This is your WFHR Daily News Roundup, for locally grown radio 97.5 FM and 1320 AM, and
WISC country 105.5 FM WIRI in Wisconsin Rapids.
For WFHR and WIRI News, I'm Melissa Kaye.
As the climate shifts, so does the science behind growing cranberries.
Staff at the Wisconsin-Cranberry Research Station are working to ensure the future of the
state's signature fruit by studying how cranberries can tolerate extreme temperatures and finding
ways to extend the harvest season to reduce labor and equipment demands.
The inability to change in a changing environment is the textbook definition of extinction.
That's Grant Holley, the executive director of the nonprofit Wisconsin-Cranberry Growers
Association.
He said Wisconsin growers know what to do when change happens slowly.
When you're looking at fast changes, you need to know the Ys, and that's where our
researchers come into play.
They're able to look at changes happening at a molecular level and see how the cranberries
are being affected and also the symbiotic relationship the plants have with other organisms
in the ground.
They're seeing how that bacteria inside of the soil is helping with nitrogen uptake.
They're making sure that the fungus in the ground is helping us with water uptake.
Gabby Myers is the research and education manager for the Wisconsin-Cranberry Research
and Education Foundation.
She coordinates efforts from researchers across the state.
They're trying to create better cranberries, so maybe they're sweeter, firmer, so all
different sorts of traits that they're trying to breed for.
We provide a space for them to have those plots established.
Hybrid cranberry varieties are helping farmers diversify their marshes, producing more fruit
on less land, and spreading off the harvest season.
They're trying to be able to make it to where harvest doesn't all happen in the same two
weeks, because that's where you need extra equipment, you need extra people.
It's just a terrible time if you have to do that.
Harvest season now starts as early as September and can run through October or later depending
on the year.
Now a singular family can actually start handling a medium to small size farm.
Northwood State Senator Mary Felskowski said she's not seeking a run for higher office
in 2026.
The state lawmaker from Tomahawk said she would remain a state senator after months of
thought, prayer, and discussions with her husband.
Sholly Pittman reports.
Senator Felskowski had been rumored as a potential candidate for Congress or for Governor next
year.
If she had decided to run in the governor's race, she would have faced several challengers
in the Republican primary, including congressmen and former state lawmaker Tom Tiffany, along
with Washington County executive Josh Showman and medical technician Andy Mansky.
The government shutdown could affect November's food benefits.
Stuart J. Wattles has more.
Wisconsin officials are being told to hold off on sending out next month's food benefits.
A new letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture warns the state not to process
November snap payments yet.
The department says the money for the program only lasts through October unless the shutdown
ends.
It could impact thousands of Wisconsin families who rely on the benefits.
The USDA says they're working on plans in case the shutdown continues.
Republican state lawmakers have introduced new legislation seeking to limit political
donations made with a credit card.
The proposed bill would bar political parties and candidates from accepting online credit
card donations unless the contributor making the donation provides a verification code and
a U.S. address.
The legislation was discussed in a state committee assembly last week and some question
how the state could enforce the additional requirements.
Republican lawmakers say the bill is an election integrity measure.
The high school football playoffs will be different this year across Wisconsin.
Jimmy Kuska reports.
October is the start of high school football playoffs of this season for the first time teams
will qualify using a new system.
The new system which was supported by nearly 90% of coaches before implementation is actually
rewards teams that win and especially by defeating good teams.
In addition to figuring out who makes the playoffs, the new system also seeds each team and
assigns them geographically between four regions, a process that used to be done in the past
by humans with the aid of computer formulas.
Teams also know which division they are playing at the start of the season.
In the past, the divisions were set by defining the qualifying teams equally between divisions
the day after the regular season ended.
The A-Player playoff bracket was announced last Saturday with the 11 player playoff bracket
to be announced this Saturday.
You can see the playoff qualifying report for football and details on the new playoff
qualification system on the WIA website.
Portage County is hosting a virtual public information meeting later this month to share
updates from its county-wide traffic safety study.
The virtual meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 28th, from 6 to 7 pm.
Portage County Planning and Zoning planner Kristen Johnson said quote, this study is about
listening to the community and using that feedback to guide our approach to roadway
safety.
By combining data from our demonstration projects with input from residents, we can build a safety
action plan that reflects the needs of Portage County.
End quote.
The meeting will share data collected from roadway safety demonstration projects installed
in the county from April through October.
Community members will have the opportunity to provide feedback during the meeting.
You can register by visiting the county website at ceo.portage.wi.gov.
VA medical clinics in Wisconsin are offering flu shots for military veterans.
The Wisconsin Rapids and the Warsaw VA clinics are open for walk-ins on Thursdays from 830
to 330 through November 28th.
I'm Melissa K. for WFHR and W.I.R.I. News.
You can find more news anytime and sign up for our newsletter at WFHR.com.
The crew loses game two.
Hi.
I'm Mike Clemens with sports.
The brewer batch shut down again, losing to the Dodgers, five to one in the National League
Championship Series on Monday night Milwaukee lost two to one.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy.
If I would have told you that Dodgers are going to score seven runs in two games and was
the outcome in the first two games, I'd say there's a chance we won one of them for sure.
Dodgers starter Yoshinubo Yamamoto gave up a home run to Jackson Churio on the very first
pitch of the game and then became the first player in eight years to pitch an entire game
in the postseason.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, you know, you give up the first pitch of the game, you give
up a homer and then you go out there and then you thought a complete game was in complete
command the entire night.
So the Dodgers go up two games to nothing in the best of seven game three to mile night
in Los Angeles NBA.
The Bucks losing to the Thunder last night, one sixteen to one twelve, they finish the
preseason with a record of three and one, the Bucks season opener, a week from tonight
when they host the Washington Wizards with sports on my clements.