Local-Regional News June 9

 

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion of the residency of a registered sex offender, review of a proposal from VPI Engineering and reports from the Mayor and department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center.

The Lake City Police Department will be conducting training at Bluff View Elementary School this evening. The traing will be from 4-8pm and you may see a large presence of police vehicles at the school. This is for training purposes only.

The trial of a suspect charged in the killing of an Altoona man is underway in Eau Claire County. Brandon Gaston is charged with first degree homicide in the death of 79-year-old Dennis Schattie. Investigators believe Schattie was killed in Eau Claire -- though his body was found in the river near Rockford Illinois in April of 2022. Opening statements were heard in Gaston's trial yesterday. The defendant's former girlfriend -- Tracey Clark -- pleaded no contest to a charge of reckless homicide in the case last year.

Gas prices are continuing to fall in Western Wisconsin. Triple-A reports the average price of regular fuel in Eau Claire is now three-84 per gallon -- twelve-cents less than the price one week ago. In La Crosse, the average cost of a gallon of regular fuel is three-81 per gallon -- three-cents less compared to one week ago. The average cost of a gallon of regular fuel in the Badger State is three-94 per gallon.

A bill that would have provided some regulations on the siting of data centers was recently vetoed by Governor Evers. 92^nd Assemblyman Clint Moses believes there is a chance to have another bill passed but its now campaign season.  Moses cited a meat labeling bill as another example of areas where both sides of the legislature could come together but politics get in the way.

Republican state Senator Rob Hutton is criticizing leaders at the University of Wisconsin over a recent tuition hike. The UW Board of Regents has approved a tuition increase of two percent for the upcoming academic year. Hutton, who chairs the Wisconsin Senate's Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges, says the UW budget has grown by about three-billion dollars since 2021. The senator calls the tuition hike "disappointing", saying UW officials need to make cuts to keep costs affordable for students.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is sharing results from the 2026 spring turkey hunt. Officials say hunters registered over 47-thousand birds between April 12th and May 26th. The harvest for this year was up about eight percent over the five-year average. DNR says turkey numbers remain stable across all 72 counties in Wisconsin.

A state prison death lawsuit is settled. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections will pay $3.75 million to the family of Donald Maier. The 62-year-old died in February 2024 at Waupun Correctional Institution. His death was ruled a homicide, with probable malnutrition and dehydration cited as causes. A federal lawsuit alleged prison staff repeatedly shut off water to Maier’s cell while he was in solitary confinement and ignored his serious medical and mental health needs. The family also claimed disability discrimination. The state has not admitted wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

President Donald Trump, at a Chippewa County farm Friday, said the war with Iran is “nearly settled” and fuel and fertilizers prices will go down. Trump was joined by 3rd District Congressman Derrick Van Orden, Congressman and Republican candidate for governor Tom Tiffany and US Senator Ron Jonnson to promote the administration’s efforts on behalf of farmers and rural Wisconsin.

A newly created panel will consider updates to the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s recusal rule. In a 4-to-3 vote, the court’s liberal majority approved creation of the special review committee to determine when judges should step aside from cases. The panel of judges, attorneys and campaign finance experts is expected to take up to a year to complete its work. This comes after retired judges pushed for stricter recusal rules, citing concerns about impartiality. Chief Justice Jill Karofsky pointed to strong calls for more review, and other liberal justices say clearer standards and greater transparency are needed as public trust in the judiciary declines.

Human remains are found in a northern Wisconsin community. The Forest County Sheriff's Office says the unidentified remains were discovered on a property on Silver Lake in Laona, near Crandon. According to a report from WJFW-TV in Rhinelander, a man who recently purchased the property was digging the foundation for a lakeside cabin Wednesday when the skeletal remains were found. A neighbor who lived across the street from the property told the station that two bodies were found there. Several state and local agencies have joined the sheriff’s office in an investigation of the find.

A congressional report is accusing Minnesota leaders of ignoring warnings of widespread fraud in federally funded social programs as early as 2019. The 205-page study was released today by the Republican-led House committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The study also mentioned that Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison had the authority to stop payments and ban fraudulent providers but failed to do so. There were also allegations of retaliation and discrimination against state workers who tried to raise concerns. Committee Chair James Comer is also urging the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud to conduct a review of Minnesota's social services programs going as far back as 2019.

Minnesota's 511 traveler information service is getting a major reboot. The Department of Transportation is testing a cleaner version of the website and app. The new design is meant to make traffic cameras, crashes, closures, road construction and weather alerts easier to find. Users can try the pilot version now and give feedback through a survey. The state says the revamped system could go live by fall.

Wisconsin's Peninsula State Park is being named one of the greatest state parks in the nation. The area is ranked at number three on USA Today's 2026 10Best list. The Door County park is a popular destination for tourists, featuring 400 campsites, 20 miles of hiking trails, a summer theater, and more. Minnesota's Gooseberry Falls State Park and Mohican State Park in Ohio were ranked at numbers one and two on the list.

