Wisconsin

Daycare. Diapers. Dilemmas about paying bills or buying food. Parents struggle. | Opinion

Published

2 years ago

February 14, 2024

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Survey shows inflation, cost of childcare and affording food weighs on Wisconsin parents

Sarah Halpern-Meekin
| Special to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Money is always on a parent’s mind, and perhaps especially so at this time of year. We’re just coming out of the holiday season, which can be costly for many. Tax season is creeping up, bringing refunds for some and payments to the IRS for others. Congress is currently debating legislation that could increase the Child Tax Credit, so parents are waiting to learn if they’ll get more tax relief. And families are looking ahead to the summer, when camp slots need to be secured and paid for.

Families with young children face their own unique challenges as they raise the next generation who are in this key stage of development. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are going through amazing changes at these ages — it’s a foundational stage of physical, socioemotional, and cognitive development that sets the stage for their futures. It’s also a high-stakes time for parents, and one that is compounded by many financial stressors.

Through the WisconSays/La Follette Survey, we at the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have tried to learn more about the perspectives and needs of these families of young children. This topic is part of our yearlong Main Street Agenda project that we hope will shed light on the issues that matter to Wisconsin residents as we approach the 2024 election. My colleague, J. Michael Collins, kicked things off last month by discussing Wisconsin residents’ feelings of financial security overall.

Income inequality, wealth and inflation on minds of parents

In this portion of the survey, conducted out of the UW Survey Center, we asked nearly 4,000 Wisconsinites about their most pressing concerns, and we saw how the concerns of families with young children may have been distinct from those of other households. The top two most pressing concerns we saw were inflation and the unequal distribution of income and wealth. While families with young children were like other households in their level of concern about income inequality (47% vs. 50%), they were more likely to cite inflation as a concern (75% vs. 63%).

Can you afford an emergency? UW survey shows many don’t have $400 to spare. Blame inflation.

While inflation has recently slowed and the economy is in good shape overall, these data show that parents of young children are still worried about the effects of the recent inflationary period that stemmed largely from the financial turmoil brought on by the pandemic. The survey was conducted in the second half of 2023 as inflation was just coming under control, so it will be interesting to see how parents feel about inflation if it continues to decline throughout the year. Since this is a panel survey that will continue to ask these questions of the participants, this will be a measure we will be monitoring closely.

It’s no surprise that parents of young children are so attuned to inflation. The time after a child joins a family can be a particularly financially vulnerable period for many, even in the best of economic times.

To start, most new parents in the United States do not have paid family leave (and some have no unpaid leave), so taking time to recover from giving birth and to care for a new child can come at the cost of lost wages or even leaving the labor force. Currently, 11 states plus the District of Columbia offer paid family and medical leave; Wisconsin isn’t one of them.

Diapers alone can run parents $1,000 in first year of child’s life

On top of that lost income, families with young children face some heavy costs, such as diapers, wipes, and formula. Diapers alone can cost about $1,000 in that first year of life. A part of that cost in Wisconsin is paying for the sales taxes the state levies on diapers. Many other types of medical supplies are not subject to such a tax. The cost of diapers, though, pales in comparison to the cost of child care. In Wisconsin, like many other states, it can be cheaper to pay in-state college tuition than for child care — costing about $13,000 a year per child.

Wisconsin child care faces meltdown. We all lose if daycare centers close doors.

Although child care-related issues have received an array of recent attention in the legislature, it also ended pandemic-era funding that had buoyed child care centers in recent years. Without a state-level solution, some counties have been exploring how best to address child care needs and costs in their areas. To that end, La Follette graduate students have recently helped the counties of La Crosse and Outagamie to conduct in-depth research into their own child care solutions.

In light of all that, it is not surprising that families with young children in our survey are more likely than other households to say it is difficult for them to cover all their expenses in a typical month—more than a third of families with young children say this is an issue compared to less than a quarter of other households. They are also less confident they could manage an unexpected expense (40% vs. 50%). Concerningly, 40% of families with young children report dealing with food insecurity, compared to 25% of other households. Managing financial concerns can mean more stressed parents and fewer resources for children.

Even if we don’t have young children ourselves, it affects the long-term prospects of the state of Wisconsin if families with young children can thrive. To ensure that Wisconsin’s foundation is as sound as possible, it’s imperative that we support the families raising the next generation. This calls for broad attention to their concerns in the upcoming local, state, and federal elections.

Sarah Halpern-Meekin is a Professor of Public Affairs with the La Follette School of Public Affairs and the Vaughn Bascom Professor of Women, Family, and Community in the School of Human Ecology.

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Wisconsin

These Wisconsin Rapids restaurants are offering Easter specials

Published

9 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

These Wisconsin Rapids restaurants are offering Easter specials

If you’re looking to make reservations for an Easter meal, check out these Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Calendars are quickly filling up with Easter services, egg hunts, photos with bunnies and brunch plans.

If cooking isn’t your thing, or you’ve been too busy to plan and cook this year, you have options in the Wisconsin Rapids area. Several local restaurants and businesses have you covered with all of your favorite Easter treats.

The following Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants and businesses will be offering Easter breakfast, brunch or dinner.

