Local-Regional News Jan 21

 

The Dunn County Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include an introduction of the new Chief Financial Officer, reports from the County Manager and Committee Chairs, and approval of a Budget Amendment for the Health Department. Tonight’s meeting begins at 7pm at the Dunn County Government Center in Menomonie.

Extreme cold weather is expected for the end of the week. The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Watch for the entire WRDN Listening Area from Thursday evening through Saturday Morning. Overnight lows are expected in the teens below zero with wind chills in the 45-50 below zero range. Temperatures should warm back into the teen’s above zero by the beginning of next week.

Two Western Wisconsin farmer-led watershed groups are receiving grants from the state of Wisconsin. Governor Evers announced the grants to 49 farmer-led groups to support producer-led conservation efforts to improve soil and water quality. Here in Western Wisconsin, the Chippewa Valley Watershed Council received an $18,000 grant, while Farmers4Health received a $9000 grant. Grant projects have focused on providing conservation education to farmers, conducting on-farm demonstrations and research, issuing incentive payments for implementing conservation practices, organizing field days, and gathering data on soil health and water quality.

The Pepin, Pierce, Dunn and St Croix County Land Conservation Departments are joining up with the NRCS to create the Eau Galle River Watershed Plan. Landowners and farmers in the watershed are encouraged to schedule a walkover with their land conservation department to learn how conservation can help improve the water.

A Western Wisconsin Democrat is aiming to restore collective bargaining rights for nurses at UW Health. Senator Jeff Smith introduced a bill yesterday that reverses a part of Act 10 that keeps a large group of government workers from collective bargaining. This new measure would restore rights for nurses to collectively bargain under the Wisconsin Employment Peace Act, but also require advanced notice for strikes and lockouts if an agreement isn't reached. Senator Smith said the bill is meant to improve workplace conditions while allowing UW Health to deliver high-quality care.

The Eau Claire County Board has approved retaining a law firm to potentially join a PFAS Lawsuit. The county would look to seek damages of $500,000 from the companies that manufactured the chemicals used in the firefighting foam at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. The $500,000 would cover the cost of a required WI DNR investigation into contamination at and around the airport.

A St. Croix County man is being identified as the person who died Monday in a Michigan crash. Police say that 24-year-old Andrew Bjork of Hudson suffered fatal injuries in a multi-vehicle accident on U.S. 45 in Ontonagon County. A second person sustained injuries that have been described as non life-threatening.

Tomah Police responded Tuesday morning to an East McCoy Boulevard Kwik Trip with reports of someone experiencing a mental health crisis. At the scene, officers found someone sitting inside a semi armed with a gun. The area was evacuated and police were able to talk the individual out of the truck at which point they were taken into custody.

A former Sun Prairie West High School administrator is pleading guilty in the federal case against him. Court documents show former dean of students Robert Gilkey - Meisegeier [[ MY-zeh-guy-er ]] has agreed to a plea agreement that includes pleading guilty to production of child pornography, while others were dismissed. He faces a minimum of 15 years in prison, with the maximum being 30 years. Meisegeier also faces charges in Dane County after being accused of having sexual contact with a student and taking photos of people without their consent using school cameras.

Microsoft plans to massively expand its proposed data center projects in Southeast Wisconsin. BizTimes reports the company announced last week that it intends to build a total of 15 new data facilities in Mount Pleasant. That would total 13 billion dollars in investment, and add hundreds of thousands of square feet to the property. The announcement comes as the state legislature wrestles with regulations on data centers amid increasing pushback from some residents. Microsoft will present its new plans to the Mount Pleasant village planning commission on Wednesday.

The FDA is warning consumers about previously recalled tuna that accidentally shipped to stores across several states. According to a new alert from the FDA, a third-party distributor "inadvertently" shipped quarantined canned tuna that Tri-Union Seafoods recalled roughly a year ago over the product's defective "easy open" pull tab lids. The recalled tuna was distributed at stores in, Wisconsin, and eight other states. Cans of the recalled tuna can be returned to the store of purchase for a full refund.

A missing child from Iowa is found safe in northern Wisconsin. The child was first reported missing in November and was believed to be living with their father in Rusk County. The Rusk County Sheriff's Office found the child in a trailer in Glen Flora with his grandparents. They were both taken into custody for interfering with parental custody. The child's father, Douglas Roth, was later arrested for felony kidnapping.

