Local-Regional News Jan 15

 

One person was injured in a two vehicle accident in Ellsworth Township on Jan 5^th. According to the Pierce County Sheriffs Department, 49yr lod Carey Schiller of Beldenville was traveling northbound on 610^th street when she collided with a vehicle traveling northbound on Hwy N driven by 80yr old Georgiann Schladweiler of Ellsworth. Shiller was taken to River Falls Area Hospital.

One person was injured in a single vehicle accident in Maiden Rock Township on Jan 6^th. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 25yr old Alexis Schmidt of Stockholm was traveling northbound on Hwy 35, lost control of the vehicle and struck the guardrail. Schmidt was taken to Mayo Red Wing Hospital.

Could the city of Durand be moving the farmers market? During last nights council meeting, the farmers market vendor survey was discussed. The vendors were concerned about the lack of traffic of the market last year and the day of the week the farmers market was held. Some possible suggestions are to move the market from Memorial Park to the Bauer Built Parking lot if the Durand-Arkansaw School District would agree, have the market on a different day of the week instead of Monday and to change the hours of the market.

The Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office says it is searching for a missing woman in her early 80’s. Mary Rahman was last seen leaving Mazeppa traveling eastbound on Hwy 60 driving a Blue Ford Ranger with Minnesota license plate JKU 898. She may be experiencing sings of dementia. Anyone with information on Rahman’s whereabouts is to call the Wabasha County Sheriffs Department.

In Chippewa County, a woman charged in connection with an overdose death is pleading no contest to charges. The victim was found dead in the Town of Ruby last March. Crystal Crouse was convicted after pleading no contest this week to a charge of Manufacturing or Delivering Amphetamine as party to a crime.

Charges are being filed against a Black River Falls man as part of a child pornography case. Peyton Littlegeorge-Dietzler faces charges including 20 counts of possession of child pornography and ten counts of producing child sexual exploitation material. Investigators say the defendant used multiple platforms for accessing and sharing the illegal content.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is looking for sponsors for its Summer Food Service Program. The program aims to provide meals to children living in economically disadvantaged and rural areas in Wisconsin. According to DPI, through community partnerships, school districts will be able to work with area organizations to expand the program beyond summer school. Sponsor organizations can include public or private school food providers, nonprofit summer camps or private nonprofit organizations. The program served over 3.3 million meals last year. More info can be found on DPI's website.

The Wisconsin Legislature is back to work at the State Capitol. The state Assembly held its first floor session of the year on Tuesday, which included passing a bill that would define "grooming" as a crime. The measure received overwhelming approval, with a vote of 93 to 6. There was also an effort to bring back the Wisconsin version of C-SPAN, which is known as Wisconsin Eye. The Assembly is scheduled to adjourn next month.

Minnesota's biggest companies are starting to feel the heat from the ICE surge. A video is circulating on social media showing ICE agents putting a worker into a gray pickup truck in a parking lot behind General Mills' Chanhassen facility. Businesses of all sizes are grappling with difficult, sensitive situations amid the surge of federal immigration officers in Minnesota. A state representative told the Minnesota Star Tribune that the U.S. Border Patrol detained and injured two Richfield Target employees on January 8th, who were both U.S. citizens. Employers are dealing with detained employees, enacting safety measures for workers and navigating public communications about officers' actions in a polarizing and volatile moment for the Twin Cities.

Two of Wisconsin's largest pediatric hospitals are hitting the pause button on gender-affirming care for minors. UW Health and Children's Wisconsin confirmed the move yesterday. The decision comes weeks after the federal Health and Human Services Department announced it would stop Medicaid and Medicare payments to healthcare facilities providing the treatment. Children's Wisconsin said it would continue mental and behavioral health services for those who seek it. Madison Representative Francesca Hong criticized the move on social media, saying it "violates our state's values" of compassion and fairness.

Will the governor and Republicans in the legislature find a way to lower property taxes? Governor Tony Evers wants lawmakers to approve $1.3 billion in property tax relief he included in the budget, something Republicans rejected. And Evers rejects Republican claims that his 400-year veto and its annual increase in per pupil spending of $325 drove up property taxes. Evers said Republicans can use that as an excuse, but that school funding referendums were already frequent before that. But Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says the veto must be part of any discussions. Vos said there need's to be agreement that the 400 year veto "is a problem that needs to be fixed." Evers said state revenues for 2025-27 are on track to come in as much as $1 billion higher than previously projected.

