Policies aimed at bringing new business to Wisconsin often get bogged down because of the risky nature of investments, Rep. Rob Wittke says. Wittke, R-Caledonia, made the comments during a Wisconsin Tech Council luncheon in Madison this week while talking about a pair of new bills to update the state’s

A new Forestry Revitalization Act aims to make Wisconsin a global leader in aviation biofuel made from smaller, low-quality forestry biomass. Northwoods Republican lawmakers introduced a bill that would spend $210 million in state assistance to help attract a $1.5 billion plant in Hayward. It would turn bark, branches, cutter

Oak Creek’s Plan Commission last night approved Buc-ee’s Oak Creek plans to build what would become its second gas station in Wisconsin. The unanimous vote on the more than 73,000 square foot plan on the corner of 27th Street and Elm Road along I-94 came with some slight modifications to

Wisconsin clean water advocates are pushing back against a measure they say could pose a risk to public health and turn back the clock on progress addressing PFAS contamination.  At issue is the U.S. Senate’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a provision to again allow the

AI growth is more likely to threaten those already in the workforce than younger generations who are learning how to use AI before entering the workforce, experts say. Mike Splinter, a 40-year veteran of the semiconductor industry and co-founder of WISC Partners, and Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau, director of UW-Madison’s School of

The head of UW-Madison’s School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences says Wisconsin is “very well-positioned to be a leader” in AI development.  Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau, a professor in the university’s Computer Sciences Department and a special advisor to the Provost on computing, spoke yesterday during a meeting of the Madison

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce has launched a new peer network for business leaders, with a focus on executive leadership and growth strategies.  The group yesterday announced the Wisconsin Executive Forum, which will initially have three cohorts in Madison, Milwaukee and the Green Bay-Fox Cities area. The experience will include monthly

Widely used agricultural pesticides nicknamed “neonics” are posing a threat to pollinators and the crops they support, experts said during a briefing at the State Capitol.  Rep. Lee Snodgrass, D-Appleton, yesterday hosted the information session with members of environmental advocacy group Clean Wisconsin and specialists from UW-Madison. She circulated a

Rep. Andrew Hysell is calling on the Wisconsin Grocers Association to “take a stand” against tariffs after the group recently criticized his bill that would require tariff costs to be reflected on large retailers’ receipts.  After Hysell, D-Sun Prairie, and other Dem lawmakers began circulating the legislation in late August,

A coalition of progressive political groups and workers is calling on state lawmakers to establish a $20 per hour minimum wage, along with other proposed policy changes around wages in Wisconsin.  The Living Wage Coalition was officially launched Tuesday, the day after Labor Day, according to a release. It sent

The state’s Groundwater Coordinating Council is urging lawmakers to do more to address nitrate contamination in groundwater, calling it one of Wisconsin’s top water contamination concerns.  The council at the end of August submitted its latest annual report to the Legislature, providing an overview of groundwater quality and quantity in

Wisconsin’s median hourly wage hit a record high of $25.01 last year, as stronger wage growth for lower-paid workers helped cut wage inequality in the state.  That’s according to this year’s State of Working Wisconsin report from the High Road Strategy Center, a left-leaning nonprofit think tank based at UW-Madison.

Wisconsin Technology Council President Tom Still says AI and the rise of data centers are “going to be good for the state as we become more of a hub.” But he also said related energy demands will need to be carefully managed.  Still was the featured guest during yesterday’s Greater

Dem lawmakers are circulating legislation that would require certain retailers to include tariff-related costs in sales receipts or invoices.  Sen. Brad Pfaff of Onalaska, along with Reps. Andrew Hysell of Sun Prairie, Mike Bare of Verona, Priscilla Prado of Milwaukee, Maureen McCarville of DeForest and Christian Phelps of Eau Claire,

The Boldt Company aims to play an active role in data center development in Wisconsin as the state attracts attention from developers and more of these projects arise.  Dale Lewis, the Appleton-based company’s recently appointed director of data centers, yesterday discussed the path ahead for Boldt’s new division focused on

Lawmakers are seeking to change state law around renting mobile and manufactured homes, saying the effort would protect tenants amid the state’s housing shortage.  Sen. Jesse James, R-Thorp, and Rep. Scott Krug, R-Rome, yesterday sent a cosponsorship memo to other lawmakers on the legislation, LRB 2426/4483. They point to limited

A visual effects executive says “there needs to be guardrails” on AI as the technology becomes increasingly skilled at producing high-quality images and animation. Scott Ross, who co-founded the Academy Award-winning studio Digital Domain Inc., discussed this topic during last week’s Forward Fest in Madison. Ross led Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light

Statewide home sales in July dipped 0.3% over the year as home prices and total listings increased over the same period, the Wisconsin Realtors Association reports.  The group’s July report shows 6,820 homes were sold in Wisconsin last month, down slightly from 6,843 in July 2024. At the same time,

Under the recently signed contract between WEDC and Eli Lilly and Company, the pharmaceutical business is eligible for up to $18 million in tax credits for job creation and $82 million for capital investment.  The contract, which was signed Tuesday, includes more detail about the Enterprise Zone tax credit agreement