Nicole Steele

Courtesy of Logan Killam

SCIENCE

Nearly 2,000-acre land deal expands Wisconsin’s conservation efforts

By Nicole Steele | Sep. 1

A stretch of habitat along the Lower Sugar River in Rock County is now permanently protected.

Courtesy of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

SCIENCE

As drought continues in Wisconsin, freshwater mussels need a helping hand

By Nicole Steele | Aug. 14

Ongoing severe drought conditions in Wisconsin are leaving native freshwater mussels stranded in shrinking rivers and streams, putting dozens of species at risk, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR).

Courtesy of Wonders of Physics

SCIENCE

43rd annual Wonders of Physics show returns to UW-Madison

By Nicole Steele | Feb. 5

On four currently-filled Wonders of Physics show dates in February, emeritus physics professor Clint Sprott will engage crowds in colorful displays of science in action.

Dani Nisbet

SCIENCE

UW researcher gets to the root of the golden mushroom colonizing Wisconsin’s forests

By Nicole Steele | Nov. 13

The golden oyster mushroom, originally from Asia, is spreading in Wisconsin and across the United States, pushing out native species in the process.

SCIENCE

Rising temperatures expand range of lone star ticks, now with an ‘established population’ in Dane County

By Nicole Steele | Sep. 4, 2025

A new CDC report finds lone star ticks, southern pests whose bites can cause a severe meat allergy called alpha-gal syndrome, have an established population in Dane County.

Hailey Johnson

SCIENCE

Cougar cubs found in Michigan, with implications for Wisconsin population

By Nicole Steele | Apr. 24, 2025

Sighted 20 miles from the Wisconsin border, the cubs give insight into Wisconsin population levels.

Courtesy of Wiki-Commons

SCIENCE

I just think they’re neat: Wisconsin livestock

By Nicole Steele | Jan. 23, 2025

From cows to pigs, farm animals are fascinating and vital to Wisconsin.

SCIENCE

Though threat is low, agencies monitor bird flu in Wisconsin as cases rise nationally

By Nicole Steele | Dec. 5, 2024

As of Monday, 21 Wisconsin counties, including southern Barron, Bayfield, Columbia, Rock, Sauk and Jefferson counties, have reported cases of bird flu, affecting a total of around 3.6 million birds since March 2022.