Local-Regional News June 8

 

The Pepin County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a man whose body was found Saturday morning. Fifty-four-year-old Christian Bates was a construction supervisor with Nelson Telephone Cooperative and was reported as missing when he failed to return from a worksite in Durand Township. His body was later located at the worksite. There has been no word on Bates' cause of death as authorities await the results of an autopsy. His death is also being investigated by OSHA.

A motorcyclist is dead after colliding with a deer over the weekend in Buffalo County. According to the Buffalo County Sheriffs Department, a 75-year-old Chicago resident was riding southbound on Hwy 37 as a part of a group of 14 motorcyclists Saturday near the town of Alma when the deer darted out of the north ditch and collided with motorcycle, causing the operator to lose control and crash. No one else was hurt.

A Pepin County Highway Department employee was injured in a semi-truck rollover crash on Wednesday. According to the Pepin County Sheriffs Department, 48yr Cory Breidung of Arkansaw was pulling a water tank trailer on Hwy D near Boyd Spring Road, when the vehicle left the roadway at the bottom of a steep downhill grade on Hwy D and overturned. Breidung was med-flighted to an Eau Claire hospital. The crash remains under investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol.

The Madison Street Project in Durand will continue in earnest starting this week. Durand Public Works Superintendent Matt Gilles says with Fun Fest Complete, Madison Street will be closed from 2^nd Avenue East to 8^th Avenue East. The Madison Street project is expected to be completed by this fall.

Public listening sessions this week are part of the ongoing search for the next Universities of Wisconsin President. The sessions are designed to gather input from students, faculty, staff, and community members to help inform the qualities and priorities sought in the system’s next leader following the firing of Jay Rothman by the Board of Regents. Regent Ashok Rai chairs the Presidential Search Committee and says the Universities of Wisconsin belong to the people of this state, and that is why these listening sessions matter. A Thursday listening session will be held at UW-Eau Claire from 10-10:45.

President Trump says he's with the American farmer "one-thousand-percent." Speaking at a farming roundtable on Friday in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Trump said he's been fighting hard to create an equal playing field when it comes to agricultural trade with other countries. Trump also touched on new tax policies that allow farmers to deduct more costs associated with equipment, and make it easier to pass down their farm-land to their children. Trump previously announced a 12-billion-dollar economic relief package for American farmers affected by trade disruptions, largely caused by tariffs.

A Juneau County barn is destroyed after a possible tornado Friday night. The Juneau County Emergency Management director reported the leveled barn east of Elroy. Experts with the National Weather Service will survey the damage to determine whether a tornado touched down.

The Department of Natural Resources wants your input on the agency’s PFAS law program development. The DNR is authorized to develop programs to understand the prevalence of PFAS throughout Wisconsin and then address it. The agency has flexibility for how the programs are implemented but state law defines the type of activities that may be funded, including but not limited to private well sampling, addressing contamination in public water systems and sampling drinking water at schools and daycares. A virtual public listening session from 11:30 to 12:30 on June 19 will gather feedback about implementation of the programs authorized by state law. Registration is required and you can do that or share feedback in writing on the DNR website.

Officials say one person was injured following a house fire in Onalaska. Fire crews were dispatched Saturday evening and quickly extinguished the blaze. Officials say firefighters searched the home and rescued two cats and the house sustained extensive damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents is approving a two-percent tuition increase for resident undergraduate students for the 2026-27 academic year. University leaders say the increase will add about 210-dollars per year at UW Madison. Officials say the revenue will help cover salaries, utilities, facility maintenance, and student support services. Some students voiced concerns about affordability, while university leaders say the increase remains below inflation.

Tyco Fire Products will pay $10 million to the state of Wisconsin for cleaning PFAS contamination in Marinette County, where Attorney General Josh Kaul made the announcement on Thursday. The AG said the goal of the Department of Justice was to maximize the recovery for the state of Wisconsin and to work to make water cleaner in the area. He called it "as strong a recovery as we could get for the state.” The payment settles a civil lawsuit filed in 2022 and will be deposited into the state's PFAS Trust. Terms of the agreement will have Tyco providing clean drinking water for Marinette-area residents, addressing PFAS discharges and continuing to provide for well replacement, and conduct monitoring for and reporting PFAS contamination. Kaul said in his conversations withe area residents, he heard a lot of concern about the impact on their health from PFAS contamination.

A lawsuit over worms found in drinks at a Kenosha County a fast-food restaurant. The class-action suit accuses a McDonald's in Paddock Lake of serving drinks contaminated with live worms and raw sewage. In late April, several customers of the restaurant said they discovered worms in their beverages from what the restaurant described as a "maintenance-related issue" with beverage equipment. The suit claims the franchise owner and shift manager knew about the worms near the restaurant’s drive-thru beverage station but intentionally decided to keep serving customers. Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin filed the lawsuit late last month and posted a video about it Wednesday. The plaintiffs are suing for negligence, consumer protection violations and battery, and are seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

A Minnesota woman who was denied surgery while in ICE custody has been released. Representative Angie Craig and Senator Tina Smith say Andrea Pedro-Francisco was released from custody in El Paso, Texas. The Burnsville woman was on her way to work on February fifth, when she was detained and sent to El Paso. She was scheduled for surgery for an ovarian cyst on February 11th, but federal officials denied her release. Craig released a statement, which reads in part: " I am beyond happy and relieved to hear that Andrea has been released from ICE custody and will soon be home with her family and friends in Minnesota, where she belongs."

A dirty rescue in southern Wisconsin. A 57-year-old Madison man was stuck in mud up to his shoulders Thursday morning. The Iowa County Sheriff's Office says he was attempting to walk across what he thought was solid ground to get to a fishing location, north of Highway 14 in Arena. It turned out to be deep mud and the guy sunk in and was trapped. Authorities say he was stuck for about an hour before a passenger in a vehicle noticed him and called 911. It took emergency responders about an hour to free the man, who was treated at the scene. 

Local-Regional News June 5

 

UW-Stout is taking a new name. The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents has approved a change in the name to UW-Stout Polytechnic. Leaders say the new name reflects Stout's mission in regards to applied learning and research, business and industry collaboration, and career-focused experiences. The name change is the first for a school in the UW system since it was created in 1971.

We the expansion of Ridge Breeze Dairy in Pierce County, many are asking for changes to the livestock siting law to address local concerns over the large-scale dairies. One of those concerns according to 92^nd Assemblyman Clint Moses is the damage to town and county roads. Moses would also like to see more transparency in what the public can expect from a proposed large-scale dairy moving into a community.

The Tarrant Park Pool is set to open. Durand Public Works Superintendent Matt Gills says everything is a go for the opening on Monday. For a complete pool schedule, visit the City of Durand Facebook page.

The Durand-Fun Fest begins today at Memorial Park. Durand Fun-Fest Chair Rhonda Sweeney says there will be music all three days. The parade will begin on Sunday at 2pm and will take the normal route. The city will open up the intersections of 3^rd and 4^th Avenue West at Madison Street for traffic during the weekend.

President Trump is coming to Western Wisconsin today. The White House says the president is coming to highlight his support for Wisconsin's farmers. As part of the president's trip, he is expected to speak at Custer Farm in Chippewa Falls.

Wabasha residents are reminded that Alleghany Avenue will be closed next week from Main Street to 2^nd Street West for utility work. Crews will be installing new storm sewer infrastructure. The sidewalks will remain open during the street closure.

Charges against a former Monroe County transport officer accused of sexual assault are moving forward. David Griffin allegedly grabbed an inmate's genitals while he and another officer were taking him to the Monroe County Jail back in March. Charges of abuse of residents of penal facilities and disorderly conduct have been ordered held over for trial.

Outdoors enthusiasts are mourning a local climbing guide who fell to her death. The Minnesota Star Tribune reports 30-year-old Audrie Pelosi died after a climbing accident at Devil's Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin. A co-worker said Pelosi was setting anchors for a climbing class when she fell about 55 feet. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is investigating the incident. Pelosi was well known in Duluth's snowboarding community before becoming a climbing guide in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Consumer Protection is continuing to get reports of criminals renting or selling homes that aren't theirs. Director Mike Domke says they use real information about the homes and list on third party websites with tempting offers. The scammers are targeting people who need a place to live in a hurry, like workers moving to the area or people who have lost their homes. Domke says do your due diligence when picking property online. If you can't inspect the home in person, make sure to check who owns the property through other methods. Also make sure to talk with someone on the phone and ask questions about the property. If they can't answer or won't take the call, it may be a scam.

A family is being relocated after a fire in a single-family home in Eau Claire. ECFD was dispatched to a residential structure around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Crews brought the fire under control upon arrival and removed two cats that were inside the residence, with the homeowners not being home at the time. A probable cause is under investigation, but fire officials believe the fire began in the kitchen. The damage is estimated to be around 200-thousand dollars.

Alliant Energy Corporation is expected to receive federal funds from the Trump administration's for coal plant investments. Trump will use the Defense Production Act, which grants the president emergency authority to take over domestic industries, to invest 425-million dollars into 13 coal plants across the country. AEC made the cut, which is headquartered in Madison. A White House official says the fund will be used to "invest in upgrades to extend operational lifespans, reinforce grid reliability and keep electricity prices low as demands grow."

