Supreme Court refuses to hear Wisconsin case on parental rights
Eau Claire policy allows schools to hide gender identity transitions from parents
In December, the United States Supreme Court dismissed a petition to hear a parental rights case involving a Wisconsin school district, in which a parents group had challenged the Eau Claire school district’s gender identity policies.
Marshfield Clinic Health System completes merger with Sanford Health
Marshfield brand will survive as a region of Sanford Health
Marshfield Clinic Health System and Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the U.S., have completed their merger and will now operate as Sanford Health, the companies announced this past week. Sanford Health is headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Evers taps climate change activist to lead DNR
LeMahieu, Felzkowski express concerns
After letting the top spot at the state’s powerful natural resources agency sit vacant for more than a year, Gov. Tony Evers announced just before Christmas the appointment Dr. Karen Hyun to serve as its secretary.
GOP nixes reallocation of UW building funds
Swearingen blasts Evers administration for lack of transparency
Republicans on the state building commission shot down last week a bid by the Evers administration to redistribute tens of millions of dollars in University of Wisconsin building funds between projects, prompting Gov. Tony Evers to claim the GOP was yanking the rug from under the UW System and Republicans to counter that the governor was pulling an underhanded bait and switch.
Gruich remains jailed after hearing on $40,000 cash bond
After an adjourned initial appearance last Thursday, December 19, and as of press time, a Michigan man accused of threatening an Oneida County judge and a local newspaper publisher remained jailed in Oneida County as his spouse sought legal representation for him.
Legislature’s joint rules review committee suspends DNR gun rule
Agency had admitted rule was incompatible with state law
The Legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules last week suspended a state Department of Natural Resources’ administrative rule that a conservative group said violated the Second Amendment and that the DNR itself conceded was inconsistent with state law.
$50,000 cash bond set on Bangstad supporter accused of making threats
Oneida County circuit judge Mary Sowinski imposed this week a $50,000 cash bond on a Michigan man who has been arrested and jailed in Oneida County for allegedly threatening Oneida County circuit judge Michael Schiek and Gregg Walker, publisher of both The Lakeland Times and The Northwoods River News.
Bangstad files notice of claim against Oneida County
MBC owner wants $10.75 million for violation of constitutional rights
Minocqua Brewing Company (MBC) owner Kirk Bangstad has filed a combined notice of injury and notice of claim against Oneida County, meaning Bangstad has formally notified the county of an alleged injury or incident by the county as a legal precursor of filing a lawsuit.
Tribe, environmental groups challenge Line 5 permits
MEA: Permits can’t meet state water quality standards
The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in northern Wisconsin and various environmental groups have filed separate legal challenges to wetland and waterway permits the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) granted last month to Enbridge Energy to build a 41-mile segment of its Line 5 pipeline near the Bad River Reservation.
A closer look at the Dane County Act 10 ruling
A Dane County judge has overturned the state’s landmark law prohibiting most public employees from engaging in collective bargaining, saying a key employee definition treated some public workers differently from others without any rational basis to do so.
Michigan man arrested, detained for threatening Walker, Schiek
Detective: Evidence shows ‘direct correlation’ between Bangstad, suspect
A man accused of making threats to an Oneida County judge and to a newspaper publisher has been arrested and jailed in Michigan, according to court records and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.
County ‘updates’ Paid Time Off handbook
The agenda for a recent Oneida County executive committee meeting referred to an “employee handbook update,” which was less an update and more of a proposal to modify county policy concerning Paid Time Off (PTO) pay-outs and how county employees can cash in their accumulated PTO banks.
Circuit judge allows lawsuit challenging wedding barn law to continue
Plaintiffs say new law deprives them of equal protection, ability to earn a living
Two small business owners scored a pre-Thanksgiving win in circuit court in their challenge to the state’s new “wedding barn” law, with a Trempeleau County circuit judge ruling that their lawsuit against the state can proceed.
Trump lays out aggressive free speech agenda
Digital bill of rights, ban on federal disinformation activities included
News analysis President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team have looked like rockets launched from Cape Canaveral since election day, with Trump announcing a flurry of major appointments for his new administration, but perhaps the most important announcement made so far has not involved personnel.
County looks to tighten control of staff out-of-state travel
Easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission?
The Oneida County executive committee recently approved an after-the-fact request for out-of-state staff travel, citing an oversight, but committee members made clear they wanted such travel to follow established procedures.
Wisconsin Policy Forum: Wisconsin tax burden reaches historic low
A billion-dollar income tax cut, property tax levy limits, and wage growth have combined to reduce Wisconsin’s overall tax burden on residents to a record low, according to a new study released by the Wisconsin Policy Forum.
Update raises questions about OC legal fees
The issue is how to fund outside counsel when needed
A small update recently to the Oneida County executive committee on the use of outside counsel by the county’s zoning department brought up larger questions about attorneys fees and how the county pays for them — and whether the county’s organization of legal services is efficient.
State projects revenue growth, $4 billion surplus
Evers administration also looks at record rainy day fund
New numbers released by the state Department of Administration (DOA) estimate that the state will close the current fiscal year with a general fund surplus of about $4 billion. In addition to the surplus, the state will have in its coffers another $1.9 billion in its budget stabilization fund, or Rainy Day account, a record-high level.
