Yearly Archives: 2026

(The Center Square) – One time Wisconsin candidate for governor Kirk Bangstad says politics and a conspiracy from the state’s big brewers is to blame for losing his brewers permit.

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue confirmed that it revoked Bangstad’s brewing permit for his taprooms in Minocqua and Madison.

The state opened an investigation into Bangstad after he was selling beer brewed in Illinois in his taprooms in Wisconsin without paying the proper taxes.

On Monday, Bangstad wrote on Facebook that the charges are “laughable.”

"I couldn’t believe it and neither could the law firm that handles my liquor permits," Bangstad wrote. "They both believe that someone in Wisconsin’s government is trying to make an example out of me, and they’ve told me to fight this with everything I’ve got."

Bangstad then claimed he's really a victim of both Gov. Tony Evers' and Wisconsin's other, bigger breweries.

"Our brewery is very popular among progressives throughout the Upper Midwest because we actively fight against right-wing authoritarianism and corruption. As a result of our political activism, we’ve been boycotted by beer distributors and major grocery chains," he added. "Once you 'understand' that all of the laws that [the DOR] said we broke were created to help large distributors take advantage of small breweries, you can see the 'whole picture,' and how the government can use byzantine liquor laws to put 'mouthy brewers' out of business."

Bangstad has made no secret of his progressive politics and has been a frequent critic of Evers.

Bangstad briefly ran for governor earlier this year but dropped his bid when he failed to make the ballot.

Bangstad said he is exploring his legal options and is promising to stay in business if he can.

" I’m not taking this lying down. We’re going to fight the state of Wisconsin tooth and nail, and once again, they’ll have to pry me out of my taprooms before I stop selling beer to thirsty progressives who come to visit us," he wrot

(The Center Square) - The five Democrats running for governor will take part in a debate at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, two weeks before the state’s Aug. 11 primary.

Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, state Rep. Francesca Hong, businessman Joel Brennan, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and state Sen. Kelda Roys will be at the hourlong event, hosted by WISN. It will be moderated by WISN’s Gerron Jordan and Matt Smith and streamed for free along with running on stations such as Green Bay (WBAY), Madison (WKOW), Wausau (WAOW), Eau Claire (WQOW) and La Crosse (WXOW).

Hong led the race again in the most recent Marquette Poll, which included Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez but not Crowley, because Rodriguez withdrew from the race after polling was completed. Crowley reentered the race after Rodriguez left.

Hong was vocal in her criticism of Madison Police after the shooting of Corey Ruiz, who reportedly had a knife, by officers. She called the shooting an execution while Barnes called for transparency and Crowley said that it was a reminder of other tragedies in the state.

Crowley has also faced questions about postings on his old “Dirt McGirk” Twitter account.

Early voting has already begun with lawsuits filed last week to change Wisconsin Election Commission guidance that early arriving absentee ballots cannot be spoiled and recast after Rodriguez dropped out of the race and to allow provisional ballots from those whose absentee ballots were not expected to arrive by Election Day due to U.S. Postal Service delays.

Republican congressman Tom Tiffany is the overwhelming favorite to win the Republican nomination over Andy Manske in the primary.