Appleton is the latest school district to ask its residents for more tax funding. W H B Y reports the school board on Monday night voted in favor of a 15 million dollar referendum. The school district is facing a 11 million dollar structural deficit in its budget heading into next year. School board president Kay Eggert says that 15 million dollars will make sure the district can keep its music, AP and co-curricular courses. Board member Oliver Zornow blames the state legislature for the shortfall that led to the referendum question in the first place, and told residents the district has been carefully managing its money for decades.

Several federal prosecutors in Minnesota are resigning after the fatal shooting in Minneapolis last week involving an ICE agent. According to multiple reports, six prosecutors have left their posts so far. This as the Trump administration is reportedly pushing for the investigation into the shooting to focus on the widow of Renee Good. Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent while behind the wheel of her vehicle. Her death has spurred protests against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Local-Regional News Jan 14

 

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on the purchase of a truck for the public works department, the 2026 Farmers Market Plan and an update on the comprehensive plan. There will also be reports from the Mayor and Department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm at Durand City Hall.

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include a discussion and possible action on the space availability cap for 2026-27, the 2024-25 audit report and reports from the district and building administrators. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

Durand Police assisted state and federal narcotics officers in an arrest in the city on Tuesday. According to Durand Police officers assisted with the apprehension at 1101 Hardy Street. There was no reported injuries and there is no threat to the public. No other information on the arrest was made available.

The Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing person. According to the department, 18yr old Meghan Potts was last seen walking away from the H&R Block on Clairemont Ave on Monday Afternoon. She has not been seen since nor has she made any contact with family. If anyone has any information on Potts’ whereabouts they are to contact the Eau Claire County Sheriffs Department.

The case against an Eau Claire man accused of killing a neighbor is moving forward. Shane Helmbrecht is charged with intentional homicide in the fatal shooting of neighbor Jenn Ward in 2016. Helmbrecht had previously been found incompetent to stand trial, and was sent to a group home that he later walked away from -- only to later be found in Mexico. He has been appealing a September ruling that he is now competent to stand trial but that claim has now been denied by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.

Bond is being set for the second of two men charged in connection with a deadly accidents on Lake Wissota. Two jet skis collided on the lake on the night of May 23rd 2025 resulting in the death of 24-year-old Elle Jo Kramschuster. Kramschuster had been a passenger on Bruce Sanborn's jet skis. Sanborn and Sean Irvine have each been charged with second-degree reckless homicide. Bond for Irvine was set Tuesday at ten-thousand dollars.

A Sparta man charged in the fatal shooting of an elderly man in Tomah is pleading guilty. Police arrested Ryan Goad a couple of hours after the New Year's Eve 2024 shooting. Goad pleaded guilty yesterday to charges including attempted first-degree intentional homicide and was committed to the Department of Health Services for a period of 40 years.

Winter is the best time to do home radon testing. Radon is a radioactive gas that can seep into homes through the foundation, and it's more likely to infiltrate a home in the winter when the furnaces are running. 1 in 10 Wisconsin homes have radon, and it's been shown to increase cancer chances. You can find a low cost testing kit from the Department of Health Services at D H S dot W I dot Gov.

At the Capitol, Democratic lawmakers say they'll work to reinstate Wisconsin's version of C-SPAN, WisconsinEye. Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer says transparency is an essential part of a functioning democracy and not having the service is a step in the wrong direction in trying to gain the public's trust. Neubauer says the current situation isn't sustainable and is calling on Republican lawmakers to join them in finding a way to get WisEye back online. WisEye needs to raise $250,000 in order to continue operations and is fundraising to do that.

SentryWorld in Stevens Point is set to host two future United States Golf Association Championships. USGA officials announced the course will host the 2028 U.S. Senior Women's Open and the 2034 U.S. Senior Open. The course most recently hosted the U.S. Senior Open in 2023. The events mark the fourth and fifth USGA championships held at SentryWorld.

The first state-funded child care program is being unveiled. Governor Evers says the Get Kids Ready program is designed for children who will be fours-years-old by September 1st 2026. The state will distribute around 65-million-dollars directly to child care providers through the 2025-27 biennial budget. Child care providers interested in participating must apply by February 1st. Families can learn more about eligibility and enrollment through the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families website.

