The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has launched new consumer protection outreach toolkits in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability.

Cruisers Yachts has been named one of the Top 8 finalists in the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest, hosted by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and Johnson Financial Group.

The company’s 38 VTR model earned its place among nearly 150 products nominated from across the state, representing the best of Wisconsin innovation and craftsmanship.

Local artist Judy Andrews Pubanz was recently commissioned by ThedaCare to create a painting with a Wolf River theme to be displayed in the registration area at ThedaCare Medical Center in Shawano.

Hospital officials had been looking for a piece of artwork to fill a very large space. After discovering Pubanz was an artist who had other works displayed on the ThedaCare campus, they showed Pubanz the area they were looking to fill.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department received a $1,000 grant from Alliant Energy to help equip Deputy Nicole Giannoni and other deputies with critical emergency medical supplies. These resources allow deputies to provide immediate care in trauma situations — often making a life-saving difference in the field. This isn’t the first time Alliant Energy has supported the sheriff’s department.

(Editor’s note: Oct. 10 is World Homeless Day, and multiple news entities across the state — including NEW Media — are shining a light by looking at Wisconsin’s homeless situation, featuring those who have experienced homelessness and those who are trying to combat the epidemic. This article will also be featured in other newspapers throughout Wisconsin.)

Four local banks — AbbyBank, Forward Bank, Northwestern Bank, and Prevail Bank — are coming together to raise awareness of a scam resurfacing in communities, brushing fraud.

This scheme occurs when fraudulent sellers send unsolicited packages to people and then use their names and addresses to post fake positive reviews online. While these shipments may seem harmless, they can expose individuals to identity theft and financial fraud.