Key Reads

What a week.

Well, we got you to Friday. Now let’s help get you through Friday.

Here are today’s Key Reads

Between on-the-court struggles, the Name Image Licensing bidding wars, and the revolving door that is the transfer portal, college athletics is changing at a rapid pace. Exhibit A could be the University of Wisconsin Mens’ basketball team.

Next year’s squad will be completely unrecognizable compared to this past season.

Badgers’ Heburn enters transfer portal, Storr commits to Kansas | WBAY

Point guard Chucky Hepburn is the latest member of the Badgers to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. Following former guard A.J. Storr, who committed to Kansas…

Heburn started 103 games during his time with the Badgers, and was also praised for his increased role as a leader as Wisconsin returned to the NCAA tournament.

Storr entered the transfer portal not long after the season, and was also exploring the NBA Draft process. Thursday the sophomore guard announced that would be transferring to Kansas.

Benjamin Yount at the Center Square took a deeper dive into the Marquette University Law School Poll to look at voters’ attitudes on key issues.

Wisconsin voters sour on state economy, direction, legislature | The Center Square

Voters in Wisconsin have a dim view of both the state and the national economy and have an even worse view of state lawmakers.

The latest Marquette University Law School Poll shows most voters in Wisconsin say the state is on the wrong track, and say they are struggling.

“A majority of Democrats see the state headed in the right direction, while a majority of Republicans and independents say the state is on the wrong track,” pollsters wrote. “A majority of registered voters say the state of Wisconsin is on the wrong track, 59%, while 41% say it is headed in the right direction.”

Those numbers are slightly worse than the last Marquette Poll in January when 57% of people said Wisconsin was on the wrong track, and 42% said it was headed in the right direction.

The economy is likely one reason why voters are sour on the state.

The poll found that 66% of Wisconsin voters think the national economy is either not so good or poor. Just 5% think the national economy is excellent, and another 28% say it’s good.

Voters are a bit more optimistic about the Wisconsin economy but not by much.

Overall, 56% of voters said the Wisconsin economy is not so good or poor. Six percent of voters said the state economy is excellent, while 48% said it’s good.

“[Voters’] family financial situation is seen by respondents as a little worse in April than in January,” pollsters noted. “Among registered voters, 45% say they are living comfortably. That is a 4-point drop from January, with a 2-point increase each for ‘just getting by’ to 40% and ‘struggling’ to 15%.”

..But Wisconsin’s economy is not being laid at the feet of Gov. Tony Evers.

The MU poll says Evers’ approval rating is essentially unchanged. Fifty-two percent of voters approve of the job he’s doing, compared to 44% who disapprove. Evers’ approval rating was 51% in January, and 53% last fall.

The Wisconsin legislature favorability rating also remains unchanged, Just 34% of voters had a favorable view of lawmakers, the same as January. The liberal-majority Supreme Court is also unchanged with a 46% approval rating. Though that’s down from 51% in the fall of 2023.

Thanks to a unique deal, folks will still be able to get to Madeline Island by ferry.

Town closes on $17M deal to secure ferry service to Madeline Island | WPR

A Lake Superior island town is the new owner of the ferries that connect Madeline Island residents to the mainland in northern Wisconsin.

The Town of La Pointe closed on the $17.3 million deal to purchase the Madeline Island Ferry Line’s assets from the former owners on March 28.

The Madeline Island Ferry Line has five boats that make nearly 6,000 crossings each year to bring people to Madeline Island from the mainland in Bayfield…

Town officials say they’re not making many changes to the schedule of runs between the island and mainland. They have applied for grants to expand service for kids who want to attend after-school programs on the mainland.

Carlson said middle and high school students attend school in Bayfield, and the current ferry schedule doesn’t operate long enough after Labor Day to accommodate those wishing to take part in activities or sports. He fears that could prompt some families to move to the mainland.

“And that’s not good for the island,” Carlson said.

The town is also exploring more ferry runs for visitors and residents who want to attend events like Big Top Chautauqua in Bayfield. It’s also applying for a federal grant to build an electric ferry, which is expected to cost around $30 million for the boat and infrastructure.

Zach Montagne, president of the town’s harbor commission, said the purchase ensures the town’s future.

“This will be a source of revenue for the town, which will help offset improvements and other infrastructure as well,” Montagne said.

The town expects to draw in around $5 million each year through the ferry line.