WUPM

06/12/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has released its 2026 Eat Safe Fish Guides, with consumption recommendations for locally caught fish in 696 bodies of water across the state. The guides use laboratory testing to assess chemical levels in fish and help residents make informed choices, especially children, pregnant women, and people with health concerns. This year, 59 fish consumption guidelines were relaxed, and 65 became more protective. The guides, along with the Buy Safe Fish Guide for store-bought seafood, are available at

information about the safe consumption of fish and wild game taken in Michigan

06/12/2026

BAYFIELD COUNTY - Bayfield County is seeking proposals from outside ambulance providers to help backstop its volunteer EMS system as staffing shortages and rising call volumes strain emergency response services. County officials say the goal is to supplement, not replace, local volunteer ambulance agencies. The county reported increasing missed calls and declining volunteer availability, prompting plans for a countywide EMS safety net that could include contracted ambulance services, quick-response vehicles, or shared staffing models. Officials expect to review proposals and consider long-term solutions as they prepare for 2027 budget decisions aimed at improving EMS coverage and response reliability across the county.

06/12/2026

N. WISCONSIN - Chai Vang, the man sentenced to six life sentences for the 2004 Tree Stand Killings in Northwest Wisconsin, has been pronounced dead, according to Wisconsin court records. A case status change entered yesterday on the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website states Vang died on June 10. No other information has been released. Vang was convicted in September 2005 on six counts of first-degree intentional homicide and three counts of attempted homicide in the Nov. 21, 2004, shootings of eight hunters. Six people were killed and two others were wounded. Vang, who was 36 at the time of the shootings, claimed he acted in self-defense after hunters confronted him for trespassing, used racial slurs against him and shot at him.

06/12/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - For the first time, the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book is doing more than ranking states. This year's report assigned Michigan a child well-being score of 527 out of one-thousand, placing it at 34th nationally. While the state ranks 21st in child health, education remains a challenge at 42nd. Anne Kuhnen with the Michigan League for Public Policy says the new scoring system offers a better way to track progress.
0:07 "It takes the regular categories that we normally look at. In addition to providing a ranking of how we're doing compared to other states."
Michigan is among the bottom five states for fourth grade reading proficiency. The report also found three in four eighth graders aren't proficient in math. Kuhnen says policymakers are aware of the state's literacy crisis, and the report is intended to help leaders identify which investments are improving outcomes for children.

06/12/2026

LAKE SUPERIOR - Two underwater filmmakers sent a remotely operated vehicle to the Superior Maximus, more than 1,300 feet down to the deepest part of Lake Superior, a part of Lake Superior that hasn’t been visited for more than 40 years. Last Saturday, the team sent down a remotely operated vehicle with high-definition cameras in hopes of documenting rare deep-water fish. The mission was livestream on the internet with more than 10,000 viewers. The duo says they will be conducting more dives and research for their documentary in the coming months.

06/11/2026

N. WISCONSIN / U.P. – For days we been hearing about extreme weather was going to hit the area on Wednesday, and for the most part for us nothing happened. The strongest storms tracked south of the Gogebic Range affecting Western, Central and Southern Wisconsin. More than 98,000 customers lost power yesterday after two strong bands of severe weather moved across Wisconsin. Most outages were concentrated in the southern part of the state, with Sauk, Dane counties among the hardest hit. No reports of significant storm-related damage in Northern Wisconsin or in the U.P. Rain showers later today with average high temperatures and lower humidity heading into the weekend with below average high temperatures expected for much of next week.

06/11/2026

HURLEY – Demolition of the former Ave’s Building on Highway 51 is underway. The site was purchased by the Iron County Community Credit Union as they build a new 42,000-square-foot main office building. The business was founded in 1950 in Kimball, and the credit union said the new building reflects its continued commitment to the region while allowing room for future expansion. The new facility, expected to open in the spring of next year, will nearly double the size of the credit union’s current office. Officials said the project will improve access to financial services and support growth across the communities it serves in Wisconsin and Michigan.

06/11/2026

VILAS COUNTY - Vilas County set a new tourism record last year, with visitors spending $318.4 million throughout the county, according to newly released figures from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. The total represents a $15.8 million increase over 2024 and surpasses the county's previous record of $302.6 million set just one year ago. Tourism's total economic impact in 2025 was $402 million. The figures also solidify Vilas County's standing as the top tourism destination in Wisconsin's Northwoods region. Tourism remains Vilas County's largest industry, supporting 2,147 jobs in 2025. County businesses generated nearly $402 million in total sales, an increase of 5.2% over the previous year, while visitor activity generated $27 million in state and local tax revenue. Across Wisconsin, tourism generated a record-breaking $26.9 billion in economic impact in 2025, a 4.4% increase over 2024.

06/11/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - Michigan unemployment receivers will be seeing some new changes to the unemployment laws coming this July. Beginning the week of July 19th, individuals on unemployment will now need to search for three jobs per week instead of just one. Individuals who left a job due to domestic violence issues will now be eligible for unemployment. There will be another rise in the weekly benefit rate beginning Jan. 1st, 2027.

06/11/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN – The Michigan State Police warning parents, teen drivers and others on the road about the increased safety risk that exists with more teens out of school and out on the roads. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the MSP say there is a dangerous spike in teen driving fatalities in what experts refer to as the 100 deadliest days for teens on the road. According to Triple AAA more than 30% of all teen driver related deaths happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day each summer. During that period, on average, about 8 people a day die in crashes that involve teen drivers. To help reduce the risk the MSP offers a complete comprehensive driver education courses for teens to better understand the rules of the road. More information and tips for parents on our website and page.

Information on carrying concealed pistols, permits, renewal, frequently asked questions, pistol free areas, pistol safety training course information, and more.