Local-Regional News Sept 23

 

Health officials are reporting Chippewa County's first confirmed case of the measles. The Chippewa County Department of Public Health says it is working with the patient and their doctors to learn if anyone else may have been exposed. A spokesperson for the department says that measles is highly contagious and so confirming a case in the community is concerning.

Nearly 370-million dollars in federal transportation funding has been awarded to support 195 local road and bridge projects across Wisconsin. The funding will cover projects scheduled for federal fiscal years 2027 through 2031 in urban and rural communities statewide. In Pepin County funding was approved for replacement of the Harvey Creek Bridge, in Buffalo County funding was approved for replacement of Hwy OO from Hwy 35 to Prairie Moon Road.

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on a memorandum of understanding with former officer Bonnerup on Sam the therapy dog, approval to send requests for proposals for auditing services and reports from the mayor and department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm at Durand City Hall and will be live-streamed on the WRDN Website.

A Wisconsin State Patrol officer remains hospitalized after a Monday morning accident in Dunn County. Trooper Brad Ritger was taking part in an effort to stop a fleeing vehicle when he deployed a tire deflation device on a bridge deck west of the Dunn County / Eau Claire County line just before 5 a.m. Moments later, he fell over the bridge deck onto 490th Avenue -- several feet below the bridge -- and sustained serious injuries. The suspect was taken into custody and is facing charges.

Pepin County is rewriting the comprehensive plan. State law requires the county to update the comprehensive plan every 10yrs and Pepin County’s plan is 13yrs old. Maria Nelson from Pepin County Land Conservation and Planning says the new plan will be based on the realities of Pepin County.  The public is invited to participate in a survey to help with the rewrite of the plan. The survey takes about 20 minutes and is available at the Pepin County Website or at the Pepin County Land Conservation Department office inside the government center in Durand.

The City of Wabasha is reminding residents that placing signs in the public right of way is not allowed. That includes areas between sidewalks and streets, medians and intersections. If you are promoting a business, event or garage sale, your sign must remain entirely on private property. City staff will remove and collect any signs that are in the right of way.

Vernon County Sheriff's deputies responded Tuesday afternoon to reports of gunfire in Westby. The incident happened at the Cedar Meadows North mobile home community. No one was hurt and one person was taken into custody.

Irvine Park Zoo's Hyena, Zuri, has passed away at the age of 20. The Chippewa Falls Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department made the announcement Tuesday. Officials say the average hyena in captivity lives between 14-to-16 years. The large mammal exhibits will be temporarily closed, including the Lynx exhibit.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is reminding drivers to stay alert and obey school bus laws during Safe Stop Week. Officials say motorists are still being cited for illegally passing stopped school buses, though reports show those violations have declined over the past year. More than 1300 citations were issued statewide last year. Sergeant Nic Betts says the trend is moving in the right direction, but drivers must remain vigilant as students travel to and from school. Extra troopers will be on patrol this week promoting school bus safety.

State elections officials warn about those voter registration mailers you're probably getting. Wisconsin Elections Commission administrator Meagan Wolfe says the mailers from groups such as "Civitech" or "Voter Participation Center" should not be trusted. Many of the mailings will look like an absentee ballot envelope or direct you to incorrect information on voting, registering to vote, or your current voting status. If you need any of this information you should instead check online at My Vote dot WI dot Gov for your local voting location and how to request a ballot.

A University of Wisconsin psychologist says reading proficiency remains a major challenge for students, and the problem began long before the pandemic. Dr. Mark Seidenberg says most children have not been reading at proficient levels for years, though learning disruptions during COVID made the situation worse. He also points to increased screen use and says parents can help by spending more time talking and reading with their children. Seidenberg says phonics instruction remains essential, giving students the foundation they need to become independent readers.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office reports a weekend murder suicide near Cuba City. Authorities say 40 year old Ben Randecker shot and killed 35 year old Katie Kieffer of Darlington as Kieffer was dropping off a child they had together at Randecker's house on Saturday afternoon. The couple had just recently ended their relationship. The sheriff's office says Kieffer was dead at the scene while Randecker later died of his injuries at a hospital. The child wasn't hurt. Last month, Randecker was arrested on domestic battery and stalking charges.