Branding Iron Supper Club will offer an Easter Dinner from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 5 at 9721 State 13 S. in Saratoga. The Easter menu includes a ham dinner, a prime rib dinner, Branding Iron’s full menu, salad bar and a fresh fruit mimosa bar. The Easter Bunny will also visit from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations are available at 715-325-8102.
Lake Arrowhead Association will host an Easter Brunch Buffet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 5 at Lake Arrowhead, 1195 Apache Lane in Rome. The menu will include a variety of options including a carving station for prime rib and smoked ham, mahi mahi with a Korean glaze, sliced pork loin, chicken Alfredo, chicken tenders, mac & cheese, french fries, baby red potatoes, carrots, a build-your-own omelet station, biscuits and gravy, french toast sticks, pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit, vegetables and more. Reservations are required, including a $25 non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot and can be made at 715-325-2915 or banquets@lakearrowheadgolf.com or events@lakearrowheadgolf.com.
Nekoosa Court will host an Easter Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 4 at Nekoosa Court, 145 N. Cedar St. in Nekoosa. Breakfast will include all-you-can-eat eggs, sausage, pancakes and beverages with an Easter Egg Hunt to follow.
Olympic II will host Easter Weekend Specials from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 4 and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5 at 2520 Eighth St. S. in Wisconsin Rapids. The Easter specials include a breakfast special of an 8-ounce New York strip steak and eggs, hashbrowns and toast, as well as a tenderloin and jumbo shrimp dish, a roast turkey and ham combo, chicken breast and four shrimp, ham steak, roast chicken and roast turkey. Reservations and orders for takeout can be placed at 715-424-4744.
Quality Foods is offering a complete Heat & Serve Easter Dinner, including a ham dinner for eight people with off-the-bone ham, mashed potatoes and beef gravy or eight three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, homemade stuffing, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and eight slices of cheesecake. The store also will offer an Easter prime rib dinner for four, including prime rib, four three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and cheesecake while supplies last at 1021 W. Grand Ave. and 1811 Baker Drive in Wisconsin Rapids. Orders must be placed by April 1 at 715-423-8350 for Baker Drive and at 715-423-9750 for West Grand Avenue. Orders must be picked up by noon April 5.
Slice of Heaven Bakery will host a free Easter dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5 at 1158 Snow Pass in Rome. Guests can eat at the event or order for takeout. Reservations are not needed, but those who need a delivery should contact rebeccalacount@gmail.com or call 608-449-0702.
The Whitney will offer an Easter Breakfast Buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 5 at Hotel Mead Resorts & Convention Centers, 451 E. Grand Ave. in Wisconsin Rapids. Hot dishes include pancakes, pumpkin spice pancakes, french toast casserole, cheesy hashbrown casserole, quiche, frittatas, breakfast burritos, scrambled eggs, poached eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, breakfast sandwiches, eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy and chicken and wild rice soup. Cold dishes include a yogurt bar, fruit skewers, deviled eggs, muffins, cranberry bread, croissants, biscuits and an English muffin. Desserts include fruit pie, carrot cake, peach cobbler and coffee cake. The buffet is available by reservation only at 715-423-1500.

Want to add your business to the list? Please email cshuda@usatodayco.com with the name of your restaurant, your Easter hours, what your Easter menu will include, and whether reservations are required.

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Wisconsin

How to live stream Wisconsin vs Dartmouth: NCAA hockey, TV channel

Published

21 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

How to live stream Wisconsin vs Dartmouth: NCAA hockey, TV channel

March continues on the ice as Dartmouth Big Green takes on Wisconsin Badgers in a regional semifinal matchup in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament.

MORE: How to live stream NCAA men’s hockey tournament 2026: TV channel, schedule

How to Watch Wisconsin vs Dartmouth

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026

Wisconsin enters the tournament as one of the more complete teams in the field, combining strong defensive structure with high-end offensive talent. The Badgers have leaned on forward Cruz Lucius, a dynamic scorer capable of creating chances in transition, along with Kirsten Simms, who has been a consistent offensive presence throughout the season. On the blue line, Wisconsin’s physicality and ability to limit quality scoring chances have made it a difficult matchup.

Dartmouth arrives as a disciplined and well-coached group that thrives on structure and goaltending. The Big Green will look to slow the game down and rely on key contributors like John Fusco and Cade Webber to control play in their own zone while generating offense through efficient puck movement.

This matchup will likely come down to pace and execution. Wisconsin prefers to push tempo and create scoring opportunities off the rush, while Dartmouth will aim to keep things tight, limit mistakes, and capitalize on special teams opportunities.

Fans can watch the NCAA hockey tournament across the ESPN family of networks, with games airing on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU, while select matchups stream exclusively on ESPN+.

Watch Wisconsin vs Dartmouth Live on Fubo

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for March 25, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for March 25, 2026

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 25, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 25 drawing

07-21-55-56-64, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 6-0-9

Evening: 8-8-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 2-3-0-0

Evening: 4-4-1-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 01-02-04-08-09-10-11-12-19-20-21

Evening: 04-05-06-07-09-10-13-14-16-18-21

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from March 25 drawing

02-09-15-18-29

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from March 25 drawing

02-06-15-18-24-26, Doubler: N

Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Megabucks numbers from March 25 drawing

09-13-18-28-37-38

Check Megabucks payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.

When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.

That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **

WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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