PBS Wisconsin

Here & Now for July 17, 2026 Announcer: The following program is a PBS Wisconsin original production. Sara Rodriguez: She filed inaccurate and incomplete campaign finance reports. Frederica Freyberg: Democratic primary candidate for governor Sara Rodriguez drops out. Tony Evers: Folks, fusion is the energy of the future, and Wisconsin is where fusion research becomes reality. Frederica Freyberg: And a significant step forward for energy technology. I’m Frederica Freyberg.

View Transcript Wisconsin 7th District Democratic Candidates Make Their Case Frederica Freyberg: Three Democratic candidates are also running in the 7th Congressional District primary. Former state Representative Fred Clark, attorney Ginger Murray and IT company owner Chris Armstrong appeared at a debate this week. Among the questions in such a solidly red district, why do they think a Democrat has a chance to win the election?

Zac Schultz on Rodriguez Ending her 2026 Run for Governor Frederica Freyberg: After a Monday news conference where she fired her campaign manager for messing up the financial reports but still vowed to stay in the race, Democratic primary candidate for governor Sara Rodriguez, today dropped out. She said the fundraising reporting mess would be too big of a distraction. Senior political reporter Zac Schultz is here with details and hi Zac. Zac Schultz: Hello, Fred.

Kieran Furlong on Realta Fusion's Energy R&D Deal in Madison Frederica Freyberg: As electricity use tips up between staying indoors with air conditioning due to smoky air and heat, the issue of energy and where to get it is a hot topic here and around the country and this week it was announced that a massive nuclear fusion research center is coming to Wisconsin.

It's a Crowded Republican Race for Wisconsin's 7th in 2026 Frederica Freyberg: Aside from the race for governor, the state’s eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are also up for election this year. One of those races for the deeply red 7th district in far northern Wisconsin has attracted many candidates in the primary election. “Here & Now” reporter Steven Potter has this story.

Here & Now opening for July 17, 2026 Announcer: The following program is a PBS Wisconsin original production. Sara Rodriguez: She filed inaccurate and incomplete campaign finance reports. Frederica Freyberg: Democratic primary candidate for governor Sara Rodriguez drops out. Tony Evers: Folks, fusion is the energy of the future, and Wisconsin is where fusion research becomes reality. Frederica Freyberg: And a significant step forward for energy technology. I’m Frederica Freyberg.

View Transcript Wildfire Smoke from Canada and Minnesota Smothers Wisconsin Frederica Freyberg: Canadian and Minnesota wildfires resulted in the Wisconsin DNR issuing air quality advisories across the state this week, some of which could be extended into the weekend or even beyond. In northern parts of Wisconsin and all the way to Milwaukee, the advisories reached high into the most severe category of hazardous, meaning the outside air is unhealthy for anyone.

View Transcript 2026 Candidates For Governor Release Midyear Finance Reports Frederica Freyberg: As one measure of viability, campaign fundraising reports for the primary candidates, including those still in the race, were released this week. Republican candidate for governor Tom Tiffany, raised $8.7 million in the first six months of the year, $6.2 million of that from the state Republican Party, according to reports. Democrat Mandela Barnes raised around $841,000 in the same time period.

Elections Wisconsin 7th District Democratic candidates make their case Three Democratic candidates running in the race for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District seat — Chris Armstrong, Fred Clark and Ginger Murray — make their case in a debate before the 2026 primary. By Steven Potter, Frederica Freyberg | Here & Now July 17, 2026 • Northern Region Copy and Paste the Following Code to Embed this Video:

Economy Kieran Furlong on Realta Fusion's energy R&D deal in Madison Realta Fusion CEO Kieran Furlong discusses the company's plans to establish a research and development facility focusing on nuclear power technologies at the long-vacant Oscar Mayer plant in Madison. By Frederica Freyberg | Here & Now July 17, 2026 • Southeast Region Copy and Paste the Following Code to Embed this Video: