WXPR The Extra: Recent Episodes
WXPR Public Radio
The Extra is WXPR’s daily news podcast. Get the news you need to stay informed about your local community – all in six minutes or less. Available weekdays by 1 p.m., with hosts Erin Gottsacker and Katie Thoresen. Subscribe, listen and support local public radio.
After more than a decade leading the Northwoods Alliance for Temporary Housing, executive director Tammy Modic is leaving the organization. She reflects on how housing in the Northwoods has changed during her tenure. Then, Amazon has announced it will end its 'AmazonSmile' program, leaving some local nonprofits disappointed in a sudden loss of revenue. Finally, Native Americans in the U.S. face a slew of challenges to finding housing off reservations - including discrimination.
Women's marches demanding the protection of abortion rights drew thousands of people to the streets across the country on Sunday, with the main march in Madison, Wisconsin. The day marked the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Then, the February primary is quickly approaching. That’s when voters will narrow down candidates for the state Supreme Court and the Oneida County Circuit Court. Finally, a new study found states will need to find new ways to fund road maintenance, as more electric vehicles hit the streets.
The holiday weekend came to an early end for outdoors enthusiasts Monday after rain forced some trails in the area to temporarily close. Then, “Final Five voting,” an emerging alternative to standard elections, is gaining some traction in Wisconsin, as grassroots organizers tout its benefits. And finally, children’s Tylenol is hard to find on pharmacy shelves amid an ongoing shortage.
Wisconsin lawmakers are back in session and are determining how to allocate a large budget surplus. Then, north-central Wisconsin seems to have avoided the post-holiday virus surge impacting other parts of the country. And it’s been one year since the Hodag Solar Park started operating. During that time, it’s powered more than 2,000 homes, helping the state move a step forward to its goal of net carbon neutrality.
Partisan-backed candidates for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court say they will not let party politics influence how they rule. Then, LGBTQ farmers in the Midwest are challenging longstanding stereotypes in agriculture. And finally, after decades of work, Wisconsin’s elk population is making a comeback.
After four days of voting, the U.S. House of Representatives elected Kevin McCarthy as speaker, and can now move on to other legislative tasks. Tom Tiffany, who represents Wisconsin’s 7th congressional district, says he intends to focus on energy independence and social media regulations. Then, in the state legislature, two freshman representatives have revived a socialist caucus that has been dormant for nearly a century. And a recent Keystone Pipeline oil spill could be a warning to the proposed expansion of the Enbridge Line 5 project.
For more than 50 years, The Clean Water Act has guided decisions when it comes to our lakes, rivers, and groundwater. How it’s been put to use to clean up waterways in Wisconsin is the topic of this month’s Science on Tap. Then, scammers targeting student-loan borrowers in Wisconsin are shifting into high gear, spurred by the uncertainty surrounding President Joe Biden's debt-cancellation plan. And finally, Gov. Tony Evers and Lt. Gov.-Elect Sara Rodriguez will be sworn in today at noon in the Capitol Rotunda in Madison.
Wednesday is the shortest day of the year, and despite bitterly cold temperatures, some people in the Northwoods are celebrating with a community solstice fire. Then, as holiday shoppers wrap up their shopping, fraud experts warn about ignoring red flags for scams. And finally, millions of people are preparing to travel this week. But severe weather could disrupt plans.
The Rhinelander City Council voted Monday night to proceed with the contract process to hire Patrick Reagan as the city’s next administrator. Then, in the wake of the midterm election, Wisconsin Republicans still have a tight grip over the Legislature. Analysts point to political maps drawn by party leaders, noting the districts are more gerrymandered than ever. And finally, as respiratory illnesses circulate the Northwoods, doctors offer advice on how and when to seek care.
Four Native American tribes in Michigan have agreed with the state and federal governments on a revised fishing policy for parts of the Great Lakes. Then, the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain is raising awareness for expanded health benefits for veterans under the newly enacted PACT Act. And finally, a winter storm watch is in effect, with the Northwoods expected to get upwards of 8 inches of snow.
A new sign is now greeting drivers as they come into Mole Lake on Highway 55. It’s part of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s effort to honor Native American communities by having highway signs in both English and a tribe’s native language. Then, a bill meant to enshrine federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages cleared its final congressional hurdle last week. And finally, Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he wants to cut taxes by “significantly” more than $3.4 billion in the next state budget, while remaining coy about how he wants to address major issues like funding for schools and local governments.
The Main Street Bounceback program, funded by federal COVID relief money, ends this month. It has impacted downtowns across the Northwoods, including in Minocqua. Then, Wisconsin is now in the high category for influenza. Flu cases have nearly doubled each week for the last three weeks. And Wisconsin’s Republican representatives in Congress are calling on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to delete the video platform TikTok from all state government devices.
Outside special interest groups spent at least 50 percent more than the previous record high for Wisconsin’s midterm election this year, with the bulk of the spending going toward the governor’s race, according to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Then, the Watersmeet Township School District is making a change this school year. It’s bringing Ojibwe culture and language into the classroom. Finally, researchers are gearing up to dive into bear dens. It’s to better understand the reproductive health of Wisconsin’s black bear population.
Aspirus Health warns people that respiratory illnesses are putting a strain on healthcare facilities nationally and locally, where some walk-in clinics report 70 percent of patients have respiratory symptoms. Then, the former Milwaukee Election Commission deputy director charged with fraudulently requesting military absentee ballots posted bond after her initial court appearance Friday. And a Nicolet College graduate has been named the 2022 Wisconsin Technical Alumni of the Year. Dentist Kricket Koehn is the first Nicolet graduate to receive the honor.
