Local-Regional News Feb 10

 

Authorities are sharing the name of the person who died following in a weekend crash in Jackson County. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, a tractor-trailer went off of I-94 near Black River Falls Saturday afternoon and struck a number of trees. The truck's driver -- 58-year-old Mondovi resident Russell Back -- died at the scene.

After hitting a lift tower at Welch Village, a skier has died. Twenty-five-year-old Walker Nelson of Minneapolis, "died as he lived, doing what he loved," his obituary read. The Red Wing Fire Department said Nelson struck a lift tower at around 8:30 p.m. on February 1st. Nelson attended Minneapolis South High School and graduated from the University of Oregon before becoming the marketing director for the Skyway Theater in downtown Minneapolis.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include and update on the July 4^th celebration, and reports from the mayor and city department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

Investigators have uncovered the source of carbon monoxide that caused two people to fall ill recently in the Town of Pleasant Valley. Crews initially responded to a home on Balsam Road January 30th with a reported of someone having trouble breathing. Two people were taken to the hospital for treatment with both found to have a high level of carbon monoxide in their blood. Investigators say the carbon monoxide poisoning was caused by an ice blockage in a pipe.

A former Rusk County teacher accused of sending a topless photo of herself to a teenager is pleading not guilty to charges. Investigators say that Kayla Vavra -- who was working as a second-grade teacher in the Ladysmith School District -- added herself to a teenager's Snapchat account. On the app, Vavra reportedly described her own sexual experiences to the teen and sent the topless image. Vavra was arrested Thursday on charges including Exposing a Child to Harmful Material and Intimidation of a victim.

Probation for a former La Crosse postal worker who prosecutors say stole money and gift cards out of the mail. According to investigators, Straub was employed as a mail carrier and in February of last year, stole gift cards and 350-dollars in cash from that was meant for delivery. She has been sentenced to a year of probation and ordered to make restitution plus pay a five-hundred-dollar fine.

In an annual report published on Monday, the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office released data of seized drugs from 2023 through 2025. The agency said it seized 150,347 dosage units of methamphetamine last year a 70% decrease from 2024. The downward trend is also true for fentanyl. In 2025, Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office confiscated 216,536 dosage units—an approximately 30% decrease from the previous year. The department seized 20,488 cocaine dosage units last year, which is a 33% increase from 2024.

A lucky lottery player who recently purchased a Powerball ticket in Chippewa County has hit for 50-thousand dollars. The ticket sold 401 South Broadway Street Express Mart in Stanley matched four of the five white balls announced in this past Saturday's drawing. The winner has 180 days to come forward and claim their prize.

The City of Menomonie is asking residents to vote to name a city snowplow. The city received 212 submissions for names and have narrowed the list down to three. The top three are Plow Bunyan, Blizzard Wizzard and Clearopathra. Residents can cast their votes by Friday, and visit the city of Menonomie Website for more information. The winning vote will be added to the snowplow.

Plenty of people are buying those new throwback Wisconsin license plates. The Wisconsin D M V reports over 94-hundred people have bought the new blackout license plate, and another 12-hundred have purchased the yellow plate. Both of those plates were released in January as part of an effort to raise money for road repairs. That's a total of around 428-thousand dollars in revenue. State officials are hoping to raise a total of 25 million dollars with sales of the plates.

Wisconsin tribal leaders will gather at the state Capitol in Madison today for the 22nd annual State of the Tribes address. The address will be delivered at 11 a.m. in the Assembly Chamber by Nicole Boyd, chairwoman of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, on behalf of the Great Lakes Intertribal Council which represents Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes. The annual address is intended to inform lawmakers on tribal priorities, and the role tribal governments play in the state. The Chairwoman told Tribal Business News that her remarks will reflect both progress and ongoing challenges facing the state’s tribal nations as they head into the 2026 legislative session.

Another case of measles in Wisconsin. The Department of Health Services confirmed the case in a person who traveled on a January 29th Southwest flight from Phoenix to Milwaukee, then made their way to Walworth County. The case is linked to another confirmed case in a different state. DHS says they also detected measles in untreated wastewater collected in Walworth County. The latest measles case is not connected to the confirmed cases in Dane and Waukesha counties. Health officials are working to identify and notify those possibly exposed to the virus and will contact individuals who may have encountered the individual.

