As the calendar turns and uncertainty once again shapes politics, technology and everyday life, The Ethical Life returns to a familiar exercise: looking ahead while holding the past accountable.

The Wisconsin State Journal’s Milfred and Hands play Nostradamus, with apologies to Conan O’Brien, predicting who will win the races for Wisconsin governor, state Supreme Court, Trump’s affections and the Big Ten conference in 2026.

Can we say good-bye these over-used and pretentious phrases?

We are asking for lawmakers to remove the “match” requirement, and instead allocate $900,000 for the network’s 2026 budget.

In addition to the winter weather, December also marks the arrival of property tax bills across Wisconsin.

For 16 years, state aid hasn’t kept up with inflation.

Without immigrants, Wisconsin’s labor force will contract, schools will close, and budgets will dry up. Demographic winter is setting in.

Too many of us remain unaware of one of the most powerful educational tools available right here in Wisconsin—dual enrollment programs that allow high school students to earn college credits and professional certifications while still walking the halls of their neighborhood schools.

The kringle was nestled in Tupperware tight, with stollen beside it, dusted snowy and bright.

The Democrats have shown over and over that they care more about power than they do about doing what is right for the country. So now “affordability” is their new term to “get Trump.” Where, oh where was their concern about “affordability” during the Biden term?

Our American democracy will be on the ballot next year. Let’s hope that the New Year will be a happy one for democracy.

There is something rather too Dickensian about the determination with which President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson endeavored during 2025 to redistribute wealth upward.

There is a glaring crisis of character from Trump, which is demonstrated in countless ways each day.

The transportation secretary serves under President Donald Trump. Duffy also serves as the acting administrator of NASA.

The real questions raised by Dugan’s case are whether we believe the “safety” of the agents making those dubious arrests matters more than the safety of our communities, and whether we want the courts to be able to regulate the conduct in their own courthouses as a check on the government’s exercise of raw power.

Milwaukee immigrants need safe access to our schools, churches and courtrooms. It’s in all of our interest.

The immunity that public officials need to do their jobs is not a get-out-of-jail-free card for their nonofficial acts.

It’s a sign of the lost opportunity that so many of the issues that the commission identified twenty-five years ago still resonate in Wisconsin.

I am proud of what we have accomplished this year and look forward to 2026.