A 66-year-old Baraboo man faces decades behind bars after a Sauk County jury convicted him of making terrorist threats. Kerry Martin was found guilty of posting graphic threats on Facebook targeting the city's mayor, police chief and local judicial officials over a three-month span. Investigators confirmed the account belonged to Martin, who threatened a mass shooting with an AR-15 and talked about bombing a school. Prosecutors noted that, while citizens can express frustration with government, threatening community violence crosses the line into serious criminality.

Opposition is building across southern Wisconsin over a proposed 190-mile, high-voltage transmission line cutting through nine counties. U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany reaffirmed his stance against the project during a town hall meeting in Baraboo last week, arguing the 765-kilovolt power line threatens local farmland and private property rights. His stance mirrors concerns raised by opponent David Crowley, who also recently voiced opposition to the project in favor of less disruptive energy alternatives.

A 30-foot Concolor fir from Endeavor, north of Madison, is heading to Washington, D.C. to serve as the 2026 Official White House Christmas Tree. A White House official selected the winning tree yesterday during a visit to Silent Night Evergreens Farm. Third-generation farm owner David Chapman earned the opportunity after winning a national contest, marking the fourth time his family's farm has provided a Christmas tree for the White House. The tree will be trimmed down to 18-and-a-half feet before being transported to the nation's capital ahead of Thanksgiving.

Local-Regional News Sept 22

 

No one was injured when a vehicle crashed into the propane tank cage at Dollar General yesterday afternoon. According to Durand Police the driver accidentally accelerated while parking at Dollar General. The vehicle hit the tank cages. No propane leaked from any of the tanks and the vehicle was removed from the scene.

The trial of an Alma man facing charges in connection with a deadly vehicle crash in Buffalo County has begun. Prosecutors say, on September 27th of 2024, Luke Larson was driving his pickup truck along State Highway 35 near Markey Bluff Road in Nelson when he crossed the center line and hit two motorcyclists. Both riders died at the scene. The prosecution delivered opening statements yesterday with Larson facing two counts of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle.

A Rural Durand man is facing 15 felony possession of child pornography charges in Buffalo County. According to authorities, the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that possible child sexual abuse material had been uploaded to a cloud account belonging to 53yr old Gabriel Kurtz. Deputies executed a search warrant and found numerous files containing child pornography.

Pepin Residents are asked not to park vehicles and equipment on or along 2^nd Street between Lake and 3^rd Street starting at 7pm today. According to Pepin Police, 2^nd Street will be getting paved and the road needs to be cleared to ensure the project can be completed with no delays or possible damage to parked vehicles from the heavy equipment. No parking on 2^nd street is advised until completion of the project.

A state trooper is injured after falling over a bridge deck near Elk Mound. An investigation shows Trooper Brad Ritger was responding to a traffic chase around 4:55 a.m. that was initiated by another trooper for speed. Ritger deployed a tire deflation device and moved to get into a position of cover when he fell over a bridge deck. Life-saving measures were administered before he was taken to a nearby hospital. The incident remains under investigation.

In Dunn County, bond was set at 25-thousand dollars yesterday for a man accused of abusing his two-month-old daughter. Investigators say Codi Stenlund hurt the child back in July, leaving her with critical injuries. Stenlund told police at the time that the girl was hurt when a cat tipped her pack 'n play, causing her to fall. He faces a charge of child abuse-recklessly causing great bodily harm.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include approval of license applications and reports from the mayor and city department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

Expect blasting today at the quarry near Elmwood. The Village is advising residents of the blasting that is expected today. Residents may hear loud noises and or feel the blasting. That work is expected today only.

A former Monroe County transport officer who stood accused of sexually assaulting an inmate has been sentenced. Prosecutors had said that David Griffin grabbed an inmate's genitals while he and another officer were taking him to the Monroe County Jail back in March. Griffin has pleaded no contest to charges of disorderly conduct and been sentenced to 60 hours of community service.

Refinery issues have driven gas prices higher across the Great Lakes. Patrick de Haan from Gas Buddy dot Com reports that conflict in Iran and the Gulf, continued strikes on Russian refineries as well as slowdowns in gas production across the Midwest have spiked gas prices. The average price for unleaded is now 4 43 a gallon in Wisconsin, up 34 a gallon from last week. De Haan says any lowering of prices will require attacks on oil production to stop.

