National sports media have aimed their spotlights on Wisconsin to report on two of their biggest stories of the week so far -- the Milwaukee Brewers ' trade for star pitcher CC Sabathia and the continuing speculation that Brett Favre may un-retire from the Green Bay Packers.

During rare breaks from those stories on Tuesday, a high priority was a report on the Milwaukee Bucks introduction of new team member Richard Jefferson, a high-profile player acquired in a trade with the New Jersey Nets.

It 's as if the national news is all Wisconsin all the time.

Granted, it 's only sports news. It does not carry the gravity of news about medical breakthroughs, ground-breaking public policies, businesses creating jobs or diplomats resolving wars.

But don 't sell sports news short.

At its best, news about people competing in sports entertains, inspires and uplifts. News about favorite teams brings fans together to share in glory or despair.

News about sports can even be thought-provoking. Consider the Brewers and Packers, both weighing short-term gain against long-term success.

In almost any walk of life, building for long-term success is important. But so is determining when to make a bold leap to finally achieve that success.

Did the Brewers do the right thing by trading their top prospect and three other young players for one accomplished pitcher, who likely will leave after this season?

Should the Packers welcome back the iconic Favre for one last run at a championship, or move on with plans to install Aaron Rodgers as the long-term quarterback solution?

These questions are not only fun for fans to debate. They also contain life lessons that extend beyond sports.

In life beyond sports, judging decisions about the short term and the long term are often complicated, even in hindsight, because results are murky. But sports conveniently produce clear results.

We will be able to judge the decisions made by the Brewers and Packers by their wins and losses.

The possible consequences the decisions will bring is all part of the intrigue that put Wisconsin in the sports news limelight this week.

So be inspired and uplifted -- can anyone say World Series and Super Bowl tickets? Share the glory of victories to come and lean on one another should despair prevail.

Be provoked into thoughtfulness.

And enjoy the fact that for once, sports fans from New York to Los Angeles are in the audience, watching Wisconsin on center stage.