Local-Regional News Oct 15

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating Tuesday night’s fatal plane crash in Sauk County. The NTSB identifies the aircraft in which five adults and one child died as a single engine six seat Piper PA-46. Preliminary information has the plane at 24,000 feet when the pilot reported icing, requesting and receiving approval to descend from air traffic control. The aircraft entered a right descending turn that increased in rate until communications and data tracking were lost. Investigators will document the scene and examine the aircraft which will be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation. NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.

Durand Property owners should be receiving their new property assessments in the mail this week. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the re-assessments were required by state law.  Those wanting to question their reassessments will have a chance to do so later this month and next month; contact Durand City Hall for dates and times of review meetings.

The Mondovi Bulk item pick up is tomorrow. Each residence is allowed two that can be lifted by hand and not exceed 50lbs. Acceptable items include furniture, mattresses and boxsprings. Unacceptable items include tires, computers, hide-a beds, or sofa-recliners. Items must be curbside by 6am tomorrow. For more information contact Mondovi City Hall.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court says it will hear an appeal on the competency of Shane Helmbrecht. Helmbrecht is charged with intentional homicide in the fatal shooting of his Eau Claire neighbor Jenn Ward in 2016. Helmbrecht had previously been found incompetent to stand trial but was ruled as competent in 2024. His attorneys are challenging that decision.

A man accused of injuring a co-worker with a reciprocating saw Wednesday morning in Holmen is now in custody. Investigators say Mario Sandoval intentionally hurt the victim while the two working a roofing project at Viking Elementary School in Holmen. Police say Sandoval fled the scene but was later arrested. The victim's injuries are described as non life-threatening.

The CPKC Holiday Train is returning to our area on December 12. The lighted train featuring music will be stopping in Wabasha at Bruegger Park from 5:45-6:15pm and in Red Wing at Bay Point Park from 7:15-7:45pm. Those attending are encouraged to bring food items for area food pantrys.

The final round of voting gets underway Thursday for the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and BMO announce the 4800XPC Electric Rope Shovel engineered for high-production open-pit mining by Komatsu of Milwaukee, the Gravely ZT HD STEALTH 60 zero turn mover by Ariens Company of Brillion, CliC Smart Privacy Glass by Cardinal IG of Tomah and the M157 Small Arms Fire Control for the SIG Sauer M7 rifle by Vortex of Barneveld as finalist in the competition showcasing Wisconsin’s $73.8 billion manufacturing industry. Individuals can vote starting at 8:00 AM Thursday once per day, per email address, until 12:00pm on October 27. The product with the most votes will be crowned the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin at WMC’s Business Day event in Madison that same day.

Last month’s plane crash involving a candidate for governor was due to pilot error. That preliminary finding from the National Transportation Safety Board investigation into loss of power on the aircraft carrying 7th District Congressman Tom Tiffany and pilot Leonard Boltz on September 12. The NTSB report found that loss of power was “due to (Boltz’s) delay in switching fuel tanks and not turning on the electric fuel boost pump,” after a full day of flying. The two men swam to shore after Bolz made an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau that evening, both suffering minor injuries. According to the report Boltz had flown earlier from Antigo to La Crosse for a Tiffany campaign event on a full fuel tank and did not refuel before returning to Wausau.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission is pushing back on concerns about possible federal interference in next month's election. Administrator Meagan Wolfe says state and federal laws prohibit voter intimidation, and there have been no indications of anything outside normal election procedures. Wolfe says Wisconsin is accustomed to election observers because of its battleground state status, and local clerks are trained to protect voters' rights while managing outside observers. She says polling places are prepared for unexpected situations and no unusual problems are expected on Election Day.

Leaders from communities across southern Wisconsin rallied at the Capitol on Tuesday in opposition to proposed high capacity transmission lines. Viroqua (VER-oh-kwa) mayor Krista Browne says the MariBell and BECI lines are a threat to the landscape. Viroqua is one of 69 communities that have passed measures opposing the project. Dairyland Cooperative, one of the groups behind the proposed lines, says people should participate in any formal application process once they petition the Public Service Commission.

The Wisconsin DNR notifies Enbridge of alleged violations on its line 5 reroute. The DNR on Tuesday issued a formal notice of violation in a letter to Enbridge concerning its project to construct a new 41-mile stretch of pipeline in Ashland and Iron counties. The letter alleges violations from March 30 through September 21 including an August 25 gas leak in the Town of Saxon that released over 1.3 million gallons of natural gas liquids into the air. The agency’s environmental enforcement specialist wrote that Enbridge “caused significant air pollution and did not use good operating practices nor take reasonable precautions to prevent the release from occurring.” In a statement, Enbridge spokesperson Juli Kellner said the company is reviewing the notice of alleged violation and has worked closely with the DNR through the permitting process and construction project as well as the response to the line strike incident near Saxon.