Wisconsin’s governor weighs in on ICE activities in Minnesota. Governor Tony Evers said Monday that investigating last weeks fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis should not fall solely to the FBI. And the governor said immigration enforcement like what the Trump administration is undertaking in the Twin Cities would be bad for Wisconsin. Wisconsin agriculture is heavily dependent on the work of immigrants, many of them undocumented. Evers said forcing those workers to leave would be devastating to the industry.

The Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health releases its 2025 review. The report shows there's been a large increase in young adults suffering from mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems. The number of kids with major depressive issues continues to increase, both in Wisconsin and across the country. The report found that kids who feel comfortable talking to family about their feelings can reduce negative childhood experiences. Last year the state allotted $4 million to child advocacy centers across the state.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is moving forward with its plan to lower the state's walleye bag limit. The agency is now looking for public comment on its proposal to change the limit from six walleye to four. The new limit is expected to take effect March 1st, 2027. There two ways for Minnesotans to connect with the DNR about the walleye recommendation. Send an email to fisheries-dot-rulemaking-dot-comments-dnr-at-state-dot-mn-dot-us or call 652-259-5235. The deadline for submitting is March 5th.

President Trump says he is terminating temporary protected status for Somali migrants living in Minnesota. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that TPS will end on March 17th. She says temporary means temporary and the country conditions in Somalia have improved to where it no longer meets the law requirement for TPS. Somalis on TPS will have to leave the country by that time or risk being arrested and deported.

The reward for a missing Eau Claire County puppy is now up to ten-thousand dollars. The Boxx family says they were unloading groceries on New Year's Eve at their Highway 27 home when the nearly five-month-old dog went missing. Footprints and tire tracks found in the snow have led the family to suspect someone may have taken the dog. 

Local-Regional News Jan 13

 

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include approval of the minutes from the last council meeting and public hearing, along with reports from the Mayor and city department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 in the Marten Center.

Lake City Police investigated a social media threat made by a Lincoln High School Student earlier this week. Police say the reported threat was based on a video in which a weapon was displayed and threatening language was used. Police executed a search warrant at the student's home and interviewed the student. It was determined the weapon shown in the video was from an unrelated internet source and not in the student’s possession. The student was taken into custody, and there is no threat to the public .

Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden says he will be absent from the House for the next few days as he spends time with his wife who is undergoing a surgical procedure. No other details about Mrs. Van Orden's health have been released. In a statement, the congressman says he is thankful for the understanding and support of his colleagues and constituents as his family deals with his wife's serious medical issue.

The Mondovi School District will hold a three part seminar called Triple P, Positive Parenting Program.. Parents and caregivers of children 0-5yrs of age are encouraged to attend the seminar to learn about and gain skills to promote child development. The program will be held on Wednesdays starting January 21 at the Mondovi School Library. For more information, contact the Mondovi School District.

A Eau Claire man accused of setting fire to his own mobile home is pleading no contest to charges. The trailer on Revere Street was destroyed in the 2024 blaze. Investigators say that Patrick Bischel had recently been evicted. No one was hurt in the fire. Bischel has pleaded no contest to charges including reckless endangerment and been sentenced to three years of probation.

Emplify Health says they have reached their fundraising goal to open a specialized crisis unit inside the behavioral health department at their hospital in La Crosse. Emplify had set a five-point-two-million-dollar goal for the effort. The new unit will serve as an urgent care center for mental health emergencies.

Republican state legislators outlined their plans for proposed statewide data centers in Wisconsin. They say the proposed legislation would protect farm land and water usage, while ensuring Wisconsinite's electricity bills do not increase. Republicans add that the bill is not for or against data centers, but sets out rules and leaves the decision up to local municipalities. Large tech companies have plans to build data centers across Wisconsin. However, many WIsconsinisites have expressed concern about the noise, a decrease in their property values, and an increase in energy and water demands. Wisconsin is an attractive location because it has access to lots of water - something that's needed to cool the centers.

This weekend is Free Fishing weekend in Wisconsin. On January 17 and 18th, residents and nonresidents in Wisconsin can fish without a license or trout stamps. However, all other fishing regulations, like length limits and bag limits, still apply. And a reminder that the DNR does not monitor ice conditions, but local bait shops and fishing clubs are good sources for current conditions.