You may love AI, but legislation in Wisconsin is looking to keep people from marrying it. Before you say that's ridiculous, consider this...Nearly one-third of U.S. adults report having had an “intimate or romantic” relationship with an AI system. A public hearing was held Wednesday at the Capitol on legislation to ban marriages between humans and artificial intelligence. AI would also be prohibited from marrying other AI systems. Backers of the bill say it spells out that AI is not human and the bill would also ban artificial intelligence from owning property or running a corporation.

A Stevens Point man is found guilty in a road rage crash that killed a Northwoods League umpire. A Waushara County jury on Friday convicted 70-year-old Michael W. Bartz of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle and reckless driving causing great bodily harm following a three-day trial. According to online court records, Bartz is due to be sentenced on April 13. 29-year-old Conor McKenzie was thrown from an SUV on Interstate 39 in July of 2023. The SUV driver, 34-year-old Andrew L. Thomas, is scheduled to go to trial on the same charges two days after Bartz is sentenced. Thomas, McKenzie and a surviving passenger in the SUV were on their way to Madison after umpiring a Northwoods League game in Wausau. That passenger told police that Bartz and McKenzie passed each other multiple times at speeds approaching 90 miles an hour before Bartz slammed on the brakes causing Thomas to lose control and crash.

A woman is going to prison for a year after she defrauded the SNAP program out of more than 325-thousand dollars. LaTasha Thomas was also sentenced to a year of supervised released and has been ordered to pay restitution to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Federal prosecutors say the defendant, along with her daughter and another relative created temporary driver's licenses using phony names and then submitted them to Hennepin County to apply for Electronic Benefit Transfer or EBT cards. The cards were sent to the Roseville home of a codefendant, who lived under a fake name. They mentioned in their applications that they were experiencing high risk pregnancy and created fake doctor's notes.

A department of natural resources program lets frequent library goers check out state parks for free. The “Check Out Wisconsin State Parks at Your Library” program lets library cardholders check out free day passes to state parks, forests and recreation areas. More than 160 library systems with over 200 locations participate in the program, which launched in 2022. The initiative has expanded to include specialized libraries, with UW–Madison and UW–Superior among the first to join. Along with the free day pass, visitors may receive maps, stickers, accessibility information and more to help plan their trip. Details are available on the DNR’s website.

Local-Regional News Feb 9

 

Longtime local attorney and business owner Roger Hillestad has passed away. In a social media post on Sunday, the Durand Brewing Company, which Hillestad founded announced the passing. Funeral arragements are still pending.

Alcivia Co-Op has sold off more of its Agronomy Division United Cooperative in Beaver Dam announced on Friday that it has purchased the south region agronomy business from Alcivia. Recently Alcivia sold its northern agronomy division, including the Durand location to Ag Partners of Goodhue, MN.

Some changes in Downtown Durand over the weekend. On Sunday, crews began the demolition of the former Our Own Hardware Building at 2^nd Ave West and Madison Streets. The building was recently sold and plans for the property are unknown at this time. Madison street at 2^nd Ave West may be closed at times today as crews continue to remove the debris.

The Buffalo County Health and Human Services department is reminding county residents in need of rental and housing assistance is available. The Foundation for Rural Housing is offering programs to help those with unexpected expenses or a short term reduction in income pay past due rent, and help those stay in their homes to prevent homelessness. For more information on the program, contact the Buffalo County Health and Human Services Department.

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development reports Cave Enterprises LLC operating more than 100 Burger King restaurants in the state has more than sixteen-hundred violations of child labor and wage payment laws. The department is ordering the company make things right with regards to unpaid regular wages, overtime wages, and penalty wages to affected workers and come into compliance with the violated laws. Of the Burger King restaurants operated by Cave, five are in Eau Claire, two in Chippewa Falls, one in Menomonie, one in Onalaska, one in Holmen and two are in La Crosse.

Prison for an Eau Claire man convicted on sex crimes charges involving a child victim. Chippewa County prosecutors say that Spartacus Bruschuk began sexually assaulting the victim when she was between five- and seven-years-of-age and that the assaults continued until she was thirteen. Bruschuk pleaded guilty to charges including third-degree sexual assault and has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Winona County Emergency Management Director and Goodview Mayor Ben Klinger has announced his candidacy for Winona County Sheriff. He has also reportedly served as a part-time patrol officer since 2003, serving with the Lewiston and Goodview Police Departments.  Klinger said he will bring his 25 years of experience in law enforcement, emergency management and local government leadership to the race.

