Wisconsin
Wisconsin tourism brings in record $25 biilion for the state
BAYFIELD, Wis. (Northern News Now) – On the southwestern shore of Lake Superior sits a county with a population of less than 20,000.
But that same county brought in $93 million in tourism to Wisconsin last year.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, the total economic impact in the state hit a record-breaking $25 billion in 2023.
The growth has come with the help of national events like the American Birkebeiner, Book Across the Bay, the Bayfield Apple Festival, and local events like; the Iron River Blueberry Festival, Cable Fall Fest, and Cornucopia Days.
“We have so many small rural communities and not a lot of industry to support our economy. So tourism really is woven into the fabric of our lives up here. To have that outside money coming in to help boost our economy is critical,” said Director of Bayfield County Tourism Mary Motiff.
Tourism is very important to those rural communities in the county with one in five jobs involved with the tourism industry according to Travel Wisconsin.
“This is just an amazing place and it’s hard to get people to make the leap to come here if they haven’t been here before. But once they get here they are hooked and they fall in love with it just like we did,” said Motiff.
Motiff also said national and local partnerships help to build the industry. This includes the local group Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW).
NATOW’s focus is to promote tribal lands in the area so tourists can learn more about the cultures that are native to the area.
“We come together to help others learn about some of the things that they might not know about. We had a panel today on routes and roots and it was about our history,” said NATOW Executive Director Kimberlee McGeshick.
On Friday NATOW held their annual conference at the Legendary Waters Casino and Resort in Bayfield to celebrate 30 years of being committed to sustaining tourism for tribes in Wisconsin.
“Working with all 11 tribes in one state is, overwhelming and it’s beautiful. It’s probably the best job I’ve ever had. Being able to help and promote brothers and sisters. I’ve come and grown into an amazing family, a tourism family,” said McGeshick.
Those partnerships that have helped build Wisconsin tourism have also helped tourists respect the history of the land.
“We have so much to learn from our Indigenous partners who were here long before we were in this area, there’s a lot to show off but we need to do it in a respectful way,” said Motiff.
The 11 tribes NATOW works with include the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Ho-Chunk Nation, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin, Oneida Nation, Forest County Potawatomi, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, St. Croix Chippewa, Sokaogon Chippewa (Mole Lake), and Stockbridge-Munsee,
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MADISON, Wis. (WBAY) – 211 Wisconsin has launched a statewide anti-human trafficking awareness poster contest, inviting Wisconsin residents ages 18 and older to use their creativity to raise awareness about human trafficking and promote prevention, support and available resources.
The contest is funded by the State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
The contest runs May 11 through Aug. 15, and encourages artists to submit an original poster — digital or hand-drawn — that sparks conversation and increases understanding of human trafficking in Wisconsin communities.
Participants must use one of the provided template options to create their poster.
Karen Michaels, spokesperson for 211 Wisconsin, said human trafficking is a difficult but critical issue, and awareness can save lives.
“This contest gives artists the opportunity to educate others, promote hope, and highlight resources available through 211 Wisconsin to individuals and families who may be affected,” Michaels said.
Contest details
The contest is open to Wisconsin residents and students ages 18 and older. The submission period runs through Aug. 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
Artwork must be an original design, either digital or hand-drawn, to complement an awareness campaign.
First place receives $750 and statewide poster distribution. Second place receives $250. Submissions are accepted online or by mail.
Winning posters will be displayed in public and educational spaces across Wisconsin, helping to expand awareness, prevention messaging and visibility of support resources.
Artists will be evaluated using a grading rubric focused on creativity, clarity of message and community impact. Submissions must include an artist statement and a completed release form.
For full contest guidelines, submission instructions and downloadable materials, visit here.
211 Wisconsin is a free, confidential service available 24/7 statewide. Trained specialists connect people with health and human services through a statewide database.
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Click here to submit a news tip or story idea.
Copyright 2026 WSAW. All rights reserved.
(WFRV) – Authorities in northern Wisconsin are investigating after suspected human bones may have been found by a forester.
According to a release from the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, a forester marking trees on Friday, May 8, notified officials that he may have found human bones.
Rusk County deputies, DNR officials, and officials with the Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigations responded to the scene and were led through the woods and recovered the suspected human bones.
Authorities say they are working with the Rusk County Medical Examiner’s office and a forensic anthropologist to confirm the identity.
Positive identification has not yet been made, but officials say a positive identification is expected to be made based off of medical records.
No other information is available at this time.
Manuel Franco claims his $768 million Powerball jackpot
Manuel Franco, 24, of West Allis was revealed Tuesday as the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 4-5-6
Evening: 6-9-4
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 3-8-0-8
Evening: 5-0-5-0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 07-08-09-11-12-15-16-17-20-21-22
Evening: 02-05-06-07-11-13-17-18-19-20-22
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from May 10 drawing
17-19-23-28-29
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from May 10 drawing
05-09-10-14-33-39, 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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