More information could soon be released in the case against Packers running back Josh Jacobs. The Hobart-Lawrence Police Department has been handing open records requests in the case after a Brown County judge last month ruled he would not seal the evidence. Jacobs pleaded no contest in September to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property in connection with an incident at his home involving his girlfriend. Hobart-Lawrence Police have received records requests from media outlets, and are holding the release of that information pending notification and review by the victim and Jacobs.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon is getting ready for the possibility that the Trump administration will interfere at the polls on Election Day. The Democrat recently mentioned that he's very concerned about election security. The Department of Justice sent close to 20 election monitors to polling places in Hennepin and Ramsey counties for the primary. Weeks later, the DOJ announced an investigation showed that there was illegal voting in Minnesota last spring. Ten residents were indicted. Simon's office is working with election administrators in all 87 counties to make sure they're ready. The incumbent secretary of state is seeking a fourth term on Election Day. Simon faces Republican Tad Jude, Libertarian Chip Tangen, and Green Party candidate Seth Kuhl-Stennes. 

Local-Regional News Oct 14

 

Two people were injured in a two vehicle accident in Nelson Township on Monday evening. According to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, a vehicle driven by a 73-year-old from Pepin was traveling northbound on Hwy 35 when it collided with a southbound vehicle driven by a 59-year-old from Durand. The Durand driver was attempting to make a left turn onto Hwy 25 Northbound when the accident happened. Both drivers suffered severe to life-threatening injuries and were med-flighted to area hospitals. The names of the drivers were not released and that accident remains under investigation.

A 41yr old Mondovi man, convicted of three counts of possession of child pornography in 2025 filed a grievance with the city of Mondovi after the city council would not give an exception to the city ordinance that prohibits sex offenders from having a residence inside the city. Kyle Gilles says he never gave up city residency when he went to prison on the charges and should be allowed to live in his owned home inside the city. During last nights council meeting, Gilles wanted to know if he was going to get a response to his grievance, as the city had 60 days to respond. The city administrator said that they would have a response by the 60 day deadline, which is this Friday.

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include approval of pay requests for McCabe Construction and Durand Builders for the Madison Street and Bandshell projects, an update on approval of detachment of land to the Town of Durand, and reports from the Mayor and department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm at Durand City Hall and will be live-streamed on the WRDN website.

A Menomonie woman accused of trying to kill her young son is pleading not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Emily Spalding is charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide and child abuse after a July incident in which prosecutors say she stabbed her seven-year-old son. Spalding told police at the scene that someone else had taken over her body and committed the act of violence.

Motorists who use Hwy 25 between Nelson and Wabasha will need to find alternate routes all next week. Hwy 25 will be closed at the railroad crossing in Nelson starting at 6am on Monday and will be closed to all traffic until next Friday at 4pm. During the closure, the BNSF will be making needed repairs to the crossing. Only emergency vehicles will have access through the crossing. Motorists will have to use alternate river crossings in Winona or Red Wing all next week.

River Falls is the latest community to end its use of Flock Cameras. The Police Department decided to end its use after an internal review showed a lack of public trust in the cameras. The River Falls Public Works Department is working to cover the 9 cameras in the city.

Officers with the Eau Claire Police Department are mourning the passing of their therapy K-9. The dog named Murphy -- who had been with the department for more than four years -- died recently of cancer. One of Murphy's last assignments was visiting with residents of an assisted living facility on Senior Citizen Appreciation Day.

Rock County health officials are reporting five probable cases of measles within a single family. Public health authorities said yesterday that no outside cases have been identified and the cluster is unrelated to an ongoing outbreak in southwestern Wisconsin. State health officials have tracked over 260 measles cases across Wisconsin so far this year. Health workers are urging residents to stay up to date on their M-M-R vaccines as the best defense against the highly contagious virus.

Oshkosh city leaders are set to discuss and vote on a moratorium on automatic license plate reader cameras. The ordinance would ban the use and purchase of the technology until the city establishes policies for them. The vote comes after the city ended its contract with Flock cameras citing privacy and misuse concerns.

One person is dead after a single-vehicle crash in the Town of Bergen. The Vernon County Sheriff's Office said 66-year-old Ricky Peyton was driving a box truck Monday evening when it went off the right side of the roadway. While he attempted to recover, the vehicle struck a driveway embankment, re-entered the roadway, overturned and came to rest on the opposite side of the roadway. He suffered serious injuries and died at the scene. The incident remains under investigation.

