From health care to affordability to discrimination, a growing number of Wisconsin voters feel the Legislature isn’t listening to their concerns after 16 years of Republican control. Rep. Christian Phelps (D-Eau Claire) outlined the frustration of trying to work for the people when he’s in the minority — and how he believes that can change this November.
Even before the war in Iran or President Trump’s trade war tariffs or the growth of data centers, Wisconsin consumers were concerned about hikes in electric rates.
Mandela Barnes, a candidate for governor, says corporate profits and executive pay are also factors — and he says if elected he’d appoint members to the state’s Public Service Commissioner who would oppose routine rate hikes for utilities.
Rep. Tom Tiffany, the presumptive Republican nominee, says the answer is in nuclear energy and keeping coal-powered plants open. One of the Democratic candidates, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, says he would only appoint people to the Public Service Commission who support no new rate hikes. Barnes says there are plenty of ways Tiffany would make affordability worse in Wisconsin.
Happy Nominating Petition Day to all who celebrate! Here’s how to get on the ballot in Wisconsin elections.
It’s back! The annual fight about our namesake territory that we like to stir up when spring arrives and summers up north draw near.
Are we being too cynical about picking on politicians who might benefit from international travel — or just the right amount of cynical? It's our newsletter Question of the Week for April 5, 2026.
Oconomowoc community members gathered together for the No Kings rally on March 28, with a strong message. Residents shared their concerns and frustrations with the Trump administration, addressing issues ranging from ICE, the Epstein files, and more.
Municipal clerks, the backbone of small-town elections, are reaching retirement age—and younger generations need more support and better pay to take up the often thankless job.
Follow @upnorthnewswi for more.
When an eastern Wisconsin couple entered a crisis pregnancy center, they sought information and support. Instead, they left the clinic confused, having been provided with an ultrasound image that was purported to show the early stages of pregnancy in a uterus—but actually showed a bladder.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) are often religiously affiliated, non-medical, anti-abortion organizations that frequently use deceptive tactics—including providing false information and inaccurate ultrasounds performed by unqualified staff members—to discourage people from seeking abortion care.
There are more than 2,500 CPCs in the US, compared to about 750 clinics that provide abortion services. CPCs are sometimes located near abortion clinics to deliberately mislead.
In Wisconsin, there are between 50 and 70 CPCs compared to only five abortion clinics.. And some CPCs even receive indirect state funding through a so-called “Choose Life” license plate, which includes a $25 fee that benefits an anti-abortion group—bringing in more than $300,000 over the past eight years.
One Wisconsin OB-GYN is speaking out about the dangers of CPCs after helping the couple who received an image of a bladder, not a uterus, while seeking medical care.
✏️: Salina Heller
Scammers are stealing around $1.2 billion (with a B) from Wisconsin families almost every year—and many scammers targeted unsuspecting victims with social media accounts and false ads.
Follow to stay informed @upnorthnewswi.
