Manufacturing Expansion: Kikkoman opened a new $560M soy sauce and seasoning facility in Jefferson, a 240,000-square-foot plant expected to create 80+ high-paying jobs, with Gov. Evers and WEDC joining the ribbon-cutting and a $250,000 donation to Jefferson County prairie restoration. Energy & Grid Politics: Wisconsin lawmakers and candidates renewed pushback on major 765-kilovolt transmission projects, with U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany opposing the 190-mile line and a Lake Delton forum drawing bipartisan opposition over farmland and property impacts. Fuel Costs Squeeze: Milwaukee-area gas jumped overnight to about $4.39 a gallon, while diesel hit new highs, turning fuel prices into a campaign issue as candidates debate repealing Wisconsin’s minimum markup law. Food Safety: Stoddard’s Meats and Catering in Cottage Grove temporarily closed after inspection violations tied to HACCP controls and cold-holding temperatures, saying it’s working with DATCP and Dane County to reopen safely. Ag Workforce Pipeline: More than 400 FFA students from Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin packed NICC’s Tri-State Ag and Dairy Expo for dairy judging, tech demos, and safety training. Transit Access: A blind Milwaukee County Transit System rider warned proposed route changes could cut direct service to jobs for visually impaired riders amid a budget deficit. Infrastructure Disruption: Fire damaged equipment at an Enbridge Line 5 construction site south of Ashland; investigators haven’t determined a cause.