The state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities are suing the Trump administration over its deployment of ICE. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced the lawsuit on Monday alongside Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Koahly Her. Ellison said, "this is, in essence, a federal invasion of the Twin Cities, and it must stop." The lawsuit comes less than a week after ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renee Good in south Minneapolis. The Trump administration has claimed Ross was acting in self defense, and the FBI has shut Minnesota officials out of the investigation into the shooting.

WisconsinEye Public Affairs Network has launched a GoFundMe campaign. It hopes to raise 250-thousand dollars needed to resume coverage of Wisconsin state government after suspending operations last month due to financial hardships. The nonprofit organization stopped broadcasting on December 15th when it couldn't sustain its nearly 800-thousand operating budget through donations. The network has provided live, unedited coverage of the Wisconsin Legislature, executive branch and state Supreme Court since 2007. Its large digital archive of state Capitol programming could be lost if the organization cannot secure funding.

A proposed federal rule change could open tens of thousands of acres of public land to development. This comes as the U.S. Department of Agriculture considers repealing the Federal Roadless Rule. The law has limited road building and logging in remote national forest areas for more than two decades. Changing the rule could affect around 70-thousand acres of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Tribal leaders and environmental advocates say the move could harm water quality, wildlife, and Ojibwe treaty rights. Federal officials say a draft proposal is expected next year, followed by public comment before a final decision.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is spreading awareness this month of human trafficking. The department says that everyone can have a role in helping to prevent the crime and protect potential victims. Folks are asked to be watchful for signs that someone is vulnerable including sudden or dramatic changes in behavior, becoming disconnected from family, friends or community organizations, signs of mental or physical abuse or deprivation of basic needs and indications that someone is being coached on what to say or who is not in control of their own decisions. Individual who suspect they have come in contact with someone who is a victim of human trafficking are encouraged to contact law enforcement.

A former principal in the Sun Prairie School District faces criminal charges for failing to report child abuse. The charges against Jennifer Ploeger stem from an investigation into how she handled two incidents, including allegations against former Sun Prairie West High School Dean of Students Robert Gilkey-Meisegeier. He faces state and federal charges of sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography. The charges against Ploeger were announced by Sun Prairie Police on Friday, days after the release by the school district of findings from an independent investigation. Ploeger faces two counts of failure to report child abuse. An attorney representing her said she’s being used as a scapegoat and will vigorously fight the charges.

Planning has begun for this summer’s 2026 EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. AirVenture's 73rd edition will include several of the world’s top air show performers. Two special signature night displays will commemorate America’s 250th birthday. The early lineup includes aerobatic champions, vintage warbirds and military jets including the F-22 Raptor. The fly-in convention is scheduled July 20th through 26th at Wittman Regional Airport in Oskhosh. There’s more information at “E-A-A dot org, slash Airventure.”

A Universities of Wisconsin system school adds a unique varsity sport. UW-Parkside will add women's flag football to their varsity sports lineup in the 2026–27 academic year. The school located near Kenosha and Racine will become the first NCAA university in the state to offer athletic scholarships for the sport, which received an NCAA Emerging Sport recommendation in 2025 and is scheduled to debut as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games. The school will announce the program's inaugural head coach soon.

Local-Regional News Jan 12

 

Dunn County will have 10 contested county board races this election year. Contested races are expected for County Board Seats in Districts 1, 2, 6,9,11,22,26,28,and 29. Meanwhile in the city of Menomonie Matthew Crow and Grady Richarz will face incumbant Randy Knaack for city Mayor. The Spring Election is April 7^th.

Grant funding is available to improve telecommunications access and affordability in Wisconsin. The money comes from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission's Telemedicine Equipment and the Lifeline Outreach grant programs. The Telemedicine Equipment program supports the purchase of equipment that will enhance medical care in rural or undeserved part of the state. The Lifeline Outreach program helps address affordability challenges by providing a discount on essential telecommunication services like internet and phone for low-income households. More info can be found on the PSC's grant website.

Two people die in a Rochester house fire. Fire crews responded to the fire on Friday night and found two adults inside. When taken outside, EMS performed life efforts but they were unsuccessful. The identities of the two adults have not been released. Fire officals are investigating the cause of the fire.

