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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...
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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.
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Wisconsin Regulators Approve Smaller Electricity Rate Hike for We Energies Amidst Pushback

Wisconsin Regulators Approve Smaller Electricity Rate Hike for We Energies Amidst Pushback

Wisconsin Regulators Approve Smaller Electricity Rate Hike for We Energies Amidst Pushback
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Jefferson County Veterans Service Office Launches Refreshed Website for Local Veterans

Jefferson County Veterans Service Office Launches Refreshed Website for Local Veterans

The Jefferson County Veterans Service Office (VSO) in Wisconsin has unveiled a refreshed information hub on the Jefferson County website, aiming to simplify access to resources for local veterans. This updated online platform provides convenient access to a comprehensive range of VSO services, including information on veterans' benefits, crisis support, and military records and documents. The website features links to federal and state military benefits such as disability compensation, education and training, GI Bill, pension, VA healthcare, property tax credits, and state park passes. It also offers connections to the Veterans Crisis Line for 24/7 support via phone, text, and chat. Additionally, the site provides resources for transportation, employment, housing, finances, and lists local American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organizations. Brandie Hanson, Jefferson County Veterans Service Officer, emphasized the team's dedication to serving those who have s...
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US yields climb, stocks fall as inflation data boosts chances for larger Fed rate hike

US yields climb, stocks fall as inflation data boosts chances for larger Fed rate hike

By Caroline Valetkevitch and Shashwat Chauhan Nov 10 (Reuters) - US Treasury yields jumped and Wall Street stocks fell on Tuesday after a hotter-than-anticipated US inflation reading boosted chances for a Federal Reserve interest-rate hike of half a percentage point next month.
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Tornado Activity Surges in Wisconsin and Illinois

Tornado Activity Surges in Wisconsin and Illinois

Recent data from Storm Guard highlights a significant shift in tornado activity, with northern markets like Wisconsin and Illinois experiencing a notable increase in storm-related damage over the past five to ten years. Traditionally outside Tornado Alley, these areas are now seeing more frequent and severe storms, particularly in cities such as Madison, WI, and Naperville, IL. This shift has transformed the nature of business for local restoration teams, with storm-related repairs now dominating the season. Additionally, homes in these regions, not built with severe weather in mind, are more vulnerable to damage compared to those in traditional Tornado Alley. Later-season storms are also becoming more common, further emphasizing the changing weather patterns.
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US yields rise, stocks fall as inflation data boosts odds of larger December rate hike

US yields rise, stocks fall as inflation data boosts odds of larger December rate hike

By Caroline Valetkevitch and Shashwat Chauhan Nov 10 (Reuters) - US Treasury yields jumped and Wall Street stocks fell on Thursday after a hotter-than-anticipated US inflation reading boosted odds that the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates by a half percentage point next month.
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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
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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.
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Wisconsin Urges Poultry and Dairy Producers to Enhance Biosecurity Amid HPAI Bird Migration

Wisconsin Urges Poultry and Dairy Producers to Enhance Biosecurity Amid HPAI Bird Migration

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is urging poultry and livestock producers to implement heightened biosecurity measures as wild bird migration continues across the state. This comes after eight Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) detections in Wisconsin poultry this year, with four occurring since September, and one confirmed detection in a Wisconsin dairy herd. Migrating wild birds are known carriers of the virus, capable of spreading it to domestic animals through contact with farm animals, feed, water sources, or equipment. State and federal agencies, including DATCP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are emphasizing the importance of reviewing and strengthening biosecurity practices for all types of producers.
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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
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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...