Wisconsin

Wisconsin Senate president says health care affordability is top priority in 2026

Published

2 months ago

January 15, 2026

Wisconsin Senate president says health care affordability is top priority in 2026

The president of the Wisconsin State Senate says making health care more affordable is a priority for Senate Republicans before this legislative session wraps up in March.

That goal echoes statements from Gov. Tony Evers on Monday, who said at a press conference his legislative agenda for his final year in office is centered around “addressing rising costs” for Wisconsinites.

Senate President Mary Felzkowski, who represents the 12th district in northern Wisconsin, authored multiple bills related to health care costs during this session. One aims to address cost transparency in health care.

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Felzkowski told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” her bill would better enforce existing federal rules around how hospitals inform patients about the cost of procedures and health services. She wants Wisconsin law to have “more teeth” to make up for what she sees as the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ failure to enforce those rules.

The bill would allow the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to take action and impose penalties against hospitals found not following federal transparency rules.

“The hospitals have fought us on this,” Felzkowski said. “They do not want that transparency, which is a little telling.”

A representative for the Wisconsin Hospital Association said at a legislative hearing that they oppose the “regulatory complexity” and “unlimited fines” on Wisconsin hospitals, “when robust federal regulation and enforcement already exists.” They also claimed no Wisconsin hospital had been fined for not following those federal rules since they were put in place.

During his press conference, Gov. Evers focused on insurance companies instead of hospitals. He called on the Legislature to pass laws that would audit insurance companies for denying claims at high rates, crack down on prior authorizations and expand the health care services that insurance companies are required to cover.

“Medical costs and bills, especially when they aren’t covered by insurance, are straining household budgets,” Evers said. “Let’s make sure Wisconsinites’ insurance will cover more health care services and procedures with no delays, no hassles and no questions asked.”

Lowering prescription drug prices is a goal for both Evers and Felzkowski. Evers said he wants to pass elements of his “Less for Rx” plan that lawmakers struck from the 2025-27 budget, like imposing a $35 cap on insulin for all Wisconsinites.

“I know there’s bipartisan support for tackling prescription drug prices and price gouging,” Evers said. “I’ll work with any legislator who wants to get this done.”

But Felzkowski said the governor’s proposals aren’t broad enough.

“There’s a whole spectrum of people that can’t afford their prescription drugs,” Felzkowski said.

The Senate president is instead proposing a bill that would reform pharmacy benefit manager practices, expanding on reforms that Evers signed into law in 2021.

The legislation would require pharmacy benefit managers — the “middle-men” that negotiate drug prices for insurers and employers — to allow patients to use any licensed pharmacy in the state without facing penalties. It also requires the companies to pay pharmacists a minimum dispensing fee and cut down on long delays for reimbursement to pharmacies.

“Sweeping reforms, like this pharmacy benefit manager bill, have actually shown in other states to lower costs as well as helping protect independent pharmacies,” Felzkowski said. “It’s a win-win situation that’s being ignored by our governor.”

Evers also urged lawmakers to expand Medicaid coverage for new mothers from 60 days to 12 months. Felzkowski agrees.

“The Assembly needs to pass it,” Felzkowski said. “We’ve passed it in the Senate (during) two sessions with great bipartisan support, and it has stalled in the Assembly. So the Assembly Republican caucus just needs to put enough pressure on leadership to get it done.”

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Wisconsin

Flood Safety Week runs March 9-13 as Wisconsin braces for a spring swell

Published

8 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Flood Safety Week runs March 9-13 as Wisconsin braces for a spring swell

(WLUK) — As winter thaws, Wisconsinites are encouraged to think about preparing for potential flooding.

Gov. Evers has declared March 9 -13 as Flood Safety Week in Wisconsin.

During Flood Safety Awareness Week, ReadyWisconsin is asking everyone to review their flooding risk and take proactive steps to protect their families, homes, and businesses before waters rise.