Former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan is awaiting a judge's ruling on her motion to dismiss her guilty verdict. Lawyers were in court yesterday for oral arguments on the motion, which replaced her originally scheduled sentencing date. A jury convicted Dugan of felony obstruction in December for helping a man in her courtroom evade an immigration arrest. It's believed the case will likely head to the federal court of appeals no matter what the ruling is. The judge's decision is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

An inmate death at the Rock County Jail last year leads to a federal lawsuit. Inmate Adam Randall died in February of 2025 from septic shock caused by bacterial pneumonia. A civil complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. Court in Madison by Randall's estate claims that staff didn't take proper action when he showed signs of pneumonia and requested medical help prior to his death. An attorney for the estate said the staff's alleged handling of the situation violated Randall's 14th Amendment rights to provide basic care for him while in jail. Randall was facing charges of bail jumping at the time of his death.

The Minnesota Department of Human Service has notified more than 24-hundred providers that they will be removed from Minnesota's health care programs. This comes after a massive revalidation process as the state battles with the federal government over two-billion-dollars in funding. Of the nearly six-thousand providers reviewed, officials say only just over two-thousand were successfully revalidated.

It's time for June Dairy Month! The 78th Alice in Dairyland Sarah Hagenow says the annual celebration of everything dairy had much more basic roots. "This celebration as June Dairy Month began officially in 1939, but it actually started as National Milk Month back in 1937, and its roots really aimed to promote consuming milk and the great benefits of consuming milk." Hagenow says there are a myriad of events and celebrations taking place across the state, and you can find out more online at Wisconsin Dairy dot Org. 

Local-Regional News April 4

 

Ahead of this weekend's Fun-Fest, the City of Durand sprayed for mosquitoes last night. Each summer, the city will spray four times. Durand Public Works Superintendent Matt Gillis says the city is trying to get the most for each spraying.  It costs the city approximately $1200 each time the city is sprayed for mosquitoes.

As communities and counties pass moratoriums on the development of Data Centers over ground water and electric rate concerns, some are hoping the state of WI will have statewide guidelines. 92^nd Assemblyman Clint Moses of Menonomie says the legislature did pass a bill to set up guardrails for the centers.  That bill was vetoed by Governor Evers. Moses hopes to reintroduce the bill in the next legislative session.

Pepin County residents that have a septic system may be receiving a pumping notice from Pepin County. The Land Conservation and Planning Department is sending out the letters to ensure the proper functioning of the septic system. Even if you don’t receive a letter but believe your septic system should be pumped, the department says that you can proceed.

A Pierce County senior development has receive a 9% housing tax credit from the Federal Government. Leo Cottages LLC in Ellsworth has received a $568,000 tax credit and will build a 20 unit facility for seniorsIn exchange for tax credits, developers agree to reserve housing units for low- and moderate- income households for at least 30 years.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public of the temporary closure of a 125-acre portion of Pierce County Islands State Wildlife Area. The area is closed to all recreation activities until construction ends in 2027.  The temporary closure includes the newly constructed islands, the southern portion of Pierce County Islands and access through Catherine’s Pass.. The DNR has undertaken a large-scale, multimillion-dollar habitat project in collaboration with the US Army Corps of Engineers and other local partners. This project aims to restore access to the degraded backwaters of upper Lake Pepin and ultimately improve habitat of overwintering fish and floodplain forests. The project will also restore healthy aquatic vegetation by improving water clarity and provide food and nesting habitat for waterfowl and other wetland birds.

Investigators are working to learn the cause of a damaging Wednesday afternoon house fire in Eau Claire. A Kohlhepp Road residence was reported on fire yesterday at around 4:30 p.m. No injuries were reported while the home sustained an estimated 200-thousand dollars in damage.

Governor Tony Evers was in Western Wisconsin yesterday talking about the importance of the dairy industry. Evers toured the Westby Cooperative Creamery in Vernon County and said that he eats cottage cheese every day. June is recognized as National Dairy Month in the U.S.

An effort reduce ATV/UTV crashes kicks off this weekend. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will have more conservation wardens, and county recreation deputies out this weekend for the Think Smart Before You Start campaign. Officers will be watching for risky behavior, including speeding and riding while intoxicated. The enforcement effort comes amid a rise in serious and fatal crashes, with 15 deaths reported so far this year. Helmets, seatbelts, and sober driving are critical to prevent deaths and serious injuries. Riders are urged to review new state regulations and consider signing up for safety courses through the DNR website.

No jail time for a man convicted of election fraud. Prosecutors had wanted jail time for Harry Wait, but a judge on Tuesday sentenced the 72-year-old to three years of probation for his conviction on election fraud and identity theft charges. While there will be no jail time, Wait will not be able to vote. In March, a Racine County jury found him guilty of two misdemeanor counts of election fraud and one felony count of identity theft. Wait admitted to requesting 2022 absentee ballots for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Racine Mayor Cory Mason through the state's MyVote website, claiming he did it to expose vulnerabilities in election security.

The owner of the Minocqua Brewing Company failed to qualify to have his name on the ballot for the Wisconsin 2026 governor ballot. Kirk Bangstad submitted his signatures but only 15-hundred of those signatures were valid out of the two-thousand needed. The Wisconsin Elections Commission said that some of the signatures weren't valid because of the election date being listed incorrectly on the form. Bangstad has until Sunday to correct the dates. The WEC will finalize which candidates have met all the ballot requirements at some point next week.

