Local-Regional News Oct 3

 

The Dunn County Board of Supervisors is set to hold a public hearing on the proposed 2027 budget. The proposed budget calls for a county tax levy of over 25-million dollars, an increase of less than one percent over the current year. Following the hearing, supervisors are expected to vote on the spending plan. The meeting is scheduled to take place on November 10th at 7 p.m. at the Dunn County Government Center. The county is facing a $1.4 million budget gap for 2027.

The City of Durand is receiving a grant from the state of Wisconsin for snow removal during last springs snowstorm. The grant is for $8400. The city also received a $2000 state grant for election security. That money will be used to expand a secure closet for the city’s voting machines.

An area meat processor is receiving a grant from USDA to expand operations. Durand Smokehouse will use a $158000 grant to purchase equipment to expand production in its processing plant in Durand. The grants are part of the USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program to expand processing capacity. USDA awarded over $1 million to four projects in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin voters go to the polls today. Statewide, voters will choose Democratic Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley or Republican Representative Tom Tiffany to be the next governor. In Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden is being challenged by Democrat Rebecca Cooke. In the Wisconsin 7th, Republican Michael Alfonso is squaring off against Democrat Fred Clark. Polls are open until 8 p.m.

Multiple students were left with minor injuries after a Monday collision involving a school bus in Eau Claire. The bus was carrying middle school students when police say it was hit by a Jeep whose driver had run a red light. The accident is under investigation.

Gas prices are lower this week in Western Wisconsin. Triple-A reports the average price of regular fuel in Eau Claire is now three-95 per gallon -- 27-cents less than the price one week ago. In La Crosse, the average cost of a gallon of regular fuel is four-oh-eight per gallon -- eight-cents less versus the price last week. The average cost of a gallon of regular fuel in the Badger State is four-22 per gallon.

Don't be fooled by scammers trying to get you to pay phony utility fees. Wisconsin Consumer protection administrator Michelle Reinen says your utility is not coming out to turn off the power or heat right now, especially not during the winter. "In Wisconsin, that's not possible if you have unpaid bills because from November 1 to April 15th of every year, there is a winter heating moratorium for unpaid bills." Even after the moratorium, there is an entire process for utilities to cut off power and every effort will be made to keep your heat on in the meantime. If you get a threatening call, simply hang up.

UW System enrollment holds steady despite a drop in international students. Enrollment at Universities of Wisconsin campuses remains strong this fall. More than 164,500 students are enrolled systemwide, down less than one percent from last year. Officials say much of that decline is due to fewer international students. First-year enrollment remained nearly unchanged at more than 28,400 students. Participation in Direct Admit Wisconsin also grew, with about 7,200 freshmen enrolling through the program. A record 14,579 high school students are taking UW courses through dual enrollment programs.

Wisconsin hospitals faced rising financial pressures last year. A new report from the Wisconsin Hospital Association Information Center shows hospital expenses increased more than 9% in fiscal year 2025, while uncompensated care jumped more than 15%. More than 2 million patient visits involved care that wasn't fully paid for, with charity care accounting for most of the increase. The report also found nearly half of Wisconsin hospitals saw lower operating margins, and more than one in four reported operating losses.

Animal rights activists are seeking to recall Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne over his handling of alleged animal abuse at Ridglan Farms. Organizers accuse Ozanne of failing to prosecute the facility over its treatment of beagles. A special prosecutor identified one violation involving cherry eye surgeries without general anesthesia, but reached a settlement instead of filing charges. Activists aim to gather 100-thousand signatures by Christmas Day, ahead of a December 28th petition deadline. A recall election could take place next spring if the petition qualifies.

The Universities of Wisconsin have a new leader following a unanimous vote by the system's Board of Regents. Tonjanita Johnson will take office as the system's next president around January 1st, overseeing 13 public university campuses state-wide. Johnson currently serves as the senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at the University of Alabama System, bringing more than 30 years of higher education experience to Wisconsin. In a statement, she pledged to work closely with campus leaders, faculty, and state officials to strengthen higher education in the state.

A state agency warns of a phishing attempt. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is alerting partners they may have been sent an email impersonating a DHS staff member as part of a phishing campaign, attempting to capture credentials and personal information. According to a Friday press release, email content varies, but each impersonates DHS staff members and includes a link to review or submit a bid proposal. That link takes users to a fake Microsoft login page and asks them to enter credentials. DHS will never ask anyone to click a link to enter personal information. Partners who received the email should delete it immediately. Anyone who clicked a link should notify their Information Technology (IT) team immediately.

The Rochester City Council is considering a four-percent increase in the downtown service charge. The proposal would raise 426-thousand dollars for Downtown Alliance events, improvements, and marketing in 2027. Roughly 150 downtown property owners pay the annual charge based on property values. Several business owners support the increase, saying the alliance helps attract people downtown.

