<img width="2400" height="1600" src="https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/fletcher-relax-tree.jpg" class="" alt="Person with long gray hair wearing a black RELAX sweatshirt touches a tree in a forest setting. Another person is partially visible in the background." fetchpriority="high" /> The Japanese wellness practice 'Shinrin-yoku' has been shown to reduce stress and provide other health benefits

The Japanese wellness practice 'Shinrin-yoku' has been shown to reduce stress and provide other health benefits

Wisconsin’s first certified forest bathing trail helps residents reset and find balance

<img width="2560" height="1706" src="https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/260627_SHIPWRECK01-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="A group of people in sun hats gather around a monitor on a boat, watching a screen closely." /> Wisconsin's Underwater Archeology Association found a long-lost ship in 2025. In 2026, members wanted to see if they could do it again.

Wisconsin's Underwater Archeology Association found a long-lost ship in 2025. In 2026, members wanted to see if they could do it again.

For Wisconsin ‘citizen scientists,’ searching for shipwrecks is its own treasure

<img width="2560" height="1708" src="https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/220416_ivanhoe01-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="A man walks past small buildings outside." /> Lake Ivanhoe received a historical marker in 2022

Lake Ivanhoe received a historical marker in 2022

‘What I felt there was free’: Black-founded resort community celebrates 100-year history

<img width="2560" height="1920" src="https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/dress-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="The dress worn by Vera Kitchen at the first annual Sovereign State Days event in July of 1967, displayed at the Winneconne Historical Society Museum" /> The history of one of Wisconsin's most niche holidays, Winneconne's Sovereign State Days festival

The history of one of Wisconsin's most niche holidays, Winneconne's Sovereign State Days festival

How a tiny Wisconsin village went viral nearly 60 years ago

For more than 60 years, the Sheboygan Asylum housed hundreds of patients living with mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance abuse disorders. The facility closed its doors in 2002. But for the past six years, the Fox Valley Ghost Hunters have been offering tours of its abandoned halls. WPR’s Danielle Kaeding tagged along.

Ghost hunters tour halls of Sheboygan Asylum for signs from beyond

<img width="2560" height="1706" src="https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/260624_ADAMSTHEATER01-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="Two people dressed in colonial-era costumes sit at a table with papers, a candlestick, and a tankard in front of them, participating in a staged reenactment." /> Local playwright uses historical letters to tell founding father's story

Local playwright uses historical letters to tell founding father's story

‘Abigail and John: the First Couple of the United States’ puts the second president in the spotlight

<img width="2560" height="1920" src="https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ferry_dock_sunset_3-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="Lake Superior dock at Madeline Island" /> Wisconsin writer on the season's simple joys

Wisconsin writer on the season's simple joys

‘Drink in summer sweetness while you can’: Reflections on the solstice

<img width="2560" height="1920" src="https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Dusk-on-Tomahawk-Lake-scaled.jpeg" class="" alt="The sun sets over a calm lake, casting an orange reflection on the water near a tree-covered shoreline." /> Wisconsin writer reflects on a summer family trip to the Northwoods

Wisconsin writer reflects on a summer family trip to the Northwoods

‘The Draw of the North’: Searching for loons on Tomahawk Lake

<img width="2560" height="1920" src="https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Early-Music-group-scaled.jpeg" class="" alt="Three older women sit indoors reading sheet music, two playing recorders and one playing an acoustic guitar, surrounded by plants and artwork on the walls." /> Wisconsin writer and retired music teacher reflects on playing music with friends and neighbors

Wisconsin writer and retired music teacher reflects on playing music with friends and neighbors

‘Creating Music, Creating Community’: The gift of performing with others

<img width="1890" height="1417" src="https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_1305-scaled-e1779293095173.jpg" class="" alt="A group of people stands in a courtroom-style room, holding papers and appearing to participate in a formal ceremony or event." /> 40 of this country’s newest citizens became naturalized at March ceremony in Madison

40 of this country’s newest citizens became naturalized at March ceremony in Madison

New citizens feel responsibility and freedom after taking oath of citizenship

<img width="2100" height="1500" src="https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/creatures-of-habit-flower.jpg" class="" alt="Close-up of green leaves and yellow flower buds in a forest setting, with blurred background vegetation." /> Wisconsin writer reflects on observing the outdoors

Wisconsin writer reflects on observing the outdoors

‘Creatures of Habit’: Finding wonder in nature

<img width="2560" height="1387" src="https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/240110_COZYINN01-scaled-e1778171276616.jpg" class="" alt="" /> The Fong family has owned the 104-year-old institution since the 1970s

The Fong family has owned the 104-year-old institution since the 1970s

Janesville’s Cozy Inn becomes America’s longest-operating Chinese restaurant

<img width="2560" height="1920" src="https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG_0522-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="A vintage Ford tractor with red and gray paint is on display outdoors, surrounded by grass and other tractors." /> A Wisconsin author reflects on spring planting

A Wisconsin author reflects on spring planting

Lessons from an old tractor

<img width="800" height="469" src="https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3221986177_8e8f395a06_c-e1776106439597.jpg" class="" alt="A glass of water" /> Poet reflects on experience of volunteering with friends

Poet reflects on experience of volunteering with friends

‘Muerto de Sed’: Serving others in times of helplessness

<img width="2560" height="1920" src="https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG_8650-scaled.jpg" class="" alt="Three pairs of leather bicycle saddles, each in black or brown, are displayed on a metal rack, showing different shades and wear patterns." /> How an unlikely partnership led to a bike seat with a cult-like following

How an unlikely partnership led to a bike seat with a cult-like following

Made in Wisconsin: Selle Anatomica leather bike saddles

Wisconsin Life celebrates the people, places, history and culture of the state. Come with us as we kayak the Mississippi River, interview musicians in Milwaukee, and bake pasties in Rhinelander. We connect you with diverse people and ideas through short stories updated twice a week.

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