Wisconsin

How Wisconsin Badgers pulled off historic comeback win over Minnesota

Published

6 days ago

January 29, 2026

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How Wisconsin Badgers pulled off historic comeback win over Minnesota

Wisconsin overcame an 18-point halftime deficit to defeat Minnesota, 67-63. It was tied for the largest second-half comeback in the program’s history.
Guards John Blackwell and Nick Boyd scored 37 of Wisconsin’s 50 second-half points.
Improved shooting, defense and physicality were key to the Badgers’ second-half turnaround.

MADISON – Minnesota’s Niko Medved called it.

“We know [John] Blackwell and [Nick] Boyd – they’re going to really force the action here in the second half,” Medved recalled telling his team at halftime.

Blackwell and Boyd did exactly that as Wisconsin’s talented backcourt duo helped the Badgers overcome an 18-point halftime deficit en route to an improbable 67-63 win over Minnesota on Jan. 28 at the Kohl Center.

It was tied for the largest second-half comeback in program history, matching wins against Indiana in 2021, Ohio State in 1976 and Marquette in 1948.

The Badgers outscored Minnesota in the second half, 50-28, en route to the historic comeback. Blackwell and Boyd combined to score 37 of those 50 second-half points, including 15 of Wisconsin’s last 18 points of the game.

Box score | UW schedule

“We couldn’t put our heads down,” Blackwell said, “or we were going to lose that game. … Coach just challenged our leaders to be better. I think we did that in the second half. I think guys stepped up like BC [Braeden Carrington] and Jack [Janicki], and then we strung a great second half together.”

John Blackwell comes up big again in final minute

The double-digit comeback win – Wisconsin’s third in the month of January and second this season against Minnesota – was anything but a sure thing in the final stretch of a game that had a total of eight lead changes and three ties.

With 90 seconds remaining, Minnesota had a one-point lead and possession. Then Janicki came up with a crucial steal, and Blackwell gave the Badgers everything they could ask for from their star player in the last minute.

He drew a foul and hit a pair of free throws with one minute remaining to take the lead, came up with the rebound after Janicki got his fingertips on a potential go-ahead 3-pointer and hit a 3-pointer on the other end to give the Badgers a two-possession lead with 19 seconds remaining.

It’s nothing new for Blackwell, who had 27 points and a game-winning buzzer-beater against Minnesota 15 days earlier. The standout guard finished with a team-high 23 points and seven rebounds, marking his seventh consecutive game with a double-digit point total.

Blackwell and Boyd, Medved said, are “relentlessly aggressive.”

“You got to be able to take them on, and you got to be able to take them on without fouling,” Medved said. “We weren’t able to do that.”

Wisconsin’s improved shooting stood out, but comeback was due to much more than that

Wisconsin’s improved shooting was an obvious factor in the Badgers’ big comeback. After all, Wisconsin hit 70% of its shots in the second half after hitting only 17.9% of its shots in the first half.

But for as much as those numbers stand out, Wisconsin’s ability to do everything else – from defense to drawing contact – was a difference-maker as well in the comeback.

Wisconsin made more free throws in the second half (13) than it even attempted in the first half (four). Blackwell alone drew four fouls in the second half, and Boyd drew another four after halftime. That helped put the Badgers in the bonus for most of the second half.

“We initiated things better,” Gard said. “We were on attack mode better. We got to the free-throw line. … We were just tougher in all aspects of the game.”

Perhaps even more importantly, the Badgers showed improvement on the defensive end in the second half.

Yes, Minnesota technically shot a higher percentage in the second half (50%) than in the first (43%). But the Gophers turned the ball over on 29.6% of possessions in the second half rather than 9.7% in the first half and averaged fewer points per possession after intermission.

“Defensively, I thought we had more bite to us than what we did in the first half,” Gard said.

Wisconsin also made some defensive plays at critical moments that had an impact bigger than a glance at the box score might suggest. Janicki’s steal while UW trailed by one point is near the top of that list, as is the redshirt sophomore’s block with 45 seconds remaining.

“It was good for us to respond specifically from the defensive end,” Gard said. “Shots are going to come and go. They’ll fall eventually. But that other end is what got us back on track.”

That improved physicality was against a short-handed Minnesota team that was without leading scorer Cade Tyson, among others. The Gophers used only seven players, and three of their starters were on the floor for at least 38 minutes.

“Could you say that that’s a factor? Yeah,” Medved said. “But that’s not – everyone’s tired. I think we lose our focus sometimes in the second half. … If we’re going to say we’re tired, we’re just making excuses.”

Wisconsin’s rough first half starts with lack of shooting success, but also lack of physicality

Wisconsin’s rough first half was a continuation of the shooting woes that saddled the Badgers in the 73-71 loss to USC three days earlier.

