Wisconsin Today

Tribes in Wisconsin are opposing efforts to end protections for millions of acres of national forest land. a look at the declining number of dairy farms over the past 20 years. And, what people should know about the GLP-1 pill for weight loss.

More drilling for copper and gold in northern Wisconsin could begin next month under a mining company's plans. State revenue projections released yesterday are substantially higher than expected. And, how Wisconsin's humble taverns shaped our history and built community.

Milwaukee police say members of the LGBTQ community have been victims of a recent string of robberies. And they're tied to online dating apps. State lawmakers hear emotional testimony on bills that would restrict transgender rights in Wisconsin. And, a new novel from a Milwaukee film professor has fans of horror movies in mind.

 Assembly Republicans are rejecting Governor Tony Evers’ plan to cut property taxes, saying he needs to undo his so-called 400-year veto before the two sides can talk. The state Assembly […]

Gov. Tony Evers is laying out his agenda for his last year in office, but he'll have his work cut out with Republicans in the state Legislature. Two Wisconsin hospitals say they're ending gender affirming care treatments for minors, citing federal changes. And, what Wisconsin experts are saying about new federal guidelines for alcohol use.

Protests popped up in communities around Wisconsin over the weekend in response to the fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by a federal immigration agent. The largest were in Madison and Milwaukee. A former principal is facing a criminal charge for failing to report sexual misconduct by a school staff member in Sun Prairie. And, with flu activity high in the state, some counties are stocking vending machines with free flu tests.

Wisconsin politicians' response to the fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by a federal immigration agent are sharply divided by partisan lines. Wisconsin health officials are rejecting recent federal guidance to reduce routine childhood vaccinations. And, residents of a rural community in Brown County are worried that a sudden flurry of big-dollar real estate purchase offers means a data center could be coming to town.

Wisconsin lawmakers are considering proposals that would expand access to guns in the state, including allowing concealed carry without a permit. There's a push to expand recess time for kids in public schools. And, a new study takes a look at the potential impact of data centers on Wisconsin's water and energy utilities.

Last year, one mayor blocked a data center development in town. Now, the Menomonie City Council has created new restrictions to regulate the industry in their community. the federal government may soon begin garnishing the wages of thousands of Wisconsin residents who are in default on their student loans. And, researchers say young bald eagles in Wisconsin are facing possible health effects from PFAS contamination.

A small community in western Wisconsin may finally be getting PFAS-free water after getting a federal loan to build a municipal water system. Health officials are warning the flu and other respiratory illnesses are spreading quickly in Wisconsin. And, the data center industry's demand for big backup generators is helping a Waukesha-based manufacturer expand.

Child care providers in Wisconsin are waiting on next steps after the Trump administration said it freeze federal child care funding. Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan has resigned after she was convicted of a felony. And, Wisconsin lawmakers share reaction to the capture of the Venezuela president and his wife.

What are the big stories in Wisconsin politics likely to be in 2026? We'll break it down for you. And, Milwaukee singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp reflects on a deeply personal new album. 

A hot sauna may feel just right this time of year. And for some people in Wisconsin, time in the sauna is a way of life. We're revisiting some of our favorite stories of the year, including wave riding with Sheboygan's surfing scene.

Northern Wisconsin's "The Glide" is a skating path through the woods. After a wildly successful first year, it's back again in Boulder Junction.  we'll take you to that skating ribbon. And we've got a story from Wisconsin Life about how tattoos tell one man's life story.

A 14-year-old from Milwaukee is a new host of a Beatles show on satellite radio. He's a non-speaker who learned to communicate through adaptive technology. And, as we continue to look back at some of our favorite stories of the year, we'll take you to the site of what could become a gold mine.

Some of the biggest construction projects announced in Wisconsin this year were for data centers. We hear from WPR's business and economy reporter about the year in data centers. And, as we revisit some of our favorite stories of the year, we'll go to a school district in southwestern Wisconsin that excels at teaching math.

From a Supreme Court race to deep cuts to federal government, it's been a big year for Wisconsin politics. Today, our politics team looks back at the stories of the year.  we'll hear that discussion of the year in politics. And, from Wisconsin Life, a story about a groundbreaking feminist artist in Wisconsin in the 1970s.

A pair of northern Wisconsin choirs help those with dementia and other progressive diseases to find joy and reclaim their voices. We hear from the director of these "memory choirs." We're revisiting some of our favorite stories of the year. Today, we've got a story about skateboarding friends in Milwaukee who buit their own skate park.

For book lovers, there's not much that beats a warehouse of new, used and rare books, and there are signs independent bookstores are growing in the Midwest. Today, we've got a story about Wisconsin bookstores and one from a Milwaukee Area street that's decked out in holiday cheer.

A utility in northern Minnesota says it no longer plans to buy power from a proposed new natural gas plant in Wisconsin. The project's future is now in doubt. More than 100,000 Wisconsinites are being hit with increases in their student loan payments. And, a Wisconsin program that treats veterans for brain injuries is expanding.

The Trump administration last week moved to ban physicians and hospitals from providing gender-affirming care to minors. Wisconsin advocates say it would have harmful effects. A 90-year-old bridge comes down in southwestern Wisconsin. And, Sheboygan County residents are pioneering a new way to care for people with dementia.

Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan has been found guilty of impeding the work of federal officers seeking to arrest a man in the country illegally. And the House passed a bill to take the gray wolf off the endangered species list.

Port Washington residents who oppose a massive data center development say they're launching an effort to recall the city's mayor. And Wisconsin's Attorney General announces that Menards will pay a settlement over misleading rebate claims

School property taxes are up across Wisconsin. A new study finds December saw the largest increase in decades. And Tuesday saw striking testimony in the trial of Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan.

Witnesses took the stand on the first day of the trial of Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan. She's charged with helping a man evade federal immigration officers. Wisconsin's attorney general says the Trump administration has defied the law dozens of times. And, it's been one year since the shooting at Madison's Abundant Life Christian School.

The state of Texas has sued Verona-based Epic Systems alleging it runs an illegal monopoly and restricts parents' access to medical records. the jury trial starts today for the Milwaukee County judge charged with interfering with ICE. And, another case involving an alleged architect of Wisconsin's false electors scheme is heating up.

A jury has been chosen for the trial of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan next week.

A new lawsuit seeks energy numbers for a Beaver Dam data center planned by the social media giant, Meta. Another Democrat enters the race for governor. And, Wisconsin's free clinics are gearing up for more patients if Congress can't agree on a way to subsidize health insurance costs. Plus, you can help us close 2025 successfully by making a gift right now at wpr.org/donate.

A growing share of teacher pay is being spent on health care costs. Then, GOP lawmakers consider a bill that would ban local governments from passing so-called "rights of nature" ordinances. And, there's community pushback in Milwaukee to the proposed use of facial recognition by law enforcement. Plus, you can can join more than 40,000 members to support WPR at wpr.org/donate.

A new law aims to crack down on a growing online threat known as sextortion.  State lawmakers are considering a tax break to encourage nuclear energy. Plus, a story from Eau Claire, where the city has its hands full with a flock of aggressive turkeys. And, don't forget to take a minute to support the news you value by making a donation at wpr.org/donate.

Wisconsin health leaders are concerned about changes to the federal guidance on hepatitis B vaccinations for  newborns. The shift changes a policy in place for 30 years. Wisconsin immigration attorneys say they're struggling to keep up with Trump's policy changes. And, a small but increasing number of people are buying Christmas trees that can live on after the holiday.

The Trump administration's reaction to the shooting of two members of the National Guard by an Afghan refugee has left Afghans in Wisconsin facing an uncertain future.a settlement is pending in the state's case against a Marinette manufacturer of firefighting foam over PFAS contamination. And, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is launching a new college focused on Artificial Intelligence.

Members of Wisconsin's Somali community are speaking out after President Trump called them "garbage." The state Supreme Court will hear a legal challenge to sheriffs who hold suspected illegal immigrants in jail at the behest of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And, Wisconsin's winter sports industry is rejoicing after early snowfalls blanketed the state.

With more data center developments coming to Wisconsin, a Milwaukee event focused on the potential benefits of the projects, while protesters called for limits. Fewer deer were killed by hunters during the nine-day gun season this year. And, in some communities, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers wants to create a new regulatory system for hemp products.

A familiar name is entering Wisconsin's governor race. Wisconsin's public schools will be getting less money from the state than they anticipated for special education services. And in some communities, people who call non-emergency lines may be answered by AI rather than police dispatchers.

Two lawsuits seeking to redraw Wisconsin's congressional maps involve new legal questions that could end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. The state wants to encourage a PFAS-free foam for firefighters. And, we hear from a Wisconsin veteran whose story is told in a new podcast from NPR.

A museum in Two Rivers is facing a backlash after it canceled artist residencies with little notice.  State agencies are working to prevent a tree-killing invasive pest from gaining a foothold in Wisconsin. And, we'll visit the oldest Lionel railroad club in the world. It's just outside of Milwaukee.

A decades-old theater in the Northwoods is shutting its doors. It's not the only Wisconsin cinema facing hard times. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is launching a new major in public policy. And, we'll hear from a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter from Appleton who is out with her first solo album.

Two lawsuits aiming to force Wisconsin to redraw its congressional maps will be heard by panels of three judges. Their decision could reshape the state’s political representation. Hear why your […]

The woman who as a sixth-grader stabbed a classmate to please the fictional "Slender Man" is likely headed back to Wisconsin after police say she cut off her ankle monitor and fled to Illinois. The Trump administration is investigating claims that a Milwaukee insurance company discriminated against a white man. And, scientists say this could be a severe flu season. Only one-quarter of Wisconsinites have gotten flu shots.

The Trump administration has downgraded nurses and nurse practitioners from "professional" status when it comes to student loans. They'll face new caps on federal student loans. The Wisconsin Democratic Party is way ahead in the fundraising race. And, a new proposal would raise fees for hikers and bikers on Wisconsin trails.

A Madison-based biotech company that employs thousands will have a new owner. It's a deal worth $23 billion. And, archaeologists say fragments of a canoe found in Lake Mendota are the oldest ever found in the Great Lakes region.