The Dane County Sheriff's Office is launching a new daily update to help drivers avoid deer collisions and give local hunters a head start this season. Deputies are tracking car-deer crashes across the county to rate daily deer movement on a one-to-five-star scale posted every morning. Officials urge extra caution on the roads as peak mating season approaches, noting that early November typically brings a sharp spike in deer activity. Last year's peak occurred on November 5th when deputies responded to 12 deer-related crashes in a single day.

Local-Regional News Nov 2

 

With over $ 43,000 in donations, the Tarrant Park Pool broke even this summer. While the city has not set next year’s admission prices, Milliren says admission may need to increase.  The city is accepting donations for pool operations for 2027.

Students for the Durand-Arkansaw School District will start the 2027 school year earlier. The district’s request for a start before September 1^st was approved by the state of Wisconsin. District Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the goal is to have the school year end before Memorial Day.

No one was injured in a single vehicle accident in Dunn County last night. According to the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department, a vehicle traveling eastbound on Hwy 85 failed to negotiate a curve, entered the ditch, became airborne for approximately 135 feet before overturning in a field. The vehicle caught fire and became engulfed in flames. The driver, a 42yr old female from Eau Claire was able to exit the vehicle and was assisted to safety by a passing motorist. The driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver was cited for operating while under the influence and failure to maintain control of a vehicle.

Prison for a Menomonie man convicted on sex crimes charges involving child victims. Twenty-six-year-old Jesse Sell -- according to prosecutors -- sexually assaulted one child and exposed another to sexual materials. Sells has been sentenced to 22 years behind bars.

UW-Eau Claire police say there's been an increase in vehicle thefts in the area. Police are offering tips to residents to stay safe. Officials say people should always lock their vehicle, keep valuables out of sight and to never leave keys inside a vehicle. If anyone notices someone looking into vehicles, they should report it to police.

A Roberts man has been identified as the person who died after a Friday vehicle crash in St. Croix County. Authorities say that 41-year-old Matthew Drinkwine was behind the wheel of an SUV when it went off the road and hit a tree. The accident is under investigation.

Charges are being filed against the husband of a Viroqua alderperson. Fifty-eight-year-old Evan Blattner is accused of illegally entering the home of Viroqua Mayor Krista Browne last Monday. Blattner -- the husband of Ward 8 Alderperson Tanja Birke -- was arrested Friday on charges of criminal trespassing.

Control of the Wisconsin State Senate could come down to voter turnout on Election Day. UW-La Crosse political science professor Anthony Chergosky says several Senate races are competitive, and midterm elections often hinge on which party does a better job getting supporters to the polls. He notes turnout typically drops from presidential election years, making voter participation especially important. Wisconsin voters will also decide races for governor, the Legislature, and Congress on Tuesday.

More than 750-thousand people celebrated the Milwaukee Brewers' World Series championship Friday. Milwaukee Police estimate the team's parade and rally drew one of the largest crowds in state history. Officials say preliminary research suggests it may have been Wisconsin's largest single-day event ever. The estimated attendance surpassed Milwaukee's population of roughly 560-thousand residents, representing nearly 13-percent of the state's population. The celebration included a parade through the city and a rally at Henry Maier Festival Park.

Wisconsin is receiving more than five-million-dollars from General Motors as part of a 220-million-dollar multistate settlement over alleged illegal sales of drivers' private data. The Wisconsin Department of Justice says GM collected driving information from millions of customers through its Smart Driver program without proper consent. GM allegedly sold data on driving habits to brokers, who then provided it to insurance companies to adjust premiums. The settlement requires GM to limit its collection of driving data and strengthen consumer privacy protections.

One person has been accused of a ninth OWI offense following a traffic stop in Monroe County. A Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper conducted the stop on a vehicle Thursday night and learned the driver didn't have a valid driver's license. The officer also learned the suspect was on probation and parole. During a vehicle search, authorities found suspected meth, THC and open intoxicants. After a sobriety test, Vern E White was arrested on suspicion of operating while intoxicated.

The state of Wisconsin is closing in on 400 measles cases for the year. The state Department of Health Services says there are now 392 cases -- including 336 confirmed and six probable cases in a four-county outbreak in the southwest part of the state. D-H-S says there are also 33 cases now in Chippewa County, where the virus continues to spread. There are also measles cases in Rock, Richland, Marathon, Jackson, and Marquette counties.

Wisconsin's largest utility holding company is in talks to supply power for another major data center development in the state. WEC Energy Group announced during an earnings call yesterday an unnamed developer is seeking 400 megawatts of power capacity to support new facilities. CEO Scott Lauber says potential sites are being evaluated across both We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service territories, depending on local transmission capacity and community support. The proposed project would add to massive data center developments already under construction in Mount Pleasant and Port Washington.

