Wisconsin

Wisconsin may see more logging of national forest land under Trump order

Published

12 months ago

March 19, 2025

Wisconsin may see more logging of national forest land under Trump order

President Donald Trump wants to ramp up timber production by fast-tracking projects under laws that protect endangered species and other environmental regulations, which could expand logging of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

Earlier this month, Trump issued an executive order directing federal agencies to issue guidance on increasing timber production and sound forest management. The order is intended to make the nation “more self-reliant” as Trump has imposed, and then paused, tariffs on Canada, the nation’s largest supplier of lumber.

Trump has called on the secretaries of the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior to adopt categorical exclusions that essentially exempt certain activities from detailed environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act.

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The president’s order also directs agencies to convene a committee under emergency regulations that could bypass endangered species protections to clear the way for logging projects.

Environmental groups like the Environmental Law & Policy Center argue that more logging would damage national forests and harm recreation, wildlife and water quality. Andy Olsen, the group’s senior policy advocate, said the order represents an ideology that led to clear cutting of Wisconsin forests more than 100 years ago.

“We should not return to the failed past. We should be moving forward and increasing environmental protections, increasing protection of the forest and increasing forest-friendly economic development like tourism,” Olsen said.

Olsen notes the proposal comes as the USDA’s Forest Service may cut as many as 7,000 federal workers, raising alarms over reduced oversight of logging.

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Joshua Mayer (CC-BY-SA)

A USDA spokesperson said it will continue to protect wildlife under the Endangered Species Act while meeting Trump’s directive “to provide the nation with abundant domestic timber, unhampered by burdensome, heavy-handed policies that neither ensure American economic security nor protection of natural resources.”

It’s unclear to what extent the order may affect the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin.

Trump has called on leaders of multiple federal agencies to issue updated guidance by April on tools to ramp up timber production. Those tools may include the use of stewardship contracts and Good Neighbor Authority, or GNA, agreements.

Wisconsin signed a GNA agreement with the U.S. Forest Service in 2015 that authorized the state to assist with national forest management, including timber sales. Since 2015, the Department of Natural Resources said it’s conducted just shy of 200 timber sales spanning 32,000 acres under the agreement.

“Expanded timber production on the CNNF could lead to an increase in the amount of national forest timber sales available for the state to administer through our GNA agreement; however, it is uncertain how much additional volume beyond the current average of 25 million board feet annually the state would be capable of managing,” a DNR spokesperson said in an email.

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is already one of the top timber-producing national forests in the country, said Ron Eckstein, co-chair of the public lands and forestry workgroup with Wisconsin’s Green Fire. The forest sold around 125 million board feet in fiscal year 2024.

“They’ve been able to get that timber produced while protecting wildlife habitat, biodiversity, [and] following the National Environmental Policy Act and other federal regulations,” Eckstein said.

*Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (CC-BY-ND)*

The national forest and other federal forest land make up 9.4 percent of the state’s nearly 17 million acres of forest land. The forestry and logging sector directly employs around 4,400 of the 57,000 workers in Wisconsin’s nearly $27 billion forest products industry.

Logging advocates like Henry Schienebeck with the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association said the order represents a golden opportunity for the public to have healthy, well-managed forests.

“I think they’re doing a great job between the state and the Forest Service working together to get the forest managed because we were behind, way behind, and we’re still behind a little bit,” Schienebeck, the group’s executive director, said.

Prior to 2015, the Forest Service said it had struggled with managing timber sales in northern Wisconsin, and the agency has faced rising costs of fire suppression. Schienebeck pointed to wildfires in California as another reason why increased timber production would be a win for the country.

“Would people rather recreate in a healthy, clean forest? Or would they rather recreate in ashes and watch ashes run into streams and basically ruin water quality?” Schienebeck said.

Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s conservative policy roadmap, said increased timber sales could reduce wildfire risk. Trump has also blamed California wildfires on poor forest management as scientists insist climate change is behind extreme heat and drought driving wildfires.

The White House contends the order would reduce not only wildfire risks but also dependence on foreign goods as tariffs on Canada may resume next month.

Tariff actions create uncertainty, drive up building material costs

Most recent federal data from 2021 shows the nation imported nearly half of its forest products from Canada. That same year, Wisconsin imported more than $600 million of wood products, the most since 2009.

At the same time, Canada is the top importer of wood and paper products from Wisconsin, and the state exported more than $840 million worth of wood and paper products in 2022.

Troy Brown, president of Kretz Lumber, said it’s unclear what effects tariffs may have on the lumber industry as the situation is ever-evolving.

“Where we would be affected is if we have retaliatory tariffs, and that is where our product ends up being tariffed by the consuming country, and they have to then absorb a higher cost for our product,” Brown said.

The cost of building materials used for home construction are already rising as a result of the Trump administration’s tariffs, according to the Associated Press. Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods earlier this month, prompting Canada to tack on $21 billion in retaliatory tariffs.

The president later postponed some tariffs until April 2, including lumber. Even so, the National Association of Homebuilders estimates uncertainty over recent tariff actions have caused costs to rise to $9,200 per home.