The Chippewa Falls Police and Fire Commission is eyeing a new fire department chief. The commission is asking former Rhinelander fire chief Brian Tonnancour to take the job in Chippewa Falls. Tonnancour would replace just-retired Chippewa Falls Fire Chief Jason Thom.

Tomah firefighters were dispatched to the scene of an apartment blaze in Tomah Saturday night. The fire at the Lakeside Housing Complex started as residents in one unit were cooking and resulted in damage to multiple apartments. The apartment is uninhabitable due to the fire, and the American Red Cross is assisting the residents who were displaced. The incident is under investigation.   No one was hurt.

Minnesota's Sun Country Airlines is being acquired by Allegiant in a one-point-five-billion-dollar deal. On Sunday, Allegiant announced the deal and a pledge to maintain a significant presence at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. CEOs of both companies said the acquisition would ultimately benefit air travelers and Minnesota. The sale awaits approval by federal regulators and stockholders.

Elderly Wisconsinites can claim a new tax deduction on their 2025 tax return. I R S spokeswoman Stacy Engle says those tax breaks are even for people who are working part time. The new program will allow 6-thousand dollars per person in extra deductions for amount of Social Security that is taxable on those tax returns. There’s a new form included on the standard 10-40 this season that you'll need to fill out to claim the deduction, but any standard e-filing program will handle that for you. Find out more online at I R S dot Gov.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has several big projects in the new year. Parks and Recreation Management Director Steve Schmelzer says the DNR continues to try and improve accessibility. The DNR is putting in accessible kayak launches and beach access mats at properties across the state, as well as track chairs that make trails more accessible. The DNR also plans to update their kiosks at state park properties so they dispense a sticker on site so you don't have to come back later and redeem your ticket for a state park sticker. You can keep up to date on what the DNR is doing by visiting their website.

A large importer and distributor of specialty cheese from Italy has issued several recalls. The Food and Drug Administration said the recalled products tested positive for listeria. The recall affects several types of shredded cheese. The recalled products were distributed to Wisconsin, Washington, Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Ohio, New York and many other states. The FDA said no illnesses have been reported in association with the cheese recall.

The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to block further action in Venezuela by the Trump administration. The 52-47 comes less than a week after President Donald Trump authorized a strike that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on drug trafficking charges. Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin said she doesn’t want American service members in Venezuela. Baldwin said no U.S. national interest in Venezuela worth the lives of constituents in Wisconsin. The vote on the War Powers Resolution brought forward by Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine and Kentucky Republican Rand Paul was procedural but indicates it could pass a final vote before going to the House. Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson was not among the five Republicans joining Senator Paul to pass the measure.

A Wisconsin man accused of killing his parents to fund a plan to assassinate President Donald Trump pleads guilty to homicide. Prosecutors allege 18-year-old Nikita Casap killed his mother and stepfather in February of last year and lived with the decomposing bodies for weeks before fleeing across the country with $14,000 in cash, passports, a gun and the family dog. Federal authorities say he wrote a manifesto calling for Trump's assassination and was in touch with others about his plan to kill Trump and overthrow the U.S. government. Casap pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, each of which carries a mandatory life sentence. Casap's sentencing is scheduled for early March.

State lawmakers are being urged to pass legislation to improve the health of people confined in Wisconsin jails and prisons. One bill would cap costs on most personal hygiene products for inmates, while another would require the Wisconsin Department of Corrections to provide free menstrual products. Inmate advocates note the department currently offers some products, but access is not guaranteed, and that can negatively impact the health of incarcerated individuals. Similar legislation has previously failed to get to the governor’s desk, but both current versions have bipartisan support in both the Assembly and Senate.

Minnesota is freezing the enrollment of new providers in Medicaid programs. The state Department of Human Services announced on Thursday, that it will freeze the enrollment in 13 services that are considered high risk for fraud. Officials have not yet decided when the moratorium will begin, but it will last at least six months. Services that will be affected include integrated community supports, intensive residential treatment and adult day services. This comes as the state is facing national scrutiny for fraud in it's social service programs.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced new specialty license plates. The specialty plates include a blackout design and a retro butter yellow designs. WisDOT estimates over half a million Blackout plates could be on the road within three years. The slogan "America's Dairyland" will display under the numbers and letters on the retro plate. Both plates come with a one-time 15 dollar issuance fee, plus a 25 dollar annual registration fee.