The owners of a proposed billion-dollar gas-fired power plant in Superior are canceling the plans. Dairyland Power Cooperative and South Shore Energy notified Wisconsin regulators on Wednesday that they are abandoning the Nemadji Trail Energy Center. The project faced years of legal challenges, local opposition and permitting delays. Minnesota Power backed away in December after several permits expired. No construction took place on the plant, which regulators approved in 2020.

A record number of Minnesotans have already cast ballots in next week's midterm election. State officials say more than 659-thousand voters have made their voices heard through Thursday, a 64-percent surge over the 2022 midterms. High profile state and federal races are driving turnout amid concerns about fraud and costs of living.

Orange you glad the Brewers won the World Series? Florida’s Natural made good on a World Series wager with Johnsonville, sending more than 20 pallets of orange juice to Wisconsin following the Brewers‘ championship-clinching win over the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday night. A portion of the orange juice was displayed outside the Italian Community Center, along Friday’s championship parade route, with fans able to pick up cartons of orange juice and take photos with the shipment. If Milwaukee had lost, Sheboygan Falls-based Johnsonville would send 413,554 bratwursts to Tampa, one for every resident of the city.

Local-Regional News Oct 30

 

The Dunn County Sheriff’s Department is aware of reports of an individual hitchhiking in the Connorsville area. The department says they have no information indicating there is a threat to the public but are encouraging residents to keep their vehicles and homes locked and to not pick up the person hitchhiking.

The Durand-Arkansaw School District will be hosting the Division 2 Sectional Track Final next spring at the Bauer Built Sports Complex. Durand Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says this will be the second time the district has hosted the sectional final and there will be schools from all over the state attending.  The District may also be hosting a WIAA football playoff level 4 game later this month.

With the Madison Street, Pool and Bandshell projects over the last few years, things will be a bit slower for the City of Durand in next years budget. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says there will be only a few smaller street projects.  The city is still looking for approximately $40,000 in donations for the band shell project, and if anyone wants to make a donation, they should contact city hall.

Free rides are available to voters heading to the polls next Tuesday in the Chippewa Valley. Several organizations are partnering together to provide the service. The organizations say they want to help people who face transportation challenges to exercise their right to vote. Anyone who needs a ride can call 715-210-8842.

The City of Eau Claire is reminding residents about new alternate side parking rules. Officials say they go into effect November 1st through May 1st, even if there is no snow. It'll be enforced from midnight to 7 a.m. Additional information can be found on the official Eau Claire city website.

A Black River Falls teen is pleading guilty to stabbing her mother. Rhiannon Redcloud entered a guilty plea to second-degree recklessly endangering safety with use of a dangerous weapon in Jackson County court. Authorities say the 17-year-old stabbed her mother in August in a home in the Town of Komensky. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 10th.

An Olmsted County judge says Dr. Michael Joyner owes Mayo Clinic over 223-thousand dollars. Judge Kathy Wallace issued the ruling on Wednesday, covering expert preparation and other expenses but excluding attorney fees. Joyner lost his lawsuit alleging Mayo Clinic retaliated against him for raising concerns about a company involved in COVID-19 research. A jury found the disciplinary actions were warranted and not retaliatory. Wallace also recently denied Joyner's request for a new trial.

More than 51-thousand Wisconsin State Park passes have been sold through the state's online DMV renewal system. Under previous state law, park passes were issued based on the calendar year. The program has raised over one-point-five-million dollars and accounts for more than 12-percent of all state park passes sold through October 1st. Drivers can now buy a 12-month pass while renewing their vehicle registration, with the money going toward road repairs and state park maintenance. In a statement, Governor Tony Evers says it's "about making government work smarter, not harder, to make life just a little bit easier."

Saturday is Halloween and the Durand Improvement Groups annual Trunk or treet will be from 3-5pm in Downtown Durand. Main street will be closed from 1^st Ave to 4^th Avenue West from 2-5pm. Trick-or-treating hours in Durand will be from 4-8pm, Mondovi from 5-7pm, Elmwood from 4-8pm and Menomonie from 5-7pm. Wabasha is having its spooktacular night is tonight in Downtown Wabasha from 4-6pm with trick-or-treating at Heritage Park under the bridge.

Wisconsin is rolling out new programs to help identify PFAS contamination across the state. The DNR says about $133 million from the state’s PFAS trust fund will support sampling and other efforts to better understand where the so-called "forever chemicals" are present and reduce exposure. Local governments can now apply for grants to test water supplies and biosolids, while private well owners can apply for free sampling through the State Lab of Hygiene. More information is available on the DNR website.