Three people are dead after a Saturday morning fire in Burnett County. Crews responding to a house fire in the Township of Anderson just before 5 a.m. found an intense fire at the scene. The cause of the fire has not been determined and the names of the victims have not been released.

The St. Paul City Council is passing a resolution to study a potential passenger rail route to Kansas City. After the success of the Borealis route to Chicago, state planners would like to keep up the momentum. The Federal Railroad Administration will open a new round of grant applications, and the city council is calling on the state Transportation Department to apply. It would also connect existing Minnesota Amtrak routes to Denver, San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles. The city council resolution also said freight railroads would benefit from the increased capital investment that would accompany the expansion.

Three-year bachelor’s degrees may be coming to the UW System. The Universities of Wisconsin System Board of Regents on Friday reviewed revisions to a policy which would allow campuses to develop reduced credit degrees, which commonly require 90 credits rather than a minimum 120. The State Journal reports that Regent Joan Prince said the Regents will vote on the shortened degree policy at a future board meeting. Three-year bachelor's degree programs are on the rise nationwide. Mount Mary University in Milwaukee launched reduced credit programs in January and is so far the only four-year university in Wisconsin to do so.

Governor Evers said Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development found over 16-thousand Violations of the states child labor and wage payment laws. The Violations are linked to Cave Enterprise Operations LLC, which operates 105 Burger King franchises in Wisconsin. The violations happened over a two year span ending in January 2025. The Evers administration says this is the largest determination of child labor and wage payment violations in modern Wisconsin history. The Department of Workforce Development says Cave Enterprises must pay missed wages, including overtime and regular wages, to impacted workers, which includes over 600 kids.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation said highways statewide are frozen. Meaning Wisconsin's "Frozen Road Law" is in effect for the entire state. The DOT activated the Frozen Road Law for Northeast Wisconsin in December. The seasonal weight restrictions allow vehicles hauling salt or abrasives for highway winter maintenance and certain forest products to carry more weight. The Wisconsin DOT website has an interactive map on season weight restrictions and information about overweight vehicle permits.

Now is the time to start preparing for spring and summer storms with flood insurance. Wisconsin just experienced its wettest decade on record, and with flooding the state’s most common natural hazard, officials are urging residents to review their flood risk. Standard homeowner and renter policies don’t cover flood damage — you need a separate flood insurance policy, and most federal plans include a 30‑day waiting period. Flood insurance is available both inside and outside FEMA flood zones. Residents can check their address on FEMA’s Map Service Center and talk with local insurance agents about coverage options.

A family that runs a popular hotel chain is donating 100 million dollars to support the Mayo Clinic expansion in Rochester. The gift comes from the Marriot charitable foundation. The funds will also be used to invest in clinical space and technologies. Mayo in 2023 unveiled its five-billion-dollar project to improve convenience and care for patients traveling worldwide to the Rochester campus. A two-story welcome center is being named the Marriot Family Atrium in recognition of the gift. The full project is exapted to be completed in 2030.

Governor Tony Evers says he'll focus on using the state surplus to lower property taxes on before leaving office. He says no framework for property tax relief is in place but he hopes the legislature can prioritize that before they adjourn. Evers commented during an affordability roundtable in Wausau last week.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is reminding drivers to turn on their headlights. Superintendent Tim Carnahan says reduced visibility gives drivers less time to react, and headlights help everyone stay safe. State law requires headlights during hours of darkness, when you can’t see 500 feet ahead, and in fog, rain, or snow. Drivers should also make sure lights are clean, aimed correctly, and working—and dim high beams within 500 feet of other vehicles. The State Patrol urges extra caution for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, who rely on lights and reflective gear to stay visible.

Local-Regional News Feb 6

 

Dunn County has filled a key administration position by hiring Brittany Andrews as its new Chief Financial Officer. Andrews graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. A Menomonie native, Andrews brings a strong background in financial and administrative support, including extensive experience with accounts payable and receivable, vendor invoicing, benefits coordination, and payroll management. She began in her duties on January 20^th.

