Local-Regional News April 26

 There appears to be some interest in the City of Durand City Administrator Position.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says 7 people have expressed interest in the position so far.  Current City Administrator Rassmuesson is set to retire from the City Administrator position on July 1st.

With the spring season here, the city of Mondovi will be doing some needed repainting of road striping across the city.  Mayor Brady Weiss says that includes repainting crosswalks and curbs.  The city hopes to have that completed by the end of May.

An Elk Mound Middle School counselor has been recognized nationally.  Cindy Bourget and the school's counseling program as a whole has been designated as a recognized model program by the American School Counselor Association.  Elk Mound was one of only three Wisconsin schools to receive the model program designation from the ASCA.

A field trip to Minneapolis ended at the hospital for a couple of middle schoolers from Eau Claire. The kids were on a school bus that crashed into the back of a gas truck on I-94 yesterday. Six of the kids from DeLong Middle School were slightly hurt when the bus hit the back of the truck. Two of those kids were taken to a local hospital in Hudson as a precaution. Traffic cam video caught the crash. It shows a smaller truck pull-off in front of the gas truck which caused the gas truck to stop, that's when the school bus hit the gas truck. Eau Claire Schools yesterday said they are thankful that the crash wasn't worse. 

School libraries in the Eau Claire Area District are getting more than 810-thousand dollars from the state.  Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski visited Northwoods Elementary School and Memorial High School before presenting the district with a check.  The money is coming from the Common School Fund. 

Saturday is Drug Take Back Day in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says too often unused and expired medications find their way into the wrong hands. That's dangerous, and sometimes tragic. Bringing unused and expired meds to Drug Take Back Day collection sites protects you, your family, and your community. It's easy to participate. Just stop by a site and drop your items into a bin. No questions asked and you can be in and out in minutes. You can find more information and a Drug Take Back Day site near you at DHS.wisconsin.gov

Wisconsin's attorney general is once again arguing that there is nothing in state law that bans ballot drop boxes. A-G Josh Kaul filed his case with the Wisconsin Supreme Court yesterday. He said drop boxes are technically not illegal, and therefore should be allowed. The new liberal-majority court is taking another look at the 2022 decision from the then-conservative-majority court that said there's nothing in Wisconsin law that specifically allows for drop boxes, therefore they are illegal. Kaul said local election managers should have the flexibility to decide if they want to use drop boxes on their own. 

The University of Wisconsin is walking away from its Richland campus. The university announced earlier this week that it plans to vacate the campus by July 1st. The university ended in-person classes there two years ago. At that time there were just 57 students looking to get a degree. Local leaders in Richland County want to know what they're going to do with the campus now. They signed an agreement promising to help pay for the campus, and are now worried that they will be stuck with the entire costs. The UW has ended in-person classes at five two-year campuses in the past 18 months. It's not clear if the university plans to abandon those campuses as well. 

Drought conditions are improving in Minnesota and Wisconsin.  The latest U.S. Drought Monitor maps released yesterday show that much of central and southern Minnesota is either free of drought or in the abnormally dry category, the lowest level of measurable drought.  Here in Western Wisconsin, Pepin, Buffalo and small parts of Pierce and Dunn Counites are still abnormally dry.  With rain in the forecast, drought conditions are expected to continue to improve.

Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group paid hackers a ransom this year following a cybersecurity attack.  The health consultant company was breached on February 21.  The attack impacted prescription availability, paychecks for medical workers, discharges from hospitals, and billing and care authorization portals across the country.  UnitedHealth did not say how much was paid to the hackers.  Reports say 22 million dollars was requested in exchange for the company to get their data back.

 A man from Cornell accused of sexually assaulting a child is incompetent to stand trial.  Spencer Harmison was accused of sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl last year.  Investigators say he admitted to assaulting her.  A Chippewa County Judge found Harmison is currently not competent for trial, but will likely be deemed competent in the future.  He will be admitted for treatment, also on the judge's orders. 

Wisconsin is distributing 75-thousand dollars in youth firefighting training grants. The Madison Area, Fox Valley, and Northcentral Technical Colleges will get part of the money, along with the Kewaunee County Junior College. The Youth Volunteer Firefighter Training Program says it's looking to boost recruitment by pairing students to local fire service opportunities. It says rural, volunteer stations are having an especially hard time with retaining firefighters.

A factory expansion in Jefferson County will bring a hundred new jobs.  Governor Tony Evers says the Nestle Purina PetCare Company will be expanding its Jefferson plant -- a 195-million-dollar investment.  Once finished, the company says the factory's production of wet food will increase.  The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is giving almost two-million dollars in tax credits over the next five years.  Nestle has had a Purina factory in Jefferson since 1910.

Wisconsin will be getting four-point-six million dollars to help conserve coastline habitats.  The state Department of Administration says the money will be split between two projects.  One project in Iron County will go toward purchasing and managing more than a thousand acres of Lake Superior coastline.  The rest of the money will go toward restoring the upper part of the Valley Creek corridor and reducing future flooding risks.  About 75-million dollars will be given out nationally through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 

A Minnesota state senator is admitting to making a mistake with her vote on a bill passed by the Senate last week.  Republican Senator Carla Nelson of Rochester voted yes on a bill to enact the Minnesota Voting Rights Act.  The vote was surprising, as Republicans have criticized the bill as partisan and failing to address concerns about election integrity.  Nelson admitted in a statement that she voted for the bill in error after losing track of the debate while she was multitasking.  She said she would vote against the bill when it returns to the Senate floor.

