City council scales back sidewalks in road project, tables final decision on Hemlock St.
The Rhinelander Common Council approved on Monday reconstruction plans for seven streets in the city’s neighborhood project, mostly favoring wider roadways while rebuffing recommendations for new sidewalks on several streets.
Autism advocates blast Evers over federal education tax credit
New IRS rules: Public and private school students could benefit
New federal regulations for a nationwide education tax credit have refueled a debate over school choice in Wisconsin, with an autism advocacy organization criticizing Gov. Tony Evers for opposing a program that could provide millions of dollars in educational assistance to students, including those with special needs.
Oneida County libraries survive first round of county budget talks
Oneida County’s three public libraries survived their first major test of the 2027 budget season Monday, with the county executive committee voting 6-1 to advance the libraries’ requested funding after a lengthy debate over how library costs are calculated, who pays them, and whether the county should continue funding libraries at more than the state’s calculated full reimbursement.
One month out, governor’s race in a dead heat
Warning bells for Crowley in regional numbers and independents
The latest Marquette Law School Poll provides a snapshot of the race for Wisconsin governor as an “ahead-by-a-nose” race that will go down to the wire, with Democrat David Crowley clinging to a slim three-point lead among likely voters over Republican Tom Tiffany — well within the poll’s margin of error.
Wisconsin economy sends conflicting signals
Low unemployment, record farm exports contrast with worsening housing
Wisconsin’s latest economic numbers offer a mixed picture heading into the fall elections, with unemployment remaining low and agricultural exports reaching a record high, but the housing market isn’t sharing those positive vibes as mortgage rates have risen since February and housing inventory remains constricted.
City council puts off sidewalk construction decision
The Rhinelander Common Council on Monday postponed a decision about whether sidewalks should be added as part of a major street reconstruction project, instead directing its engineer to return at the next council meeting with conceptual plans for two alternatives proposed by mayor Kris Hanus.
$1.25M settlement with tribal member ends lawsuit over 2024 arrest
Hartman says sheriff’s department wanted its day in court
The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office will pay Lac du Flambeau tribal member Thomas Maulson $1.25 million to settle a federal civil-rights lawsuit stemming from a March 2024 encounter in a Rhinelander Walmart parking lot that left Maulson bloodied and requiring 13 stitches.
Oneida County pulls plug on Flock cameras
Sheriff cites public opposition, potential for abuse as statewide backlash grows
Oneida County sheriff Grady Hartman has ended his department’s use of Flock automated license-plate readers and ordered the cameras’ removal, making the county the latest Wisconsin local government to abandon the surveillance technology.
Oneida zoning department tops $1M in annual revenue
Fees covered a record 88% of department expenses in 2025
Oneida County’s Planning and Zoning Department raked in more than $1 million in revenue in 2025, the first time the department has crossed that threshold, zoning director Karl Jennrich told the county board Tuesday.
Tiffany suffers minor injuries in emergency plane landing
GOP gubernatorial candidate, pilot swim to safety from sinking plane in Lake Wausau
Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany said Sunday he was grateful to be alive after the small plane carrying him home from a campaign event in La Crosse lost power and made an emergency landing in Lake Wausau Saturday night.
How the DNR plans to turn 77 acres into 16,000
Willow Flowage purchase reveals much larger DNR acquisition plan
When the Oneida County Board of Supervisors voted 15-2 earlier this year to support the state Department of Natural Resources’ purchase of 77 acres along the Upper Tomahawk River, supervisors repeatedly characterized their decision as approval of a small, unusually strategic acquisition.
Trump orders review of wolf protections
Executive order directs Interior Department to consider delisting
President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. Department of the Interior to determine whether gray and Mexican wolves have recovered sufficiently to remove them from federal Endangered Species Act protections, a move that drew enthusiastic support from Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany and a promise of litigation from major environmental organizations.