Ahead of the holidays, Wisconsin health experts are warming about a ‘tripledemic’ of COVID, RSV, and influenza. Then, diabetes prevention efforts have kicked into high gear in Wisconsin. Nicolet College’s indigenous art class recently won a national award for online course design. And a group of residents who challenged the placement of two books in the Marathon County Library had their appeals denied Monday. The books will stay in the children’s section.
Millions of people hit the stores over the weekend. Black Friday online sales surpassed $9 billion, setting a record for the day, according to Adobe Analytics. Then, Wisconsin election officials are weighing whether changes to military absentee voting are needed. And the sixth annual holiday lights festival at Hodag Park in Rhinelander kicks off this weekend.
Wisconsin Republican legislative leaders say they want to tap the state’s projected record-high $6.6 billion budget surplus to eliminate a tax paid by businesses and lower income taxes for the wealthiest filers. Then, the state Department of Natural Resources is calling the 9-day gun deer season a return to normal in terms of harvest totals. Finally, local food pantries are feeling the effects of inflation as demand goes up and food prices rise.
Airports and highways are expected be busy in the days around Thanksgiving, with AAA expecting travel to meet or exceed pre-pandemic levels. Then, Wisconsin’s projected state budget surplus is now forecast to hit nearly $6.6 billion by July. Governor Tony Evers will spend the next several months working on a budget to determine what to do with that money. Finally, snowy owls have been a bit slow to return to Wisconsin this year, partly due to a mild fall.
Local businesses celebrated the start of Wisconsin’s 9-day gun deer season Saturday. Hunters spend about $2.5 million annually in the state, with deer hunters making up about 88 percent of that. Then, inflation and an outbreak of avian flu are driving up the price of Thanksgiving turkeys. And finally, indigenous groups in the U.S. and Canada are leading efforts to restore bison across North America.
The man found guilty of driving his SUV into the Waukesha Christmas parade gets a life sentence. Local daycares get boost from pandemic funding, but what happens when it runs out. Health officials urge people to take precautions as RSV, flu, and COVID start circulating in the Northwoods. And, the North Creek Loop Trail official breaks ground as newest section of Heart of Vilas County Trail system.
Snowy conditions make for slippery streets. Authorities warn drivers to drive slowly and leave additional space between cars. Then, heating bills in Wisconsin are expected to increase by 33 percent this winter. Experts say there are steps households can take to reduce the impact. Finally, as the deer archery season continues and more hunters get ready for the 9-day gun deer season, a local wildlife rehabilitation organization ask for donations of deer hearts and meat to feed rehabilitating animals.
Mary Roth Burns was ceremonially sworn in as an Oneida County Circuit Court judge Friday. She’s the first woman to ever serve as a judge in the county. Then, Michigan saw a record turnout for a midterm election. And as hunters gear up for the gun deer season, doctors warn them of an increased risk for heart attacks.
Policy analysts say Wisconsin still has one of the strictest voter ID laws in the country, and a nonpartisan group is carrying out efforts to help marginalized residents overcome barriers to cast a ballot. Then, Wisconsin’s candidates for attorney general had different opinions about enforcing the state’s 1849 abortion ban during a debate Thursday. And finally, Governor Tony Evers has set a goal for Wisconsin to be carbon-free by 2050. It’s an ambitious goal given how much the state currently relies on fossil fuels, but environmental groups say it’s not only achievable, but cost effective.
In-person early voting starts today in Wisconsin amid ongoing lawsuits affecting which ballots can be counted, recently ordered bans on drop boxes and restrictions on who can return ballots. Then, three men running for Lincoln County sheriff discussed priorities at a candidate forum Monday. A recurring topic of discussion was staffing. And finally, as the days get shorter many people notice a shift in mood. An Aspirus social worker discusses how to handle Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Medicaid expansion is an issue in at least 10 nonexpansion states that are electing governors or lawmakers this year, including in Wisconsin, where the Democratic governor is seeking reelection after failing to persuade Republican legislatures to broaden coverage. Then, a new study suggests the political divide over climate change is not as wide as many Americans perceive it to be. And an Alzheimer’s poetry project sparks creativity in people with dementia.
It’s beginning to look a lot like winter in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with snow falling and high winds toppling trees and causing power outages. Then, there’s a new interactive online tool for people to find more information about PFAS in Wisconsin. And Wisconsin residents looking for a health plan, or who want to change their policy, can do so starting November 1, when enrollment through the Affordable Care Act begins.
Republican incumbent Rob Swearingen and his Democratic challenger Eileen Daniel came down mostly on party lines at a WXPR-hosted candidate forum for Wisconsin’s 34th Assembly District. You can hear the full forum tomorrow at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on WXPR. Then, as you head to the polls next month, you may notice your current representative is not on the ballot. That’s because many state assembly lines shifted after the 2020 redistricting process. Finally, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources launched a new program to help local fire departments dispose of firefighting foam with PFAS chemicals.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers tried to cast his Republican challenger Tim Michels as a radical in Friday night’s debate, while Michels argued that Evers has failed the state. Former President Barack Obama will campaign for Evers and senate candidate Mandela Barnes in Milwaukee later this month. And home heating costs are expected to be up 28 percent this winter. WXPR’s Katie Thoresen introduces resources available to help.
