(WLUK) — Several Northeast Wisconsin dairy companies have received new state funding, Gov. Tony Evers announced Thursday.

Dairy Processor Grants were awarded to 13 companies by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). These grants are designed to help local dairy processors with projects that modernize and grow their businesses, produce new products or expand their markets, while also improving profitability. The goal is to sustain the long-term viability of Wisconsin’s dairy processing industry.

“We must be doing everything we can to ensure Wisconsin remains on top as America’s Dairyland,” said Evers, in part, in a news release.

I’m proud to have secured additional investments for this critical program in the most recent state budget I signed, and I’m glad to see these funds going out the door to ensure our dedicated dairy producers have the support and resources they need to compete and be successful.

A total of $600,000 was available for this year’s grants, with a maximum of $50,000 allowed for each company. Grant recipients are required to provide a match of at least 20% of the grant amount.

The selected winners in Northeast Wisconsin are:

• Briess in Chilton to invest in an upgrade of control systems
• Milk Specialties Company (Actus Nutrition) in Fond du Lac to investigate the potential of Milk Basic Proteins (MBP) as a value-added dairy ingredient
• Pine River Dairy in Manitowoc to modernize butter packaging equipment to increase production capacity, enhance product quality and expand market reach
• Pine River Pre-Pack in Newton (Manitowoc County) to install a natural gas line and replace the existing fuel oil-burning boiler and tank water heater at the processing facility
• Rosewood Dairy Inc. (Renard’s Cheese) in Sturgeon Bay to construct a stand-alone building to house several self-serve AI “smart coolers”
• Widmer’s Cheese Cellars in Theresa (Dodge County) to complete a new and improved milk intake design proposal

Since 2014, DATCP has received 283 proposals for Dairy Processor Grant, requesting more than $12 million. 148 of those proposals were funded, totaling $3.8 million.

Three rising country artists who delivered some of the buzziest shows in Milwaukee in 2025 have graduated to Country Thunder Wisconsin headliner status for 2026.

Gavin Adcock, the Red Clay Strays and Riley Green – and longtime country A-lister Keith Urban – will headline the Academy of Country Music Award-winning festival in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, July 16 to 19, festival officials announced Dec. 4.

Adcock and Green both performed for some of the largest side-stage crowds at Summerfest in Milwaukee this year, while Red Clay Strays headlined a sold-out show at the BMO Pavilion in August.

The Country Thunder lineup also boasts the first Wisconsin performance from Shaboozey, whose blockbuster hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” was the most streamed song on Spotify in Milwaukee last year. Other confirmed acts include Gretchen Wilson, Ian Munsick, Nate Smith, George Birge, Mark Chesnutt, Dasha, Corey Kent and more.

Tickets and camping passes are available at countrythunder.com/wi-tickets, with weekend passes ranging from $320 for general admission to $790 for a “weekend platinum circle” experience.

CEDARBURG, Wis. — A Wisconsin family is facing an unimaginable tragedy as 29-year-old Amanda Patron battles an aggressive form of breast cancer while grieving the loss of their newborn son, who died just one day after birth.

Amanda was diagnosed with breast cancer in November. By the time doctors discovered it, the cancer had already spread to her spine, ovaries, liver and bone marrow.

“They determined it was stage 4, making it incurable,” said Chris Patron, Amanda’s husband.

Amanda was pregnant with their son at the time of her diagnosis. Due to complications, she had to give birth at just 25 weeks.

“We were able to hold him—me and the other grandparents and Amanda—until we removed the breathing tube and let him pass,” Chris said with glossy eyes.

Elijah Thor passed away on Tuesday, less than a day old.

Patron family

“It’s definitely been a long road, and as hard as it is for me, I know Amanda’s suffering even more, which kills me inside,” Chris said.

Watch: Wisconsin mom battles stage 4 cancer while grieving loss of newborn son

Wisconsin mom battles stage 4 cancer while grieving loss of newborn son

The couple also has a 1-year-old daughter, Maliyah, who just started walking — a milestone her parents have had to miss while spending time at the hospital.

Patron family

“I spend a lot of nights just watching her in the hospital bed, hoping that she’ll be able to have a conversation,” Chris said.

Now that Amanda is no longer pregnant, doctors can begin more aggressive cancer treatment.

“Hopefully we can have her last as long as possible…for the one [child] we have left,” Chris said.

The Patron family started a GoFundMe that has already raised over $17,000 in just a few days.

“It’s been received tenfold,” Chris said, smiling softly

However, that amount will only put a small dent in the medical bills Chris now faces after losing health insurance coverage. The family will also host a fundraiser at Sheboygan’s Pizza Ranch on December 17 from 4-8 p.m.

Pizza Ranch Sheboygan

Right now, Chris is taking things one step at a time, much like his daughter Maliyah, who resembles Amanda so well.

“She’s been in so much pain, and so strong. It’s the thing I’m going to tell Maliyah about when she gets older,” Chris said.

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