Flock surveillance takes stage in governor’s race
Tiffany vows funding pause; Crowley orders policy review
Wisconsin’s raucous and growing debate over Flock Safety cameras and alleged surveillance moved into the governor’s race front and center this past week, as Republican candidate Tom Tiffany promised to pause state funding for the automated license-plate readers and Democratic candidate and Milwaukee County executive David Crowley limited their use while the county evaluated and developed safeguards.
Projected state surplus heads toward $3 billion
New numbers reignite debate over taxes and spending
Wisconsin finished the 2025-26 fiscal year with preliminary general fund tax collections of $23.1 billion, about $450.8 million, or 2 percent, above the Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s previous estimate of nearly $22.7 billion, according to numbers released last week by the state Department of Revenue.
Wisconsin school funding nears historic highs
Students in lower-cost choice programs make greater gains
Wisconsin’s public schools are receiving levels of revenue per student close to historically high levels, according to a recent analysis by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, which argues that the numbers refute recurring claims that the state has chronically underfunded public education.
Oneida County unanimously passes data center moratorium
But unzoned towns leave a jurisdictional gap
The Oneida County Board of Supervisors unanimously enacted a one-year moratorium on new data-center development this week, giving county officials time to determine how to regulate such facilities before one potentially arrives in the Northwoods.
WEC: Best not to gamble with your vote
But is the law banning betting on elections even constitutional?
Though most people don’t realize it, an 1849 Wisconsin law can strip voters of their right to cast a ballot in an election if they happen to place a friendly — or even an unfriendly — wager on the outcome, even though the constitutional provision that once explicitly authorized the law was deep-sixed 40 years ago.
In upset, Crowley stuns Hong in Democratic gubernatorial primary
Tiffany romps; Alfonso, Clark win in 7th district congressional race
Milwaukee County executive David Crowley is the Democratic nominee for governor of Wisconsin, but on Tuesday he did not so much cruise to the nomination as survive the meteoric surge of democratic socialist and Madison lawmaker Francesca Hong.
Johnson’s wolf bill blocked in Senate
Senator vows to continue to push for state management
An attempt by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson last week to secure a vote on his bill restoring wolf management to the states failed when a Senate Democrat blocked his effort. Johnson (R-Wisconsin) attempted to bypass the normal legislative process by asking for unanimous consent to pass his Pet and Livestock Protection Act, legislation that would restore the 2020 federal wolf delisting rule. However, Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) objected, delaying the increasingly sharp debate over whether wolf management should be driven by state wildlife agencies or remain under federal Endangered Species Act protections.
Democratic attorney Ginger Murray eyes congressional seat
Seventh district hopeful aims to move from family law to Congress
Ginger Murray, a Democratic candidate for the seventh congressional district in Wisconsin, is a longtime family-law attorney who says that her career protecting children, families, and vulnerable people has naturally led her into politics, and, from numerous perspectives, makes her the best candidate for the job.
Republican hopeful Hermening: Congress isn’t an entry-level job
Businessman says revenue isn’t the problem, spending is
Talk a little with long-time Wausau financial adviser Kevin Hermening, and you will quickly find out a lot about his background and journey through life — not because he is bragging about it but because he says it’s critical for the job he hopes to have next: that of U.S. representative for the seventh congressional district of Wisconsin.
E-filing dispute raises bigger questions about county staffing, budgeting
Executive committee discusses who should handle electronic zoning citations
A relatively minor clerical dispute has exposed larger questions about workload, budgeting, departmental responsibilities, and staffing pressures in Oneida County government. If discussions at the latest county executive committee are any indication, at least three different departments are facing significant staffing pressures.
Oneida County updates decade-old efficiency study
County aims for a more practical, realistic budget guide
After years of criticism that Oneida County’s efficiency study had become outdated since it was released in 2016, county officials have given it a retooling for the upcoming budget year. County administrative coordinator Tracy Hartman and human resources director Jenny Lueneburg did the re-imagination. Hartman told the executive committee at its July 29 meeting that the goal wasn’t to repeat the months-long process that produced the original study but to have department heads update existing information and provide financial details that the original assessment did not include.
