Submitted by The Office of Gov. Tony Evers

MADISON, WI – Gov. Tony Evers announced “The Learning Tree” as the theme for the 2025 State Capitol Holiday Tree and invited students to contribute handmade ornaments celebrating and thanking Wisconsin’s educators, child care providers, administrators, custodians, school bus drivers, counselors, librarians, school staff, tutors, mentors, after-school program teachers, and all the heroes in their lives who help them learn and support, educate, empower, and inspire them. Gov. Evers, who began 2025 by declaring it the Year of the Kid in Wisconsin, has spent his entire career fighting for Wisconsin’s kids and K-12 public schools, first beginning as a science teacher and going on to become a principal, superintendent, and state superintendent before becoming governor.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate 2025 the Year of the Kid during this holiday season than by giving thanks and gratitude to all those who are on the frontlines of doing what’s best for our kids across our state every day. It’s important that we recognize all those who play important roles in our kids’ lives and help them learn, grow, and be the best people they can be,” wrote Gov. Evers in a letter sent to students and educators. “So, I’m really excited to announce that the theme of the 2025 Wisconsin State Capitol Holiday Tree is ‘The Learning Tree’ to honor our educators, administrators, custodians, librarians, child care providers, school bus drivers, food service staff, and so many others who play a critical role in helping ensure our kids can bring their best and fullest selves to the classroom to learn each and every day.”

“To engage with this theme, I encourage students to think about what learning means to them, as well as all of the good people in their lives who help make sure they can learn, be their best selves, and have fun,” Gov. Evers continued. “Kathy and I are both really looking forward to seeing all of the amazing ornaments kids from across Wisconsin will be sending in to help decorate the tree in the Capitol this year to help celebrate learning and the people who help make it happen.”

Wisconsin’s Capitol Holiday Tree was nominated by USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Public Holiday Lights Display this year, based on recommendations from a panel of experts. To cast your vote for the Wisconsin Capitol Holiday Tree, visit the USA Today 10BEST page and select Best Public Holiday Lights Display to submit your vote by December 1. Votes may be submitted by individuals 18 or older, and are limited to 1 vote per person, per category, per day. See additional rules for details here. Winners will be announced on Wed., Dec. 10, 2025.

The Capitol Holiday Tree is displayed in the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol building throughout the holiday season and serves as a centerpiece of festivity for those visiting and working at the Capitol.

Each year, the Capitol Holiday Tree is decorated with handmade ornaments from kids, students, and families from every corner of the state. This year, students are encouraged to make ornaments that reflect what Wisconsin’s educators and all those who help keep Wisconsin’s schools running mean to them.

All students and families are welcome to submit ornaments for “The Learning Tree” and should mail ornaments by Fri., Nov. 21, 2025, to:

Emily Gorman
Wisconsin Department of Administration
Division of Facilities and Transportation Services
17 West Main Street, Suite 119
Madison, WI 53703

Students are asked to make ornaments from non-breakable material. They must be strong enough to hold up during shipping and to be handled while the tree is being decorated. It is recommended that students do not use fragile items or paper cutouts that may tear easily, and that ornaments are 4-6 inches in size and are made from a color that contrasts with the color of the tree so they can easily be seen and enjoyed by all visitors. Please attach a ten-inch loop of ribbon or string from which each ornament will hang.

If you have any questions about an ornament, please contact the Facilities Management Information Center at (608) 266-1485. Please note that ornaments will not be returned.

Submitted by Amber Bettinger-Lytle, Adoray

BALDWIN, WI – There’s no way to truly thank our nation’s Veterans enough for the sacrifices they’ve made for our freedom. Each year, Adoray Home Health & Hospice makes Veterans Day a deeply meaningful occasion for the Veterans they serve, and for the entire Western Wisconsin community.

This year, Adoray once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to honoring local heroes through a series of heartfelt events, appreciation baskets, and community ceremonies.

Since 2016, Adoray has created and delivered more than 500 Veterans Day appreciation baskets to Veterans receiving Home Health and Hospice care. The baskets are lovingly assembled and personally delivered by Adoray’s dedicated Veteran Volunteers, each bringing their own personal connection to military service: Vicki Bolton – U.S. Navy (Retired), Jerry Pederstuen – U.S. Air Force, Blair Gunderson – U.S. Marine Corps, Kim Patterson – U.S. Army, Skip (Kenneth) Ballard – U.S. Navy, and Mary Waters – Gold Star Mom (Son was a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force).

