As America celebrates 250 years, Wisconsinites will pay a record-high total for an Independence Day cookout. 

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s annual survey of grocery store prices found the cost to feed 10 people was $75.50, the highest total recorded since the survey started in 2013.

It’s a 7.5 percent increase from last year’s total, and reflects a number of economic pressures driving up costs for consumers and farmers, according to Cassie Sonnentag, senior director of public relations for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau.

“Prices for everything from aluminum that goes into canned goods, or fuel, fertilizer, input costs on the farm — all of those things are up, and that all affects that food price,” she said.

Many of these changes can be linked back to increased tariffs put in place by President Donald Trump’s administration in 2025 and the impact of the ongoing war in Iran.

Unlike in previous years, Wisconsin’s meal total came in $1.68 higher than the national average, which was also at a record high in the survey.

Survey prices are typically been lower in Midwest states compared to regions like the West Coast. But Sonnentag said increasing processing and transportation costs have pushed regional prices higher to match or in some cases to exceed the national average.

“It’s truly just an indicator of where the economy is at and the challenges that we are facing when it comes to inflation,” she said.

The biggest price driver was ground beef, which cost an average of $14.60 for two pounds at Wisconsin stores. It’s more than 23 percent higher than last year, when beef prices were already rising.

Years of drought in Great Plains states have led to a shrinking U.S. beef herd and ranchers struggling to increase production.

Tammy Vaassen, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Beef Council, said demand for beef at the national level has remained strong, driving prices higher even in states like Wisconsin where cattle numbers have remained steady.

But she said consumers are changing their eating habits as they feel the pressure of higher costs in areas outside of food.

“They are trending toward dining out a little bit less,” Vaassen said. “Rather than going to a restaurant and ordering a steak, we do see them buying more at the grocery store and being a little more price-sensitive.”

She said beef demand tends to spike during the summer months, especially around holidays like July 4th when people celebrate by lighting up the grill.

Other foods on the annual survey also saw double-digit increases. The cost of a 32-ounce can of pork and beans was up 27 percent from last year, likely tied to the impact of increased tariffs put in place by the Trump administration on imported aluminum used for cans.

The prices of fresh strawberries were also up nearly 26 percent from 2025. A freeze in February caused more than $300 million in damage to Florida’s strawberry crops, limiting availability and driving up prices.

The cost of potato salad was down 14 percent in the annual survey. Potato producers in Wisconsin and other top states are struggling with an oversupply of potatoes due to strong crops and reduced export demand.

For price-conscious consumers, Sonnentag said July 4th weekend might be a good time to take advantage of holiday sales at grocery stores.

“Specifically for beef or any of the protein products, if there’s an opportunity to stock up when the prices are low and be able to freeze that product, that’s a great way to save,” she said.

Vaassen said consumers can save by choosing alternative cuts of meat, like an eye of round steak instead of a ribeye, which she said can be just as enjoyable with a little extra preparation time.

ARLINGTON, TX – The Texas Rangers pounded Detroit Tigers starter Framber Valdez and then kept the onslaught going against the Tigers bullpen in a 10-4 victory at Globe Life Field on Thursday, July 2.

The Rangers scored five runs off Valdez in five innings – and it would have been far worse but the Tigers played some great defense behind him.

Meanwhile, Texas starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi looked like he was going to have a no-hitter, retiring the first nine Tigers and not giving up a hit until the fifth.

GETTING HOT? Tigers’ new battle cry gives them edge in climb through AL hopefuls

Then, everything switched. Colt Keith, who broke up the no-no, and Hao-Yu Lee homered off Eovaldi, as the Tigers tried to come back. The Tigers (37-50) had several chances late against the bullpen of the Rangers (45-43), but they couldn’t get the big hit at the big moment, stranding five runners in the sixth and seventh innings.

At the plate: Cold start in Texas heat for Tigers

Eovaldi came into the game with wins in his last three starts.

Make it four.

Eovaldi baffled the Tigers early, striking seven of the first nine Tigers. It was a masterful start of the game for someone who came into the game with a season-high of nine strikeouts. Eovaldi’s no-hitter lasted into the fifth inning until Keith hammered an 0-2 cutter for his sixth homer of the year.

That seemed to loosen things up for the Tigers. Zach McKinstry slapped a single. Then, Lee blasted a ball to left field. Alejandro Osuna, the Rangers left fielder, jumped up at the wall and appeared to rob it. But he couldn’t hold onto it, as Lee had a two-run homer.

Suddenly, the Tigers cut the Rangers lead to 5-3.

The Tigers loaded the bases in the sixth, but right-handed reliever Peyton Gray struck out Lee.

The Tigers threatened again in the seventh, putting two on but couldn’t score.

On the mound: Defense helps out Framber Valdez

NOT DRESSED FOR SUCCESS: The worst Detroit sports uniform from every pro team

Video circulating this week shows masked federal agents in Milwaukee arresting people. City leaders say the face coverings violate a city ordinance — but whether federal agents are required to follow local ordinances is a legal question that may ultimately be decided by a federal judge.

RELATED | Father with no criminal record detained by ICE on Milwaukee’s south side, family says

Local attorney Russell Jones said the answer depends on the specific ordinance and what federal authorities are doing.

“The issue becomes whether or not the local ordinances interfere with the operations of the federal officers acting under federal law. If it does, federal law will supersede it. Right, it’s the supremacy clause of the Constitution. If it doesn’t interfere with their operations, then typically they will follow those ordinances. So that’s really the question: do the ordinances interfere with the legitimate operations of the federal agency?” Jones explained.

For the past week, masked federal agents have been seen in Wisconsin arresting people they say are in the country illegally.

Watch: Do federal agents have to follow Milwaukee’s face covering and park ordinances?

Do federal agents have to follow Milwaukee’s face covering and park ordinances?

Galo Suarez described one encounter.

“They broke our side window, and they told us that if we didn’t comply, we would face several heavy consequences,” Suarez said.

Images have also surfaced of what appear to be federal agents in Milwaukee County parks.

Federal agents wearing masks and being in county parks, according to city and county leaders, are against local ordinances.

Milwaukee’s city ordinance prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings. A Milwaukee County ordinance prohibits any law enforcement agency from using a park as a staging area without a permit.

When asked whether a resolution to the legal question was possible now, Jones said it likely falls to the courts.

“That’s a question that eventually probably some federal judge will answer,” Jones said.

Before the city’s face covering ordinance was passed, City Attorney Evan Goyke wrote in a memo that “it is legal and enforceable.”

Enforcement of the ordinance would fall to Milwaukee Police, who earlier this week said they have “requested a formal written legal opinion from the city attorney’s office regarding the ordinance’s applicability and enforceability.” TMJ4 News reached out to Goyke on this and is waiting to hear back.

ICE has already stated it “will not abide by unconstitutional bans,” noting that “ICE officers wear face coverings for one reason: to protect themselves and their families from real-world threats including agitators.”

Jones said the practical challenge of enforcing a local ordinance against federal officers adds another layer of complexity.

“Enforcing a local ordinance right is typically done with an arrest or issuing a ticket, and certainly arresting ICE officers would interfere with their operations,” Jones added. “Ultimately, a federal judge will decide if these ordinances interfere with federal operations, and if they do, they will be superseded by federal law, and if they don’t, then ICE would likely have to follow them.”

This story was reported on-air by Jenna Rae and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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