4/28/2026

MINOCQUA - Minocqua Brewing Company, and its owner Kirk Bangstad, receiving rather large backlash from both Republicans and Democrats over a Facebook post he made on Saturday following the attempted assassination at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.  Bangstad saying “Either a brother or sister in the Resistance needs to work on their marksmanship or he faked another assassination to get a positive news cycle. We will never know.  Regardless, we stand at the ready to pour free beer the day it happens.”  Several national media outlets reached out to Bangstad and the brewing company for comment regarding the post. Bangstad then posted series of screenshots of those requests, in which he uses offensive and disparaging language toward the reporters and the outlets they work for.  Reportedly Bangstads comments have now sparked the attention of the Secret Service.

4/28/2026

ASHLAND - Ashland-based Bretting Manufacturing will be honored next month as one of six businesses at the Entrepreneur Fund’s 2026 Distinction Awards. The Ashland Daily Press reports there will be a ceremony on May 7th at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center that will recognize Bretting, among five others, for "global industry leadership through localized innovation and growth". Shawn Wellnitz, CEO of the Entrepreneur Fund, stated the awards provide a natural setting for entrepreneurs to gain candid insights from those who have successfully navigated expansion while celebrating leadership that strengthens the regional economy. For more information, go to efund.org.

4/28/2026

WATERSMEET, MI — The Lac Vieux Desert (LVD) Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and the Lac Vieux Desert Health Center (LVDHC) announcing the opening of its $6 million 10,000 square foot Legacy Wellness and Motion center in Watersmeet. The center will be open to everyone (12 yrs. and up) and will serve both tribal members and non-tribal residents.  The community is invited to get a first look during a tentative Soft Opening in early July, allowing patients and members to begin experiencing the new services.  A Grand Opening Event is scheduled for August 1^st which will feature tours, and demonstrations of the new equipment.