Menasha High School is one step closer to taking it all in a national competition. The T-Mobile Friday Night Lights 5G national competition has been narrowed down to four schools, one from each region of the US. After taking first place against 10 other schools in the Midwest region, Menasha secured $250 thousand and a new Gronk Fitness gym. Now, Menasha competes against three other schools in the US for a $1 million Football field upgrade. This comes after Menasha High School's Calder Stadium faced significant damage from the July EF3 tornado. You can vote online in the T-Mobile Friday Night Lights 5G for the Menasha Blujays once every day now through November 8.

Madison is one step closer to bringing back passenger rail service after securing up to 218-million dollars in federal funding. The grant will support the Hiawatha West expansion project, extending Amtrak service from Chicago and Milwaukee through Waukesha, Jefferson, and Dane counties. The proposed route includes potential new stations in Pewaukee, Watertown, and Madison, which hasn't seen passenger train service since 1971. City and state transportation planners say growing regional demand and strong federal partnership have given the project significant momentum.

The city of Milwaukee is getting ready to celebrate the Brewers World Series victory with a massive downtown parade. The procession tips off at ten o'clock this morning at Fourth and Wisconsin Avenue before heading through downtown to Maier Festival Park. Fans can enter the festival grounds for free to join a championship rally, with overflow crowds able to watch the speeches on video boards spread across the park. Tickets for seats inside the main amphitheater went on sale yesterday, with all proceeds benefiting the Brewers Community Foundation. Organizers are urging fans to arrive early as large crowds gather to honor the franchise's first World Series title.

The state of Wisconsin is paying tribute to the World Series Champion Milwaukee Brewers. Governor Tony Evers proclaimed today as Brewers "Won Our Way" Day in Wisconsin. The Brew Crew earned their first World Series title this week by beating the Rays. The team is celebrating the championship with a parade and rally today in Milwaukee.

Wisconsin’s 10th Safe Haven Baby Box is installed in Manitowoc. The baby box is housed at Manitowoc Fire Station #3, which is located closest to Interstate 43. The baby box allows mothers who feel they cannot raise a child to anonymously relinquish it to emergency responders. The climate-controlled box would keep the baby safe until emergency crews would find it and take it to a local hospital to check its health. Wisconsin’s Safe Haven law allows a mother to surrender their baby at a hospital, police station, or other emergency medical facility. That can be done for up to 30 days after the child is born. It was previously only 72 hours when the law was first passed back in 2001. A Safe Haven Baby Box in Racine County has been used two times since its installation in 2024.

Governor Tony Evers has announced the theme for this year's Capitol Holiday Tree. The theme for the 2026 Capitol Holiday Tree is "The Year of the Neighbor," tying into Evers' designation of 2026 as his final Year's theme in office. Students are encouraged to create handmade ornaments celebrating what it means to be a good neighbor and the people who make their communities better. The tree will be displayed in the State Capitol rotunda throughout the holiday season. Ornament submissions from students and families around Wisconsin are due by November 20th.

Local-Regional News Oct 29

 

The City of Durand is exploring an ordinance on shipping containers used for temporary storage. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the ordinance is the result of requests to use the containers made by city residents.  The proposed ordinance is expected to be brought up again at the next council meeting.

District staff and law enforcement continue to review the response to the recent swatting incident against the Durand-Arkansaw School District. District Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the incident allowed staff and law enforcement to review the response.  The incident against Durand-Arkansaw and the Pepin School District remains under investigation by the FBI.

A Menomonie woman is going to prison following a deadly hit and run crash last year in the Township of Dunn. Addison Bowell was sentenced to nine years after pleading guilty to charges earlier this year. The accident happened in March of last year on County Highway K. Authorities say Bowell was under the influence when she hit and killed Ann Seidl who was running on the side of the road. The 18-year-old fled the scene and was later arrested.

The City of Ellsworth has opened Main Street to ATV-UTV Traffic. The city approved a change in the ordinance to allow ATV-UTV on Main Street between Hwy C and the intersection of Hwy 10-63-65 in Downtown. ATV and UTV Traffic is not allowed on North Maple Street, west of the traffic signals on Hwy 10-63 or on Hwy 10-63 east of Hwy C.

Measles cases are climbing in Chippewa County. State health officials say there are now 31 confirmed cases in the county. There were less than a dozen two weeks ago. There are more than 300-cases total in Wisconsin

A Rice Lake woman charged in a deadly 2024 crash on Highway 53 near Haugen is not guilty by insanity. Patricia Kronquist pleaded guilty yesterday to homicide by negligent driving, but the judge found her not guilty by insanity. She was charged in a 2024 crash that left a Michigan man. Authorities say Kronquist was passing vehicles in the wrong lane of a construction zone before collided with another vehicle. She will learn today whether she will be ordered to an institution or given conditional release.

A Minnesota man is in custody following a disturbance at a convenience store in Siren, Wisconsin. Police say offices were called out Sunday night to a Circle K on State Road 35 on a report of a man armed with a knife making threats to go inside and kill everyone inside the store. Officers entered the store with guns drawn. After a struggle, Ryan Denis Larsin was taken into custody.

