currently has five dip tanks with plans for two more, and their biological testing shows 100% mortality of invasives. Both states have laws requiring some form of decontamination or inspection for ...

Wisconsin Democrats Secure Trifecta Control of State Government for First Time Since 2010

Wisconsin Democrats Secure Trifecta Control of State Government for First Time Since 2010

Democrats have achieved full control of Wisconsin's state government, marking the first time since 2010 that the party will hold the governorship and majorities in both the State Assembly and Senate. This shift occurred after Democrats won all four of their targeted State Senate races in the recent election, securing an 18-15 majority in the Senate and a 53-46 majority in the Assembly. Governor-elect David Crowley is preparing for his new role, with a transition team expected to be announced soon. The Republican-led Joint Finance Committee is scheduled to approve funds for Crowley’s transition budget. Meanwhile, legislative caucuses are meeting to determine their leadership for the upcoming session. Senate Democrats and Assembly Democrats are set to choose their leaders, with current Minority Leaders Dianne Hesselbein and Greta Neubauer expressing their intent to seek the top positions. Senate Republicans have already elected Sen. Julian Bradley as their new minority leader, making him the first Black lawm...

U.S. Senators Baldwin and Johnson Introduce Resolution Honoring Milwaukee Brewers' World Series Victory

U.S. Senators Baldwin and Johnson Introduce Resolution Honoring Milwaukee Brewers' World Series Victory

U.S. Senators Baldwin and Johnson Introduce Resolution Honoring Milwaukee Brewers' World Series Victory

Republicans leave closed-door meeting without a decision on reelecting John Thune as leader

Republicans leave closed-door meeting without a decision on reelecting John Thune as leader

An initial meeting of Senate Republicans over whether to keep Sen. John Thune as their leader has broken up without any resolution

U.S. Senators Baldwin and Johnson Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Celebrating Milwaukee Brewers' World Series Victory

U.S. Senators Baldwin and Johnson Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Celebrating Milwaukee Brewers' World Series Victory

U.S. Senators Baldwin and Johnson Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Celebrating Milwaukee Brewers' World Series Victory

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

Wausau Committee Deadlocks on Deadlines for Clearing Logs and Training at Cleveland Avenue Property

Wausau Committee Deadlocks on Deadlines for Clearing Logs and Training at Cleveland Avenue Property

The Economic Development Committee in Wausau, Wisconsin, has reached a stalemate regarding proposed deadlines to clear logs and end city training activities at the 1300 Cleveland Avenue property. Council President Terry Kilian proposed ending city training by February 1 and giving the parks department six months to relocate its log storage. This proposal resulted in a 2-2 tie vote within the committee. Additionally, a subsequent proposal for a deed restriction to prohibit future industrial use of the property also ended in a 2-2 deadlock. Despite the committee's inability to reach a consensus, city staff indicated that the deed restriction will still be presented to the Wausau City Council on November 24. The property, formerly part of Connor Forest Industries, was rezoned from industrial to residential in 2018, but existing activities were grandfathered in as legal nonconforming uses. Neighbors have consistently opposed the industrial use of the site, and Alder Vicki Tierney emphasized the need to clean u...

Wisconsin Communities Face Conflict Over New Transmission Line Projects Amidst Criticisms of Planning Process

Wisconsin Communities Face Conflict Over New Transmission Line Projects Amidst Criticisms of Planning Process

Wisconsin is experiencing significant conflict over the development of new transmission line projects, including Grid Forward, MariBell, and BECI, following the completion of the Cardinal-Hickory Creek (CHC) line in 2024. Communities, particularly in rural areas, express frustration over a perceived lack of early engagement and transparency in the planning process. Research into the CHC project revealed that opposition was primarily driven by concerns about the planning and approval processes, project costs, and insufficient consideration of alternatives, rather than a lack of concern for climate change. Opponents felt that public outreach was merely a formality and that project approval was predetermined. They also suspected the CHC line was facilitating a new renewable energy production zone, a concern validated by the emergence of wind and solar farms and data centers seeking to connect to the CHC. Critics argue that the current planning process, described as 'decades-old,' fails to account for modern e...

Wisconsin Online Sports Betting Delayed Until Spring Due to Lawsuit; Eight Tribes Join Defense

Wisconsin Online Sports Betting Delayed Until Spring Due to Lawsuit; Eight Tribes Join Defense

Online sports betting in Wisconsin faces further delays, with a lawsuit challenging its legality not expected to be settled until spring 2027. The Wisconsin Legislature and Governor Tony Evers approved a law in April to open the door for online sports betting, but it requires state and federal sign-off, including renegotiated compacts with the state's 11 tribes. In August, the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Brown County Taxpayers Association and Citizens Defending Liberty, arguing the law violates the Wisconsin Constitution. On November 9, Waukesha County Judge Arthur Melvin allowed eight tribes—Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Forest County Potawatomi Community, Ho-Chunk Nation, Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, Oneida Nation, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Sokaogon Chippewa Community, and Stockbridge-Munsee Community—to join the case as intervenors to defend the law.

Wisconsin trooper released from ICE custody after 'dramatic experience'

Wisconsin trooper released from ICE custody after 'dramatic experience'

A Wisconsin state trooper who came to the U.S. from South Africa as a teen was released from ICE custody. He has a work permit and an asylum case.

Hawkins Ash CPAs Seeks Senior Tax Associate Amidst Regional Expansion

Hawkins Ash CPAs Seeks Senior Tax Associate Amidst Regional Expansion

Hawkins Ash CPAs Seeks Senior Tax Associate Amidst Regional Expansion

Wisconsin Regulators Approve Smaller We Energies Rate Hike Amid Pushback on Cost Overruns and Data Center Charges

Wisconsin Regulators Approve Smaller We Energies Rate Hike Amid Pushback on Cost Overruns and Data Center Charges

Wisconsin Regulators Approve Smaller We Energies Rate Hike Amid Pushback on Cost Overruns and Data Center Charges