Investigative Reporter
Recent Stories
Aspirus fires vice president over assassination post
Visitors bureau says Bangstad comments don’t reflect community values
The escalating fallout from a Minocqua brewery owner’s social media post appearing to celebrate an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump has now cost a senior Aspirus Health executive his job and drawn sharp responses from local officials, tourism leaders, and federal law enforcement.
Oneida County board takes a leap to the left
Two new board members bring extreme positions
By most traditional measures, conservatives maintained control of the Oneida County Board of Supervisors following this past month’s spring elections, with incumbent supervisor Scott Holewinski securing unanimous re-election as county board chairman and no apparent dramatic shift in ideological control of the board.
Bangstad assassination posts get FBI’s attention
Tiffany calls out Hong over past support
The Milwaukee field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation acknowledged this week that it was aware of social media posts by Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad promising to celebrate the death of President Donald Trump, as Democrats and Republicans alike distanced themselves from the activist’s remarks this past week.
Holewinski wins unanimous re-election as Oneida County chairman
Jensen booted from public works committee
Oneida County board chairman Scott Holewinski won an emphatic vote of confidence from the full county board Tuesday as supervisors unanimously elected him to a third term as chairman of the board.
Trump approval drops, skepticism grows on inflation
Prices, war are top issues in Marquette poll
A Marquette Law School national poll released this week shows sharply declining approval ratings for President Donald Trump, with his marks on inflation and the economy cratering and confidence in his leadership imploding.
Power shifts in the politics of autism
Federal policy pivots to environmental causes over genetics
After decades of being on the outside looking in, those who believe autism is driven primarily by environmental factors are now not only on the inside but sitting at the table of federal power, and they are reshaping the national debate over the disorder in ways that are quaking through science, medicine, the media, and public policy.
Bangstad found guilty after a no-contest plea in disorderly conduct case
Judge imposes fine, cites community impact of 2025 incident
A judge in Oneida County circuit court found Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad guilty Tuesday of disorderly conduct, after Bangstad entered a no-contest plea to the charge stemming from a June 27, 2025, incident outside his Front Street establishment.
Taylor handily wins state Supreme Court race
Progressive victory secures 5-2 liberal majority on high court
In an overwhelming victory that cements an already progressive state Supreme Court, liberal appeals court judge Chris Taylor bowled over conservative challenger Maria Lazar Tuesday.
Tiffany takes rival to task on tax on tips, overtime
Bills await Evers signature or veto
With legislation to eliminate state income taxes on tips and on some overtime now sitting on Gov. Tony Evers’s desk, the issue has emerged as a flashpoint in the state’s 2026 governor’s race, pitting presumptive Republican nominee Tom Tiffany against one of the leading Democratic candidates, state Rep. Francesca Hong, and leaving Evers sitting in the political crosshairs.
County weighs $2M transfer as out-of-home placement costs surge
Costs, impacts underscore need for underlying solutions
Oneida County was hit last year with an unexpected surge in out-of-home placement costs for children, and so a resolution to transfer $2 million to cover the overage for last year is now headed to the county board.