News

Starting Monday, people driving along US Highway 2 through Iron County can expect some lane and shoulder closures.

It’s the first stage in a four-stage process to build a roundabout at the interchange between highways US 2 and US 51.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Project Manager Kai Kilen said there’s a couple issues with the current road conditions this project will fix.

“The existing interchange, the pavement was shoving a lot of signs of deterioration. The existing bridge is also deteriorating and in need of heavy maintenance,” said Kilen.

Archeologists believe people first passed through the Northwoods 12,000 years ago, hunting large mammals as they traveled north.

More recently, settlers came to Eagle River on the quest for timber. Tourists followed not far behind.

The Eagle River Historical Society preserves and displays all of this information at their two museums and through a variety of tours and programming.

Listen to the full interview with President Karen Sailer to learn more about how the organization is showcasing history and documenting the present.

As Wisconsin’s Chief State Forester, a lot of Heather Berkland’s life revolves around trees.

“You got to love trees. Trees are really the answer to an overall healthy ecosystem,” said Berkland.

Berkland says forests are essential to the health of the environment and people.

“It filters pollutants, protects water quality, provides wildlife habitat,” she said.

Trees are also a key part of the state’s economy.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ frog survey season is off to a hopping start this spring.

Each month of the season, volunteers across the state spend an evening listening for different frog and toad species.

This allows the DNR to map and track the amphibians.

WXPR’s Erin Gottsacker went with a volunteer to listen for the frogs. Here’s what she heard:

When the sun goes down on a chilly April evening, the volume of croaking frogs comes up.

A Nicolet College culinary student recently won a national veal cooking competition.

Maja Holcomb created a cherry agrodolce sauce to serve with grilled veal chops.

Made with balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil and shallot, her sweet and sour recipe has one special ingredient – Wisconsin cherries.

Agrodolce sauce is a sweet and sour Italian condiment.

Holcomb said it’s kind of like ketchup – a sauce that can be whipped up to serve with anything.

Some Michiganders are part of a multi-state effort this week to clean up and protect the Great Lakes.

Barrier-free fishing piers along the South Branch Oconto River are now open to the public.

The access points allow for a more accessible way for people to enjoy the trout fishing along the river.

“There was an old structure here and that was completely removed and then they had to drive new pilings and put this new structure on top. And a lot of times change the grade to make sure it was ADA compliant,” said Mike Brown, Lakewood-Laona District Ranger of the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest.