After voting for Trump’s budget, now signed into law, Rep. Bryan Steil marched in Racine’s Fourth of July parade, drawing cheers and protests as residents brace for the impacts of Medicaid cuts.
Category: Local news
Posted inCommunity, Local news, Opinion, WRJN News
OP-ED: Patriotism isn’t what we say. It’s how we show up.
Patriotism isn’t proven by flags and fireworks but by the quiet ways we show up for each other long after the parade ends. In Racine, the Spirit of ’76 crew stands in the rain to honor those who served, reminding us that freedom isn’t a spectator sport—and that caring for our communities is the real act of patriotism.
Posted inLocal news
Spirit of ’76 float: Racine family honors veterans through quiet patriotism
For decades, Jon Ervin has honored veterans by standing silently on Racine’s Spirit of ’76 float each Fourth of July. This year, his sons will join him for the first time, turning a family promise into a shared act of quiet patriotism.
Posted inGovernment, National News
FACT FOCUS: Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ does not let him delay or cancel elections
Social media users are falsely claiming that President Donald Trump’s sprawling tax bill, which passed the Senate Tuesday after a turbulent overnight session, will give Trump undue influence over U.S. elections. “The reason the GOP isn’t concerned about the midterms and why they are pushing this bill is because it gives Trump power to cancel elections,” reads one […]
Posted inElections, Government
Wisconsin to consider more electronic pollbook options, as in-house system faces limitations
When Madison residents went to vote in a special election this month, they didn’t have to stand in line according to their last name or wait for poll workers to flip through paper lists to find their names. For the first time, election officials there used electronic pollbooks to check voters in, allowing them to […]
Posted inGovernment
Evers signs ‘compromise’ budget quickly after Wisconsin Legislature gives final OK
Gov. Tony Evers signed the $111 billion two-year state budget bill into law overnight following a marathon day of overlapping Senate and Assembly floor sessions where the bill received bipartisan support from lawmakers. The budget cuts taxes by $1.3 billion, makes investments in the University of Wisconsin system, boosts public schools’ special education reimbursement rate […]
Posted inWeather
Racine County Weather – July 3rd, 2025
Residents of Racine County are experiencing a warm and humid start to July, with temperatures reaching into the mid-80s. While skies are mostly sunny, the presence of wildfire smoke may affect air quality. Weather Forecast Thursday, July 3High: 84°F (29°C)Low: 68°F (20°C)Conditions: Sunny to partly cloudy, warm and humid; a thunderstorm in spots this afternoon. […]
Posted inGovernment
Here’s how Wisconsin’s Republican budget compares with public opinion
As the Joint Finance Committee continues to make progress on completing the 2025-27 budget, a recent Marquette Law School poll reveals where voters stand on some of the key sticking points in the budget debate. JFC plans to meet on the remaining topics, including the UW system, health care and the capital budget, Tuesday morning after delaying […]
Posted inGovernment
Wisconsin Supreme Court rules 1849 abortion ban is invalid
In a 4-3 decision, Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the state’s 1849 law banning abortion had been “impliedly repealed” by the Legislature when it passed laws over the past half century “regulating in detail the ‘who, what, where, when, and how’” of abortion. The Court’s majority opinion, authored by Justice Rebecca Dallet and joined […]
Posted inLocal news, Police and fire, WRJN News
Interstate luxury car theft ring dismantled: Racine suspects among the 23 indicted on charges that could land them in prison for life
A three-year federal investigation, sparked by a lone license plate discovered on a rural Kenosha County highway in 2022, has led to the indictment of 23 individuals tied to a sophisticated, multimillion-dollar interstate car theft and money laundering operation. The Kenosha County Drug Operations Group (KDOG), with assistance from federal and local agencies including the […]
Posted inBreaking, Local news
UPDATE: Power outage restored to 3,600 in eastern Racine County
UPDATE 2 p.m.: Power was restored to over 3,600 We Energies customers following an outage that lasted about 90 minutes, according to We Energies officials. Crews are still investigating the cause of the outage. RACINE COUNTY — July 2, 2025—Power outages have left more than 3,600 We Energies customers without electricity in Racine County today, […]
Posted inWeather
Racine County Weather Forecast July 2 through July 4th, 2025
RACINE COUNTY, Wis. — July 2, 2025 Residents of Racine County can expect a warm and humid start to July, with temperatures reaching the upper 80s. While skies will be mostly sunny, wildfire smoke may affect air quality. Weather Forecast Wednesday, July 2High: 88°F (31°C)Low: 68°F (20°C)Conditions: Increasing cloudiness and very warm; a thunderstorm in […]
Posted inCommunity, Local news, Press releases
Parkside to Host 5K Run and Heart Health Walk on August 9
SOMERS — The University of Wisconsin-Parkside will be the starting line for a morning of community movement and heart health awareness during the 4th Annual American Heart Association Walk and Parkside Classic 5K on Saturday, August 9. The event, organized by Parkside Athletics in partnership with Vonco Products, a RangerVision Community Champion, combines a competitive […]
Posted inCommunity, Local news, Press releases
Racine to Celebrate Independence Day Early with July 3 Party on the Square
RACINE — Racine’s Independence Day celebrations will begin early this year with the return of the annual July 3 Party on the Square, hosted by 4th Fest of Greater Racine. The community event is scheduled for Thursday, July 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Monument Square in downtown Racine. July 3 Party The event […]
Posted inCommunity, Local news, Press releases
Racine’s 89th Annual 4th Fest Parade to Feature Community Roots and Local Honors
RACINE — Racine’s beloved 4th Fest Parade returns Friday, July 4, for its 89th year, bringing more than 140 units to the streets to celebrate tradition, civic pride, and community service. With pre-pandemic participation numbers restored, the 2025 parade begins at 9 a.m., following a pre-parade showcase of emergency vehicles, classic cars, motorcycles, and trucks […]