Wisconsin utilities want help naming this year’s peregrine falcon chicks. For the last three decades mated falcon pairs have laid their eggs at Wisconsin Public Service and We Energies power plants. This year, 11 eggs are ready to hatch, and they'll be named after Olympic heroes. You can vote for your favorite names online from a link at We dash Energies dot com

Local-Regional News April 25

 Residents in the city of Durand may experience tinted water over the next few days as crews continue with fire hydrant flushing throughout the city.  Durand Public Works superintendent Matt Gills told the council at last night's meeting that even though the water is tinted it is still safe and that residents should just run the cold water for a few minutes for the water to clear.  He also recommended that residents do not do laundry when crews are flushing hydrants in their neighborhoods.  Meanwhile, city administrator Rassmuesson told the council he will be attending tonight's Rural Fire Department meeting as the department will be discussing the possible formation of a fire district with the City of Durand Fire Department.

Motorists traveling along Hwy 10 should be on the lookout for extra traffic today as the 100 miles of thrift sales on Hwy 10 start today.  There are sales along Hwy 10 from Ellsworth to Neilsville today through Saturday.  Those participating in the thrift sales are reminded to slow down in the Hwy 10 construction between Durand and the Pierce-Pepin County Line.

Middle School Students at Durand-Arkansaw Middle School learned about different parts of agriculture yesterday during the annual ag day that is organized by the Durand-Arkansaw FFA.  Students went through twelve different stations learning about livestock care, farm equipment, grain bin safety, and even how drones are used in agriculture.  Durand-Arkansaw FFA President Eddie Weinzirl says it's a chance to get students excited about agriculture. Weinzirl also said Ag Day gives the FFA members a chance to meet and mentor the middle school students.

A River Falls man has been arrested after leading authorities on a chase through multiple counties.  According to Lake Halle Police, officers attempted to pull over Anthony Ledesma after spotting Ledesma driving a pickup truck with out-of-date plates.  Ledesma refused to pull over and led officers on a chase through Eau Claire and Trempealeau Counties.  He was finally stopped with the use of a tire deflation device.  A further investigation found the truck Ledesma was driving was stolen and that he had an arrest warrant from California.

It's a not-guilty plea from the man accused of killing a woman and leaving her body in a suitcase in Chippewa County. Jose Dominguez-Garcia was in court yesterday to enter his plea. He's accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend back in 2020 and leaving her body in a suitcase at an abandoned farmhouse along County Road T, just north of Eau Claire. Dominguez-Garcia's trial is scheduled, for now, to begin next March. 

There is some opposition to a new homeless center in downtown Eau Claire.  Rose Johnson, the owner of Offbeats Violin & Guitar Studio, said she wants to be compassionate, but the city's planned homeless day center would be right next door to her business. She's worried it could scare customers away. Eau Claire is looking for a place that people who are experiencing homelessness can use during the day to get the help they need. The Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council is driving the project and has raised nearly a million-dollars to make it happen. Johnson said she fears a homeless day center will mean an influx of drugs and other crimes to the downtown. 

It looks like there will be layoffs coming when Jennie-O closes its plant in western Wisconsin. The company announced plans back in January to end turkey harvesting at the plant in Barron. This month, Jennie-O said 38 people will lose their jobs. The company says everyone who works in harvesting at the plant will have an opportunity to apply for other jobs. If they don't get one of those jobs, they will be let go.

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's top official has taken the first steps toward removing a faculty member who was earlier fired from his job as chancellor over his fledgling porn career.  Former chancellor, Joe Gow, said Wednesday that interim Chancellor Betsy Morgan filed three charges against him March 29, accusing him of unethical conduct, failing to cooperate with an investigation, and using UW-La Crosse computers to produce pornographic materials.  Officials from UW-La Crosse and the University of Wisconsin have not commented on the story.

High school athletes in Wisconsin will not get paid, at least not yet. The WIAA, the group that manages high school sports in Wisconsin, yesterday rejected a name, image, and likeness proposal. WIAA officials say NIL is coming to high school sports, and suggested the proposal as a way to stay ahead of any new laws or lawsuits. But local athletic directors say the proposed rules didn't work, and said there were just too many unanswered questions.  But both the WIAA and local school leaders expect NIL to come back in the future. 

A Minnesota milk company is making a big donation to a Rochester food bank.  Kemps has given 80-thousand cartons of shelf-stable milk to Channel One Regional Food Bank.  The milk does not require refrigeration and can last for a year, versus three weeks for refrigerated milk.  The company plans to make another donation of milk to the food bank later this year. 

A  report from the Food and Drug Administration says fragments of the HPAI virus were found in the milk supply. The virus has been found in raw milk, but based on available information the FDA says pasteurization stops the virus by breaking it up into fragments.  Adam Brock is the administrator of the Division of Food and Recreational Safety for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture. He says consumers need to know that the U.S. milk supply is safe He says the pasteurization process takes all kinds of bugs out of the milk supply.  The FDA maintains there is nothing it's seen so far that would change its assessment of a safe milk supply.

The Department of Natural Resources is rolling out new regulations on walleye fishing ahead of next weekend's fishing opener. Fisheries director Justine Hass says they're expanding the three-bag limit across most of the state. Andgers can only keep three fish on the water they’re fishing on if the bag limit is three, but may still keep five in total for the day. There's also a limit on sizes that may differ from lake to lake. Make sure you check the rules at the boat launch, and find out more online at D N R dot W I dot Gov.

