The #3 Seed Racine Case Eagles start the football weekend on WRJN with a WIAA Playoff battle against #2 seed Mukwonago. We’ll have live coverage starting at 6:30 Friday night, with Dick Graceffa on the call. Last week, WRJN listeners heard a classic when Case came back to beat Oconomowoc in the first round of the playoffs. Listen live on the airwaves or find WRJN on the Civic Media app.
Keep the app handy for Saturday night football with the Wisconsin Badgers. College football can be heard through the Civic Media app, with pre-game on WRJN starting at 4:30pm. The Badgers look to bounce back with a Big Ten matchup in Iowa.
You can hear the Green Bay Packers only on the airwaves, 1400AM, 99.9FM in Racine, and 98.1FM in Kenosha. Pre-game for the contest with Detroit starts at 1pm, with Wayne, Larry, Kuhn, and the kick-off at 3:25. After it’s over, stick around for the post-game show, which includes interviews from the podium and the players. Post game runs for roughly two hours after the game ends.
This past weekend, like many of you, I tried to relax and get away from the work grind by getting in front of a television and watching some football. The Green Bay Packers on Sunday to be specific. However, with less than a month away from the election, it’s impossible to get away completely. Certainly when it comes to Congressman Derrick Van Orden.
Derrick Van Orden is not my congressman. I live in the 7th Congressional District, as does everyone who lives in Marathon County. My congressman (and I use the my very loosely) is Tom Tiffany. Derrick Van Orden represents the 3rd Congressional District. The reason why I have to sit through many Derrick Van Orden political commercials, and his oppenent Rebecca Cooke, is because the 3rd District has Portage and Wood County as part of it. The Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids media markets are served by TV stations out of Wausau. To get to voters in Point and Rapids the campaigns need to buy spots from Channels 7, 9, 12 and the FOX channel….what number that is I have no idea. So those of us in Marathon County and other counties not in the 3rd get to learn a lot about Van Orden and Cooke.
It wasn’t a surprise I saw many, many political spots when sitting down to watch the Packers face the Rams Sunday. It was expected. I have seen Derrick Van Orden’s “racial dog whistle” spots many times. Maybe I just saw it one time too many yesterday. Recently Van Order had a spot titled “One of Them.” It featured pics of the “liberal elite” such as President Biden, former Speaker Pelosi, Senate majority leader Schumer and California Governor Newsom. None mentioned by name. Then the spot claimed Cooke was “handpicked” to win back the House and “trusted to elect liberal heroes like Mandela Barnes.” Large photo Barnes. Looks darkened. Then they add another black face in House Minority leader Jeffries on the other side of Cooke to finish the spot with the words “she’s one of them.” Disgusting.
The latest Van Orden ad drops the white faces and focuses on linking Cooke strictly to Mandela Barnes. That’s the spot I kept seeing yesterday. It’s more “Us vs. Them”. The kind of stuff we saw over and over again in the 2022 Senate race between Barnes and Senator Ron Johnson. The biggest difference is in 2022 Johnson had the “sense” to let his 3rd party allies put out the most racist and disgusting of the ads, including darkening of the then-Lt. Governor’s picture. The Van Orden spots end with the words “I’m Derrick Van Orden and I approve this message.” Standing next to a bunch of old white guys who look like law enforcement. Nice little kicker there Derrick. He is trying to remind everyone he is “us” standing next to the white guys while Cooke is “them” pictured next to Barnes and Jeffries.
Van Orden isn’t the only GOP candidate ramping up the use of racial language. It goes right to the top. It was reported today that Donald Trump told right wing radio host Hugh Hewitt that you can tell whether migrants are predisposed to committing murder by “their genes.” “We got a lot of bad genes in our country right now,” Trump added. This is 2024. That’s the kind of thing said in the years post-Civic War. Pure racism.
We need stop seeing the media using terms like “sharpening attacks” and other passive language to avoid saying the truth: these are racist attacks on millions of our people. This is not a time to “both sides” what we are seeing and hearing everyday. Over and over again. Even when trying to get away from it all with a football game. It’s dangerous. It needs to stop but if it doesn’t stop it needs to be called what it is.
There are many things in politics that make sense and those that don’t. Earlier this week Donald Trump became the first Republican nominee for President to campaign in Dane County since Bob Dole in 1996. Among the state GOP dignitaries who were there to show their support of the former President were former Governor Scott Walker and 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee Tim Michels. Senator Ron Johnson is one of Trump’s biggest state supporters. None of those names are surprising. The one state GOP leader that still makes me shake my head for his support of Trump is former four-term Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson. Not only does Thompson support Trump but he was the lead speaker introducing Trump this week in Dane County. Tommy even laughed at the call (and insult) Trump gave when he called to tell Tommy to “get the hell off the stage.”
Why? I keep asking why and finding little in my search for answers. Just a couple of weeks ago Civic Media had plenty of coverage from the Cap Times Idea Fest in Madison. Leading political figures were among the many types of folks who spoke at the event. One of which was Tommy Thompson. After reading what he told the audience at Idea Fest I am more confused on why Thompson, at the age of 82, would make one of his last political battles a fight to get Donald Trump back into the White House. In fact, the reasons he put out at Idea Fest make absolutely no sense.
From a story at civicmedia.us that discussed Thompson’s appearance at Idea Fest: “he noted his support for Trump was in part a push to urge his own party to work across the aisle to tackle the serious problems facing Wisconsin and the United States as a whole.” What? If Thompson wants a leader who will urge the current MAGA Republican Party to work across the aisle that person wouldn’t be Donald Trump in any way, shape or form. It’s crazy to think that Trump will change who he is at this late point in his life.
Thompson also, as Civic Media noted in it’s story of the event appearance, “At various points in the evening, Thompson endorsed a range of ideas that might strike the uninitiated as out of character for a Republican.” Some of the ideas Thompson pushed would be laughed out of a MAGA Republican Party meeting. Thompson proposed converting a state prison into a university to give inmates a path to success after incarceration and hiring retired judges to re-try cases within the correctional system with the hope of reducing sentences and freeing people earlier. The GOP and it’s 3rd party allies are putting out disgusting commercials right here in central Wisconsin against 85th Assembly District Democratic nominee Yee Leng Xiong saying he wants to open up all the jailhouse doors to release dangerous criminals. If Yee Leng Xiong made the same proposal as Thompson (which is very much worth consideration) the Republican Party would be spending many thousands of dollars calling him “soft on crime.”
Thompson also finished with a very reasonable statement that would have no favor in Trump’s Republican Party: “There are good ideas from Democrats and good ideas from Republicans,” he said. “In this state and this country … I want you to work as hard as you possibly can for your candidate, Kamala. I’m going to work for my candidate, Donald Trump. But at the end I want to come together because this country has serious, serious problems and we cannot afford to continue to be so partisan and so political that we don’t talk to each other.”
I am still as confused as ever on why Donald Trump is Tommy Thompson’s candidate. Thompson has to know of Trump’s dictatorial tendencies, his racist history, his felony convictions and more. Is it a desperate attempt at relevance? I don’t know. However, I do know that Tommy Thompson has to be held to account for his work, his hard work, to put a dangerous demagogue back in office. Saying he worked with Democrats in the past doesn’t cut it. Thompson is putting party, and maybe himself, above country and it’s a disgrace that should stick to him now and forever.
Throughout Tuesday, like any storm, the winds started to blow harder and harder. At first the thought was “did Mayor Diny really dress up as a DPW employee to move a ballot drop box on a Sunday?” Yep, it really happened and there were pictures and video to prove it. On the surface it appears the mayor has overstepped his bounds in moving the drop box to his office. There are a lot of upset constituents, city hall workers and public officials. There will be plenty of investigation and decisions to be made on what happened on Sunday and much more to be said. However, at this point, I want to talk about a trend I have seen for a while in candidates and officials: hubris.
Self-confidence can be a good thing. It can also lead to problems. Reading some of the mayor’s comments concerning his decision to unilaterally remove the ballot drop box it comes across as a person who has no doubt he thinks he’s right. The mayor also said the people who he talked to don’t like drop boxes. It reminded me of an interview I had a couple of months ago on my program with a Republican candidate for the state assembly where he said everyone he had talked to agreed with his positions. My first thought was “everyone”? There are more than a few things I believe I am correct about. However, I am not delusional enough to think “everyone” agrees with me. It seems as though, in recent years, many on the right are certain of their beliefs and that “everyone” or at least every “real American” agrees with them. Whether Trump, Cory Tomczyk, and even radio personalities it can lead to some dangerous situations thinking you are right about everything.
