9/09/2026

N. WISCONSIN - The Wisconsin bear hunting season opens today.   This year, over 34,000 people applied for one of the 15,245 bear licenses available, and 106,000 more people opted to purchase a preference point to improve their chances of drawing a license in a future lottery.  The 2026 bear season is open from Sept. 9 to Oct. 13, with specific regulations based on a hunter’s bear management zone.  Most of our listening area is in Zone A which means from today through Sept 15 hunters may use bait and all other legal methods not using dogs.  Sept. 16 to Oct. 6 – with the aid of dogs, the aid of bait and all other legal methods.  Oct. 7-13 – with the aid of dogs only, no other methods.  More information on the Wisconsin DNR Website.

9/09/2026

MICHIGAN - The state of Michigan is planning to test whether drivers should pay for the state’s roads using a pay-per-mile system instead of at the pump.  The Michigan Department of Transportation says volunteers for the test will be recruited later this year, with the pilot study set to launch in February 2027 and a final report expected by the end of 2027.  Right now, drivers pay for road repairs through the state’s gas tax, but those with an electric car that doesn’t need gas have been able to skirt around paying the tax. 

9/09/2026

LAKE SUPERIOR / LAKE MICHIGAN - Michigan officials have a plan that aims to save the Great Lakes' whitefish from invasive mussels. They are working to breed fish in captivity to help repopulate Lake Michigan. The effort is backed by state and tribal scientists with funding from the state budget and the Great Lakes Fishery Trust. The mission targets endangered bloodlines and hopes to set the stage for a major recovery program. The invasive mussels have devastated whitefish populations by stripping away their food source. Efforts to control the mussels are underfunded, and scientists are seeking more support to ensure the species' survival.