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UpNorthNews Staff

Wisconsin’s Kamari McGee Speaks At This Year’s Student-Athlete Reception

“You’re finally at the finish line, and it’s a great feeling,” Wisconsin’s Kamari McGee said, as he wiped away tears 🥺

The Racine native was selected to speak at this year’s student-athlete reception — and they couldn’t have chosen a better guy ❤️

This line stuck out — ESPECIALLY now ⤵️

“I am truly blessed to call myself a Badger. Being part of this community not only helped me better myself, it also helped me learn why it’s so important to help others as well."

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🎥: Wisconsin Badgers
✏️: Christina Lorey

Wisconsin’s Kamari McGee Speaks At This Year’s Student-Athlete Reception

The Moment Sen. Cory Booker Broke The Filibuster Record

ICYMI: History was made on the floor of the United States Senate this week, and it included a couple of ties to Wisconsin.

New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker began speaking Monday evening about the need to resist President Donald Trump’s massive firings and cuts to essential programs. He held the floor for 25 hours and 5 minutes to show the ways that Democrats are provided a contrast to Trump and Elon Musk. While it wasn’t an official “filibuster” because it wasn’t designed to hold up a bill being debated, it still set the mark for longest continuous speech—breaking a 1957 milestone set by segregationist Strom Thurmond to oppose passages of a civil rights bill.

Fellow Democrats gave Booker moments to rest his voice by asking lengthy questions. Sen. Tammy Baldwin outlined the many ways Wisconsin workers are being hurt by Trump’s assault on workers, research, health care, and economic stability.

Booker also read a note sent to him by a Chippewa Falls woman, his voice cracking as he relayed her concerns about losing her financial lifeline from Social Security as she lives with Parkinson’s Disease—an affliction that also impacted Booker’s father.

Watch the moment Booker is notified by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer that he had made history with a speech that was watched by Americans across the country seeking more public resistance to Trump’s attacks on due process, economic stability, and US allies.

The Moment Sen. Cory Booker Broke The Filibuster Record

“People Are Not Happy With What He’s Doing”: Rep. Pocan Addresses Trump’s Tariffs

President Trump surprised even some jaded observers with the size and scope of new tariffs on America’s trading partners, earning immediate criticism as a “Trump Tax” on US consumers.

While the president tried to claim the tariffs would address trade deficits, economists say the odds of a recession have grown even higher. Congressman Mark Pocan criticized the impact of the tariffs on Wisconsin price tags, export markets, and household finances.

Pocan will be on UpNorthNews Radio Friday morning at 7:30am across the Civic Media radio network and on the UpNorthNews Facebook and YouTube pages.

#wisconsin #trump #tariffs #economy

"People Are Not Happy With What He's Doing": Rep. Pocan Addresses Trump's Tariffs

Two Reasons Why Trump’s Auto Tariffs Might Not Work

TARIFF TROUBLES – A Hudson native with a long career of risk management for major financial institutions can explain two reasons why President Trump’s massive new tariffs on autos and auto parts may not work as intended.

First, in the short term, the disruption will increase Americans’ car prices by an estimated $6,000 at a minimum, while also causing job losses.

Second, in the long term, multinational companies know they can raise prices, absorb any losses, and wait for a new president who might end the trade war—because it’s still cheaper than building new factories in the US, as Trump claims will happen under his plan.

#wisconsin #wisconsinnews #trump

Two Reasons Why Trump’s Auto Tariffs Might Not Work

The Conversation That Prompted Emily Berge to Run Against Derrick Van Orden

Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge officially announced her candidacy for Congress this week, hoping to unseat 3rd District Republican US Rep. Derrick Van Orden in 2026.

Berge, who is also president of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, told UpNorthNews about the meeting with Van Orden that solidified her decision to get into the race. Even though homelessness, especially among veterans, is a national crisis, Berge says Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL, refused to provide help and blamed the city.

Rebecca Cooke, who lost to Van Orden last November, has already announced her candidacy. Cooke and Berge would face off in a primary, along with any other Democrats who get into the race, in August of next year.

The Conversation That Prompted Emily Berge to Run Against Derrick Van Orden

Chris Taylor Launches 2026 Campaign For WI 2026 State Supreme Court

Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Chris Taylor is running for a spot on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the 2026 election. She’s planning to take on current Justice Rebecca Bradley, who is known for her conservative views and was appointed in 2015 by former Gov. Scott Walker.

Taylor, who used to serve in the state legislature and worked with Planned Parenthood, told WISN-TV’s, Upfront, that she’s jumping into the race because she believes Wisconsin deserves a fair and impartial court. She says judges should focus on protecting people’s rights—not pushing political agendas.

This race is important because it could shift the court further in a progressive direction. Right now, the court has a 4-3 liberal majority, and with another liberal justice (Susan Crawford) about to take office, Taylor’s win would make that a 5-2 split.

Taylor has been a strong voice on issues like abortion rights, gun safety, and labor protections.

Chris Taylor Launches 2026 Campaign For WI 2026 State Supreme Court