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Turnout in Wisconsin election tops 26%, highest in 60 years for fall primary in presidential year
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Turnout in Wisconsin’s election Tuesday was the highest in 60 years for a presidential year partisan primary, with over 26% of the state’s voting-age population casting ballots, based on unofficial results. The election was marked by voters rejecting two constitutional amendments that sought to limit the governor’s power to spend money and deciding a pair of hotly contested congressional primaries. The election was also the first under newly drawn legislative maps, creating dozens of competitive races in addition to other hot contests for local office. The city of Madison, a Democratic stronghold, had 45% turnout — the highest for a fall partisan turnout in at least 40 years, the farthest back the clerk’s office has records. Just over 1.2 million voters cast their ballots on each of the proposed amendments, which were the only statewide issues on the ballot open to all voters regardless of party. That comes to just over 26% of the voting-age population, which is around 4.7 million voters.
Wisconsin primary voters oust more than a half-dozen legislators, setting stage for Dem push in fall
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Legislature’s loudest election conspiracy theorist lost her job along with a handful of other incumbent lawmakers in Tuesday’s primary, solidifying the field of contenders as Democrats prepare to mount a major push to retake control of the Assembly for the first time in almost 15 years.
Hummingbirds are starting to leave Wisconsin. Here's a look at their migration pattern
During the late summer and early fall, hummingbirds will migrate back to warmer weather after arriving in the Midwest earlier this spring. Bird-watchers can expect to see hummingbirds — the tiny birds that get their name from the sound of their wings — leaving the state toward the end of August. Here's...
Frustration, questions boil over in public comment on homelessness at Hedberg Library
Frustration boiled over as the public sounded off on homelessness downtown — and a city of Janesville plan to sweep out a homeless encampment at Hedberg Public Library. An elderly woman says she’s been scared to go to Hedberg Library since she saw a man rolling around in a drunken stupor outside the library entrance.
Today is a FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Today is a First Alert Weather Day. Low pressure is making its way in from the west. This system is going to spread rain and a few thunderstorms across southern Wisconsin this morning. We will get a break in the rainfall through the mid day and a portion of the afternoon hours before showers and thunderstorms redevelop.
Harris gains swing state edge over Trump: Cook Political Report
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is leading or tied with Republican opponent former President Trump in six of seven key swing states, per a Wednesday report from the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Why it matters: Vice President Harris has seemingly flipped the script of the election, as Republicans were projected...
Lawsuit seeks to bar Wisconsin DOT from rejecting personalized license plates
MADISON – A new lawsuit seeks to bar the state Department of Transportation from rejecting personalized license plates, citing First Amendment protections. The conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty filed the challenge this week in the Western District U.S. District Court, arguing the state "uses subjective and arbitrary decisions" when determining what...
Rain and storms expected Thursday. Beach hazard statement issued.
The Milwaukee area can expect rainy conditions tonight before heavier storms sweep in Thursday morning. The National Weather Service also issued a beach hazard statement for Thursday and Thursday night. It advises Lake Michigan swimmers to stay out of the water for fear waves up to six feet and rip currents, "which...
John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport receives funding to upgrade runway, improve safety
Two Wisconsin airports including Ashland County’s have been awarded more than $8 million in federal funding to enhance safety, upgrade facilities and boost revenue. “Investments in our local airports are vital for improving safety, enhancing infrastructure, and supporting economic growth,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin in a news release. “This funding will help ensure that our airports in Wisconsin are well-equipped to handle increased traffic, improve safety measures, and continue to serve our communities and visitors effectively.” Waukesha County Airport will receive over $4.76 million to enhance runway safety. John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport in Ashland County will receive over $3.4 million to rehabilitate existing paved Runway 2/20 and improve safety.
Beloit Senior Legion Bandits' Andy Buckley had strong showing at all-star game
Andy Buckley surveyed the view from the batter’s box at American Family Field, home of the Milwaukee Brewers, and quickly deduced it was practically a whole new world compared to his typical perspective at the Stateline Family YMCA Youth Sports Complex. “It was totally different,” the Beloit Turner graduate said. “Just looking around and seeing the scoreboard and billboards, it was honestly a surreal feeling. Elly de la Cruz played where I played right before the game, so it was just a super cool experience.” ...
Wisconsin 2025 OT commit earns MaxPreps second-team All-America honors
Wisconsin football three-star class of 2025 offensive tackle commit Nolan Davenport was included on MaxPreps’ All-America second-team on Monday. Davenport earned the recognition alongside fellow 2025 Wisconsin commit Erik Schmidt, who was named MaxPreps’ first-team punter. Davenport, a product of Washington High School in Ohio, joins 2025 linemen Elyiss Williams (Georgia), Andrew Babalola (uncommitted), Solomon Thomas (Florida State) and Michael Fasusi (uncommitted) on the second-team offensive line.
Gigantic Rick Nielsen Guitar Arrives in Illinois at Hard Rock Rockford
With the new Hard Rock Casino preparing to open on Labor Day weekend, everyone was wondering how the most dramatic feature of the casino would arrive in Rockford. Today we got the answer. Major Piece of Hard Rock Rockford Is Going Into Place. Rockford's newest landmark arrived on Wednesday morning...
Rockford police find man charged in deadly hit-and-run
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A Rockford man accused of hitting a woman with his vehicle and then driving off is in custody after a police search. Maurice Calvanese, 59, is charged with aggravated DUI causing death, leaving the scene of a fatal crash, no valid driver’s license, operation of an uninsured motor vehicle and driving on a suspended registration.
Wisconsin's Evers urges federal judge not to make changes at youth prison in wake of counselor death
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers asked a federal judge Wednesday not to impose any changes at Wisconsin’s youth prison after an inmate was accused of killing a counselor during a fight earlier this summer, insisting conditions at the prison have been slowly improving despite the death. Evers, a Democrat, said in the letter to James Peterson, chief judge for the Western District of Wisconsin, that Republican lawmakers could soon ask him to give Lincoln Hills-Copper Lakes Schools more leeway in punishing incarcerated children. The governor said that it’s important to remember that brutal staff-on-inmate punishments led to tighter...
Local high school grad makes strides in cancer research
Elijah Gorski is leaving high school with a full ride to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his cancer research is only the launching point for other opportunities. " And so that's my goal with college is by junior year having explored as many opportunities as I can to expose myself to the different areas of research that are available. Not just even in biochemistry, but the University of Wisconsin is big on agricultural sustainability research." Gorski said.
4 Events You Don’t Want to Miss on 815 Day in Rockford
815 Day is finally here, and every Rockfordian needs to take some time to appreciate and remember all the good the Forest City has to offer!. Every August 15th, the Rockford area comes alive with a contagious energy that I absolutely love. It's a time when residents unite to shop local and celebrate all the places, people, and attractions that make this city unique.
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