6/11/2026

HURLEY – Demolition of the former Ave’s Building on Highway 51 is underway.  The site was purchased by the Iron County Community Credit Union as they build a new 42,000-square-foot main office building. The business was founded in 1950 in Kimball, and the credit union said the new building reflects its continued commitment to the region while allowing room for future expansion. The new facility, expected to open in the spring of next year, will nearly double the size of the credit union’s current office. Officials said the project will improve access to financial services and support growth across the communities it serves in Wisconsin and Michigan.

6/11/2026

VILAS COUNTY - Vilas County set a new tourism record last year, with visitors spending $318.4 million throughout the county, according to newly released figures from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.  The total represents a $15.8 million increase over 2024 and surpasses the county's previous record of $302.6 million set just one year ago. Tourism's total economic impact in 2025 was $402 million. The figures also solidify Vilas County's standing as the top tourism destination in Wisconsin's Northwoods region.  Tourism remains Vilas County's largest industry, supporting 2,147 jobs in 2025. County businesses generated nearly $402 million in total sales, an increase of 5.2% over the previous year, while visitor activity generated $27 million in state and local tax revenue.  Across Wisconsin, tourism generated a record-breaking $26.9 billion in economic impact in 2025, a 4.4% increase over 2024.

6/11/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - Michigan unemployment receivers will be seeing some new changes to the unemployment laws coming this July.  Beginning the week of July 19th, individuals on unemployment will now need to search for three jobs per week instead of just one. Individuals who left a job due to domestic violence issues will now be eligible for unemployment.  There will be another rise in the weekly benefit rate beginning Jan. 1st, 2027.