Wisconsin News Roundup: Measles Outbreak Grows in the Southwest, Poll Shows Crowley Ahead of Tiffany, Final Beagles Leave Ridglan Farms and More

Published Aug 17, 2026 · Community · Red Rock Daily staff

Here’s a roundup of recent Wisconsin news. The state has its first measles outbreak of 2026, with 15 confirmed cases and 6 probable in the southwest, a new poll shows Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley leading Republican Tom Tiffany in the fall gubernatorial campaign with a slight edge, and Ridglan Farms, a beagle facility that operated for about 60 years, is finally empty after its last 155 dogs were transferred to Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Florida. Wisconsin Cheese Group was also fined $237,000 for Clean Water Act violations, and fairgoers made the most of the Wisconsin State Fair’s final day as the 2026 run wrapped up Sunday in West Allis.

Wisconsin’s first measles outbreak of 2026 grows in the southwest

Wisconsin has its first measles outbreak of 2026, with 15 confirmed cases and 6 probable in the southwestern part of the state. State health officials said they are investigating the outbreak. (MPR News, WPR, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Iron Mountain Daily News, Aug. 13-15, 2026)

New poll shows Crowley ahead of Tiffany in the governor’s race

A new poll shows Democrat David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, leading Republican Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin’s fall gubernatorial campaign with a slight edge. Another survey suggests independent voters could be decisive in the race. (FOX6 News Milwaukee, Civic Media, TMJ4 News, The New York Times, Aug. 16, 2026)

Ridglan Farms closes after its final 155 beagles are rescued

Ridglan Farms, a Wisconsin beagle facility that operated for about 60 years, is finally empty after rescuers removed its last 155 dogs and transferred them to Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Florida. The facility is closing. (Yahoo News, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WFLX, Aug. 14-17, 2026)

Wisconsin Cheese Group fined $237,000 for Clean Water Act violations

Wisconsin Cheese Group was fined $237,000 for Clean Water Act violations. (Wausau Pilot & Review)

Wisconsin State Fair wraps its 2026 run with a busy final day in West Allis

Fairgoers made the most of the Wisconsin State Fair’s final day as the 2026 run wrapped up Sunday in West Allis. Neighbors turned yards into paid parking spots, and AJR made their State Fair debut during the run. (TMJ4 News, OnMilwaukee, WISN 12 News, Spectrum News 1, Aug. 14-17, 2026)

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