A fire at a lumber and steel company is considered to be one of the largest in over a decade. A call was put in just before midnight on Monday by an off-duty officer about a possible shed fire. Crews arrived to AJ Anich Limber - Pal Steel Co. and saw that the facility was in flames. The Palmyra Fire Rescue team requested help from other agencies to help, leading to around 30 fire departments coming out. No firefighters were hurt and no one was inside the building when the fire started.

Two candidates for Wisconsin governor have very differing views on the role of ICE. Republican congressman Tom Tiffany and Democratic Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez spoke to WISN's UPFRONT. Rodriguez wants to ban ICE agents from performing civil detentions in places like churches, schools and courthouses. She wants Wisconsinites to peacefully protest ICE's action in Wisconsin, but not to travel to Minnesota to join in direct action. Tiffany says states like Wisconsin and Minnesota need to stop preventing ICE from doing its job. Tiffany says he doesn't support the Trump Administration's threats to use the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, but that Governor Tim Walz should step aside and stop obstructing federal agents.

The federal government says the Minnesota lawsuit filed against their immigration enforcement operation does not carry any weight. The Department of Justice claims the state's action is legally frivolous. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are suing to end Operation Metro Surge. Meanwhile, the DOJ has launched a separate investigation of possible criminal violations after a protest that was staged in a St. Paul church on Sunday. Demonstrators interrupted a service at Cities Church after learning one of the pastors was a member of ICE in St. Paul

Here are some safe driving tips for this week’s frigid temperatures. Make sure your tires are properly inflated, as tire pressure can drop by about one psi for every 10-degrees the temp drops. You should also keep an emergency kit in your vehicle with extra clothes, food, and a phone charger in case you get stranded. Always make sure your fuel tank is at least half full to prevent the gas lines from freezing. If you do get stranded on the side of the road, it's important to stay in your car when you call for help. More safety tips can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website.

Local-Regional News Jan 20

 

Firefighters from Nelson, Alma and Wabasha responded to a garage fire on Deer Creek Road in the Town of Nelson on Monday. According to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, the garage was fully engulfed by the time firefighters arrived and is considered a total loss. No injuries were reported in the fire and the cause of that blaze is still under investigation.

New hours for the Buffalo County Courthouse. Starting this week, county offices will be open Monday through Thursday from 8am-4pm and Fridays from 8am-Noon. The court system will continue with regular hours Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm and other state and federal offices in the building will not be impacted. Residents are advised to check with those offices for their hours.

Advent Health has donated a $40 gift card to every student in the Durand-Arkansaw School District to purchase a new pair of shoes at Rogans Shoes. Superintendent Ryan Nelson said the district is grateful for the donation and the ongoing partnership with Advent Health. This is the second year Advent Health has made the donation to families in the district.

A Western Wisconsin Woman is facing theft charges after being accused of stealing more than $100,000 from her employer. 54Yr old Jill McCorkel is accused of stealing the money from BOH Electronics in River Falls while Human Resources Manager. According to authorities, McCorkel sent the money to her boyfriend and sister and also put company money into her own bank account and tried to hide the transactions as payments to a contractor. She is to appear in St. Croix County Court in February.

Authorities in Eau Claire County are continuing their search for a missing man. Kenneth Lewis has not been seen since last Tuesday. His vehicle was found Friday on Gilbertson Road. Anyone with information on Lewis' whereabouts is asked to contact police.

A man charged in connection with a fatal vehicle crash in Price County is scheduled to appear in court today. A pickup truck and a semi collided on August 28th of last year at State Hwy 13 and State Highway 111 in the Township of Worcester. Two people from the pickup were killed. Lance Walcisak faces charges including two counts of second-degree reckless homicide.

Authorities say two Rochester police officers on foot were hit by a car Sunday night. The male officers, ages 51 and 22, were both taken to Mayo Clinic with non-life-threatening injuries. Minnesota State Police say an 18-year-old Rochester man was driving an SUV in snowy and icy conditions when he struck another vehicle and the officers. MSP is investigating the crash.

A proposed wind farm in Columbia County has taken another step forward. Alliant Energy submitted a proposal for the wind farm last week to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission. The project would place more than 40 large turbines on land that is owned by more than 300 residents spread over 48,000 acres in the southeastern portion of the county. The turbines would be 660 feet tall with 260-foot-long blades. Alliant Energy expects the PSC to decide by next year. If approved, the wind farm could start providing power by the end of 2028.

