WUPM

09/23/2025

N. WISCONSIN - Congressman Tom Tiffany has reintroduced the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act, aiming to designate the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior as Wisconsin’s first National Park. Currently a National Lakeshore, the islands would be elevated to National Park status under this legislation. Rep. Tiffany states this designation would preserve the islands, honor state heritage, and benefit surrounding communities. Concerns about environmental impacts, infrastructure, and treaty rights have been raised previously. Tiffany’s press release addresses these by affirming all treaty rights and Tribal sovereignty, maintaining current boundaries, and designating Sand Island as a National Preserve for hunting access. The National Park Service would continue management.

09/23/2025

MADISON, Wis. - Two Northern Wisconsin republican lawmakers, including Representative Chanz Green of Grand View, introduced a bill yesterday that would invest state money in a new facility in Hayward, turning woody biomass into sustainable aviation fuel, called the Forestry Revitalization Act. Industry leaders say the bill will bolster the Northwoods economy by creating more than 350 high-paying jobs and one billion dollars in annual economic impact. The proposal will also invest $210 million in tax credits and state bonding in a Hayward Facility. If approved, the facility is expected to be in production in 2029.

09/23/2025

N. WISCONSIN - Wisconsinites continue to speak out about how proposed utility rate hikes over the next two years would personally impact them. Alliant Energy, Xcel Energy and Madison Gas and Electric filed applications with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to increase their electric rates in 2026 and 2027, citing a need for infrastructure upgrades. Xcel customers like 60-year-old Thomas Burhans of Superior have already been grappling with how to keep up with rising costs. Burhans, who is disabled and lives on a fixed income, says his energy was already shut off earlier this year after he fell behind on payments.

0:15 "It may be only $16 or $18 dollars, but that money could be spent for a medication that I need, for groceries… In many other better ways than my electricity going up. It goes up every year."
Xcel Energy electric rates would increase by more than 11-percent next year and by about 7-percent in 2027. Both Alliant Energy and Madison Gas and Electric have reached settlement agreements with advocates to decrease their rate hikes. Xcel Energy says it doesn't anticipate reaching a settlement. Burhans voices strong frustration about the disparities between Xcel Energy executives' compensation and the financial struggles of ordinary Wisconsin residents. In 2024, Xcel Energy CEO Bob Frenzel (FRENZ-ill) made 12-point-7-million dollars, according to 'salary-dot-com.'

0:14 "I could live off that one hour's work, very comfortably, for a month, and have money to burn. And that's what is so infuriating, is that they have no idea what it's like for the common people in Wisconsin."

Public Service Commission hearings for Xcel Energy took place earlier this month. P-S-C says it will make a decision on all three utility rate cases later this year.

09/23/2025

LANSING - A coalition of justice advocates, which includes formerly incarcerated leaders, says Michigan’s House budget could jeopardize public safety by slashing proven programs. At a recent news conference hosted by the Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration, speakers warned that 3 million dollars in food cuts and 13 million in health-care cuts to the Department of Corrections could worsen prison understaffing, threaten rehabilitation and cost taxpayers more in the long run. Hakeem Crampton, of Citizens for Prison Reform, pointed out that rehabilitation is the ultimate goal of incarceration - which leads to better public safety.

0:14 "We at Citizens for Prison Reform, we support continued funding and increases to funding for expanding health care and quality food access to persons that are incarcerated. We believe that access to quality food and health care are important to rehabilitation."

The House plan calls for boosting road funding by billions of dollars. Supporters say trimming certain state programs frees up resources for infrastructure, which they argue is just as important to public safety and the state’s economy. The coalition is also urging lawmakers to strengthen re-entry and violence prevention programs, calling them cost-effective and key to reducing recidivism and improving safety. Jonathan Garcia is with Nation Outside, a peer-led group of formerly incarcerated people who help others successfully return to their communities.

0:14 "Over the past 15 months, we've served more than 2,200 returning citizens across the state of Michigan, delivering over 18,000 hours of billable services. Ninety-seven percent of persistent participants have avoided reincarceration, and that's just not a statistic."

Michigan’s current recidivism rate is just over 20 percent, measured three years from parole. That means almost 80 percent of people paroled don’t return to prison in that time.