Brewers fans are waking up following a historic victory for the Milwaukee franchise. Fans packed watch parties around Wisconsin last night to watch the Brew Crew win the first World Series in the organization's 57-year existence. Over thirty thousand fans packed American Family Field and erupted when the final out was recorded in Game Five. Stores selling Brewers merchandise also reopened last night to give fans a chance at new gear.

Wisconsin health officials are using National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week to remind parents to get young children tested for lead exposure. The Department of Health Services says testing rates have rebounded since the pandemic, helped by a recommendation that all children be screened at ages one and two. Still, about 3,000 Wisconsin children under six are lead poisoned each year. Health officials say a simple blood test is the only way to know if a child has been exposed and to connect families with available services.

This year's Wisconsin bear hunt exceeds expectations. The Department of Natural Resources reports hunters registered a preliminary total of 4,275 bears during the 2026 season, about 3% above the state's harvest goal. According to the DNR, hunter success was 28%, close to the five-year average. Wisconsin's black bear population is estimated at more than 24,000 animals, with the highest concentrations in northern Wisconsin. More than 146,000 people applied for a bear hunting license or preference point this year, a record high.

The latest Marquette Law School Poll continues to give a very narrow edge to Democrat David Crowley among likely voters. Poll Director Charles Franklin said it's 51 percent for Crowley, 44 percent for Congressman Tom Tiffany for a seven-point margin, with 4% undecided.” Franklin said results are closer among registered voters with 47 percent for the Milwaukee County Executive and 44 percent for Tiffany with 9 percent undecided. Tiffany leads by 12 percent among those who remain unsure about whether they’ll vote. Franklin stressed the results are within the poll’s margin of error of 4.7 percentage points.

The race for Wisconsin governor is the most expensive ever. According to a WisPolitics review, candidates and outside groups have already spent $166 million on the race between Democrat, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, and Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany. Republicans have accounted for $117.5 in spending so far with Tiffany the biggest individual spender by a large margin. The $47 million on Tiffany’s campaign finance reports has nearly matched the entire Democratic spending effort, including by outside groups, the Crowley campaign and candidates that ran against him for the nomination. For Tiffany, Restoration of America PAC, largely funded by Illinois businessman Dick Uihlein, has reported almost $20 million in independent expenditures. LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has donated $8 million to the state Democratic Party in recent weeks

Flock cameras in Wausau will be covered following a 9-1 city council vote to end the city’s agreement with the company two years early. That pleased residents who spoke at the start of Tuesday’s meeting. Alder Carol Lukens said she would not have supported a Flock contract if she’d known how many issues would be raised over the technology. The resolution gives the city's public works department two weeks to cover the cameras, which remain property of Flock. Wausau’s action follows similar moves by local governments around Wisconsin and across the nation in response to citizens’ concerns about surveillance and data collection.

Two right-wing activists are facing charges in connection with a polling place stunt during Minnesota's primary election. James O'Keefe and Cam Higby were charged today in Hennepin County with identity theft and unlawful voting. Prosecutors say the pair dressed in burqas and spoke in fake accents in an alleged attempt to challenge the state's vouching laws.

Madison is finding itself among the safest cities in America. Finance website WalletHub recently ranked 180 cities across the U.S. based on more than three dozen indicators of safety. Those include traffic deaths, assaults per capita, unemployment rates and how many residents don't have health insurance. Wisconsin's capital city was ranked 12th overall, receiving high marks for home and community safety, as well as financial safety.

Local-Regional News October 28

 

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion of the creation of an ordinance regulating temporary storage containers, reports from the Mayor and Department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm at Durand City Hall.

Members of the community met at Durand-Arkansaw High School last night to discuss mental health issues in the county. One of those issues is bullying. Matt Roesler with Pepin County Human Services says the county is working with the schools to help reduce bullying.  Roesler says bullying is not happening just at schools.  Roesler believes that bullying can be caused by and lead to mental health issues.

A Minneapolis woman who faces charges tied to death of a Wisconsin State Trooper in Dunn County is pleading not guilty. Martell Mitchell entered not guilty pleas yesterday to multiple felonies, including fleeing an officer resulting in death. The charges stem from a September 21st incident in which Mitchell fled Illinois State Police into Wisconsin. Ritger fell off an I-94 bridge after deploying a tire deflation device to stop her. He died October 3rd.

One person is dead following a crash in Trempealeau County. Authorities say the single-vehicle accident happened yesterday on County Road D near Bergerson Road in the Town of Ettrick. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim wasn't identified.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the city of Wabasha, reached a major milestone last week in the management of Mississippi River sand removed from the navigation channel. The city and Wabasha Port Authority removed the first loads of sand from temporary storage islands on the river near Wabasha. The agreement was years in the making and the first of its kind for inland waters within the United States. The solution, known as a Section 217 agreement, allows the Corps of Engineers to pay the city a tipping fee to manage the sand removed from the river during Corps dredging operations.

