Wisconsin

'GOLD' explores misogyny, bodily autonomy in a rural Wisconsin exotic club

Published

11 months ago

March 27, 2025

'GOLD' explores misogyny, bodily autonomy in a rural Wisconsin exotic club

The Gold Nugget was the first exotic dance club filmmaker Paige McKenna had ever visited.

“I was extremely uncomfortable,” she told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today.” “I remember having an overwhelming sense of anger for the men that were in there. I felt very protective of the women on stage. But I also came up with opinions of the women before I even talked to them or got to know them.”

McKenna, confronted with her own snap judgement about the women dancing on stage, decided to break down and explore these feelings in what would become her second documentary, “GOLD.”

Stay informed on the latest news

The film focuses on the Gold Nugget in Spread Eagle, Wisconsin, and follows five dancers with ties to the club, including its owner Miss Dusty.

Former exotic dancer Miss Dusty owns the Gold Nugget, an exotic dance club in rural Spread Eagle, Wisconsin. Photo courtesy of Paige McKenna

“I wanted to learn more about that world,” McKenna said. “I was very curious about women in this industry and why they choose the paths they do.”

McKenna and Miss Dusty, who requested to be referred to by the stage name she used when she was a dancer, both spoke to “Wisconsin Today” about stereotypes regarding exotic dancers, the making of the film and what they hope audiences take from it.

When McKenna first approached Miss Dusty with her idea for the documentary, Miss Dusty was reluctant to participate.

“She was very reserved, and I don’t blame her at all,” McKenna said. “I remember we had lunch together, and [Dusty] didn’t look me in the eye the whole time. At that moment, I thought, ‘Well, this is going to be a little more difficult than I had expected.’”

Miss Dusty said she hesitated to share her story on camera because she felt she didn’t do anything special. But while McKenna was interviewing the dancers at the club, she said it became clear Miss Dusty ran her club differently than others — by empowering her dancers, demanding respect from patrons and encouraging the dancers’ sobriety.

Five people pose in front of a gold foil backdrop. Four wear festive costumes with headpieces, while one wears casual clothing. — Director Paige McKenna said she became close with the women she interviewed for her 2024 documentary, “GOLD.” Pictured from left: Aubrey, Paige McKenna, Sylvia, Gypsy and Allison. *Photo courtesy of Paige McKenna*

Perhaps most importantly, Miss Dusty wants all the women that work for her to take what they need from their job at the Gold Nugget. And then leave.

In the film, Miss Dusty says she wants the women who work there to be financially and emotionally independent.

“I tell the girls, ‘Make something of yourself. Be something. While you’re young and with no kids, go ahead. Have fun. Do what you gotta do,” she says. “But make plans for the future. Whatever it is you desire. But work at something better than what you have.’”

Because of her own experience as an exotic dancer in the ‘90s, Miss Dusty said she understands why some women do this work.

“When I first started, I had very low self esteem,” Miss Dusty told “Wisconsin Today.” “I didn’t think I was much of anything. But as time went on, I discovered a power I didn’t know I could have. In my [first] marriage, whatever he said, I did. So to be able to walk away from that control was very empowering. I was able to get in the habit of telling men, ‘no.’”

In the film, a dancer named Aubrey notes that while many of the women have experienced trauma or have a painful past, that isn’t always the case. However, she says, all of the dancers experience some judgement or contempt, often from strangers both during and outside of work.

“Let’s say hypothetically, these girls have gone through so much trauma. Is that really what you’re going to do to somebody who’s gone through so much trauma — beat them down? What kind of person are you to talk down to somebody who’s gone through so much,” Aubrey says in the film.

McKenna told “Wisconsin Today” she was asked several times by people who learned about “GOLD” if she was a dancer, too.

Person standing in front of a building with a neon sign that reads Exotic Dancers. — Paige McKenna photographs the outside of the Gold Nugget in Spread Eagle, Wisconsin while in production of her 2024 documentary, “GOLD.” *Photo courtesy of Paige McKenna*

“Nobody asked if I was a nun when I did my last film, which was about a nun,” McKenna said, referring to “Seeds of Life,” her debut film, which was accepted by 14 different film festivals and won several awards in the U.S. and Canada.

Getting into film festivals with “GOLD,” McKenna said, has been “much more difficult.”

“[Maybe] people are still really fearful about talking about the sex industry,” McKenna told “Wisconsin Today. “I’m not sure what the reason is for our many rejections so far, but we really have gotten a lot. We actually got disqualified from a film festival that had invited us to apply because of the [partial] nudity. Yes, it can be uncomfortable at times throughout the film, but a lot of the issues that are dealt with are issues that any of us can go through.”

For McKenna, the point of the film is to remind audiences that exotic dancers do not deserve judgement, abuse or disrespect, and to encourage people to reflect internally on the real reasons they might look down on someone they don’t know.

“I have so much to learn,” McKenna said. “I have so many of my own judgments to take out of my head. It’s not fair to the women for me to come up with my own story of how their life has gone. Who am I to do that?”

Regardless of how “GOLD” is received, McKenna values the connections she has made with the film.

“At least I have cultivated the sisterhood with Dusty and with the women. They’ve trusted me to tell their stories, and I can’t think of anything that’s more fulfilling than that,” she said.