Strict new fish consumption guidelines for the Wisconsin River. Changes announced by the Department of Natural Resources are due to PFAS contamination and severely limit the number of fish that should be eaten from the entire river and its connected lakes and flowages. In most cases, people should limit themselves to just one fish a month from those waters. That includes most common fish caught to eat, including walleye, crappies, bluegills and perch. You can find a complete listing online at D N R dot W I dot gov and search for "fish advisory."

A fascinating Native American history find in Sauk County. The State Journal reports that a Wisconsin Historical Society archaeologist has discovered “tangible evidence” of a mid-17-hundreds town that existed where Sauk City and Prairie du Sac stand today. Sauk County's Historical Society Director Paul Wolter says Great Town of the Saukies was a village that lasted from the 1740s to the 1780s and had 90 houses, multiple families and 300 warriors. Wolter says pressure from neighboring tribes caused the Sauk to leave the area in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These recent findings could make the site eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The downside, a delay of a highway project along the Wisconsin River that was expected to begin next year.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is suing President Trump over the use of taxpayer dollars for political advertising. State Democrats filed the lawsuit claiming federal funds are being illegally spent to run thousands of partisan ads ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. The suit points to reports of a 20-million-dollar contract funded through the Department of Homeland Security. While the White House hasn't formally commented, Trump defended the strategy on social media, calling the commercials a positive promotion for the country.

Wisconsin reaches a major milestone efforts to expand tree cover across the state. According to the Department of Natural Resources the 50 millionth tree has now been planted under Wisconsin's Trillion Trees Pledge. The goal is to plant 100 million trees by 2030 and protect more than 125,000 acres of forestland. The state had already surpassed 54 million trees planted by the end of 2025, thanks to work by communities, schools, businesses and landowners. The DNR is also encouraging residents to help by ordering seedlings for future planting and supporting local forestry programs.

Local-Regional News October 13

 

A Whitehall woman has been sentenced to prison for child abuse and neglect. 36Yr old Maegan Valley was sentenced to15yrs in prison followed by 10yrs of extended supervision after being found guilty of child abuse and child neglect. Valley ran an unlicensed in-home daycare and a 16-month-old boy had to be taken to the hospital with second and third-degree burns. Valley will also be required to pay $57,158 in restitution.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on the general government residency qualification ordinance along with reports from the mayor and department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

A Hagar City Man is sentenced to prison for child sexual assault. In September, 59Yr old William Mcroberts pleaded guilty to first-degree child sexual assault and other charges and was sentenced to 25yrs in prison, followed by 10yr of extended supervision.

Wabasha has a new Automated External Defibrillator device now installed at the Wabasha Athletic Complex. The device delivers an electric shock to help restore a heartbeat when someone is in cardiac arrest.  The AED device came at no cost to the city.  

Investigators are working to confirm the cause of a deadly explosion in Jackson County. The blast happened Sunday at a home on Arrow Road in the Town of Knapp. One person was found dead at the scene.

Winona County is notifying residents who had their personal information stolen in a ransomware attack earlier this year. The County says names, addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, and other personal information were stolen. The County is offering free credit monitoring systems to those whose SSN or driver’s license was stolen, and is encouraging people to monitor bank statements and credit reports.

Opening statements have begun in the La Crosse County trial of a defendant charged in a man's beating death. Thirty-seven-year-old Josh Pigney was found dead inside his Holmen home in June of last year. Thirty-nine-year-old Jacob Klaver is charged with first-degree intentional homicide.

Mayo Clinic researchers are testing an AI tool to predict pancreatic cancer risk. The model analyzes medical histories using data from nearly 40-thousand patients with and without the disease. Researchers hope it could help identify people at risk before cancer reaches advanced stages. They plan to monitor its predictions over the next year without using them to make treatment decisions. The findings await publication, and the tool requires further study before potential clinical use.

A dispute is brewing between state and tribal wildlife agencies after several wolves are euthanized. The U S D A and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources trapped and killed a pack of 9 wolves this summer. D N R officials say the wolves were a threat to human safety and were encroaching on people in Price County, but tribal agencies including the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission say they were never consulted about the process. Tribal leaders in northern Wisconsin say the wolves were in the ceded territories and they should have had a say in the action. DNR Secretary Karen Hyun has apologized for the lack of communication.

A 16-year-old is facing charges after deputies say a handgun was brought into a corn maze in Kenosha. Witnesses alerted staff at Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm on Friday after seeing the teen with a gun. Security approached him, but authorities say he ran before being detained on the property. Investigators say the teen later admitted the handgun was his and told deputies he threw it into the corn maze while running. He was released to a parent with housing restrictions and is facing multiple charges.

A 70-year-old man is dead following a crash near Lyndon Station. Authorities responded to the accident Sunday evening and found that an SUV had hit a bridge deck overpass. The man was the only person inside the vehicle and died at the scene. The accident is under investigation.

Inver Grove Heights residents are being urged to file complaints against Xcel Energy. The request comes after several neighborhoods in the city have faced ongoing power outages over the last year. Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins says the utility has identified a problem electrical feeder. He is telling customers to file complaints with Xcel and the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, which regulates Xcel.

Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is holding a slight advantage in the U.S. Senate race with weeks before the election. A recent Star Tribune/KARE11 Minnesota Poll shows the Democrat ahead of Republican nominee Michele Tafoya 47 to 43 percent. Most of Flanagan's support is coming from Hennepin and Ramsey counties, which is a voting base that is not pleased with President Trump. The poll showed that nine percent of the voters are undecided.

Try a candlelit hike at a Wisconsin state park this fall. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is inviting residents to enjoy candlelight hikes, fall festivals and other seasonal events at state parks, forests and recreation areas through October and November. Trails will be lit by candles and torches, with many events also featuring campfires, pumpkin carving, s’mores and family activities. Most locations require a state park vehicle admission pass, and a full schedule is available on the DNR events calendar.

Local-Regional News Oct 12

 

Police in Durand and Pepin continue to investigate a swatting incident Friday. Both districts received a threatening call and notified authorities and evacuated staff from the buildings. Both Durand and Pepin Police with assistance from Pepin County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Wisconsin State Patrol, searched the school buildings and found nothing. Authorities say that other school districts in Wisconsin also received threats on Friday.

Motorists in Wabasha will notice a new pedestrian crossing signal along Hiawatha Road. The new Rabid Flashing Beacon Signal was installed in a highly traveled portion of Hiawatha Road near a speed transition up to 55 mph. The project was funded in part by a donation from the Wabasha Rotary Club.

Record temperatures yesterday across the upper Midwest. Minneapolis reported a record 90 degrees yesterday, and another day of warm weather is expected with highs in the upper 80’s in western Wisconsin. A strong cold front is expected to move into the area late this afternoon, bringing the chance of showers and thunderstorms. Much cooler and seasonal temperatures are expected for the rest of the week.

A suspect has been arrested in connection with a recent stabbing incident in La Crosse. The incident happened in the city's downtown area late on the night of September 26th. Police on Friday announced the arrest of 30-year-old Paul Thomas Jr on a charge of first degree attempted homicide.

A suspect accused of attacking a woman last week in Tomah has now been charged. Police say the victim was beaten with a hammer at a residence on Green Acres Avenue. Illinois resident Derek Johnson is being held in the Monroe County Jail on charges including attempted homicide.

Madison and Dane County lead Wisconsin’s population growth. Numbers released by the state Department of Administration show Wisconsin’s population increased nearly 2.9% as of January 1 compared to the 2020 Census. Dane County saw the largest increase, up 59,861 residents compared to six years earlier, to 621,365 residents for an increase of 10.7%. Madison now has 300,153 residents, an increase of 9.3% compared to 2020. Calumet County grew by 4,801 residents, up 9.15%, St. Croix County added 7,446 residents, up nearly 8%, and Eau Claire County added 7,365 residents up nearly 7%.

A new report from the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort finds gun violence remains a significant public health issue across the state. The group's latest data shows 735 firearm deaths in Wisconsin in 2024, including 507 suicides. Executive Director Nick Matuszewski says firearm suicides continue to account for the majority of gun deaths and are especially prevalent in rural communities. The report also notes that young Black men are disproportionately affected by gun homicides, while middle-aged and older white men face the highest rates of firearm suicide. The organization is calling on lawmakers to make gun violence prevention a priority during the next legislative session.

Similar messages on Flock Safety cameras from candidates for state attorney general. On WISN's UPFRONT, incumbent Democrat Josh Kaul says he's worried about Wisconsin becoming a surveillance state, and wants to limit how the information from automated cameras can be used by investigators. Republican Fond du Lac district attorney Eric Toney says there need to be guardrails on law enforcement officers who use the cameras for investigations with penalties for those who misuse the tech. Both candidates agree the legislature needs to step in and make a decision on automated surveillance systems rather than forcing local communities to navigate laws and rules on their use.

