6/26/2026

ASHLAND - Ashland residents rallied Wednesday to protest the use of city water for the construction of Enbridge’s controversial Line 5 pipeline reroute. Protesters say municipal water from Lake Superior is being used by contractor Michels Construction to drill beneath rivers and wetlands, raising concerns about contamination and treaty rights. Residents also question whether the public was informed about the water-use agreement. Neither the City of Ashland nor Enbridge has responded to requests for comment.

6/26/2026

DETROIT (AP) — Michigan can keep a lid on the personal information of registered voters. That is the ruling from a federal appeals court.  The court says the release of birth dates, driver’s license numbers and partial Social Security numbers is not covered by a federal law cited by the U.S. Justice Department. Michigan says the federal government only could receive a list of registered voters, similar to any member of the general public. The Trump administration has been trying to get key voter information and details from dozens of states. Judges have rejected similar efforts in a number of other states including Wisconsin. 

6/26/2026

N. WISCONSIN - Wisconsin’s bridge program, which provides state funds to childcare providers, will shut down on June 30.  The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families estimates 25% of providers will close without it.  The Bridge Program started during the pandemic and has given $110 million to providers in an effort to close the gap between what families can afford and what childcare actually costs.  Meanwhile, a 2026 childcare market rate survey found the average annual cost for full-time infant care at a center-based program is $17,400 and $13,000 in family-based programs.  After bridge program funding ends, more than 75% of providers plan tuition increases, according to the survey.