Know your flood risk. Assess the potential for flooding on your property if you live in a flood plain, near a body of water, or have a basement. Plan with your family for what you will do if the floodwaters begin to rise.
Consider flood insurance. Most homeowner, rental, and business insurance policies generally do not cover flooding. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Most flood coverage requires 30 days to take effect. Find more information about flood insurance options here.
Move valuables or mementos out of the basement and store them in waterproof containers.
Elevate or flood-proof your washer, dryer, water heater, and HVAC systems. Relocate electrical outlets to three feet above the floor.
Have copies of important documents (personal identification like passports and birth certificates, medical records, insurance policies, and financial documents) in a waterproof container.
Build a “Go Kit.” Include items such as food, water, cash, and medications.
Make an emergency plan. If you can’t make it home or need to leave quickly, identify a meeting place for your family. Make a list of emergency numbers and important contacts.
Keep water out of and away from your house. Clean gutters regularly, direct downspouts away from your foundation, repair cracks in your foundation, improve grading so water flows away from your house, and cover window wells.

When flooding occurs, keep the following steps in mind:

Stay up to date on the forecast. Identify multiple ways to receive alerts about dangerous weather conditions and potential flooding, such as a NOAA Weather Radio, trusted local news outlets, and mobile weather apps. Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your smartphones.
Never drive or walk through flooded areas. Just six inches of fast-moving water can sweep adults off their feet, while just 12 inches can carry away a small car or 24 inches for larger vehicles. Moving water is not the only danger, your vehicle could potentially stall when driving through floodwater.

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

Flooding could potentially impact your health as well. Avoid entering floodwaters, which can contain bacteria from human and animal waste, sharp objects, hazardous chemicals, downed power lines, and other dangerous items. If your home floods, follow cleaning and disinfection guidelines to avoid mold growth.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for March 3, 2026

Published

20 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for March 3, 2026

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

Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing

07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing

Midday: 1-2-1

Evening: 8-2-7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing

Midday: 6-2-9-4

Evening: 2-0-1-6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from March 3 drawing

Midday: 02-03-06-07-08-09-10-12-15-20-22

Evening: 03-05-06-08-12-13-14-16-17-18-20

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from March 3 drawing

03-15-17-24-30

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from March 3 drawing

16-17-27-29-34-35, 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

When does daylight saving time start? What to know before clocks ‘spring forward’

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

When does daylight saving time start? What to know before clocks ‘spring forward’

Sunny spring evenings are just a few days away.

This weekend, clocks will “spring forward” as Milwaukee switches to daylight saving time for spring and summer.

That means you lose an hour of sleep the night before, but the city gains an extra hour of light in the evenings starting March 8, when the sun will set at 6:49 p.m., according to timeanddate.com.

The seasonal change often reignites debates about whether daylight saving time should exist at all. Though the time adjustment allows for more daylight during spring and summer evenings, many experts have argued it disturbs the body’s circadian rhythms and has other health drawbacks.

Here’s what to know as daylight saving time approaches.

When does daylight saving time start?

Daylight saving time will resume on Sunday, March 8. Clocks will jump forward one hour between 2 and 3 a.m., meaning there will be more light in the evening and less light in the morning.

When does daylight saving time end?

Daylight saving time will end for the season on Sunday, Nov. 1, when clocks are turned back an hour at 2 a.m.

What is daylight saving time?

Between March and November, Wisconsin residents set their clocks forward by an hour to gain more daylight in the evenings. During the other four months of the year, the clocks fall back to allow for more daylight in the mornings.

Daylight saving time was enacted during World War I in an attempt to save on fuel costs by adding an extra hour of sunlight to the day. While it’s a common misconception, its creation had nothing to do with allowing farmers to work longer hours, and the agriculture industry actually “fervently opposed” the measure, according to the Library of Congress.

When is the first 7 p.m. sunset of 2026 in Milwaukee?

Milwaukee will get its first 7 p.m. sunset of the year on Tuesday, March 17, according to timeanddate.com.

That day, the sun will rise at 7 a.m. that day and set at 7 p.m.

Why do some people want to end daylight saving time?

In the decades since daylight saving time was enacted, politicians, sleep experts and farmers have all pushed to change the practice, either by eliminating daylight saving time or making it permanent year-round.

In 2020, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine said the United States should “eliminate seasonal time changes in favor of a national, fixed, year-round time.” Daylight saving time disrupts the circadian rhythms of the human body, and the abrupt time change has been linked to higher risk of mood disorders and heart diseases, according to the organization.

The risk of vehicle crashes also increases each spring when drivers are especially sleep deprived after losing an hour of rest, the academy said.

As of October 2025, 19 states have enacted legislation to observe daylight saving time year-round, if Congress were to allow such a change, and two states and several territories observe permanent standard time year-round, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Over the years, some Wisconsin lawmakers have also drafted legislation to end daylight saving time, but those efforts have stalled.

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