Trump taps Sean Duffy for transportation secretary
Former congressman represented Northwoods for almost 9 years
President-elect Donald Trump has been making cabinet appointments with lightning speed, and the latest bolt struck close to home as the president-elect has nominated former Northwoods U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy to serve as his next transportation secretary.
Oneida County board adopts budget with 4-percent tax levy cut
Tax rate to tumble by 20 cents per $1,000 equalized value
With two minor adjustments, the Oneida County Board of Supervisors at its November meeting approved the county’s 2025 budget and tax levy, adopting a property tax levy of $18.3 million to be collected next year, a decrease of 4 percent from last year’s levy of $19.1 million.
Progressives threaten the heart of the REINS Act
2017 law gave legislature active oversight of bureaucracy
In 2017, conservatives across the state cheered the passage of the so-called REINS Act (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny), a law that made administrative rule-making much harder and gave the legislature active oversight of executive branch rule promulgation.
County, DNR still don’t agree on boathouse stairways
County likely to stick with allowing them
It could boil down to a matter of agreeing to disagree, as the state Department of Natural Resources and Oneida County still don’t see eye-to-eye on having external stairways to access a boathouse rooftop deck — the county allows them; the DNR says they are illegal — but the county’s outside counsel said last week that the county is on solid legal ground.
DNR approves Line 5 permits for reroute
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has approved permits for relocating a proposed oil pipeline through part of northern Wisconsin. The permits would allow Enbridge Energy to circumvent the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians’ land. The tribe has vigorously opposed the pipeline.
Marquette researchers break down Wisconsin election results
A shift to the right, but not as much as in other states
Wisconsin truly split its ticket once again. That’s what John Johnson, a research fellow with the Marquette Law School Lubar Center for Public Policy Research, found in the wake of the Nov. 5 election — and of Donald Trump’s surprising sweep of seven battleground states, including Wisconsin.
Study: Autism more prevalent than thought
New inquiry will explore role of environmental toxins in ASD
According to recent numbers from the Centers for Disease Control, autism is astonishingly prevalent in America’s young children, impacting one in every 36 kids, and now a new study says the number is likely even higher than that.
Trump seizes strong victory, wins electoral college and popular vote
Tiffany, Felzkowski, Swearingen roll; Baldwin survives with late surge
Former President and now President-elect Donald Trump will become the first president since Grover Cleveland in 1892 to serve non-consecutive terms, as the Republican nominee on Tuesday seized an advantage in early returns over Vice-President Kamala Harris and then secured the win with a triumph in Wisconsin.
Oneida County proposed budget would reduce property taxes
Oneida County kicked off its budget hearings last month facing an estimated operating deficit of nearly $1.3 million, but in October the county’s executive committee went quickly to work, cutting expenditures and modifying revenue measures to the tune of about $1.5 million, and in the end produced for taxpayers both a lower levy and a lower tax rate, if it is enacted as is.
It’s down to the wire in the Badger state
Young women, independents drive Harris; rural voters boost Trump
It’s all over but the last of the voting and as election day in the United States arrives, it’s safe to say nobody has a clue how it will turn out.
Proposed constitutional amendment would restrict Wisconsin voting to citizens
Progressives say it’s not needed; supporters see a loophole
On Tuesday voters across Wisconsin will cast ballots on a constitutional amendment that would restrict voting in the state to U.S. citizens, with supporters and opponents lining up on both sides of the question.
Kilbourn takes on Tiffany in seventh congressional district
Challenger calls for fresh leadership, new commitment to northern Wisconsin
Kyle Kilbourn, who is the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin’ seventh congressional district, acknowledges that he is not a native of northern Wisconsin but that’s not to say his arrival here was random, or without familial connections or passion for the area.
Tiffany seeks new term to keep fighting old problems
Deficit, energy, immigration still top concerns for northern Wisconsin
The times may always change but that doesn’t mean the nation doesn’t face age-old problems, and that’s the case this year as Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany seeks another term representing northern Wisconsin in Congress.
Felzkowski says she will continue to be a strong voice for northern Wisconsin
Less regulation, more personal freedom are other priorities
State Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk), the incumbent running for re-election in Senate district 12, says she has spent her time in the legislature standing up for northern Wisconsin and she’ll continue to do that if she is re-elected next Tuesday.
Rich challenges Felzkowski in 12th district race
Candidate would not interview with the Times
Editor’s note: Andi Rich, the Democratic challenger to incumbent Republican state Sen. Mary Felzkowski in the 12th Senate district, turned down an invitation for a personal interview at The Times, saying she was too busy. She did say she would answer submitted questions in writing, which The Times does not do.
Bangstad arrested, charged with criminal defamation
MBC owner defies gag order; dares judge to ‘come and get me’
Kirk Bangstad, who recently settled the largest defamation case in Wisconsin history by agreeing to a payout of more than half-a-million dollars, was arrested Tuesday October 15 and charged with two counts of criminal defamation in yet another incident.