The Durand Improvement Group has announced a fireworks show to celebrate america’s 250^th birthday. The show will be held on July 3^rd. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

In Chippewa County, a Cadott Community School District employee is facing legal troubles stemming from her time working for the Lincoln School District. Danielle Mittermeyer has been indicted on charges related to her handling of Lincoln's financial affairs between March of 2021 and August of 2025. Mittermeyer -- who was hired to work in the Cadott district in August of 2025 -- has now been placed on administrative leave. In a statement, the Cadott district says they have no concerns about Mittermeyer's work in her current role.

The verdict is in for a La Crosse man charged in the shooting of his ex-girlfriend. Prosecutors say that -- in May of 2025 -- Diontae Booth shot the woman at her aunt's residence on Fifth Avenue South. Booth was convicted Thursday on charges including Second Degree Reckless Injury with a Dangerous Weapon. He will be sentenced at a later date.

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire accounting students will be providing free tax services for eligible folks this year. The work will be done in connection with the IRS' Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. More details including information on how to set up an appointment can be found at uwecvita.org.

Country music star Keith Urban is being announced as a headliner for this year's Ashley for the Arts festival in Arcadia. The three-day event is planned for August 6th, 7th and 8th. Urban will be the final main-stage performer on the night of the 8th. ashleyforthearts.com has more information.

The Amtrak Borealis route is announcing a record amount of riders and ticket sales in 2025. The route, which serves Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, saw a 104-percent increase in ridership. Last year, it saw nearly 213-thousand passengers according to Amtrak. Riders can take in scenic views of the river, wildlife, wetlands and towns along the trip.

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth is emerging as the leading Republican candidate following recent GOP precinct straw polls. Tuesday's polls showed Demuth getting about 32 percent of the roughly 17-hundred votes cast. Results were incomplete, but more than 96 percent of precincts had reported as of early Wednesday afternoon. Precinct caucuses are often described as the starting line for Minnesota elections.

A School Board candidate in Marshfield is facing felony child abuse and domestic abuse charges: Matthew Samson is in jail on a 50-thousand-dollar bond facing two different criminal complaints. In one case, he's accused of physically abusing a child. The other centers on a domestic abuse allegation in which the 41-year-old is said to have threatened to kill himself during an argument with a woman, then turned the gun on her when she begged him not to pull the trigger. He returns to court next week to enter a plea. Samson's name will appear on the ballot for a February 17th primary election as one of seven candidates vying for six spots on the April ballot, though--if found guilty--he would be ineligible to hold office as a convicted felon.

Legislation that keeps cryptocurrency ATMs from being a tool scammers use may come to Wisconsin. Senate Bill 386 would set daily transaction limits and cap fees, as well as "require operators to provide receipts, identify users in all transactions, and require refunds for scam victims." This would be the first time more than 700-bitcoin-kiosks would be regulated at convenience gas and grocery stores. Police say thousands of people in Wisconsin are reported to have lost "some or all of their life savings through crypto kiosk scams." The measure will get a hearing before the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol.

DeForest is throwing out an idea of annexation tied to a QTS data center project. The village board voted unanimously against annexing more than 15-hundred acres of land in Vienna, which was required for the data center project to move forward. The DeForest village administrator said rejecting the proposal allows all parties to move forward while saving time and money. Meantime, an ethics complaint has been filed against Village President Jane Cahill in connection to the project. That will be reviewed by the DeForest Ethics Board today.

Children's Wisconsin is celebrating a major gift from a pair of Milwaukee-area philanthropists. The hospital announced yesterday it has received a ten-million dollar donation from Barri and Dave Drury that will be used for pediatric research. It is one of the largest gifts Children's Wisconsin has ever received. A hospital official told the Journal Sentinel the money will be used at the discretion of Children's, but the Drury's will get to provide input.

County highway departments are reminding drivers to keep back from snow removal equipment. The Wisconsin County Highway Association says 13 crashes between vehicles and snowplows have already happened this winter. In most cases, trucks are struck from behind by drivers following too closely for conditions. Be sure to give plows 200 feet of clearance to stay safe, drive slower than posted limits during poor weather, and if the roads are bad, simply stay home.

