NEW YORK – In a case that could have broad national implications, a Wisconsin Catholic Charities branch has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a state Supreme Court decision that its activities aren’t primarily religious, therefore denying it an exemption from paying into the state’s unemployment compensation program.

Back in March, the Wisconsin Supreme Court affirmed a lower court decision from a year earlier that the activities of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Superior aren’t primarily religious. The ruling denied the organization a religious exemption from paying into the state’s unemployment compensation program, and prevented it from joining the church’s own unemployment compensation program.

Catholic Charities said after the ruling that it would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, and on August 9 the organization presented its first arguments to the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court rules it could have a significant impact on what activities qualify an organization for a religious exemption.

The work of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Superior mirrors that of other Catholic Charities branches nationwide. The organization, according to its website, helps people in the area with education in life skills, vocations and employment, housing, infant development, in-home nursing services, and independent living assistance.

Bishop James Powers of Superior argues that the organization carries out the diocese’s essential ministry.

“Catholic Charities Bureau carries out our Diocese’s essential ministry of caring for the most vulnerable members of our society,” Powers said in a statement. “We pray the Court will recognize that this work of improving the human condition is rooted in Christ’s call to care for those in need.”

Under Wisconsin law, nonprofits that are operated for a religious purpose are generally exempt from paying into the state’s unemployment compensation program. In the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s 4-3 ruling in the case back in 2023, the majority ruled that the organization’s work to help those in need may stem from Catholic teaching, but in fact it is secular work.

“In other words, they offer services that would be the same regardless of the motivation of the provider, a strong indication that the sub-entities do not ‘operate primarily for religious purposes,’” Justice Ann Walsh Bradley wrote for the majority.

Eric Rassbach, vice president and senior counsel at the Becket, which represents Catholics Charities in the case, argued that it’s clear that for Catholic charities, serving the poor is a matter of faith.

“It shouldn’t take a theologian to understand that serving the poor is a religious duty for Catholics,” Rassbach said in a statement. “But the Wisconsin Supreme Court embraced the absurd conclusion that Catholic Charities has no religious purpose. We’re asking the Supreme Court to step in and fix that mistake.”

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Swanson expects to have a deal in place sometime next week after entering a contract with venue management company VenuWorks.

OSHKOSH – The Wisconsin Herd isn’t going anywhere.

Oshkosh Arena receiver Paul Swanson said he is nearing an agreement with the Milwaukee Bucks that would keep NBA team’s G League franchise in Oshkosh for the foreseeable future.

Swanson expects to have a deal in place with the Herd sometime next week after Judge John Jorgensen granted his motion for Iowa-based venue management company VenuWorks to oversee the operations of Oshkosh Arena.

“I don’t want to get specific and say it’s a new deal or that we’ll modify the old one, but I believe we’re going to reach an agreement in the short term with a goal towards reaching a long-term agreement at some point,” the veteran bankruptcy attorney told the Northwestern Aug. 9.

“It’s in everyone’s best interests to keep the Herd on the premises, so I’m counting on them playing at Oshkosh Arena, and I think they’re counting on playing at Oshkosh Arena.”

The news ends months of speculation about the Herd’s uncertain future after an inside source revealed to the Northwestern that the team could possibly leave Oshkosh as it “no longer wants to work” with Oshkosh Arena owner Fox Valley Pro Basketball Inc. over claims of a violation of the current lease.

NBA G League president believes Milwaukee Bucks affiliate Wisconsin Herd will stay in Oshkosh

Swanson confirmed the Herd’s lease agreement is in default.

The source also told the Northwestern the Herd has opt-out provisions that could release the team from its lease agreement, which Swanson confirmed is currently in default.

“They can walk away from it,” Swanson said.

The concerns over the Herd’s status only grew when Bayland Buildings, the company that built the arena, filed a foreclosure suit in Winnebago County Circuit Court claiming FVPB still owed an outstanding balance of $12,417,464.82.

