Are higher costs coming for WI’s winter?

October 8, 2026

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Good morning!

Ellie here. Happy Friday Eve! I hope everyone is enjoying their week so far.

In case you missed it, we’re hosting an event!

Join us for a live conversation with Milwaukee County Executive and gubernatorial candidate David Crowley, Attorney General Josh Kaul, and UpNorthNews’ founding editor Pat Kreitlow.

This is a real, unscripted conversation, built to get past the talking points and give Wisconsinites real answers before they vote.

I’ll also be there talking to our readers. Come say hi!

We’ll be asking questions about cost of living, public schools, healthcare, reproductive freedom, democracy, voting rights, and more.

Admission is FREE, but space is very limited. Register here ASAP!

Can’t make it in person? Catch the livestream on COURIER’s YouTube channel. I hope to see you there!

And one more note: Don’t forget, for tomorrow’s Locals Love, I want to hear about your favorite Mexican restaurants. Send in your favorites, and tell me why, to have them featured!

Ellie Bourdo

Newsletter Editor, UpNorthNews

First, a few headlines from around the state:

🗞 Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District candidates will debate for the first time since 2020. US Rep. Derrick Van Orden and Rebecca Cooke have agreed to a debate on Oct. 20. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

🔬 A UW-Madison professor and researcher has won a Nobel Prize. Francis Halzen received the prize on Tuesday morning for his research on neutrinos. (Channel 3000)

🏈 In case you missed it, this weekend’s Packers’ game time has been changed. The team will face off against the Chicago Bears at noon on Oct. 11. (Packers)

The fall colors are in full effect in Wisconsin, and my oh my are they beautiful!

Here’s a great photo of it, from our reader Joe W.

“The Mondeaux Flowage on a gorgeous morning last week.”

Check out when your community will see the fall colors at their peak.

Show me your Wisconsin view!

Cold weather is coming to Wisconsin. How to get your home ready

Rozga Funeral Home apprentice Aaron Boehm shovels the sidewalk in front of the business on Nov. 29, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wis. (USA Today via Reuters Connect)

Many Wisconsinites are still seeing temperatures in the 70s, but colder weather is inevitably on the way.

With that in mind, there are some things you can do now to prepare for the frigid temps to keep you and your home safe.

Wisconsinites brace for a cozy, costly winter

Shutterstock

And when preparing your home for the cold weather, you should also prepare for potentially higher prices.

Wisconsin households are facing a projected spike in winter heating costs due to rising fuel prices and local utility rate hikes.

📣 By the way: Add UpNorthNews as a preferred news source on Google.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Ellie Bourdo with stories from USA Today Network via Reuters Connect and Salina Heller. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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