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Ruth Conniff: Wisconsin Republicans hitch their star to Trump. Is that really a good idea?
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.

Gregg Hoffmann: Who wants Trump’s coal power plant?
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.

Jason Church: Ron Johnson has the power to help veterans. Why won’t he?
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.

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

Natalie Eilbert: Nihilistic violent extremism is a Wisconsin problem, too
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.

Steven Walters: Wisconsin elections panel chair wary of pre-election judicial rulings
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.

Michelle Bryant: Is $30K in debt politically insurmountable?
Whether you believe Hong’s debt is relevant or irrelevant, the fact remains that millions of Americans are struggling financially.

Bill Kaplan: GOP bigwigs can’t save Van Orden
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.

David Blaska: No country for pompous blowhards
Do Wisconsin Democrats have a middle ground?

Masood Ahktar: Why bipartisanship matters more than ever
America does not need more rage and division. It needs courage, humility, cooperation and unity.

Brian Reisinger: AI threat to Wisconsin’s rural areas is deeper than we think
Letting AI gut rural areas will accelerate problems for us all like higher food prices, broken communities and political division.

Thomas Content: PSC data center decisions send message at the right time
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.

LaKeshia Myers: Blank pages, blank promises
DPI does an ‘about-face’ on literacy funding.

Brian Fraley: DPI’s ‘portrait’ of secrecy
Why won’t the state reveal its Education Steering Committee members?

Melissa Ratcliff: Wisconsin’s youths showing us what pride is all about
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.

Paul Fanlund: The Pulitzer-winning, road-tripping historian at Cap Times Idea Fest
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Dave Zweifel: The rise and fall of the dog-racing craze
In the end, dog racing couldn’t compete with blackjack and slots. All five greyhound tracks fell into financial distress.

Melissa Agard: Strong contracting matters for Dane County
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.

WisOpinion: ‘The Insiders’ discuss lawsuits challenging Wisconsin’s congressional lines
The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at efforts to appeal lawsuits challenging Wisconsin’s congressional lines after three-judge panels dismissed them. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

Erin Gaede: Mobile home parks at risk in Wisconsin
Today’s threat to mobile home parks echoes the loss of another affordable housing option: single-room occupancy units.

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.