Six men are in custody after they were arrested in Stillwater in connection to a sexual exploitation ring targeting minors. Washington County Sheriff's Office says undercover agents posed online as a 16-year-old girl then several suspects allegedly arranged meetings to offer money for sexual acts. When the men showed up at the locations, they were taken into custody. The defendants are Vishwateja Guntupally, Christopher Kohn, Manuel Chunzo-Canar, Sanyi Tefera, Terry Reynolds and Dakota Ott. Other agencies that were involved in the sting operation include the Stillwater Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the Washington County Attorney's Office.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is looking for new troopers. The deadline is coming up to apply for the next class of Wisconsin State Patrol troopers. The agency accepts applications through Sunday, February 15th. State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan says joining the patrol offers a path into a variety of law‑enforcement roles, from K‑9 and aviation to crash reconstruction and commercial vehicle inspection. Applicants need at least 60 college credits, though some requirements can be waived for military or relevant experience. Positions are open in every region of the state, and more information is available on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website.

Local-Regional News Feb 5

 

Another scam to report in Western Wisconsin. The Pepin County Sheriffs Office dispatch center has received multiple calls of a scam involving people having warrants for their arrest for missing jury duty or court. The Pepin County Sheriffs Office does not contact residents by phone for missing court or jury duty or having a warrant. This is a scam and as with all scammers please hang up and do not give any personal identifying information.

Additional charges are being filed against a man accused of secretly placing a recording device inside a bathroom at the Menomonie medical office where he worked. Other staffers at ReforMedicine say they found the device in November -- hidden in a non-public area. Medical Assistant Meng Vang has been arrested now faces a total of nine total counts of capturing an intimate representation and nine counts of invading privacy by recording individual's genitals.

Prison for a Chippewa Falls man convicted on federal drug charges. Shaun Ciokiewicz pleaded guilty in October of last year to a charge of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution. He has been sentenced this week to eight years behind bars.

Congressman Derrick Van Orden is announcing 22-million dollars in federal funding for Western Wisconsin. The funding includes nearly one-point-six-million dollars for a the replacement of water and sewer infrastructure in Cuba City, 450-thousand dollars to replace a fire engine for the Harmony Fire Department and more than 430-thousand dollars to upgrade radio communications for first responders in River Falls.

The State of Wisconsin has released the first quarter transportation aids to local municipalities. Governor Evers announced the payments this week. Buffalo County received $224,000, Dunn County $468,000, Pepin County $115,000 and Pierce County received $342,000. Local towns and cities also received transportation aid payment. The funding was provided by the 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed into law by Gov. Evers last year

A new bill addressing school opioid overdose prevention is being introduced. Senator Jeff Smith and Representative Jodi Emersen introduced LRB-6116 after opioids became the "leading cause of death among Wisconsin-school aged children." Most Wisconsin schools are not required to have "opioid-antagonists," such as Narcan, leaving school staff without the tools to respond effectively during an emergency. The legislation would provide funds to reimburse the costs associated with supplying these materials in every school across Wisconsin.

An Illinois Contractor has been charged with felony theft in Rusk County. Ronald Walker of Walker’s Remodeling and Construction of Rockford, IL has been charged with theft by a contractor of more than $100,000 after authorities said he took over $115,000 form a homeowner for remodeling after a house fire and did not finish the project. He is to appear in Rusk County Court in April.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Wisconsin man who failed to appear in Olmsted County Court on a criminal sexual conduct offense. Scott Furcho was charged with one count of 3rd-degeree criminal sexual conduct- victim mentally impaired/physically helpless last May. The 62-year-old defendant from Green Bay did not appear at his first hearing in December and also missed yesterday's court hearing. Prosecutors say a man told Rochester police that Furcho invited him to stay in a hotel room, but when he woke up Furcho was sexually assaulting him. The defendant has a previous lewd/lasviscious exposure charge in Wisconsin in 2023.

State lawmakers delay a funding request from the Department of Public Instruction. The Joint Committee on Finance on Tuesday tapped the brakes on $1 million in additional operational funding for DPI. WPR reports that Republican operative Brian Fraley’s Dairyland Sentinel newsletter reported that DPI spent more than $360,000 on a four-day meeting at a Dells waterpark in 2024. Committee co-chair Representative Mark Born said the committee has time to reassess the request before the legislative session ends. A spokesperson said DPI has been “singled out” and will need to consider layoffs if the funding doesn’t get approved.