After shooting 34.3% from the field and 24.3% from 3-point range against the Trojans, Wisconsin made only 17.9% of shots from the field and 25% from 3-point range in the first half against Minnesota.

It’s been quite the harbinger of the Badgers’ 2025-26 success, as they went into the Jan. 28 rivalry game with a 12-0 record when shooting at least 45% from the field versus a 2-6 record when falling short of that mark.

Of all the issues that Wisconsin experienced in the first half, though, the quality of shot attempts might be the last thing that comes to mind for Gard.

“It was how hard we were playing, how physical we were,” Gard said. “And then when you don’t play hard and you don’t play physical, you end up getting crappy looks. It’s amazing how that works when the ball doesn’t go in. You play hard, you play physical – man, it makes the ball go in. It’s magic.”

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Wisconsin

Supplements have led to 12 salmonella cases, 2 hospitalizations in Wisconsin, FDA says

Published

9 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Press Room

Supplements have led to 12 salmonella cases, 2 hospitalizations in Wisconsin, FDA says

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expanded a recall of superfood supplements that has already sickened dozens of people nationwide, with Wisconsin logging the highest number of cases.

As of Jan. 29, the two recalled dietary supplements have been linked to salmonella infections in 65 people across 28 states, according to the FDA. The recall was initially only issued for a dietary supplement powder by the brand Live It Up, but the FDA added capsules from the brand Why Not Natural last week.

The first Wisconsin resident to become ill reported symptoms starting Oct. 1, 2025, according to a Jan. 15 news release from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Here’s what to know about the recall, including what to do if you’ve purchased the products:

Which products are being recalled?

The following products are being recalled, per the FDA:

Live it Up-brand Super Greens dietary supplement powder with lot numbers beginning with “A,” including both original and wild berry flavors. All stick pack products with 08/2026 to 01/2028 have also been recalled.
Why Not Natural Pure Organic Moringa Green Superfood capsules with lot number A25G051 and an expiration date of 07/2028 marked on the bottom of the bottle. The product comes in 120-capsule bottles.

Both products were sold nationwide, primarily online through their company websites, as well as through Amazon, eBay and Walmart.

How many people have gotten sick in Wisconsin?

As of Feb. 2, Wisconsin has 12 cases linked to the outbreak, including two hospitalizations, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Wisconsin is the only state to report more than five cases, per the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions.

Nationwide, there have been 14 hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported.

What to do if you purchased recalled supplements

Here’s what you should do if you own any of the recalled products, according to the Wisconsin DHS:

Do not consume the product, and throw it away or return it.
Use hot soapy water or a dishwasher to wash any items and surfaces that may have come into the contact with the product.
If you have consumed either of the products and are experiencing severe symptoms of salmonella infection, contact your heath care provider.

Symptoms of salmonella

Symptoms of salmonella usually start between 12 to 72 hours after swallowing the contaminated food, typically presenting as diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, according to the FDA.

Most people will recover without treatment after four to seven days, but some are at increased risk of severe symptoms and hospitalization. This includes people with weakened immune systems, children younger than 5 years old and adults 65 or older.

Per the Wisconsin DHS, severe symptoms include:

Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees
Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
Bloody diarrhea
Vomiting to the point you cannot keep liquids down
Signs of dehydration, including dizziness, less peeing, and dry mouth and throat

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Wisconsin

New work requirements are officially in place for FoodShare. What to know

Published

21 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Press Room

New work requirements are officially in place for FoodShare. What to know

More than 600,000 Wisconsinites are under new work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program starting in February.

The new work requirements are part of several changes to SNAP, known as FoodShare in Wisconsin, that were implemented as part of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” passed last summer.

Between confusing federal guidance and a record-long government shutdown, state and county workers have struggled to implement the new rules within the tight timeline outlined in the bill. Last fall, Wisconsin was among 20 states that sued the Trump administration over the new SNAP eligibility guidelines related to non-citizens, arguing the timeline for implementation was unrealistic and inadequate.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” also shifted more of the administrative costs of SNAP onto states – a provision which is expected to cost the state Wisconsin more than $32 million in its next fiscal year. Overall, Trump’s massive spending bill cut an estimated $186 billion from SNAP funding through 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Here’s what to know about the new FoodShare work requirements in Wisconsin:

When did the new FoodShare work requirements go into effect?

The new work requirements for SNAP, or FoodShare, went into effect Sunday, Feb 1.

Who has to meet the new FoodShare work requirements?

The new work requirements apply to FoodShare members who are ages 18 to 64, able to work and who do not have children 14 or under living in their home, according to the U.S Department of Agriculture.

Previously, the top age for the work requirement was 55, and people with children under 18 were exempt, per USA TODAY. Veterans, unhoused people and people 24 and younger who recently aged out of foster care are also no longer exempt from the work requirements.

What are the FoodShare work requirements?