Local-Regional News Jan 9

 

Staff at the Eau Claire office of Congressman Derrick Van Orden say someone tried force their way inside in the hours after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman in Minnesota. Van Orden says the man was shouting slurs, spouting anti-ICE rhetoric and pounding on the doors. The Congressman says the incident was a direct result of Democrats' violent rhetoric.

Plum City and Maiden Rock are receiving low interest loans from the State of Wisconsin’s Clean Water Fund Program. Plum City will receive a $207,000 loan for the reconstruction of the sewer service on Maple Street, while Maiden Rock will receive a $604,000 loan for improvements to the Waste Water Treatment Plant. The Clean Water Fund Program provides affordable financial assistance to municipalities throughout Wisconsin for wastewater and water quality-related stormwater infrastructure projects that protect and improve public health and water quality

After watching video of the ICE shooting, Representative Angie Craig confronts Representative Tom Emmer. Craig told Emmer, "this political stunt got a woman killed today" and Emmer replied by repeatedly telling her knock it off and take a walk. Emmer is a close ally to the President and has previously applauded the administration's decision to send ICE to Minnesota. After watching the same video, Emmer said, "he doesn't want to jump to conclusions" about the shooting. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described Renee Nicole Good's actions as an "act of domestic terrorism."

The Elk Mound Middle School is looking for Volunteers for their Annual Career Fair. The school is looking for those wanting to share their career stories and how they started their career with 7^th and 8^th Graders. The Career Fair will be February 27^th from 9-10am. Contact the Elk Mound School District if you would like to volunteer.

A Chippewa Falls woman is facing allegations that she mistreated animals. Last month, authorities investigating a report of animal maltreatment went to the home of 22-year-old Hannah Swanson and seized 14 dogs out of concern for the conditions in which they were being kept. Charges filed against Swanson include 13 counts of intentionally mistreating animals.

Charges are being filed against a La Crosse man who reportedly injured his girlfriend in an accidental shooting. Investigators say that 27-year-old Anthony Stagman was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the Wednesday night incident. The woman drove herself to the hospital for treatment after being shot, and the facility was placed on lockdown for a short time out of concerns that Stagman might follow her. Stagman was arrested early Thursday on charges including negligent handling of a weapon and possession of a firearm while intoxicated.

The clock is running on legislation that would reform how pharmacy benefit managers operate and protect patients from sudden drug cost hikes. Bill Schmidtknecht’s 22-year-old son Cole died after a PBM copay accumulator drove the price of his asthma inhaler to $500 -- which he was unable to afford. During a Capitol press conference on Thursday, Schmidtknecht said for patients with asthma, diabetes, heart disease or mental health conditions, a delay in getting medication is a serious safety risk. The legislation requires PBMs to allow patients to use any licensed pharmacy without facing penalties. It also requires PBMs to pay pharmacists a dispensing fee at least equal to what the state pays through Medicaid. The Senate version cleared a committee on a unanimous vote in August, but the bill hasn’t had a hearing in the Assembly. Rob Gunderman is with Wisconsin All Copays Count said they want to get an Assembly hearing in January and to get the bill out of committee so there's an opportunity to get it to the floor.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is telling ICE to stay away from Minnesota schools. Less than three miles from Wednesday's ICE shooting, Roosevelt High School went into lockdown after armed federal agents arrived on campus. The Minneapolis Federation of Educators said agents deployed tear gas at the scene as well as arrested and released an educator. Minneapolis Public Schools canceled classes and activities for the week at all schools on Wednesday. The Richfield Public Schools Superintendent emphasized that students have a constitutional right to attend school regardless of immigration status and that schools must be a safe haven.

$5 million in funding is going to support hunger relief efforts in Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Ag, Trade and Consumer protection announced that the Hunger Task Force and Feeding Wisconsin will each receive $2.5 million. The organizations will use the funding to purchase food, which will then be distributed to individuals and families across the state at no cost to consumers. Evers says not only does the food help families, but it helps farmers because 51% of purchased food needs to be produced or purchased in Wisconsin. The state funding comes from the biennial budget that Evers signed last summer.