A Columbian woman is accused of illegally voting in Wisconsin. Federal prosecutors accuse Julieta Englestad of voting in the 2022 general elections. The Hudson resident is a lawful permanent resident of the US but has not completed naturalization, making it illegal for her to vote. Englestad pleaded not guilty to the charges on Friday. She faces a maximum of 6 years in prison on the charges.

An arrest and charges in a 1995 cold case murder. Fond du Lac County deputies arrested 83-year-old Jerome Baier on Friday and charged him with first degree homicide in the death of then 40-year-old James Ruland. Ruland and Baier were roommates at the time, and Ruland went missing in October of 1995. His body was never found, but prosecutors say new forensic testing prompted Baier's arrest.

Governor Tony Evers declared Wisconsin's first PFAS Awareness Week. The focus is on clean, safe drinking water across the state. This comes after he signed a bipartisan plan to release 125-million dollars from the PFAS Trust Fund earlier this year to help communities test and treat contaminated water. The state also has ten-million from a Tyco PFAS settlement, with the money set to go towards clean water projects, new polluted wells and the installation of new treatment systems. PFAS Awareness Week runs through Friday.

Cargo shipments are down across several categories at the Port of Duluth-Superior. Port officials say iron ore tonnage fell by roughly two-and-a-half-million tons last year, with trade uncertainty involving Canada contributing to the decline. Coal shipments are also dropping as energy markets shift and the Superior Midwest Energy Terminal prepares to close. Officials say every major cargo category is currently down. The port is investing millions in infrastructure while pursuing new cargo opportunities, including wind energy components.

A beloved lion dies at Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison. Zookeepers noticed 13-year-old Pelo the lion becoming uncoordinated and unable to move properly in June. He initially responded to treatment, but took a turn for the worse last week and was euthanized. Pelo came to the Zoo in 2014 and was a beloved mainstay of the zoo community, even having cubs with a female lion at the park.

Local-Regional News Sept 21

 

The Durand -Arkansaw School Board has approved the 2026-2027 continues performance report. According to Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson the performance program has four pillars.  The administration must provide a progress report to the school board in the spring of 2027.

Probation for a Dunn County man convicted of 2^nd degree sexual assault of a child, and causing mental harm to a child. 32Yr old Chase Thomas of Menomonie pleaded guilty to the charges in Dunn County Court last week. On Friday, he was sentenced to 5yrs of probation and 5yrs in prison which was stayed by the court, along with 5yrs of extended supervision. He will also have to comply with the sex offender registry.

Former Kasson-Mantorville star Matthew Donovan is in the ICU after suffering a severe head injury during a college football game. The Mayville State quarterback was injured in a helmet-to-helmet collision on Saturday and was airlifted to Fargo with a brain bleed. His family says Donovan underwent a craniotomy and remains in a medically induced coma. Doctors say his brain pressure remained controlled overnight and his pupils were normal and reactive on Sunday morning. A GoFundMe has been created to help the family with medical and travel expenses.

A Chippewa Falls native is joining the cast of Saturday Night Live. The show announced Grace Reiter is one of two new cast members joining the series. According to NBC News, Reiter is a writer, director and actress who gained popularity through her sketches on TikTok. The season premieres September 26th.

A call for legislative action on Flock safety cameras. State Representative Calvin Callahan is calling for a ban on unchecked use of Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras by government agencies. Callahan says he's heard a lot from constituents that have real privacy concerns. The Tomahawk Republican Chairs the Assembly Committee on Consumer Protection and intends to hold a hearing on surveillance cameras when the Legislature returns in January. He says if constituents feel their privacy is being overlooked, it's up to lawmakers to take appropriate action. Callahan says some sheriffs he's spoken to want the cameras gone, while others see the need for the legislature to step in. Many local governments have dropped or scaled back Flock contracts amid public concerns over data privacy and surveillance.

Bipartisan opposition to a proposed data center in the middle of Wisconsin Rapids. Over three hours of speakers turned out for a plan commission meeting last week, including Republican State Representative Scott Krug. "It's nothing against anybody in the trades. There will be other projects." New York-based developer PNK Group has been trying to turn the vacant papermill into a data center using existing power and water connections along the Wisconsin River, with little local support. The plan commission voted down the project unanimously.