Last call for Bangstad? State revokes brewer’s license
MBC owner has until August 4 to appeal
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has revoked Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad’s brewer’s permit following a months-long investigation into alleged alcohol law violations. The revocation takes effect August 4 unless Bangstad appeals, which he indicated he would.
A home with a lake view, or two
OC zoning discusses relocating viewing corridors
At first blush, it might not seem much of a concern if a property owner wants to change the location of his or her lake access and viewing corridor to get a better view. On deeper reflection, though, there might be a problem indeed, especially if the property owner ends up effectively having two access and viewing corridors because of sparse revegetation of the original.
Tiffany leads Democratic frontrunner in governor’s race
Latest Marquette poll reflects Democratic chair in primary
With less than three weeks before Wisconsin’s Aug. 11 primary, the Democratic race for governor remains turbulent after one candidate crashed and burned and another re-entered with the governor’s endorsement, scrambling the field.
Oneida County supervisors call for budget realism in out-of-home placements
Foster care could reduce costs, but county lacks available homes
Oneida County has had a habit of treating a predictable expense as though it were an annual surprise, and finally someone called them out about the elephant in the room.
Court says Wisconsin’s ‘Right to Rent’ law preempts local bedroom cap
Overturning a Door County circuit court, a state court of appeals has ruled that the village of Sister Bay’s restrictions on short-term rentals are invalid because they conflict with Wisconsin’s Right to Rent law. Specifically, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled that the village’s four-bedroom cap for vacation rentals operates as an illegal “back-door prohibition on renting.”
Democrats scramble to stop Hong in Wisconsin governor’s race
But bid to stop socialist is splintered three ways
Multiple Democratic candidates for governor said this past week that their primary race has boiled down to just two candidates: themselves and one other. For all of them, that other one is the same foe: state Rep. Francesca Hong, an avowed socialist who is topping numerous polls.
Data center moratorium moves to Oneida County board
Officials act to get ahead of high-intensity computing facilities
The Oneida County Planning and Development Committee unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data center development after a public hearing on July 8, sending the measure to the full county board in August for final approval.
Oneida County Human Services seeks guidance on out-of-home placements
Costs soar, but placement numbers are stable
Oneida County officials are confronting a growing mismatch between the cost of out-of-home placements and the county budget, even as the number of children requiring placements has remained relatively stable.
Oneida County zoning pushes data center moratorium to county board
The Oneida County Planning and Development Committee unanimously voted last week to recommend a one-year moratorium on new data centers, sending the measure to the full county board.
Summer, fall bring worries about Powassan virus
Tick-borne virus cases are increasing in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is seeing a notable increase in cases of a rare but potentially devastating tick-borne disease, prompting health officials to warn people about Powassan virus during the summer and into the fall months.
Gas prices ‘rise like rockets and fall like feathers’
The question is whether that’s on purpose
When do high gasoline prices reflect market realities, and when do they become price gouging? That’s the question after President Donald Trump fired off a Truth Social media post last week, followed by off-the-cuff remarks in the Oval Office. In particular, Trump took aim at his one-time allies in the oil industry, accusing big oil companies of taking advantage of the war with Iran to engage in price gouging.
Progressives target school choice in Wisconsin
Lawsuit is more about vouchers than school funding
With legislative efforts by progressives to kill Wisconsin’s school choice programs dead-ended in a Republican Legislature, and with Democratic candidates for governor dancing around the issue, opponents are now turning to the courts to jettison the program once and for all, if they can.
Inflation is back with a vengeance
Midwest feeling the pinch more than most
Inflation is accelerating again across the country, barreling past levels not seen in three years. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May, national consumer prices rose 4.2 percent over the previous 12 months, up sharply from April in a sign that the fight against rising costs is still not won.
Bangstad terminates Minocqua Brewing Company PAC
Super PAC raised more than $2 million since 2021
Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad is shutting down his Minocqua Brewing Company Super PAC, closing its books with no cash remaining, even as allegations about how PAC money was spent continue to be litigated in state court.