Milwaukee fire chief Aaron Lipski is continuing his efforts to force landlords in Milwaukee to install fire suppression systems in their properties. Speaking on WISN's Upfront, Lipski says he's frustrated by pushback from Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on any possible state law allowing changes to the fire codes. Vos, speaking on Upfront last month, said it would be unfair to force landlords to renovate their properties, while also being told to keep rents low. Another fire at a Milwaukee apartment this weekend that injured multiple residents and a fire fighter. That building did not have sprinkler systems.

A veteran Republican lawmaker won't be running for reelection. State Senator Steve Nass will not be on the ballot in November. The 72-year-old from Whitewater was elected to the state Assembly in 1990 and has held his state Senate seat since 2014. Nass is co-chair of the influential Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules which has been a stopping point for several changes Governor Tony Evers has tried to make at the Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies. In a statement, Nass said he has “proudly fought for the taxpayers” in his district and called “the affliction of big government a disease that afflicts both parties.”

At the Capitol Tuesday, the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee votes along partisan lines to roll back a controversial budget veto by Governor Tony Evers. The so-called 400-year veto provides an annual $325 per pupil for K-12 schools until 2425. Tuesday’s vote was 18-15. Reached for comment, Evers said he’d probably veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

A Senate Republican says a suspected biological research lab found in Las Vegas poses an "enormous problem" to the public. Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson's comments come after SWAT officers executed a search warrant of the alleged biolab and located "pathogen-labeled containers" along with one-thousand mice. Johnson said during an appearance on NewsNation's "Katie Pavlich Tonight that the facility "is a real threat to our national security." He also shared that Congress has "no idea" how many illegal labs are operating across the country.

A federal government attorney is speaking out about her frustrations with her job recently. KARE 11 reports during an immigrating hearing on Tuesday in Minneapolis, Julie Le said "the system sucks. This job sucks. I wish you could hold me in contempt so that" she could get 24 hours of sleep. Le said it's like pulling teeth to get Homeland Security, ICE and the Justice Department to follow orders from the court. Her remarks came after the judge wanted the government to explain why it wasn't following court mandated orders in immigration related proceedings including not releasing several detainees who were ordered to be let go.

Two rescue dogs from Wisconsin are taking part in the big game. No, it's not the Super Bowl, but Anson and Avro will represent Wisconsin in this year's Puppy Bowl. The former Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin dogs are the only representatives from Wisconsin taking part in the nationally televised event. The pups were sent to Underdog from a high-volume shelter in the south where they faced euthanasia as space ran out but have since been adopted by local families in Madison. You can catch Anson and Avro in the Puppy Bowl Sunday at 1pm on numerous cable channels.

Local-Reginal News Feb 4

 

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin voted to pass a bipartisan government funding bill that includes over $5 million in direct support for local projects across Western Wisconsin. Included in the package is $202,000 for UW Stout to expand support for small businesses, $1 million for the family and Children’s Center of Wisconsin for the construction of a mental health diagnostic center, and $900,000 for the Pablo Center at the Confluence for Stem education.

A new scam to report in Western Wisconsin. The Chippewa Falls Police is warning residents of a scam where residents receive invoices that appear to be from the city or townships that are demanding payment for services through wire transfer. The invoices look legitimate and include references from public meeting agendas. This is a scam as the city would never issue invoices and request payment through wire transfer.

Dunn County residents are invited to a water fourm with the Red Cedar Conservation Farmers on March 2^nd. The Colfax Water and Health Community Forum will talk about a recent local well and surface water quality reports, what it means for the area, and how can farmers and community members work together to protect the water. The event will be March 2^nd from 5:30-7:30pm at the Viking Bowl in Colfax. Contact the Dunn County Land and Water Conservation Department to register.

The number of eagles in the area is up compared to last year. The National Eagle Center conducted an eagle count the last week of January. As of January 30, 221 eagles were spotted along the river from South St. Paul to La Crosse. The Eagle Center says that 114 eagles were counted at Reads Landing north of Wabasha during the week.

