
John Nichols: Barnes wants to save family farms, renew rural Wisconsin
Barnes has a history of focusing on farm country.
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Barnes has a history of focusing on farm country.

Farming is starting to define the Wisconsin governor’s race. That’s probably a good thing for Tom Tiffany because he actually grew up on one.

Tiffany and Van Orden, who helped inflict Trump’s disastrous policies on rural Wisconsinites, are hoping Trump’s star power will propel them to victory.

When President Trump came to Chippewa Falls last week, he announced $425 million in Defense Production Act funding to extend the lives of 13 U.S. coal plants.

More than 50,000 combat-wounded veterans who were medically retired before serving 20 years have their Defense Department retirement pay cut, dollar for dollar, by their VA disability check.

Not even home baked goods are safe. If you want to make bread without a license, you had better not have an LLC.

The FBI first designated the term “nihilistic violent extremism” in a 2025 incident involving a Waukesha teenager who murdered his parents as part of a plot to assassinate President Donald Trump. Nihilistic violent extremism is the idea that nothing but violence matters — it isn’t bound by ideology in most instances.

Don Millis, the new chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, says only potential orders from judges in pending cases could change the rules for the next two partisan elections — the Aug. 11 primary and the Nov. 3 general election.

Whether you believe Hong’s debt is relevant or irrelevant, the fact remains that millions of Americans are struggling financially.

Trump and GOP bigwigs can’t save Van Orden from his lack of judgment, refusal to respond to constituents and his flawed, reactionary record. The voters of the 3rd CD will have the last word in November.

Do Wisconsin Democrats have a middle ground?

America does not need more rage and division. It needs courage, humility, cooperation and unity.

Letting AI gut rural areas will accelerate problems for us all like higher food prices, broken communities and political division.

Utilities and tech companies said their plans wouldn’t shift costs to customers. But reviews by CUB experts, PSC staff and others found significant changes were needed.

DPI does an ‘about-face’ on literacy funding.

Why won’t the state reveal its Education Steering Committee members?

Pride Month reminds us that progress has never come from silence. It comes from people brave enough to stand up for one another, often in the face of criticism, fear or hostility.


In the end, dog racing couldn’t compete with blackjack and slots. All five greyhound tracks fell into financial distress.

Strong contracting practices may not grab headlines, but they are one of the most important tools we have to protect taxpayers, ensure high-quality services, and maintain public trust.

Barnes has a history of focusing on farm country.

Farming is starting to define the Wisconsin governor’s race. That’s probably a good thing for Tom Tiffany because he actually grew up on one.

Tiffany and Van Orden, who helped inflict Trump’s disastrous policies on rural Wisconsinites, are hoping Trump’s star power will propel them to victory.

When President Trump came to Chippewa Falls last week, he announced $425 million in Defense Production Act funding to extend the lives of 13 U.S. coal plants.

More than 50,000 combat-wounded veterans who were medically retired before serving 20 years have their Defense Department retirement pay cut, dollar for dollar, by their VA disability check.

Not even home baked goods are safe. If you want to make bread without a license, you had better not have an LLC.

The FBI first designated the term “nihilistic violent extremism” in a 2025 incident involving a Waukesha teenager who murdered his parents as part of a plot to assassinate President Donald Trump. Nihilistic violent extremism is the idea that nothing but violence matters — it isn’t bound by ideology in most instances.

Don Millis, the new chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, says only potential orders from judges in pending cases could change the rules for the next two partisan elections — the Aug. 11 primary and the Nov. 3 general election.

Whether you believe Hong’s debt is relevant or irrelevant, the fact remains that millions of Americans are struggling financially.

Trump and GOP bigwigs can’t save Van Orden from his lack of judgment, refusal to respond to constituents and his flawed, reactionary record. The voters of the 3rd CD will have the last word in November.

Do Wisconsin Democrats have a middle ground?

America does not need more rage and division. It needs courage, humility, cooperation and unity.

Letting AI gut rural areas will accelerate problems for us all like higher food prices, broken communities and political division.

Utilities and tech companies said their plans wouldn’t shift costs to customers. But reviews by CUB experts, PSC staff and others found significant changes were needed.

DPI does an ‘about-face’ on literacy funding.

Why won’t the state reveal its Education Steering Committee members?

Pride Month reminds us that progress has never come from silence. It comes from people brave enough to stand up for one another, often in the face of criticism, fear or hostility.


In the end, dog racing couldn’t compete with blackjack and slots. All five greyhound tracks fell into financial distress.

Strong contracting practices may not grab headlines, but they are one of the most important tools we have to protect taxpayers, ensure high-quality services, and maintain public trust.