The Wisconsin Badgers are guaranteed to make headlines during nonconference play to start the 2024 season.

The first two weeks of the season are winnable games against Western Michigan and South Dakota. Week 3, then, sees No. 5 Alabama visit Madison. Either Wisconsin pulls a season-defining upset, or the Kalen DeBoer era at Alabama starts with a signature win.

 Wisconsin has terrific history when entering football season unranked in AP Poll

That gigantic Week 3 contest will make the first two weeks feel almost procedural, at least before gameday itself. That should not be the case inside the building, especially given the program’s necessary improvements after 2023’s 7-6 finish.

Here is a bit of evidence that should add some stakes to the second week: South Dakota enters the 2024 season ranked No. 5 in the FCS coaches poll.

The team slots behind only No. 1 South Dakota State, No. 2 North Dakota State, No. 3 Montana and No. 4 Montana State.

South Dakota went 10-3 in 2023 with the only losses coming against Missouri (SEC), and top-ranked South Dakota State and North Dakota State. The Jackrabbits enter 2024 with expectations of building on that record and joining the upper tier of the FCS.

While the FCS level is typically far below the Big Ten and SEC, South Dakota may present a tougher test than Western Michigan. Either way, Wisconsin must enter Week 3 with a 2-0 record after decisive victories.

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race will officially be set in Tuesday’s primary, while the power of former President Donald Trump’s endorsement will be tested in a Republican congressional primary as Democrats decide on a candidate in a swing House district to take on a GOP incumbent.

Wisconsin voters are also deciding whether to approve two constitutional amendments passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would take power away from the governor.

The amendments, if approved by voters, would require legislative approval before the governor could spend any federal money that comes to the state for disaster relief or any other crisis, unless it’s already earmarked.

Democrats, including Gov. Tony Evers, and a host of liberal groups and others organized against the amendments, saying if they’re adopted, it will slow down the distribution of money when it needs to be spent quickly.

But Republican backers say the measures will add more oversight and serve as a check on the governor’s powers.

In the Senate race, Republican millionaire banker Eric Hovde, who is endorsed by Trump, has dominated the Republican primary, facing only nominal opposition. Hovde, who has already poured $13 million of his own money into the race in just four months, is preparing to face two-term incumbent Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin in the fall.

The race is a critical one for Democrats to win if they hope to maintain majority control of the Senate.

In northeastern Wisconsin’s open 8th Congressional District, three Republicans are vying for a chance to succeed Rep. Mike Gallagher, a sometimes Trump critic, who quit in April.

Former gas station chain owner Tony Wied, running his first race, touts his endorsement by Trump. The former president cut a TV ad for Wied. The race will be a test of how far Trump’s backing can go, as Wied faces two challengers who have won legislative races that include portions of the congressional district: Roger Roth, the former president of the state Senate who is backed by former Gov. Scott Walker, and Andre Jacque, a current state senator who argues he is the “proven conservative fighter.”

Dr. Kristin Lyerly, an obstetrician who sued to overturn Wisconsin’s abortion ban, is the only Democrat running.

Western Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, which had been represented by a Democrat for 26 years before it flipped in 2022, is the most competitive district in the state, resulting in a crowded Democratic primary for the chance to take on incumbent Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden.

Van Orden is a former Navy SEAL who was at the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and remains one of Trump’s loudest backers in Wisconsin. He is a top target for Democrats.

Longtime state Rep. Katrina Shankland faces small-business owner and former political activist Rebecca Cooke and political newcomer Eric Wilson in the Democratic primary.

The election is also the first under new legislative maps more favorable to Democrats.

Legislative incumbents face each other in six primaries, including four Assembly races where the new maps pitted them against each other.

The winners in Tuesday primaries will face off in November, when all 99 seats in the Assembly and half in the Senate are on the ballot.

The 2024 Wisconsin State Fair set a new attendance record of 1,136,805, Wisconsin State Fair Park announced Monday.

The previous record State Fair attendance was in 2019 at 1,130,572.

Attendance this year at the 173rd edition of the State Fair was up about 9% from the 2023 Fair.

“I am so proud of the State Fair Park staff, and thankful for our sponsors, vendors, exhibitors, and fairgoers who helped make the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair so successful,” said Shari Black, chief executive officer of State Fair Park. “The past few years we have focused on enhancing the State Fair Park experience and brand, as well as bringing additional value to our consumers. This year’s attendance and revenue are a testament to the hard work of everyone I mentioned, and I am truly grateful to work with such an amazing team.”

“While the Wisconsin State Fair is often recognized as one of the top fairs in North America, breaking our own attendance record proves that we truly deserve this recognition,” said John Yingling, chairman of the State Fair Park board. “I believe we are the best State Fair in the country, and I’d like to thank the fairgoers who joined us for the best 11 days of summer and congratulate the State Fair Park board and staff. It is their passion and dedication that made this a record-breaking year.”

Other numbers from the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair:

• The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction raised $426,750 and the Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction raised a record-breaking $65,080.
• 352,000 Original Cream Puffs were served this year at the State Fair.
• 21,000 specialty-flavored cream puffs were served.
• Saz’s served more than 28,000 orders of its Deep-Fried Lemonade Bites.
• Old Fashioned Sipper Club served nearly 9,000 Fairway Fusions
• More than 90,000 trips were taken on the SkyGlider
• More than 35,000 potatoes were served at the Wisconsin Products Pavilion

The 2025 Wisconsin State Fair will take place from Thursday, July 31 – Sunday, Aug. 10.