All Recent Articles - PBS Wisconsin

The U.S. and Wisconsin flags fly on a flagpole standing in a lawn island in the middle of a driveway, with a brick building with an octagonal roof and a letter sign reading Taycheedah Correctional Institution Gatehouse next to a chain-link fence topped by razor wire in front of other buildings, with trees on a hill in the background.

Wisconsin’s prison population is heading toward a record high

The number of inmates across Wisconsin's state prison system is set to surpass a record level set in 2019 — overcrowding is particularly extreme in women's prisons, two of which hold more than twice as many people as they were designed for.

June 2, 2026

A pair of hands holds a glass pipe with a silicone mouthpiece above a wood tabletop.

Health

Dane County ends safer smoking program that conflicted with Wisconsin law

For four years, Dane County gave out pipes and other supplies to reduce the health risks of smoking drugs — public health officials say the harm reduction program worked, but ended it due to conflicts with state law addressing drug paraphernalia.

June 1, 2026 • South Central Region

Frederica Freyberg and Charles Franklin sit facing each other on the Here & Now set.

Politics

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Charles Franklin, Scott Hodek, Bryna Godar

Here's what guests on the May 29, 2026 episode said about broad voter support for a failed state surplus deal, prospects for job seekers, and a lawsuit over ICE holds by sheriffs.

June 1, 2026

A still image shows Charles Franklin seated at the 'Here & Now' set featuring wood paneling, with a graphic at bottom reading 'Charles Franklin' and 'Marquette Law School Poll.''

Budgets

Charles Franklin on polling Wisconsin’s budget surplus deal

Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin discusses polling that found widespread voter support for a bipartisan budget surplus spending bill that was defeated in the Wisconsin Legislature.

May 29, 2026

Scott Hodek on Wisconsin’s job market, layoffs and AI’s role

Economy

Scott Hodek on Wisconsin’s job market, layoffs and AI’s role

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development economist Scott Hodek considers shifts in the job market, prospects for new entrants, implications of mass layoffs and impacts of artificial intelligence.

May 29, 2026

A still image shows Bryna Godar seated at the 'Here & Now' set featuring wood paneling, with a graphic at bottom reading 'Bryna Godar' and 'State Democracy Research Initiative.'

Courts

Bryna Godar on a lawsuit over immigration holds in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin Law School State Democracy Research Initiative attorney Bryna Godar explains a lawsuit against five county sheriffs in the state over the legal status of 48-hour ICE detainers.

May 29, 2026

A still image shows a tall metal wall with the words Robert W. Kastenmeier United States Courthouse on it.

Indigenous

Lac Du Flambeau tribe fights state lawsuit on fishing access

A federal court heard a state of Wisconsin lawsuit over Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians fishing limits on 19 reservation lakes — tribal President John D. Johnson spoke on the case.

May 29, 2026 • Northern Region

Wisconsin soybean farmers decry fuel, fertilizer cost spikes

Agriculture

Wisconsin soybean farmers decry fuel, fertilizer cost spikes

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, held a roundtable event with Wisconsin Soybean Association president Doug Rebout about how the Iran war and tariffs have raised costs of diesel and fertilizer.

May 29, 2026

Polling the (failed) surplus deal, Tiffany’s stance on Trump

Inside Wisconsin Politics

Polling the (failed) surplus deal, Tiffany’s stance on Trump

Voters support a surplus plan and Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany is asked about President Donald Trump's "anti-weaponization" fund — Inside Wisconsin Politics looks at the 2026 race for governor.

May 28, 2026

Wisconsin’s 2026 governor race and local government funding

Elections

Wisconsin’s 2026 governor race and local government funding

Republican and Democratic candidates in the 2026 race for governor of Wisconsin consider an increase in municipal referendums and the level of shared revenue the state provides to local government.

May 27, 2026

Kirstin Bowns on pursuing student success at Mansfield Hall

Education

Kirstin Bowns on pursuing student success at Mansfield Hall

Mansfield Hall Executive Director Kirstin Bowns describes working with college students who live and congregate at the private dorm to support their diverse approaches to learning and problem solving.

May 27, 2026 • South Central Region

A guided tour of Mansfield Hall near the UW-Madison campus

Education

A guided tour of Mansfield Hall near the UW-Madison campus

A resident of Mansfield Hall, a private dorm for college students that offers support and community for diverse learners, provides a tour of the building located on fraternity row near UW-Madison.

May 26, 2026 • South Central Region

Policy

DoorDash spent nearly $2 million lobbying for a bill in Wisconsin to ban employee benefits for drivers

The delivery app company DoorDash, based in California, spent more than double that of any other organization in Wisconsin lobbying in 2025 as it pressed lawmakers to support a bill to ban drivers from being classified as employees, which was vetoed by Gov. Tony Evers.