According to public reports, Mayor Diny did have conversations with the clerk about the drop boxes. Apparently, in the end, the mayor’s suggestions were not heeded and the drop box was not removed. Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some right? Not in this case. The mayor decided not to take no for an answer. He “knows” he is right. Hubris. That’s not the way our government works. One point that council president Lisa Rasmussen made really caught my eye. Rasmussen said to the Wausau Pilot and Review: “One concern I have heard from people so far is worry that there could be no accountability for this action, that if any other citizen had done the same thing, they would have been immediately answering to the police, and or facing some consequences.” There has been many examples in recent years where it appears that the rules are different for different people. Whether because of social status, economic status, race or other factors people aren’t treated equally under the law or under the rules of our society. That is a problem.
We will learn more about what happened and whether or not the mayor broke any rules or laws by his actions on Sunday. However, a little less “hubris” and a little more “humbleness” by everyone might go a long way.
Last week, for the second time, a court dismissed a defamation case filed by State Senator Cory Tomczyk against the Wausau Pilot and Review. Last year a Marathon County Circuit Court judge dismissed Tomczyk’s suit and now it’s an appeals panel that told the Mosinee businessman turned state Senator his claims have no merit. Whether this is the end of this sad tale is to be determined as Tomczyk says he will be determining his options after the latest ruling.
If the goal is justice, then this case should be over. If the goal is to bankrupt one of the few journalistic options the people of central Wisconsin has to get information about their governmental representatives and policies then Tomcyzk may keep tilting at this windmill. In the ruling written by appeals judge Lisa Stark it was stated that Tomczyk failed to provide evidence to buttress his claims of “actual malice” and “reckless disregard” in the Pilot’s reporting of Tomczyk using an anti-gay slur during a 2021 meeting where the “Community for All” issue was being discussed.
After becoming a major voice in the “CFA” debate, Tomczyk ran for the state Senate and won the Republican primary over Mosinee mayor Brent Jacobson by positioning himself as a Donald Trump-like MAGA candidate who truly represents the people of the 29th District and then defeated Democrat Bob Look in the very-GOP leaning district. During a joint appearance at UWSP at Wausau in October of 2022 Tomczyk ran as an election denier, comparing our elections to “Putin’s Russia”. He talked about the lack of integrity of the justice system, wanting 2020 protesters jailed while January 6th defendants were just “supporting their candidates”. Talked about the radical policies of Governor Evers and Mayor Rosenberg and the horrible “Democrat” policies and how “average citizens” and “average Americans” hate those policies. “Average Americans” = conservatives. Then called Democrat policies “treasonous” and that Democrats “don’t want law and order and safety. Democrats want chaos. Democrats want confusion. Democrats want instability. They want this so they can they try to convince the ‘sheeple’ that they have the only solution. They can fix the problem. It’s b—s–t.” Can see why he has been continuing this suit for the last couple of years. Don’t cross him.
So on one side there’s a journalist who has covered the news for years in our area. The other is MAGA state Senator who throws verbal bombs at people who are left of him on the political spectrum. The courts have now, multiple times, said his suit has no merit. One would think that a media source, one that claims they believe in “law and order” would see the merit of standing with the Pilot and the courts. Nope, the operations manager/morning show co-host of the right-wing radio station down the street puts out a commentary titled “A Eulogy for American Journalism.” He stands with Tomczyk and against the Pilot. Wow. The people that want to kill American journalism aren’t the ones who won in the courts last year and last week. The costs of this crusade of Tomczyk’s have nearly bankrupted the Pilot, and would have, except for the support of their readers.
I look forward to discussing this case and whole story with Wausau Pilot and Review editor/founder Shereen Siewert later in the week.
