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Gregory Humphrey: ‘Happiness’ and the Declaration of Independence
As July 4th approaches, I find myself trying to better understand the link between virtue and happiness as political language. The Founders believed that a free people could be virtuous and that a virtuous people could be happy. I do not think a majority of the nation in 2026 believes we are experiencing that now.
Steve Ligler: The flag is not a prop
A flag is not a fashion statement, a team jersey or a campaign logo, and it never was. You don’t show your love for something by turning it into a costume. You show it by living up to what it means.
Mike McCabe: Redeclaring independence
Looking around, the mood is hardly celebratory, yet celebrate we should. Another July 4th fast approaches, another Independence Day, but this one marks an especially notable milestone, 250 years since the great experiment began.
Ruben Anthony: America gave me room to grow, serve, lead, despite setbacks
I believe deeply in America’s greatness, but not as a slogan that looks backward. I believe in the greatness that moves us forward toward a more inclusive, just and faithful expression of our democratic ideals
Louis Fortis: Is America losing its soul?
As we celebrate 250 years of our democracy, we need to step back and appreciate how fortunate we are to live in such an amazing country.
Don Millis: Don’t forget Republicans also vote with absentee ballots
While the Trump administration hopes their war on mail-in ballots will combat election fraud, in Wisconsin, this war will help Democratic candidates at the expense of Republican candidates.
Paul Ryan: A simple yet profound idea propels America
We mark a milestone this week that once seemed impossible: the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
Bill Barth: Enduring lesson at nation’s 250th
The capacity to work together to solve problems — not reveling in some fleeting thrill of attacking others — will make or break the country’s future.
Mark Belling: Is America’s 250th birthday its last big one?
For the first time in the history of this greatest nation in the history of the world, there are massive numbers of Americans who no longer believe in the principles of the Founders.
Steve Clark: Even Washington knew enough to immunize the troops
In 1777, facing an outbreak of smallpox that threatened his troop’s combat readiness, General George Washington ordered that the Continental Army be inoculated against smallpox.
Gregory Humphrey: The Supreme Court got dragged into America’s false narratives
There’s a particular rot in American politics that doesn’t come from policy differences, but rather from the partisan-grade production of false narratives.
Michael Lucas: Xcel’s St. Croix solar project talks stall, goes to PSC for approval
Community pushback against a massive solar development in St. Croix county just revealed how little local input is worth when it gets in the way of a utility’s renewable energy goals.
Natalie Eilbert: Dane County residents face too many financial burdens
More than a third of Dane County households are struggling to afford basic needs, and it’s not for lack of effort.
Bruce Murphy: Remembering Dominique Noth
Longtime journalist, theater and film critic passes away at age 84.
Steven Walters: In Wisconsin, governors inherit their lieutenant governors
If the winner of the primary for lieutenant governor is not the governor’s preferred candidate, they often get sidelined.
Bruce Murphy: Gloves are off in Democratic primary for governor
Democrats attack each other. And did one of them leak story to Journal Sentinel?
Jessica McBride: Wisconsin governor’s race fashion: Tom Tiffany goes to Summerfest and the Democrats party it up
Gubernatorial fashion choices are painting Tom Tiffany as the normal guy running against a bunch of college kids at a frat party.
Paul Fanlund: Democrats rev up midterm campaigns as a ‘tribe’ divided
Democrats seem destined to handcuff themselves in this fall’s midterm elections over an intraparty divide between its far left and moderate factions.
David Blaska: Democrats are fighting their own intifada
Today’s Democratic Party is a civil war zone. Socialist revolutionaries are storming the winter palace.
Lisa White: Primaries matter more than ever
District 17 needs leadership that understands economic development, affordability, agriculture, health care, education, and local control. Western Wisconsin deserves a senator who has worked in these communities and understands their challenges firsthand.
WisOpinion: ‘The Insiders’ debate who will pay the political price for rising energy costs
The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss which party has a better message on energy costs facing voters in the 2026 midterm election. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.
Rewind: Your Week in Review for July 31
On this week’s episode of “Rewind,” WisPolitics.com’s JR Ross and Wisconsin Public Radio Capitol Reporter Anya van Wagtendonk discuss Mandela Barnes dropping out of the Dem primary for governor, how candidates performed during Tuesday’s debate, an appeal court upholding Act 10 and more.