Governor Tony Evers is leading a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over unemployment insurance systems. In a statement released Friday, the Evers Administration said the Trump administration, without notice, made the decision to terminate millions of dollars in funding to prevent fraud and implement improvements in Wisconsin and other states' unemployment insurance systems. The governor's office said Evers sent multiple letters urging for the funds to be released, including a letter sent directly to Trump, and that they have gone "largely unanswered." The Trump Administration said the U.S. Department of Labor terminated the investments because it "does not effectuate agency priorities."

A man is in custody after a police chase across several northern Wisconsin counties that left a deputy seriously injured. Authorities say 44-year-old Joshua Micke stole multiple vehicles and about one-thousand-dollars in cash before fleeing police. The chase ended in Merrill after Micke struck another vehicle and police used spike strips and a PIT maneuver. A deputy suffered a hand injury requiring surgery, while the other driver had minor injuries. Micke was arrested and booked on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges.

A multi-million dollar malfunction at UW-Madison. UW officials on Thursday announced it cost over 15 million dollars to maintain campus-wide central air conditioning after one of a series of chilled water lines ruptured in June. Actual repairs cost around 1 point 8 million dollars, while it cost over 10 million dollars to provide campus-wide cooling while the system was malfunctioning. Another 4 million dollars covered other issues found while repairs were being made.

A nurses union at a Madison hospital files a lawsuit against SSM Health. S E I U Wisconsin alleges management at St Mary's Hospital have engaged in anti-union tactics. The Madison nurses voted overwhelmingly this summer to unionize, but St. Louis based SSM Health has not yet negotiated a contract. S E I U alleges SSM Health has forced nurses to attend anti-union meetings, fired nurses who organized for the union and threatened those who voted yes with changes to employment. Attorneys for SSM Health say the company has not violated any laws, and that the allegations are disruptive to patient care.

Early voting turnout in Minnesota is up 28-percent compared to the same period during the 2022 election. The Secretary of State's Office reports more than 127-thousand ballots have been accepted during the first three weeks of early voting, compared to just over 99-thousand in 2022. Nearly 48-thousand voters cast their ballots early in person, while nearly 80-thousand voted by mail. Minnesota has distributed more than 468-thousand absentee and mail ballots. The deadline to register in advance is October 13th, though eligible voters can register at the polls on Election Day.

All eyes on polar bear Nora at Madison’s Henry Vilas Zoo. The gossip....Nora may be pregnant. Zoo keepers however won't know for sure until she actually gives birth, either in December or January. They do know that Nora gained 237 pounds between March and September, which is about one third of her body weight and is normal for a female polar bear preparing for a possible pregnancy and denning. Nora is also spending more time in her behind-the-scenes den. The zoo has upgraded her denning area and camera systems so keepers can monitor her without disturbing her.

Local-Regional News October 9

 

Summer-like weather is expected this weekend. The National Weather Service says temperatures will rise into the mid 80’s on Saturday on strong southerly winds. The warm temperatures and strong winds could lead to some fire danger here in Western Wisconsin. Cooler temperatures are expected next week.

A public visitation service for Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Brad Ritger will be held today in Chippewa Falls. Trooper Ritger was injured in the line of duty on September 21st near the Dunn County / Eau Claire County line. He died last weekend. A public visitation service happens today from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Chippewa Valley Bible Church.

A UW-River Falls student is appointed to fill a vacancy on the UW Board of Regents. Governor Tony Evers’ Office on Thursday announced the appointment of Delani Dow to serve a two-year term in the Regents’ non-traditional student position. Dow is an elementary education major at UW-River Falls with an interest in special education. She has attended UW-River Falls since 2025 fills the seat UW-Oshkosh student Desmond Adongo held before his term ended on May 1. Wisconsin’s governor appoints 16 of the members to the 18-member Board of Regents, including two UW system students who serve two-year terms.

Kwik Trip takes a tumble. Wisconsin’s convenience store chain fell to fifth place in this year's rankings from the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Kwik Trip earned 79 of 100 possible points, tied with Murphy USA. The La Crosse-based chain dropped six points from it’s first place 2025 ranking, finishing behind Michigan based Meijer, Oklahoma based QuikTrip – that’s q-u-i-k, and Sheetz and WaWa, both based in Pennsylvania. It did edge out Buc-ee’s by two points. The rankings are based on survey responses from 9,475 participants who rated experiences and described overall satisfaction with features like reward programs, product variety and store hours.

A Hudson man is being identified as the person who died after being hit by a vehicle Sunday in St. Croix County. Sixty-seven-year-old pedestrian Brian Martell was found injured in the roadway on County Road North and died at the scene. Authorities say the driver that struck Martell failed to stop at the scene, but was later located. Twenty-year-old Angelica Altena is charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and hit and run involving death.