Durand residents will notice some changes to the trash cans in city parks. Students in the Durand-Arkasnsw High School Drawing and Painting Classes repainted the cans during a project this month. The students have painted the cans into mini works of art. The school worked with the city of Durand on the project and the cans will be out at city parks this spring.

The Barron County Sheriff's Department is investigating damage recently done to snowmobile and ATV trail markers on the Chetek Chain of Lakes and Rice Lake. The department says the damage was deliberate and that a UTV has been identified as a suspect vehicle in the Rice Lake incident. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact authorities.

Niina Baum has officially announced her candidacy for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District, entering a crowded Republican primary with a message aimed at voters who feel increasingly disconnected from political extremes and unrepresented by the current field. Baum says her campaign will focus on economic resilience in rural communities, responsible land use, infrastructure, and ensuring that large-scale developments — including data centers — are subject to stronger transparency, regulation, and local input. Baum holds a master’s degree in Information and Communication Technologies from UW–Stout, serves on the Rhinelander Rotary Club Board, and was appointed to her township’s planning commission to help guide local land-use decisions.

Increased law enforcement will be on Wisconsin snowmobile trails this weekend. Department of Natural Resources conservation wardens will be patrolling Friday through Sunday during another Sled Safe education and enforcement weekend. Wardens will share snowmobile safety tips with riders and watch for operators who may be impaired or causing safety problems for themselves and others. Riders should never drive impaired, always operate within the limit of their skills and stay on marked trails. The DNR reports six snowmobile fatalities already in 2026. Snowmobile trails here in Western Wisconsin are currently closed.

Federal funding is headed to Olmsted County to improve safety along Highway 14 in Byron. Republican Congressman Brad Finstad helped secure $2 million to replace several high-risk intersections and a railroad crossing. The area sees an increased risk of crashes and congestion. The design of two new interchanges will allow traffic to flow more safely and efficiently.

Wisconsin’s version of C-SPAN is back online. WisconsinEye had been offline since mid-December due to a funding shortfall. The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Committee on Legislative Organization voted 10-0 on Monday to approve $50,000 for operations costs to resume coverage of the Legislature for February. WisconsinEye’s website is back online, including its archive of hearings, press conferences and legislative sessions. WisEye is also available to cable subscribers statewide. Legislative leader announced a bipartisan agreement in late January to fund the public affairs network. WisEye has a GoFundMe with a goal of raising $250,000 to cover three months of its operating budget. As of Monday morning, that campaign had raised more than $56,000.

The Universities of Wisconsin are planning to expand their use of AI throughout their 13 universities. UW President Jay Rothman says he's investing more into AI and is going to discuss expanding its use with the UW Board of Regents on Thursday. Rothman said they will continue to address "ethical concerns and research more on how AI can improve the lives of students, faculty and administration." He also said he wants to prepare students for the future and make sure they will have skills that they'll be able to move from job to job.

Democratic lawmakers are renewing their push to legalize marijuana for adult use in Wisconsin. Milwaukee Representative Darrin Madison says the state is falling behind its neighbors, which have already legalized cannabis. He argues that politics—not public opinion—is holding Wisconsin back. Sun Prairie Representative Andrew Hysell adds that legalization is about personal freedom, noting Wisconsin is now one of the few states that still fully bans marijuana. The Democratic bill is expected to face steep challenges in the Republican‑controlled Legislature. Some Senate Republicans have introduced their own, more limited plan that would legalize medical marijuana.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner is ruling Alex Pretti's death as a homicide. According to the report posted to the county medical examiner's public database, Pretti died in the emergency room after he was shot multiple times by federal agents on January 24th. Pretti's death followed the fatal shooting of Renee Good on January 7th and ramped up protests over the surge of federal immigration officers in Minneapolis. The DOJ's Civil Rights Division will investigate the shooting alongside the FBI and DHS.

The father of a five-year-old child who was detained by immigration officers in Minnesota is rejecting the notion that he deserted his son. Adrian Conejo Arias and his son were detained after returning home from pre-school last month, and according to a DHS spokesperson, they were transported to a Texas detention center together because no one else was available to care for the child. Authorities accused Conejo Arias of "abandoning his child" after he attempted to flee the scene, but he told ABC News in an interview after their release that he "would never abandon" the young boy because he loves his son "too much." Despite DHS claims, the father said he was simply attempting to find help.