Fire departments in western Vilas County call the current EMS situation a crisis. There are not enough medical first responders to quickly respond to calls, so four local fire departments are teaming up to try to find a solution. Then, fentanyl test strips are now available statewide in response to increasing overdose deaths. And Wisconsin union leaders say the state is seeing more buzz among organized labor, especially among construction unions.
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson and his Democratic challenger Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes stuck to their scripts during their debate Friday, discussing issues including crime, the economy and abortion. Then, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently held three scoping meetings to evaluate the environmental impact of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline. And the Aging and Disability Resource Centers of Vilas and Oneida counties are bringing trishaws to the area, so that seniors and people with disabilities can experience a bike ride.
More than 15,000 registered apprenticeships can be found throughout Wisconsin and Gov. Tony Evers says the state’s economy is better because of it. Then, as Social Security benefits are debated, a retired educator says keeping certainty in place is crucial if the state doesn’t want more teachers leaving the profession. And a small forest in Rhinelander became part of a national registry of old-growth forests Thursday.
U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany and challenger Dick Ausman debated for nearly 90 minutes last night at a debate conducted by students at Lakeland Union High School. Then, a conservative law firm is suing to stop federal student loan forgiveness. UW Health is hoping to fill entry-level health care positions by providing financial help to interested students. And Farmers for Sustainable Food is out with its first progress report, which found that Wisconsin farmers reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 50 thousand tons.
Business leaders gathered in Rhinelander Monday to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new hotel. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites will offer 99 rooms at its location just off Highway 17 near the Rennes Health and Rehab Center. Then, Social Security recipients soon will find out how much their benefits will increase for 2023. A big jump is expected, but some senior advocates fear it still won't help most older Americans living on a tight budget. And finally, Science on Tap returns to Minocqua tomorrow with a discussion about the importance of using science to guide wildlife management efforts.
Hurricane Ian devastated parts of southwestern Florida last week, leaving the area in dire need of support and resources. One of the resources needed is blood products, and the Community Blood Center stepping in to help. Then, Darrell Brooks’ trial is set to start today. He’s accused of driving his SUV through a Christmas parade in Waukesha last year, killing six people and injuring dozens more. Finally, Feed Our Rural Kids, or FORK, recently announced plans to expand its reach.
A group in Forest County is trying to help people learn how to use digital devices by hiring a digital navigator, who will travel through the county offering technical support. The position has been funded by a $375,000 grant from Google. Next, Gov. Tony Evers’ administration is trying again to limit the amount of chemicals known as PFAS in groundwater, after the Natural Resources Board killed the last proposal in February. Finally, libraries across the country, including in the Northwoods, have seen a rise in challenged books in recent years.
A drunk driver who caused an accident that killed an 8-year-old boy over the weekend was charged in Lincoln County Court Monday with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. Then, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels is calling on Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers to halt all paroles in the state, even though a governor can’t unilaterally order them to stop. Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to visit Milwaukee Thursday. And as the weather starts to feel like fall, we explore the factors that impact fall colors.
Republican U.S. Senator Ron Johnson and his Democratic challenger, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, have agreed to a televised debate on Oct. 13, ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm election. Then, the Phillips School District just finished a major renovation project, thanks to a successful referendum two years ago. The Boys and Girls Club of the Northwoods is looking for staff to fill open positions before opening this fall. And multiple accidents over the weekend left two people dead in Lincoln County.
A new privately funded get-out-the vote initiative in Wisconsin’s largest city has the support of Milwaukee’s mayor, but Republicans say it’s an attempt to improperly bolster turnout. Then, health experts are concerned about the upcoming flu season as concerns over COVID wane. And the archery crossbow deer season starts this weekend.
Democratic Governor Tony Evers and Republican challenger Tim Michels have agreed to debate just one time ahead of the Nov. 8 election. That debate will be October 14. Then, Feed Our Rural Kids is thanking the Vilas County community for helping it surpass its fundraising goals last month. Lincoln County’s 4-H program could be in jeopardy as the county battles a $1.2 million budget deficit. And the Wisconsin Restaurant Association reports 73 percent of restaurants don’t have enough employees to support existing demand.
Another 1,200 acres along the Ontonagon River will be protected following a sale between the Trust for Public Land and the Ottawa National Forest. The government has renamed more than two dozen lakes and other sites on federal land in Wisconsin to remove a racist term for a Native American woman. A Michigan election board has approved a November ballot question asking voters to put the right to an abortion in the state constitution. And the Rhinelander District Library is welcoming the public to an open house to see its new resources and programming.
Seth Wakefield, the man who helped Christopher Anderson plan the murder of Hannah Miller, will spend five and a half years in prison. Then, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services expanded eligibility yesterday for who can get the monkeypox vaccine. Gov. Tony Evers is calling for spending nearly $2 billion more public K-12 education. And Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its 24th house in the Northwoods yesterday.
President Joe Biden assailed the extreme right in Labor Day remarks to union workers in Milwaukee and outside Pittsburgh. Then, the EPA is proposing a rule that will designate two PFAS chemicals as dangerous. And Northwoods residents continued a tradition that’s more than 50 years old – waving goodbye to summer travelers outside Whitman’s Bar in Hazelhurst.
As summer comes to a close, local business leaders say the season looks on track to set records for tourism. Then, President Joe Biden is making Labor Day visits to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania ahead of midterm elections in November. And a pilot program approved by Congress could give rural Michigan communities a leg up when applying for federal dollars.