The Milwaukee County Zoo has closed its Herb and Nada Mahler Family Aviary for the foreseeable future. The move comes after a bird flu case was confirmed on zoo property. Zoo officials say a wild Canada goose was found dead in the zoo's parking lot and tested positive for avian influenza. The closure is precautionary to protect its bird population. The zoo says none of its animals have been affected as of now. Officials say they will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Governor Tony Evers appoints a replacement for Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan. Dugan submitted her resignation Saturday, A jury found her guilty in December of obstructing federal agents who were at the county courthouse to arrest an undocumented man in April, but acquitted her of helping that man evade those agents. Evers appointed Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Owen Piotrowski on Wednesday to fill Dugan’s seat on the bench. Piotrowski was previously appointed to replace Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Wagner, but the governor’s office says he agreed to replace Dugan instead due to the "urgent need" to fill her spot. His appointment will take effect February 1st.

Top Minnesota officials are calling on the federal government to allow state investigators to investigate the deadly shooting of a woman by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says they were told by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that the probe would be led only by the FBI. Governor Tim Walz demanded that Minnesota must be a part of the investigation. Meanwhile, Attorney General Kieth Ellison questioned the feds why are you afraid of an independent investigation for. The woman killed has been identified by her mother as Renee Nicole Good. Protest continued today with demonstrations near the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. All local public schools are closed for the rest of the week.

Minnesota Hunters are taking nine-percent more deer than 2024. Hunters took over 186-thousand deer which is about 16-thousand more than last season. Officials said favorable weather and a larger deer population helped Minnesota hunters. The Department of Natural Resources also reported around 117 deer were found to have chronic wasting disease.

One of two sheep on the lam in southeast Wisconsin has been captured. The sheep, one black and one white, had been spotted wandering through Ozaukee County for weeks. The white sheep, given the name Hilda Houdini, was taken in by Cedarburg resident Merdith Biehl, who raises sheep at Sunnyview Farm in Germantown. Biehl said she and her daughter used a lamb to entice Hilda into being caught. The once-wandering ewe will stay at the Germantown farm for the time being.

Local-Regional News Jan 8

 

The Arkansaw Sanitary District, which serves just over 300 people in the town of Waterville, is receiving $3,381,200 in Clean Water Fund Program funding from the state of Wisconsin, including $2,366,840 of priority principal forgiveness, with the remainder serving as a loan with a subsidized interest rate. This funding will be used to construct a new lift station and sewer lines to connect to an existing wastewater treatment plant located in the City of Durand.

Alcivia has a new Chief Executive Officer and President. On Tuesday, the Alcivia Board appointed Rodney Balvitsch of Mondovi as the new CEO. Over the past four months a CEO search evaluated more than 30 candidates. Balvitsch has been with Alcivia since 2020 and has served as interim CEO since July of 2025.

Due to the warm and rainy weather, snowmobile trails in Western Wisconsin remain closed. While some of the trails had opened just after New Year’s Day the warm weather has melted the snow on the trails. Those looking to snowmobile will have to go to far Northern Wisconsin where trails remain open in the Lake Superior Snow Belt region of the state.

The Wabasha Fire Department completed the year with 178 runs (a 48% increase since last year) and the Wabasha Ambulance Department finished the year with over 1016 calls and an 11% increase in call volume and a 20% increase in revenues. Meanwhile, Police responded to 3,700 calls for service in and undertook major investigations resulting in convictions for child pornography, theft, stolen property, and felony drug charges.

A $20 million PFAS removal facility in Eau Claire is nearly completed. The facility has been under construction since 2025 is ready to begin removing PFAS from the water system. Due to settlements with PFAS manufacturers, federal aid and state grants most of the cost of the facility will be covered. However the city is still requesting a 20% increase in water rates due to rising costs of water treatment and infrastructure costs. The Public Services Commission is reviewing the request.

The City of Eau Claire is closing three warming shelters and their outdoor skating rinks. Higher than usual temperatures are leading officials to close their Boyd, Roosevelt and Putnam warming shelters through Saturday. As for the skating rinks, people are being asked to stay off of the ice for now so as to allow the rinks to recover quickly when the temperatures drop again.