A recent poll confirmed that parents and grandparents greatly embarrass their children when they play air guitar. There was a time when playing air instruments was cool. Back in 1984 we had contests to see who the best imaginary players were. I remember being the m.c. for a big contest at Reedsburg High School. They also had a competition for the best ‘flying v kick’ like David Lee Roth from Van Halen. This week in ’84 that group’s song Jump was the number one tune on radio. It was an exciting time to grow up. The social network was the family home phone. Sometimes we were still on a party line. Up to eight families would sometimes be on the same circuit. Long distance rates were cheaper after 6:00 pm. If I wanted to call a young woman from Bear Valley, I had to call late. I needed to coil the long phone cord to the other side of the file cabinet so that I could have a little privacy when I was talking to my lady friend. It was the early years for MTV and pop culture was totally influenced by the styles that we saw on video. There were many British artists that became instant stars because of the 24-hour exposure that the network provided. Some of my faves from March of 1984 include Talking in Your Sleep-Romantics, Back Where You Belong-.38 Special, Middle of the Road-Pretenders, Radio Ga Ga-Queen, Nobody Told Me-John Lennon, They Don’t Know-Tracy Ullman, The Language of Love-Dan Fogelberg, New Moon on Monday-Duran Duran, and That’s All-Genesis.
Saturday night during Those Were the Days, I will be spinning the hits from early 1984 and music from all of the eras that we play. Trivia games return and we will be cranking out the hits until the midnight hour. I hope you enjoyed our archived flashbacks last weekend following local sports. It was great to spend some time with my darling granddaughter, Oaklee, as she turned four. She seems to like vinyl records! Perhaps someday she can cohost Those Were the Days on WRCO FM 100.9 and WRCO.com!
Evelyn H. Palosaari, 91, a former resident of Chassell, passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Delaware House of Portage Pointe in Hancock, where she had been a resident patient.
She was born on October 6, 1934, in Coburntown, a daughter of the late Henry and Amanda Harkonen. Evey was raised in Coburntown and was a graduate of the Hancock High School with the class of 1953.
On April 3, 1954, she was united in marriage to Clifford Palosaari. The couple had made their home at North Entry in Chassell as they raised their family and successfully managed their “Rolling Acres” family farm.
Along with helping Clifford run their Dairy and Strawberry farm, Evey was also very active with the Farm Bureau Association, served as board member on the USDA Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service, was a 4-H leader for many years and a volunteer for the Houghton County Fair. She also worked for the Head Start Program and originated one of the first Bed and Breakfast facilities in the area on her farm for 15 years. She was an active member and Sunday School teacher with the Chassell and Tapiola Apostolic Lutheran Churches with her children. She then assisted with many projects with the Zion Lutheran Churches in Hancock, from which she was a member of for many years. She enjoyed working in her flower and vegetable gardens, hosting many gatherings at her home and spending time with her family and friends.
Preceding her in death were her husband Clifford, her granddaughter Jessica Lynn Holombo, and her siblings: Richard Suomi, Helga Lukkari, Toivo Maki, Irene Croteau, Gertrude Gore, Elaine Mantta, and William Harkonen.
Surviving are:
Her children: Gary (Teresa) Palosaari, Steve Palosaari, Mark (Rita) Palosaari, Dan (Sandy) Palosaari, Tim (Kelly) Palosaari, Lisa (Steven) Holombo, and Peter Palosaari and Shelly. Her former Daughters-in-law, Mary Lampinen and Cheryl Palosaari, 20 Grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Evelyn shared numerous times with her family her satisfaction with her time at Portage Pointe and her love for many of the employees who consistently cared for her and jointly shared their humorous times with each other.
A funeral service for Evelyn will be held 4:00 pm Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the Zion Lutheran Church of Hancock with Pastor Jesse Aho to officiate. Burial will be Monday, June 22, 2026, at 11:00 am in the Chassell Cemetery.
Friends may call on Sunday, June 21, 2026, from 2 to 4:00 pm at the Zion Lutheran Church of Hancock.
To view Evelyn’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service – Chassell Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Mari E. Jukkala, 42, a resident of Trimountain, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at UP Health System – Portage.
Mari was born on April 16, 1984, in Laurium, to Steve and Annette Levanen. She was a graduate of Hancock Central High School with the Class of 2002. On June 4, 2005, she was united in marriage to Nicholas Jukkala. Mari was a member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church.
Preceding Mari in death are her father-in-law, Paul Jukkala and a nephew, Lucas Levanen.