An inmate at the Olmstead County Jail has died after a medical event. The incident happened on October 2 and the 34yr old man was transported to Mayo Clinic where he later died. An investigation into the mans death is underway.

A new online resource is making it easier for Wisconsin teens and families to find trusted mental health information. The Teen Mental Health Hub, developed by the Wisconsin Out of School Time Alliance, Marshfield Clinic, and the Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health, brings together vetted resources on topics ranging from school stress to healthy social media use. Organizers say the site is designed as a one-stop location for reliable information and tools, including guidance for families on creating healthy media habits and helping teens manage academic pressures.

We Energies electric customers in Wisconsin are getting some welcome relief on their bills this fall. The utility announced yesterday it will issue over 32-million dollars in automatic bill credits after lower-than-expected fuel costs in 2025. A typical household will see a savings of about 13 to 14 dollars based on their October electricity usage. The credits will automatically show up on upcoming October or November billing statements without customers needing to take any action.

There are upcoming registration deadlines for Wisconsin voters to know. Races for governor and congressional and legislative seats are on the ballot. Voters who plan to register to vote by mail must have a voter registration form postmarked to your municipal clerk no later than October 14. Voters who can match their name, date of birth, Wisconsin driver's license or state ID number, and address with the DMV can register to vote online through October 14. The deadline to register to register to vote in your municipal clerk's office is October 30, at 5 p.m. Voters can register in-person during office business hours of until the deadline. You can find more information including the location of your clerk's office at myvote.wi.gov

A state lawsuit challenging the use of license-plate reading Flock cameras in Waukesha County is moving to federal court. Attorneys representing 12 local municipalities requested the transfer while asking a judge to dismiss the case entirely. The conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty filed the lawsuit, arguing the tracking cameras violate constitutional privacy rights. However, defense lawyers maintain that higher courts have repeatedly rejected similar legal challenges against the technology. Federal judges in Wisconsin's Eastern District will now oversee the proceedings.

Wisconsin is seeing a small decline in domestic violence homicides, but advocates warn the numbers remain dangerously high. A new report from End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin shows deaths dropped from a record 99 in 2024 to 82 last year. Milwaukee County accounted for roughly half of those deaths, highlighting an ongoing crisis in the area. Experts point out that most of the homicides were committed by men, with firearms used in nearly three-quarters of all cases. Advocates say, despite the minor dip, state totals are still far higher than they were a decade ago.

A case of avian influenza in southeast Wisconsin. State agriculture officials say a backyard flock in Racine County tested positive for bird flu. The flock has been depopulated, and won't enter the food system. DATCP reminds all poultry farmers and backyard flock owners to practice good biosecurity and make sure to clean all equipment and clothing thoroughly when working with birds and to lessen the contact your flock has with wild birds.

A seven-month-old girl is dead after being kicked in the head by a pony in southeastern Minnesota. The Fillmore County Sheriff's Office says the incident happened Tuesday at a home north of Harmony. Investigators say the infant was riding in a wagon with an adult family member when the pony pulling it became spooked and kicked her. The girl was airlifted to St. Mary's Hospital, where she later died from her injuries. The sheriff's office and Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner's Office are investigating the incident.

The field is down to eight in the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and BMO announced the Top 8 products advancing in the annual competition after winning head-to-head matchups in the Manufacturing Madness tournament. More than 100 Wisconsin-made products were nominated this year. Organizers say the contest highlights the state's manufacturing industry, which supports nearly 500,000 jobs and generates more than $73 billion in economic impact. Voting will continue as the field is narrowed toward the championship round. 

Local-Regional News Oct 8

 

Memorial services for a fallen Wisconsin State Patrol officer are being announced. Trooper Brad Ritger was injured in the line of duty on September 21st near the Dunn County / Eau Claire County line. He died this past Saturday. A public visitation service for Trooper Ritger will be held this Friday at Chippewa Valley Bible Church in Chippewa Falls. A private funeral service will be held on Saturday.

Wisconsin is reporting more than 250 cases of measles across the state. According to local health officials, the majority of the 258 total cases are concentrated in southwestern counties, including Grant and Lafayette. Meanwhile, northern Wisconsin has confirmed a handful of cases in Marathon and Chippewa counties. State health officials say those northern cases stem from out-of-state travel and are not linked to the outbreak in the southwest.

The man accused of carrying a gun outside of Putnam Heights Elementary School in Eau Claire in April of 2025 has been found competent to stand trial. Andrey Sichuga will now face the gun charges along with resisting an officer and disorderly conduct after completing treatment. A plea hearing is set for next week in Eau Claire County Court.

