Good morning.
Wednesday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 74. Sunrise is 6:14 and sunset is 7:37, for 13 hours, 23 minutes of daytime. The moon is a waxing crescent with 17.4 percent of its visible disk illuminated.
On this day in 1776, members of the 1st Maryland Regiment repeatedly charged a numerically superior British force during the Battle of Long Island, allowing General Washington and the rest of the American troops to escape.
There’s a legislative effort underway to save the popular Knowles-Nelson Stewardship conservation program, but it faces uncertain prospects:
Without action, the program will end next summer. In his initial budget proposal, Gov. Tony Evers had asked for the program to be provided $100 million per year for 10 years. The version of the budget signed into law in July did not include the program’s re-authorization.
Another bill authored by Republican Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) and Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) would re-authorize the program for six years at $28 million per year. To gain the support of the Republicans who want more oversight of the program, the bill would require that any land acquisitions that cost more than $1 million be approved by the full Legislature.
Tuesday’s proposal from Democrats would re-authorize the program for six years at $72 million per year. The bill would also create an independent board with oversight authority over the program.
The 17-member board would include members of the majority and minority in both chambers of the Legislature; two representatives from environmental organizations; two representatives of hunting, fishing or trapping interests; two DNR representatives, including one member from the Natural Resources Board; one representative from the Department of Tourism; one representative of the outdoor recreation industry; one representative from the Ice Age Trail Alliance; a representative of a federally recognized Native American tribe in the state; one local government representative and two members of the public. Members of the board would serve staggered three-year terms.
See Henry Redman, Wisconsin Democrats introduce proposal to save Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, Wisconsin Examiner, August 26, 2025.
As the WISGOP controls both chambers, success depends on WISGOP votes. Some legislation may come of this, but likely less than the WisDems would hope in funds and independence. More likely — something hollow, something hobbled.
Massive dust storm sweeps through Phoenix metro area leaving thousands without power: