Newsletters
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Who is Sara Rodriguez?
Also: Corrupt cartography in Texas Share with a friend ☀️ Good morning! We are almost a year away from the 2026 primary election—a bigger than normal August primary because it will determine the two main candidates who will face off to be Wisconsin’s next governor. While election cycles don’t have an official starting date, it…
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🍺 Wisconsin breweries that give back
Plus: Who’s going to the state fair? Share with a friend Good morning! From deep-fried everything to the legendary giant slide, the Wisconsin State Fair is back and bigger than ever. It’s a tradition that brought in more than a million guests last year, and that number is only set to grow this year!…
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Evers out, who’s going all in?
Also: Is cryptocurrency the future or a scam? Share with a friend ☀️ Good morning! There I was, face to face with the Goodyear blimp! I had just reached the top of the off-ramp next to the EAA AirVenture festivities. The airship was parked right in front of me, the sky was full of activity,…
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💚 Gov. Evers’ ‘Love Letter’ to Wisconsin
Plus: Here’s a great excuse to head to Milwaukee this weekend Share with a friend It’s Friday, July 25. If you’re looking for an excuse to head to Milwaukee this weekend, German Fest at Henry Maier Festival Park is a great one. This classic lakefront tradition runs all weekend, and is packed with Wisconsin favorites…
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🤬 Mad as hell and doing something about it
Budget anger creates candidacies for 2026 Share with a friend ☀️ Good morning! When we started UpNorthNews in January 2020, we did so with an editorial policy you could describe as anecdotal and rooted in my earlier jobs as a journalist and an elected official. In both roles, TV anchor and legislator, people always felt…
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🎡 Wisconsin’s county fairs are back
Plus: Billionaire Diane Hendricks is betting on Beloit’s future. Share with a friend It’s Friday, July 18, 2025. Good morning and happy Friday! This weekend offers one of Wisconsin’s most beloved traditions: county fairs! Across the state, expect carnival rides, demolition derbies, livestock shows, concerts, and plenty of fair food. Eight county fairs are…
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⬅️ Dems drifting too far left, or just right?
🔥🇨🇦 Now Republicans want a smoking ban! Share with a friend ☀️ Good morning! Summers in Wisconsin provide so many great opportunities to celebrate communities and take a break from the regular routine. There are county fairs, local festivals and parades, sports events at every level, and seemingly limitless ways to enjoy live music. Last…
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A win for women: Abortion ban repealed
Also: Ron Johnson caves again Share with a friend ☀️ What a week, huh?! When the week began, it seemed Gov. Evers and legislative Republicans were nowhere near a deal on the state budget. Meanwhile congressional Republicans were still resisting some of what President Trump was proposing on the federal side. Within the first 24…
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Budget progress—or a mirage?
Also: Hovde and Michels again, really? Share with a friend ☀️ Good morning! We like to joke about having more than four seasons in Wisconsin. There’s “fake spring,” followed by one more snowstorm. There’s early summer, followed by “Hell’s front porch.” And in autumn there’s “peak colors” followed by “winter preview” one day later! While…
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⁉️ Cutting UW support, with a state surplus?
Also: Lame ducks shot down Share with a friend ☀️ Good morning! This weekend newsletter was started as a short-term project (January to June) to follow the state budget process in the Wisconsin Legislature, and, more importantly, to explain why we should still care about a state budget, whether we follow politics regularly or not.…