There are arguments over transparency at the Wisconsin Capitol since WisconsinEye, which is similar to C-SPAN, went offline in December, lacking funding to continue operations. Beloit Democrat, Representative Clinton Anderson says he and his colleagues, along with members of the public, are being prohibited from recording committee hearings. Anderson says he doesn't have an issue with members of the public recording meetings, and that the need for legislators to do so is because of WisconsinEye being down. Credentialed members of the media are allowed to record inside the Capitol and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says that provides transparency. Prior to an Assembly floor session last week, the Republican leader said that WisconsinEye is a valuable part of the work at the Capitol, but that Democrats are trying to say that the media are irrelevant. WisconsinEye is currently undertaking fundraising in an effort to resume its coverage.

A new all-day Preschool program is set to start in the 2026-2027 school year in La Crosse. The La Crosse District's "All-Day 4k Preschool" program will provide students with the necessary time and experiences to build confidence and excitement and learning. Children will participate in school-wide activities such as art, music and physical education. They will also have a full day of play-based, hands-on learning, which strengthens learning and social skills. Enrollment for the program is open now on the La Crosse school website.

A former Waupun Correctional Institution officer pleads guilty to smuggling contraband into the prison. According to court documents referenced by Fox 6 Milwaukee, Luz Naranjo smuggled cellphones, tobacco, drugs and other prohibited items into the prison during the spring of 2023 in exchange for cash bribes. Naranjo allegedly used a supply cart to pass the contraband along to inmates instead of the sanctioned supplies from the cart. She’s accused of receiving $6,000 in cash which she deposited into her bank accounts, Naranjo faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine at her sentencing in April.

A Waupun woman faces felony charges for stealing from a local nonprofit. 47-year-old Teresa Ruch is accused of taking $38,000 from Waupun Downtown Promotions while serving as the organization’s president. Waupun Police received a report in November of possible financial discrepancies. A bank employee noticed a business check had been made out to Ruch and began reviewing the business account and found other suspicious activity. The Dodge County District Attorney’s Office filed charges this month. Ruch is set to make a preliminary court appearance in early February.

Major cuts are coming to the Oshkosh School District. The school board approved a plan Thursday that would cut more than 40 positions in the next school year. The Oshkosh district is facing a 5 point 5 million dollar structural deficit going into the next school year, and another 2 million dollar deficit in 2027. Voters in the district approved a nearly 200 million dollar facilities referendum last year, aimed at improving school buildings.

Minnesota State Fair organizers will not increase admission and parking prices this year. All ticket prices will stay put. The fair's governing body also announced that it has OK'ed funding of improvements to the grounds. The upgrades to the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum include new seating, wider aisles and railings. Officials are also planning to repair and replace fencing and street and sidewalk pavement along with buying portable drinking fountains and recycling containers.

You can help protect Wisconsin waters by reducing your winter salt use. Although salt keeps roads safer during the winter, harmful chlorides from salt get into lakes, streams, and groundwater. Increased salt levels in the water can corrode bridges, roads, and other infrastructure. Road salt can also harm pets, causing irritated paws or other health concerns if ingested. In the early 2000s, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources measured about 600,000 tons of chlorides annually. By 2018, that increased to nearly 800,000 tons per year. Find more info on the DNR's website.

Local-Regional News Jan 19

 

Residents and business on Madison Street are receiving letters from the city regarding the upcoming Madison Street Project. The city and Cedar Corp will be meeting with the contractor to finalize the plans. We Energies is currently working on moving utilities along Madison street over the next few months. The Madison Street Project is expected to begin in April.

Dangerous wind chills across Wisconsin mean you’ll want to be safe if you must spend any extended time outdoors over the next couple of days. The National Weather Service has Cold Weather Advisories are in effect through mid-day Monday with wind chills as low as to -25 to -40°F for Western Wisconsin. It won’t be appreciably warmer elsewhere in Wisconsin with bitterly cold windchills persisting statewide. We can expect midday windchills on Tuesday in the teens to twenty below in locations from La Crosse to Madison, Milwaukee, Wausau and Green Bay.