A Hudson man is sentenced to more than 30-years in prison for killing his wife last year. Chad Haworth received a 32-year prison term. Haworth was arrested after a standoff, and police found his wife dead in a home in March of 2025. He pleaded guilty in July to second-degree intentional homicide.

The Eau Claire County Parks and Forest Department is launching a new digital pass system. Visitors can manage their park passes through Yodel Pass. The digital platform is designed to modernize pass purchasing. Passes for the 2027 season will be available for purchase beginning November 3rd through the new Yodel system.

Health officials are confirming a new case of measles in Richland County linked to a growing outbreak across southwestern Wisconsin. Contact tracers are working to identify anyone who may have been exposed, as cases continue to pop up across multiple counties. Public health agencies in Jackson County also reported two additional travel-related cases earlier this week. Officials warn the virus is highly contagious and airborne, lingering in rooms long after an infected person leaves. Residents are urged to monitor for fever and rash.

More than half a million absentee ballots have already been cast for next week's election. The Wisconsin Elections Commission reports more than 513,000 absentee ballots had been returned as of Tuesday, including about 251,000 cast through in-person absentee voting. Early in-person voting began October 20th and continues through November 1st, although hours vary by municipality. In the 2022 midterm election, nearly 742,000 absentee ballots were ultimately returned statewide, including more than 318,000 cast in person.

Wisconsin electrical workers say demand for electricians continues to grow as major construction and energy projects expand across the state. The Electrical Workers Union IBEW Local 158 says employers are actively looking for skilled workers and apprentices to fill openings. Depending on certification, workers can sometimes earn close to 80-thousand dollars a year fresh out of high school. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the country is expected to have over 13-thousand worker jobs between 2025 and 2035, including 240 job openings per year in Wisconsin.

Make sure you take the right steps to get an ID to use at the polls. As Election Day approaches, the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles is reminding voters they’ll need an approved photo ID to cast a ballot. There is no separate voter ID, and a federally compliant REAL ID is not required for voting. Anyone needing a Wisconsin ID can apply at a local DMV service center. The state also offers a free receipt valid for voting if an ID card doesn’t arrive in time. More information is available through the DMV and Wisconsin Elections Commission websites.

In Wisconsin, the only state where a first offense OWI is a misdemeanor, it’s not unusual to see reports of drivers with multiple instances of drunk driving. Consider the case of 49-year-old Daniel E. Stuckrath. Reedsburg police stopped him for speeding on East Main Street Sunday night and arrested him on an eighth operating while intoxicated offense, along with operating after revocation and failure to install ignition interlock device. And last Wednesday at 9:15 in the morning, police in Fond du Lac arrested 61-year-old Steve Johnson following a crash with another vehicle. He’s charged with a 12th OWI.

Three finalists to lead the Universities of Wisconsin made their case Monday during a public forum at UW-Parkside. Candidates from Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee highlighted the value of higher education, the importance of the Wisconsin Idea and a commitment to shared governance. The next president will become the tenth leader of the UW System since its creation in 1971. The Board of Regents is expected to make its selection following the finalist interviews.

Inflation is being blamed as a factor in a surge in health insurance rates. The Minnesota Department of Commerce says residents who purchase individual policies or are covered through a small business can expect increases of as much as 21-percent. Open enrollment begins next week and economists are concerned that Minnesotans will forego coverage or choose to be underinsured because of the rising costs of living.

Local Regional News Oct 27

 

The Buffalo County Board approved a resolution for health insurance for county employees last night. According to County Administrator Lee Engfer, the new plan will see increased costs for both employees and the county.  During public comments, Garret Marten, the Union Representative, said that with the proposed plan, Buffalo County is paying more for health insurance than surrounding counties.  During the debate on the proposal, the administrator said they reviewed other plans, including the Union plan, and that Martens numbers were incorrect. Depending on coverage options, deductibles would range from $1000 to as much as $8000 per year with premium costs from $192 to $586 a month for employees and from $988 to $4096 per month per employee for the county.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development will provide more than $14.5 million in USDA financing for a West Wisconsin Telecom Cooperative project that will expand fiber-to-the-premises high-speed internet across seven rural Wisconsin counties. The project will improve internet access for residents, businesses, farms, and schools in Buffalo, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix counties. The funding announced today is provided through USDA’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees program, which offers direct loans and loan guarantees through the Federal Financing Bank to support telecom transmission and distribution facilities.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion of traffic concerns on Oak Street and Washington Street, a review of the proposed 2027 budget, and approval of non-union wage increases and agreements between the city and the Police and Teamsters Unions. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

The Dunn County Law Enforcement Committee has put on hold a proposed contract for Law Enforcement Services between the county and the Village of Elk Mound. The Committee paused the proposal over concerns about a Wisconsin open meetings violation complaint against the Elk Mound Village Board that could nullify the agreement. The proposal is now on hold until that lawsuit is resolved.