May 26, 2026

Frederica Freyberg sits at a desk on the Here & Now set and faces a video monitor showing an image of Gwen Moore.

Politics

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, Jan Lee

Here's what guests on the May 22, 2026 episode said about a flurry of White House actions and a proposal to make the Apostle Islands a national park.

May 26, 2026

A still image shows Mansfield Hall from the outside, a three-story red brick building.

Education

A better college life for neurodivergent students in Madison

Mansfield Hall is a dorm and community that supports neurodiverse college students at UW-Madison, Madison College and Edgewood College, offering help with learning and setting up systems for support.

May 22, 2026 • South Central Region

A still image shows Gwen Moore seated in front of the Wisconsin and U.S. flag, with a caption at the bottom that reads 'Washington, D.C.,' 'U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore' and '(D) 4th congressional district.'

Politics

US Rep. Gwen Moore on redistricting, war in Iran and the IRS

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-4th Congressional District, discusses a deluge of issues facing the nation, from the Voting Rights Act to a war powers resolution to a Trump administration deal with the IRS.

May 22, 2026

A still image shows Jan Lee seated in front of a wall collaged with various family photos, with a graphic at the bottom that reads 'Bayfield,' 'Jan Lee' and 'Bayfield county board chair.'

Economy

Jan Lee on the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore’s status

Bayfield County Board of Supervisors Chair Jan Lee discusses opposition among local officials to redesignating the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore as a national park due to infrastructure concerns.

May 22, 2026 • Northern Region

A still image shows from left to right U.S. Reps.Glenn Grothman, Derrick Van Orden and Tony Wied seated at a panel at the Wisconsin GOP convention.

Elections

Wisconsin Republicans outline party priorities for 2026

At the 2026 Republican Party of Wisconsin convention, U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden spoke on goals heading into the midterm elections, from addressing gas and grocery costs to continuing deportations.

May 22, 2026

A roll of round stickers with an illustration of the U.S. flag and the words I Registered to Vote Today sits on a table, with another out-of-focus role in the background.

Courts

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit to force Wisconsin to turn over its voter rolls

A U.S. District judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice seeking to compel the state of Wisconsin to hand over detailed voter registration information, finding the state's list is not a record that can be requested under the Civil Rights Act of 1960.

May 22, 2026

The fallout from Wisconsin’s failed budget surplus deal

Inside Wisconsin Politics

The fallout from Wisconsin’s failed budget surplus deal

Candidates for governor are wrestling with the state's failed budget surplus deal — Inside Wisconsin Politics examines what the failure means for the 2026 elections and state government's bottom line.

May 21, 2026

Rachel Fernandez on tribal reporting of domestic violence

Indigenous

Rachel Fernandez on tribal reporting of domestic violence

Maeqtekuahkihkiw Metaemohsak Inc. Executive Director Rachel Fernandez, a member of the Menominee Nation, describes how domestic violence is investigated and charged by the sovereign tribal government.

May 19, 2026 • Northeast Region

Elaine Koch, Russell Koch and Nikolas DeGroot sit in folding camp chairs arranged in a semi-circle, with two empty folding camp chairs facing them, on a lawn in front of a folding table with a wood box on its surface and a sign reading Politics in the Park leaning against its legs, with two children running next to a sidewalk behind them, and with trees and metal park benches facing a lake in the background.

Politics

Politics in the Park conversations in Oshkosh aim to build community

Nikolas DeGroot started informal in-person gatherings about shared issues in Oshkosh parks, urging community members to log off and talk politics in real life while making sure their conversations remain respectful in an effort to reverse polarization.

May 18, 2026 • Northeast Region

Frederica Freyberg sits at a desk on the Here & Now set and faces a video monitor showing an image of Tony Kurtz.

Politics

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Rep. Tony Kurtz, Layla Merrifield, Dr. Arick Sabin

Here's what guests on the May 15, 2026 episode said about the failed state budget surplus deal, how technical colleges in the state are funded, and Wisconsin's increases in tick populations and Lyme disease.

May 18, 2026

A still image shows a Jon Miskowski posing for a portrait, with a graphic on the right that reads 'Jon Miskowski' and 'Aug. 4, 1960 - May 9, 2026.'

Education

The legacy of PBS Wisconsin Emeritus Director Jon Miskowski

Jon Miskowski, emeritus director of television for PBS Wisconsin, has passed away at 65 following a long career that includes developing LZ Lambeau, Wisconsin Hometown Stories and Tribal Histories.

May 15, 2026

Budgets

Rep. Tony Kurtz on backing Wisconsin’s budget surplus plan

State Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc, discusses negotiations for a bipartisan state budget surplus deal that failed to pass in the Legislature and how the 2026 election cycle played a role in its demise.

May 15, 2026

A still image shows Layla Merrifield seated at the 'Here & Now' set featuring wood paneling, with a graphic at bottom reading 'Layla Merrifield' and 'Wisconsin Technical College System president.'

