Opinion

Almanac for July 31, 2026

Today is Friday, July 31, the 212th day of 2026. There are 153 days left in the year. Today in history: In 2012, at the Summer Olympics in London, swimmer Michael Phelps won his 19th Olympic medal, becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time. (He would finish his career with 28 total Olympic medals, 23 of them gold.) Also on this date: In 1715, a fleet of Spanish ships carrying gold, silver and jewelry sank during a hurricane off the east Florida coast; more than 1,000 of the roughly 2,500 crew members died. In 1777, the 19-year-old Marquis de Lafayette received a commission as ...

Almanac for July 30, 2026

Today is Thursday, July 30, the 211th day of 2026. There are 154 days left in the year. Today in history: In 1976, Bruce Jenner, now known as Caitlyn Jenner, set a world record of 8,618 points and won the gold medal in the Olympic decathlon at the Montreal Summer Games. Also on this date: In 1619, the first representative assembly in colonial America convened in Jamestown in the Virginia Colony. In 1864, during the Civil War, Union forces tried to take Petersburg, Virginia, by exploding a gunpowder-laden mine shaft beneath Confederate defense lines; the attack failed. In 1916, ...

Senate panel delays vote on Blanche’s AG nomination

WASHINGTON (AP) — Todd Blanche’s nomination to become attorney general stalled Wednesday as lawmakers scrapped a planned committee vote after key Republicans demanded more assurances about the settlement of President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. The ...

Editorial cartoon for July 30, 2026

Socialists v. the Senate

Political parties tend to harshly reject the idea that they are a threat to the constitutional order, but the Democratic Socialists of America are making it part of their brand. The DSA has released a new program that, besides contemplating the advent of a classless society, calls for ...

Staying safe when out on the water

While summer might be winding down, conditions remain hot enough that taking to the often-cooler conditions on water is tempting. So the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has reminded all boaters to share the water and use safe practices. The state’s waters are enjoyed by swimmers, anglers, recreational boaters and paddlers alike during the summer months. Boaters should be aware of others on the water and give space. “We urge boaters to be mindful of their speed and wake size and how it can impact all others enjoying the water – including other motorboats, paddlers and ...