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Wisconsin

NE Wisconsin community, politicians react to US airstrikes in Iran

Published

7 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

NE Wisconsin community, politicians react to US airstrikes in Iran

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – The United States launched airstrikes in Iran on Wednesday, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and prompting fast reactions from across northeast Wisconsin.

In Appleton, over a dozen of protesters came together at Houdini Plaza, protesting the strikes and calling for peace, and in Green Bay, protesters lined the streets with signs condemning the strikes.

One protester we spoke with said the strikes were not about the nuclear protest, but for a regime change.

“All I could think of is WMDs that got us the last war in the Middle East, and it was just a lot of bunk, and the other thing is he said is he’s trying to overthrow the current regime,” said John Cuff of Appleton.

Area lawmakers are also reacting to the attacks in Iran.

Senator Tammy Baldwin released a statement following President Trump’s announcement of the strikes, saying: “My whole career, I have been steadfast in the belief that doing the hard work of diplomacy is the answer, not war. I believed that when I voted against a war in Iraq and I believe it today. Iran poses a real threat and one we need to take head on, but getting into another endless war is not the answer.

“President Trump illegally bombed Iran, totally disregarding the Constitution, putting American troops in harm’s way, and starting another war in the Middle East with no end in sight. The Constitution is clear: if the President wants to start a war, Congress – elected by the people – needs to sign off on it. The Senate needs to come back immediately to vote on this President’s senseless and illegal bombings– I know where I stand.

“Have we learned nothing from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Doubling down with another open-ended war without realistic goals or a strategy to win is not only foolish, but also recklessly puts Wisconsin’s sons and daughters at risk.

“President Trump pledged to the American people that he would not get involved in another foreign war, and this is yet another broken promise from this President. The President needs to listen to the people he represents: Americans want fewer foreign wars and more focus on them and their everyday struggles.”

Representative Tom Tiffany also released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, saying: “My thoughts are with the brave U.S. forces carrying out these precision strikes and with the safety of American personnel in the region.”

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin lawmakers react to US and Israel attack on Iran

Published

19 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin lawmakers react to US and Israel attack on Iran

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) -Wisconsin’s congressional delegation is responding to the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran, with members divided sharply along party lines.

Republicans back military action

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a retired U.S. Navy SEAL with multiple combat deployments across the Middle East, released a statement supporting the action.

The current Iranian regime has been sowing the seeds of terror around the world for decades.
They are directly responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans and it is time they are held accountable.
May God bless our Troops and give them: Strength, Wisdom, and Courage. pic.twitter.com/j1f05DF4Wk
Advertisement

— Derrick Van Orden (@derrickvanorden) February 28, 2026

“For decades, the Iranian regime has fueled terror and violence across the world. This regime has operated with impunity for far too long, spreading chaos while threatening the security of the United States and our partners. Their hands are stained with the blood of thousands of Americans,” Van Orden said.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) also posted support for the military operation on social media, writing: “May God bless and protect our troops as they attempt to liberate the long suffering people of Iran.”

Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) also expressed support for the military operation.

“My thoughts are with the brave U.S. forces carrying out these precision strikes and with the safety of American personnel in the region,” Tiffany said.

My thoughts are with the brave U.S. forces carrying out these precision strikes and with the safety of American personnel in the region. https://t.co/LnaMs91Z7z
— Rep. Tom Tiffany (@RepTiffany) February 28, 2026

Democrats condemn strikes as unconstitutional

Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) criticized the military action on social media, suggesting the strikes were intended to distract from domestic issues.

“Eliminating a nuclear program (that Trump already said was eliminated) & Regime Change. Don’t look at your wallets & what you are paying more for due to Trump’s tariffs OR care about the Epstein files. Trump wants to divert your attention & is willing to kill people to do it,” Pocan said.

Last night, Donald Trump put American troops in harms way without Congressional authority. He is liable for every drop of blood spilled. Congress must immediately vote on a War Powers Resolution to end this illegal war before Trump destabilizes the entire region.
— Rep. Mark Pocan (@RepMarkPocan) February 28, 2026

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called the strikes illegal and demanded the Senate return to vote on the matter.

“President Trump illegally bombed Iran, totally disregarding the Constitution, putting American troops in harm’s way, and starting another war in the Middle East with no end in sight,” Baldwin said. “The Constitution is clear: if the President wants to start a war, Congress – elected by the people – needs to sign off on it.”

Baldwin also drew comparisons to previous military engagements.

Baldwin noted that Trump had pledged to avoid foreign wars. “President Trump pledged to the American people that he would not get involved in another foreign war, and this is yet another broken promise from this President,” she said.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Feb. 27, 2026

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Feb. 27, 2026

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Feb. 27, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Midday: 6-6-3

Evening: 9-7-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Midday: 6-4-5-0

Evening: 1-9-8-8

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Midday: 01-02-03-09-11-12-13-15-16-17-19

Evening: 03-05-06-07-08-12-14-15-16-17-22

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

08-10-11-21-25

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

06-21-22-26-27-30, Doubler: N

Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.

When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.

That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **

WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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