Opinion

Almanac for April 27, 2026

Today is Monday, April 27, the 117th day of 2026. There are 248 days left in the year. Today in history: In 2011, during the four-day Super Outbreak, 112 tornadoes touched down across the southeastern United States, killing 319 people in the deadliest day of tornadoes in the U.S. since 1925. Also on this date: In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed in the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines as he attempted to expand Spanish colonization in the region. In 1813, the Battle of York took place in Upper Canada (modern-day Ontario) during the War of 1812 as U.S. forces ...

All redistricting reformers are hypocrites

Hypocrisy was triumphant, as it usually is in arguments over redistricting, in Virginia this week as voters approved a "fairness" constitutional amendment allowing the Democratic-majority legislature to enact a congressional districting plan that is expected to increase Democrats' edge in its ...

Editorial cartoon for April 25, 2026

Almanac for April 25, 2026

Today is Saturday, April 25, the 115th day of 2026. There are 250 days left in the year. Today in history: In 1898, the United States Congress declared war against Spain. The 16-week Spanish-American War resulted in an American victory, after which the U.S. took possession of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam. Also on this date: In 1507, a world map produced by German cartographer Martin Waldseemueller contained the first recorded use of the term "America," in honor of Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci. In 1859, ground was broken in Egypt for construction of the Suez ...

More than a week: fairgrounds at work year-round

When most people think of the fairgrounds, they picture one thing ~ fair week. Bright lights, grandstand entertainment, great fair food, livestock shows, and traditions that bring generations together. And yes, that week is absolutely something special. But what many may not realize is that ...

Check for restrictions, be careful if burning

With the snow mostly gone and longer sunny days drying everything out, spring fire season has arrived — that dangerous period before enough new greenery grows to make the brown grasses and bare branches less vulnerable to a stray spark or ember. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds the public to check fire danger and burn permit restrictions before conducting outdoor burning activities, as recent storms have increased the amount of debris on the landscape across much of Wisconsin. Even with recent heavy rainfalls and severe weather, Wisconsin last week had 50 ...