Wisconsin

Appleton Public Library wins 2025 Wisconsin Library of the Year award for distinguished service

Published

2 months ago

October 9, 2025

Appleton Public Library wins 2025 Wisconsin Library of the Year award for distinguished service

The Appleton Public Library was named 2025 Library of the Year by the Wisconsin Library Association.

The award recognizes distinguished achievement in service for outstanding commitment to users, innovation and community impact.

Appleton spent nearly 17 years working to build a new public library. The effort culminated in February, when the city opened a newly renovated and expanded $40.4 million library at 200 N. Appleton St.

During construction, the library operated from two temporary locations: the former Best Buy store at 2411 S. Kensington Drive and the former Habitat ReStore at 3000 E. College Ave.

“Few institutions could withstand what APL has endured,” Common Council President Katie Van Zeeland said. “Our staff adapted through not one but two full relocations during construction, and they never wavered.”

While operating at the temporary sites, library staff found ways to reach new audiences and build relationships by creating a welcoming environment and working with partner organizations to provide programming opportunities throughout the city.

Staff also launched new initiatives to connect people, including job support programs and the Appleton Poet Laureate Program.

“This award honors both our staff, who have gone above and beyond to serve with creativity and care, and our community, whose trust and support make Appleton Public Library possible,” Library Director Colleen Rortvedt said.

The library will receive the 2025 Library of the Year award on Oct. 30 during the Awards & Honors Ceremony at the Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference in Middleton.

Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@gannett.com. Follow him on X at @DukeBehnke.

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Wisconsin

Much of Wisconsin gets winter storm warning Saturday; latest forecast

Published

16 hours ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

Much of Wisconsin gets winter storm warning Saturday; latest forecast

Days after more than a foot of snow fell in northern Wisconsin, another winter storm could bring anywhere from six to 11 inches of snow to the southern half of the state.

All of southern Wisconsin is under a winter storm warning beginning Saturday, Nov. 29, according to the Milwaukee/Sullivan National Weather Service office.

The warning goes into effect beginning at 3 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 until 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 30 for the following counties: Marquette, Green Lake, Sauk, Columbia, Iowa, Dane, Jefferson, Lafayette, Green, Rock, Walworth, Racine and Kenosha.

The winter storm warning extends into southeastern Wisconsin beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 for Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha and Milwaukee counties. The warning will expire at 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 30.

In northeast and central Wisconsin, the National Weather Service in Green Bay has issued a winter storm warning from 9 a.m. Nov. 29 to 6 a.m. Nov. 30 for Wood, Portage, Door, Waupaca, Outagamie, Brown, Kewaunee, Waushara, Winnebago, Calumet and Manitowoc counties. Snow is expected to be six to nine inches.

Lesser amounts of snow — between two and eight inches — are expected to the north, up to the Michigan border. Marathon, Menominee, Oconto, Shawano and southern Marinette counties are under a winter storm watch from morning through late night Saturday, Nov. 29.

In the western and southwest parts of the state, the National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a winter storm warning between 3 a.m. Nov. 29 to 6 a.m. Nov. 30 for Adams, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Buffalo, Jackson and Trempealeau counties, with five to nine inches of snow expected.

There’s also a winter storm warning between midnight Nov. 28 and 6 a.m. Nov. 30 for Crawford, Grant and Richland counties, with eight to 11 inches of snow expected.

The storm is expected to be a “long duration snow event,” NWS meteorologist Kevin Wagner told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Wagner said those traveling for Thanksgiving should keep an eye on the forecast.

“If you can alter plans to avoid the worst conditions, that would probably be the best idea,” he said.

Wisconsin weather radar

What to do in a winter storm

During winter storms, NWS advises staying inside, stocking up on food and water, and charging essential devices in case of power outages. If your heat goes out, NWS says you should:

Close off unneeded rooms.
Place towels or rags in cracks under doors.
Close blinds or curtains.
Eat and drink to provide your body with energy.
Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight and warm clothing.

If you are without shelter, you can visit the 211 Wisconsin website or call 211 to locate nearby warming services.

NWS also advises against driving during a storm, as conditions can create dangerous driving conditions. For live updates on road conditions and accidents in Wisconsin, you can check out the 511 Wisconsin map.

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Wisconsin

Boyd's career-high 36 points lead Wisconsin by Providence 104-83 in Rady Children’s Invitational

Published

1 day ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

Boyd's career-high 36 points lead Wisconsin by Providence 104-83 in Rady Children’s Invitational

SAN DIEGO (AP) Nick Boyd had a career-high 36 points to go with seven rebounds and seven assists, Austin Rapp scored 20 points and made five 3-pointers, and Wisconsin eased by Providence 104-83 on Thursday in the Rady Children’s Invitational.

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Wisconsin

Four-star receiver Jayden Petit decommits from Wisconsin football’s 2026 class

Published

2 days ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

Four-star receiver Jayden Petit decommits from Wisconsin football’s 2026 class

MADISON – Jayden Petit, one of the top-rated prospects in the Wisconsin football program’s 2026 class, changed his mind.

Wednesday, Nov. 26 the receiver from Naples, Florida, announced his decommitment from the Badgers.

He had been committed to UW since June. 26. His departure leaves the Badgers’ recruiting class at 13 players that include one receiver.

Petit, who lists himself as 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds on his X profile, attends St. John Neumann High School where he helped the football team reach the second round of the playoffs.

Petit is considered a consensus four-star prospect. He will play in he Navy All-American Bowl on Jan. 10 in San Antonio.

He announced his decommitment on X. It came hours after the Badgers received a commitment from former Boston College recruit Brady Bekkenhuis and one week before the beginning of the early signing period.

“This was not an easy choice,” he wrote. “I want to personally thank Coach Fickell, Coach Reid, Coach Grimes, Zach Zilm, Ethan Russo and Pat Lambert for believing in me, investing in me and taking the time to build a genuine relationship throughout the process. Every conversation, every visit, and every moment spent learning about Wisconsin meant a great deal to me and my family.”

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