Bond is being set at a million dollars for a suspect charged in a fatal shooting in La Crosse. Fifteen-year-old Rashied Schuelke was shot last Thursday afternoon near 7th and Hood streets. The victim later died at a local hospital. Sixteen year-old Antonio Johnson was later arrested and charged with first-degree intentional homicide. Bond was set for Johnson Wednesday in La Crosse County.

Agriculture leaders and local officials are celebrating the groundbreaking of a new soybean processing facility in Evansville. Agribusiness giant CHS is building the plant to boost domestic processing capacity for soybean oil and meal used in food, animal feed and renewable fuels. Industry leaders say the project marks a significant financial investment in Wisconsin's agricultural economy. Construction is now underway and company officials expect the new facility to be fully operational in about two years.

The Friends of the Durand Public Library’s project digitizing past newspapers is continuing. Newspapers in the collection include The Courier-Wedge, old editions of The Home Mirror, Durand Times, Pepin County Courier, The Entering Wedge and Durand Weekly Times. Donations are still being accepted and more copies will be added as the process continues. Visit community history archives dot com slash places slash durand community library to begin searching.

The Durand Youth Fishing Contest has announced the 2027 dates. The contest will be July 28 through July 31^st with the contest picnic on August 1 at Memorial Park in Durand. The contest will be the same week as the Buffalo-Pepin County Fair.

As some Wisconsin communities drop contracts with license plate reader company Flock Safety, experts are raising concerns about the future of surveillance technology. Texas Christian University criminal justice professor Johnny Nhan says license plate readers could eventually be linked with artificial intelligence, facial recognition, and automated drone technology, creating powerful tracking networks. Meanwhile, researcher Steven Keener of Christopher Newport University says studies show the cameras are more heavily concentrated in higher-poverty and predominantly Black neighborhoods. Both experts say local policymakers will play a key role in setting limits and oversight as the technology continues to evolve.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is warning residents about a new scam targeting drivers. Officials say scammers are making calls and leaving voicemails claiming people have unpaid traffic citations that require immediate attention. The messages include a fake link directing victims to make a payment for the supposed violation. Transportation officials stress that the notices are fraudulent and should not be trusted. Anyone who receives one of these messages is urged not to click the link or provide personal information.

If you applied for an extension on your taxes, now's the time to get them done. Anyone who got a free extension on filing their income taxes will have to complete those filings by next Thursday, October 15. The IRS allows anyone to file and receive a one-time six month extension to file taxes, but you still need to pay what you think you owe. Online filing remains the best way to complete your return. Find out more at I R S dot Gov.

A former University of Wisconsin-Madison lab worker is getting a six-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to attempting to poison a colleague. Makoto Kuroda entered the plea to a felony count of placing foreign objects in edibles following his arrest last April. Prosecutors initially filed higher-level reckless endangerment charges after investigators found the 42-year-old laced his coworker's water bottle and shoes with dangerous chemicals due to workplace grievances. Because the judge credited him for time already served behind bars, Kuroda will not face additional jail time.

A town chair is ousted following a data center dispute in Rock County. There was a recall election Tuesday in the Rock County Town of Turtle. Incumbent Town Chairman Roger Anclam was defeated by Donna Redner, according to unofficial results. Redner received around 63-percent of the vote. The recall election followed a dispute over the town board's dealings with a data center developer. Redner accused Anclam of signing a nondisclosure agreement with the developer without board approval. Anclam denied wrongdoing and said the town attorney determined he did not violate state law. Anclam had been town chair since 2009.

The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce is supporting Google's proposed data center in Pine Island. The chamber says the project would bring jobs, investment and property tax growth to the region. Plans call for more than 700 construction jobs and roughly 100 permanent positions. Project agreements include 100-million dollars in developer-funded utility and road improvements and 24-million dollars for Pine Island schools. An agreement between Google and Xcel Energy would add wind, solar and battery storage to the grid.

October is FAFSA Filing Month. Students and families are encouraged to complete their federal financial aid applications as soon as possible. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal, state and school-based financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study programs and student loans. Completing the application early can help students maximize available aid for the 2027-28 academic year. College Goal Wisconsin offers several free in-person and virtual FAFSA® completion events throughout the month of October. 

Local-Regional News Oct 7

 

USDA is investing nearly $750,000 to expand distance learning across Northwest Wisconsin. The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant was awarded to CESA 10 in Chippewa Falls. The investment directly supports educational access for 14,445 rural students and 1,914 educators across 12 counties, including Buffalo, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, and Trempealeau. Through CESA 10’s distance learning consortium, the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant will upgrade aging distance-learning infrastructure to bridge educational gaps. Modernizing these systems enables participating districts to address local teacher shortages and offer expanded curriculum, including advanced placement, post-secondary, career and technical education, and college-preparatory coursework.

