Browsing Category Douglas County

Douglas County, WI: The Wild West of Wisconsin Politics
Welcome to Douglas County—where the trees outnumber the people, and local politics make reality TV look boring. Nestled in the rugged beauty of northern Wisconsin, Douglas County is where Lake Superior crashes against the shore, deer outnumber residents, and everyone’s got an opinion on how to fix the roads (spoiler: they never get fixed).
Home to the city of Superior—aka Duluth’s scrappier sibling—Douglas County is a patchwork of small towns, sprawling forests, and enough community boards to make your head spin. Whether it’s figuring out who actually runs what, our political scene is a mix of passionate arguments and good old-fashioned Midwestern stubbornness.

Man wearing glasses and a suit with dollar bills falling around him outdoors.

Skyrocketing Property Taxes: Mayor Jim Paine’s Overspending Forces Residents to Foot the Bill

in City Hall City of Superior Garner Moffat Jenny Van Sickle Mayor Jim Paine Ruth Ludwig Tylor Elm on December 17, 2024 November 10, 2025

Mayor Jim Paine’s reckless spending and unwavering council support are driving Superior taxpayers to the breaking point amid soaring property tax hikes.

A young man standing in front of a police car while officers are present on a street at night.

Unpacking the Cuypers Case: The Dangers of Municipal Prosecutions and Misjudged Furtive Movements in Policing

in City Hall City of Superior Police Department on December 16, 2024 October 28, 2025

Discover the Cuypers case, where a routine traffic stop spiraled into a controversial municipal prosecution, raising critical questions about policing practices.

Police officers surrounding a person with hands behind their back near a car on a dimly lit street.

Unpacking the Superior Wisconsin Taser Incident: A Deep Dive into Ian Cuypers’ Controversial Case and Its Implications for Police Accountability

in City Hall City of Superior Police Department on December 9, 2024 December 18, 2024

Discover the shocking Taser incident in Superior, Wisconsin, where a DoorDash driver faced unjust prosecution and humiliation. Uncover the accountability crisis now.

Illustration of a city council meeting discussing a 25% pay raise proposal with various characters and elements.

SoupNutz Episode 10: Unpacking City Council Raises – Priorities in Question Amid Pothole Crisis

in City Hall City of Superior Garner Moffat Jenny Van Sickle Mayor Jim Paine Ruth Ludwig Tylor Elm on December 6, 2024 February 13, 2025

In this episode of SoupNutz, we dive into the controversial city council decision to approve unearned raises while vital issues like road repairs languish. Join us for a sharp critique filled with wit as we explore bold alternatives to wasteful spending in local politics.

Illustration of a Tourism Development Commission meeting with a dollar sign and various characters discussing funds.

Outcry Erupts as Superior Tourism Commission’s $120,000 Contract with Charlie Berens Sparks Scandal and Calls for Transparency

in City Hall City of Superior Garner Moffat Jenny Van Sickle Mayor Jim Paine Ruth Ludwig Tylor Elm on December 4, 2024 February 13, 2025

The Superior Tourism Commission faces backlash after a controversial $120,000 contract with influencer Charlie Berens highlights ongoing governance issues and secrecy.

Cartoon scene depicting a news meeting with animated soup cans and reporters in a conference room.

Shenanigans and Solar Panels: A Wild Ride Through the December 3rd Superior City Council Meeting Recap!

in City Hall City of Superior on December 4, 2024 December 4, 2024

Join us for a lively recap of the Superior City Council meeting on December 3, 2024, where spending controversies, green initiatives, and traffic debates stole the show!

Examining Mayor Jim Paine’s Environmental Policies: A Disconnect Between Green Ambitions and Fiscal Responsibility in Superior

in City Hall City of Superior on December 2, 2024 December 18, 2024

In Superior, Wisconsin, Mayor Jim Paine’s environmental stance is contradicted by a troubling reliance on oil revenue, exposing deep fiscal vulnerabilities and questionable ethics.

A humorous digital illustration depicting a chaotic city council meeting. The setting is a generic government chamber with mismatched furniture and scattered papers, emphasizing disorganization. At the center, a mayor in a disheveled suit leans back in a chair, shrugging, with a speech bubble reading, "I got nothing." Nearby, council members appear distracted: one is flipping through an empty notebook, another is staring at a laptop showing a game of solitaire. A stack of untouched budget books sits on a table labeled "2024 Goals." In the background, a bulletin board lists half-finished agendas like "Museum Contract: TBD" and "Fiber Expansion: Dig Holes?" Above the scene, a banner humorously reads, "Superior's Common Circus." The overall tone is comedic, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

Superior City Clowncil Meeting: A Farcical Display of Governance on November 19th

in City Hall City of Superior Fire Department Police Department on November 27, 2024 December 9, 2024

The November 19th Superior Common Council meeting turned governance into a comedic spectacle, highlighting incompetence and absurdity in local leadership.

A detailed table listing the top 50 earners from the City of Superior, WI, for the year 2022. The table includes two columns: employee names (last name, first name) and their respective earnings for the year. The salaries range from approximately $82,000 to $130,000, showcasing a variety of roles and compensation levels within the city's payroll. The document emphasizes payroll figures only, excluding benefits, with an estimated additional $20,000 per employee for benefits, increasing the total compensation significantly. The data highlights the financial investment in the city's workforce and its impact on the overall budget.

Uncovering Payroll Inequities in Superior: The Burden of Disproportionate Salaries on Taxpayer Dollars

in City Hall City of Superior Fire Department Police Department on November 25, 2024 December 18, 2024

Superior’s payroll system reveals a concerning imbalance, with top earners consuming 18% of the city budget. Explore the implications for community funding and accountability.

create an image that depicts a lush forest scene in Superior, Wisconsin, filled with tall, untouched trees and wildlife, symbolizing a protected natural area. In the foreground, Mayor Jim Paine stands with an exaggerated, welcoming smile, holding a sign that reads “Forest Saved!” Behind him, a hidden scene reveals a riverfront property owned by his family members, complete with houses, a paved driveway, and a large barge grounded in the river, humorously contrasting with the intended bird sanctuary. Uncle Fred and Cousin Freddy Jr. stand beside the property, giving thumbs up, while a faded “Bird Sanctuary” sign is visible, but crossed out. The satirical, cartoonish style emphasizes the irony of public land being used to address private family interests, hinting at the theme of “public good” versus “private favor.”

Mayor Paine’s Forest Land Swap: A Controversial Deal Favoring Family Interests in Superior, WI

in City Hall City of Superior Mayor Jim Paine on November 18, 2024 May 28, 2025

Let’s discuss the latest from Superior, Wisconsin, where Mayor Jim Paine has a big idea to save the forest. However, this plan could benefit his family! With 60% of the Superior Municipal Forest as a State Natural Area, it appears noble. Yet, Uncle Fred and Cousin Freddy Jr. could gain from lifting a conservation easement on their prime riverfront property. Is this really about protecting public land, or public land for private gain? Dive in to uncover the truth!