JT IRREGULARS

Thursday, April 2, 2026

We Energies wants to raise residential rates 14%. What to know about the utility's plan.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

We Energies customers will pay nearly 10% more for electricity by 2028 under the utility’s new rate proposal.

We Energies is seeking a 9.2% electric rate hike for non-data center customers through 2028, according to filings submitted to state regulators April 1. That’s an additional $175.8 million in 2027 and $179.6 million in 2028.

Residential rates will rise 14.75% by 2028. If approved, We Energies customers will have experienced six rate hikes since 2020.

The three-member state Public Service Commission sets utilities’ electric, natural gas and steam rates. It is expected to rule on the rate increases later this year.

Here’s what to know:

How much will my electric bill rise?

Residential We Energies customers will see a 9.25% increase in 2027, or around $13 added to their electric bill, under the utility's proposal. The typical monthly bill is expected to total $157.33, up from $148.22 in 2026, according to the proposal.

In 2028, rates would rise another 5.5%. That would add $8-$9 to electric bills for a typical total of $166.02.

The proposed increase follows another double-digit rate hike in the rate case for 2025 and 2026.

Wisconsin Electric-Gas rates would rise 0.1% in 2027, before jumping 4.5% in 2028. Wisconsin Gas customers would see a 6.8% increase in 2027 followed by a 4% increase in 2028.

*Rates for 2027 and 2028 are based on We Energies' proposal and are subject to change.

Get the dataCreated with Datawrapper

We Energies spokesperson Brendan Conway told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that utility bills remain "below the national average and in line with the Midwest."

But Tom Content, executive director of Wisconsin's Citizens Utility Board, hoped the utility would have moderated its residential rate increase given increasing concerns around affordability.

"Based on an initial snapshot, it looks like another double-digit increase for We Energies customers, who have already seen their bills rise much faster than inflation over the last four years," Content said.

What is driving the rate hike?

Construction of new energy projects accounts for most of the proposed rate increase in both 2027 and 2028.

We Energies is building over a dozen new solar fields, wind farms and natural gas plants that will add $6 billion in costs over the next few decades. Of that, around $1 billion will be spread across We Energies residential and business customer bills.

We Energies is seeking $230.8 million from residential customers in 2027 and 2028 for costs related to these projects.

The utility says the new projects will help transition its fleet to clean energy, saving significantly on fuel costs in the future.

“This is just continuing that plan, then layering on the data center growth,” said Rich Stasik, We Energies vice president of regulatory affairs. “Because of it, we’re buying more projects, but we’re still allocating the same amount of generation to our non-data center customers that we otherwise would have.”

What do data centers have to do with this?

Hyperscale data centers – like Microsoft’s Mount Pleasant campus and Vantage’s facilities in Port Washington – are driving most of the demand for new power generation.

Data center companies will pay around $5 billion, or more than 80%, of the $6 billion in new power generation recently approved by state regulators, according to the rate filing.

We Energies says residential customers will only pay for the power they use. The utility has asked the PSC for permission to create a separate rate for data center customers, which it says will shield other ratepayers from costs.

Consumer advocates and some PSC analysts have raised concerns that the rate proposal may not be strong enough to fully prevent cost shifting.

When will the Public Service Commission rule on the rate increases?

Commissioners are expected to rule on the rate case by the end of 2026.

The PSC typically holds public hearings on rate cases in the fall. It will also open a period for members of the public to submit comments online or by mail.

Francesca Pica can be reached at fpica@usatodayco.com.

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/money/business/energy/2026/04/02/we-energies-wants-to-raise-electric-rates-14-what-to-know/89408960007/

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Marshmallow Peeps masterpieces take over Racine Art Museum

From JSOnline:

Adrienne Davis

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Monster brides, camping trips, and even classic '90s cartoons − all made from Peeps marshmallow candy − each earned awards during the 17th edition of the candy-inspired art competition at the Racine Art Museum.

The annual exhibition at the Racine Art Museum showcases work from artists who incorporate or represent the iconic candy. The exhibition runs through April 18 at the museum, 441 Main St., in downtown Racine.

The Golden PEEPS Awards, held March 31, served as the exhibition’s opening reception, honoring artists as they walked an orange carpet.

“Each year, we are presented with truly exceptional artwork submissions, which makes selecting award winners incredibly difficult,” RAM Assistant Curator Katelyn Mitchell said in a news release. "It’s always wonderful to see artists transform this unusual material into something novel.”

Mitchell said judges consider creativity, presentation and the use of Peeps marshmallow candy as art media or inspiration.

Awards in multiple categories were presented to artists during the show, who demonstrated clever and skilled use of Peeps marshmallow candy.

Julie Palmer of Racine won first 'PEEP' in the adult division for the Happy Birthday, PEEP Jr. art display − a spring-colored piece featuring Peeps gathered inside a miniature tree house for a birthday celebration.

Among Milwaukee-area winners include Beatrix W. Leach of Milwaukee, who took home second 'PEEP' for Victorian Peeps, an elegant piece featuring miniature Peeps enclosed in an egg-shaped display set on a sophisticated saucer.

Connie Reeves of Wauwatosa received an honorable mention for Peep Mittens, a pair of mittens knitted in vivid Peeps decorations.

In the Young 'PEEPle's' under 13 division, Charlotte Barnes of Racine, won first 'PEEP' for the Peep Scouts Go Camping, a colorful display showing the marshmallow ducks gathered around a tropical campsite.

