Here's your Daily News Roundup from 97.9 WGBW.
From the 97.9 WGBW newsroom, I'm Connie Feldman with this local news update.
The Green Bay Area School District has narrowed the field of potential new leaders
down to the top two and you're invited to meet them.
Each candidate will have a day in the district where the public is invited to a meet and greet.
Michael Hernandez, Appleton Area School District Assistant Superintendent,
will be at Green Bay's West High School this Wednesday from 5 to 6 pm.
Dr. Michael Trimberger, Jr., the current superintendent of the school district of Random Lake
will be there the following day from 5 to 6 on March 5.
School leaders encourage the public to bring questions in writing to be submitted to a moderator.
UW-Madison is the second best public university in the country,
according to a recent poll. Civic Media's Lisa Hale has that story.
A couple Midwest schools rank first and second among the public universities in the United States
in Time Magazine's list of the world's top universities of 2026.
The University of Michigan is ninth overall on the list and is the number one public
university in the United States. The number two public university in the US and 20th overall,
worldwide, is the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
For Civic Media News, I'm Lisa Hale.
The magazine looked at academic strength, economic impact,
innovation, and global engagement as it ranked the top 500 universities across the globe.
Average gas prices in Northeast Wisconsin have surged in early March,
with Green Bay rising over 30 cents in one week.
The average price per gallon today is roughly 284 in Green Bay, about 10 cents cheaper per gallon
in Appleton, according to AAA. Gas experts say the higher prices are due to seasonal demand,
tighter supplies, and heightened tensions in the Middle East.
This sharp increase follows a period late last year where Green Bay saw the lowest prices
at the pump in four years. Right now, gas prices are still comparable to the same time last year,
meaning the jump is mainly due to a seasonal rise in gas prices.
But the military strikes on Iran have already caused oil prices to rise worldwide,
which experts say could raise gas prices even more.
Well, you don't have to drive far to visit one of the top micro-escapes in the U.S.
The Green Bay Area's Pampron Park recently made the list as one of the best places to go to unplug
for a quick mental health boost. The mission for Michael Mental Health Treatment Center
surveyed more than 3,000 Americans to find the top spots for quick getaways,
where people can feel calm and grounded. Pampron Park made the list for its tree-lined trails,
which authors say create a wooded escape. They say duck creek winding through the park creates a
soft natural corridor where locals go to unwind. In a press release, mental health experts say
what stood out in the survey was how often the most restorative places weren't hidden or remote,
but close enough that people could visit them during their daily routine.
James Madison Park near the state capital and Veterans Park along Lake Michigan in Milwaukee
also made the list. With news at the top and bottom of the hour all day and on demand any time
at WGBW.FM, I'm Connie Feldman, 97.9 WGBW news.
For Civic Media News, I'm Lisa Hale.
The average price for a gallon of gas and Wisconsin jumped almost a quarter in the past week.
Prices are now averaging 276 a gallon according to gas buddy. That's 23.2 cents higher than last week
and 26.5 cents higher than a month ago. Meanwhile, the national price of gas rose 5.6 cents to
294 a gallon. Gas buddies head of petroleum analysis Patrick DeHon said markets will begin reacting
to this weekend's U.S. Iran attacks, which may cause immediate supply disruptions along with
elevated geopolitical risk premiums. He predicts the national price of a gallon of gas will rise
above the $3 mark for the first time this year. According to the Wisconsin Examiner,
three more Wisconsin sheriffs from Dunn, Green Lake and Wallworth counties assign deals to help
ICE enforce immigration laws. This brings the total to 19 of 72 counties working with federal
agents through the 287G program. Immigrant rights groups warned that the program scares people
from reporting crimes and pulls local cops away from community needs. A bill proposing roadside
drug testing in Wisconsin is sparking a debate over public safety. The proposal would allow law
enforcement officers to use roadside oral fluid testing in suspected drug impaired driving cases.
Dane County Sheriff Calvin Barrett said deputies are encountering more cases involving drugs
including prescription medications in addition to alcohol. Meanwhile, Milwaukee defense attorney
Andrew Mischlev says expanding roadside testing raises constitutional questions because bodily
samples are considered searches. The proposal is still in the early stages of the legislative process.
