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Thanksgiving Prices Up Slightly in Wisconsin; Below National Average Published on 11/16/2023 under News

Thanksgiving is one week away, and a new survey shows prices in Wisconsin are down slightly from last year and a few dollars cheaper than the national average.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau released their annual Marketbasket survey Wednesday. Each year, they take an informal look at the price of 15 popular food items commonly used to prepare a Thanksgiving meal. This includes everything from turkey and cranberries to butter and rolls. A sampling of stores around the state are used to get an average.

This year's average for a ten person meal in Wisconsin came in at $58.81. That's a 1.36 percent drop over last year.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Spokesperson Cassie Sonnentag says, "After several years of steep inclines, it is nice to see prices come down, even slightly. She added, "Here in America's Dairyland, we have some of the most affordable food options, making our Thanksgiving meal 3.9% less than the national average." That national average is $61.27.

For those looking to save a few dollars, experts recommend shopping around for deals, reassessing your menu and skip some of the less popular items, and take up guest offers to bring a dish to pass or their own beverages.

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This also serves as a good reminder to take out your turkey if it needs to be thawed. The folks at Butterball are experts in the game. They recommend setting aside one day for every four pounds the bird weighs. A thawed turkey is good for four day, so err on the side of taking it out early versus late. When thawing, they recommend keeping the turkey in the original wrapping, place it on a tray in your refrigerator, skipping the counter or the sink. While you're trying to thaw the bird, it is important to do so while keeping it below 40 degrees.

In Other News

Back to School Day for All Tomahawk Students

Published on 09/01/2026 under News For students in the Tomahawk School District, it's back to school day: part two. Today marks the first traditional full day of class for all students in Tomahawk. That's because of a one-day, orientation-style program that took place yesterday known as WEB and Link Crew. On Monday, Tomahawk 6th and 9th grade students participated in special activities to get the students acclimated to their new space in the middle and high schools respectively. While freshmen and 6th graders were getting settled, upperclassmen enjoyed one final day of summer vacation before returning to campus today. The district's youngest learners at the elementary school also had their first day today, as they were unaffected by the orientation programs.

Published on 09/01/2026 under News Ice Age Trail volunteers returned to the Northwoods last month for another trail-building effort. During a four-day project in early August, the crew added nearly a mile of new footpath along the Underdown Segment in Lincoln County. The new 0.9-mile section replaces a road segment. Along with clearing the path, volunteers built two stone steps, three wooden boardwalks, and a designated rustic campsite; the first along this 30-mile stretch of trail. According to the Ice Age Trail Alliance, the campsite is located atop a high ridge, offering overnight backpackers scenic views of the surrounding glacial landscape. Favorable weather allowed crews to finish early and assist the local Northwoods Chapter with grooming existing sections of the nearby trail. Organizers noted that the event also served as a training session for 14 new volunteers, who worked alongside experienced trail builders to learn proper techniques. The Ice Age Trail Alliance has kept busy in the Northwoods this summer, following two trail-building weekends in Langlade County. The group will head to Taylor County this fall for its another volunteer trail effort.

Published on 09/01/2026 under News When a cardiac emergency strikes, the first person on the scene is rarely a paramedic, but rather a neighbor, coworker, or family member. To ensure residents can act fast during those critical opening minutes, the Little Rice Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a free Community CPR Class on Saturday, September 12. American Heart Association-certified instructors will provide hands-on instruction in CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) usage. Fire Chief Larry Mathein says, "We want people in our community to feel confident that they can step forward and help." Mathein added, "CPR is a skill we hope someone never has to use, but when it is needed, knowing what to do can make an enormous difference." The training runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Lynne Town Hall. The class is free, but organizers request advance registration to ensure adequate space. Call or Text "CPR" to 715-966-0250

Published on 09/01/2026 under News One person died following a boating incident in Vilas County over the weekend. According to the Vilas County Sheriff's Office, a resident on Sumach Lake in Arbor Vitae called 911 around 2:30 p.m. Sunday after spotting a capsized boat and two men in the water. One of the men swam to shore for help. A good Samaritan assisted in pulling the second man from the water, and they immediately began CPR until first responders arrived. The 75-year-old victim was initially conscious and speaking, but he suffered a medical emergency and became unresponsive. He was transported to Aspirus Howard Young Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. His name is being withheld pending family notification. The Wisconsin DNR is investigating the incident.

Published on 09/01/2026 under News Officials are offering their annual warning to parents about sharing too much back-to-school information on social media. Over the next week or so, social media feeds will be filled with kids holding 'first day of school' signs or chalkboards. The photos provide a memorable look at a child throughout their school years. While it can be a fun way to celebrate and share these milestones with friends and families online, it can also provide private information to scammers and other unsavory characters. Officials say you should limit the amount of personal information shared on social media, especially when it comes to kids. That means leaving off information about their school, teacher, and address. That information can be used to gain a child's trust, is frequently used for online security questions, and can be manipulated using AI. Another tip they offered if you do want to share with friends and family...turn on the privacy settings to limit who can see posts.

Published on 09/01/2026 under News With the calendar flipped to September, the fall hunting season is officially underway, starting with the early goose season that opened at daybreak. According to the DNR, this two-week early season offers an increased daily bag limit of five Canada geese compared to the traditional season. The early hunt targets Wisconsin's resident goose population before the broader fall migration crosses the state. Based on spring surveys, the current population estimate for Wisconsin-breeding Canada geese sits at 114,000 birds. That figure is slightly lower than last year and the five-year average, but still well above the long-term baseline. The regular goose season will follow immediately after the early season ends, opening on September 16. State wildlife officials remind all hunters to keep safety a top priority whenever heading into the field this fall.

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Published on 08/31/2026 under News A plea deal has been reached for a man involved in a high-speed pursuit and highway shooting that spanned Marathon and Lincoln counties in October 2023. Court records show 44-year-old Bennie Green pleaded guilty to seven charges earlier this month. This includes five felony counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety with a dangerous weapon, along with OWI causing injury and possession a firearm as a felon. The charges stem from an incident in October 2023 where Green fired at a vehicle on Highway 51 near Brokaw, injuring two people in that vehicle. Lincoln County deputies later spotted Green's vehicle, sparking a pursuit back into Marathon County that ended when a deputy disabled Green's car near Wausau. As part of the plea agreement, six additional charges were dismissed but will be considered at sentencing on November 30.

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Published on 08/31/2026 under News Drivers heading through Lincoln County will need to plan for extra travel time starting today as work begins on a major Highway 17 resurfacing project. Highway 17 remains closed to through traffic between Highway 64 and Big Hay Meadow Creek. The project will unfold in two separate phases. They'll work into early November before pausing for the winter. The project will resume next spring, tentatively scheduled from April to July. This is a project that was moved up on the construction calendar due to road conditions. Crews will replace the existing asphalt surface and concrete curb and gutter, install new centerline rumble strips, and apply a protective thermoplastic coating at designated snowmobile crossings to prevent track wear on the fresh pavement. The posted detour uses Highways 64, 51, and 8. Local access to homes and businesses along the construction corridor will be maintained.

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