Mayo Clinic and Microsoft are partnering on a new artificial intelligence model for healthcare. The Duluth News Tribune reports the model is being designed for clinical reasoning and healthcare use. The project combines Mayo's medical expertise and de-identified patient data with Microsoft's artificial intelligence and cloud tools. Leaders say it could support earlier diagnoses and more personalized treatment decisions. Mayo will own the model, while Microsoft plans to make it available through Azure Foundry.

Another Wisconsin county is considering restrictions on data center construction. Fox 11 Green Bay reports Winnebago County's Land Conservation Committee discussed the issue at its Monday night meeting. Supervisors say they're worried about future pollution and energy costs for the community. Committee chair Tom Macho says any data center that wants to build will need to provide its own green energy sources and not rely on the region's electrical grid. No company is currently planning a data center in the area, but the county wants to be ready if one does.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. praised the benefits of whole milk and President Donald Trump during a Monday stop at a Wisconsin dairy farm. Kennedy said federal school lunch policy " deprived two generations of children of whole milk" which provides "micronutrients" for brain growth, physical development and bone development, adding "it really was almost a form of child abuse to do that.” Kennedy praised President Trump's leadership for bringing whole milk back to American schools, along with "good food and real that comes from farms, not from chemical plants.” Kennedy was joined by Congressman Derrick Van Orden. President Trump will be in Chippewa Falls on Friday for an agriculture round table.

Do your best to avoid spreading invasives species this summer. June is Invasive Species Action Month, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking you to take the right steps to avoid spreading them. The DNR says simple steps can make a big difference: hikers should stay on trails and check gear for mud and seeds. Boaters should clean, drain, and dry equipment to protect lakes from harmful species. At home, experts recommend planting native species and removing problem plants. You can also report sightings, volunteer locally, and take part in Invasive Species Awareness events across the state. 

Local-Regional News June 3

 

A California man has been arrested in connection to a child sex abuse victim in Wabasha. According to Wabasha Police, in October of 2025, investigators received information from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office in California about a child victim from Wabasha who was solicited to become involved in a pornographic film. A search warrant was executed at the home of Michael James Gonzalez in Murrieta, California, on May 29. Gonzalez was taken into custody and is currently being held pending extradition to Minnesota to answer for the charges filed against him. Gonzales is charged with two counts of Soliciting a Child through electronic communication to engage in sexual conduct and eleven counts of Use of a Minor in a Sexual Performance/Pornographic Work involving a child under the age of 14.

A Durand Business is expanding again. Bauer Built Tire announced on Monday that the company has purchased Jack’s Tire and Service in Beloit. The acquisition will add locations in South Beloit, IL, and in Madison. The company says the purchase of Jack’s Tire and Service is a strategic step in continued growth and commitment to meeting the needs of commercial fleet customers. With the addition of the Jack’s Tire locations, Bauer Built operates 51 service locations, 5 Michelin Retread Technology Plants and 2 wheel refinishing operations.

Buffalo County Motorists using Hwy 54 between Buffalo County and Winona, MN can expect some delays today. Paving operations from the stoplights on Hwy 54 in Buffalo County to the Winona Bridge will be underway today. The operations may cause traffic delays at times and the Sheriffs Department advises motorists to plan accordingly.

Jail time for a former funeral director convicted on charges in St. Croix County. Benjamin Hanson had worked for a funeral home that handled arrangements for 92-year-old Minnesota resident Alyce Peterson back in 2001. Her skull was found by Boy Scouts in the town of St. Joseph in 2002 eventually leading to charges last year against Hanson. Hanson pleaded guilty earlier this year to a charge of hiding a corpse and was sentenced yesterday to a term of 90 days in jail.

A River Falls man is being identified as the St. Croix County Jail inmate who died over the weekend. Twenty-two-year-old Ethan Tjader was found unresponsive in his cell Saturday morning and died at the scene. There has been no word on his cause of death.

President Donald Trump will visit Wisconsin on Friday to shore up his support with farmers. The White House has yet to release details of where Trump will stop in Chippewa County. It will be the president’s first visit to Wisconsin of his second term. A Trump spokesperson told WisPolitics that the president will talk about efforts to lower costs, open new trade markets and reduce regulations. He’ll also promote creation of Rural Opportunity Zones, which include tax incentives for those who invest in rural areas. Farmers in Wisconsin and across the nation have been challenged by the effects of Trump’s tariffs and the war with Iran. According to figures cited by the Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin had 16 Chapter 12 farm bankruptcy filings in 2025, Trump’s first year in office, representing a 700% increase over the previous year.

Don Raihala is announcing his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives seat in the Wisconsin 7th congressional district. He's set to run as a Republican. On his campaign website, Raihala promises to visit each county five times a year and provide daily interactions on what's "factually happening in Washington D.C." He previously ran in 2016 and was defeated by incumbent Sean Duffy. The primary takes place in August.