She is survived by her husband, Nick of Trimountain; Her children: Tara, Jaclyn, Caleb, Lindsey, Brandon, and Nathan, all at home.; Her parents: Steve and Annette Levanen of Hancock; Her siblings: Derrick (Annette) Levanen of Sheridan, WY, Jason (Sandra) Levanen of Story, WY, Peter (Jeannie) Levanen of Yacolt, WA, Randy (Joanna) Levanen of Kalispell, MT, Katie (Duane) Charlson of Sheridan, WY, Suzanne (Adam) Hammerstrom of Hancock, Joel (Deanna) Levanen of Hancock; Her mother-in-law, Sharon Jukkala of Houghton; Brothers and sisters-in-law: Lisa (Clint) Heikkila of Chassell, Laura (Jason) Wiitanen of Chassell, Jana (Byron) Ruonavaara of Hancock, Cindy (Cort) Rajala of Chassell, Mary (Robert) Mayo of Baraga, Eric (Beth) Jukkala of Gillette, WY, and Colleen (Matthew) Berryman of Trimountain; Mari is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, along with a host of Christian friends.
A funeral service for Mari will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Hancock. Burial will take place in the Oskar Cemetery.
Friends may call on Monday, June 22, 2026, from 6:30 until 8:30 pm at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Hancock and again on Tuesday, June 23, from 10 am until the time of services at the church.
To view this obituary or to send condolences online to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
For generations, Black newspapers have done more than simply report the news. They have documented community history, amplified Black voices, and advocated for change. For this year’s Juneteenth edition, I had the amazing opportunity to speak with longtime community advocate Carole Geary, who reflected on her life and journey from Chicago to Milwaukee and how those experiences shaped her lifelong commitment to Black journalism.
Before we moved into the interview questions, Ms. Geary shared her life story and her path into journalism.
“I was born and raised in the South Side of Chicago, and our family lived on 27th Street in a very rundown community. The community is now one of the most affluent communities of Chicago.”
She spoke about growing up in Chicago after her family moved to the far South Side.
“The stigma of the residents and the community has been erased since I lived there. No matter rain or shine, cold or snow, I walked to Shoop Elementary School.”
She later attended Moody Bible Institute for a short while, where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, became church secretary, typed the church programs, and operated a printing press. She also attended Chicago Vocational High School, where she graduated with double diplomas.
After getting married, she and her husband moved to Madison, Wisconsin.
“One day, my husband Cliff informed me we were moving to Adana, Turkey.”
After living in Turkey for two years, they moved back to Wisconsin, this time to Milwaukee, because her husband wanted to attend the Milwaukee School of Engineering. She arrived in Milwaukee seven months pregnant and later gave birth to her daughter, Sharon.
Before connecting with the Milwaukee Courier, she held several positions throughout Milwaukee. She worked as a receptionist at a law firm in downtown Milwaukee, a receptionist at a nonprofit organization, and later became assistant to the director of the Concentrated Employment Program (CEP).
“Political infighting caused CEP to close, and I was employed as assistant to State Senator Swann.”
Ms. Geary is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She also attended Marquette University’s graduate journalism program while working and caring for her daughter.
Finding the Milwaukee Courier
We talked about how she connected with the Milwaukee Courier.
“I eventually stopped by the Courier to see if I could be a freelance photographer to get experience for my classes in photography at Marquette University. I was given a press pass.
Well, the city job did not last very long due to misleading headlines in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. I stopped by the Courier to see if I could tell my side of the story and have the Courier print my version.
Mr. Jones, now Dr. Jones, advised me to move on and get my journalism experience at the Courier. I thought about it, no jobs, bills to pay, a daughter to educate and feed. This was my biggest challenge.
I said yes and started the next day working at the Milwaukee Courier Newspaper.”
The NNPA (National Newspaper Publishers Association) is an association of Black newspaper publishers across the United States. Established in 1940, it remains one of the largest and most influential Black-owned media organizations in America.
Q: You are a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and have spent much of your career supporting Black journalism. What first inspired your commitment to the Black press?
“Jerrel Jones inspired my commitment to the Black press.
I always wanted to be an advocate for change. And once I got the ink in my blood and saw how powerful the printed word is, the commitment was there, and the creed of the Black press was the message.
I felt the need to be a part of the blueprint. We need to tell our own story.
That is the creed of the Black press, that we tell our own story.”
Q: Can you share some of the history of your involvement with the NNPA and the role it has played in advocating for Black communities?
“As publisher, I began attending NNPA meetings, the National Newspaper Publishers Association, which has June conventions held in member publisher cities, September conferences held in Washington, D.C., the National Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation events during Black Press Week honoring Howard University students majoring in journalism, and Midwinter Conferences. Which is always held in a warm city.