This was after the City of Oshkosh’s Finance Department revealed back in May the Oshkosh Arena owner had unsettled personal property and real estate taxes arrears totaling more than $619,000.

Amid the arena’s financial struggles, the Herd still announced six of the team’s 24 home dates for the 2024-25 season in Oshkosh, as the court appointed Swanson as a neutral third party to temporarily manage Oshkosh Arena’s finances and business operations.

“For certain, the Herd will be playing games at Oshkosh Arena for the upcoming season, and I can’t see them wanting to leave because they really do like the place,” Swanson said.

“They just want the arena to be run professionally so my expectation is for them to be here for the long term so we’re going to have an agreement in place that’s acceptable to both sides.”

Swanson revealed parties are expressing interest in potentially buying the arena.

Fox Valley Pro Basketball listed Oshkosh Arena for sale in April before the foreclosure suit and Swanson said there are parties expressing initial interest in the facility.

The arena is listed on LoopNet as an 80,000-square-foot sports and entertainment building at 1212 S. Main St. for $19 million.

But the plan is to have VenuWorks manage the facility during the Herd’s upcoming season before engaging any perspective buyers in serious offers.

“I personally believe we have to have the venue up and running before we can get a reasonable price for it because any buyer will want to know what it can produce in terms of income,” Swanson said.

“The only complaints I’ve ever had about the arena is that consumers can’t get a beer because the lines are too long and that’s where you make your money with these venues … not the team but the sale of liquor and food.

“And that’s why I went with VenuWorks because they actually run 47 types of properties about this size and type, and they have experience and depth to manage it successfully,” he added.

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Swanson said the contract with VenuWorks is a five-year deal, but a new owner would have the provision to get out of that contract.

Oshkosh Chamber President/CEO Rob Kleman estimates each Herd home game generates about $100,000 of economic impact in the area.

The arena seats more than 4,000 people and the Herd averaged 87% capacity crowds in 24 home games during the 2022-23 season while selling out 11 of those contests.

According to team President Steve Brandes, the Herd donated $277,000 to charitable causes in that same season when they were also recognized as the NBA G League Franchise of the Year.

Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@gannett.com.

It may be fair-ly easy to enjoy a fun (and affordable) day at any state fair event filled with fun and good food, but some voters at the Wisconsin State Fair can’t stop their heads from spinning over “skyrocketing” everyday costs.

When asked about what their biggest expense is right now, many families pointed to groceries, utilities and housing.

“[It’s] groceries, 100%. I do a little side hustle for the fun money,” one young mom told FOX Business’ Madison Alworth during a Friday “Varney & Co.” appearance before the fair’s official opening.

“Insurance, groceries, gas, I mean, you name it,” another mom said alongside her son and husband.

INFLATION IN THE U.S. IS HIGHEST AND LOWEST IN THESE CITIES

“My sister-in-law has a little map the kids go through, they pick out where they want to eat. We figure out what times we’re going, where we’re going,” an aunt with her niece detailed as a way to make budgeting fun.

In June, an inflation measure closely watched by the Federal Reserve eased slightly, even as high prices continued to weigh on millions of Americans.

On an annual basis, prices climbed 2.5% which is down just slightly from the previous month’s 2.6%.

Prices for services increased 0.2% for the month and remain up 3.9% from the same time last year. The cost of goods also rose 0.1% on a monthly basis, despite a 2.1% drop in energy prices, according to the report. Goods prices are down 0.2% when compared with last year.

And when excluding food and energy, core prices climbed 0.2% from the previous month and 2.6% from the previous year. Both of those figures are slightly higher than estimates.

“Our [utilities are] probably doubled,” the aunt added.

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“Our electric bill, it’s been skyrocketing this past year,” a fourth woman at the fair with her son told Alworth.

“I usually open my curtains instead of, like, turning on the lights sometimes,” the son chimed in, “because I just like to look at the natural sunlight sometimes. I also know, like, it helps her out.”

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FOX Business’ Megan Henney contributed to this report.