This is a version of the 500th edition of the Dairyland Sentinel’s Key Reads, which was sent to our subscribers earlier this morning. Since we sent our very first newsletter in February 2024 (following the launch of this nonprofit and publication of this website in October 2023) this journey has been defined by a deep commitment to the Badger State and a passion for reliable storytelling.
Reaching this milestone through our weekday editions (with the occasional pause for the holidays and deer hunting, but we repeat ourselves) is more than just celebrating a number; it’s a testament to the staying power of local curation and the incredible community that has grown around us.
Each morning, we scour the web to hand-pick the most essential stories, ensuring you stay informed on government, business, politics, sports, and entertainment without feeling overwhelmed by the 24-hour news cycle and click bait anger.
In our 500 emails, we’ve often included our original content, but we’ve also curated the work of more than 50 other outlets who have produced good work about Wisconsin.
Our growth at Dairyland Sentinel has been entirely organic, and we are humbled to see open and click-through rates for our Key Reads that far exceed industry averages. Clearly, there is a hunger for quality Wisconsin news, and we are honored to be your trusted resource.
As we look toward big plans for 2026, we want to pause and simply say thank you. This newsletter will be here for edition 501 tomorrow because of your support and your loyalty, and we continue this work because of your engagement.
We love Wisconsin, and we truly appreciate the faith our Key Reads subscribers have put in us over these 500 editions.
Now, let’s get to why you’re here. Today we feature news from outlets in Milwaukee, La Crosse, Madison, Wausau, and Green Bay…
| WTMJ Milwaukee Police launch ‘Drone as First Responder’ pilot program These drones will be pre-positioned to arrive at scenes before officers, providing real-time situational awareness and helping… |
| News 8000 Wisconsin child care subsidy program avoids federal funding freeze amid fraud concerns Despite ongoing concerns regarding fraud within child care subsidy programs across the country, state officials here claim to have implemented enough oversight measures to… |
| WBAY Warrant isn’t needed to start some child pornography investigations, State Supreme Court rules The court’s decision centers on cases where digital service providers flag illegal content, allowing authorities to act on those tips… |
| The Center Square Wisconsin Assembly to debate state ‘No Tax on Tips’ bill Mirroring a popular national political proposal, the bill aims to put more money back into the pockets of service industry workers. |
| Fox 11 New bill brings whole milk back to schools, praised by Wisconsin dairy farmers Wisconsin’s dairy industry is celebrating a legislative move to return whole milk to school cafeterias. After years of… |
| Channel 3000 Assembly approves renaming Lake Delton highway to honor local icon The Wisconsin Assembly has cleared a bill to rename a stretch of highway in Lake Delton to honor… |
| WSAW DNR sets harvest caps for sturgeon spearing season They’re old and ugly. The fish, not the DNR. |
