Local Wisconsin News

Madison family invests $200,000 in mentoring kids’ futures
New effort targets middle school students enrolled in Boys & Girls Club of Dane County.

Partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools helps keep kids, families fed over Christmas break
Thousands of children statewide rely on free breakfast and lunch that schools provide every day.

Dennis Krause Blog: Packers stunned by Bears
Saturday night’s 22-16 overtime loss to the Bears at Soldier Field was both unbelievable and soul-crushing.

Looking ahead to 2026 in the State Senate
Ryan Burk talks with leaders from both parties and Political Anchor Anthony DaBruzzi to break down the year in the state Senate and what's ahead.

In Focus: Breaking down 2025 in the State Senate
Spectrum News 1 Political Anchor Anthony DaBruzzi joined us to discuss what the State Senate accomplished in 2025 and what's on deck.

In Focus: State Senate Minority Leader shares what Democrats hope to accomplish next year
Hesselbein said there were some “missed opportunities" in 2025.

In Focus: State Senate Majority Leader shares what Republicans are eyeing in 2026
He reflected on what he considered “a great budget process” that was largely bipartisan.

At least 16 files have disappeared from the DOJ webpage for documents related to Jeffrey Epstein
There has been no explanation from the government and no notice to the public.

Mild temperatures ahead Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Expect statewide highs in the 30s and 40s.

Sunny and colder to wrap up the weekend
High temperatures will climb into the teens and 20s.

Pacific moisture delivers heavy rain for holiday travelers next week
Travel may be difficult throughout the Pacific Northwest and through California.

'We sincerely apologize': Waukesha school district sends parents incorrect emails about their children's school placements for next year
The School District of Waukesha (SDW) has apologized to families for sending inaccurate emails on where their kids will go to school next year.

Will AI cut millions of jobs? Industry experts say not so fast
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way we work. Industry leaders say that's a good thing.

Say cheese: Americans ate more dairy in 2024
Americans consumed 651 pounds of dairy per person in 2024.

What’s next for Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan?
Dugan was found guilty of obstructing federal agents at the county courthouse on April 18 to arrest an undocumented immigrant.

State Senate committee investigating Wisconsin DOJ
The committee is investigating the operations, priorities and external influences affecting the DOJ.

Legal expert weighs in on split verdict in trial of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan
Legal expert says Milwaukee County judge is not likely to receive time in prison but will probably lose her judgeship after guilty verdict.

Wisconsin businesses round out holiday shopping season with 'Super Saturday'
The National Retail Federation projected almost 159 million people will shop in-store and online as the days to Christmas quickly run out.

'Hell's Kitchen' brings Alicia Keys' hits to Appleton
“Hell’s Kitchen” runs at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center through Dec. 21.

Winter begins this weekend
The winter solstice occurs at 10:03 a.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 21.

World News

Minute's silence held to remember Bondi Beach attack victims
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was booed as he arrived at the memorial event.

Israel approves 19 new settlements in occupied West Bank
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the move was about blocking the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Survivors 'nervous and sceptical' about release of remaining Epstein files
US lawmakers who pushed for the documents to be made public have criticised the initial release as incomplete.

Weight-loss jabs: What happens when you stop?
You may have lost the weight you wanted to lose - but now you've stopped the jabs, how easy is it to keep it off?

Trail hunting to be banned as part of new animal welfare strategy
The government says the practice is being used as a "smokescreen" for the hunting of wild animals.

In pictures: Druids descend on Stonehenge to mark winter solstice
Thousands take to the Neolithic circle to welcome the sunrise on the shortest day of the year.

Rights groups condemn new record number of executions in Saudi Arabia
At least 347 people have now been put to death this year, according to the UK-based campaign group Reprieve.

More than 800 migrants cross Channel in December record
The 803 arrivals - a record for a December day - brings the total number this year to 41,455.

No evidence Reform broke electoral law, watchdog says
The Electoral Commission says it had not identified evidence of rule-breaking in Nigel Farage's campaign in Clacton.

Gunmen kill nine in South Africa tavern attack
A further 10 people were injured in Bekkersdal after the perpetrators opened fire and "continued to shoot randomly".

Booze, beach, beaten – how England lost the Ashes
BBC Sport chief cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt reveals the inside story of England's Ashes defeat in Australia on and off the pitch.

Maxing out on tinsel: Why retro Christmas decorations are cool again
People are embracing excess and nostalgia again with huge demand for bold designs from the past, experts say.

The 'winners and losers' in Universal UK's plan to rival Disneyland Paris
Within its first 20 years, Universal is expecting more annual visitors than any park gets in Europe.

The best albums and songs of 2025
From Pulp's unexpected comeback to Rosalía's experimental pop, here's the best music of the year.

Why British Jews are experiencing their biggest change in 60 years
There have been shifts in how secure many British Jews feel - and how connected they feel to the rest of the community.

This is the first Christmas without my wife - enjoying life with our boys is how I'll honour her
Dad-of-two Andrew, 42, shares what he has learned about grief since his wife's sudden death.

This billionaire tested China's limits. It cost him his freedom
Lai, who is facing life in prison, always said he owed Hong Kong, a city that had given him "everything".

'You're on standby for Lockerbie' - volunteers recall their role after Pan Am bombing
Amateur radio enthusiasts found themselves acting as a link between emergency crews.

Cricket-themed bar chain Sixes goes into administration
The chain, which is backed in part by England captain Ben Stokes, is remaining open for business except at one venue.

US seizes second oil tanker off Venezuela's coast
The move comes after US President Donald Trump ordered a "blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.

Concerns over Winter Olympics skiing snow levels
The president of the International Ski Federation raises concerns over snow levels for the skiing and snowboarding events at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

Watch moment Robbie Williams surprises 94-year-old fan
The Rock DJ hitmaker made Humberston Care Home resident Norma's dream come true.

Police continue missing person search after boat found on shore
The vessel ran aground near Inverbervie Beach on Saturday but its sole occupant has yet to be traced.

How Israel's grassroots hostage families group became a powerful international force
With just one hostage left in Gaza, members of the forum reflect on its influence in Israel and abroad.

Arrest after two teenagers die in car crash with tree
A third teenage man is in a "life-threatening" condition in hospital after the crash in Surrey.

BBC News app
Top stories, breaking news, live reporting, and follow news topics that match your interests

The Best Bits of Newscast's Podcast-a-Thon (Part Two)
Laura Kuenssberg, Chris Mason, Paddy O’Connell, Lyse Doucet and Pudsey Bear

First batch of Epstein files released
Victims express disappointment over heavily redacted Epstein documents

Liverpool fear significant lower leg injury for Isak
Liverpool fear Alexander Isak has sustained a significant lower leg injury after the striker was forced off against Tottenham on Saturday.

Booze, beach, beaten – how England lost the Ashes
BBC Sport chief cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt reveals the inside story of England's Ashes defeat in Australia on and off the pitch.

England unable to hold out as Australia retain the Ashes
Australia beat England by 82 runs to take a 3-0 series lead and retain the Ashes urn on day five of the third Test in Adelaide.

Suljovic denies slow play 'cheating' claim from Cullen
Joe Cullen says opponent Mensur Suljovic's slow style of play is akin to cheating after the 32nd seed was knocked out of the world championship.