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.

If you’re looking to move to Wisconsin, the state’s most populous cities might come to mind as the best places to live. But don’t count out smaller gems scattered across the state: La Crosse was recently named as one of the 50 best places to live in the U.S., according to Money, a personal finance website.

The western Wisconsin city, which sits on the Mississippi River, offers a host of outdoor recreation activities and a bustling arts and culture scene. Both facets were key to landing the city a spot on the list.

The list, which Money had been compiling for more than 30 years, took a more holistic approach this year. Along with weighing numerical factors like affordability, school quality and job market health, the digital magazine researched cities across the country to find places “with a palpable spirit, nurtured and sustained by engaged citizens and receptive public officials,” according to its methodology.

La Crosse was the only Wisconsin city named among the top 50 this year, and Money did not select a city from every state.

Here’s more on why La Crosse is great place to live and which other cities made the list.

What makes La Crosse a great place to live?

La Crosse’s balance of outdoor offerings, nightlife and arts, and strong local economy all make it a great place to live, according to Money.

The city offers plenty of hiking and biking trails, along with boating and fishing excursions on nearby rivers and lakes. In the winter, residents can enjoy the steepest vertical slope in Wisconsin at destination ski resort Mt. La Crosse.

La Crosse is also home to several museums and a particularly bustling art gallery scene. Arts and culture take center stage in its year-round festivals, with the city’s IrishFest and Oktoberfest both coming up in the next few months.

For younger residents, La Crosse, which houses three universities, has consistently been named among the most economical college towns in the U.S. The number of college students also makes for robust nightlife, and more than a dozen breweries and wineries are based in or near La Crosse.

Finally, La Crosse is notably more affordable than larger Wisconsin cities. The city enjoys a median home price of about $265,000, while median home prices in the Milwaukee area are north of $400,000. And with Kwik Trip and Old Style beer headquartered in the city, La Crosse boasts a stable local job market with a 2.2% unemployment rate.

Which other cities made the list?

Several other Midwestern cities made the list alongside La Crosse. Here are some of the best places to live in Wisconsin’s neighboring states:

• Detroit
• Ferndale, Michigan
• Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Prairie Crossing, Illinois
• Northfield, Minnesota