Education

Layla Merrifield on funding for Wisconsin technical colleges

Wisconsin Technical College System President Layla Merrifield discusses a provision in a failed state budget surplus deal that would have provided aid to its schools and reduced local property taxes.

May 15, 2026

A still image shows an active session in the Wisconsin state Legislature.

Budgets

Wisconsin’s bipartisan state budget surplus deal falls apart

A bipartisan vote by lawmakers blocked a plan by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders to use a state budget surplus to boost school funds and send checks to income taxpayers.

May 15, 2026

A still image shows Dr. Arick Sabin seated in front of a white wall, with a graphic at the bottom that reads 'La Crosse,' 'Arick Sabin, D.O.' and 'Gundersen Medical Foundation.'

Health

Dr. Arick Sabin on rising Lyme disease cases in Wisconsin

Gundersen Medical Foundation researcher Dr. Arick Sabin describes efforts to diagnose, treat and prevent Lyme disease as cases in Wisconsin spike with warmer weather extending the deer tick season.

May 15, 2026

Why Wisconsin lawmakers blew up a state budget surplus deal

Inside Wisconsin Politics

Why Wisconsin lawmakers blew up a state budget surplus deal

Democratic and Republican legislators rejected a budget deal to cut taxes and boost school funding — Inside Wisconsin Politics sorts out what it says about state government and political ambitions.

May 14, 2026

Rachel Fernandez on the use of a red hand to symbolize MMIP

Indigenous

Rachel Fernandez on the use of a red hand to symbolize MMIP

Maeqtekuahkihkiw Metaemohsak Inc. Executive Director Rachel Fernandez, a member of the Menominee Nation, explains how a red hand symbol references silence about missing and murdered Indigenous people.

May 13, 2026

Debbie Gibson and Terry Butler hold beagles in their laps while sitting down and looking at each other, with a banner behind them with a stylized graphic of a dog and cat and the words Dane County Humane Society.

Agriculture

Musicians praise effort to find homes for hundreds of Ridglan Farms beagles

An unlikely pair of pop and heavy metal musicians came together in Wisconsin to praise ongoing efforts to find homes for roughly 1,500 beagles purchased from the dog breeding and research facility Ridglan Farms, based outside of Madison.

May 13, 2026 • South Central Region

Alex Gee on The Center for Black Excellence and Culture

Social Issues

Alex Gee on The Center for Black Excellence and Culture

The Center for Black Excellence and Culture founder and CEO Alex Gee describes ideas, dreams and history that inspired the creation of the community space and the work necessary to achieve its goals.

May 12, 2026 • South Central Region

Indigenous

Rachel Fernandez on Indigenous families speaking about abuse

Maeqtekuahkihkiw Metaemohsak Inc. Executive Director Rachel Fernandez, a member of the Menominee Nation, discusses how more Indigenous people are talking about issues of violence, abuse and trauma.

May 11, 2026

Frederica Freyberg and Tammy Baldwin sit facing each other on the Here & Now set.

Politics

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: US Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Tim Gruenke, Alex Gee

Here's what guests on the May 8, 2026 episode said about negotiations to halt the Iran war, a settlement with a dog research lab, and the opening of The Black Center for Excellence and Culture.

May 11, 2026

US Sen. Tammy Baldwin on the war and ceasefires with Iran

Policy

US Sen. Tammy Baldwin on the war and ceasefires with Iran

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, discusses negotiations between the United States and Iran on ceasefires amid hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz as well as her priorities for a new Farm Bill.

May 8, 2026

One Menominee Nation family’s story of tragedy and advocacy

Indigenous

One Menominee Nation family’s story of tragedy and advocacy

Advocates and family gathered at an annual rally to honor missing and murdered Indigenous women — the murder of Linda Dickenson is one among many tragedies the movement hopes to prevent in the future.

May 8, 2026

Tim Gruenke on investigating animal welfare at Ridglan Farms

Courts

Tim Gruenke on investigating animal welfare at Ridglan Farms

La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke discusses findings of an investigation of Ridglan Farms, a dog breeding and research business, as it sells some 1,500 beagles after sustained protests.

May 8, 2026 • South Central Region

The calm waters of a lake are visible between two stands of trees on its banks, with a grass-covered hillside in the foreground and trees on the far shore in the background.

Courts

Wisconsin sues Lac Du Flambeau tribe over non-member fishing restrictions on 19 lakes

The state filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa over the tribe's restricting fishing of at-risk walleye and musky populations in 19 lakes on tribal lands to tribal citizens only — a judge issued a temporary restraining order against the tribe.

May 8, 2026 • Northern Region

Inside Wisconsin Politics

Ask Inside Wisconsin Politics: Polarization, ideology, money

What questions do Wisconsinites have about government, elections and candidates in the state? Inside Wisconsin Politics takes on queries from students in a political science class at UW-La Crosse.