Elk Mound Police Chief Chad Weinberger is running for Dunn County Sheriff next week. Weinberger filed paperwork to run last Thursday after supporters told him they'd write his name in. Write-in candidates must register in Wisconsin so their votes are counted. Weinberger faces incumbent Dunn County Sheriff Kevin Bygd.

The Eau Claire County Parks and Forest Committee isn't moving forward with a proposed expansion of the Seven Mile Landfill. GFL had proposed a 120-acre expansion that would have cut into Eau Claire County forest land. The committee rejected the proposal during a meeting yesterday. The decision follows concerns from the public over water pollution and losing access to public lands.

An Eau Claire woman is charged in a hit and run. Police say Abby Adamski was driving last Thursday night when she hit a woman in a crosswalk on North Clairemont Avenue at Moholt Drive and then took off. The victim was sent to the hospital with serious injuries. Adamski is charged with hit and run causing great bodily harm.

Health officials are confirming two cases of measles in Jackson County. The two cases are related to out-of-state travel and were confirmed through testing at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. Jackson County and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services are working to identify and directly notify people who may have been exposed to the measles virus.

One person is hurt following a single-vehicle crash in Vernon County. Authorities were informed of the crash Saturday morning after Andres Gonzales steered his vehicle in order to avoid hitting a deer. The car went off the side of the road, became airborne, struck a ditch and flipped over several times before coming to a stop. Gonzales was found outside of the vehicle and was flown by helicopter to the hospital. The incident remains under investigation.

Wisconsin has joined 19-other states in suing the Dollar General Corporation. The lawsuit alleges the company is engaging in long-running deceptive pricing practices by routinely charging customers more at the register than the prices displayed on shelves, price tags and advertisements." Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement that the prices people see when they're shopping should be the same as the prices they're charged. The complaint alleges that thousands of Dollar General stores have taken advantage of shoppers by extracting millions of dollars in unlawful overcharges. The company also allegedly received tens of thousands of consumer complaints, but did nothing about it.

Governor Tony Evers grants another round of pardons. Evers has granted another 206 pardons, pushing the total number issued during his time in office to more than 2400. Evers says the pardons recognize people who have paid their debt to society and turned their lives around. Under Wisconsin law, pardons restore certain rights lost after a felony conviction, including the ability to serve on a jury, hold public office, and obtain some professional licenses. To qualify, applicants must have completed their sentence at least five years ago and have no pending criminal charges.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob is apologizing after video surfaced showing him and other Catholic leaders praying with President Trump in the Oval Office. Grob says it was meant to be a private discussion on issues like immigration enforcement and human dignity, alleging the White House recorded and released the footage without consent. The archbishop expressed sadness over the situation, maintaining the prayer was not a political endorsement or photo opportunity. He added he regrets causing pain to parishioners and wishes he had heeded his initial reservations about going.

A guilty verdict in a Superior homicide. Douglas County Court jurors on Thursday found 32-year-old Aaron Donald Johnson guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and related charges in the death of 41-year-old Derek Walczak just over two years ago. Johnson claimed he was acting in self-defense when he emptied his handgun after breaking into a garage and fighting with Walczak, who he shot at least 13 times. Key testimony came from Cody Berg, who was ending a relationship with Johnson and was in the garage with Walczak the night of October 6, 2024. Superior Police officers responding to a 911 call from Walczak arrived to hear the fatal shots being fired. Sentencing for Johnson is scheduled for January 20th.

A national trend toward drinking less alcohol may be gaining traction in Wisconsin. More people are taking part in Sober October and exploring alcohol-free lifestyles. University of New Mexico psychology professor Katie Witkiewitz says younger adults are leading the shift, with many rethinking their relationship with alcohol and whether it benefits their lives. Health experts say even modest reductions in drinking can lead to better sleep, more energy, and improved overall health. Wisconsin remains among the nation's leaders in binge drinking and alcohol-related deaths.

Local-Regional News Oct 26

 

The Buffalo County Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on a resolution supporting sustainable state funding for local health departments, approving the employee health insurance plans for 2027 and reports from committee chairs. Tonights meeting begins at 7pm at the government center in Alma.

The railroad crossing at Hwy 25 in Nelson is closed this week. Crews from BNSF are repairing the crossing and only emergency vehicles will be allowed through. Motorists needing to cross the Mississippi River will need to use the bridges in Fountain City or Red Wing this week.

