1/27/2026

N. WISCONSIN - Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services, led by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ryan Westergaard, has rejected the federal government’s revised childhood vaccine schedule, retaining the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, stating the federal changes lacked “systematic, transparent reviews of scientific evidence” and were unwarranted. He advised Wisconsin clinicians to follow AAP guidance, emphasizing schedules are clinical tools, not mandates, and insurance coverage is unchanged. At least 16 other states have rejected the federal changes, and Westergaard disagreed with applying “shared clinical decision making” without rigorous review.

1/27/2026

N. WISCONSIN / U.P. - Tax season is here, and many Americans could see higher refunds this year.  The Treasury Department estimates tax refunds will average $1,000 more per household.  Many filers did not adjust their withholdings when recent income tax breaks began, which may be why refunds are higher.  A new law also boosted the standard deduction for many tax filers. Congress boosted it by $750 to $15,750 for single filers and by $1,500 to $31,500 for married couples filing jointly. It also expands state and local tax deductions and gives a new break for some seniors.  You can file your taxes beginning Monday through April 15.

1/27/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - The oldest medalist in Olympic snowboarding history is heading to his fifth Winter Olympics. Iron River native Nick Baumgartner, 44, earned a gold medal at age 40 in the mixed team snowboard cross event with Lindsey Jacobellis. He first competed in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.  Remarkably, he became a snowboard cross champion and reached the X Games in 2011, after just two years of taking up the sport. He attributes his enduring success to learning to "outwork everyone." Baumgartner describes snowboard cross as "the perfect mix of my two favorite sports, football and snowboarding.  The Milano Cortina Olympics are scheduled to begin on February 6th in Italy.