May 7, 2026

Alex Gee on sustaining Madison’s Black community and culture

Social Issues

Alex Gee on sustaining Madison’s Black community and culture

The Center for Black Excellence and Culture founder and CEO Alex Gee discusses the opening of a new $32 million multi-purpose facility in Madison to celebrate African American communities and culture.

May 6, 2026 • South Central Region

A cardboard sign with the text Now Hiring! and an arrow pointing to the right stands in a lawn.

Economy

Fidelity bonds for hiring people with criminal records show promise, but almost no Wisconsin businesses use them

Wisconsin offers free insurance to companies that hire people with criminal records as a protection against fraud or theft, but employers in the state use very few of these "second chance" bonds, even though an estimated 1.4 million Wisconsinites have a criminal record.

May 6, 2026

Paul Hutson on psilocybin dosing as a clinical treatment

Science

Paul Hutson on psilocybin dosing as a clinical treatment

UW-Madison Center for Psychedelic Research professor Paul Hutson describes the efficacy of psilocybin to treat depression and substance abuse in research of psychedelics as a mental health therapy.

May 5, 2026

Mohamed Anwar looks at an item in his hand while standing inside an open wood door with another person facing him, with sunlight illuminating them from an open window in the background and a painted concrete-block wall with an appliance and wood pew on either side of the doorway in the foreground.

Education

In Milwaukee, a nonprofit races to keep Rohingya language from fading in exile

After ethnic repression in Myanmar scattered Rohingya communities, a grassroots effort in Milwaukee is testing whether teaching the language in written form can help it survive in a community of refugees — and whether families will choose to pass it on.

May 5, 2026 • Southeast Region

A beagle looks past the back of the head of a person holding the dog on their shoulder, with an out-of-focus truck parked on tarmac in the background.

Social Issues

About 1,500 beagles adjust to new lives after being released from Ridglan Farms

The first of 1,500 beagles that were purchased from the dog breeding and research business Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds are being moved to shelters by animal welfare groups in preparation for adoption.

May 4, 2026 • South Central Region

Frederica Freyberg sits at a desk on the Here & Now set and faces a video monitor showing an image of Tom Content.

Politics

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Tom Content, Paul Hutson

Here's what guests on the May 1, 2026 episode said about energy use by data centers and treating mental health disorders with psychedelic medicines.

May 4, 2026

Paul Hutson on potential for psychedelics in mental health

Science

Paul Hutson on potential for psychedelics in mental health

UW-Madison Center for Psychedelic Research professor Paul Hutson details how psilocybin is used in controlled clinical settings to treat mental health issues from severe depression to substance abuse.

May 1, 2026

A still image shows Tom Content seated in a hotel room, with a graphic at the bottom that reads 'Tom Content' and 'Citizens Utility Board.'

Economy

Tom Content on data center energy use and utility ratepayers

Citizens Utility Board Executive Director Tom Content discusses the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin setting an electricity rate plan for We Energies to shield customers from data center costs.

May 1, 2026

A still image shows Wayne Pacelle standing in front of several microphones at a press conference with a wall depicting several logos of the Center for a Humane Economy.

Agriculture

Animal rights groups push to end biomedical testing on dogs

Two animal rights groups announce a deal to buy nearly 1,500 beagles from the biomedical testing facility Ridglan Farms, and hold a press conference calling for an end to their use in research.

May 1, 2026

How Wisconsin’s 2026 Democratic primaries are taking shape

Inside Wisconsin Politics

How Wisconsin’s 2026 Democratic primaries are taking shape

The field of candidates in different Democratic primaries is growing, in races for Congress and the Legislature — Inside Wisconsin Politics considers how the 2026 election season is taking shape.

April 30, 2026

Economy

Failed spring 2026 school referendums around Wisconsin trigger scuts, closures and new funding pushes

A swift pace of budget priority shifts in the wake of the spring 2026 election highlights how school district leaders rely on referendums to keep their budgets balanced — and how, for many, the ask to voters was a final effort before resorting to making big cuts.

April 30, 2026

People stand in a group holding printed signs reading Free the Dogs and Save the Dogs as well as hand-drawn signs, in a space with a curved row of square pillars and ceiling-mounted globe light fixtures.

Agriculture

Animal rescue group says it bought nearly 1,500 research beagles from Ridglan Farms

Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy said that have entered into a confidential agreement with Ridglan Farms in the town of Blue Mounds to buy nearly 1,500 of the facility's roughly 2,000 research beagles for an undisclosed price.

April 30, 2026 • South Central Region

Steve Vavrus on climate change and impacts to tribal nations

Indigenous

Steve Vavrus on climate change and impacts to tribal nations

Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts co-director Steve Vavrus describes how variations in weather patterns affect cultivation of manoomin — wild rice — on tribal lands around the state.