It’s the first day of the new school year for most students across the Northwoods. The City of Rhinelander is making sure parents are aware of road construction around some of the schools that could impact dropping off and picking up students. Then, applications could become available for student loan forgiveness in the coming weeks. But in states like Wisconsin, those relief amounts could be taxed. Finally, a federal judge says Wisconsin voters with disabilities can get help returning their ballots, contradicting a state Supreme Court ruling in July.
Granite Peak closed its deal on acquiring Big Snow Resort in the Upper Peninsula. The name of the resort and ski hills will be changing. Then, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced $75 million in new funding for school districts across the state. And the Northwoods Kiwanis Club raised more than $28,000 to support people impacted by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The Wausau School District is getting ready for the first day of school with a new mobile app to improve communication between the district and parents. The Aspirus Ironwood Hospital kicked off a multi-phase renovation project to update technology and remodel patient rooms. And after a Northwoods vet clinic that spayed and neutered pets closed earlier this summer, humane societies are grappling with a problem that’s two-fold. They’re dealing with an overpopulation of pets, and they’re struggling to get those pets fixed before giving them up for adoption.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced $10 million in grant funding Tuesday to help homeowners treat, replace and reconstruct private wells. Then, late summer is a common time for blue green algae blooms to appear. But as the climate changes, these blooms are becoming more common, even on lakes scientists wouldn’t have predicted. Finally, scientists in Georgia have found three female sturgeon with mature eggs – a sign that the prehistoric fish may be reproducing in Georgia for the first time in 50 years.
Wisconsin Republican Assembly speaker Robin Vos fired Michael Gableman Friday, ending a 14-month, taxpayer-funded inquiry into the 2020 election. Then, Christopher Terrell Anderson pleaded guilty in Oneida County Court Friday to murdering Hannah Miller. And Gov. Tony Evers stopped in Rhinelander Friday to make his case for re-election ahead of Wisconsin’s general election in November.
Turnout in Wisconsin’s primary election reached nearly 26 percent, the highest it’s been for a non-presidential primary in 40 years. Vilas County is hoping to take the first major step toward creating a drug treatment court later this month. And nearly 6,000 vials of the Monkeypox vaccine have been allocated to Wisconsin.
Tim Michels won Wisconsin’s GOP primary to face Gov. Tony Evers in November. Mandela Barnes won the state’s Democratic Senate primary. And two incumbent Northwoods sheriffs will hold onto their offices, fending off challenges from within their own departments. Then, Rhinelander City Administrator Zach Vruwink announced his resignation Monday. He’s the sixth administrator to leave since 2015. Finally, Gov. Evers announced the Department of Corrections has selected a site for a new youth prison.
Voters are taking to the polls today to decide the primary races for Wisconsin governor and U.S. Senate. Then, Wisconsin is set to receive nearly $31 million to fight the opioid epidemic, as overdose deaths rise. And the Vilas County ATV Alliance plans to build a challenge trail within the county forest.
A fire early Monday morning heavily damaged a building that housed long-time Minocqua business Copy Cat Printing. Police said no one was injured in the fire. It shut down traffic in the area for several hours Monday morning. Wisconsin’s primary election is quicky approaching. Voters will decide the Republican candidate for governor, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, and the Vilas and Lincoln County sheriffs. Finally, ten students who are incarcerated at McNaughton Correctional Facility graduated with a heavy machinery certification from Nicolet College last week.
Absentee voting is underway for Wisconsin’s August primary. In the race for Vilas County sheriff, Captain Gerard Ritter is running against current Sheriff Joe Fath. Fath says he’s running for a third term because he’s excited for the department’s upcoming projects. Hear his perspective today, and then tune in tomorrow to hear from Captain Ritter. As the election gets underway, election clerks in the area express concerns for safety and security. Finally, Rhinelander got a clearer picture of what a new skate park could look like after Over It and ArtStart presented a feasibility study to city council.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission will roll out a new public information campaign in the next few months aimed at teaching people about how elections work. Meanwhile, four people with disabilities have filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to ensure they can get help returning ballots, after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that only a voter can return their absentee ballot in person. Then, the price of gas has dropped 70 cents in the past month. And a new mural is coming to Rhinelander’s Hodag Park.
Northwoods counties are back at the medium COVID community level. Cases in the region have dropped slightly, but remain steady statewide. Then, Wisconsin’s Republican gubernatorial candidates debated Sunday. And U.S. Senate candidate Tom Nelson dropped out of the Democratic primary race to face Republican incumbent Ron Johnson in November. Finally, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature added the monarch butterfly to its red list of threatened species last week.
People experiencing a mental health crisis can now call 988 for assistance. Health officials hope the new number will connect more people with the resources they need. Then, the criminal division of the state Department of Justice is investigating an officer-involved shooting late Friday in Forest County. The incident involved a UTV driver and a DNR warden. Both suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Finally, Planned Parenthood of Illinois and Wisconsin are partnering to improve abortion access for Wisconsinites.
An abortion rights campaign in Michigan turned in a record-breaking number of signatures for a ballot initiative to make abortion a constitutional right. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, candidates are gearing up for the August Primary. Then, the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park received $1.4 million in American Rescue Plan funds for infrastructure improvements. And gas prices finally dropped in Wisconsin. Prices are down 47 cents from last month.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday barred the use of most absentee ballot drop boxes in the state. The move could have a disproportionate effect on rural voters. In other election news, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson endorsed construction company co-owner Tim Michels for governor. And over 500 people marched for abortion in Wausau Sunday.
