WUPM

07/23/2024

—-UPDATE—- Xcel estimates for the power to be restored extended to 7:30pm

HURLEY - Power Outages affecting nearly 1,000 people in the Hurley area.

07/23/2024

ARBOR VITAE - A building in Arbor Vitae sustained substantial damage after a fire on Sunday evening. Firefighters arrived at the home in the 11,000 block of Kern Lane to find a steel storage building in flames. Vehicles near the 40×80-foot building were also involved. Incident Commander requested mutual assistance. Departments from Woodruff, Minocqua, Hazelhurst, Boulder Junction, St. Germain, Plum Lake, Manitowish Waters, Lake Tomahawk, and Lac du Flambeau arrived to provide water and help fight the fire. Traffic on Hwy 51 was dropped to two lanes of traffic for a time. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

07/23/2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris is making her first visit to Wisconsin after locking up enough support from Democratic delegates to win her party’s nomination to challenge former President Donald Trump, two days after President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid. Harris is traveling to Milwaukee, where she will hold her first campaign rally since she launched her campaign Sunday with Biden’s endorsement. Harris has raised more than $100 million since Sunday afternoon and scored the backing of Democratic officials and political groups.

07/23/2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even before President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, allies of former President Donald Trump floated the possibility of suing to block Democrats from having anyone other than Biden on the ballot in November. But election administration experts say the timing of Biden’s exit makes it unlikely that any Republican ballot access challenges will succeed, with some calling the idea “ridiculous” and “frivolous.”

07/23/2024

UPPER MICHIGAN - Michigan’s nationally recognized student safety program, OK2SAY, is reporting an increase in the number of tips it responded to in 2023. In its annual report, the program says it saw more than 9,600 tips last year. That’s a 31% increase from the year before. The tips span 30 categories. The top five are bullying, su***de, drugs, sexual assault or misconduct, and threats. OK2SAY is available 24-7 and tips can be submitted through call, text, email, online or using the mobile app.

OK2SAY

07/23/2024

UPPER MICHIGAN - There's a lot on the line in the next few months…the title of the best snack in Michigan is at stake, and the competition could use competitors from the U.P. The Michigan Snack Competition will see companies facing off in categories like crunchy cravings…and there’s about $30K in cash prizes on the line. The mission of the competition is to boost awareness of Michigan-based businesses. which could help someone move their “best snack” into the national eye. The Michigan Snack Competition takes place in Port Huron on September 14. Entries are due by August 12th. For more information go to

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 ​4:00-6:00pm ​McMorran Plaza 701 McMorran Blvd, Port Huron MI SNACK COMPETITION PORT HURON Outdoor Concert Starts 7pm on McMorran Plaza

07/23/2024

Ironwood Weather 7/22/2024
High - 78
Low - 55
Rain - 0.11

07/22/2024

07/22/2024

MARENISCO – The Gogebic County Road Commission reports that Thayer Road North between US-2 and Sucker Road in Marenisco Township will be closed today thought Friday August 2nd for the replacement of multiple culverts.

07/22/2024

LANSING - President Joe Biden announced yesterday afternoon that he is withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race. Democrat Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement on her page yesterday in part “President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump.” Whitmer has said she has no interest in running for President but has made no comment on whether or not she would accept a nod for Vice President. U.S. Democrat Senator Gary Peters, saying in part “The Biden-Harris Administration has been a model for delivering bipartisan results for the American people: I thank him for his truly remarkable career of service to our nation.” U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow said in a statement on her X account, “President Biden’s long career of public service has truly improved the lives of Americans in so many important ways and has done more for MI during his presidency than any other president in my lifetime.” Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Jack Bergman, who represents Michigan’s 1st Congressional District which includes Gogebic and Ontonagon County said on Facebook “The media and Democrats have told us for over a year now to “not believe our lying eyes.” They have belittled and smeared each and every one of us who have dared to question President Biden’s ability to be the President of the greatest Nation on earth. Biden is clearly unfit for office and has been for quite some time. If he can’t handle being a candidate, why would he be able to handle the daily rigors of the Presidency? He should resign immediately, and the American people should fire every single politician that has been gaslighting and lying to each of us about Biden’s capability to lead our Nation.” The path on how democrats will select a new presidential candidate to go up against Donald Trump in the November Election is unclear it's not a guarantee that Vice President Kamela Harris will be the nominee.

