You are here

Day: January 8, 2026

WISCONSIN DHS PROJECTS MEDICAL EXPENSES TO EXCEED TWO YEAR STATE BUDGET

Steve Dillon

The Wisconsin Department of Health Service expects medical expenses for the state to exceed the budget. The Medicaid general program revenue is projected to be $213 million higher than expected when the new two-year state budget was originally signed last summer. DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson submitted a letter to co-chairs of the legislature’s joint Finance Committee outlining reasons for the projected shortfall. The letter cites unexpected cost increases for prescription drugs, Medicare buy-in programs, and fee-for-service mental health and substance use disorder services. In early October, DHS projected a $144…

Read More

MERRILL MUNICIPAL SPRING BALLOT WILL FEATURE ELEVEN SEATS, ALL ALDERPERSONS UNOPPOSED

Steve Dillon

Eleven seats will appear on the ballot for the City of Merrill in the upcoming April 7 spring elections. All eight Alderpersons will run unopposed. Those include incumbents Andrew Caylor, Michael “Gus” Caylor, Nathan Meyer, LaDonna Fermanich, Mark Weix Jr, and Rebecca Rutkowski.  Jewell Holdorf will be on the ballot for District 5 as incumbent Landis Holdorf has announced non-candidacy, and Derrick Sukow is running for the District 6 seat as Mike Rick has also announced his non-candidacy. Tom Hayden will run unopposed for the Municipal Judge seat, and incumbent…

Read More

SPRING BALLOT FOR LINCOLN COUNTY BOARD ELECTIONS SHOWS MOST SEATS UNOPPOSED

Steve Dillon

Lincoln County voters will see a largely settled county board ballot this spring, with most seats uncontested and a limited number of races drawing competition. Candidate filing closed Tuesday. Of the board’s 22 seats, 17 incumbents filed paperwork and will appear on the ballot without opposition. Several openings were created after current supervisors chose not to seek re-election. In District 9, Christine Vorpagel is stepping aside, and former challenger Don Friske is running to take back the seat. District 18 is also open, with Andy Tomaszewski filing after Ken Wickham…

Read More