WI tribal colleges face funding gap

Good morning!

Ellie here. I hope everyone’s enjoying their week so far.

We’re still keeping an eye on those gas prices. As of yesterday, the state average for regular gas was at $4.43, according to AAA. This is up 34 cents from a week ago.

For diesel, the state average is sitting at $6.56, a 51 cent increase from a week ago.

These costs have become a significant burden for Wisconsinites, especially our state’s farmers who need to use diesel fuel for farm machinery. Not only that, but new surcharges from transport companies to move harvests have nearly doubled transport rates for some farmers, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Now, I want to know how gas prices are impacting you. Have you been limiting your car usage? Or, are there any tips on ways to save on gas that you think others should know? Let me know!

Ellie Bourdo

Newsletter Editor, UpNorthNews

First, a few headlines from around the state:

🎄 Wisconsin has a role to play at the White House this holiday season. Yesterday, a White House staff member traveled to Silent Night Evergreens farm in Endeavor, Wisconsin, to pick the official White House Christmas tree. (WMTV)

🏄‍♀️ While our state may not be known for our crazy waves, Sheboygan has been named the ‘Malibu of the Midwest.’ (CNN)

🗳 It’s midterm season, and with only 42 days until Election Day, absentee voting has opened in our state. (Civic Media)

Every day I’m in awe of the amazing photos and views our readers capture.

Here’s another great one, from our reader Diane N.

“Sunset on Hatch Lake in Iola Wisconsin.”

Show me your Wisconsin view!

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Stories rooted in Wisconsin’s Up North.

GROWW press conference. (Salina Heller)

Why this Wisconsin farmer is fuming over a factory farm neighbor nightmare

Ty Fisher once described his Pierce County property as a “little slice of heaven.” But after his neighbor, the massive farm Ridge Breeze Dairy, received a permit from the Wisconsin DNR to expand from about 1,700 cows to more than 6,000, he said his rural way of life changed.

“My life has changed drastically,” Fisher said. “The incinerators using to burned cow carcasses runs every day. The smell of burning flesh and bone depends on which way the wind blows. The roads are taken over by manure takers, the facility itself is very loud. Piles of silage attracted many rodents and insects. I’ve never seen Rush River in such poor condition.”

Fisher joined Grassroots Organizing Western Wisconsin (GROWW) and spent three years challenging the permit for Ridge Breeze Dairy to expand. In August, a judge sent the permit back to the DNR, directing the agency to provide stronger safeguards to measure potential impacts on groundwater.

Learn more →

Wisconsin tribal colleges make a case for further investment

After historic investments into tribal nations following the COVID-19 pandemic, a report from the Brookings Institution and the American Indian College Fund showed recent federal policy actions have slashed funding for Native Americans. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal colleges and universities are an important resource for Native and non-Native students. A new report finds these institutions are facing increasing financial pressure.

Federal support for tribal campuses has fallen by more than 7% over the past decade, according to the Brookings Institution and American Indian College Fund.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Ellie Bourdo with stories from Salina Heller and Public News Service. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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