A Sparta man finds himself in a familiar position after being arrested this week for the seventh time on an OWI charge. Jackson County Sheriff's officers pulled 42-year-old Leroy Woodworth over Tuesday night after they say his driving showed signs of impairment. Woodworth was arrested after being put through a field sobriety test.

Billionaire Glen Taylor is donating a 100-million-dollar land gift to help rural areas. Minnesota's wealthiest man announced on Tuesday that he's donating that amount in farmland and securities to his philanthropic initiative, the Taylor Family Farms Foundation. Millions of dollars of income generated from last year's proceeds have paid for grants to help rural fire departments and child care centers. This comes after last year's transfer of 172-million dollars from the his foundation.

Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature want to reign in the governor’s veto power. Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate voted in November to repeal a controversial 400-year increase in K-12 school funding created by Democratic Governor Tony Evers’ use of the partial veto. Senate President Devin LeMahieu noted the bill has yet to be taken up in the Assembly and would face a likely veto if it gets to the governor. On Wednesday, a state Senate Committee heard testimony on a proposed amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution which would prohibit the use of partial vetoes to create or increase taxes or fees. The resolution passed the Senate and Assembly in 2024, and if approved again would go before voters statewide in November.

Greyhound expands bus service in Wisconsin. The nationwide intercity carrier announced on Tuesday the launch of service connecting Minneapolis and Chicago with stops in nearly a dozen Wisconsin communities. Passengers will have access one trip per day in each direction, seven days a week. The service has already begun. Stops include Milwaukee, Manitowoc, Green Bay, Wausau and Eau Claire. The expansion is backed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in response to recent changes in regional bus service across the state.

A Marshfield woman pleads not guilty to swindling Ronald McDonald House. Lilee Pederson entered the plea to nearly a dozen counts on Tuesday- investigators say the 39-year-old made unauthorized cash withdrawals from the Marshfield charity over two years, then pocketed the money for herself and provided leaders with redacted bank records to cover it up. All told more than 120 thousand went missing, and when confronted Pederson resigned her post and told investigators she took the money because someone in her family was going through a difficult time. She faces more than 50 years in prison if found guilty.

At the Capitol, lawmakers debate a bill requiring parental consent for minors to change the name or pronouns they use at school. WisPolitics reports that during a public hearing in the Senate Education Committee opponents said the measure amounts to bullying of an already vulnerable population. Co-author Senator André Jacque said it would ensure parents are involved and are kept in the loop on decisions for their children. He said schools would “promote secrecy” by keeping parents uninformed. Democratic Senator Chris Larson noted not all parents are accepting when their kids want to change their name or pronouns and argued the bill would put them at risk. Democratic Governor Tony Evers would be likely to veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

A bipartisan bill at the Capitol would allow consumers to know some health care costs upfront The Price Transparency for Patients Bill gets a public hearing before a state Senate committee today. Senator Julian Bradley of New Berlin says it requires providers to let patients see upfront costs for “shop-able” services, such as an MRI or an X-ray, or blood work, so they can find out ahead of time what the price will be and shop a little bit and try to save some money. Bradley notes the idea of price transparency polls extremely well with voters. Most Wisconsin health systems and the Wisconsin Hospital Association have registered against the measure, which will need to pass both chambers of the Legislature before the current session ends this spring.

Safety advocates and drunk driving victims' families are urging state lawmakers to strengthen Wisconsin's ignition interlock device laws. Supporters gathered at the Capitol as the Assembly Judiciary Committee is hearing arguments on the bill. The legislation aims to prevent repeat drunk driving offenses. It could legally allow offenders to drive soon, but only if an interlock device is installed to ensure sober driving. Advocates say the bill would allow faster installation of the devices for repeat and first-time high blood alcohol content offenders.

Tickets to this weekend’s Packers - Bears playoff game are going to cost you. According to Ticket King dot com, as of 4 pm Tuesday, the cheapest seats at Soldier Field are $480 apiece, and you must buy them in packs of 2 or 4. Those tickets are up in the 4th level. The cheapest end zone seats will cost you around $750, and if you want to sit right behind the Packers bench, it's $1800. Ticket King spokesman Travis Lotus tells Fox 11 Green Bay that Bears fans haven't had a home playoff game since 2018, and it's made them very excited for the heated rivalry matchup.