During the years Dr. Jones was active with NNPA, the old guard worked together to ensure the Black press was the voice of the community, especially when corporations discriminated in their hiring and advertising practices.
All NNPA newspapers would discuss issues facing the community and join together in campaigns. Major headlines across the Black press showed togetherness in supporting issues affecting Black communities, such as hiring and advertising.
For example, at one point every Black newspaper had the headline: ‘Choke on Coke,’ which was a very successful campaign. Dr. Jones was a major leader in the NNPA. And in the NNPA, we had meetings that would recognize owners and publishers’ newspapers with their mini-awards. And the highest award presented to the newspaper that I had to win that day was the Rushroom Award.
The NNPA experience taught me the value of speaking in numbers is very powerful.”
Q: Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, resilience, and progress. What does Juneteenth personally mean to you?
“I always looked forward to taking my daughter to 3rd Street, now MLK Drive, to be with a sea of Black people gathering as one family. The food and the anticipation of Dr. Jones bringing out the stretch red-and-white convertible Cadillac with the winner, Miss Juneteenth, sitting in the caddy, riding down 3rd Street; the crowd cheered for her.
Juneteenth means freedom, resilience, and progress for the Black community and has become more inclusive for all communities.”
Q: Looking back, what stands out most in your memories of Mike McGee Sr., and what impact do you believe he had on Black political engagement and presence in Milwaukee?
“Mike McGee was one of many voices for our community.
Once McGee, Carl G., and Jerrel Jones became a team, Milwaukee was a positive force in the Black community that the establishment in Milwaukee was determined to destroy.
Their message to the Black community was powerful when it came to determining our own destiny as a people and as a community. That’s what their message was.”
Q: What message would you like to share with younger generations about preserving Black history and supporting Black-owned media?
“The young generation has so much technology at their disposal, including AI, they believe reading news online from Black writers and news feeds.
It is supporting Black media.
I wish I had the solution to combat the technology that influences our younger generation not to pick or subscribe to newspapers and listen to Black-owned radio stations more frequently.”
Q: What concerns you most about the future of journalism, and what gives you hope?
“The perception that Black newspapers will not be around, advertisers’ online buys, corporations taking our spending power for granted, and young people having so much noise around them and are losing hope that Black newspaper employment cannot be a viable and sustainable income.
And my hope is that one day, we’ll get back to knowing that this is a sustainable and viable income to be a part of the Black Press.”
Q: With all of the important and impactful work you have done over the decades, how were you able to navigate and persevere in those spaces as a Black woman. What challenges did you face, and what gave you the strength and determination to continue your work?
“My challenges were many while being a single mother and being passed over for many positions because I am a woman and because of the color of my skin.
The opportunity came when Dr. Jones recognized the many talents of people who worked for and with the Courier, especially the many leadership talents Jones allowed to flourish.
Many of the staff operated businesses while working for the Courier. The businesses started by me, with support from Dr. Jones, was an African American tourism company, Park Travel Agency; a Midwest Regional Advertising Agency; and a Courier Communication business, ecetera.
With the support of the Courier and family members, it gave me the determination to continue the work that needed to be accomplished.
I watched and studied our leaders and the positive impact they had on our communities.
I came along during the era of street singers, Motown, Jesse Jackson, Michael Jackson, Farrakhan. Dr. Leon Sullivan, founder of OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Centers), who made many visits to the motherland.
I was on the plane when we arrived in Africa, and Dr. Sullivan said, ‘They took us away, piled in ships through an opening with writing above it that said, ‘that we shall never return.’
Sullivan stated, ‘Not only did we return, we came by air and not like we left, in the bottom of ships.’
I visited several African cities while employed by the Milwaukee Courier, and my strength and commitment came from my connection to the motherland. Seeing both the poverty and destitution also the wealth in those countries gave me the fortitude to be a force to honor the Black Press Creed.”
The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonism when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color, or creed, full human and legal right, hating no person, fearing no person; the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.
The Black Press was started out of a need to tell our own story and not let it be told by other media outlets.”
Become an advocate for the Black Press: Pick up the Milwaukee Courier weekly and listen to WNOV radio station daily.
Related stories:
As he faces terminal cancer, Mike McGee Sr. reflects this Juneteenth on his lifetime of fighting for Black Milwaukee
For every Mike McGee Sr, there is a Marvin Pratt
‘I love Mike McGee’: Howard Fuller reflects on friendship, conflict and legacy
Mike McGee Sr.: Milwaukee has more Black leaders than ever. So where’s the change?
