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

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.'
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 war with Iran and how he sees this war ending with the ceasefire set to end in one week as both sides negotiate a deal to end the war.

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.
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.'
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 Chair Liz Arbuckle on the Line 5 pipeline

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.'
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

Kurt Kotenberg, a meteorologist-in-charge with National Weather Service, discusses extreme weather events seen across the eastern side of the state this week, 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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