07/22/2024

UPPER MICHIGAN - The state gas price average is back on the rise, and by double-digits. Up 10 cents from a week ago. Michigan drivers are now paying an average of $3.68 per gallon for regular unleaded gas. That price is 14 cents more than this time last month and 17 cents more than this time last year. The national average is down 2 cents from a week ago, to $3.50 for a gallon of regular unleaded gas. Around Upper Michigan, the lowest average gas price is in Gogebic County. Ironwood prices at $3.43 per gallon. The highest is in Mackinac County at $3.89 per gallon.

07/22/2024

N. WISCONSIN / UP - The Federal Communication Commission has voted on a rule that cuts the cost of prison and jail phone calls. At large jails, 15-minute calls can cost more than $11, but the new rule will lower that to 90 cents. At small jails, a 15-minute call that would cost more than $12 will be lowered to $1.35. There will also be a per-minute rate cap for video calls. Thursday’s vote comes after President Joe Biden signed a law last year that clarified that the FCC has the authority to regulate call rates at correctional facilities.

07/22/2024

Ironwood Weather 7/21/2024
High - 77
Low - 48
Rain - None

07/21/2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election. The decision comes after escalating pressure from Biden’s Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former president’s many falsehoods. Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon on Jan. 20, 2025.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account.

He did not immediately throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s instant favorite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago.

07/21/2024

Ironwood Weather 7/20/2024
High - 79
Low - 52
Rain - None

07/20/2024

Ironwood Weather 7/19/2024
High - 79
Low - 59
Rain - None

07/19/2024

07/19/2024

IRONWOOD - After discussions during the Gogebic County Personnel and Negotiations Committee meeting and the County Board of Commissioner’s meeting, the board voted to take over collections and administration of all future rental and storage revenue from the county fairgrounds in Ironwood. Committee member Jim Lorenson said there has always been some confusion with regard to that revenue and now the process will be streamlined. The new system will apply to all buildings at the fairgrounds. In the past, the Fair Board has handled such transactions. The board also voted not to allow rental of the fairground areas for events until the board has hired a fairground administrator who will handle the duties currently overseen by interim fair coordinator Juliane Giaikino. Rental agreements already scheduled would be the exception.

07/19/2024

IRONWOOD - New Ironwood Area School District Superintendent Dan Martinson will be one of the speakers at the opening ceremonies for the Luther L. Wright K-12 Centennial Celebration later on today. Martinson took over from former Superintendent Travis Powell on July 1st. Martinson started as a social studies teacher in Ironwood in the late 90’s – early 2000’s. He worked in Escanaba then returned to Ironwood in 2014, working in several areas, becoming assistant principal and athletic director for the Ironwood Area Schools. Martinson says his first year will be spent getting up to speed in his position. He says Superintendent Powell and everyone in the district has laid great groundwork for the future of the district.

07/19/2024

RHINELANDER - The Oneida County Health Department has announced one lab-confirmed case of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, that was reported on July 16. Symptoms of whooping cough generally starts with cold-like symptoms and turns into a strong cough that can be very severe, causing shortness of breath or vomiting. The health department has identified potentially exposed people and are providing guidance for treatment. People are encouraged to stay home from work if they are sick until symptoms have stopped.