April 29, 2026

Milk fills a stainless steel tank with an open top and an attached rubber tube.

Agriculture

Push for raw milk accelerates across the US amid health warnings and illness outbreaks

Proponents of raw milk are pushing to make the unpasteurized product more widely available and easy to obtain with more than three dozen bills introduced in statehouses across the United States, while health officials continue warnings about potentially deadly germs.

April 29, 2026

U.S. flags are hang on two flagpoles on either side of a plaza in front of a a multi-wing stone masonry building with steps leading up to an entrance framed by a portico of columns upholding a pediment with sculptures of figures, with trees on both sides in the background and a masonry wall behind a lawn with landscape plants and circular area covered by mulch in the foreground.

Courts

US Supreme Court ruling voids Black majority congressional district in Louisiana, further weakening Voting Rights Act

In a 6-3 ruling, the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana, a decision weakening the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that could open the door for Republican-controlled states to eliminate Black and Latino electoral districts.

April 29, 2026

Political violence and Wisconsin’s 2026 race for governor

Elections

Political violence and Wisconsin’s 2026 race for governor

Republican and Democratic candidates in the 2026 race for governor of Wisconsin share their thoughts on political violence and their own personal safety as they meet voters and hold campaign events.

April 28, 2026

A wolf wearing a tracking collar rests on its side in a grass-covered trackway with foliage and trees on either side.

Science

Isle Royale wolves are thriving as packs prey on moose

A team of researchers led by Michigan Tech University conducting research on Isle Royale in Lake Superior are finding that the island's population of wolves is growing while its moose population has declined in recent years.

April 28, 2026 • Northern Region

Multiple types of handguns with paper price tags attached to them sit on their sides on a table next to a metal case.

Courts

Prosecutors say Wisconsin police chief helped California gun dealers’ illegal scheme to import ammo

Federal prosecutors say a small-town Wisconsin police chief tried to help two brothers who run a gun dealership in California import nearly 500,000 rounds of illegal armor-piercing ammunition from an arms company based in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

April 28, 2026 • Southeast Region

Sec. Nathan Houdek on insurance policy claims after a storm

Economy

Sec. Nathan Houdek on insurance policy claims after a storm

Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance Sec. Nathan Houdek discusses appropriate coverage on home policies when there are natural disasters and filing complaints with the state over claims.

April 27, 2026

Multiple construction vehicles work among piles of gravel and dirt in front of a concrete wall, with a woven barrier fence and prairie grasses in the foreground.

Budgets

Wisconsin’s data center tax break costs state more than $2 billion in lost revenue

Designed as an incentive to lure the construction of data centers, a sales tax break in Wisconsin's 2023-25 state budget is drawing scrutiny — advocates and economic analysts say a development boom could boost other sources of revenue for the state.

April 27, 2026

Frederica Freyberg and Steve Vavrus sit facing each other on the Here & Now set.

Politics

Here & Now’ Highlights: Steve Vavrus, TJ Semanchin

Here's what guests on the April 24, 2026 episode said about Wisconsin's warmer and wetter weather, and applying for tariff refunds.

April 27, 2026

A still image shows a street in downtown Fremont flooded with knee-deep water.

Economy

Wolf River communities deal with flooding — and insurance

Residents who live near the Wolf River in east-central Wisconsin are dealing with the aftermath of historic floods, and questions about insurance coverage are at the forefront of cleanup efforts.

April 24, 2026 • Northeast Region

A still image shows Steve Vavrus seated at the 'Here & Now' set featuring wood paneling, with a graphic at bottom reading 'Steve Vavrus' and 'Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts.'

Science

Steve Vavrus on Wisconsin’s rising risk for extreme weather

Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts co-director Steve Vavrus describes a growing level of extreme weather conditions in the state and actions to mitigate costs and safeguard against risks.

April 24, 2026

A still image shows TJ Semanchin seated in front of a green and blue painting, with a caption at the bottom that reads 'Viroqua,' 'TJ Semanchin' and 'Wonderstate Coffee.'

Economy

TJ Semanchin on importing coffee and pursuing tariff refunds

Wonderstate Coffee CEO TJ Semanchin discusses how tariffs on imported beans have affected the Wisconsin-based business and a court-ordered system to apply for refunds from the federal government.

April 24, 2026

A still image shows Josh Kaul standing in front of the Wisconsin and United States flags.

Courts

Wisconsin files suit against prediction market businesses

Wisconsin is suing Kalshi, Robinhood, Coinbase, Polymarket and Crypto.com, with state Attorney General Josh Kaul arguing such prediction market companies serve as platforms for illegal sports betting.

April 24, 2026

How much will endorsements matter in Wisconsin’s 2026 races?