Barmers prepping to spread manure should check the runoff risk. Civic media's James Kelly reports.
With warmer weather on the horizon, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer
Protection is reminding farmers to check the runoff risk advisory forecast before spreading
manure on their fields. According to a press release, the tool is meant to help farmers and anyone
else applying manure to their fields with up to date information on weather and soil conditions
to reduce the risk of manure runoff ending up in nearby waterways. It's updated multiple times
each day and covers the state in roughly one and a half square mile grids. A report released by
the Alliance for the Great Lakes last year found that 90 percent of the nitrate contamination in
the state is caused by agricultural runoff with things like manure, fertilizers, and other
bio waste. Nitrate exposure is linked to a number of negative health concerns including cancer
and can contribute to toxic algae blooms in waterways. Residents can access the runoff risk advisory
forecast at runoffriskadvisory.wi.gov. For civic media news, I'm James Kelly.
High school juniors interested in learning more about agriculture in the Badger State
now have a new opportunity. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture is taking applications for its
youth council through March 31st. The group meets monthly during the school year to speak with
AG leaders, explore careers, and share ideas. 15 students will be selected from across the state.
Interested students can apply online at agyouthcouncil.wi.gov.
Wisconsin goes up a notch on a list ranking the state and local tax burden for residents.
Wisconsin now ranks 34th in the nation, up one spot from last year's ranking of 35.
A new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum says taxes took up about 9.8 percent
of personal income. That's a little less than a year before. The report also shows that the state's
tax share is still about a percentage point below the national average. The Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources has released a Wisconsin Food Waste Evaluation report.
Civic Media's Melissa Kaye breaks it down for us. It includes recommendations to reduce
food waste going to landfills as part of a statewide goal to reduce per capita food waste
disposal in landfills by 50 percent by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. Key findings of the report
show that 88 percent of food waste going to Wisconsin landfills is from residential and food
service sources, with residential contributing the largest share at 47 percent. Infrastructure
for hauling food waste to destinations other than landfills will have to expand significantly
to achieve the statewide food waste reduction goal. Of the 286 facilities licensed for composting
in Wisconsin, just 30 or 10 percent are approved to accept food waste. You can find more information
on the DNR website. I'm Melissa Kaye. Getting your degree in three years could be a possibility in the
UW system. The Board of Regents considered revisions to a policy last week that would allow
campuses to create bachelor's degrees that can be completed in three years. These degrees would
typically require 90 credits instead of the standard 120 credits. These three year programs are
on the rise nationwide. The state journal reports that the Board of Regents will vote on the
policy at a future meeting. Only one four-year university in Wisconsin currently offers a reduced
credit degree program. For civic media news, I'm Lisa Hale. For news anytime, visit our website
at civicmedia.us. The Bucks Slump continues. Hi, I'm Mike Clemens with Sports NBA. The Bucks
lost at home to the Celtics by 27 points. The final Boston 108 Milwaukee 81. Yannis back
for the first time in six weeks. He played 25 minutes scored 19 points. It's the Bucks in the
Atlanta Hawks 830 tomorrow night at five serve form. Baseball brewers with a day off before
playing the Chicago Cubs tomorrow. 34-year-old Christian Yellettry remembering the first time he met
Ryan Braun after joining the brewers. First or second day of spring training coming here with the
brewers for the first time nine years ago now. I remember we were talking for a little while in the
morning. It was still dark outside and all that. We were both headed to wherever we were going.
Obviously it's been crazy eight years here. You know, first eight years have been awesome.
They've won a lot of games and been a part of some cool moments and some great teams and
looking forward to more. That's the brewers Christian Yellettry with Sports on Mike Clemens.
Mostly cloudy today, but it will be warmer or high in the low to mid 40s here this afternoon.
Tonight partly cloudy with some fog by morning are low in the mid to upper 20s that could cause
the fog to frost the road. So be aware of that tomorrow. Mostly sunny and warmer with a high
right around 50. I mean to your knowledge is Sean Cable. That's your Green Bay news round up
from 97.9 WGBW subscribe to this podcast on Spotify Apple or wherever you get your podcast
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