Joe Schulz
@joeschulz97.bsky.social
Northeast Wisconsin reporter for Wisconsin Public Radio. Covering statewide business and energy, as well as general news in the Fox Valley and Green Bay. Story ideas? Email: [email protected]
A national survey from nonprofit Main Street America found that 45 percent of the nearly 1,300 small business owners who responded experienced a drop in net profit this fall.
Small businesses feel more uneasy ahead of the holidays after a year of slow sales and high costs
A national survey found the smallest business owners are feeling less confident as they close out the year. Inflation, tariffs and shifts in consumer spending are some of the reasons why.
www.wpr.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:56 PM
A national survey from nonprofit Main Street America found that 45 percent of the nearly 1,300 small business owners who responded experienced a drop in net profit this fall.
The federal government is investigating Northwestern Mutual, a Milwaukee-based financial services firm, over its diversity, equity and inclusion policies in response to allegations the company discriminated against a white man.
Federal government investigating Milwaukee-based Northwestern Mutual over DEI policies
The federal government is investigating Northwestern Mutual, a Milwaukee-based financial services firm, over its diversity, equity and inclusion policies in response to allegations the company discrim...
www.wpr.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:50 PM
The federal government is investigating Northwestern Mutual, a Milwaukee-based financial services firm, over its diversity, equity and inclusion policies in response to allegations the company discriminated against a white man.
Environmental groups are asking a federal judge to overturn a plan to fast-track connecting new power plants to the Midwest electric grid, including a proposed natural gas plant in Wisconsin.
Groups ask judge to overturn plan fast-tracking connection of new power to Midwest grid
Environmental groups are asking a federal judge to overturn a plan to fast-track connecting new power plants to the Midwest electric grid, including a proposed natural gas plant in Wisconsin.
www.wpr.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Environmental groups are asking a federal judge to overturn a plan to fast-track connecting new power plants to the Midwest electric grid, including a proposed natural gas plant in Wisconsin.
Abbott Laboratories is buying Madison-based biotechnology company Exact Sciences in a $23 billion deal, the companies announced Thursday.
Madison's Exact Sciences will be acquired by Abbott health care company
Abbott Laboratories is buying Madison-based biotechnology company Exact Sciences in a $23 billion deal, the companies announced Thursday.
www.wpr.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Abbott Laboratories is buying Madison-based biotechnology company Exact Sciences in a $23 billion deal, the companies announced Thursday.
The United States minted its final pennies last week, but the phase out of the 1-cent coin in Wisconsin is expected to vary from community to community.
What does the end of penny production mean for Wisconsin businesses and consumers?
The United States minted its final pennies last week, but the phase out of the 1-cent coin is expected to vary from community to community.
www.wpr.org
November 19, 2025 at 2:08 PM
The United States minted its final pennies last week, but the phase out of the 1-cent coin in Wisconsin is expected to vary from community to community.
Kroger plans to close its fulfillment center in Pleasant Prairie and lay off 211 workers early next year, according to a notice filed with the state on Tuesday.
Kroger to close Pleasant Prairie fulfillment center, lay off 211 workers
Kroger plans to close its fulfillment center in Pleasant Prairie and layoff approximately 211 workers early next year, according to a notice filed with the state on Tuesday.
www.wpr.org
November 18, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Kroger plans to close its fulfillment center in Pleasant Prairie and lay off 211 workers early next year, according to a notice filed with the state on Tuesday.
Three Democratic state lawmakers last week announced a bill to essentially cap residential energy bills at 2 percent of household incomes.
Democratic Wisconsin lawmakers propose legislation capping utility bills
Democratic state lawmakers are proposing a bill that would essentially cap residential energy bills in Wisconsin at 2 percent of household income.
www.wpr.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Three Democratic state lawmakers last week announced a bill to essentially cap residential energy bills at 2 percent of household incomes.
After a legal fight with the Trump administration, Wisconsin is awarding $14 million in federally-funded grants to build electric vehicle fast-charging stations at 26 businesses across the state.
Wisconsin awards $14M in EV charging grants to 26 projects across the state
The sites selected in the latest funding round include 11 Kwik Trips, hotels, other gas stations, a Culver’s and a chocolate shop.
www.wpr.org
November 17, 2025 at 4:07 PM
After a legal fight with the Trump administration, Wisconsin is awarding $14 million in federally-funded grants to build electric vehicle fast-charging stations at 26 businesses across the state.
The president of the local UAW says Oshkosh Corp. must "stop forgetting about your workers here at home" as the company prepares to layoff 160 workers.
