PFAS levels hundreds of times higher than what is considered safe for drinking water has been found in private wells in eastern Oneida County. PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been linked to adverse health effects like high cholesterol, infertility, and lower immune response to vaccines. The news of contaminated wells in the Starks and Stella area, which is about 10 miles east of Rhinelander, has left many residents angry, worried, and with more questions than answers at this moment.

Pelican River Forest in limbo after lawmaker anonymously objects to funding

So many of us live in Wisconsin’s Northwoods or Michigan’s Upper Peninsula because we love what surrounds us every day. We love the clear water, the clean air, and the lush forests. WXPR’s environmental reporting as part of our expanded series, The Stream, focuses on the natural world around us. The Stream is now about more than just water: it brings you stories of efforts to conserve our wild lands and lakes, scientific studies of animal and plant life, and potential threats to our environment. What do you wonder about the environment in our region? Ask us a question and it could be a future story on The Stream! Use the form below to submit your question.