The top Republican in the Wisconsin Senate is urging the state's superintendent of schools to move ahead with literacy changes for school kids.  Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu yesterday wrote a letter to the Department of Public Instruction and Superintendent Jill Undelry.  He said the governor's partial veto of a plan to send 50 million-dollars to schools across the state should not stand in the way of other reading reforms that were approved by lawmakers.  The governor changed the literacy plan, essentially allowing DPI to spend the 50 million as it sees fit.  Republican lawmakers are suing the governor over that veto.  LeMahieu's letter says that lawsuit is no reason to stall other changes aimed at helping kids in Wisconsin read better. 

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit against Twin Cities used car dealership Midwest Car Search and its owner, Scott Spiczka, for allegedly misrepresenting the quality of cars sold, along with dishonest service contracts and high-interest rates.  The lawsuit accuses the dealership of fraudulently selling more than three thousand vehicles to Minnesotans from 2017 to 2022, claiming they were certified when not.  This systematic pattern of deception, often targeting individuals with limited English language skills, has prompted the lawsuit, seeking restitution for customers and a stop to the dealership's alleged illegal business practices.

The U.S. Army notified Earl Meyer, 96, of St. Peter, on Monday that it has reversed itself and granted him a Purple Heart, which honors service members wounded or killed in combat.  Meyer was injured in Korea in 1951.  The decision came after a campaign by his daughters and attorney and support from U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.  U.S. District Judge John Tunheim ordered an Army review board to take another look after it had been rejected for years due to a lack of paperwork.

 Wisconsin is the fifth least gambling-addicted state in the U.S.  The report by WalletHub used data like the number of casinos, lottery sales, and adults with gambling disorders.  Utah is the least gambling addicted state, followed by Alaska and Vermont.  Nevada, South Dakota and Montana have the most gambling addiction.

Local-Regional News April 24

 The Durand City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on applying for a loan of up to $550,00 from SFB for capital projects including 6th Avenue, Pool, and fire truck and applying for a short-term loan of up to $1 million for the pool project.  The mayor and department heads will also have reports.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall and will be live-streamed on the WRDN YouTube Channel.

Residents renting the Marten Center will now have the choice of using the audio-visual equipment at the center.  At last night's council meeting, the council approved a new policy that will allow those renting the center to pay an additional $50 and use the A-V equipment.  The council felt the additional charge was needed to help cover the cost and maintenance of the equipment.  Residents will still be allowed to bring their own AV equipment and not be charged the additional $50.

The drunk driving case against the Eleva Police Chief has been settled.  Chief Patrick McKillip pleaded guilty to the first offense of drunk driving and was fined just over $900 and his driver's license was revoked for six months.  In January McKillip hit a deer with his squad car and told officers he was going 85 when he hit the deer.  A breathlayzer test had his blood alcohol level at .10.

The Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about a scam.  In a social media post, the sheriff's department says they were alerted of a phone scam where scammers, posing as sheriff's deputies call potential victims claiming they have an outstanding warrant and the victim needs to pay the fine now or be arrested.  The department reminds residents they never call demanding payment over the phone and that residents should just hang up if they get this type of call.

The woman who police say drove her car through the Christmas decorations in Chippewa Falls last winter is headed to a mental hospital for treatment.  A judge yesterday found Ebony Hudson unfit for trial. Police say she sped through the decorations at Irvine Park last December.  She's also accused of ramming a city truck that tried to block her.  Hudson maintained that she was competent, and asked to go to trial.  The judge says she's a threat to herself.  She'll be kept at the mental hospital for the next 12 months, then the judge will re-evaluate her mental health.

Wisconsin's Republican U.S. Senator voted against the foreign aid package that will send billions more to Ukraine.  Senator Ron Johnson says he voted against the package because it doesn't have any meaningful reforms for the U.S. southern border.  Wisconsin's Democratic Senator, Tammy Baldwin, voted for the package.  In addition to the Ukraine money, the package will send billions of dollars in aid to both Israel and Taiwan.  Johnson told reporters in Madison yesterday that he doesn't like the idea of spending 60 billion-dollars that the U.S. doesn't have to pay for a stalemate between Russia and Ukraine.

The number of kids in Wisconsin who had to be physically separated or restrained in school is down from a year ago.  The state's Department of Public Instruction yesterday released its annual report on seclusion and restraint.  The report shows schools used seclusion over five thousand times during the last school year and had to restrain a student more than six thousand times.  Restraint means someone had to lay hands on a student, while seclusion means a student was put in a room and physically not allowed to leave.  State Superintendent Jill Underly said while the numbers are down, she hopes that schools across Wisconsin can find ways to limit their need for seclusion and restraint.  But she said that will likely take more support from the state budget. 

 A new report says UW-Madison's rankings as a top university have slipped over the past decade or so.  The report from the university's own Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy said UW-Madison has slipped as both a top university in America and a top university in the world. US News & World Report says UW-Madison is the 35th-best school in the country, but the Wall Street Journal has it ranked as the 79th-best school.  Internationally, UW-Madison has fallen out of the top 50 in one ranking and is as low as 102nd best in another.  Most concerning, according to the report, is that UW-Madison is also slipping as a top research university, and is seeing fewer federal research grants.   

 Wisconsin is getting 124-million dollars in federal grants to help residents put solar panels on their homes.  The Environmental Protection Agency is giving the money to Wisconsin to help create long-lasting solar programs in low-income communities. Grants will help people who want to participate in the Wisconsin Solar for All program start will little to no up-front costs.  A Midwest Tribal Energy Association will get about half of the money and will put it toward solar programs in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. 