'Our hearts ache': Oshkosh Defense to layoff 160 workers
Military vehicle manufacturer Oshkosh Defense plans to layoff approximately 160 workers early next year, the company announced Wednesday.
www.wpr.org
November 13, 2025 at 6:18 PM
The president of the local UAW says Oshkosh Corp. must "stop forgetting about your workers here at home" as the company prepares to layoff 160 workers.
Social media giant Meta plans to invest more than $1 billion dollars to build a 700,000-square-foot data center campus in Beaver Dam, bringing with it more than 1,000 construction jobs and 100 operational jobs when the campus is completed.
Meta to invest more than $1B on Beaver Dam data center campus
Social media giant Meta plans to invest more than $1 billion to build a 700,000-square-foot data center campus in Beaver Dam, bringing with it more than 1,000 construction jobs and 100 operational job...
www.wpr.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Social media giant Meta plans to invest more than $1 billion dollars to build a 700,000-square-foot data center campus in Beaver Dam, bringing with it more than 1,000 construction jobs and 100 operational jobs when the campus is completed.
A new bill in the Wisconsin state Legislature would create new rules for data centers aimed at protecting utility customers and ensuring fair pay for the workers building those projects.
Data center 'statewide guardrails' proposed under Wisconsin bill
The proposal comes as recent polling shows a majority of Wisconsin voters believe the costs associated with data centers outweigh the benefits of those projects.
www.wpr.org
November 10, 2025 at 12:41 PM
A new bill in the Wisconsin state Legislature would create new rules for data centers aimed at protecting utility customers and ensuring fair pay for the workers building those projects.
Some Door County residents fear that allowing a local dairy farm to expand its operations would harm the environment and local tourism.
Door County CAFO faces backlash at DNR hearing
Residents voiced concerns about Gilbert Farms’ expansion plan on Wednesday, during a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources hearing over a Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit fo...
www.wpr.org
November 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Some Door County residents fear that allowing a local dairy farm to expand its operations would harm the environment and local tourism.
After filing for bankruptcy twice in the past year, Spirit Airlines will stop providing service at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport early next year.
Spirit Airline will discontinue Milwaukee service in 2026
After filing for bankruptcy twice in the past year, Spirit Airlines will stop providing service at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport early next year.
www.wpr.org
November 6, 2025 at 6:09 PM
After filing for bankruptcy twice in the past year, Spirit Airlines will stop providing service at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport early next year.
To meet expected surges in energy demand from data centers, We Energies is asking state regulators to approve a multi-billion-dollar plan to add almost 3 gigawatts of power to the electric grid.
We Energies hopes to add almost 3GW to the electric grid to help meet data center demand
To meet expected surges in energy demand from data centers, We Energies is asking state regulators to approve a multi-billion-dollar plan to add almost 3 gigawatts of power to the […]
www.wpr.org
November 5, 2025 at 11:08 PM
To meet expected surges in energy demand from data centers, We Energies is asking state regulators to approve a multi-billion-dollar plan to add almost 3 gigawatts of power to the electric grid.
A $700 million natural gas pipeline enhancement project designed to improve reliability and meet rising demand came online in Wisconsin and northern Illinois at the start of the month.
$700M natural gas pipeline upgrade comes online in Wisconsin
A $700 million natural gas pipeline enhancement project designed to improve reliability and meet rising demand came online in Wisconsin and northern Illinois at the start of the month.
www.wpr.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
A $700 million natural gas pipeline enhancement project designed to improve reliability and meet rising demand came online in Wisconsin and northern Illinois at the start of the month.
Companies behind data center developments separately announced efforts to support Wisconsin researchers and communities. But new polling shows most Wisconsin voters believe the costs associated with data center projects outweigh the benefits.
As Wisconsin voters question data centers, tech companies tout research, community gains
Three companies behind planned and ongoing data center developments on Thursday separately announced efforts aimed at supporting Wisconsin researchers and communities.
www.wpr.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Companies behind data center developments separately announced efforts to support Wisconsin researchers and communities. But new polling shows most Wisconsin voters believe the costs associated with data center projects outweigh the benefits.
UnitedHealthcare and Ascension Wisconsin announced Tuesday that they reached a new multi-year agreement to give United members access to Ascension’s hospitals and providers in southeast Wisconsin.
Ascension Wisconsin, UnitedHealthcare reach deal to restore in-network access
Patients with UnitedHealthcare insurance once again have in-network coverage at Ascension Wisconsin hospitals and doctors' offices.
www.wpr.org
October 14, 2025 at 6:04 PM
UnitedHealthcare and Ascension Wisconsin announced Tuesday that they reached a new multi-year agreement to give United members access to Ascension’s hospitals and providers in southeast Wisconsin.
“We want markets. Markets are consistent. We can bet on them. When you go to these ad hoc bailout programs, they definitely help. But it’s kind of like putting a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound.”
Farmers caught in Trump's trade war wait for bailout. But many call it a temporary fix.
This harvest season, the trade war with China has added to the farm economy’s woes, as producers deal with lower crop prices and high costs.
www.wpr.org
October 13, 2025 at 3:39 PM
“We want markets. Markets are consistent. We can bet on them. When you go to these ad hoc bailout programs, they definitely help. But it’s kind of like putting a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound.”
Microsoft will not move forward with a data center development in a Racine County community and will look to find a new site for the project.
Microsoft scraps plans for Caledonia data center site, working to find an alternate location
Microsoft will not move forward with a data center development in a Racine County community and will look to find a new site for the project.
www.wpr.org
October 8, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Microsoft will not move forward with a data center development in a Racine County community and will look to find a new site for the project.
A Green Bay-area haunted house is open for its 29th season, as Americans are expected to spend a record high amount of money on Halloween.
Green Bay area haunted house scares visitors amid projected record Halloween spending
Terror on the Fox is a haunted house in Ashwaubenon that’s open several nights a week through Nov. 2. This year marks the attraction’s 29th season.
www.wpr.org
October 7, 2025 at 1:21 PM
A Green Bay-area haunted house is open for its 29th season, as Americans are expected to spend a record high amount of money on Halloween.
“A lot of what the farmers could control, they did and did well, which is leading to really strong production. But almost everything that’s outside of their control has moved against them this year.”
Crops look good across the Midwest and Great Plains. But farmers still face tough economy
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expecting a strong corn and soybean harvest this year. But low crop prices, high input costs and international trade uncertainty could hurt farmers.
www.wpr.org
October 6, 2025 at 7:36 PM
“A lot of what the farmers could control, they did and did well, which is leading to really strong production. But almost everything that’s outside of their control has moved against them this year.”
“If there are indeed some people that were involved in human trafficking, they should go through the justice system. We don’t want violent criminals on the streets. But we also believe that there needs to be due process," said a Manitowoc pastor.
Community, faith leaders in a Wisconsin county call for transparency after ICE arrests
Some community and faith leaders in Manitowoc County are calling for more transparency from the federal government after more than 20 people were arrested by federal immigration and law enforcement of...
www.wpr.org
October 1, 2025 at 10:40 PM
“If there are indeed some people that were involved in human trafficking, they should go through the justice system. We don’t want violent criminals on the streets. But we also believe that there needs to be due process," said a Manitowoc pastor.
State utility regulators approved a pair of renewable energy projects last week, including Wisconsin’s first large-scale wind farm in more than a decade.
Wisconsin utility regulators approve 2 new clean energy projects
State utility regulators approved a pair of renewable energy projects last week, including Wisconsin's first large-scale wind farm in more than a decade.
www.wpr.org
September 30, 2025 at 2:26 PM
State utility regulators approved a pair of renewable energy projects last week, including Wisconsin’s first large-scale wind farm in more than a decade.
After Darren Bush had a “widowmaker” heart attack about three years ago that could have killed him, he took a step back and reevaluated his future.
“Now I’m going to go create communities and help people in a different way.”
“Now I’m going to go create communities and help people in a different way.”
Madison area's Rutabaga Paddlesports will close at the end of 2025
After Darren Bush, owner of Rutabaga Paddlesports, had a “widowmaker” heart attack about three years ago that could have killed him, he took a step back and reevaluated his future.
www.wpr.org
September 26, 2025 at 1:17 PM
After Darren Bush had a “widowmaker” heart attack about three years ago that could have killed him, he took a step back and reevaluated his future.
“Now I’m going to go create communities and help people in a different way.”
“Now I’m going to go create communities and help people in a different way.”
Modine Manufacturing is expanding in southeast Wisconsin with plans to hire about 300 workers at a new manufacturing facility in Franklin by early next year.
Modine Manufacturing to add 300 jobs with new southeast Wisconsin plant
Modine Manufacturing is expanding in southeast Wisconsin with plans to hire about 300 workers at a new manufacturing facility in Franklin by early next year.
www.wpr.org
September 24, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Modine Manufacturing is expanding in southeast Wisconsin with plans to hire about 300 workers at a new manufacturing facility in Franklin by early next year.