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Meet the Wausau athlete headed to Milan

February 24, 2026

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Good morning!

Ellie here. I don’t know about you, but I feel like February has flown by. How is it already almost March?

This weekend, the 2026 Winter Olympics wrapped up, with the US men’s hockey team winning gold against Canada. How awesome is it that both US men’s and women’s hockey teams beat our rivals to the north to take home gold! What was your favorite event to watch throughout the games? Let me know!

Coming up in March is the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games. Today, we’ll take a look at one Wisconsin Paralympic athlete headed to Milan to compete in wheelchair curling. We’ve got this and more Wisconsin news!

A quick note: One of my favorite parts of my job is hearing and telling your stories. I want to know what issues are impacting you most, and what you’d like to see covered more in our state. Let me know what you think needs to be covered in Wisconsin, or if you have a story to share!

Ellie Bourdo

Newsletter Editor, UpNorthNews

“Full moon rising over Lake Winnebago, Oshkosh, WI.” (Courtesy of Susan K.)

Today’s photo comes from our reader Susan K. in Oshkosh, capturing a beautiful look at the full moon reflecting on the frozen lake. What a great picture!

Send in your photo to have it featured!

Are you looking for a new, fun indoor activity while we wrap up the chilly season? Check out these Milwaukee arcades and get your game on!

Show me your Wisconsin view!

Wausau man heads to Winter Paralympic stage

The USA mixed wheelchair curling team will compete against China on March 7. (Courtesy of Matt Thums)

By Ellie Bourdo

Wausau resident Matt Thums is headed to the international stage to compete in wheelchair curling for a remarkable second time.

Thums began his curling career in 2012 after reading about curling opportunities with the Wausau Curling Club in his local paper.

As the first wheelchair curler at the Wausau Club, Thums told UpNorthNews it was a learning experience for everyone.

More about Thums’ Paralympic journey →

Sugar shacks where you can get Wisconsin-made maple syrup

Owned by the Glenna family since 1995, Glenna Farms sits on 80 acres and hosts MapleFest each year. (Glenna Farms)

By Erin Yarnall

Whether it’s poured on top of a pile of pancakes or added to sweeten up a recipe, there is no denying that maple syrup is a delicious addition to a wide array of dishes. The syrup is made from tapping sugar maple trees early in the spring and boiling down the sap that comes out of the trees until it’s ready to be consumed as syrup.

While maple syrup is most prominently connected with parts of Canada, it’s possible to get Wisconsin-made syrup from several sugar shacks across the state, and some of them are even open for tours.

Wisconsin-made maple syrups →

Stolz took on all challengers and came out on top

Jordan Stolz competes in the men’s second Mass Start at the US Olympic long track speed skating Olympic team trials. (USA Today via Reuters Connect)

By USA Today via Reuters Connect

Congratulations are in order for Jordan Stolz, who took all the weight he’d had been carrying on his shoulders as an American Olympic favorite and the No. 1-ranked speed skater in the world, and put it in gold and silver around his neck.

That burden is finally lifted.

The hardware will last forever.

More about Stolz’s new hardware →

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Ellie Bourdo with stories from Ellie Bourdo, Erin Yarnall, and USA Today via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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