We reach midweek with the classic good news/bad news update.
Let’s start off with some good news.
Manufacturing companies are bringing work back to the U.S. from Asia | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The April 2021 ruling from the U.S. International Trade Commission became a seminal moment in a business trend called “reshoring,” which is the return of work from overseas to a company’s home country. The reasons could include trade wars and tariffs. In some cases, companies have moved production back after taking it overseas; in other cases — like Stoughton Trailers — they’ve resurrected it after crushing losses to foreign competitors.
“Stoughton Trailers is a great example of American grit and determination in the face of China’s economic warfare,” said then-U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Republican from Allouez, in northeast Wisconsin.
In the nearly 45 years since industrial employment peaked in the United States, manufacturers have struggled to regain their prominence. Now, they have some wind at their back.
With the exception of the COVID-19 period, U.S. manufacturing jobs have risen steadily from 2010 through early 2024. As of February, the manufacturing sector accounted for about 13 million American workers, a gain of more than 1.5 million from February 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Much of the increase has come from less work leaving for China and more foreign investment coming into the United States. Over about the last two years, the U.S. has attracted 24% of global foreign direct investment, according to UBS Investment Research. During the pandemic, shortages of everything from appliances to automobiles exposed the fragility of global supply chains and sparked interest in making things closer to home.
Despite this news, it is important to note that Wisconsin students can still get a quality education at the UW, if they are admitted and can afford it.
Report: UW-Madison’s place as top university slipped | The Center Square
The report from the Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy at UW-Madison tracks the Madison campus’ ranking among the top 50 universities since 2003.
“UW-Madison’s ranking among America’s best colleges dropped significantly, from a high of 31st in 2003 to a low of 49th in 2019, before bouncing back to 35th in 2024,” the report states. “However, the rankings of most graduate programs at UW-Madison declined over the last 15 years without experiencing a similar recovery.”
…“Between 2010 and 2024, the departments with the largest declines in ranking include nursing (from 19th to 66th); business (MBA) (from 28th to 43rd); engineering (from 16th to 27th); and medicine (Research) (from 27th to 36th),” the report adds. “Since 2010, a few graduate programs at UW-Madison have maintained their rankings. This list includes biology, computer science, economics, mathematics, political science and psychology. Only a few increased their rankings including History and Education, which is now the best in the country.”
It’s almost time to get back out on the water.
Wisconsin DNR announces new fishing regulations | WQOW
Opening day this year is May 4th, and new fishing regulations will be in effect.
Some of those regulations are a new small tournament registration requirement, and a bag and length limit for fish in several counties, including Chippewa, Eau Claire, and Dunn.
Another one is a statewide daily bag limit of three walleye and sauger per day on all inland waters.
“If you’re fishing in a lake, and you’ve gotten your three walleye with the three daily bag limit, you’ll still have two you can catch for that day, but you can no longer catch it on that first lake. You can go to another water body and catch up to two more fish and keep them as long as they meet all the rules and regulations,” said Justine Hasz, director of the DNR’s Bureau of Fisheries Management.
There’s nothing like a fantastic day fishing with family or friends to take your mind off any bad news. A bad day fishing is still a good day.
Soon…