In the group division under 13, first 'PEEP' was given to Laura and Steve Grayson of Racine for The Peepeux Tapestry: An Epic Bunny Adventure, a tapestry-styled piece that shows Peeps as they travel through history.

Jon and Laura Leach, also from Wauwatosa, received an honorable mention for Spring Dance − colorful Peeps that appear to float in mid-air.

First-place winners and RAM Staff Choice recipients also received a golden glass PEEPS bunny sculpture handcrafted by Hot Shop Glass in downtown Racine.

Hours

Both campuses of the Racine Art Museum are open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission rates for the Racine Art Museum can be found here.

For more information on the PEEPS Brand Art Exhibition, visit here.

Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2026/04/02/peeps-art-exhibition-racine-art-museum-2026/89429755007/

Microsoft to hold information session about data centers April 9 in Mount Pleasant

From The Journal Times.com:

Holly Gilvary

MOUNT PLEASANT — Microsoft will hold an open public information session at the Mount Pleasant Village Hall on April 9 for residents to ask about its data center project.

The event is scheduled for 4-7 p.m. in the Ebe Auditorium of Village Hall, 8811 Campus Drive.

The meeting will allow residents to connect with the data center project team and ask any questions they have about the development.

Microsoft is finishing construction on its first Mount Pleasant data center and is set to break ground on the second this year. The Mount Pleasant Village Board in January also approved site plans for 15 additional data centers in the village.

The April 9 session is not an official Mount Pleasant village government meeting or event.

For more information about Microsoft’s work in Wisconsin, visit https://aka.ms/Wisconsin.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/article_89b4efcc-2ebf-4ee5-af5c-44d424799034.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

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O&H Danish Bakery debuts new Easter kringle flavors

From JSOnline:

Adrienne Davis

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Got a sweet tooth? No problem – because a popular Racine bakery has fan-favorite baked goods and new flavors just in time for spring.

O&H Danish Bakery, a family-owned bakery known for its festive selection of sweets, announced March 30 that it was leaping into spring with a new lineup of desserts that includes two new kringle flavors that will debut as part of the bakery's well-known Homecoming Series.

O&H Danish Bakery President and fourth-generation co-owner Peter Olesen said the company wanted to bring classic desserts like strawberry shortcake and the family’s carrot cake into its kringle lineup.

"Our Easter lineup is especially meaningful this year," said Olesen in a news release. "Of course, it’s one of our favorite times of year, so we’re bringing back fan-favorites like Easter Braided Colored Bread and Easter Chocolate Crème Kringle as well to keep cherished traditions alive.”

The Easter collection combines traditional treats with fresh seasonal flavors.

These flavors, including Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Kringle, will be available through April 4.

The new Carrot Cake Kringl e is made from Grandma Olesen's carrot cake recipe, featuring fresh carrots, spice and cinnamon, nutmeg and creamy frosting.

The new Strawberry Shortcake Kringle, inspired by the classic treat of the same name, features sweet cookie pieces and a special O&H signature made-from-scratch filling, topped with buttery streusel, sweet ice and pink chocolate curls.

Both seasonal flavors are in featured in Hop on Home Kringle, a part of the Homecoming Series that debuted fall 2025. The flavors will be available for purchase until April 19.

The bakery's Easter collection is now available for in-store and online nationwide delivery.

O&H Danish Bakery was founded in 1949, by Den Christian Olesen, a Danish immigrant who came to the United States in 1924. Now in its 76th year, the bakery-chain has five locations in Racine, Sturtevant and Oak Creek.

The business has been named best kringle for 10 consecutive years by the Journal Times and has earned honors for best bakery and best customer service-retail in Racine County.

For more information, or to place a order, visit the bakery's website at ohdanishbakery.com.

Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2026/04/01/oh-danish-bakery-easter-kringle-flavors-2026/89408863007/

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

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Racine Zoo preparing [to] welcome an Eastern Black Rhino

From The Journal Times.com:

Holly Gilvary

A South African university launched an anti-poaching campaign on Thursday to inject the horns of rhinos with radioactive isotopes that it said were harmless for the animals but which can be detected by customs agents. (AP Video: Alfonso Nqunjana)

RACINE — The Racine Zoo is preparing to welcome Ayubu, an Eastern Black Rhino male, to its “Land of Giants” area.

Five-year-old Ayubu will make the journey from the Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City, Kansas, in a few days, according to the Racine Zoo.

After his arrival, Ayubu will be cared for in the Land of Giants rhino barn for quarantine for at least 30 days before he is available to be seen on exhibit. Although the Racine Zoo has exhibited paired rhinos in the past, male Eastern Black Rhinos are often solitary animals who thrive on their own.

Ayubu is being moved based on recommendations from the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums’ Eastern Black Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan.

The Racine Zoo said it has worked closely with Lee Richardson Zoo during the past year to plan Ayubu’s trip. Racine Zoo staff prepped the enclosures this past winter while Lee Richardson staff have worked on his crate training and other behaviors needed to ensure a successful trip.

Eastern Black Rhino males are most noted for their horns, which can weigh more than six pounds and exceed 50 inches in length. The horns are comprised of a protein called keratin, and are sought after by poachers as a “remedy” for various ailments or as a status symbol, according to the Racine Zoo.

Eastern Black Rhinos are critically endangered in their wild range, with numbers dropping from around 70,000 in the 1970s to about 1,650 today.

The AZA’s Eastern Black Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan aims to conserve Eastern Black Rhinos around the world, including by maintaining important genetic diversity within the captive population.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/article_95527808-bcf6-45c6-9bfc-79eb7e337239.html#tracking-source=home-top-story