Wisconsin’s 173-year-old abortion ban faces its first major legal test, as the state’s Democratic leaders announced Tuesday they’re suing to overturn it. Meanwhile, three Republican gubernatorial hopefuls vow to fire prosecutors who refuse to enforce the ban. Also, liberal watchdog group American Oversight filed its fourth open records lawsuit over the investigation of the 2020 Wisconsin election. And the Literacy Task Force of Wisconsin is teaching educators a new technique to help struggling readers.
Firefighters say lithium-ion batteries may have been the cause of a fire at the Minocqua waste transfer station Monday. About 150 firefighters from 49 departments responded to the blaze, which took eight hours to extinguish. Then, a new survey reveals many Americans have changed their mind about climate change and now see it as a major crisis. Finally, Illinois abortion clinics are bracing for a surge in out-of-state patients.
The Friday decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade is confusing some Wisconsin physicians after the state reverted to a law passed in 1849. It prohibits abortions unless medically necessary to save a woman’s life, but some doctors are unclear on when they can provide that care. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s governor signed an executive order meant to protect the state’s abortion services from laws in neighboring states. And Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is urging the state Supreme Court to quickly determine whether abortion is legal under the state’s constitution.
Evidence revealed at the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection shows that an aide for U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson told former Vice President Mike Pence’s staff that the Republican from Wisconsin wanted to hand-deliver fake elector votes from Wisconsin and Michigan. Then, Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order yesterday banning gasoline price gouging in Wisconsin. And Eagle River’s downtown is taking off. In the last two years it has seen 26 new businesses.
The U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, which could put abortion access in Wisconsin in a legal gray area. Then, the man accused of killing six people by driving his SUV through a Waukesha Christmas parade is mounting an insanity defense. And the Oneida County courthouse is offering a new walking audio tour to showcase the building’s unique history.
The Northwoods is under a heat advisory from 3 p.m. today until early tomorrow morning. Temperatures will range from 90 to 97 degrees with heat indexes close to 100. A sound garden in Land O’ Lakes lets people immerse themselves in nature, music and art. And Portage County hosted its second Juneteenth celebration to commemorate and celebrate the end of slavery.
The Oneida County Court is finalizing details for the trial of Christopher Anderson, who is accused of shooting and killing Hannah Miller near Rhinelander last June. Then, Donald Trump endorsed construction company co-owner Tim Michels for Wisconsin governor. And more than 8,000 people reached out to the StrongHearts Native Helpline in 2021, an 80 percent increase from the year before.
A Wisconsin man is attempting to break the record for the fastest paddle down the Wisconsin River. The current record is 151 hours. Joseph Spenetta, from Middleton, is aiming to do it in 144 hours. Then, the Wisconsin Supreme Court is hearing arguments about a Madison school district policy that prohibits staff from informing parents if their children have changed genders. And a program is offering mental and emotional support to farmers – a group reporting increasing levels of stress.
Residents and authorities of Taylor County were baffled Monday after learning an unusually aggressive bear attacked a couple in their home over the weekend. Then, Great Headwaters Trails is preparing to hold an official ribbon cutting ceremony for the recently completed Conover-Phelps Trail. Finally, one of the 10 Republicans who attempted to cast Electoral College ballots for Donald Trump even though he lost Wisconsin is running to become chairman of the state elections commission.
Hundreds of Rhinelander residents and visitors gathered at Pioneer Park Saturday to celebrate the heritage of the hodag. The Pioneer Park Historical Complex officially opens Memorial Day weekend for its 90th season. And Wisconsin Republicans met for the state party’s annual convention over the weekend. They rejected calls to rescind the state’s electoral votes for President Joe Biden, but they adopted nearly four dozen other resolutions.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has several major projects underway in the Northwoods, including on Highway 51 in Lincoln County. Weinbrenner Shoe Company has expanded its facilities in Merrill. And Nicolet College was recently awarded nearly one million dollars in grants from the Wisconsin Technical College System.
The Hodag Heritage Festival is underway with events including a trivia scavenger hunt, history tour and celebration at Pioneer Park. Then, COVID cases are once again rising in Wisconsin. More than 1 million people have died from the virus in the U.S. Finally, tribal and environmental advocates are calling on the Army Corps of Engineers to reject permits to expand the Line 5 pipeline, a year after the timeline Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered it shut down.
About 150 people demonstrated in support of abortion in Minocqua yesterday. Their voices joined a chorus of protesters nationwide for a day of action dubbed Bans Off Our Bodies. Then, COVID cases are on the rise again. This week, most counties in the region moved from the low to medium community level. Finally, a proposed reroute of Enbridge, Inc.'s Line 5 gas pipeline in northern Wisconsin was designed to circumnavigate tribal territory. But critics believe the reroute still poses risks to traditional Ojibwe agriculture.
Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff now offers urgent care. It’s one of the first major changes to the hospital since it was acquired by Aspirus last year. Next, some education leaders and medical experts are urging parents to take a more active role in monitoring their kids' mental well-being, which includes their use of social media. Finally, air travel is slowly recovering since the pandemic. Of the eight passenger airports that offer commercial air service in Wisconsin, the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport has seen passenger numbers rebound most since 2020.
Dry conditions and high winds created dangerous fire conditions yesterday, with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reporting more than 65 wildfires. Seven were in Vilas County. Police are asking the public’s help in tracking down people who vandalized the office of an anti-abortion lobbying group in Madison. Jacob Blake dropped a federal lawsuit against the police officer who shot him. And Feed Our Rural Kids is challenging community members to support the weekend backpack program in Vilas and Oneida counties.
A fire at a Wisconsin anti-abortion office is being investigated as arson. Then, a recently released study done on Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park shows an increase of wolves on the island likely led to a healthier moose population. Wisconsin officials list 52 Wisconsin counties, including Northwoods counties, at a “very high risk” for wildfires, citing dry conditions and high winds. And after a cool spring, people who tap maple trees say this season was one of the most productive in decades for harvesting sap.
Wisconsin has a 173-year-old abortion ban that hasn't been enforced in decades. But if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the decision in Roe v. Wade, that law will trigger, criminalizing abortions in the state. Then, COVID oral antiviral medications are now widely available. And Rhinelander students are making sidewalk art that will only appear when it rains. It’s the first project of the city’s recently created public arts commission.
Every year, the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps and the University of Wisconsin Population Health rank a county’s health based on a number of health, social, and economic factors. Health in Northwoods counties varies greatly. Then, the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service is launching a community survey on Tuesday to gauge feelings about racism and inclusion in Marathon and Lincoln Counties. Wisconsin’s legislators are quitting in near-record numbers. And Karen Oberhauser will be talking monarchs at this month’s Science on Tap Minocqua.
COVID cases are rising in Wisconsin, but state health officials say there’s reason for optimism. Cases are still well below their peak during the Omicron surge. Then, Wisconsin’s GOP-ordered investigation into the 2020 presidential election was set to end on Saturday. Now, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says it will continue. Finally, Wisconsin’s new Office of Environmental Justice is tasked with focusing on equity as the state proceeds with a new clean energy strategy.
Minocqua Winter Park has started building mountain bike trails to increase year-round access to the park. Michigan leaders have released a new roadmap to a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. And Republican Tim Michels has launched his campaign for Wisconsin governor, saying he’ll run an aggressive campaign without special interest money.
Governor Tony Evers wants Wisconsin to live up to the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement and put the state on a path for all electricity to be 100 percent carbon-free by 2050. Last week, his administration laid out it’s Clean Energy Plan on how to reach those goals. Then, the Earth Day Sustainability Fair returned to Nicolet College Friday after a two-year, COVID-induced break. And parents in Crandon are expressing concerns after a faulty alert system has caused multiple high-level lockdowns in recent weeks.
Wisconsin got $4.86 billion in fiscal recover funds under the American Rescue Plan Act. A little more than $2.5 billion of that went to the state, while the rest went to local governments. WXPR’s Katie Thoresen breaks down how that money is being spent. Then, the state is pushing ahead with a Republican-drawn legislative plan, but some argue the maps violate the Voting Rights Act. Finally, more Wisconsin communities are encouraging residents to hold off on lawnmowing in May to boost bee and pollinator populations.
The Central Wisconsin Airport will no longer require masks for employees or passengers after a federal judge struck down the CDC’s mask mandate. Then, absenteeism rates are climbing in Wisconsin schools. At the same time, more students have reported experiencing poor mental health since the pandemic began. Finally, Wisconsin offers dozens of financial aid programs for students looking to go to college, but a new report finds funding for those programs has stalled in recent years.
Rhinelander’s Social Security Office opens for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Then, the Verso paper mill has officially been bought by a Scandinavian papermaker. Mayor Shane Blaser hopes the company will restart the idled mill. Wisconsin’s Supreme Court adopts GOP-drawn legislative maps following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to reject Evers’ maps. Finally, birders are delighted as hundreds of redpolls descend on the Northwoods.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is including indigenous place names in its materials and education. Then, new data shows a sharp increase in Type 2 diabetes among children in Wisconsin and doctors think COVID-19 could be a factor. And a new report finds declining wages in the construction industry, fueled by wage theft and payroll fraud, are pushing more construction workers into social-support programs.
A candidate for Oneida County board has requested a recount, after the tie race was decided by a coin toss. Another Republican from the Wisconsin Assembly has decided to retire, bringing the total number of Republicans leaving the body to 11. The Salvation Army is hosting an open house to teach people how to prepare for disasters. And the DNR is hosting a “Be Bear Aware” webinar to teach people how to avoid conflicts with bears.
Hundreds of geographic features and landmarks in the United States will soon have new names, including 28 sites in Wisconsin, because they currently hold the name of a derogatory term for indigenous women. Local women react to that change. Then, with the toss of a coin, Collette Sorgel wins Oneida County District 13 seat. And after a court order, Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos handed over more than 10,000 emails related to the partisan review of the state’s 2020 elections to the independent watchdog group American Oversight.
Election results from April 5 are in. Rhinelander, Tomahawk and Merrill will soon have new mayors. Kris Hanus, Steve Taskay and Steve Haas each won their respective mayoral elections. School referendums in Tomahawk, Elcho, Wausau and Goodman passed, while voters denied Merrill’s referendum. And at least four women will join the previously all-male Oneida County Board. Then, local wildlife rehabilitation groups change their protocol over avian flu concerns. Finally, federal officials are looking for suggestions from the public on new names for 30 geographic features in Wisconsin with names derogatory to American Indians.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is asking for public help finding a missing Tomahawk man who went on a hunting trip in November and never returned home. Then, Michigan’s new voting maps went into effect last week. Union workers at a manufacturing company in Sheboygan went on strike. And tomorrow’s Science on Tap presentation is all about wild lakes.
