7/01/2026

IRON COUNTY – Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Tourism’s Office of Outdoor Recreation announced the recipients of the Wisconsin Governor’s Outdoor Industry Awards this month. Among them was the North Country Trail Association (NCTA).  The Tandem Award for Collaboration was presented to the Association, its Heritage (HTG) Chapter and Wisconsin Roving Trail Crew volunteers (the Rovers), WisCorps conservation corps, and Iron County Forestry & Parks Department.  A new, 5-mile segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) was finished via this project located north of Sullivan Forest Lane.  It includes footpath access to Foster Falls, several wooden bridges, and four new backcountry campsites along the Potato River.  Wisconsin hosts more than 200 miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail across its northern tier.

7/01/2026

WAKEFIELD / U.P. - Police agencies across Michigan will increase focused speed-enforcement patrols in July to reduce speed-related crashes.  State police posts and agencies across the state including the Wakefield Post are stepping up patrols to reduce roadway fatalities by 30 percent by the year 2030.  The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute said that in 2024, Michigan recorded 22,260 speed-involved crashes, an increase of 4.2 percent over 21,357 in 2023.  However, the number of speed-related deaths fell from 210 in 2023 to 177 in 2024, a decrease of 15.7 percent.

7/01/2026

MINOCQUA - The Minocqua Brewing Company Super PAC has officially shut down.

Founder Kirk Bangstad filed paperwork to terminate the political action committee on June 18 after spending its remaining funds on online advertising and consulting. Bangstad, known for his outspoken political activism, also failed to qualify for Wisconsin's gubernatorial ballot earlier this year. The PAC previously came under scrutiny after former employees alleged they were paid with political committee funds rather than through the brewery.