Wisconsin state officials are approving funding to replace the Tank Creek Bridge in Trempealeau County. The State Building Commission signed off last week on more than two-million-dollars of grant money for the project. The bridge was destroyed by fire last year. The funding will also cover the reconstruction of three other bridges along the Great River State Trail.

The Durand-Arkansaw School District has received a donation from the Durand Fun-Fest Committee to assist families with food service bills. Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the donation was a surprise.  The food service is currently facing higher food and labor costs and has raised the price of school breakfast and lunch for students.

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board has an open seat. Board member Jason Weisenbeck resigned his position as board member representing area 4, which includes the towns of Maxville, Nelson, Modena and parts of the town of Canton and Village of Nelson. Anyone interested in filling the remainder of the term should fill out an application by November 11.

Members of the Durand-Arkansaw FFA Chapter were recognized at this years National FFA Convention. Alex Albers, Kenneth Klevgard, Brody Bechel and Kobin Bechel were recognized as an Agriculture Technology and Mechanical Systems Career Development Event National Finalist. The four took second place in the event that recognizes students’ competencies in agricultural technology and mechanical systems.

The La Crosse Police Department is ending its Flock Safety camera contract. Police say the camera system helped solve serious crimes, including an attempted homicide case earlier this year. However, department leaders say they have concerns about accountability and oversight across the broader network. Police Chief Shawn Kudron says the decision was made to uphold the department's standards and maintain public trust. City leaders say they remain committed to using tools that support public safety while protecting privacy.

Barron County is the latest to enact a ban on data centers. The county board voted 28 to 1 last week to approve a temporary moratorium on data centers. The ban only applies to county zoned land, not unzoned townships and municipalities. It will end January 1, 2028, or when the county approves a specific zoning land use ordinance for data centers, whichever is sooner. County officials were drafting it now and said the ordinance could be up for a vote as soon as January 2027.

The State Building Commission approves more than $250 million for projects around Wisconsin. Highlights include new student housing at UW-Madison that would add nearly 1,700 beds by 2029, infrastructure upgrades at Winnebago Mental Health Institute, and improvements to military facilities in Madison and Wisconsin Rapids. The package also includes renovations at UW campuses across the state and nearly 30 maintenance and repair projects in 15 counties. Governor Tony Evers says the investments will help improve education, public facilities, and communities statewide. $254 million in total was awarded.

Wisconsin's measles outbreak has reached 310 cases. Health officials reported 43 new cases over the last ten days. Most cases are in southwestern Wisconsin, with Lafayette County reporting 103 confirmed or probable infections. Northern Wisconsin has reported 34 confirmed cases across Chippewa and Marathon counties. Health officials warn fewer reported cases do not necessarily mean the outbreak is slowing, and actual infections could be higher.

Rock County supervisors oppose a controversial transmission line project. The proposed BECI high-voltage transmission line would cut through the county. Thursday night the Rock County Board approved a resolution in opposition to the project. Critics say the design of the transmission line would create more obstacles in farm fields by adding ground anchors and tension wires, which farmers would have to maneuver around, increasing the risk of collisions. The line would also run through northeastern Dane County. Last month, the Dane County Board passed a resolution requesting an extended review of the project.

One person is in custody following a two-person crash in Monroe County. Authorities received multiple reports of the incident Thursday morning. Officials say a car driven by Kenneth Mickelson crossed the center line into the westbound lane, striking an SUV driven by Thomas Pleuss. Pleuss suffered significant injuries due to the crash and was taken to a hospital. Mickelson was arrested after he was medically cleared, and the accident remains under investigation.

Another bird flu case is confirmed in northwestern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection identifies a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a commercial poultry flock in Barron County. It's the third in the county since mid-September, and the eighth infected flock overall in Wisconsin this year. Six cases were in commercial operations, two in backyard flocks. State and federal officials have quarantined the Barron County site and depopulated the flock to prevent further spread. According to the DATCP bird flu webpage, more than four-and-half million birds have been depopulated in the state this year. Affected birds will not enter the food supply and DATCP urges poultry owners to strengthen biosecurity measures and keep birds away from wild birds whenever possible.

Minnesota's food waste is rising despite millions spent to reduce it. The increase undermines the state's reduction target. Minnesota aims to cut food waste in half by 2030 compared with 2013 levels. The Pollution Control Agency has awarded nearly five-million dollars to 13 organizations working to prevent food waste. The agency encourages residents to plan meals, freeze leftovers and donate extra food.

WisDOT earns national recognition for its online information tool. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has received a 2026 Government Experience Award from the Center for Digital Government for its new online Projects Hub. The website serves as a one-stop source for highway and bridge project information across the state. Users can search interactive maps and access details on nearly 600 transportation projects, from planning through construction. According to WisDOT, the platform improves transparency and public access to information, and it's expected to become the agency's primary project information resource beginning next year.