Kelsey Musgrove, a missing hiker from Middleton, WI, was found dead near the Potato River Falls in Iron County Sunday morning. Then, Oneida County is averaging one new COVID-19 case a day. That’s a record low since last summer. Next, demand for PFAS testing is rising. As more cities find evidence of the chemicals, private well owners are also seeking tests. Finally, the spring election is tomorrow. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Wisconsin voters will elect new county board supervisors next week, but in wide stretches of Forest County, no candidates are running. It’s a symptom of higher turnover in local government this election cycle. Next, in Vilas County, voters will select a new judge. Hear from one of the candidates about why he’s running. Finally, in the face of a nationwide welder shortage, Lakeland’s new welding program is seeing strong interest.
A local grocery store owner warns customers about a big increase in prices this week, as the cost of food products and fuel continues to rise. The Lakeland Union High School administration is proposing eliminating staff positions to address a looming operating deficit. And Grow North is asking people to take an internet speed test to allow the group to map out internet in each community.
The Rhinelander Kiwanis Club is sending financial aid to the Kiwanis Luxembourg Foundation in Europe to support people in Ukraine. States are increasingly using federal COVID relief aid to focus on providing more affordable housing. The Michigan DNR confirms cases of avian flu in 3 Michigan counties. Finally, counselors offer tips on managing stress when returning to work in-person.
Wisconsin Public Service restores power to more than 100,000 people. Weston becomes latest community to find high levels of PFAS in its drinking water. Rhinelander Mayor candidates share their top priorities. And, AARP sends petition to lawmakers to lower prescription drug costs.
More than 20,000 without power as ice and snow takes down lines. Bill would create new youth prison in southern Wisconsin. Congress passes bill to help shore up the U.S. Postal Service. And, Aspirus focuses on health care accessibility for LGBTQ community.
The Tomahawk School District is asking voters to approve an operational referendum for the third time in less than three years. A Canadian mining company is moving ahead with plans to drill for gold and copper in Marathon and Taylor counties. Then, a new program is seeking to help Wisconsin’s grain farmers. And with the return of spring comes the return of construction.
An Oneida County judge decides what evidence can be used in the trial of the murder of Hannah Miller. Investigators look into a deadly house fire in Juneau County. Northwoods families deal with an infant formula recall. And a Rhinelander wildlife rehab facility is raising three newborn bear cubs after their mother died during a research project.
Rhinelander secures federal funding to work towards PFAS solutions. CWA approves funding to attract a new airline. And, Wisconsin Hospital Association report outlines dire need for health care workforce investments.
Governor Evers signs bills to address opioid epidemic. Forest County Potawatomi Community receives nearly $9 million in infrastructure grant funding. Emerald Ash Borer found in Lincoln County for the first time. And, Oneida County snowmobile trails close for the season.
Governor Tony Evers announced a $50 million investment in the state’s criminal justice system yesterday, including about $270 thousand for Wausau and Marathon County. Then, the Oneida County Board passed a resolution during yesterday’s meeting to express support for maintaining the state’s wolf population at 350 animals. Next, Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is meeting with advocates for decertifying President Joe Biden’s win in Wisconsin. Finally, a Ukrainian in Ironwood is making jewelry to support the people fleeing her hometown.
The League of Women Voters of the Northwoods releases its 411 voter guides for local races in the April 5 election. Then, Enbridge’s Line 5 relocation plan could involve a drilling method likely to release toxic chemicals into surrounding waters. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul sues Johnson Controls and Tyco Fire Products over PFAS pollution in northeastern Wisconsin. Finally, it’s equal pay day, the date that symbolizes how far into the year women need to work to earn what men earned the previous year.
As spring elections approach, Wausau’s mayor reminds voters drop boxes will not be available due to a recent court order. Students and staff at the Wabeno Area School District raise resources and awareness for Ukraine, in support of a family with loved ones in the country. Wisconsin cities move to provide bottled water and filters for residents impacted by PFAS-contaminated wells. Finally, snowmobile trails across the area close for the season.
A cryptocurrency mining operation has been set up at the former Park Falls Paper Mill. Six songs written by Lac du Flambeau tribal members are finalists for the Native American Music Awards,. 10 Wisconsin citizens have filed a federal lawsuit against Republican Senator Ron Johnson and two Republican congressmen.
Seth Wakefield, accused of helping plan the murder of Hannah Miller, is set to go to trial in September on a homicide charge. The Wisconsin GOP-ordered 2020 election investigation has been extended through the end of April. Feed Our Rural Kids is expanding its Weekend Backpack program to Three Lakes. And the task force charged with developing the community square in Eagle River started reviewing plans last week.
Wisconsin GOP leaders asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review Wisconsin’s legislative maps after the Wisconsin Supreme Court approved maps submitted by Democratic Governor Tony Evers. The average price of gas in Wisconsin rose 60 cents in the last week. And a rare, blooming Corpse Flower attracts visitors to Land O’ Lakes.
Wisconsin’s Republican legislators asked the state Supreme Court to stay its decision to adopt new district maps, seeking a review by the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, litigation has begun after Michigan’s new independent commission finished creating its maps. Then, a Wisconsin conservation warden urges people to remove ice shacks as ice conditions change. Wisconsin’s U.S. senators move to end federal protections for gray wolves. And Boulder Junction’s Camp Manito-Wish is selected as the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation’s business of the year.