Governor Evers says if election threats continue, the state's Department of Justice may get involved. The governor was once again asked about threats to, and extra protection for, Wisconsin's election administrator. The governor said former President Trump continues to lie and say that he won Wisconsin back in 2020. The governor says so far, President Trump's words are just political speech. But he said if the former president or anyone else crosses the line, then the authorities may need to do something. 

A former member of a UWSP fraternity is now charged with arson after a series of fires in his former home. Investigators say Eric Blum started multiple fires in a home that he had leased alongside other members of the Phi Sigma Phi fraternity. The group had recently terminated his membership, but court documents say he had still be staying at the home, though hadn't paid rent for several months. Roommates said they heard the 21-year-old talking just before the fires started, then saw an "orange glow" coming from outside their door. Charges against him include arson and disorderly conduct. He's still waiting for an attorney. Further court action is scheduled for next Monday.

The mother of missing three-year-old Elijah Vue is requesting a change in her bond.  An attorney for Katrina Baur filed a motion in Manitowoc County Circuit Court asking that her $15,000 cash bail be reduced to a personal recognizance bond. That would allow Baur to be released without paying the bond if she promised to appear back in court. The motion states Bauer is unable to post the cash bail. She and her boyfriend, Jesse Vang, have both pleaded not guilty on charges of chronic child neglect. Baur has been in the Manitowoc County Jail since February 21st. That’s a day after her son was reported missing. Teams have been searching the area for Elijah ever since, but he hasn’t yet been found.

Sturgeon fishing can continue as normal in Wisconsin. That’s after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared that the lake sturgeon population in the state is thriving and needs no protection. The action by the federal agency came after an environmentalist group from Arizona filed a petition asking for the prehistoric fish to be listed as endangered or threatened. State and federal lawmakers disputed the claims, arguing that management of the population by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources adequately maintains the species in the state.

A historic spot in northwest Wisconsin made its debut 60 years ago this week. The original Wisconsin Pavilion from the 1964 World's Fair in New York City showcased the Badger State to an international audience. The venue was scheduled to be torn down after the fair, but a Boscobel blacksmith bought the building and later sold it to the owners of WCCN Radio in Neillsville. The station has operated from there since the mid-sixties. The one-time exhibit has been registered as a Historic Place in both the state and national registries. The structure also houses a store that carries cheese, books, ice cream, local wine, and beer, all from Wisconsin.

A Northeast Wisconsin delivery driver was involved in a different kind of delivery. UPS driver Jon Strned was on his route in Seymour last Monday when he spotted a heifer in labor laying in the pasture of a dairy farm. WFRV-TV in Green Bay reports that when Strned saw that the mom-to-be needed help with the birth, he used his experience growing up on a farm and grabbed the front legs of the calf, bringing her out of the heifer safely. The family who owns the farm named the female calf, which was born two weeks early, Joni, after the delivery man who delivered her. The family says Joni the calf will be at this year’s Outagamie County Fair.

Local-Regional News April 23

 The search for a missing woman in Dunn County has come to a sad end. The Dunn County Sheriff's office says they've identified Margarite Endres' body. Deputies say someone found the body while canoeing on the Chippewa River about two weeks ago. Endres went missing in early February. There's no word how she died. 

A Minnesota City woman has been arrested on drug charges in Buffalo County.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, a k9 deputy pulled over 33-year-old Amber Gamer for operating left of center on Hwy 35 in Buffalo Township on Saturday.  The K9 detected drugs in the vehicle and after a search deputies found 129 grams of methamphetamine, 5.8 grams of cocaine, and 88 grams of psilocybin.  Gamer has been charged with possession with intent to deliver all three drugs and was arrested.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on user policy updates for the Marten Center,  updated general parking regulations, and reports from the Mayor and department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center.

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire undergraduate students will participate in high-level laboratory research and training in the fields of neuroscience and regenerative sciences this summer at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, through a nearly $600,000 National Institutes of Health grant.  The new UW-Eau Claire – Mayo Clinic Regenerative Neuroscience Scholars (ReNS) program will provide high-quality summer research opportunities for UWEC undergraduates at Mayo Clinic in Rochester through the well-established Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, along with additional training related to neuroscience, regenerative sciences, and biotherapeutics.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) plans to treat select areas in nine western Wisconsin counties for spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) starting in May.  The following counties are scheduled to receive Btk treatments: Barron, Buffalo, Chippewa, and Dunn.  Btk is a naturally occurring soil bacteria that kills spongy moth caterpillars feeding on treated canopy foliage. Btk is not toxic to people, bees, pets, or other animals. Some people with severe allergies may wish to stay indoors during nearby treatment applications. 

Eau Claire County's sheriff is asking people not to move any hand grenades they find. Sheriff Dave Riewestahl is making his unusual request after someone found a hand grenade over the weekend and brought it to the sheriff's office. Deputies say two people found the grenade near the Chippewa River on Sunday and brought it to the county courthouse. The sheriff's office called in the bomb squad from Marathon County, and they were able to safely destroy it.  The sheriff says he doesn't think anyone committed a crime, but said the next time, it's much safer to just leave the grenade where it is, and let the authorities take it from there. 

Police say a Rice Lake man was busted with 15 thousand dollars worth of meth. Barron County's sheriff says undercover agents busted 33-year-old David Anderson at his house on Friday. Investigators say Anderson had 211 grams of meth, worth about 15 thousand dollars on the street. Anderson is now being held on charges of possession with intent to deliver. 

