— By Ethan Duran A minority contracting program connected to federally supported road projects is making a comeback in Wisconsin. But it may take months for contractors to certify again after a ruling by the U.S. Department of Transportation. And the process so far in Minnesota is spurring complaints that

The state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund contained more than $2.1 billion at the end of 2025, well above the threshold to maintain the lowest employer tax rate schedule.  The state Department of Workforce Development yesterday issued a financial summary for the UI Trust Fund covering 2025. The fund is made

Wisconsin residents expressed widespread concerns about a proposal before the Public Service Commission creating a new rate class for hyperscale data centers.  Scores of individuals tuned in yesterday for a virtual public comment period on a We Energies’ proposal that would create a new class for so-called “Very Large Customers”

The director of Port Milwaukee says a new shipping industry study will explore ways to move cargo more efficiently and “strengthen our role” in the national freight network.  The American Great Lakes Ports Association recently announced a market analysis study focused on expanding cargo shipping between the Great Lakes and

Backers of an incentive package to draw a German aviation biofuel plant to northern Wisconsin have proposed paring it back to $120 million in state assistance from their original call of $210 million.  Bill sponsor and Senate President Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk, told WisPolitics that lawmakers dropped a proposed grant that

Legislation to regulate fully autonomous vehicles in Wisconsin came under fire during an Assembly committee hearing, as members of the public raised concerns around safety and reliability.  Meanwhile, authors of AB 848 said Wisconsin is falling behind the dozens of other states with similar regulations on the books.  Rep. Dave

The U.S. economy is at a “major transitional moment” shaped by rapid public policy change and a technological revolution around AI, a Wisconsin economist says.  Mike Knetter is the senior advisor for investments and business development at the Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association, and the former dean of the Wisconsin

Milwaukee was ranked near the bottom among 50 U.S. metro areas for the strength of its multifamily housing market, despite a growing renter pool and low vacancy rates.  The ranking comes from Marcus & Millichap’s ‘26 Multifamily National Investment Forecast, which was published yesterday by the national brokerage firm. The

The newly formed Wisconsin-Japan Strategic Investment Partnership aims to help companies in the state benefit from Japan’s pledge to invest $550 billion in the United States.  This commitment was made as part of a trade deal between Japan’s government and the Trump administration, which was struck last summer. Trade officials

Wisconsin home sales saw “solid growth” of 4.4% in December, improving on what was already a strong performance a year ago.  That’s according to the latest Wisconsin Realtors Association report, which shows 5,446 homes were sold in the state last month, up from 5,215 in December 2024. The group notes

AB 840 would require the Public Service Commission to ensure that ratepayers are insulated from new utility costs linked to data centers and any renewable energy facilities principally serving the data center to be hosted on-site. 

Data centers are top of mind for key Wisconsin industry leaders, as the new developments make waves in construction, manufacturing and other sectors.  The topic featured prominently in the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s 2026 Wisconsin Economic Report, which includes perspectives from the heads of other business groups in the state.  That

The latest WMC survey found lower support for tariffs among Wisconsin business leaders, though more respondents reported profitability in the second half of 2025.  Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce yesterday released the results of its Wisconsin Employer Survey on the economy and workforce. The group says business leaders in the state

Epic and four health care providers are suing a group of businesses for alleged misuse of sensitive patient information, which the main defendant “vehemently” denies.  The Verona health records company yesterday announced the federal lawsuit alongside OCHIN of Oregon, Indiana-based Reid Health, Michigan’s Trinity Health and UMass Memorial Health in

Assembly Republicans have announced a push to pass legislation that would regulate data centers, including an effort to shield other ratepayers from the coming expense to power the facilities.  GOP Rep. Mark Born at a Beaver Dam press conference yesterday said that AB 840, introduced Friday, will get a hearing