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August 6, 2026

State news

Wisconsin Democrats Doubt a Progressive’s Prospects After Michigan Results

Posted on
NOTUS

In Wisconsin, a progressive gubernatorial candidate is polling far ahead of the other candidates before the battleground state’s Democratic primary next week.

That was the story in Michigan, too: Polls showed Abdul El-Sayed handily beating Rep. Haley Stevens ahead of Tuesday’s Senate primary — but he had barely edged out a victory by the time the race was called the next morning. Now, some Democrats wonder if the same will come to pass in Wisconsin, where polling has shown state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, leading her opponents by double-digit margins for weeks.

Extension

Madison schools invest in parents with new Family University

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

The district is partnering with the YWCA and UW-Extension on some programming for Family University, starting with the Extension’s Fathers in Focus conference in October, which the district will encourage families to attend. Additional Family University sessions will begin rolling out after that conference.

Athletics

Former Badgers football coach, ‘a good soul,’ dies at 93

Posted on
The Cap Times

Mario Russo wrote his own eulogy.

Without knowing it.

After former University of Wisconsin football coach John Jardine died of heart failure at age 54 in 1990, there was an outpouring of tributes from coaches, players, friends and fans.

Among the most genuine Jardine testimonials was from Russo, who coached the UW linebackers during the 1976 and 1977 seasons, Jardine’s final two years at Wisconsin.

Business/Technology

Cyberattacks and the critical services we rely on

Posted on
Minnesota Public Radio

State and federal authorities continue to investigate a recent coordinated cyberattack on Minnesota municipal water systems.

Hackers disrupted technology controls at water towers and treatment plants in more than 30 Minnesota communities last week. And the FBI says water and wastewater companies in at least six other states have reported incidents.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with her guests about what we can do to protect the water systems, power grids and other public services we rely on.

UW Experts in the News

With prices up, here’s how and why to use an inflation calculator

Posted on
Wisconsin Watch

Inflation hit a three-year high in May, leaving a growing number of Americans struggling to afford necessities. The rate has since slowed a bit, but most prices aren’t likely to come down. Analysts say “affordability” could be one of the deciding issues in this fall’s midterm elections.

But while we all notice the spike at the gas pump and the cash register, many people may not realize they can use simple, free tools to quantify the change and figure out whether their pay is keeping up.

‘Bay of Pigs Reloaded’: New CIA Task Force to Further Destabilize Cuba Revealed

Posted on
Common Dreams

After months of President Donald Trump threatening a US takeover of Cuba and ramping up a decadeslong economic assault of the island, The New York Times revealed Wednesday that the Central Intelligence Agency created a related task force, “setting in motion plans for a more concerted campaign to pressure the Cuban government to make the economic, political, and leadership changes.”

UW-Madison Related

UW-Madison hazing reports reveal forced workouts, humiliating rituals

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

Forced pushups, eating raw onions and performing to children’s music are among hazing incidents at UW-Madison and two other Wisconsin public universities over the last five years, according to campus reporting under a recent federal law.

The Stop Campus Hazing Act required universities to publicly list hazing incidents on their website by Dec. 23, 2025, update those reports twice a year, and disclose them in their annual security reports.