A former Olmsted County deputy has entered a not-guilty plea following his indictment of federal child pornography charges.  Mathew Adamson of Rochester entered his pleas during an arraignment hearing yesterday in St. Paul.  Prosecutors accuse him of using minors in the production of pornography between 2015 and 2023.  He's also facing charges in Olmsted County for allegedly trying to solicit sex from an undercover officer posing as a child.  His trial on the federal charges is set to begin in July.

The White House announces new, stricter requirements for nursing homes that get federal funding. In La Crosse on Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris said those facilities will have to maintain minimum staffing levels and pay their workers more.  The new rules require care companies to track how their federal funding is spent and use 80 percent of it to pay their staff. Up until now staffing levels have been left to individual states to manage.  The La Crosse stop was Harris’ third trip to Wisconsin this year. The VP also attended a separate campaign event in La Crosse.

Wisconsin is increasing its tree planting goal to 100-million trees by 2030. Governor Tony Evers signed the executive order today, Earth Day. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says more than 30-million trees have been planted in Wisconsin since the state started its Trillion Trees Pledge three years ago. Those seedlings have been planted in both rural areas and urban areas, helping cities with funding through grant programming. A tree planting map can be found on the Wisconsin DNR's website. 

The Wisconsin DNR says new federal PFAS rules won't change much for a clean-up in the state. The Department of Natural Resources on Friday said it is evaluating the new federal rules on PFAS pollution. Those rules declared two PFAS chemicals as 'hazardous substances' under the federal Superfund program. That will allow states to tap into federal dollars to help clean those areas. But the DNR says just two places in Wisconsin could qualify for the Superfund, the rest the DNR says, would fall under Wisconsin's jurisdiction. The DNR's Environmental Management Division Administrator says they are waiting to see how they can implement the new federal rules when they take effect later this summer. 

A group hoping to unionize nurses at the Mayo Clinic will hold a March in Rochester early next month.  The Med City Nursing Alliance reportedly plans to hold the "Mayo March" on May 6th beginning at 6 a.m.  The planned route is from the Saint Marys campus to the Methodist campus, with the event ending at 8 a.m.  The alliance is hoping to eventually unionize and collectively bargain on behalf of more than ten-thousand nurses who work for the Mayo Clinic. 

Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura feels he deserves some credit for helping Donald Trump win the presidency eight years ago.  Ventura spoke to WCCO-TV yesterday and said Trump came to Minnesota in 2000 to talk to him about how he won the governor's race in 1998.  Ventura said the Trump campaign "copied me to a 'T,'" using the former governor's blueprint to win the presidency in 2016.  

An historic double brood of cicadas will emerge this spring in the east and midwest. UW La Crosse biologist Barrett Klein says we’ll see them.  In addition to being very loud, the millions of cicadas will be fascinating to observe, and yes, you could even eat them.

Local-Regional News April 22

 Three people were injured in a single-vehicle accident in Menomonie Township on Saturday night.  According to the Dunn County Sheriff's Department, the vehicle was southbound on Hwy K when the driver lost control on the crest of a hill, entered the west ditch, and struck a tree.  One person was ejected from the vehicle and the other two were trapped and needed to be extricated by Menomonie Firefighters.   All three were taken to the hospital.  Alcohol and speed appear to be factors in the accident.

One person is dead after a two-vehicle accident near Pigeon Falls on Friday.  According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department, a vehicle was traveling southbound on Hwy 53, crossed the center line, and hit a northbound vehicle.  The driver of the southbound vehicle died at the scene and the driver and passenger of the northbound vehicle were taken to Tri-County Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

An Alma man, who died when his vehicle ended up in the Zumbro River on March 28, had a heart attack just before the accident.  According to the Wabasha County Sheriff's Department, 62-year-old James Steiner was driving on North County Road 11 when he had the heart attack and his truck veered off the road, flipped over, and ended up submerged in the river.  Steiner was pronounced dead at the scene.

 Residents of Zumbrota will have one less place to cool off this summer.  The city announced Friday that it was closing the municipal pool due to safety concerns.  The social media post did not detail the concerns but said the closure was meant to ensure the well-being of the community.  The city is hoping to build a new pool, with a levy for the project coming up for a vote in August.  

A Zumbro Falls woman made her first court appearance Friday after she allegedly walked into a Lake City home and threatened the people inside before taking money from them.  According to authorities, 41-year-old Polly Calhoun allegedly came into the house through the porch area wearing a ski mask while one victim was sitting at the dinner table and the other was watching television in the living room. Upon entering, Calhoun allegedly told the victims, “You should really lock your doors". and demanded the victims give her money, and credit and debit card information.  The couple gave Calhoun $400 in cash and were able to lock her out of the house when she went on the patio.  Wabasha County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Calhoun after a search of her home.  She is charged with first-degree burglary with a dangerous weapon.

The vice president will be in western Wisconsin today. VP Kamala Harris will make a stop in La Crosse later today. She will, once again, be talking about abortion. This is Harris' third visit to Wisconsin this year alone. This is also the latest sign as to just how crucial Wisconsin is in this fall's race for the White House.

 Eau Claire Police say a missing 16-year-old has been found. Officers say they found Colin Robaidek on Friday night. He went missing last week after riding his bike away from his home. No one is saying just where he went, but police say he was found safe and sound. 

The fair season could see a number of multi-time winners across Wisconsin this year. Governor Evers on Friday signed a new law that allows people to show their animals, pies, or crafts at multiple county fairs. Up until now, winners could only show their blue ribbon winners once. Fair managers say that limits the number of competitors and takes away opportunities, particularly from young people. The new law also includes a funding boost to make sure local fairs can cover the cost of all of their competitions. 

