Wisconsin

How has Wisconsin’s poultry been impacted by bird flu, hardest hit counties and more answers

Published

1 year ago

February 11, 2025

How has Wisconsin’s poultry been impacted by bird flu, hardest hit counties and more answers

Dozens of Wisconsin poultry flocks, both commercial and backyard, have felt the effects of the lethal bird flu outbreak since its ignition three years ago.

As of the end of 2024, Wisconsin lost 3.67 million birds — laying hens, turkeys and upland game birds — across 19 commercial flocks since the current strain was first detected in wild birds in the U.S. in January 2022.

Today, the outbreak among poultry has been found in all 50 states, impacting, birds, growers, workers and consumers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 156.25 million birds in 1,531 flocks have been killed. Nearly half of those flocks were raised in commercial operations.

The disease was first detected in dairy cows in Kansas and Texas dairy herds in March 2024. However, according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) bird flu has not been detected in any of the state’s dairy herds.

As of Feb. 5, 2025, bird flu was confirmed in 959 dairy herds in 16 states. Of those herds infected, 753 are from the state of California. In the last 30 days, 34 news cases have been detected in just two states: California and Nevada.

How has Wisconsin’s poultry been impacted by bird flu?

While dairy cows infected by bird flu typically recover over time, the disease is lethal to poultry and wild birds.

The death of millions of laying hens has caused a table egg shortage in many parts of the country, which has driven prices up to record levels.

To date, 3.67 million birds from 19 Wisconsin commercial poultry flocks across eight counties — Barron, Burnett, Dunn, Jefferson, Polk, Racine, Trempealeau and Washburn — have been depopulated.

Among those deaths were 722,200 meat turkeys, 13,200 breeder turkey hens, 2.75 million laying hens, 187,900 upland game birds and 10,000 meat ducks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS). DATCP reported a loss of 1,424 birds from backyard flocks.

On Dec. 18, 2024, Wisconsin health officials reported the first human case of bird flu in the state when a worker at a commercial turkey farm in Barron County tested positive after experiencing mild symptoms. Health officials reported that the worker had been exposed to infected poultry at the operation.

How much have egg prices increased?

Egg prices have risen nationwide by about 38% in the past year, bringing the average cost of one dozen up to $3.65 in November vs. $3.37 in October and $2.14 in November 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. Prices have risen even more since fall.

Of course, $3.65 is just an average. Data from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service demonstrates the variation in egg carton prices.

As of Jan. 10, it shows that the wholesale price for a carton of large eggs in the New York market rose to $6.25 a dozen. The Midwest region saw prices around $5.91 and California as high as $8.97.

In other cases, eggs are absent from shelves.

What counties have been hit hardest by bird flu?

Jefferson County suffered the largest losses in March 2022 when 2.75 million laying hens at Cold Spring Egg Farms, owned by S&R Egg Company had to be depopulated by the disease.

Barron County reported several outbreaks in 2022, 2023 and 2024 where 293,600 birds were infected.

Trempealeau County reported three bird flu outbreaks at turkey farms, killing 123,500 birds.

What year was the most deadly for bird flu outbreaks?

The first year of the outbreak was the deadliest for state poultry with 3.3 million birds affected in 29 outbreaks in 2022.

Over 307,000 birds died in 2023 in six outbreaks, while 73,169 birds were depopulated in 4 outbreaks in 2024.

Wisconsin has not confirmed a new bird flu outbreak in a poultry flock since Dec. 26, 2024.

National bird flu statistics paint a grim picture of bird flu devastation

In the last 30 days, USDA/APHIS reported 127 flocks with confirmed cases of bird flu impacting 21.54 million birds nationally.

The deadliest month for bird flu across the U.S. was January, when 85 commercial flocks lost 23.25 million birds.

What states have been the hardest hit across the U.S.?

According to USDA/APHIS, the top 4 hardest hit states in the U.S. include:

California, 104 commercial (broiler/table eggs) flocks, 38 backyard flocks, 23.48 million birds;
Minnesota, 141 commercial flocks (mostly turkeys), 43 backyard flocks, 9.14 million birds;
Ohio, 56 commercial (table egg) flocks, 11 backyard flocks, 19.71 million birds; and
South Dakota, 114 flocks (mostly turkey and upland game), 25 backyard flocks, 6.1 million birds.

Claire Reid and Mary Walrath-Holdridge contributed to this article.

Contact Colleen Kottke at 920-517-2653 or ckottke@gannett.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @ColleenKottke.

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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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