FoodShare recipients can meet the work requirements in three main ways, per the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Who is exempt from the FoodShare work requirements?

Though the the U.S. Department of Agriculture hasn’t updated its guidance after the implementation of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the following groups are generally exempt from SNAP work requirements:

People who are under 18 or over 64
People who have children under 14 or under living in the home
People unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation
People enrolled in a school, training program, or college at least half-time.
People participating in an alcohol or other drug abuse treatment program
People who are getting or applied for unemployment compensation
Pregnant people
Tribal members

What happens if you do not meet the new FoodShare work requirement?

If you cannot meet the 80-hour requirement in a certain month, you should contact your local agency and explain why you were unable to meet the requirement. If your reasons fall under the approved “good causes” for missing hours, then you can still get benefits for the month, per DHS.

Approved good causes include:

Personal health problems or the health problems of others
Poor weather
A lack of reliable transportation to your job
Legal issues or a court appearance
Observing a religious holiday
Your workplace closing due to a site-specific holiday
Discrimination or unreasonable demands at a job
Another type of crisis or emergency, such as death, domestic violence or a temporary workplace shutdown

Is Wisconsin one of the states implementing SNAP food purchase restrictions in 2026?

Along with the new work requirements, 18 states are placing restrictions on which foods can be purchased with SNAP benefits starting in 2026. Some of banned items include soda, candy, energy drinks and prepared desserts.

Wisconsin is not one of the states with an approved SNAP Food Restriction Waiver as of Feb. 2, according to the USDA’s website.

The state does, however, ban the purchase of alcohol, tobacco products, vitamins, medicines and hot foods with FoodShare benefits, among other items. You can find a full list on the state DHS website at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/foodshare/spending.htm.

How many Wisconsin residents rely on FoodShare benefits?

As of May 2025, more than 689,000 Wisconsinites, or about 12% of the state’s population, rely on FoodShare benefits.

About 60% of SNAP, or FoodShare, participants in Wisconsin are in families with children, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. More than 36% of participants are in families with disabled or elderly adults, and more than 45% are in working families.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Democrats announce marijuana legalization bill

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin Democrats announce marijuana legalization bill

In a bid to capitalize on recent bipartisan pushes to regulate the state’s hemp industry, Wisconsin Democrats have introduced a bill to fully legalize marijuana.

But the effort to create legal recreational and medical programs is all but sure to fail. Republicans, who control both chambers of the Legislature, have not taken up previous Democratic attempts at legalization and have nixed repeated attempts by Gov. Tony Evers to include legalization in his state budgets. GOP leadership has said it will only consider limited medical programs.

Still, Democrats who introduced their latest proposal Monday said that, in the face of a changing federal approach to hemp regulation, full legalization would be both an economic boon for the state, and a way to limit incarceration.

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“Arresting someone for smoking weed does not make our neighborhoods safer,” said Rep. Darrin Madison, D-Milwaukee. “It limits access to jobs, housing, education and stability for life and … those arrests fall overwhelmingly on Black and brown communities.”

The proposal would create a licensing system for growers, processors and retailers, and regulate the testing and distribution of marijuana products.

And it would create a process for reviewing the sentences of people locked up on drug charges, with a path to vacating current convictions, or expunging a person’s record of past convictions.

At a press conference announcing the legislation, Mike Sickler, who owns a Menomonee Falls-based cannabis retailer TerraSol, said that legalization would let businesses like his continue under a clear legal framework.

“We already have the infrastructure. We already have the best practices in place. We already have the workforce. We already have the market. What does not exist is a clear state law that allows us to continue operating responsibly,” Sickler said. “Legal cannabis … allows businesses like mine to transition into a regulated system instead of shutting down or leaving the state. It protects jobs, it supports farmers, it keeps revenue here, instead of it going to Illinois and to Michigan.”

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 40 states have legal medicinal marijuana programs, and 24 allow some form of recreational use. Wisconsin advocates point to public polling in the state that shows that most voters support legalizing cannabis, including just under half of Republicans and a large majority of Democrats and independents.

But Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has said he won’t back recreational marijuana, and GOP leaders across the Assembly and Senate have struggled to create a unified plan for establishing a medical program.

Instead, recent GOP efforts have been focused on regulating the existing hemp industry. Those businesses flourished in the wake of a federal loophole created by the 2018 Farm Bill, which was unexpectedly closed late last year as part of the deal to end the 2025 government shutdown. That move sent Wisconsin hemp farmers and producers of low-dose THC products derived from hemp scrambling to understand the new landscape.

Bipartisan bills have since been introduced to adapt Wisconsin’s legal hemp framework. One would introduce a three-tier regulatory system similar to how alcohol is regulated. Another would essentially add guardrails to the status quo, adding safety standards to the existing market of vapes, gummies, edibles and beverages that have proliferated across Wisconsin.

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