Western Technical College will soon have a new president. The school has announced that Kirk Bennett will be its new leader effective August 1st. Bennett is currently the VP of administrative services at Lone Star College-Montgomery in Texas. He will take the position being vacated by retiring Western Technical College President Roger Stanford.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says the company's new data center in Wisconsin is a model for reducing impact on the environment. Speaking at Microsoft Build 2026, Nadella said the 315-acre facility opened in 2025 will only use the same amount of water as a single restaurant would over the course of a year. The amount of water and electricity required to power AI data centers has been a focal point of protests against their construction in communities across the country. Nadella said the most important design criteria for a data center is getting permission from the community to build them.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission is urging the U.S. Postal Service to speed up absentee ballot delivery after hundreds arrived too late to be counted in April. The commission recently sent a letter to the postal service, asking them to enact "extraordinary measures" in future elections to make sure ballots are received on time. About two-thirds of clerks reported problems with getting ballots during the April election, according to WEC. Mail-in ballots need to be in hands of county officials on the evening of an election in order to be counted.

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents is considering a tuition rate increase for this fall. The board is expected to vote on a proposal to raise rates for resident undergrads by two-percent during a meeting later this week. UW officials say the hike would remain below the current rate of inflation and would help the university handle rising operating costs. If passed, the change will go into effect for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The Fond du Lac County is considering closing its inpatient mental health facility. The decision stems from internal discussions that have lasted several years due to not filling enough beds to keep up with increasing operating costs. The acute unit is one of five county inpatient facilities in the state. A public hearing on the issue was previously held, with all but one person being against the closure. The human services board plans to discuss whether to pass a recommendation onto the county board for its closure at a meeting next Monday.

The Rochester City Council revisited adding a dome to the Regional Sports and Recreation Complex during last night's meeting. Developers have pushed to add an indoor Dome as part of phase two of this project. After more than an hour of discussion, the council voted to remove the Dome language for now, citing concerns about funding, timing, and public trust. The council ultimately voted unanimously to move forward with an amended resolution. For now, the city is not moving forward with a Dome. However, council members say the topic could return for discussion at a later date.

Minnesota Republicans are responding after a moment of silence was held for George Floyd's killer. It happened over the weekend at the GOP convention in Duluth, when a delegate asked to for a moment of "silent prayer" to honor Derek Chauvin, who's now serving 22-years for murdering Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. Christopher Rocco tells KARE 11 he was that delegate, saying, quote, "Derek Chauvin and the four other officers are innocent and their voices have been lost." State Representative Danny Nadeau says he tried to discourage Rocco from making the motion, while Kendall Qualls, who won her party's nomination for governor, says would have asked to honor fallen law enforcement officers instead.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Free Fun Weekend is coming up. This weekend, state park admission fees, fishing licenses and trail passes are waived for all visitors. With 50 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 trails, and thousands of miles of waterways and inland lakes, the DNR says there’s something for everyone to explore. The weekend also gives residents a chance to try fishing without a license, making it perfect for beginners. Free fishing clinics will be held at parks and local sites across the state, with details available through the DNR events calendar and Wisconsin State Parks website. 

Local-Regional News June 2

 

One person is dead following a single-motorcycle crash in Buffalo County. Authorities received a report of the crash on Highway 37 near Steiner Road Saturday evening. Deputies learned that a 56-year-old man was traveling southbound when he lost control while steering through a turn. The driver suffered life-threatening injuries and died due to his injuries. The crash is under investigation. This is the third speed-related motorcycle fatality in Buffalo County this year.

The cost of the 6^th Ave East repaving project is coming in under budget. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the project is $30,000 under budget, so the city will do two additional projects.  All three of the projects should be completed this summer.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. was in Western Wisconsin for a visit with 3^rd District Congressman Derrick Van Orden. Kennedy was promoting the new food guidelines and also the $10 Billion that is being sent to rural hospitals that was passed in the budget reconciliation bill. Kennedy says the US has lost 120 rural hospitals over the last decade.  Kennedy and Van Orden were at the Gilbertson Family Farm outside of Elk Mound for the visit.

President Trump will be paying a visit this week to Chippewa County. The White House says the president will be coming to the area on Friday to highlight his support for Wisconsin's farmers. This will be the president's second visit to the Badger State during his second term. Specific details of the president's visit have not been released.

Gas prices are lower again this week in Western Wisconsin. Triple-A reports the average price of regular fuel here is Western Wisconsin is now 4.05 per gallon -- eleven-cents cheaper than the price one week ago. In La Crosse, the average cost of a gallon of regular fuel is three-84 per gallon -- 40-cents less compared to one week ago. The average cost of a gallon of regular fuel in the State of Wisconsin is four-13 per gallon.

A pilot is injured after a small plane crash in Polk County. The incident happened on Saturday morning as it was traveling from Menomonie to Brainard, Minnesota when engine problems occurred. The crash happened near 30th Avenue and Highway 46. The pilot was the only person in the plane and had non-life-threatening injuries. The accident is under investigation.

