Energy consumers are bearing the brunt of the economic impact from the war in Iran, a panel of experts agreed, while natural gas producers and oil-producing U.S. states are expected to see some benefit.  Speaking yesterday during a WisPolitics-State Affairs virtual luncheon, Customers First! Coalition Executive Director Kristin Gilkes noted

Dozens of B&G Foods workers in Stoughton have voted to strike as the employer is “refusing to agree to a fair deal” amid contract negotiations, a union spokesperson said.   Teamsters Local 120 yesterday announced members voted to go on strike as they “fight for fair wages, affordable health care, and

Recent federal changes have expanded housing tax credit programs that drive low-income rental developments in Milwaukee, but rising costs are holding back affordable housing growth in Wisconsin’s largest city.  That’s one conclusion from the Wisconsin Policy Forum’s latest report, which explores the impact of shifting federal housing policy on Milwaukee

Businesses in Wisconsin are “prioritizing efficiency and productivity” over hiring amid a tight labor market and tepid state-level economic growth.  That’s according to a new state business outlook report released today by BMO Bank, featuring insights from Dave Anderson, head of Wisconsin and Minnesota commercial banking for the Chicago-based bank. 

By Brian E. Clark, for WisBusiness.com   Brian Clark is a Madison-based writer and photographer who also contributes to the LA Times and Chicago Tribune. — For someone who savors plot twists, pro football player James Daniels couldn’t have predicted the big change books would have in store for him.  But

Two bills regulating data centers passed out of a Senate committee Friday ahead of the final Senate floor period of the year. AB 840, which promises ratepayers protections from data center development costs, passed the Assembly largely along party lines in January.  Democrats fought for legislation with a defined regulatory

Mastercraft Ventures is making its first investment after wrapping up fundraising late last year, backing an AI startup that’s expected to have a “big impact” in the banking software industry.  That’s according to Mason Cook, managing director of the Beloit-based venture capital firm. In an interview yesterday, he said the

Residential tenants facing eviction in Wisconsin would be guaranteed legal counsel under legislation being circulated for co-sponsorship.  A group of Dem lawmakers led by Sen. Kelda Roys of Madison and Rep. Ryan Clancy of Milwaukee recently sent a memo seeking support for LRB-1214. They note a single missed housing payment

A new effort to rekindle a former nuclear power site in northeastern Wisconsin comes amid growing bipartisan interest around nuclear energy in the state.  One of Wisconsin’s major utilities, WEC Energy Group, is working on the project with Utah-based EnergySolutions. The companies earlier this year announced plans to explore options

Meta’s new Beaver Dam data center could use up to 220 megawatts of power, according to newly unredacted portions of a proposed service contract with Alliant Energy.  That’s less than other hyperscale data center campuses under construction in Wisconsin but well beyond the residential power needs of most of the

A newly launched $1 million initiative aims to develop a cohesive strategy for Wisconsin’s forest products industry.  “We want to have a plan for the future, not just respond to what’s happening or what we think will happen,” Wisconsin Paper Council President Scott Suder said yesterday in an interview. “We

A recent survey of Appleton-area companies found access to talent was far and away the biggest challenge associated with doing business in the region.  The Fox Cities Chamber recently released the results of its 2026 Economic Outlook Survey, which revealed the business community in the northeastern Wisconsin region is “cautiously

A speaker from the Wisconsin Bankers Association defended the group’s opposition to digital asset staking legislation, challenging federal guidance on how the technology should be classified.  The bill, from Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara, R-Fox Crossing, and Rep. Adam Neylon, R-Pewaukee, would specify that digital asset staking and services enabling staking are

A new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum lays out options for putting additional funding into child care affordability, from new taxes to cost-sharing arrangements and more.  Most avenues for this support are at the state level, as local governments are relatively limited in their ability to raise additional revenue,

Realta Fusion is nearing a final decision in its site selection process for the planned “Realta Forge,” a dedicated R&D facility for fusion energy development.  The Madison-based startup company recently landed $9.5 million in new financing from a California bank, building on more than $45 million in venture capital investment

Vacancy rates for hospital jobs in Wisconsin have fallen from a recent peak in 2022 but remain well above pre-pandemic levels, a Wisconsin Hospital Association report shows.  The group today is releasing its 2026 Wisconsin Health Care Workforce Report, which shows the state’s hospital vacancy rate was 7.2% on Sept.

Organizations driving startup growth across Wisconsin are getting $3.5 million in newly announced state funding.  After Gov. Tony Evers referenced the new Ignite Wisconsin funding in his State of the State address Tuesday evening, WEDC yesterday rolled out details for the four consortiums getting support through the program.  The guv

Gov. Tony Evers announced a new state film office in his State of the State speech, along with a tax credit program aimed at boosting the industry in Wisconsin.  With less than 11 months left in office, Evers on Tuesday delivered his final State of the State, which referenced the

Circulating legislation would set new requirements for health insurers while creating a state office tasked with reviewing claim denials, among other responsibilities.  Sen. Dora Drake, D-Milwaukee, and Rep. Clinton Anderson, D-Beloit, recently sent a co-sponsorship memo on LRB-6396, which would establish the Office of the Public Intervenor under the state

Environmental and tribal advocates say they’re weighing next steps after a judge upheld a DNR permit for Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline reroute, while supporters say they’re ready to get to work on the project.  John Petoskey, senior associate attorney for the law firm Earthjustice, argues Wisconsin Administrative Law Judge Angela