Wisconsin

Wisconsin Democrats announce marijuana legalization bill

Published

3 months ago

February 2, 2026

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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Wisconsin

What can and can’t you recycle in Wisconsin? Here are the rules to know

Published

5 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Press Room

What can and can’t you recycle in Wisconsin? Here are the rules to know

The average Wisconsin resident generates nearly 5 pounds of trash every day, but recycles less than 2 pounds of that trash, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.

A survey conducted by the department looked at the top barriers to recycling in the state, with 39% of respondents saying it’s easier to throw recyclables in the trash, 35% saying they sometimes forget to recycle and 28% saying they’re not always sure which materials are recyclable.

Here’s a guide to what you can and can’t recycle in Wisconsin, and what to do with certain items that can be recycled – just not at home.

What can you recycle at home in Wisconsin?

Many household recyclable materials can simply be placed in your personal recycling bin. If you’re ever unsure, contact your local waste handler or refer to the state Department of Natural Resources guide.

Here are some of the most common household recyclable materials:

Aluminum containers
Combination metal containers (steel and aluminum)
Flattened corrugated cardboard or other container cardboard
Glass containers, bottles
Magazines or similar paper products
Newspapers and materials printed on newsprint
Office paper
Plastic containers labeled as plastics #1 and #2 – milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles, soda and water bottles, etc.
Steel containers

What recyclable materials need a special drop-off in Wisconsin

There are other household items that are technically recyclable, but should not be thrown in your home recycling bin. Specific drop-off facilities for such items are available across the state.

Electronics: E-waste recyclers can be found online at dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Ecycle/Electronics.
Car batteries: Return to an automotive retailer. Free service charge if purchasing a new battery under the same retailer.
Large appliances: Resale stores, appliance stores, some municipalities, private waste companies and scrapyards usually accept large appliances.
Oil filters and waste oil: Auto repair service shops sometimes take used oil filters. Otherwise, check with local recycling facilities for site-specific rules.
Car tires: Recycle at a licensed tire processing facility or a local government tire recycling program.
Yard waste: There are registered yard waste sites in Wisconsin for proper disposal. Composting is also a common at-home alternative.
Loose plastic bags, film: Send to a drop-off site. Loose plastic material placed in at-home bins can get tangled in recycling machinery.

What can’t you recycle at home in Wisconsin?

There are some items you may think are recyclable that simply are not, including some materials that can be hazardous for recycling facility staff or harmful to recycling machinery.

Light bulbs: Some bulbs contain harmful chemicals. There are no legal stipulations against trashing household-only bulbs. Bulbs that contain mercury are harmful to the environment and some counties have their own restrictions for disposal.
Batteries: Consumer batteries should be trashed. Materials inside batteries are a fire risk for recyclers. Larger batteries can be dropped off at recycling sites.
Cords, wires and lights: Check with an electronics recycler or drop-off site. Some scrap collectors take wires. Otherwise, throw them away in the trash.
Hoses and ropes: Trash. Recycled ropes can get tangled and disrupt recycling equipment.
Fishing line: Similar to ropes, fishing lines can get tangled in recycling equipment. Many boat landings have their own fishing line disposal areas. If that isn’t an option, put the fishing line in a bag and then trash it so it does not easily blow away.
Needles and sharps: It is illegal to put sharp medical waste in the trash or recycling. However, registered collectors and many medical facilities will accept sharps.
Propane tanks: Tanks, empty or full, can explode from tank pressure and residual fuel. Swap propane tanks with a distributor or check if a local scrap collector will accept them.
Textiles: Like ropes, textiles can get wrapped up in equipment and disrupt machinery. Many nonprofits accept textiles for recycling or reuse.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin tallies up storm damage as governor outlines initial recovery plans

Published

17 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin tallies up storm damage as governor outlines initial recovery plans

MADISON, Wis. (Gray) – Wisconsin is working to assess damage from last week’s severe weather that brought extensive flooding, wind damage and 25 reported tornadoes across the state.

“We have pretty widespread damage, really in most areas of the state,” Greg Engel, a Wisconsin Emergency Management administrator, said.