Sentencing is being ordered today for a former funeral director convicted on charges in St. Croix County. Benjamin Hanson had worked for a funeral home that handled arrangements for 92-year-old Minnesota resident Alyce Peterson back in 2001. Her skull was found by Boy Scouts in the town of St. Joseph in 2002 eventually leading to charges last year against Hanson. Hanson pleaded guilty earlier this year to a charge of hiding a corpse.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal challenging the state's congressional map. Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy sued the Wisconsin Elections Commission in 2025, arguing the districts operate as an anticompetitive gerrymander. A three-judge circuit court panel dismissed the case in April before the group appealed to the state's highest court. Justices agreed to hear the appeal but denied a request to expedite it. The group is seeking to return the case to a lower court.

Advocates are calling for the removal of remaining dogs from the Dane County breeding facility that 15-hundred beagles were rescued from over the last several weeks. A group of peaceful protesters gathered outside Ridglan Farms in the Town of Blue Mountains on Saturday, calling attention to the over 600 dogs still on the property. The business had been breeding and selling the animals for medical research until a series of protests and break-ins where some dogs were stolen. The 15-hundred beagles that were taken from the site were sold to rescue organizations and animal care groups. The owners of Ridglan Farms previously agreed to surrender their license to breed and sell dogs for research by July 1st.

The FBI says no charges are being filed against a man who caused a flight bound for Minneapolis to be diverted to Madison this past Friday night. Authorities say a United Airlines flight that took off from Chicago's O'Hare Airport had to be re-routed to Dane County Regional after a passenger became unruly, touching down in Madison around 9:30 p.m. Officials have since explained the passenger was a 75-year-old man who was suffering from a mental health episode. There were law enforcement officers on the plane who were able to restrain the passenger. No one was hurt.

You may have noticed fewer cryptocurrency kiosks in Wisconsin following a recent state law restricting their use. Wisconsin Consumer Protection director Mike Domke says it's not surprising, given that their primary use was fraud. Domke says crypto currency booths became yet another method for scammers to get people to send them money, given that the industry is unregulated and any money transferred is likely unrecoverable. The new law requires warnings about possibly being scammed to be posted when you start a transaction with the device, and to restrict their daily use to just one thousand dollars.

UnitedHealthcare is reducing its prior authorization requirements for pediatric care. According to the insurance giant, it is removing two-thirds of authorization requirements for members under age 18 by the end of the year as part of a broader effort to respond to growing backlash over the mandates. However, UnitedHealthcare will continue to require preapproval for services with higher clinical complexity. UnitedHealthcare will also introduce authorization waivers for certain procedures performed at leading comprehensive pediatric hospitals.

The American Red Cross is among the organizations recognizing CPR and AED Awareness Week beginning today. The annual occasion is meant to draw attention to the importance of learning about and using the life-saving technique and medical devices. The Red Cross reports over 350-thousand cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals every year in the U.S. and only about 40 percent of those patients receive CPR before emergency medical teams arrive. The nonprofit is encouraging everyone to take CPR and AED certification courses. Folks can find the nearest classes by searching red-cross-dot-org.

Minnesota's original constitution is on display at the Minnesota Story Center in St. Paul. Each week through July fifth, sections of the 169-year-old constitution will rotate. Minnesota is the only state with two signed constitutions. This was a result of a deep political divide between Republicans and Democrats.

Local-Regional News June 1

 

A longtime Durand resident and business owner has passed away. Robert Heike passed away last Thursday. Following his service in Vietnam, Heike became a pharmacist and returned to Durand to work at the family pharmacy. He took over Heike Pharmacy in 1991. A celebration of life will be held on Friday June 12 from 3-7pm at the Durand Rod and Gun Club.

The Madison Street Project keeps moving forward. Crews completed the underground work from 1^st Ave to 4^th Ave West, and according to Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren are now working on areas just south of Durand Fresh Market. Crews will begin working on sidewalk and curb and gutter between 1^st Avenue and 4^th Avenue West next week after Fun Fest.

Two people are injured after a two-vehicle crash in Pierce County. Authorities were called to the crash Thursday afternoon on US Highway 10. Investigators say a car operated by 29yr Davis Lunde of River Falls was traveling westbound on Hwy 10 when he collided with another car driven by 59 yr Alice Averbeck of Prescott. Both Lunde and Averbeck were taken to the hospital with undetermined injuries.

A search warranted carried out at Red Wing Glass Friday morning resulted in police finding nearly five pounds of suspected methamphetamine and a large amount of cash. An additional search warrant was executed in Pierce County, at a residence. No other details were provided. Red Wing Police arrested Shawn Goulette, and charged him with first-degree possession and sales of a controlled substance.

