Around Town
NEW BUSINESS: Iola-Scandinavia native and military veteran Josh Bauer has opened Best in the Valley Plumbing. “This isn’t just about starting a business for me. It’s about building something for my family, serving my community, and showing my kids what it looks like to bet on yourself, work hard, and trust God throughout the process,” he stated on a Facebook post. You can contact his at 920-372-2824 or follow him on Facebook at Best in the Valley Plumbing. Congratulations Josh, and best wishes for success!
SAVE THE DATE: There will be a Muzzleloader Blanket Fun Shoot on Sunday, March 15, starting at high noon. It will be held at the Iola Conservation Club, N7721 County Road J, Iola. Entry fee is $5. It is open to traditional sidelock or flintlocks only.
Around the State
VOS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT: Assembly Speaker Robin Vis announced on Thursday, Feb. 19, that he will retire at the end of the year. The Republican has been the speaker for 14 years and served in the Assembly for 22 years. Read the Associated Press story here.
BREAST CANCER BILL PASSES: The Wisconsin Assembly unanimously passed Gail’s Law, requiring health insurance to cover diagnostic breast exams and supplemental screenings for those at higher risk of breast cancer. The bipartisan bill, approved 96-0, also prohibits insurers from charging cost-sharing fees for these essential services, expanding early detection access statewide. It awaits Gov. Tony Evers’ signature.
SEXTORTION VICTIMS: On Feb. 19, the Wisconsin Assembly voted to pass AB 923. This bill would create a civil cause of action for victims of sexual extortion (sextortion) or their family, and allow the parents or estate of a victim who takes their own life due to sextortion to file a wrongful death suit. State Rep. Brent Jacobson (R – Mosinee) is the author of the bill.
MEATBALL RECALL: Did you buy a package of Bremer Family Size Italian Style Meatballs 32-ounce package at Aldi’s? They’re being recalled because of possible metal fragments within the product. Consumers can identify units of the recalled product via several marks on the packaging, according to the FSIS notice: a “best by” date of Oct. 30, 2026; a timestamp of “between 17:08 through 18:20 printed on the back of the label,” and the establishment number “EST. 4286B” printed inside the USDA mark of inspection.”
SCHOOL FUNDING SUIT: A group of Wisconsin parents, students, teachers, school districts, and education advocates is suing the Legislature over the current school funding formula, arguing that the system does not meet the state’s obligation to provide educational opportunities to all students as required by the state Constitution. Read the Wisconsin Examiner story here.
MU POLL AND TAXES: Voters are concerned about holding property taxes down for the K-12 school district, according to the recent Marquette University poll. In the poll, 60 percent want a hold on property taxes versus an increase in school spending.
Because
PARENTAL RIGHTS: The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that only 15 percent of Likely U.S. Voters believe parents should be subject to criminal prosecution if they don’t send their children to public schools, while 70 percent say no, and 16 percent are not sure. Similarly, 70 percent do not believe judges should have the legal authority to determine which method of education parents can utilize for their children. And 86 percent do not believe children are property of the state.