The State of Wisconsin's debt is the lowest it's been in 25 years. The new 2023 report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum says state reserves are at the highest level on record, peaking at six-point-seven-billion last June. The WPF also says the state is in a good place to pay short-term bills, and the jobless fund balance has recovered. The report says, that despite these improvements, the state's transportation fund borrowing could be a concern.

An artificial intelligence application developed at the Mayo Clinic is about to be sold nationwide in smart stethoscopes.  The algorithm detects a condition called low ejection fraction, which can often be an indicator of heart failure.  The Mayo Clinic has been using the algorithm during heart examinations over the last three years, and the FDA recently approved the application for use in stethoscopes.  The cardiologist who co-invented the algorithm says low ejection fraction is a dangerous condition that can lead to sudden death.  He thinks the A-I could have a big impact on early detection and treatment since using a stethoscope is non-invasive and a standard practice for most doctors.

A group of nature enthusiasts is mourning three young eagles who died in Hastings earlier this week.  The eaglets were in a tree near the Mississippi River when winds snapped the branch their nest was on.  The man who saw the nest fall called together members of the Carpenter Nature Center to search for the young birds.  Two of the eaglets didn't survive the fall, while the third was taken to the University of Minnesota Raptor Center.  The young eagle died from multiple broken bones, internal bleeding, and other trauma.  

The University of Minnesota Extension office says the risk posed by a disease affecting oak trees has increased due to the warm winter weather.  The office raised its oak wilt risk level to high this week.  The disease is caused by a fungus that spreads through root systems or is taken from tree to tree by insects.  The office is advising Minnesotans who care for oak trees to avoid pruning or cutting down oak trees and to cover any wounds in the trees with paint or shellac to protect them.

State health officials are warning of contaminated herbs.   The Department of Health Services issued a warning on Thursday that packages of fresh basil sold at Trader Joe's stores were contaminated with salmonella. One person in Wisconsin has gotten sick from the illness. The basil has already been pulled from the shelves in 29 states. Anyone who still has that basil, sold under the "Infinite Herbs" brand should toss it out immediately.

With road construction season underway, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is reminding motorists to slow down in work zones.  Last year, over 2100 crashes resulted in nine deaths and 700 injuries in Wisconsin work zones. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reminds motorists to drive safely, be courteous, avoid distractions, and obey posted speed limits in work zones. More than 300 state highway and bridge improvement projects happen annually in Wisconsin.  Motorists are also reminded to not go around road-closed barriers and instead follow the posted detours.  You can be ticketed for driving around a road-closed barrier.

Three Wisconsin craft beer brewers are named among the top 50 breweries in the country for 2023. An annual list released by the Brewers Association based on beer sales volume for both craft and overall brewing companies ranked New Glarus Brewing of “Spotted Cow” fame at number 11 for craft brewing and 21 for overall brewing. Other Badger State breweries on the list included Stevens Point Brewery, coming in 19th for craft brewing and 29th for overall brewing, and Monroe’s Minhas Craft Brewery, at number 29 for craft brewers and 39 for overall brewing. The full list can be found at “Brewers Association dot org.”

A cat was stuck in a tree for two days after storms until a local company rescued it. Harvey's Tree Care saved the soaking wet cat in Chippewa Falls. The company used a cherry picker to lift someone high enough to reach it. The cat is being cared for at the humane society. 

Local-Regional News April 19

 An Alma woman has been sentenced to the death of a Minnesota man in May of 2022. 57yr old Jaqueline Britt was sentenced on Thursday to 10yrs in prison and ordered to pay restitution after pleading no contest to homicide by driving while using a controlled substance.  According to the criminal complaint,  was traveling northbound on Hwy 25 on May 31 of 2022 crossed the center line, and struck a southbound motorcycle, killing the driver.  An investigation revealed Britt had been using methamphetamine at the time of the accident.

Those interested in the future of deer hunting are encouraged to attend the Dunn and Pepin County Deer Advisory Council meeting on Monday.    The County Deer Advisory Council will review public input and make its final recommendations for the 2024 deer hunting seasons, including recommendations on the holiday hunt, extended archery season, and antlerless deer quotas for public and private land.  The recommendations are made to the Wisconsin DNR.  Monday's meeting begins at 6pm at the Pepin County Government Center.

A western Wisconsin man faces six charges of first-degree sexually assaulting a child in Trempealeau County.  According to authorities, Ulises Grandos of Arcada assaulted the girl several times between 2015-2016 while the girl was between the ages of 7-9.    Grandos has denied the charges and will return to court on Tuesday.

An application to allow Xcel Energy to store additional spent nuclear fuel at the Prairie Island Nuclear Power plant has been completed.  The application suggests that additional storage will be needed before 2033. Part of Xcel’s pending plan is to extend the plant’s life to 2053-54.  Over the next year, the Department of Commerce will prepare an environmental impact statement and hold public meetings and hearings to discuss the scope of the EIS. The first meeting, scheduled for April 24-25, will take place in Red Wing and online.

Police in Eau Claire are looking for a missing 16-year-old. Officers say Colin Robaidek went for a bike ride Wednesday evening and hasn't been seen since. He was last spotted in the Mt. Washington neighborhood. His pictures are online, and police are asking anyone who may know anything about his whereabouts to please reach out. 