Jerome “Jerry” Jay Habas of Minneapolis, Minnesota, passed away at the age of 61 at Regions Hospital. Jerry was born on June 16, 1964, in Park Falls, Wisconsin to James and Jean (Ante) Habas. He grew up in Park Falls and attended high school there before later moving to the Minneapolis area, where he made his home for many years. Jerry was a hands-on person who enjoyed working with his hands and building a lot of different things. He spent time working on projects and took pride in creating and fixing things. He appreciated the simple pleasures in life: fishing, spending time camping at Boundary Waters, and being surrounded by family and friends. Those who knew Jerry will remember his sense of humor and his ability to make people laugh. He enjoyed joking with others and bringing smiles to those around him. He could be stubborn at times, but that determination was simply part of who he was. Above all, Jerry valued the people he cared about and enjoyed sharing life’s everyday moments with them. He is survived by his father James Habas of Park Falls, one brother and two sisters: John (Doris) Habas of Mason, Cheryl (Steve) Parker of Grafton, and Donna (Paul) Below of Green Bay, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Jean, his brothers Joseph, James, Jeffrey and his infant nephew Tyler. A graveside service will be held at St. Agnes Cemetery in Ashland at a later date. Jerry will be remembered for his quick wit, hardworking nature, and the friendships and family connections that meant so much to him. Birch Street Funeral Service is assisting the family. www.birchstreetfuneralservice.com
Charlann Marie Hartmann, 66, passed away on June 12, 20 26, at Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She was surrounded by her siblings, nieces, and nephews. She will be greatly missed! Born on February 3, 1960, in Phillips, WI, she was the child of Arthur and Ethel (Andrews) Hartmann. She graduated from Prentice High School in 1979. Charlann never married and never had children of her own, but she helped every one of her siblings raise their children. She was known for her love of the Green Bay Packers, babies, crafting baby hats, puzzles, many other handicrafts, and shopping. She will be remembered for her love for her family, her obstinate personality, and her cookie baking. She is survived by her siblings Greg (Rosalie) Hartmann, Jeff (Sherry Moore) Hartmann, Scott Hartmann, Rachel (Warren) Carlson, Jody Hartmann, Brody Hartmann, and Julie Cleveland. She is further survived by her nieces and nephews Jason Hartmann, Craig Hartmann, Amy Jo Leal, Jessica Wear, Danielle Gruber, Courtney Burrier, Heather Bogen, Taylor Luedtke, Cody Hartmann, Mikenna Huegli, Brianna Hartmann, Chelby Blomberg, Jared Hartmann, Clay Hartmann, Kiandra Hartmann, Kaden Hartmann, and Cristy Hartmann all of whom consider Shotzie to be an extra parent. She is even further survived by many favored great nephews and nieces. She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Ethel Hartmann; her twin sister, Charlene; an infant brother, Steven; a beloved nephew, Mark Hartmann; and the bestest girl, her dog, Molly. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 11, 2026, at 11am at Prentice Lions’ Park, located across from the Prentice School District. The family wishes to send a big thank you to Dove Wissota Health and Vent Center of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and Mayo Hospital Palliative Staff of Eau Claire, Wisconsin for their amazing care and attention to “Shotzie” over the past few years. To celebrate her football shenanigan behavior, the family requests everyone wear their best Green Bay Packer gear or their worst Chicago Bears gear. Online condolences may be shared at nimsgernfuneral.com. Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral Home is serving the family.
A graveside service for Debra A. (Jay Spiegel) Kangas, 71, a resident of Baltic, who passed away February 7, 2026, at her home, will be held 11:00 am Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Mt. View Cemetery of South Range.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Mt. View Chapel of South Range is assisting the family with the arrangements.
MADISON, Wis. — Civic Media today announced a new initiative with Ben Wikler called This Is Wisconsin: a series that travels the state to tell the stories of working Wisconsinites—how far families have to drive for a doctor’s appointment when the local hospital closes, the rising cost of brats and beer (still worth it!), the delicious snacks and painful gas prices at Kwik Trip—with humor, edge, and an unapologetic love of the place. The project launches today with a debut video, a first look at the stories This Is Wisconsin will tell.
