Wisconsin

Three takeaways from Wisconsin spring practice No. 15

Published

8 months ago

April 24, 2025

Three takeaways from Wisconsin spring practice No. 15

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Badgers were back inside the McClain Center for their fifteenth and final practice of the spring.

BadgerBlitz.com was on the scene. Here are my three biggest takeaways from Wednesday’s action.

The first hour of practice went as usual, but in the second hour of practice, the team held a special teams scrimmage. We watched nothing but kicking and punting for an hour.

Atticus Bertrams had a strong day, but the attention was grabbed by the two top kickers. Nathaniel Vakos and Gavin Lahm faced off in a field goal battle. Vakos has been the starter for the past two years, but Fickell made it known that the position is far from locked down.

“It’s gonna be one of those ones that we’re gonna have to figure out,” coach Luke Fickell said on April 15.

“I don’t know that either one just wants to be a kickoff specialist, and I respect that. We did a good job of being able to keep both of those guys because they both have a really unique skill set, but there’s still a little bit of a difference. Lahm, by nature, does have a bigger leg on some of those really long ones, but Vakos, just the other day, was pretty consistent with his 55-yarders as well.”

It was tough to gauge their progress throughout the spring because the kickers only attempted two or three field goals per practice. We got a much better look Thursday.

Vakos seems to still be in the lead. He made six-of-seven field goals, converting from 42, 43, 50, 50, 52 and 53 yards, for an average distance of 48.3 yards. His only miss came from 52, which doinked off the upright.

Lahm, on the other hand, made just three of his six attempts converting from 42, 54 and 54 yards. Fickell was right about him having a stronger leg. Distance wasn’t an issue on any of his misses. There was a 54-yard attempt that could have converted from 64, yet it sailed right.

Regardless of Fickell’s mid-April comments, it doesn’t seem like there’s much of a position battle here. Vakos is the guy. But if he struggles like he did last year, I wouldn’t be shocked if the coaches turn to Lahm.

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Wisconsin

Trump names Christmas Eve, Dec. 26 federal holidays. What does that mean for Wisconsin?

Published

10 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Trump names Christmas Eve, Dec. 26 federal holidays. What does that mean for Wisconsin?

President Donald Trump declared Christmas Eve and Dec. 26 to be federal holidays this year.

The Dec. 18 executive order deems the days as work holidays for all federal departments and agencies, but adds some of them will remain open. Certain offices may stay open on one or both days for “national security, defense, or other public need,” the order reads.

But, what does this mean for other federal workers and services?

Here’s what to know in Wisconsin:

Are Christmas Eve, Dec. 26 official federal holidays?

Even though Christmas Eve and Dec. 26 have been declared federal holidays in 2025, they are not permanent additions to the holiday schedule.

Legislation must be passed by Congress and then signed into law by the president for a federal holiday declaration to be official.

Who gets Christmas Eve, Dec. 26 off in Wisconsin?

Only federal agencies are set to be closed on Christmas Eve and Dec. 26, according to USA TODAY.

Since these two days have not been designated permanent federal holidays, many businesses that follow the schedule will likely not give their employees a last-minute extended Christmas break.

Wisconsin state government and Milwaukee city offices are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but will be open on Dec. 26.

Will mail still be delivered on Christmas Eve, Dec. 26 in Wisconsin?

Yes. The U.S. Postal Service will deliver mail and post office locations will remain open on Christmas Eve and Dec. 26, according to its website. Mail will not be delivered and locations will be closed on Christmas.

Will banks be open on Christmas Eve, Dec. 26 in Wisconsin?

Yes. Banks will follow the typical schedule of being open on Christmas Eve and Dec. 26, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve. Banks will be closed on Christmas.

Mary Walrath-Holdridge of USA TODAY contributed to this report.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 21, 2025

Published

22 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 21, 2025

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 21, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Midday: 0-7-9

Evening: 4-2-5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Midday: 9-7-3-0

Evening: 7-7-5-4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Midday: 03-06-08-09-10-14-15-16-19-20-22

Evening: 02-05-07-12-13-14-15-16-20-21-22

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

03-08-19-25-28

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

04-10-27-30-33-39, 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.

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Wisconsin

Pat Fitzgerald targeting former Wisconsin coach for assistant role

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Pat Fitzgerald targeting former Wisconsin coach for assistant role

Former Wisconsin cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat is Michigan State’s target for its next defensive backs coach, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

The Spartans are rebuilding their coaching staff after the recent hire of longtime Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, who last coached in 2022, is tasked with turning around a Michigan State program that has not registered a winning season since 2021.

Poteat would bring extensive experience to the Spartans’ secondary. The longtime NFL cornerback has coached the position for the last decade. He started at Kent State in 2015-16, then spent four seasons at Toledo, two at Wisconsin (2021-22), and finally the last three at Iowa State. Poteat was part of a 2021 Wisconsin defensive coaching staff that led the unit to program and Power Four-best marks.

Wisconsin hosts Michigan State at Camp Randall Stadium in 2026. The Spartans’ early-season form under their new coaching staff will be worth watching.

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