Wisconsin News Roundup: Measles Outbreak Reaches 15 Cases, Cheese Maker Fined for Clean Water Act Violations and More

Published Aug 16, 2026 · Community · Red Rock Daily staff

Here’s a roundup of recent Wisconsin news: a measles outbreak in the southwestern part of the state has reached 15 confirmed cases, with six more probable cases and likely more to come; a Monroe-based cheese maker was fined $237,000 for criminally violating the Clean Water Act; Justice Chris Taylor was sworn in to join the Wisconsin Supreme Court; new Department of Natural Resources statistics show Wisconsin leads the nation in fatal ATV and UTV crashes; and a Crawford County deer farm was quarantined after an elk tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

Measles outbreak in southwestern Wisconsin reaches 15 confirmed cases

Wisconsin health officials are investigating a measles outbreak in the southwestern part of the state that has reached 15 confirmed cases, with six more probable cases and likely more to come. (WPR, MPR News, Aug. 13-15, 2026) The cases are in Iowa and Lafayette counties, up from two reported earlier in the week, and mark Wisconsin’s first measles outbreak of 2026. About 60 percent of the state’s cases this year involve children 17 and under, including three under age 4, and all but one of the 23 confirmed or suspected cases were unvaccinated. Officials say transmission is happening locally since infected people had not traveled outside Wisconsin.

Justice Chris Taylor joins Wisconsin Supreme Court

Justice Chris Taylor, Wisconsin’s newest Supreme Court justice, was officially sworn in during an investiture ceremony Friday, beginning a 10-year term on the court. (WKOW, Madison.com, Aug. 14-15, 2026) Taylor pledged judicial independence at the ceremony.

Monroe cheese maker fined $237,000 for Clean Water Act violations

Wisconsin Cheese Group, headquartered in Monroe, was fined $237,000 and sentenced to one year of probation for criminally violating the Clean Water Act by releasing untreated wastewater. (WFRV, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 14-15, 2026) The case was brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin, and the company was ordered to make improvements to its facility.

DNR: Wisconsin leads nation in fatal ATV and UTV crashes

New statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources show the state leads the nation in fatal ATV and UTV crashes in 2026, with a lack of helmets and seatbelts among the top factors. (Channel 3000, WMTV, WEAU, Aug. 14-15, 2026) DNR statistics cited by KFIZ show 29 fatal ATV/UTV incidents so far in 2026, and the DNR is increasing patrols.

Crawford County deer farm quarantined after elk tests positive for CWD

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection quarantined a Crawford County deer farm after an elk on the property tested positive for chronic wasting disease. (WFRV, WKOW, Aug. 14, 2026)

For more on the Badger State, see the Wisconsin guide.