State

The Fourth of July means there will be lots of vehicles on the road this weekend.

AAA predicts about 1.4 million people will travel in Wisconsin this weekend. Peak times are expected to be between 2 and 8 p.m. July 7.

 Summer has arrived, bringing motorcycles onto Wisconsin’s roadways. It is the responsibility of all road users to prioritize safety. Following safe driving and riding practices is crucial to prevent crashes on our roads.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) now offers an option for motorists and individuals to add emergency contact information to their driver license or ID record. Adding the information is voluntary and will not appear on the card.

Severe storms have led some consumers to seek contractors who can complete repair work as soon as possible. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) recommends property owners be skeptical of door-to-door repair crews who use aggressive, high-pressure sales tactics to secure contracts after a storm.

As summer approaches, we can expect more people to be out on their bicycles.

In Wisconsin, bicycles are considered vehicles on the road, so they have the same rights and obey the same laws as motorists. The Wisconsin State Patrol reminds drivers and bicyclists to be aware of their surroundings and share the road to keep everyone safe.

A free service to help people locate underground infrastructure has achieved a milestone.

On May 20, Diggers Hotline handled its 25 millionth location request. The service has existed since 1976.

Law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin, including the Wisconsin State Patrol, are stepping up patrols for the annual Click It or Ticket seatbelt enforcement campaign.

For the second consecutive year, VETS Indexes recognized Alliant Energy as a 3 Star Employer. The award recognizes the organization’s commitment to recruiting, hiring, retaining, developing and supporting veterans and the military connected community.

The Discover Wisconsin series has partnered with the Wisconsin Counties Association to hold a photo competition.

Twelve fan-submitted photos will be published in an annual calendar.

Entries will be accepted through May 31. To find out more, visit discoverwisconsin.com/contests/2025-calendar-contest.

Wisconsin residents are invited to vote online for their favorite fat bird photo.

The inaugural Fat Bird Week online contest is being organized by the Natural Resources Foundation. Voting will take place April 19-26 at www.wisconservation.org/fat-bird-week.