Good morning, Wausau.

Mid-State Technical College received a $5M grant from the SBA to offer free technical training for 150 local workers and support 20 manufacturing businesses in central Wisconsin.

The USA MADE program begins in September at the AMETA Center in Stevens Point (offering five stackable certificate pathways).

D.C. Everest Senior High School in Schofield was named as one of T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights first 2026 $5K Fridays winners, awarding funds for academics, athletics, and community programs.

The school joins 11 other Wisconsin winners while entries remain open through Sept. 18 for high schools in under-150K towns.

Marathon County Head Start officials warn that proposed federal rollbacks could reduce funding for the childcare program by lowering staff qualifications and administrative cost caps (from 15% to 5%), potentially affecting local children while public comments remain open through Oct. 6.

Wisconsin collected $450 million extra in taxes and fees last year, pushing its surplus near $3B.

Gubernatorial candidates in Wausau and beyond say they will return funds to taxpayers through measures like tax relief (including proposals for lower property taxes and cost cuts).

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions announced today that regulators in 47 states reached a $15.5 million settlement with NewRez LLC for charging force-placed insurance on more than 4,200 borrowers.

The company will also implement enhanced controls for future loans.

Candidate Crowley visited Bridge Community Health Clinic yesterday to promote his plan to expand access to healthcare (including BadgerCare, mobile crisis units in rural areas, and taxpayer relief tied to a $3 billion state surplus).

The American Red Cross will hold blood donation drives from Sept.

1 to 20 across central counties (including a drive at the Wausau Police Department on Sept. 10), and donors will receive Hello Kitty-themed gifts to help boost the vital blood supply.

Marshfield Clinic will host two free online suicide prevention training sessions in September to help community members and mental health professionals respond to crisis.

The QPR session is on Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m. and the CALM session is on Sept. 17 at 5 p.m., both via Zoom.

At Goerke Park, Panthers hosted a doubleheader on Military Appreciation Night with SPASH playing soccer against Homestead and then football against New Richmond; Homestead won 3-1 and New Richmond beat SPASH 48-14 + local fans witnessed dynamic plays in both games.

Birds in Art 2026 Public Opening

The 51st annual Birds in Art opening-day festivities on Saturday, September 12 include opportunities to meet over seventy visiting artists who flock to the Museum from throughout the world from 9 am – Noon, and Artists in Action demonstrations, 9 – 11 am. In the afternoon, Watch, Learn & Create will be held at the Glass Box Studio–a free, family-friendly program where visitors can work alongside artists to create their own works of art, 1 – 4 pm.