Coulee Region lawmakers are introducing legislation that would limit insulin prices in the state at 35-dollars. Representative Jill Billings and Senator Brad Pfaff proposed the bill, which caps insulin cost-sharing at that amount under covered health plans. Legislators say the proposal is aimed at preventing people from rationing or skipping their medication due to high prices. Supporters note that more than 25 other states have enacted similar insulin price caps.

The Wabasha County Board is meeting tomorrow. Items on the agenda include approval of capital funds for computer system security projects, approval of the purchase of replacement computer workstations and reports from committee and department heads. Tomorrows meeting begins at 9am at the old courthouse annex in Wabasha.

The City of Wabasha is now accepting application for the Pool Director position for the upcoming 2026 operating season at the Wabasha City Pool. This seasonal position will oversee various employees including lifeguards, water safety instructors, and front desk attendants. Duties will include scheduling mandatory training for lifeguards, water safety instructors, and front desk attendants.  For more information contact Wabasha City Hall.

The FAA and the NTSB are investigating after a small plane crashed Friday in Polk County. The accident happened a little before noon near the Amery Airport. On the ground, the plane came to rest upside down. No injuries were reported.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is soliciting recruits. State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan says that folks who want to serve their community and contribute to the safety of Wisconsin's roadways are encouraged to reach out and connect with a recruiter to learn more about a career with the department. Applications are being accepted through February 15th. More details are available at wsp.wi.gov.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says flu numbers across the state are easing. The report shows respiratory illness levels are leveling out statewide, but local flu activity remains high. Pediatricians say this flu season has been more severe for kids, with symptoms developing faster and lasting longer. Doctors note a circulating H-3-N-2 strain is contributing to the increased severity and rapid onset. Health leaders say children can still receive a flu shot, with flu season expected to peak in February.

Oshkosh Defense has received a 53-million-dollar contract from the U.S. Army. The contract was placed by the U.S. Army Contracting Command at the Detroit Arsenal. Company officials say the Army ordered Common Bridge Transporters under the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicle Five program. The vehicles are designed to transport and deploy bridge assets for military units operating in difficult terrain. Oshkosh Defense says the transporters help combat formations maintain mobility across wet gaps.

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month and the Wisconsin Department of Justice is sharing critical data. In 2024, the National Trafficking Hotline received 277 contacts from Wisconsin, leading to 111 cases involving 181 victims. The state DOJ said most cases involved sex trafficking of adult women. The Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force will host a public webinar on Wednesday, January 21st, from 1 to 3 p.m. Registration is available online for those interested in learning more about trafficking and resources available to survivors in the state.

An investigation is underway after a death at a central Wisconsin meat packing plant. Officials with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration have confirmed to W A O W TV in Wausau that a worker died Wednesday at the Abbyland Foods plant in Abbotsford. OSHA has not confirmed any details of the death, though police in Abbotsford have joined the investigation. The identity of the victim has also not been released. Abbyland has had a string of safety violations with OSHA, with three cases investigated since 2022. The company has been fined over 270-thousand dollars for those violations.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is proposing a 907-million-dollar public works plan for 2026. The money would cover projects involving public safety, transportation, water as well as others. Walz's recommendations would be funded by 700-million dollars in general obligation bonds from the state and 207-million dollars more from other sources. The governor is planning spend 41-million dollars on security upgrades in and around the state Capitol in St. Paul.

Downtown Rochester is preparing for Castle Con later this month. The tabletop gaming convention starts on January 22 through the 25. It will be held in venues like the historic Chateau Theatre and the Kahler Hotel. The convention will feature a Game Developers Panel, a Jigsaw Puzzle Contest and Board Game Tournament. For more information log on at to the officials Castle Con website.

Local-Regional News Jan 16

 

The City of Durand is looking at developing a task force with members of the Durand Improvement Group to find ways to enhance economic development. During this weeks council meeting the task force was discussed along with the comprehensive plan. The council is also looking at updating the vacant building ordinance and the council would like to see more businesses use the facade improvement grants to improve the outside of their buildings that face the river.

A letter sent to Congressman Derrick Van Orden asks for his help in ensuring Wisconsin hospitals receive the full allotment of hospital funding. State representatives from the third congressional district write in the letter “the Trump administration is currently moving forward with an unprecedented action to deny Wisconsin’s ability to draw down the additional promised hospital assessment dollars, which will cost our state nearly $800 million every biennium.” The legislators say say hospitals were counting on the funding to keep their doors open. The increased funding is needed to help hospitals sustain and expand access to care for patients across Wisconsin.