Inside Wisconsin Politics

How much will endorsements matter in Wisconsin’s 2026 races?

What are the impacts of endorsements in the 2026 races for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District and governor? Inside Wisconsin Politics takes a look at how they can influence campaigns and voters.

April 23, 2026

Wisconsin’s 2026 governor candidates on the cost of housing

Elections

Wisconsin’s 2026 governor candidates on the cost of housing

Democratic and Republican candidates in the 2026 race for governor of Wisconsin discuss what policies they would pursue to help address the high cost and limited supply of housing around the state.

April 22, 2026

Multiple groups of people stand on a plaza and two people sit on benches in front of a multi-wing stone masonry building with steps leading up to an entrance framed by a portico of columns upholding a pediment with sculptures of figures, with a building and trees to the side in the background and a water fountain in the center of a shallow circular pool in the foreground.

Politics

US Supreme Court rules for Michigan in the state’s lawsuit to shut down Line 5 section

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous opining that found the energy company Enbridge waited too long in its effort to move to federal court a state lawsuit filed by the attorney general of Michigan seeking to revoke approval for an underwater span of the Line 5 pipeline.

April 22, 2026

What are next steps for online sports betting in Wisconsin?

Policy

What are next steps for online sports betting in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin's 11 tribal gaming commissioners will renegotiate compacts with the state as online sports betting is legalized — Potawatomi Casino Hotel CEO Dominic Ortiz discusses goals of this process.

April 21, 2026

Teagan Massey-Plamann, wearing a baseball uniform with the word Menasha and numeral 15 on the front of the jersey, stands on a sidewalk among other people, several with backpacks with stowed softball bats, with lawns, a road and sidewalk in the background.

Education

At UW-Oshkosh, nearly half the students are still in high school

UW-Oshkosh enrolls more dual enrollment students than any Wisconsin university through its Cooperative Academic Partnership Program, and this shift is changing the college's identity.

April 20, 2026 • Northeast Region

One woman lifts the hem of her skirt to show bruises on her legs and a man lifts the bottom of his shirt to show bruises on his torso, with other people standing in the background holding printed signs reading Free the Dogs and Save the Dogs as well as hand-drawn signs, in a space with a curved row of square pillars and ceiling-mounted globe light fixtures.

Politics

Protesters converge outside the Wisconsin governor’s office seeking release of beagles

Animal welfare activists converged outside of the office of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on April 20, chanting "Free the dogs!" and demanding that the governor and state attorney general do what they can to shut down a dog breeding and research facility in rural Dane County.

April 20, 2026 • South Central Region

Frederica Freyberg sits at a desk on the Here & Now set and faces a video monitor showing an image of Ron Johnson.

Politics

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Kurt Kotenberg, US Sen. Ron Johnson, Chairwoman Elizabeth Arbuckle

Here's what guests on the April 17, 2026 episode said about developments in the Iran war, early spring weather emergencies, and a challenge to the reroute of the Line 5 pipeline.

April 20, 2026

A group of people stand on one side of a chain-link fence topped by barbed wire, many wearing disposable coveralls with hoods, with one law enforcement officer standing on the other side of the fence using a can of pepper spray, and with clouds of tear gas streaming in the air, including one from an aloft canister.

Politics

Hundreds trying to enter Blue Mounds dog breeding facility met with rubber bullets, pepper spray

About 1,000 animal welfare protesters who tried to gain entry to a beagle breeding and research facility in the town of Blue Mounds were turned back by police who fired rubber bullets and pepper spray into the crowd, with authorities saying around 25 were arrested.

April 19, 2026 • South Central Region

A still image shows Ron Johnson seated in front of a brick fireplace, with a graphic at the bottom that reads 'Oshkosh,' 'U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson' and '(R) Wisconsin.'

Politics

US Sen. Ron Johnson on the US-Iran war and its future

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, discusses the ongoing U.S. war with Iran and how he sees the conflict ending with a ceasefire set to end in one week as both sides negotiate to end the hostilities.

April 17, 2026

A still image shows a photo taken by Tahereh Rahimi of the aftermath of a bomb dropped on the outskirts of Tehran, fire raises high into the sky above tree lines and a watch tower, black smoke fills the rest of the sky.

Politics

What war is like for a UW-Madison student in Iran

Via shaky online connections, UW-Madison grad student Tahereh Rahimi shares voice recordings of her experiences living through attacks by the U.S. and Israel while working on her dissertation in Iran.

April 17, 2026

A still image shows Liz Arbuckle seated in front of a green wall, the American flag and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians flag, with a graphic at the bottom that reads 'Odanah,' 'Chairwoman Liz Arbuckle' and 'Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.'

Indigenous

Bad River Band Chairwoman Liz Arbuckle on the Line 5 reroute

Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Chairwoman Liz Arbuckle discusses the tribe asking a judge to review a ruling that upheld permits for construction on the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline reroute.