 A Wisconsin woman is looking at charges after police say she shot at her boyfriend because he didn't have his taxes done. Prosecutors filed formal charges against Lily Hawkinson Wednesday. They say she fired one shot near her boyfriend's ear on Monday, then fired a second shot at him as he was walking away from their home in Fall Creek. Police say Hawkinson's blood-alcohol-level was two-and-a-half-times the legal limit when she was arrested. The boyfriend said she was angry because he had not finished filling out his tax forms. She's facing recklessly endangering safety, disorderly conduct, and weapons charges. 

The vice president is coming back to Wisconsin. The White House yesterday said Vice President Kamala Harris will be in La Crosse on Monday. It is her third visit to Wisconsin so far this year. The VP will once again be focusing on abortion during her stop. Harris' visit underscores just how important Wisconsin is in this fall's race for president. She was in Madison last month, and in the Milwaukee suburbs back in January as well. 

The latest snapshot of Wisconsin's economy shows little has changed. The state's Department of Workforce Development yesterday released the unemployment numbers for March. The state says Wisconsin's unemployment rate continues to hover at three percent, while the state's labor participation rate continues to sit below 66 percent. The only good news is Wisconsin's labor participation rate is almost three points better than the national rate. In all, just over three million people are working in Wisconsin. 

 In March, Minnesota experienced robust job and labor force expansion, with the state gaining 11-thousand jobs, marking a 0.4 percent increase. The private sector saw an increase of eight-thousand jobs.  The unemployment rate held steady at two-point-seven percent. Industries such as Leisure & Hospitality, Government, Education & Health Services, and Construction contributed significantly to the job gains, signaling positive trends in the labor market.

Wisconsin's high school sports managers may allow high schoolers to get NIL money in the future.  The WIAA will vote next week on whether to allow high school athletes to be paid. The NIL proposal would ban any NIL deal with ties to gambling, smoking, or drinking. It would also not allow students to wear their uniforms or school logos, and ban boosters from offering NIL money as a way to recruit kids to a specific school. Some high school coaches say NIL could help kids earn a little money, while others are worried that the WIAA could be opening the door to pay-to-play. 

“Death threats and late-night swatting.” Representative Mike Gallager provided more insight this week, on his decision to leave Congress before his term ends. Gallagher said that while he “signed up for the death threats and the late-night swatting” his family did not. Gallagher was one of a small handful of House Republicans to oppose the impeachment of Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. The Green Bay Republican announced last month that his last day would be April 19, tomorrow. However, Fox News has reported that Gallagher may stick around through the weekend to help pass a foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

A new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum shows the state's general fund will be dropping significantly from record highs following the pandemic. Researcher Jason Stein says the fund will be dropping from over 6 billion dollars to under 4 billion. That drop in the fund comes after the Republican-led Legislature and Governor Tony Evers raised some spending and lowered taxes last year. W P F says Wisconsin will be able to cover any current short-term debt spending but will need to carefully consider any major new spending or cuts.

There is an arrest warrant out for the owner of the Minocqua Brewing Company tied to his defamation case. A judge yesterday ordered Kirk Bangstad to be arrested after he missed his court date. He was supposed to be in Oneida County Court last week to answer questions about when he will be able to pay the publisher of the Lakeland Times. A judge ordered Bangstad to pay the publisher 750 thousand-dollars after he was found guilty last fall of defamation. Bangstad says he simply got the dates mixed up. He's due back in court in that case next month. 

Wisconsin's liberal-majority supreme court is questioning just how much power the state legislature has. The court heard oral arguments yesterday in a case brought by Governor Tony Evers. The governor wants the court to limit the power of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee. He says the Republican-controlled committee went beyond its power when it moved to hold-back pay raises for UW employees. The governor says the JFC is infringing on his executive powers. But liberal Justice Jill Karofsky said if the court does what the governor wants, the legislature's power as a co-equal branch of government would all but disappear. There's no word when the court will issue its decision.

 Minnesota Republicans are urging their colleagues in the legislature to give more funding to struggling EMS providers around the state.  Republicans called for the additional money during an event at the state capitol yesterday.  The GOP says providers need 120-milion dollars to keep from reducing services or closing down due to low reimbursement rates.  DFL leaders have proposed 16-million in funding this year, with more discussion about long-term solutions when the next state budget cycle begins. 

Wisconsin leads the nation when it comes to fatal crashes involving wrong-way drivers. From 2013 to 2022 , the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says just over 9 percent of fatal crashes in Wisconsin involved wrong way drivers. That compares to the national rate of 3 and a half percent. A study a few years ago by Triple A found that drunken driving, older drivers and driving alone increased the risk of fatal wrong-way crashes. Nighttime driving is also a factor, with 78 percent of wrong-way collisions occurring between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Local-Regional News April 18

 Community members of the Durand-Arkansaw School District will have the opportunity to give their opinions on a new superintendent.  At last night's board meeting, the board agreed to provide a link for a survey via social media. Community members are encouraged to fill out the survey as soon as possible as on April 24th, the board will be reviewing the applications to decide whom to invite for the first round of interviews that are scheduled for April 30th.

A Winona man was arrested on drug charges in Buffalo County on Monday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, deputies pulled over 55yr old Rober Guenther for littering and operating left of center on Hwy 35 in the Town of Buffalo.  During the traffic stop, a k-9 was deployed around Guenther's vehicle and detected drugs which were found after a search.  Deputies found 200 grams of methamphetamine packaged for sale.  Guenther has been charged with possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and possession of THC.

One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident in Hartland Township on Sunday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 26yr old Bryce Frion of Maiden Rock was traveling eastbound on Hwy 10 when he lost control and struck a guardrail.  He was taken to Mayo Hospital in Red Wing.

