10/21/2026

IRONWOOD - Gogebic Community College is receiving nearly $476,500 to expand training for maritime and shipbuilding jobs. The funding supports a state effort to advance Michigan’s 10-year Maritime Strategy, aimed at boosting economic growth and creating good-paying jobs in the state’s multibillion-dollar maritime industry. GCC is one of five community colleges receiving grants. Officials say the goal is to develop a training model that can expand to serve employers and communities across the western Upper Peninsula.

10/21/2026

ASHLAND - Xcel Energy’s Bay Front Power Plant in Ashland celebrated its 110th anniversary last Wednesday, the 14th. The Daily Press reports, operating since 1916, the plant stopped burning coal in 2020 and now uses wood waste from the lumber industry to generate up to 44 megawatts of electricity. The facility supports grid reliability and boosts northern Wisconsin’s economy. Xcel says the plant purchases at least $5 million in wood waste annually, generating an estimated $20 million in regional economic benefits. The company plans to keep Bay Front operating through at least 2035.

10/21/2026

N. WISCONSIN - Verizon owned Frontier wants to end copper-based phone services in Northern Wisconsin on November 16th. The move still needs approval by the Federal Communications Commission.  This could leave many residents in rural parts of Northern Wisconsin without phone or internet services.  The end of the wire service is because Verizon says they are retiring 136 wire centers across Wisconsin.  This would leave those affected with only Wireless or Satellite options.