09/22/2025

ASHLAND – The Ashland School District debating on whether or not to adopt a 4-day school week. With many school districts in the country adopting a four-day school week for various reasons, Ashland teacher Mark Reimer has proposed to do the same to address the teacher shortage and boost morale, citing its success in other rural districts. This could also improve attendance and academic performance through increased planning time. While Board Vice President Shelly Baiter and teacher Marie McFarlane voiced concerns about meals and childcare, Reimer and a committee he formed plans to develop a unique Ashland model, incorporating community feedback and learning from other districts with $6,500 in approved research funds. Findings are due in February.

09/22/2025

IRONWOOD – Copper Peak completed the blasting phase at the Copper Peak ski jump and have spent the last few weeks clearing and processing the rock spoils from the hill. This marks a significant step forward in the transformation of the iconic facility. The cleared rock is being carefully screened to remove dirt, and miscellaneous debris before being strategically placed back on the hill for drainage below the new concrete slab. This drainage system is critical for managing the substantial water volume during summer jumping competitions and spring runoff from Upper Peninsula winters. The Next phase includes drilling operations that will support the blast rock layer and future concrete slab installation. The project is to create the only ski-flying facility in the Western Hemisphere capable of hosting international competitions that meet International Ski Federation standards while serving as a global destination.

09/22/2025

BESSEMER - Could a New Recreational Facility Could Be in Bessemer’s Future. The Bessemer Downtown Development Authority (DDA) voted on the 10th to propose buying land from the Bessemer City Council to build two pickleball courts on main street. Mark Serwe, DDA’s City Council representative, volunteered to gather court specifications. DDA Chairman Dave Osier noted the Sophie Street lots have been vacant for 20 years, and other DDA members believe the courts could attract people and boost downtown retail. The board also voted to hold a special meeting on October 8th to evaluate any bids received for the project.

09/22/2025

UPPER MICHIGAN - The Trump administration is trying to persuade a federal judge that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's attempt to shut down part of an aging pipeline interferes with U.S. foreign policy. Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline has moved crude oil between Wisconsin and Canada for 72 years. A portion of the line passes beneath the Straits of Mackinac. Michigan regulators under Whitmer's direction revoked the segment's easement in 2020 out of concerns the line could rupture. Enbridge filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the revocation. Meanwhile, The Michigan Supreme Court said it will hear a challenge brought by Tribal Nations and environmental advocates.

09/19/2025

BESSEMER - The Gogebic County sheriffs office now issuing a press release regarding the high-speed chase in both Gogebic and Iron County last night and listing the charges the suspect now faces. 

09/19/2025

HURLEY- the Iron County sheriffs office releasing more information regarding an overnight police pursuit In Gogebic and Iron Counties. 

Press release 09/19/2025
Please see attached:
During the course of any vehicle pursuit, multiple factors are constantly being evaluated, including reason for pursuit, speed, time of day traffic flow, and safety of the public. This pursuit involved multiple agencies coordinating together.
Sheriff Paul Samardich

09/19/2025

IRONWOOD / HURLEY – Multiple police agencies involved a high-speed chase of an alleged stolen vehicle though Ironwood and Hurley last night. According to eyewitness reports the high-speed chase lead police though residential neighborhood in both Ironwood and Hurley lasting more than an hour just before midnight last night. Employees at the Ironwood Kwik Trip saying the chase lead police into their parking. A video provided to WUPM / WHRY News showing the suspect in a green pick-up truck weaving at dangerously high speeds squealing tires in between gas pumps and the Kwik Trip Building before proceeding back West Bound on to US-2. We are awaiting a press release and further information from police.

09/19/2025

ASHLAND - Nathan Monkelien, an Ashland business owner previously convicted of double homicide, now faces charges of possessing over 100 grams of psychedelic mushrooms with intent to deliver. A Felony G offense that carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. The mushrooms were discovered at Monkelien’s residence in 2023 during the ex*****on of a search warrant, shortly after the fatal shooting that resulted in his current life sentence. Two jars of suspected Psilocybin mushrooms, weighing approximately 101 grams and 59 grams, were found. Monkelien, 37, appeared via Zoom from Dodge Correctional Institution at the beginning of the month for an adjourned initial appearance but has not yet secured legal representation. His next initial appearance for the drug charges is scheduled for October 6.