The Pepin County Government Center and Highway Shop will be closed to the public on Monday for employee training. Police will also be on site for training activities. Both the Government Center and Highway Shop will reopen on Tuesday.

The Buffalo-Pepin Literacy Alliance is looking for volunteer members. Volunteers meet once a month, help shape the future of the Alliance Programs, and help promote the program to the community. Call 715-533-3843 for more information.

The Durand Public Library will host a foot care workshop tomorrow at 10am. The workshop will feature a registered nurse specializing in medical and diabetic foot and nail care to support healthy feet and mobility. The event is free and open to the public.

Prison time a Chippewa Falls man who prosecutors say exposed himself to a child. Investigators say that Zachary Flum exposed himself multiple times to a nine-year-old female victim inside an Eau Claire home, asking her if he could touch her and asking her to touch him. Flum pleaded guilty to charges of child enticement and has been sentenced to five years in prison.

A suspect is in custody following a Tuesday afternoon attack on a woman in Tomah. Police say the victim was beaten with a hammer at a residence on Green Acres Avenue. There has been no word on the condition of the victim. The incident remains under investigation.

Students in the La Crosse Public Schools district can expect classes to begin sooner in the 2027-2028 academic year. The school board voted to move the start date from September 1st to August 19th. Among the benefits, as the board sees it, is that the school calendar would be able to include a longer spring break and a late May end to the school year. State officials must still approve the change.

Wisconsin health officials are encouraging residents to get vaccinated as respiratory virus season begins. The Department of Health Services says it's already seeing early signs of increased flu activity across the state. Dr. Ryan Westergaard says flu vaccination rates have fallen sharply in recent years, with just under 34 percent of Wisconsin residents getting a flu shot last year, compared to about 50 percent before the pandemic. Health officials are also reminding families that vaccines and other preventive treatments are available to help protect infants and older adults from RSV, which can cause serious illness.

A University of Wisconsin-Madison professor was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics. Francis Halzen was honored for his understanding of the astrophysical particles known as neutrinos, which are produced by the universe's most energetic events. He was named the recipient of the award at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, Sweden. Halzen is the sixth physicist tied to UW-Madison to receive the Nobel Prize. The award also marks the 23rd Nobel Prize overall connected to UW-Madison.

Another mishap at a pipeline reroute project in northern Wisconsin. Canadian energy company Enbridge announced that workers on the Line 5 project breached an aquifer near the Marengo River in Bayfield County. The breach, first reported by Northern News Now, occurred last week during installation of a new stretch of the pipeline. An attorney representing the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa said the breach represents another danger to the tribe's watershed. The breach in Bayfield County follows several mishaps on Enbridge’s project to build 41 miles of new pipeline around the Bad River Reservation, including an August 25 leak that released over 1.3 million gallons of natural gas liquids into the air.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will decide if municipalities can regulate short term rentals. A rental property group sued the Village of Summit in 2019 over the village's attempt to regulate how often short term rentals could be rented and for how long. The rental company cited a state regulation which prohibits local zoning ordinances from restricting short term rentals. The village says its ordinance is not zoning, but a police power. Both Waukesha County courts and the Appeals court sided with the property owners. Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for Thursday.

Wisconsin’s dairy industry continues to do well in export markets, according to Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski. He says dairy exports are up about 56% during a period of uncertainty in the markets. Romanski says Wisconsin just moved into the top ten states in the exports of ag, food and forestry products. He credits the Wisconsin Initiative on Ag Exports, initiated by Governor Tony Evers in his first term, with helping Wisconsin producers find export markets.

Immigration was at topic at this years World Dairy Expo. House Agriculture Committee Chair, Glen GT Thompson, discussed farm labor with the American Dairy Coalition. Thompson says he talked with only one dairy farm family that had labor figured out. Recently, ICE conducted immigration raids on Kansas Livestock Processors, arresting some approved by the E-Verification Program. Thompson says he doesn’t agree with all of the actions ICE is being directed to do. Some of those arrested used fake documents to be approved by the E-Verify system.

A Lake Minnetonka property has set a state record after selling for 18-and-a-quarter-million-dollars. The gated Deephaven property includes a roughly ten-thousand-square-foot home on nearly two-and-a-half acres with 350 feet of shoreline. The home was originally listed for 22-million-dollars last fall. This comes as luxury properties around Lake Minnetonka command higher prices. Deephaven and Excelsior have recorded three sales above five-million-dollars, and 16 sales between two-million-and-five-million-dollars this year. Another Lake Minnetonka compound is currently listed at 50-million-dollars.