April 17, 2026

A still image shows Kurt Kotenberg seated in front of two signs that say 'when thunder roars, go indoors' and a graphic at the bottom that reads 'Green Bay,' 'Kurt Kotenberg' and 'National Weather Service.'

Environment

Kurt Kotenberg on extreme weather hitting eastern Wisconsin

National Weather Service meteorologist Kurt Kotenberg discusses a series of early spring severe storms that stuck eastern areas of Wisconsin over several days, including hail, tornadoes and flooding.

April 17, 2026 • Southeast Region

Multiple vertical towers and horizontal bars form part of an electrical substation, with a line of trees in the background.

Economy

Utilities seek federal pause on grid bidding amid AI-driven power demand

A group that includes Xcel Energy and ATC is asking federal regulators to ease competitive bidding rules for electricity transmission projects, arguing delays threaten AI-related power infrastructure, while consumer advocates warn of higher costs from decreased competition.

April 17, 2026

Wisconsin special session intrigue, elections take shape

Inside Wisconsin Politics

Wisconsin special session intrigue, elections take shape

Inside Wisconsin Politics looks at the parties' strategies on a gerrymandering special session and discuss why so many Republican lawmakers are retiring. Plus, the governor’s race starts to take shape.

April 16, 2026

The dome of a Beaux-Arts-style building is illuminated by lighting at night, with out-of-focus leafless branches in the foreground.

Policy

Wisconsin takes millions of dollars from foster kids and their parents

Republican and Democratic state lawmakers want authorities to stop collecting child support and Social Security payments intended to support foster kids, but the Wisconsin Legislature didn't act on bills intended to address these practices as its 2026 session ended.

April 15, 2026

A marble SENATE sign in the Wisconsin State Legislature.

Politics

Republican Sen. Jesse James to retire from Wisconsin Legislature

James is third Republican from a battleground Senate district to step aside, complicating GOP efforts to hold their slim majority.

April 14, 2026 • West Central Region

One person crouches and another lays face-down on vinyl tile flooring, with a table covered by a tablecloth and items on its surface, folding metal chairs and a plastic trash container in the foreground, and radiators along walls in the background.

Social Issues

How a shrinking Dodgeville church became a growing community hub

Residents of Dodgeville transformed an underused and nearly empty church into Merrimac and Main, a community center and multigenerational gathering place that serves older adults, children and others around rural southwest Wisconsin who are seeking to make connections.

April 14, 2026 • South Central Region

In Focus

In Focus with Greg Doby and Menkhu Ara Maat: Hip-hop history

Murv Seymour talks with "Lead Between the Rhymes" curators Greg Doby and Menkhu Ara Maat at the Wisconsin Historical Society about the legacy of hip-hop in the state and impacts on music and culture.

April 13, 2026

Frederica Freyberg sits at a desk on the Here & Now set and faces a video monitor showing an image of Mark Pocan.

Politics

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: US Rep. Mark Pocan, McCoshen & Ross

Here's what guests on the April 10, 2026 episode said about the war in Iran and election prospects for Wisconsin in November.

April 13, 2026

Elections

US Rep. Mark Pocan on voter intensity and the 2026 elections

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-2nd Congressional District, discusses the influence of voter intensity on Chris Taylor's 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court win and turnout expectations for the November election.

April 11, 2026

A still image shows Mark Pocan seated in front of his kitchen island and staircase, with a caption at the bottom that reads 'Town of Vermont,' 'U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan' and '(D) 2nd Congressional District.'

Politics

US Rep. Mark Pocan on Trump’s conduct toward the war in Iran

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-2nd Congressional District, discusses President Donald Trump's threats to Iran and an ensuing ceasefire, calling to invoke the 25th Amendment and the war powers of Congress.

April 10, 2026

A still image shows Frederica Freyberg seated across from Bill McCoshen and Scot Ross on the Here & Now set featuring wood paneling.

Elections

McCoshen & Ross on political fortunes in 2026 election cycle

"Here & Now" political panelists Bill McCoshen and Scot Ross discuss a landslide vote in the 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court race and what it means for state and federal races going into fall elections.

April 10, 2026

A still image shows former, future and current justices posing at Chris Taylor's election victory, from left to right Rebecca Dallet, Chris Taylor, Janet Protasiewicz, Jill Karofsky, Ann Walsh Bradley and Susan Crawford.

Elections

Wisconsin’s 2026 Supreme Court vote cements liberal control

Justice-elect Chris Taylor's landslide win over Maria Lazar in the 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court race ensures liberal control for several years, and potential candidates are thinking about 2027.

April 10, 2026

A liberal landslide in the 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court vote

Inside Wisconsin Politics

A liberal landslide in the 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court vote

The 2026 state Supreme Court election was a landslide victory for liberal candidate Chris Taylor — Inside Wisconsin Politics considers what it means for the midterm vote and future of the high court.