The project arrives at a moment when two things are collapsing at once. Local news is hollowing out, leaving rural counties as news deserts. And political media has nationalized and turned performative, drifting further from the actual lives of the people it claims to cover. The result is that the conditions of everyday Wisconsin life—and the impact on people’s lives of national political decisions—rarely make it into the conversation except as props in someone else’s argument. This Is Wisconsin moves the lens from Washington press conferences to Wisconsin communities, and treats how people actually live as the point, not the backdrop.
“This is exactly what Civic Media was built for: local, honest, and rooted in what people here actually care about,” said Sage Weil, Civic Media CEO. “Ben gets that you reach people by respecting them and lifting up their voices, and he radiates enthusiasm for this state no matter who folks vote for. The way we cover things is simple: not by team colors, but by asking who’s really calling the shots, who benefits, and who gets left out—and how that plays out locally, in real life.”
“If you care about your community and your state, but feel like most political coverage is about things far away from your life, This Is Wisconsin is for you,” said Ben Wikler. “I’m thrilled to join Civic Media and its civic mission, and to tell stories that celebrate what we love about our state, highlight how people can make it even better, and focus on the impact of politics and policy on people’s real lives.”
The work will show up where Wisconsinites already are: short-form video on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube featuring Ben in conversation with individual Wisconsinites; longer documentary-style features going deep on a single community or issue; appearances across Civic Media’s statewide network of stations; first-person dispatches from the road; collaborations with other Wisconsin creators and communicators; and interactive tools like a feature showing what tariffs actually mean for your county. It’s an ensemble effort, produced alongside Civic Media’s local hosts, reporters, and community contributors. The people who know their towns better than any visitor can.
This Is Wisconsin has a point of view: it’s on the side of working Wisconsinites, honest public conversation, and communities that work for everyone in them. It doesn’t cover politics by team colors — it asks who’s really calling the shots, who benefits, and who gets left out, and follows that wherever it leads.
About Civic Media Civic Media is a Wisconsin-based public benefit corporation operating a network of hometown radio stations and digital platforms across the state. We were founded to help fill the gap left by the decline of local media by providing trusted local news, real conversations, and coverage of the issues that shape everyday life in the communities we serve. We believe local media plays a vital role in the practice of democracy. Our programming focuses on local, regional, and state issues, with the goal of helping audiences better understand their communities, engage with the world around them, and participate more fully in civic life.
Michael H. Verville, 81, a long-time Hancock resident, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 12, 2025 at Canal View – Houghton County in Hancock.
Mike was born on August 2, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan, son of the late Philip and Mary (Harris) Verville. He attended Catholic grade school for a few years and then as he became older started working a variety of part time jobs, notably spending 48 years at radio station WMPL until his retirement. Over the years he developed many friends in Hancock taking daily walks and talking to everyone along the way. He had a great interest and love for the Hancock Fire Department where he was an honorary firefighter. He followed the auto industry and was able to name make, model, and years of all the cars owned by his father. Mike had an extensive music collection and enjoyed watching western movies and TV shows.
Mike lived with his his parents the majority of his life. In his later years he resided at Quincy Haven Apartments in Hancock and then moved to Canal View in 2021. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus and the Church of the Resurrection where he worshiped and enjoyed the fellowship of his friends and the congregation after mass every Sunday.
He is survived by his brother, Philip (Mary Ann) and his sister Mary (Paul) Babcock along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents: Philip and Mary (Frankie) Verville, and his sister Patricia (Patrick) O’Hagan.
The family would like to thank two very special people in Mike’s life: Maryanne of WMPL who guided Mike with love and understanding throughout his career and Chris Davis, who was Mike’s teacher, life coach and best friend. The 3rd floor staff at Canal View are to be commended for their compassionate care of Mike for the last 4 years.
A celebration of Mike’s life will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at the Church of the Resurrection in Hancock. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until 11:00 am followed immediately by Mass of Christian Burial. After the mass, lunch will be provided. Interment will be at the family plot in Forest Hill Cemetery, Houghton, MI.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in his name to Little Brothers~Friends of the Elderly, Hancock.
The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting with his arrangements. To leave online condolences to his family, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.
Evelyn H. Palosaari, 91, a former resident of Chassell, passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Delaware House of Portage Pointe in Hancock, where she had been a resident patient. The Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service – Chassell Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements, which will be announced at a later time
