12/31/2025

N. WISCONSIN - Wisconsin’s 2025 elk hunt has wrapped up and saw 13 successful harvests from over 26,000 applicants, which the DNR calls a success. State hunters filled all nine Black River zone tags (five antlerless, four bull) and harvested four bulls in the Clam Lake zone against an eight-bull quota, totaling seven bulls and five antlerless elk. Tribal hunters can hunt until Jan. 4, 2026. The $7 application fees support the DNR’s Elk Management Program for habitat and research. The 2026 application period is projected for March 1-May 31, with the season starting Oct. 17. Find more information at dnr.wisconsin.gov under hunting.

12/31/2025

UPPER MICHIGAN - Lifelong Hancock resident and former 110th District Representative Michael ‘Mike’ Lahti has died at age 80. His official obituary states he suffered an apparent heart attack and died at UP Health System - Portage, surrounded by family.  A funeral service is scheduled for noon on Saturday in Hancock.

12/31/2025

N. WISCONSIN / UP – With the new year some new changes that may add some money to your wallet.  Starting tomorrow the Enhanced Child Tax Credit will go into effect.  Families will see a modest boost, with the Child Tax Credit increasing from $2,000 to $2,200 per qualifying child for 2025.  Also in the new year you will be able to deduct the interest paid on your Auto Loan.  In the new year you will be able to deduct up to $10,000 in interest paid on your car loan. The vehicle must weigh less than 14,000 pounds and have its final assembly in the U.S., and it must be for personal use and No Tax on Tips and Overtime starting in the new year. Service workers can now deduct up to $25,000 in tip income, while overtime workers can deduct up to $12,500.  The minimum wage will rise from $12.48 to $13.73 an hour starting tomorrow in Michigan under the state’s Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act. The tipped wage will increase to $5.49 an hour, if workers earn at least $8.24 in tips, while the training wage for workers under 20 will remain at $4.25 for their first 90 days.