A partisan investigation into Wisconsin’s 2020 presidential election ended yesterday. In his report, Michael Gableman urged lawmakers to decertify the state’s election results. Meanwhile, Wisconsin lawmakers had mixed reactions to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. Rhinelander’s city administrator speaks about standards for PFAS chemicals. And the world’s largest cheese competition is underway.
Masking is no longer strongly recommended in most of the Northwoods, according the CDC’s revised guidelines. Schools are adjusting mask policies on buses in accordance with the update. Then, the GOP-ordered investigation into Wisconsin’s 2020 election is set to be released soon. And the Wisconsin Assembly passed a bill to strip university administrators of qualified legal immunity in cases regarding free speech. Finally, Rheinlander High School students are looking for charities to participate in their new Hodag Cares program.
Wisconsin union members rallied over the weekend in protest of Oshkosh Corp.’s decision to build USPS delivery vehicles in South Carolina instead of Wisconsin. Meanwhile, many Northwoods communities are struggling to recruit EMTs. One fire department is hoping to fix that. Then, a new report finds more than 1,000 Wisconsin children lost a caretaker to COVID-19. Finally, as state lawmakers discuss setting new standards for PFAS, some communities in north-central Wisconsin are testing for the chemicals for the first time.
Wisconsin’s 2022 State of the Tribes address tackled a number of issues in the state, including voting rights and environmental issues. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s Senate passed a package of Republican-authored voting changes and bills designed to force more people into the workforce. Governor Tony Evers is expected to veto both. Then, a new study finds lead poisoning is widespread in bald and golden eagle populations across the country.
The Wisconsin Assembly is scheduled to vote on several education bills today, while school board members in Antigo vote on a plan to partner with a daycare center. The district hopes having easy access to childcare will help retain and attract new employees. The Big Ten announced penalties for Wisconsin and Michigan’s head basketball coaches after the two got into a fight following Sunday’s game. Finally, the Wisconsin DNR is asking for help identifying bear dens.
A fire early Sunday morning at an apartment complex in Rhinelander displaced 26 residents. Meanwhile, a massive car crash on Highway 51 near Wausau involved 40 vehicles and left 10 people hurt. AARP urges state lawmakers to spend surplus on caregiver tax credit. And the Ojibwe Winter Games revive culture in Lac du Flambeau and beyond.
Voters in the Northland Pines School District approved a three-year referendum on Tuesday’s ballot, while voters in other districts narrowed the fields for mayors and county board supervisors. Meanwhile Gov. Tony Evers touted Wisconsin’s economic recovery in his State of the State address. And Boulder Junction has decided its time for a news playground.
Wisconsin’s Senate votes on measures to push back against COVID-19 vaccine requirements, while more locally, the Wausau School Board votes to draw back masking requirements. Then, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe partners with Rosetta Stone to develop a language learning program. And a Rhinelander church is using an air sensor to teach the public about the impact of climate change on the Northwoods.
The Community Blood Center and Blood Center of North Central Wisconsin combine resources. A Rhinelander teacher and high school students sit before the Assembly Education Committee in support of a bill requiring financial literacy education. Then, Wisconsin’s spring election is approaching. We discuss what to expect on ballots across the Northwoods.
Nurses at Aspirus Langlade Hospital ask for better pay, with hopes the change would improve staffing ratios. Aspirus Health notices an increasing need for oxygen tanks for post-COVID care. Then, Gov. Evers vetoes a bill that would have allowed teens to work later during busy summer tourism months. Finally, races for state attorneys general heat up, as Republicans seek to expand control in Wisconsin and Michigan.
Wausau’s policing task force is finalizing its recommendations, including increasing resources for people in need of mental health assistance. Then, a ballot drive in Michigan would make it easier to vote. The Rhinelander Hodag Dome celebrates one year of existence. Finally, gas prices keep going up, and an end isn’t in sight.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court allows absentee ballot boxes to remain in place for now. Republican lawmakers push legislation that would legalize medical marijuana. And positive COVID cases and hospitalizations start to trend down in Wisconsin after record high numbers.
Wisconsin Supreme Court justices are hearing arguments today about who should draw the state’s political boundary lines. Local county jails respond differently to staffing shortages as COVID spreads through the community. The Rotary Club announces plans to raise funds to build a park to keep Eagle River’s community square public.
Republican state lawmakers propose lowering the age requirement for carrying a concealed weapon. Marshfield Clinic braces for increasing numbers of COVID patients. And the Badger State Torch Ride showcases Northwoods snowmobile trails to kick off Eagle River’s derby weekend.
Hundreds of community members gathered over the weekend to honor Merrill Police Officer Riley Kurtz, who died earlier in the month. Langlade County organizations partner to distribute food to low-income seniors. Then, a circuit court judge decides Wisconsin ballot drop boxes are not permitted under state law.
Daily COVID cases in Wisconsin top 12,000 for the second time in a week. Kids who get COVID could be at increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Then, republican state lawmakers advance a bill to count prior COVID infections as an alternative to vaccination and testing. And finally, the “No Surprises Act” grants residents protections from surprise medical bills issued by out-of-network healthcare providers.
The Oneida County Health Department reports more people tested positive for COVID-19 last week than any other week during the pandemic. Vilas County begins the process of adding a drug court to fight addiction. Plus, Wisconsin’s gubernatorial candidates are raising millions of dollars in campaign funds.