The Dunn County Sheriff’s Department is announcing a new inmate communications system. The new system is provided by NCIC Communications of Longview Texas and will allow inmates to have access to wall-mounted phones and secure handheld tablets for phone calls and video visitation. The system comes at no cost to Dunn County Taxpayers as the inmates will have to pay for using the service. The new service is expected to become operational on February 9^th.

Voters in one Western Wisconsin School District will be asked to approve a $15 million construction project. The Altoona School Board approved to have the referendum on the spring election. If passed the money would be used to fund repairs and replace major heating and cooling systems at the intermediate, middle and high schools.

Eau Claire County's Republican Chairman is responding to words this week from Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge on the presence of ICE agents in the community. Berge released a letter on Tuesday saying -- in part -- that the presence of the agents is creating fear and causing people to feel unsafe. Eau Claire County Republican Party Chairman Fred Kappus has now released a statement of his own saying -- in part -- that Berge's letter failed to mention that she is a Democrat running for Congress and asking if the immigrant neighbors that she say she supports includes those that entered the country illegally.

A Thursday morning accident involving an SUV and a horse-drawn buggy has left one person hospitalized with serious injuries. The crash happened on Highway 33 in Monroe County. Authorities say the SUV was passing the buggy when the buggy turned in front of it. The driver of the buggy was hurt and no other injuries were reported.

A Rochester woman who pleaded guilty to stealing mail is going to prison. Connie Ziemann was sentenced to one year and nine months behind bars. She must also pay 272 thousand dollars in restitution. Ziemann confessed to stealing mail or packages from seven different locations in Rochester. She was caught twice on home security video committing the thefts.

Federal judges are siding with Minnesota to keep the SNAP benefits going. On January 14th, the U.S. District Court for Minnesota announced an injunction against the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This pauses the December 16th USDA demand to interview households to verify their eligibility. Federal officials vowed to cut SNAP funding across Minnesota if state officials failed to meet those demands. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said, "we've won yet another battle in the Trump administration's war on Minnesota."

Thirty-three former federal prosecutors in Minnesota are asking President Trump not to exclude the state from the Renee Nicole Good investigation. Previously, federal officials claimed Minnesota has no jurisdiction in the Good case, which the Federal Bureau of Investigation is handling. Local prosecutors later disputed that assertion, saying they have the power to investigate and bring criminal charges if warranted. On January 13th, Assistant Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a statement saying there is "no basis" for a criminal civil rights investigation in the case of Good's death. Following this, six prosecutors, including former acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, resigned in protest over the decision and other recent moves by the U.S. Department of Justice.

US Senator Tammy Baldwin wants the Trump Administration to restore billions of dollars in opioid addiction recovery grants. The Wisconsin Democrat says the White House cancelled 28-hundred grants on Tuesday. "President Trump is turning his back on struggling families and cutting off support for folks who need it most." Senator Baldwin also blames US Health and Human Services secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr for "kneecapping" recovery programs and said the action was reckless and dangerous.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court says police departments are allowed to investigate child pornography possession in online accounts without getting a warrant. A man on trial for possession of child sexual abuse materials argued last September that police did not have warrants when Snapchat sent along a video from his account to police, who then arrested him. Courthouse News reports the Justices on Wednesday upheld an appeal court ruling that allowed the video into evidence, saying the man's Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure were not violated because Snapchat handed over files on its own system and police did not further search his account. The case will now head back to Waukesha County Court to continue to trial.

In posts to social media, Wisconsin Native American tribes are advising their members to have their tribal issued identification and a second form of ID with them and to be aware of their rights if they encounter ICE. Other advice includes remaining calm if approached and requesting officers to identify themselves and show official credentials. Several Native Americans have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid ongoing operations in the Twin Cities. There have been no reports of ICE actions on the lands of any of Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes.

The City of Menomonie is asking residents to submit name suggestions for one of its snow plows. Folks are encouraged to let their creativity shine when thinking of names but suggestions should be family-friendly and appropriate for a public service vehicle. A link through which those name ideas can be submitted can be found on the City of Menomonie's Facebook page.

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.