If the old saying holds, Wisconsin should have a bounty of May flowers this year.
With a large swath of the state in the midst of showers and storms, we bring you a damp recap of the weekend’s news for today’s Key Reads.
Liberal activists have launched a highly-organized effort to influence the Natural Resources Board. Their efforts could impede hunting and fishing rights, if left unchecked. Alert anyone you know who cares about the future of hunting and fishing in Wisconsin.
Progressives launch pressure campaign on Wisconsin Conservation Congress | WKOW
Our Wisconsin Revolution has launched a campaign to press the Wisconsin Conservation Congress for democratic reforms.
The progressive organization held a press conference outside of the state Capitol Friday afternoon. The event featured speeches by people involved in the congress, Our Wisconsin Revolution organizers and state elected Democrats.
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress is a body of elected Wisconsinites who advise the Natural Resources Board and the state Department of Natural Resources on how to manage lands, waters, plants and animals.
Our Wisconsin Revolution argues that the congress disproportionately advocates for hunters, trappers and anglers in the state
The UW Men’s basketball team actually added a player through the transfer portal. What a refreshing change from the recent mass exodus.
Wisconsin basketball lands first transfer portal addition | BadgersWire
The Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team secured the commitment of former Central Arkansas guard Camren Hunter from the transfer portal on Sunday. Hunter was in Madison last week for a visit and he decided to become a Badger.
Hunter sat out the 2023-2024 campaign due to a medical redshirt, but he averaged 16.9 points, 3.9 assists and 5 rebounds per game while shooting 42.3% from the field in 2022-2023 with the Bears. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound athlete carries multiple years of eligibility with him to Madison.
Wisconsin had seven players from its roster this past season enter the transfer portal, including starting point guard Chucky Hepburn (Louisville).
Yes, there are a few WWII vets still with us. One just turned 100 years old, and that’s worth celebrating.
An amazing man’: Pewaukee WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday | TMJ4
A WWII Veteran in Pewaukee celebrated his 100th birthday Sunday afternoon surrounded by four generations of family to mark the occasion.
Tony Baudo’s family told TMJ4’s Tahleel Mohieldin they wanted to bring the family together in his honor to highlight his legacy while they still could.
“He’s an amazing man and he’s got an amazing life,” Tony’s oldest Bob Baudo said. “He’ll do anything for anybody. His whole life, you know, hard working 45 years at the same place, church-going guy, he’s the kind of guy you wanted to be your neighbor.”
Finally, as we promised last week, we have a summary of the Packers’ complete 2024 Draft.
Here’s what the Packers got in the 2024 NFL Draft | Packers.com
Versatility: First-round offensive lineman Jordan Morgan will begin his career at left tackle but is capable of playing tackle or guard on either side, while fifth-rounder Jacob Monk (center/guard prospect) and sixth-rounder Travis Glover (swing tackle) played multiple spots in college.
“We’d love to have our entire (O-line) group be able to play all five spots,” General Manager Brian Gutekunst said. “I think we’ve done a good job of getting close to that.”
At linebacker, second-rounder Edgerrin Cooper and third-rounder Ty’Ron Hopper are rangy run-stoppers and adept in coverage, able to handle the strong or weak side.
At safety, second-rounder Javon Bullard and fourth-rounder Evan Williams are viewed as three-position players, both safety spots and nickel corner, while fifth-rounder Kitan Oladapo can play deep or in the box…
Leadership/character: Morgan at Arizona, Hopper at Missouri, Williams at Fresno State (before his transfer to Oregon), Monk at Duke and Oladapo at Oregon State were all team captains during their college careers….
Depth and competition: Morgan, Cooper and Bullard could become immediate starters. Who knows, maybe Hopper too. The one with the best shot might be Cooper in new coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense, which has received an injection of speed.
Packers 2024 NFL draft creates several position battles entering camp | JSOnline
The Packers entered the 2024 draft with glaring needs on the offensive line, in the secondary and at linebacker. They also needed a backup running back. Gutekunst found value at each position and wasn’t bashful about loading up. He drafted three offensive linemen, three safeties and two linebackers…
The 11 picks Gutekunst made over the three-day draft joins a 13-player class in 2023 and an 11-player class in 2022 to infuse the Packers roster with an abundance of young capital. It’s especially bloated considering the Packers had the NFL’s youngest roster last season. Of the 24 players Gutekunst drafted in 2022 and 2023, 22 remain on the his roster this offseason. He’s going to have to make some difficult cuts at the end of training camp.
But that’s a good problem for a GM to have. What Gutekunst has achieved is the goal for every NFL team, creating intense competition throughout the offseason. The influx of youth and versatility through the draft builds the type of roster that can be tantalizing for a head coach.
“That’s always the goal,” coach Matt LaFleur said, “is to bring in as much talent as possible. Now it’s our job to maximize the talent and try to push these guys to new limits, but we certainly added – especially in some areas that we really needed it – added a lot of competition.”
Ignore the internet ‘draft experts.’ We’ll find out how successful this year’s draft was once the games are played.
Meanwhile, in Gutekunst We Trust.
Now, the entire City of Green Bay is on the clock. It will host the 2025 NFL Draft next April.
