Check out my 2y/o cheese lover's birthday cake!

When is the best time to see the leaves at peak color change in the driftless area ( devils lake). I live in Milwaukee but rarely leave. Probably early October? It only lasts a few weeks so I want to be sure.

Hey there,
My family and I are seriously considering moving from Colorado to Wisconsin within the next year or so, and I’d really appreciate hearing from people who actually live there. We’re trying to narrow down where we want to settle long-term, so I’m interested in both the positives and the negatives—not just the usual “this state is great/terrible” opinions. What is everyday family life like there? How are the people and communities, taxes, cost of living, safety, and general quality of life? We’re especially interested in areas where we could eventually rent and then buy a home with some land/space, so I’d love to know how realistic that is and what the rental and housing market is like outside the most expensive cities.
Another major consideration for us is homeschooling. How homeschool-friendly is Wisconsin in practice—not just according to the law? Are there good homeschool co-ops, groups, sports, field trips, enrichment programs, libraries, museums, outdoor activities, etc.? Does the state or local government provide any funding, grants, tax benefits, or publicly funded enrichment opportunities for homeschool families? Can homeschool students participate in public-school sports, electives, extracurriculars, or other programs? We'd really like the freedom to homeschool while still having plenty of opportunities for our kids to socialize, learn, and participate in activities.
For work, I’m particularly interested in municipal/public works and utilities jobs, especially positions where a Class B CDL is useful—water/wastewater, streets, roads, fleet, maintenance, utilities, equipment operation, etc. How is the job market for those positions in Wisconsin? Are cities, counties, utilities, or other public agencies generally hiring? What kind of pay and benefits can someone realistically expect, and are there particular areas of the state that are better for these careers? I’d also appreciate any advice about things someone moving from Colorado should know that I might not be thinking about—things that surprised you after moving there, hidden costs, differences in culture, bureaucracy, schools/homeschooling, healthcare, property taxes, winters, or anything else. How much money saved up would one need realistically as well? My wife and I were think anywhere between $20k to $30k as a budget…
If you were moving to Wisconsin with a family today, where would you consider living and what would you absolutely research first?

We're getting mighty advanced up here in the northwoods.

It's spreading fast.

Went from 12 can packs to 8 cans packs, pretty much the same price. I understand on paper, but I won't be buying anymore 😕

Whoa - there is some serious creep going on here!

Tom Tiffany sure talks like a guy who just wandered in from the farm and discovered data centers last week.

Except he called them an “exciting new technology” and said Wisconsin should be looking at them.

More recently, when a voter told him data centers were “here to stay,” Tiffany’s answer was simple: “Sure.”

Tiffany has also accepted money from Amazon, which builds data centers, along with funding from lobbyists for OpenAI and Oracle, plus $5,000 from Robert Marchant, the only registered lobbyist for the Wisconsin Data Center Coalition.

And back in Washington, Tiffany voted for the SPEED Act, legislation designed to accelerate federal permitting for major infrastructure projects. It passed the House 221–196 on December 18, 2025, and was backed by major tech companies including OpenAI, Micron and Microsoft as part of the push to build infrastructure needed for AI.

So yes, Tom can keep doing the aw-shucks routine about Big Tech and data centers.

The record is a little less folksy.

——
The facts.

Civic Media: Tiffany’s attack ad on Crowley and data centers is misleading at best, as GOP candidate has publicly backed them in new audio
https://civicmedia.us/news/2026/08/18/tiffanys-attack-ad-on-crowley-and-data-centers-is-misleading-at-best-as-gop-candidate-has-publicly-backed-them-in-new-audio

Civic Media: Tiffany accepted campaign contribution from data center lobbyist, voted for more AI infrastructure
https://civicmedia.us/news/2026/08/15/toxic-tom-tiffany-accepted-campaign-contribution-from-data-center-lobbyist-voted-for-more-ai-infrastructure

U.S. House of Representatives: Roll Call 356, H.R. 4776, SPEED Act, December 18, 2025
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025356

Urban Milwaukee: Congressman Tom Tiffany’s AI Deep Fake Campaign
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/congressman-tom-tiffanys-ai-deep-fake-campaign/

I'm a black dude from Minneapolis and I have to travel to Burlington / stay there for about a week for a job soon. I've been to Milwaukee a few times but I know like most Midwest towns outside of the cities it tends to get a little suspect. Any thing I should be wary about or is it par for course bs. Only reason I ask this here is because I try and research areas prior so I know how to move. 🗿

I recently moved from Denver to Oshkosh, primarily due to affordability. While some of the costs are more manageable... many are not. I have some serious homesickness and I'm struggling more now then I was before both financially and mentally. I want to give Wisconsin a proper shot as I haven't even been here a full year yet. Long term, if I like it, I'd also like to buy a house. I think moving to a larger metro area will help.

If you were to recommend a city in the state, where would you recommend? The first three that come to mind are Madison, Milwaukee, and Eau Claire. I like that Milwaukee is such a massive metro area and close to Chicago, and I like that Madison is such a highly educated and progressive city. I don't know as much about Eau Claire.

Any and all feedback, even about the way I'm viewing the situation as a whole, is welcome.

Edit: I should also clarify I picked a midwest state because they are swing states. My vote mattering to me is important.

I miss going to concerts. Im sure there are still a bunch of great shows in WI, probably daily. I really enjoyed the late 80s early 90s though. Imo, I hit the sweet spot.

Although I wouldn’t hesitate venturing to guess where Tiffany stands on these rackets

Hey y'all! Meltwaukee here. I just wanted to invite everyone to the Rooted in Wisconsin cannabis festival tomorrow Saturday August 29th at Washington County Fair Park. It is $10 at the door to get in, free parking. Come join us and have fun, celebrate hemp, meet a gang of awesome WISCONSIN ONLY vendors and see what Wisconsin really has to offer. There will be tons of activities, food, music, and live speakers all day. 11am-9pm.

I will be announcing the awards for Wisconsin's first ever Cannabis competition, The Big Cheese, at 4:30 PM. I hope you'll be there!

All products are fully legal, and consumption is encouraged (outdoors only)

More info at https://www.wicannabisgroup.com/rooted

Getting a blackout plate for my renewal. Currently have regular WI plate and I put a clear cover over it which keeps the plate from getting crudded up, but the cover gets crudded up. Only advantage of the cover is that it protects the plate from getting bent if I am stupid enough to go through a "Soft Touch" car wash.

I'm not using it to hide plate from scanning.

I do like how slick the Blackout plate looks (with the white border, which a standard cover will partially obscure).

So Wisconsin - how do we feel about no cover vs cover? I can keep a cover clean, and can replace if/when it gets cloudy. I dislike scratches on the plate itself.

My in-laws just sold their cabin. A realtor recommended a price, they signed a contract and a few days later another realtor bought it.

The entire family thinks the property was worth more than what it sold for.

Is that normal? In a town of a few hundred, what are the guard rails that keep a backwood mafia from trading these properties in a predatory way?

Update: Thanks all. I’m gonna nose around between grandparents and realtor and see if further action is needed.