Oneida board rejects citizen member for Land and Water Conservation
Board also hires a new finance director
On a 15-4 vote, the Oneida County Board of Supervisors has rejected a proposal to add a citizen member to the Conservation and UW-Extension Education Committee after supervisors questioned whether unelected individuals should serve on county committees beyond those required by state law.
Oneida County tourism tops $400M in economic impact
Another record year in the books for both Oneida and Vilas counties
Oneida County tourism officials reported another record-breaking year for visitor activity in 2025, with visitors spending more than $314 million and generating a total economic impact exceeding $400 million for the first time.
County weighs closing boathouse loophole
Oneida County officials are considering changes to the county’s boathouse permitting process after discussing a potential loophole that could allow applicants to clear the shoreland area without ever constructing the boathouse that the permits are intended to authorize.
Oneida County sheriff’s officers: Flock cameras are beneficial
Unreasonable surveillance or tempest in a teapot?
A widening national controversy over the use of Flock automated license plate reader cameras has prompted multiple Wisconsin municipalities to abandon the technology amid mounting privacy concerns, but, in Oneida County, where six of the cameras are deployed, sheriff’s department officers say the system has proven to be a valuable tool that saves taxpayer dollars, accelerates criminal investigations and helps locate missing and endangered people.
State agents, police seize alcohol at Minocqua Brewing Company
State DOR, Minocqua PD on-site at MBC in Minocqua, Madison
Agents with the state Department of Revenue (DOR) Division of Alcohol Beverages were on-site at the Minocqua Brewing Company (MBC) Thursday, June 11, and at MBC’s Madison location, seizing alcohol at the establishments over compliance concerns.
Wisconsin’s tourism industry smashed records in 2025
Oneida, Vilas counties see robust growth
Wisconsin’s tourism industry shattered previous records in 2025, generating a record $27 billion in total economic impact, attracting nearly 120 million visits, and producing more than $1.5 billion in state and local tax revenue.
Report: Housing demand falls as workforce shrinks
State still faces critical housing and economic issues
Wisconsin will need to build substantially fewer housing units by the end of the decade than previously projected, according to a new report, but the author says the revised estimate reflects not an improving housing market but a rapidly shrinking working-age population.
GOP lawmakers challenge Evers’s revival of commutations
Piwowarczyk: Victims should not be blindsided
Republican lawmakers took aim last week at Gov. Tony Evers’s decision to revive Wisconsin’s commutation process, warning that the program could undermine victims’ rights, reopen traumatic wounds for families, and erode confidence in the state’s criminal justice system.
Judge rejects Bangstad effort to federalize privacy lawsuit
Conley sends Walker, Holmes case back to Oneida County circuit court
A federal judge has rejected Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad’s attempt to move a state invasion-of-privacy lawsuit against him into federal court, ruling that the dispute is fundamentally a state-law tort case rather than a federal campaign-finance dispute.
Judge tosses Bangstad First Amendment lawsuit
Court says MBC owner repeatedly violated permit conditions
Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad suffered yet another major courtroom defeat last week, as a federal judge dismissed his First Amendment lawsuit against the Oneida County planning and development committee, ruling that the evidence overwhelmingly showed officials revoked his zoning permit because of repeated violations, not political speech.
Pfizer, Valneva report promising results in Lyme vaccine trials
Scientists hope second time could be the charm
A new Lyme disease vaccine candidate developed by Pfizer and Valneva has posted promising clinical trial results, raising hopes that the first widely available human Lyme vaccine in more than two decades could soon return to the market.
Oneida County board backs DNR land purchase
Another purchase as Stewardship heads toward expiration
In a strong show of support for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ land acquisition program, the Oneida County Board of Supervisors voted 15-2 Tuesday to support the agency’s proposed purchase of private land in the town of Minocqua using Knowles Nelson Stewardship tax dollars.
Oneida County panel forwards Stewardship land purchase
DNR seeks to buy 77 acres along the Tomahawk River
A divided Oneida County executive committee voted last week to send to the full county board a resolution of support for a proposed state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) land acquisition in the town of Minocqua, setting up a debate over development, public land ownership, taxes, recreation, and the future of the state’s Stewardship Program.
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