“These baskets are more than gifts, they’re a symbol of gratitude and recognition for the service and sacrifices made by our Veterans and their families,” said Christa Walz, Executive Director.

Community Flag Ceremony with Western Wisconsin Health – Adoray also co-hosted its Annual Veterans Day Flag Ceremony with Western Wisconsin Health, a tradition that has become a cherished community event. Led by American Legion Post 301 of Woodville, Adoray’s We Honor Veterans Volunteers, and staff from both organizations, this year’s ceremony reached new heights of participation and emotion.

For the first time, local Veterans were invited to be recognized both in person and via live stream. With more than 30 Veterans honored during the program, the ceremony stood as a powerful testament to unity, gratitude, and remembrance.

Veterans Day Ceremonies at Local Care Facilities – Now in its third year, Adoray partnered with care facilities across Western Wisconsin to host Veterans Day Ceremonies for residents and patients. Each ceremony featured Colors presented by the local American Legion, patriotic music, prayers, messages of thanks, and a pinning ceremony for Veterans and their caregivers, followed by heartfelt conversations with Adoray’s Veteran Volunteers.

Adoray Home Health & Hospice is a Level 4 Partner of the We Honor Veterans program, making it the only hospice provider in Western Wisconsin to achieve this certification level.

The We Honor Veterans program, a collaboration between the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, ensures that Veterans receive the specialized, compassionate care they deserve at the end of life. Through Adoray’s Vet-to-Vet program, Veteran Volunteers are paired with Veteran patients to provide companionship and understanding that only a fellow service member can offer.

Since joining the program in 2013, Adoray has conducted hundreds of We Honor Veterans Pinning Ceremonies. Each year around 25% of Adoray’s Hospice patients are Veterans from every Branch of the Military with many having served in WWII, Korea, the Cold War, and Vietnam. The program’s mission is to serve the nation’s veterans, who have served their county so selflessly, during their end-of-life journey. As the only level 4 We Honor Veterens Certified program serving Western Wisocnisn, we are honored to be leading the way in caring and honoring our local Vetereans.

Resources and Support for Veterans – Adoray also offers a free Veterans Resource Guide, available for download at adoray.org. This guide provides valuable information on benefits, programs, and local support for Veterans and their families.

To learn more about Adoray’s We Honor Veterans program or to become a Vet-to-Vet Volunteer, please visit adoray.org/volunteers or call 715-629-1888.

Submitted by Marcie Forsberg, People Protecting Pepin

TOWN OF PEPIN, WI – Town of Pepin board supervisors illegally disbanded a citizen study group at their July 2025 meeting, according to a complaint filed November 17, 2025. The complaint lays out two violations of Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law.

First, board members failed to provide legal notice on the July agenda that they would be voting to disband the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) Study Group. Under Wisconsin’s Open Meeting Law. Agendas must provide the public with notice of pending decisions.

In addition, board members illegally discussed their decision to disband the CAFO Study Group outside of a public meeting.

Town residents face a nearby proposal by Appleton-based Ridge Breeze Dairy to build a mega-dairy with an 11.5-acre barn filled with up to 7,800 cows. This dairy operation will produce millions of gallons of untreated liquid waste.

In light of residents’ concerns about water pollution, well contamination, and road damage caused by spreading the waste, Pepin Board members unanimously voted to form the CAFO Study Group at their April 2025 meeting. The group was tasked with studying the consequences of CAFOs using the Town of Maiden Rock’s CAFO Ordinance as a guide. Study Group members had been reporting on progress at monthly board meetings. The town supervisors did not raise concerns about the Study Group when those reports were given.

“We had no idea town supervisors had concerns,” said Marcie Forsberg, study group chair. “There was nothing on the July agenda to indicate they were going to forbid further investigation into this huge threat to our health and property.”

The board’s July decision to end any more study came after a presentation by Kim Bremmer, Executive Director of Venture Dairy. Bremmer’s group was founded by Wisconsin’s biggest dairy CAFOs including Milk Source with 27,300 cows and Tuls Dairy with 24,000 cows. Venture Dairy opposes local control of huge livestock operations and recently lost a legal attempt to end state regulation of CAFOs by the DNR.

Forsberg and four others from the Town of Pepin filed their complaint on November 17, 2025, with the Pepin County District Attorney.