The film will be shown twice at this year’s Beloit International Film Festival from March 28 to April 6.

Source link

Wisconsin

NE Wisconsin community, politicians react to US airstrikes in Iran

Published

3 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

NE Wisconsin community, politicians react to US airstrikes in Iran

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – The United States launched airstrikes in Iran on Wednesday, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and prompting fast reactions from across northeast Wisconsin.

In Appleton, over a dozen of protesters came together at Houdini Plaza, protesting the strikes and calling for peace, and in Green Bay, protesters lined the streets with signs condemning the strikes.

One protester we spoke with said the strikes were not about the nuclear protest, but for a regime change.

“All I could think of is WMDs that got us the last war in the Middle East, and it was just a lot of bunk, and the other thing is he said is he’s trying to overthrow the current regime,” said John Cuff of Appleton.

Area lawmakers are also reacting to the attacks in Iran.

Senator Tammy Baldwin released a statement following President Trump’s announcement of the strikes, saying: “My whole career, I have been steadfast in the belief that doing the hard work of diplomacy is the answer, not war. I believed that when I voted against a war in Iraq and I believe it today. Iran poses a real threat and one we need to take head on, but getting into another endless war is not the answer.

“President Trump illegally bombed Iran, totally disregarding the Constitution, putting American troops in harm’s way, and starting another war in the Middle East with no end in sight. The Constitution is clear: if the President wants to start a war, Congress – elected by the people – needs to sign off on it. The Senate needs to come back immediately to vote on this President’s senseless and illegal bombings– I know where I stand.

“Have we learned nothing from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Doubling down with another open-ended war without realistic goals or a strategy to win is not only foolish, but also recklessly puts Wisconsin’s sons and daughters at risk.

“President Trump pledged to the American people that he would not get involved in another foreign war, and this is yet another broken promise from this President. The President needs to listen to the people he represents: Americans want fewer foreign wars and more focus on them and their everyday struggles.”

Representative Tom Tiffany also released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, saying: “My thoughts are with the brave U.S. forces carrying out these precision strikes and with the safety of American personnel in the region.”

Source link

Wisconsin

Wisconsin lawmakers react to US and Israel attack on Iran

Published

15 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin lawmakers react to US and Israel attack on Iran

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) -Wisconsin’s congressional delegation is responding to the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran, with members divided sharply along party lines.

Republicans back military action

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a retired U.S. Navy SEAL with multiple combat deployments across the Middle East, released a statement supporting the action.

The current Iranian regime has been sowing the seeds of terror around the world for decades.
They are directly responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans and it is time they are held accountable.
May God bless our Troops and give them: Strength, Wisdom, and Courage. pic.twitter.com/j1f05DF4Wk
Advertisement

— Derrick Van Orden (@derrickvanorden) February 28, 2026

“For decades, the Iranian regime has fueled terror and violence across the world. This regime has operated with impunity for far too long, spreading chaos while threatening the security of the United States and our partners. Their hands are stained with the blood of thousands of Americans,” Van Orden said.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) also posted support for the military operation on social media, writing: “May God bless and protect our troops as they attempt to liberate the long suffering people of Iran.”

Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) also expressed support for the military operation.

“My thoughts are with the brave U.S. forces carrying out these precision strikes and with the safety of American personnel in the region,” Tiffany said.

My thoughts are with the brave U.S. forces carrying out these precision strikes and with the safety of American personnel in the region. https://t.co/LnaMs91Z7z
— Rep. Tom Tiffany (@RepTiffany) February 28, 2026

Democrats condemn strikes as unconstitutional

Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) criticized the military action on social media, suggesting the strikes were intended to distract from domestic issues.

“Eliminating a nuclear program (that Trump already said was eliminated) & Regime Change. Don’t look at your wallets & what you are paying more for due to Trump’s tariffs OR care about the Epstein files. Trump wants to divert your attention & is willing to kill people to do it,” Pocan said.

Last night, Donald Trump put American troops in harms way without Congressional authority. He is liable for every drop of blood spilled. Congress must immediately vote on a War Powers Resolution to end this illegal war before Trump destabilizes the entire region.
— Rep. Mark Pocan (@RepMarkPocan) February 28, 2026

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called the strikes illegal and demanded the Senate return to vote on the matter.

“President Trump illegally bombed Iran, totally disregarding the Constitution, putting American troops in harm’s way, and starting another war in the Middle East with no end in sight,” Baldwin said. “The Constitution is clear: if the President wants to start a war, Congress – elected by the people – needs to sign off on it.”

Baldwin also drew comparisons to previous military engagements.

Baldwin noted that Trump had pledged to avoid foreign wars. “President Trump pledged to the American people that he would not get involved in another foreign war, and this is yet another broken promise from this President,” she said.

Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.

Source link

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Feb. 27, 2026

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Feb. 27, 2026

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

Here’s a look at Feb. 27, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Midday: 6-6-3

Evening: 9-7-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Midday: 6-4-5-0

Evening: 1-9-8-8

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Midday: 01-02-03-09-11-12-13-15-16-17-19

Evening: 03-05-06-07-08-12-14-15-16-17-22

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

08-10-11-21-25

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

06-21-22-26-27-30, Doubler: N

Check SuperCash 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.

Source link