Investigative Reporter
Recent Stories
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.
Wisconsin Supreme Court contest heads to voters
Progressive Taylor, conservative Lazar struggle for relevance
Election Day is Tuesday, April 7, and, while most people know there’s an open state Supreme Court seat on the ballot, it’s barely generated any interest at the grassroots level. To call the contest subdued would be an understatement.
Senate adjourns without taking up anti-SLAPP bill
Legislation against frivolous lawsuits languishes
A bill to protect journalists, activists, and citizens from costly and frivolous lawsuits designed to silence them failed to reach a vote in the state Senate before it adjourned, halting momentum for legislation that supporters say is a much-needed free-speech safeguard.
Without debate, Oneida County rubber stamps push for new transportation funding
Resolution backs campaign for ‘sustainable’ revenues, bonding for roads
Oneida County supervisors have endorsed without debate a statewide campaign calling for additional transportation funding from the state, approving a resolution Tuesday that urges lawmakers to adopt a “sustainable” funding model for Wisconsin’s roads and bridges.
WisconsinEye remains imperiled
Debate continues over transparency, funding, and control of government cameras
Usually during Sunshine Week, journalists, lawmakers, and open-government advocates tally the year’s victories and defeats in the ongoing struggle to keep government accessible to the public. The scorecard is often mixed but survivable. Some years produce great strides in transparency, while others are more of one-step-forward, two-step-backwards affairs.
Amid heavy snow, Oneida snowmobile trails lagged in re-opening
In Vilas County, all systems were go as trails re-opened Saturday
With snow on the ground and heavy snow coming down, all of Oneida County snowmobile trails remained closed through last weekend, even as neighboring Vilas County reopened its extensive trail system to riders on Saturday morning, March 14.
Northwoods River News WNA’s Best in Division for 3rd straight year
Paper earns 25 total awards in statewide competition
The Northwoods River News has won the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation’s award for Best in Division for 2025, closing out an impressive year with 25 total awards and five first-place finishes in the association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest.
Oneida County zoning approves contested Cassian sawmill project
Supervisors add water use, buffer zone conditions during hearing
Following a March 4 public hearing, the Oneida County Planning and Development Committee has approved a conditional use permit for a proposed sawmill operation in the town of Cassian, overriding objections from nearby residents but attaching conditions to address concerns about noise, water use, and closeness to neighboring homes.