April 9, 2026

Tony Evers speaks into a microphone mounted to the top of a wood podium while standing in front of a row of U.S. and Wisconsin flags in front of a large painting.

Policy

Evers signs law legalizing tribal run online sports betting in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has signed a bill into law that legalizes online sports betting, and requires the state government to negotiate new deals with tribal nations that would operate this type of gaming and allow gamblers to legally place bets.

April 9, 2026

Amy Blumenfeld Bogost speaks while seated at a table and facing multiple mounted microphones and a video camera with a shotgun microphone, with Timothy Nixon seated to her side, in a room with wood trim on the wall and wood double doors with a brass doorknob and glazed glass windows, with a video graphic at bottom including the text Senate Committee on Universities & Technical Colleges, Amy Blumenfeld Bogost and To serve as a Congressional Dist. 2 Rep. on the UW Board of Regents for term ending 5/1/27.

Politics

Universities of Wisconsin regents cite disputes over AI and transparency practices in president’s firing

In a state Senate committee hearing, two members of the board of regents for the Universities of Wisconsin say that the fired president of the system was slow to address pressing issues like AI, limited public board discussions and open records, and feared upsetting policymakers and UW faculty.

April 9, 2026

Elections

Scott Walker on the Wisconsin Legislature elections in 2026

Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, discusses the party's outlook in the November 2026 midterm election and whether or not control of the Assembly and state Senate may flip to Democrats.

April 9, 2026

Tom Tiffany speaks while standing outside in front of a masonry building with a staircase with a balustrades, with parked vehicles, leafless trees and other buildings on one side in the background.

Elections

Republicans react to Democratic election wins in Wisconsin ahead of the 2026 midterm vote

Republicans are assessing setbacks following victories by Democratic-backed candidates in votes for the Wisconsin Supreme Court and for the mayor's office in the conservative Milwaukee suburb of Waukesha seven months out from the 2026 midterm election.

April 9, 2026

A weathered wood sign with stylized images of hills and trees and the words Welcome Home to Wausau and City Hall stands in a mulched garden bed in front of a multi-story masonry building with large glass windows in front of small grass lawn, a concrete ramp and a flagpole with a U.S. flag, withe light poles, buildings and leafless trees in the background to the side.

Courts

Wausau’s mayor won’t face charges over removing a ballot drop box in 2024

Wausau Mayor Doug Diny posed for photos as he removed a drop box for absentee ballots from outside the city hall in September 2024, and Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney announced that he was unable to prove criminal wrongdoing in an investigation of the incident.

April 8, 2026

Wisconsin’s wide-open 2026 Democratic primary for governor

Elections

Wisconsin’s wide-open 2026 Democratic primary for governor

Mandela Barnes, Joel Brennan, David Crowley, Francesca Hong, Missy Hughes, Sara Rodriguez and Kelda Roys are running in the 2026 Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, and polls show a close race.

April 8, 2026

Maria Lazar on her 2026 election loss and judicial politics

Elections

Maria Lazar on her 2026 election loss and judicial politics

Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II Judge Maria Lazar discusses losing the 2026 race for the state Supreme Court, politics in judicial campaigns, and whether she would run again for the high court.

April 8, 2026

Justice-elect Chris Taylor on her 2026 election victory

Elections

Justice-elect Chris Taylor on her 2026 election victory

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice-elect Chris Taylor discusses her perspective on the role of the judiciary and winning the 2026 race for a seat on the high court in an election night victory speech.

April 8, 2026

Education

Former Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman says he felt ‘blindsided’ by getting fired

Jay Rothman, who was fired as the president of the Universities of Wisconsin in a board of regents vote on April 7, said he has not been given a reason for the action and added he is unlikely to sue over the ouster.

April 8, 2026

Chris Taylor waves with both hands while standing behind a podium with a microphone affixed to its top, while other people stand behind her and facing her with a U.S. flag in the background.

Elections

Taylor wins the 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court election

Chris Taylor, the Democratic-backed candidate for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, defeated the Republican-backed candidate Maria Lazar in the 2026 election, marking the fourth straight victory for liberal court candidates dating back to 2020.

April 7, 2026

Jay Rothman sits and speaks into a microphone in a room with wood chairs with upholstered backs, wood-paneled walls and a closed window shade in the background.

Education

UW Board of Regents votes to fire the system’s president

The board of regents for the Universities of Wisconsin voted unanimously to fire Jay Rothman, who has served as president of the 165,000-student, multicampus system since 2022.

April 7, 2026

Suzanne Morley on why more seniors suffer social isolation

Health

Suzanne Morley on why more seniors suffer social isolation

Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging health promotion program coordinator Suzanne Morley considers the problem of loneliness older adults face as they lose contact with friends and family members.

April 7, 2026

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