All 72 Wisconsin counties have low wildfire danger. That follows rainfall Tuesday night into Wednesday. It’s a significant improvement from earlier in the week when all but 2 counties had high or very high fire danger.   Here in Western Wisconsin, 1-2 inches of rain has already fallen this week, dry weather is expected for this weekend.

Eau Claire's city attorney wants the state to investigate, and prosecute if possible, the CEO at HSHS hospitals. City Attorney Stephen Nick yesterday sent a letter to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, explaining that HSHS abruptly closed its hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls without enough notice. Nick says the state licenses hospitals, and he wants the state to do something so other hospitals in other communities don't do the same thing. It's not clear just which law Nick wants to be used against HSHS or its CEO. The hospitals closed last month because of cost pressures and the lingering impact of COVID. 

 Eau Claire County is looking to add hundreds of miles to its ATV trails. The county is moving ahead with a plan to allow people to drive their ATVs or UTVs on county roads. Highway commissioner Jon Johnson says the new plan will open up 75 percent of the county's roads to ATVs and UTVs. Currently, ATV drivers can use just about a third of county roads. Johnson says it will take til later this summer to open the roads, and he says any road that does not have a specific ATV/UTV sign will not be open for drivers and their four-wheelers.

 One of the suspects in western Wisconsin's large fentanyl ring made his first appearance on dozens of drug charges. Forty-one-year-old Hector Jimenez-Sosa was in court yesterday and entered a not-guilty plea. He's looking at 27 different counts as part of a drug ring that stretched from Eau Claire to the Twin Cities. Investigators say he was getting drugs through the mail, and then selling them across the area. Jimenez-Sosa is one of six people who were arrested in February as part of a major sweep across western Wisconsin. 

There are a lot of people who don't know who they are going to vote for in Wisconsin's race for the U.S. Senate. The latest Marquette Law School Poll gives Democratic incumbent Senator Tammy Baldwin a 45-to-41 lead over Republican Eric Hovde among likely voters. But the poll says 15 percent of people don't know yet. Hovde has just a 19 percent favorability rating, but the poll again says 56 percent of voters say they don't know enough about him. Hovde is trying to unseat Baldwin who is running for her third term in the Senate.  

Wisconsin is partnering with the US Department of Transportation to help review consumer complaints against airlines. Attorney General Josh Kaul says his office is now able to investigate the complaints, which are typically handled by the US DOT under federal law. The federal agency will give technical help and training. Most complaints are about refunds, flight disruptions, and missing or delayed baggage.

A nonprofit group has completed its pledge to give a million dollars to support the operation of a southern Minnesota nature center.  Friends of Oxbow was recognized this week for making its third and final donation to Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo.  The Oxbow Park Nature Center opened in Olmsted County last year and the donations by the nonprofit will go mainly to support exhibits in the facility.  A spokesperson said the goal was met thanks to generous donations from supporters in the community.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court looks to be moving toward a decision as to whether women in the state have a right to an abortion. The court yesterday asked for responses to Planned Parenthood's lawsuit that seeks to recognize "a constitutional right to bodily autonomy." Planned Parenthood's case is tied to the case from Sheboygan County's D.A. who has asked the Supreme Court to decide whether Wisconsin's 1849 abortion law is still in effect and whether he can enforce it. The groups involved in Planned Parenthood's case have til next Friday to offer their arguments to the court in writing. 

There's a lawsuit that would have Wisconsin offer electronic absentee ballots to voters in the state. Disability Rights Wisconsin and the League of Women Voters yesterday filed a suit in Dane County that argues the rights of disabled voters are being violated because they cannot fill-out a ballot in secret. The groups say disabled voters need someone else to fill-out the ballot for them, and that creates a hardship. Wisconsin currently allows for electronic absentee ballots for military members, but no one else. It's not clear just how many disabled voters would be able to ask for electronic ballots if the judge rules in their favor. 

 Two complaints were filed against the Wisconsin Elections Commission, claiming not enough poll workers were Republican during the April second primary. The Dane County and Milwaukee County Republican Parties filed complaints against election officials in Madison and Milwaukee. The Republican Party says it submitted more than 260 names to serve as election inspectors in Milwaukee, and just fewer than 50 were chosen. It also says 149 were nominated in Madison, but 51 were chosen. The complaints were filed last Wednesday.

 Running Aces Casino has filed a federal lawsuit against three Minnesota casinos, alleging they illegally offered class three card games. The lawsuit, filed under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, targets executives at Grand Casino Hinckley, Grand Casino Mille Lacs, and Treasure Island Resort and Casino. Running Aces claims the casinos had unfair competitive advantages by offering unauthorized class three card games. They seek damages and an injunction against the alleged illegal gambling activities.

The U.S. Supreme Court is rejecting an appeal by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell over the seizure of his cell phone.  The high court rejected Lindell's request for a hearing without comment on Monday.  Lindell was in a fast-food drive-thru in Mankato when FBI agents seized his phone in 2022.  Lindell had claimed the government was retaliating against him for questioning election integrity.  Investigators said the seizure was to determine if Lindell was sharing sensitive voting system information.  

 Madison firefighters are blaming a squirrel for a solar panel fire at a home on the city's east side. Fire crews responded to the fire at a house on Littlemore Drive just before 2:45 p.m. yesterday. Firefighters say the fire was contained to just the solar panel and some shingles. Investigators say fire crews saw at least one squirrel run from underneath the solar panels. They're not sure just what the squirrel was doing.