Good morning, Wisconsin!

Ellie here. Happy Wednesday! And happy middle of the week to you—we’re almost there!

Today’s newsletter will be the only send this week while I’m out of office, so we’ve got a lot to cover.

Of course, we have a Badger State Buzz to get you ready for the weekend, and we’ve got another Civic Check-In to get you ready for Election Day.

And you know what else helps before heading to the voting booth? Our Meet the Candidates section, where we’re rounding up Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District candidates, along with other Wisconsin news!

And a quick reminder: We will be back to our regular schedule on June 24. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Ellie Bourdo

Newsletter Editor, UpNorthNews

“Hayward after the storms.” (Courtesy of Megan M.)

Our reader, Megan M., sent in this photo from Hayward after last week’s storms. What a great pic, thanks for sharing!

Send in your Wisconsin view to have it featured!

Wisconsin has already seen its fair share of severe weather this year. Check out the record-breaking storms we had last month.

Share your Wisconsin view

What’s happening in Wisconsin this week

Click the graphic for a map to find an event near you!

We’re always looking for ways to help you stay connected to your community. Here’s what’s happening around Wisconsin this week:

🍓 Strawberry Fest at the Fitchburg Farmer’s Market, Fitchburg (June 18)

It’s berry season, and come celebrate with local strawberry vendors offering fresh produce and a variety of strawberry-themed treats.

🎤 Summerfest, Milwaukee (June 18-20)

Enjoy this large lakeside music festival featuring top artists, emerging talent, and local performers across multiple stages. Visitors can also explore a variety of food, drinks, and festival activities.

🏰 Prairie Villa Rendezvous & Flea Market, Prairie du Chien (June 18-21)

Take a step back in time with a history experience that recreates life in the 1840s, when the area was a major center of the fur trade. Explore encampments, enjoy historical demonstrations, and sample buffalo burgers.

🎉 Dorchester Days, Dorchester (June 18-21)

Taking place annually on Father’s Day weekend, enjoy this community event full of motorsports, tournaments, tractor and truck pulling competitions, a carnival, and a variety of athletic events.

🏳️‍🌈 The Big Gay PRIDE Market, Madison (June 19-21)

This three-day PRIDE celebration will feature queer artists, live drag and comedy performances, educational programs, a clothing swap, and much more.

🇬🇷 Greek Fest 2026, Waukesha (June 19-21)

Experience Greek culture through traditional food, pastries, music, and dance at this family-friendly celebration filled with community and cultural traditions.

Have an event to share?

Do you know who represents you?

Do you know your district?

Before you can hold your elected officials accountable, you need to know who they are.

In Wisconsin, where you live determines who represents you in Congress, at the state Capitol, and in local government. Those elected officials make decisions that affect schools, roads, health care, taxes, housing, voting rights, and more.

That’s why knowing your district matters—especially as election season approaches.

Every Wisconsin resident belongs to:

→ 1 US Congressional District
→ 1 State Senate District
→ 1 State Assembly District
→ Local districts, including county, city, and school board seats

These district lines are redrawn every 10 years after the US Census to reflect population changes. They help determine who appears on your ballot, which communities are grouped together, and how competitive certain races may be.

At UpNorthNews, we work to make civic life in Wisconsin easier to understand. We break down what’s happening, who’s making decisions, and how those decisions affect you and your community.

Because being informed isn’t just about knowing what happened. It’s about knowing what you can do next.

If you value reporting that helps Wisconsinites stay informed, engaged, and ready to participate, consider making a donation today.

Support our work

We’re running our Supporter Drive through June 30, and we need your help to keep reporting the local stories that matter most to Wisconsin.

Donate today to support UpNorthNews. Any amount helps us continue delivering trusted, community-focused journalism.

Not able to give right now? You can still support our work by sharing this newsletter with someone who cares about local news in Wisconsin.

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District 3 candidate roundup

The Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison. (Jonathon Sadowski)

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been taking a look at who’s running for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. Here’s a roundup of the candidates running:

Democrats

Emily Berge, a professional counselor and member of the Eau Claire City Council since 2018, focused on housing, healthcare, affordability, and economics.

Rebecca Cooke, a small business appointed to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation by Gov. Tony Evers, focused on healing the healthcare system, creating an economy for working families, and fighting for Wisconsin’s farmers.

Republicans

Derrick Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL and the current US Representative for District 3, focused on transportation and infrastructure, rebuilding the economy, and leading with integrity.

The Wisconsin governor primary is still anyone’s race

Gov. Tony Evers addresses delegates at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin state convention on June 13, 2026, at the Monona Terrace Conference Center in Madison, Wisc. (Pat Kreitlow/UpNorthNews)

By Pat Kreitlow

For Sen. Kelda Roys, it was time to tell the crowd, “This is not a moment for a newbie.”

For Rep. Francesca Hong, it was time to remind the audience that lots of people were called radical in the beginning, and now their ideas are seen as mainstream.

Hundreds of delegates at last weekend’s Democratic Party of Wisconsin convention heard direct appeals from Roys, Hong, and five more people hoping to break out of the pack and win the Aug. 11 primary election that will determine who goes up against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in November. The winner succeeds Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who is stepping down after two terms.

Learn more