5/28/2026

N. WISCONSIN - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced it has opened another round of applications for federally funded electric vehicle charging stations along major highways across the state.  The funding is part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which was created through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to help build a nationwide EV charging network.  WisDOT said the next phase of funding will focus on expanding charging access along heavily traveled U.S. and state highway corridors after the state’s Alternative Fuel Corridor network was considered fully built out.  According to the department, Wisconsin currently has about $40 million available in remaining funding for the program. Grants can cover up to 80% of eligible project costs.  To date, WisDOT has awarded about $37 million to support 78 EV charging projects across Wisconsin, with 21 charging stations already operational.  Applications for the latest round of funding will remain open through July 24, with grant awards expected to be announced this fall.

5/27/2026

HURLEY - The Hurley City Council voted mid-month to disband its Tourism Commission they created in January. The commission had been formed to provide more oversight of room tax funds following instability within the Hurley Chamber of Commerce and the firing of its former executive director. City officials said the commission was difficult to staff and could not function as intended because the chamber remains the only nonprofit organization eligible to receive tourism funding under state law. Officials also noted that key supporters of the commission resigned and that recent issues within the Chamber of Commerce appear to have stabilized.

5/27/2026

IRONWOOD / N. WISCONSIN – Normally we see gas prices increase after Memorial Day but Across the state of Michigan, prices at the pump have actually gone down an average of 20 cents.   Michigan drivers are now paying an average of $4.63 per gallon for regular unleaded. This price is 63 cents more than this time last month and $1.42 more than this time last year.  In the U.P. Delta County has the lost price at $4.28, Mackinac County the Highest at $4.94.  Ironwood prices at $4.58 dropping about a dime since the weekend.  Around the region Hurley prices at $4.49, Ashland $4.23, Minocqua at $4.35, Glidden $4.09 the lowest price we could find was in Park Falls $4.07 a gallon.