A Baldwin resident is being identified as the person who died after a Thursday crash in St. Croix County. Fifty-seven-year-old Darin Ofstie was riding a motorcycle in Baldwin Township when a car turned in front of them. Ofstie hit the car and sustained fatal injuries. The car's teenage driver sustained injuries that are described as minor.

Authorities are investigating the death of an inmate at the Saint Croix County Jail. The sheriff's office says a 22-year-old man was found unresponsive in the jail's Huber dorm early Saturday morning. Jail staff and first responders attempted life-saving measures, but the inmate was pronounced dead at the facility. Officials have not released the man's name or cause of death. The Dunn County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation under department policy.

Officials with the state Department of Agriculture are setting spongy moth traps in western and central Wisconsin, including Pepin, Pierce, Dunn and Buffalo Counties. Over six-thousand traps are being placed across Central and Western Wisconsin now through early July. The small green boxes will be stapled to or hung from trees to attract male spongy months in an effort to lower future populations. State officials are asking residents to avoid disturbing the traps once they are in place.

Wisconsin State Patrol is sharing the results of last week's aerial patrols over Eau Claire County. The department flew drones over construction work areas on I-94. With the aid of ground support, 21 traffic stops were made for speeding with those drivers being caught going anywhere from 15- to 24-miles-per-hour over the speed limit.

Crews were dispatched Sunday morning to the scene of a house fire in Tomah. The fire was reported shortly before 4 a.m. with officials saying it likely started with a portable battery jump starter that was on the front porch of the Kilbourn Avenue residence. No one was hurt.

Rural emergency medical services in Wisconsin are under growing strain. The Wisconsin Office of Rural Health reports as many as 40 to 50 percent of ambulance services can’t provide round-the-clock coverage. Officials say funding gaps, staffing shortages, and rising call volumes are all contributing factors. The demands are also taking a toll on mental health. EMS Outreach Manager James Small says many experienced responders face PTSD, depression, or anxiety due to repeated trauma. Despite the challenges, crews remain committed, but low pay and volunteer reliance are making it harder to keep services running. A new EMS Forward plan aims to improve reliability, support workers, and strengthen rural systems statewide.

A deal to avoid jail time is reportedly in the works for a former principal at Sun Prairie West High School, charged in connection with a sex abuse scandal. Jennifer Ploeger (PLOO-ger) is expected to enter no contest pleas to misdemeanor counts of failure to report child abuse during a court appearance next month. Court filings indicate that Ploeger is being pre-screened for the deferred prosecution program. The case unfolded last year when the former dean of students at Sun Prairie West was arrested following an investigation into child sexual exploitation and possession of child pornography. Robert Gielke-Meisegier has been sentenced to 18 years in prison in federal court. He also faces over a dozen felonies on the state level. That case continues to play out in court.

A Kaukauna teacher who mocked an assassination attempt against the President on social media has been fired. The Kaukauna School Board on Wednesday voted 6 to 1 to fire high school social studies teacher Patrick Meyer. Last month, Meyer posted on social media that multiple attacks against President Trump have failed and that assassins need to do better. This was a reference to the failed attack at the White House Correspondents Dinner in April. The district states that the post "created material disruption to school operations" in its cause to fire Meyer. Meyer had been on leave for several weeks while the board decided his fate.

A former candidate for Wisconsin Attorney General is now formally back in the race. Republican Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney submitted his nomination papers to the Wisconsin Elections Commission on Thursday. Candidates for all state offices have until Monday to do so. Toney lost to current AG Josh Kaul in 2022 by about 35-thousand votes. Toney says he's been working to improve efforts to protect children online and increase pay for public defenders. If no other attorney general candidates register, the November election will be a rematch between Toney and Kaul.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar is revealing her running mate in her bid for governor of Minnesota. The Democrat has selected ex-Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer to join her on the ticket. He also was a candidate for state Auditor to replace incumbent Julie Blaha. Klubuchar says Schierer know what it takes to hammer out results by collaborating with the private and public sector, as well as residents.

A federal immigration agent is facing multiple charges after state law enforcement officers arrested him in Texas in connection to a nonfatal shooting in Minneapolis earlier this year. According to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, Christian Castro was arrested after authorities issued a warrant for him last week. Minnesota prosecutors allege the ICE agent was attempting to arrest a suspect after a car chase and the suspect fled to his home where Castro fired into his front door, shooting his roommate. Castro told investigators he had opened fire on the men while they hit him with a shovel, but officials later said Minneapolis police footage revealed what was described as a different set of circumstances. Castro has been charged with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime.

New safety laws for ATV and UTV riders take effect Monday across Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources says one major change now requires everyone in a UTV, including the driver, to wear a seatbelt. Officials say many recent injuries and fatalities are linked to riders not buckling up. UTVs are also growing in popularity, with registration numbers, and crashes, on the rise. Other new rules include limits on tinted windows and a ban on towing objects on trails. The DNR is also reminding riders to avoid alcohol, wear helmets, and consider taking a safety course as the summer riding season gets underway.