As Wisconsin begins its path to recovery, Gov. Tony Evers is urging Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to start conversations with the Trump administration to “convey the importance of FEMA assistance.”

In a Friday letter to Wisconsin’s congressional delegation, Evers wrote, “It would be unfortunate if Wisconsin’s anticipated requests for emergency assistance are once again declined.”

The historic storms come after August’s thousand-year floods in Wisconsin, which particularly impacted Milwaukee. While FEMA approved homeowner relief funds, it denied Evers’ request for more than $26 million to support public assistance and hazard mitigation for six impacted counties.

Now, Wisconsin is still working to tally up the extent of the destruction from April’s storms. Some communities likely won’t complete their damage assessments until early next week, Engel explained.

Marathon County Emergency Management said they’ve already assessed nearly 150 damaged residences, and Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson said recovery will be expensive.

“It is not an exaggeration to say that all those communities together will be millions of dollars worth of damage,” Nelson said.

After the end of these severe weather events, Evers will have 30 days to submit an application to FEMA for federal assistance. Engel said they’re working to collect as much information as they can for their report and will continue to provide resources for recovering communities.

A White House official said they “continue to monitor forecasted weather and flooding that is affecting Wisconsin.”

If you are an impacted homeowner, Rock County is encouraging homeowners to contact their insurance early, start a claim, ask what they are required to do or not do, ask about temporary housing or emergency coverage and not throw out major items until approved.

Click here to download the WSAW news app or WSAW First Alert weather app.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball Announces Highly Anticipated Commitment Decision

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball Announces Highly Anticipated Commitment Decision

Wisconsin Lutheran High School basketball star Zavier Zens has officially committed to play for the University of Illinois next season.

Zavier Zens Makes It Official with the Illini

Zens, a tenacious 6-foot-7, 215-pound senior forward, initially committed to play collegiately for Northern Iowa but reopened his recruitment as the result of a head coaching change, ultimately narrowing his final choices to Illinois, Utah State, and Wisconsin.

On April 17, the highly touted three-star recruit signed a Big Ten Conference Athletics Scholarship Agreement to compete for Illinois, ending the greatly anticipated recruitment journey.

A Chance to Maximize His Development Was the Key

“What I was looking for was the best chance to develop and become the best player I can become,” said Zens, in an interview with Zac Bellman of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Illinois, they arguably have the best team in the country coming in next year, and the chance to get to go up against them every day, along with the good development program and their record of developing guys, was really big to me. Obviously, the fit and culture was right as well.”

Illinois tied for second in the Big Ten Conference under the guidance of head coach Brad Underwood, advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four for the first time in 21 years (2005), and finished with a 28-9 overall record.

“Zavier first and foremost is a winner,” said Underwood, in an official release posted on fightingillini.com. “He is an extremely high IQ player who has been well coached and brings a championship pedigree to the table, winning three straight state titles. He fits our recruiting mold as a 6-foot-7 versatile wing who can score at all three levels and process the game.”

Zens Helped Wisconsin Lutheran to a WIAA Three-Peat

Zens averaged 23.4 points per game (including a 61.8% field-goal percentage) with 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists this season in leading the Vikings to a third consecutive WIAA state championship and statement-making 30-0 overall record.

Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball contributed 20 points with four 3-point baskets, six rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots, and one steal as top-seeded Wisconsin Lutheran defeated third-seeded Madison Memorial 57-37 in the WIAA Division 1 state championship game at the University of Wisconsin’s Kohl Center on March 21.

The 2026 Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year finished his memorable four-year high school career with a 109-7 overall record (including an 88-2 mark during the three-year championship run) and as the third-leading scorer in program history (1,611 points).

Zens Continues the Trend of Mr. Wisconsin Playing Out-of-State

In an interesting twist, Zens (a cousin of NBA rookie sensation Kon Knueppel who competes for the Charlotte Hornets) joins an elite group of seven recent Wisconsin Mr. Basketball recipients who opted to play out of state.

Wisconsin, under current head coach Greg Gard, has advanced to the NCAA Tournament eight times, with the fifth-seeded Badgers most recently falling to No. 12-seeded High Point 83-82 in this year’s opening round on March 19.

The impressive list of Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association honorees includes: