Wisconsin
Northeast Wisconsin seeing an increase in flu cases
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Flu cases continue to climb, sending more patients to doctors’ offices and hospitals.
Medical experts say knowing the warning signs and when to seek care can make a big difference.
Taking a look at the Respiratory Illness Dashboard on the Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services’ website, the numbers across the state show very high flu activity based on emergency room visits.
However, that number is decreasing.
Looking specifically at the northeast Wisconsin region, we’re also seeing very high flu activity, but those numbers are going up.
Doctors say it’s still not too late to protect yourself and others.
While the holiday season is behind us, doctors say they continue to see the side effects of those large gatherings, with an increase in emergency room visits for cases of the flu, and one strain more than others.
“Influenza A has been the more aggressive and more prominent of the strains of Influenza, and that’s really geographically the same,” says Dr. Matthew Freeman, the chief medical officer at Green Bay ER & Hospital.
Dr. Freeman, along with other medical providers at Green Bay ER & Hospital, says they are seeing more cases in elders and children as they return to daycares and schools. “You’re having an exposure on a daily basis to people who are not always cognizant about washing their hands or covering their mouth and there’s such an easy spread of this particular disease during the winter that we’re all at risk,” says Dr. Freeman.
While flu symptoms can mirror those of a cold or COVID, the Influenza A strain has more severe side effects like vomiting, body aches, and a fever.
Dr. Freeman says, when in doubt:
“Seek help, seek out a professional, whether it’s calling our hospital, having a conversation with a nurse or a doctor, or just getting up so they can see you in person, take your vital signs, and assess you fully to make sure something more sinister isn’t going on with your body,” says Dr. Freeman.
Doctors say it’s not too late to get the flu shot and recommend washing your hands often, wearing a mask, and staying home if you feel sick to limit the spread of the illness.
Copyright 2026 WBAY. All rights reserved.
Wisconsin
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Wisconsin
President Trump endorses Tom Tiffany for Wisconsin governor
President Donald Trump has endorsed U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, in his bid to be the next governor of Wisconsin.
Trump announced the endorsement Tuesday night, writing on his social media platform Truth Social that Tiffany had his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”
“He will fight to advance Common Sense Values, and put WISCONSIN, AND AMERICA, FIRST,” Trump wrote.
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The endorsement puts to bed the questions of whether — and when — Trump would weigh in on the GOP primary for governor.
Tiffany, who has represented northern Wisconsin’s 7th District in Congress since 2020, was considered an early favorite to clinch the Republican nomination against Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann, but recent fundraising numbers suggested Schoemann could put up a fight.
The backing from Trump has proven critical in Republican primaries across the country, and it’s almost certain to give Tiffany a boost. Four years ago, Trump’s endorsement helped propel businessman Tim Michels over former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch in the 2022 GOP primary for governor.
But whether the president’s nod is a help or a hindrance in the general election is an open question, especially in a cycle that polling suggests could favor Democrats. Four years ago, Michels lost to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in the general election. And almost immediately after Trump’s endorsement Tuesday, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin looked to seize on the president’s support of Tiffany as a condemnation.
“We agree with Donald Trump—Tom Tiffany has been by his side for all of it: ICE murdering Americans in the streets, the Big Ugly Bill, ending funding for the Affordable Care Act, invading Greenland, and raising every day costs,” read a statement from state Democratic Party Chair Devin Remiker. “Donald Trump just made Tom Tiffany the general election nominee, and we will stop him from bringing his chaotic and dangerous agenda in November.”
At least seven candidates are running in the Democratic primary for governor, where many of them have made attacking Trump central to their campaigns. The winner of the general election will replace Evers, who is not seeking a third term.
Trump’s announcement came as part of a slate of endorsements posted to his Truth Social platform late Tuesday evening. He also endorsed Michael Alfonso, who is running for Tiffany’s soon-to-be-vacant seat in Congress.
Alfonso is the 25-year-old son-in-law of U.S. Treasury Secretary Sean Duffy, who represented the 7th District before Tiffany. He’s one of four Republicans running to replace Tiffany.
Trump called Alfonso “a young ‘STAR’.”
In a post on X, Alfonso wrote that it is his “greatest honor to accept this endorsement from President Donald J. Trump,” and pledged “to be a steadfast MAGA warrior.”
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2026, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
Wisconsin
Polaris to lay off 200 Wisconsin workers, close facility in Osceola
The move comes after Polaris announced it was separating from Indian Motorcycle.
Powersports company Polaris has announced it plans to wind down the operations at its facility in Osceola which specializes in manufacturing Indian Motorcycle.
The move impacts roughly 200 Wisconsin workers at the facility.
On Jan. 27, during a fourth quarter and full year earnings call for 2025, Polaris said the company expects to sell Indian Motorcycle by the end of the first quarter of 2026 to Carolwood, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles. However the company plans to maintain some stake in the company.
Polaris officials said called the sale of Indian Motorcycle was a “difficult decision” and added it was a “move that we believe is best for Polaris and Indian Motorcycle.”
In a post on X, Wisconsin Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin said:
“We have seen this story in Wisconsin too many times – a private equity firm buys a company, hollows it out, & fires its workers, all to pad their profits. It’s simply wrong.”
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