07/19/2024

N. WISCONSIN - The Wisconsin DNR is seeking volunteers to promote safe, responsible, and ethical hunting practices as hunter education instructors. Interested volunteers can serve as apprentices under a sponsoring instructor for at least two complete courses or attend a certification training session hosted by a DNR Outdoor Skills Trainer. Once certified, the DNR provides volunteer instructors with all the materials and equipment required to teach a hunter education course. For more information we have a link on the WUPM page

07/19/2024

IRONWOOD – Festival Ironwood weekend is here. Today the dropping of the ducks will take place at 10:00am. $2 a duck every duck is a winner. Last night ducks sold out within 90 minutes. Today and tomorrow there will be 2 drops of ducks. Today is also kids’ activity day starting at 10, Historic Ironwood Theater tours and silent movie at noon, Live music by the Grewe Crew at 1:30, Red Higgens at 4:30, Branded Hot County Kasey K***r at 8:30. Tomorrow Luther L Wright High School Ski Team pancake breakfast under the big top tent will start at 8. The Depot car show starts at 9 along with the Arts and Crafts Vendors fair. Pool tournaments, Strawberry Social, Live music along with Marty’s Goldenairs, and the daily 50/50 raffles. Festival Ironwood schedule online at Ironwood Chamber website and on the WUPM page.

FESTIVAL IRONWOOD Festival Ironwood 2024 will be July 17th (Wednesday) through July 20th (Saturday). Please note that the event list posted here is preliminary for 2024. Some changes are possible as we get closer to Festival time. Remember to like and follow the Festival Ironwood page as ne...

07/19/2024

Ironwood Weather 7/18/2024
High - 75
Low - 50
Rain - None

07/19/2024

Our Warehouse Sale is well underway here in Ironwood! Make sure to stop by for some great deals on Stormy Kromer gear now through Saturday.

07/18/2024

ASHLAND - The murder trial of Ashland business owner Nathan Monkelien has been delayed. He was slated to go on trial later this month on two charges of first-degree murder among other charges. Monkelien stands accused in the shooting deaths of brothers Manuel and Luis Garcia Salas of Veracruz, Mexico. The reason for the delay, which was scheduled for the 29th is that several witnesses are not available at that time and forensics experts need more time to analyze evidence, including the clothing the victims wore and the gun Monkelien used to shoot them. Iron County Circuit Court Judge Anthony Stella said his main concern was having complete evidence available during the trial. As it stands now, the trial has been pushed to early 2025. Monkelien’s attorney asked about releasing him from custody in the meantime, but Judge Stella denied the request.

07/18/2024

HURLEY – The Groundbreaking of a Hurley housing project delayed due to wetland issues. Impact Seven of Rice Lake has been spearheading the project now saying their original plans for the housing site now must be adjusted slightly delaying the start of the project to October. The project is planned on Hurley’s infamous “road to nowhere,” off Highway 77 near Cary Mine Convenience. Coleman Engineering of Ironwood is helping design the new site plan for the project.

07/18/2024

BAYFIELD - Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers made a special trip to Bayfield earlier in the week to look at the work being done on the Brownstone Trail and even took the time for a hike along the trail.
Landmark Conservancy recently received a grant from Wisconsin Coastal Management to create the final restoration design for the trail. Over the past few years, part of the trail began to erode into Lake Superior due to storms in 2017, forcing re-routing and closure of parts of the trail. Landmark calls the Brownstone Trail a critical artery of the Bayfield Trails network. The design works the grant will finance will help ensure the trails survival over the next half century or more.

07/18/2024

LANSING – Michigan Democrat Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced legislation to ensure applicants for federal positions or security clearances are not being denied solely based on past recreational and medical ma*****na use. The bill would also exempt ma*****na from a blanket denial in security clearance statutes and add statutory clarification that past ma*****na use alone cannot disqualify candidates from federal employment. Under current law, qualified candidates may be denied federal employment or security clearances due to past use of ma*****na or cannabis products, despite the legalization of these products at the state level throughout the nation, including in Michigan. 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized both medical and recreational ma*****na use, with an additional 14 states permitting medical use.