Nitzel challenges Swearingen
Democratic challenger failed to interview
Editor’s note: The Lakeland Times invited Dennis Nitzel, who is the Democratic nominee for the 34th Assembly district, to be interviewed, but the candidate never responded to the invitation. Information below is taken from his website and represents almost all the information presented on that website.
Swearingen says there’s more work to be done
Republican representative will focus on broadband, tourism, education
State Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) says he doesn’t know what the definition of a career politician really is, and, after 12 years in the state legislature, some people might say that that’s too long, but he disagrees. Swearingen says there’s plenty more to accomplish and he believes he still is the best candidate to get the job done.
Federal judge strikes down Biden’s race-based infrastructure program
Good intentions don’t justify unconstitutional programs, judge rules
A federal judge has ruled against the Biden-Harris administration’s “disadvantaged business enterprise” program, agreeing with the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty that the program discriminates against businesses based on race and gender by prioritizing contracts to small businesses owned by women and certain preferred minority groups.
Judge: Fluoride in water poses unreasonable risk
Fluoride exposure linked to lower IQs in children
In what could become a landmark decision, a federal judge has ruled that, by a preponderance of the evidence, the fluoridation of drinking water at levels typical in the United States poses an unreasonable risk of injury to public health.
Resolution calling for highway department renovations goes down in flames
The issue was the resolution, not the need for renovations
A resolution calling for the county to undertake extensive renovations of the Oneida County highway department’s Rhinelander facility was soundly defeated at Tuesday’s county board of supervisors meeting.
It’s back: Food inflation moves in for the winter
The weather’s getting colder, but inflation is still running hotter
Like a relative who shows up unexpectedly and just won’t leave, food inflation is back at the doorstep of steep rises, and, overall, inflation came in hotter than expected in September, according to new numbers released by the government late last week.
Food costs up but grocery profit margins down
Your local grocer is not to blame for high food prices
The recent leveling in the nation’s cost of living index has yet to make its way fully to the price tags on supermarket shelves, as food prices continue to rock even the most hardened shoppers, and that has put a big target on the back of the nation’s grocers, with the likes of Vice President Kamala Harris vowing to stop price gouging and the Biden Federal Trade Commission launching an investigation into grocer profits and prices.
County facing deficit as budget hearings begin
Oneida County kicked off its budget hearings this week facing an estimated operating deficit of nearly $1.3 million, but good news from the sheriff’s department quickly pared that number by about a third, and county finance director Tina Smigielski also observed that the budget hearings could produce substantial changes to a final proposed budget.
Bangstad settles defamation suit for $580,000
MBC owner acknowledges Walker ended up ‘winning the lawsuit’
The owner of the Minocqua Brewing Company, Kirk Bangstad, has settled his defamation suit with Lakeland Times and River News publisher Gregg Walker, agreeing to pay Walker $580,000 of a $759,428 judgment against Bangstad.
In a horse race, it’s (somebody) by a nose
Nate Silver: Closest election in his 16 years of analysis
Polling guru Nate Silver says this is the closest presidential election in his 16 years of analysis, and a spate of recent polls bear him out, with Vice President Kamala Harris clinging to a tiny but stable lead in most of them but also well within the margin of error in those same polls.
Schimel: Current Supreme Court majority is dangerous
Former AG: No check on justices if they decide to ignore the law
In announcing his intention to seek a seat on the state Supreme Court earlier this year, Waukesha County circuit judge and former state attorney general Brad Schimel said his mission was to restore objectivity and integrity to the high court, something he said was lacking with the current majority.
Solbergs unveil new foundation to benefit community
Trig and Tula Solberg, whose philanthropic commitment to the community has helped so many over multiple decades, have announced yet another endeavor, a mutual creation they see as the culmination of a lifelong dedication to meaningful causes — a new community foundation to support the needs of the area’s population and to build a thriving future for the Northwoods.
Oneida zoning orders Bangstad to cease outdoor activities
The Oneida County zoning department on Monday ordered Kirk Bangstad to cease all business activities associated with a conditional use permit that the county revoked earlier this year, a directive that effectively shuts down all outdoor activities at Bangstad’s Minocqua Brewing Company.
National constitutional carry legislation introduced
Tiffany is original co-sponsor of bill to protect Second Amendment rights
Saying that multiple states and local governments have enacted gun control laws that are inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) recently introduced a national constitutional carry bill to protect the right of citizens to carry firearms publicly throughout the country.
Teamsters say they won’t endorse in presidential race
Internal member surveys show Trump far ahead of Harris
After reviewing internal polling of its members that showed overwhelming support for Republican presidential nominee and former president Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, the executive board of the Teamsters International union has announced it will make no formal endorsement in the race.
Rideout appointed as new Oneida County Human Services director
Board also approves funding for new jail access system
As of January 1, 2025, Oneida County will have a brand new Department of Human Services, and on that same day that department will have a brand new director: Mary Rideout, the current director of the county’s Department of Social Services. Rideout was the unanimous choice of everybody—the county social services committee, the county’s executive committee, and, this week, by a 17-0 vote, by the county board of supervisors.
Prev Next