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.
Tiffany, Nass blast ‘backroom’ budget deal
Evers, GOP leaders strike bargain to spend budget surplus
Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders this week rolled out what they called a “blockbuster bipartisan” proposal to spend Wisconsin’s projected budget surplus on tax relief, school funding, and direct payments to residents, including $600 million for K-12 schools and providing up to $600 in direct support payments for working families.
Oneida County advances moratorium on data centers
State regulators also move to shield ratepayers
Though there are no proposals currently on the table to build a data center in Oneida County, local officials are moving proactively to get ahead of the contentious issue, voting last week to begin the process of enacting a one-year moratorium on such developments.
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.
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.
Oneida County seeks to limit permits for properties with violations
But officials scale back a bit after advice of corporation counsel
The Oneida County Planning and Development Committee moved closer this week to defining how and whether zoning permits can be issued for properties with existing violations, though some legal realities will prevent the ordinance from going as far as some members had hoped.
Gruich fires attorney in judicial threat case
New counsel retained; trial date to be rescheduled
A Michigan man accused of threatening an Oneida County judge and a local newspaper publisher has dismissed his attorney and retained new legal counsel, prompting the court to postpone his upcoming jury trial and schedule a new trial date.
County challenges state over Stacks Bay shoreland compliance
Jennrich demands erosion controls, permit review; state has not responded
Oneida County is challenging the state’s position that it does not need to comply with local shoreland zoning ordinances or obtain local permits for work underway at the Stacks Bay overflow parking area, with county zoning director Karl Jennrich ordering state agencies to install erosion controls and contact the county within 10 days to discuss permit issues.
DNR, counsel say county cannot ban clearcutting in shoreland corridors
Sparse public hearing yields legal guidance but no decisions
A public hearing Tuesday on proposed amendments to Oneida County’s shoreland zoning ordinance was sparsely attended — no votes were taken, few residents spoke — but county officials received a clear signal from the state and their outside attorney on one issue that has been contentious: Prohibiting clearcutting in viewing and access corridors doesn’t cut it legally.
Hegeman to step down as Oneida County highway commissioner
Resignation follows winter snafus, work schedule debate
Oneida County highway commissioner Alex Hegeman will step down from his position effective March 13. “I have made the decision to resign from my current position as Oneida County Highway Commissioner, effective 3/13/2026,” Hegeman wrote in a Feb. 13 email to members of the county’s public works committee. “This was a very difficult decision and was not made lightly, but after careful thought and discussion with my family, it is time for me to take on new challenges and opportunities.”
County board elects Young as veterans service officer
Close vote follows dispute on election procedure
On a 12-9 vote, the Oneida County Board of Supervisors this week elected Matthew Young as the county’s next county veterans service officer, narrowly ratifying a 3-2 recommendation from the county’s hiring panel for the position. The county’s human services committee had unanimously forwarded that split recommendation to the county board. Young will replace county veterans service officer (CVSO) Tammy Javenkoski, who retires Feb. 27.
Oneida County conservation committee pushes clear-cutting ban
Zoning committee wants status quo; hearing to be held
A consequential policy fight — quiet now but perhaps not for long — is taking shape in Oneida County over what can, and cannot, be cut along the shoreline. The county’s Conservation & UW-Extension Education Committee is urging changes to the county’s shoreland ordinance that would prohibit clearcutting within access and viewing corridors in the shoreland zone and restrict the removal of larger trees.
Despite broad support, housing bill stalls in Legislature
Municipalities express concerns; Oneida County takes a look
A bill that would permit accessory dwelling units in residential or mixed-use neighborhoods enjoys widespread bipartisan support — from Democrats and Republicans, from trade organizations and advocacy groups — but murmurings of concern from local governments have so far stalled its progress through the legislature.
OC executive committee approves UW-Extension restructuring
Office manager to assist other departments under ‘fluid’ plan
The Oneida County executive committee has approved a restructuring of the county’s UW-Extension office operations in a bid to create flexibility for the office’s full-time administrative support staff. Specifically, the plan calls for the UW-Extension office manager to assist other county departments when workloads allow. The move, described as a “trial” and a “fluid” approach to resource sharing, is intended to preserve UW-Extension programming while leveraging existing staff capacity.
Tiffany calls for audit of DPI over Wis. Dells conference
Legislature temporarily hits pause on $1 million in agency funding
U.S. Rep. and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany is calling for a full audit of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction after records showed the agency spent nearly $370,000 on a four-day conference at a Wisconsin Dells resort while working on changes to state student proficiency standards.
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