Emergency service providers in Wisconsin are warning that rural communities might not have the fire response they need.
“What we found was that just under half the departments lack the personnel to make a fire response that involves four people and an engine. So, the way that’s being dealt with is that most of the departments are using mutual aid to fill that gap, and as there’s less and less volunteers available, and about 80 percent of our fire departments in Wisconsin are staffed by volunteers, or near volunteers who are paid a small amount to be part of the department. It’s put a pretty significant strain on the emergency response infrastructure,” said James Small, the EMS Outreach Program Manager for the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health.
Small warns that more than 60 percent of rural fire departments have expressed concerns about staffing and budget levels. A big problem, he says, is that more and more folks are taking jobs outside their local communities.
Dry conditions remain a concern as Texas farmers prepare for another planting season.
March 31, 2026 11:50 AM
·
The USDA’s upcoming reports will drop on Tuesday afternoon, giving the trade real results on acreage shifts, drought concerns, and ongoing trade tensions, adding uncertainty for U.S. farmers.
March 30, 2026 01:59 PM
·
Firefighters are making good progress on two major wildfires burning across parts of Nebraska.
March 30, 2026 01:16 PM
·
At the White House’s “Celebration of Agriculture,” the Trump Administration announced a slate of policies to support farmers and ranchers, including biofuel mandates, SBA loan programs, and new labeling policies to boost domestic markets for ag products.
March 30, 2026 01:01 PM
·
South Texas farmers face worsening drought as Mexico falls short on water payments, leaving producers struggling for irrigation under the 1944 treaty.
March 30, 2026 11:42 AM
·
Exports depend more on demand than currency shifts.
March 30, 2026 10:59 AM
·
