Local Features

How are you coping with the cold weather this winter? Wildlife species generally have three options as the Masked Biologist notes in this week’s Wildlife Matters . During our recent bitter cold snap, I spent some time outdoors trying to get work done. Afterward, I came in the house to thaw out, taking off my boots, insulated coveralls, waterproof parka, hat, scarf, and gloves. It occurred to me that very little of my body was exposed and forced to deal with the conditions—basically my eyes.

Wisconsin ginseng producers have been experiencing adverse impacts due to the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute. These tariffs are especially hitting Marathon County, since that's where a majority of ginseng in the United States comes from. As part of our We Live Up Here series, WXPR's Joshua Junig tells us the story of Hsu's Ginseng in Wausau... how they came to be in the first place and what they're expecting in the years to come. You may or may not know that Marathon County, WI, is commonly

This week on A Northwoods Moment in History , Gary Entz tells us about Strawberry Island in Lac du Flambeau. Strawberry Island in Flambeau Lake is known as the “heart of Lac du Flambeau” and is considered a sacred space among the Lac du Flambeau band of Lake Superior Chippewa. It is also known as “the place of the little people,” which is a reference to the spiritual significance of the island. A sacred space is a particularly defined space that is set apart from everything else around it. The

Different animals have different strategies for surviving the winter. In this week’s Wildlife Matters , the Masked Biologist gives us a glimpse under the ice to examine the habits of the beaver. I sometimes ask my family members what I should write about; after writing hundreds of articles and episodes like these, I might struggle for a fresh new idea from time to time. One of my kids thought I should write about beavers in winter. This arose from a disagreement he had with a classmate about the

This week on A Northwoods Moment in History , Gary Entz looks back on an ice storm that happened in Wisconsin back in 1922. People who live and work in the Northwoods are accustomed to cold temperatures, ice, and snow. No matter what time period in history we look at, people adapted and dealt with the weather conditions. However, every once in a while the weather packs an unusual wallop, and sometimes it is so severe that it can even bring hardy Northwoods residents to a standstill. Such was the

Cabin fever can strike without warning as the winter wears on. In this week’s Wildlife Matters , the Masked Biologist reminds us there are still some ways to get outside and stay active. I have observed over time that the outdoorsman calendar becomes pretty singular this time of year. Well, it really bottlenecks starting with firearms deer season. Prior to that, people are fishing for fall muskie and walleye, going grouse hunting, duck hunting, archery deer hunting, but that typically funnels to

During the Great Depression, there was what was known as a hobo jungle in Rhinelander. This Saturday, January 12th, ArtStart Rhinelander is holding a community event to remember it. The event ties in nicely with Dark Airing , an art exhibit on display at ArtStart through January 12th that features symbols hobos used back in the day to communicate with one another. Mackenzie Martin has the story as part of WXPR's We Live Up Here series. Those who have lived in Rhinelander for a long time might

During early December of 2018, Wisconsin legislators passed a bill restricting the period for early voting. This measure has been controversial and has garnered national spotlight, but how does it impact the Northwoods? WXPR’s Joshua Junig has the story. On December 14, then-Governor Scott Walker signed three pieces of Republican-sponsored legislation as his administration prepared to leave office. Among those measures is a bill mandating the early voting period to open two weeks prior to

This week on A Northwoods Moment in History , Gary Entz looks back on the life of Rhinelander's Paul Browne. There have been many notable people who have lived and worked in Rhinelander in the 137 years of its existence as a town. The men who built the logging industry clearly defined its early history, but few have had as lasting an impact on the ongoing character of the city as did Paul Browne. Paul Browne was born in Waupaca in 1858 and grew up in that area. He studied law at the University

It's the second Tuesday of the month, which is when we hear from our commentators in the field. In this month's installment of Field Notes , Scott Bowe of Kemp Station discusses how trees adapt with changes in elevation. In my last Field Notes broadcast, I spoke about the amazing human body and how it adapts to working and playing at high elevations. Elevation has impact on other organisms besides humans. Let’s look at elevation and how trees adapt to this harsh environment. Imagine a mountain.