Clark County has postponed its decision to knock down a historic jail. After a lengthy public session with members of the community, the county’s decision was pushed back for the next three months. The county board chair said there's concerns with the 129-year-old building's condition, water damage, high heating costs, asbestos and lead paint. A city agenda packet estimates it would cost 259-thousand dollars to demolish.

Green Bay city leaders say there won't be a third time for absentee voting issues. Thursday was the deadline for clerks to mail out the first set of absentee ballots to residents who requested them before mail in voting started. Interim city clerk Stacy Menke tells Fox 11 Green Bay her office is double and triple checking that one ballot is going to each person who requested one. Former city clerk Celestine Jeffreys admitted to being the source of at least one instance of double mailings of ballots in the spring and August elections. No one ever double voted in either election.

State lawmakers want the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to have more time to review major transmission line projects. This comes as two large projects advance toward PSC review. Tim Woodhouse leads the coalition opposing the 140 mile long, 765 kilovolt Maribell line that would traverse Southwestern Wisconsin’s Driftless Region. During a press conference at the Capitol this week, Woodhouse said residents have " been thrown into a David and Goliath situation with the proposal which would be the largest transmission line proposal ever in the state of Wisconsin. Representatives Tara Johnson and Andrew Hysell are calling for expanded review authority for the Public Service Commission so residents can have input. A Tony Evers budget proposal that would have allowed the PSC chair to grant an additional 180 days to review large transmission projects was pulled by Republican lawmakers. Applications for the Maribell and BECI projects will be submitted to the PSC early next year.

A Wisconsin company makes a multibillion-dollar deal with Amazon. Shares of Generac surged on Thursday on news the generator maker entered into a lucrative partnership with Amazon. The Waukesha-based power company made a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on September 16, reporting a deal worth up to $8 billion to provide backup power generators for Amazon data centers. Generac reported initial deliveries of backup power to Amazon in 2027 and 2028 are expected to be worth $2.4 billion. Generac CEO Aaron Jagdfeld said the agreement establishes Generac as a “long-term partner for the supply of industrial backup generators to Amazon” and demonstrates the industry’s growth.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is pushing a bipartisan bill requiring safety testing for advanced AI. The proposal would require developers to work with the federal government to test certain models before release. Companies would also have to report imminent risks associated with their technology. Klobuchar is working with Republican Senators John Thune and Ted Cruz on the legislation. President Trump and some House Republican leaders have argued AI companies should face less federal oversight.

The annual Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin competition is underway. It's put on by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and has over 100 products from the Badger state competing. Nominated products will first compete in a popular vote, with the top 16 products advancing to head-to-head matchups in October. Some of the familiar products on the list -- Jack Link's Beef Jerky, the Packers' Original Cheesehead Hat, Kwik Trip Glazers and Johnsonville Beer Brats. There are also some highly specialized industrial equipment products like Whisker’s Litter-Robot 5 Pro, Cardinal IG’s smart privacy glass and Leo Cancer Care’s radiation therapy technology.

Local-Regional News Sept 18

 

The Durand-Arkansaw School District is seeing a slight drop in enrollment. Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the preliminary drop in enrollment was not unexpected.  Today is the third Friday of the School year, and an official enrollment count will be taken.

Durand-Arkansaw High School has a new girls golf team. Girls Golf Coach Justin Redetzke says students approached him last year to try and start the team. Because the team started late, it will not be eligible to participate in the playoffs this year. The team will be hosting a golf meet at Rolling Greens on September 28^th.

The Pepin County Department of Health and Human Services will be holding a town hall meeting on Mental Health on October 27^th. The meeting will have mental health professionals and feature an open community conversation, a question-and-answer session, and an opportunity to learn about local resources. The public is invited to attend. The meeting will be held at the Durand-Arksansaw School District offices.

The City of Chippewa Falls has hired a new city administrator. The City Council voted to hire Rebecca Glewen as the new administrator. Glewen is a former mayor of Beaver Dam and was the Trempealeau County administrator in the spring of 2024. Glewen is the first city administrator in 20 years for Chippewa Falls.

The City of Winona is reporting a scam. The city says scammers are impersonating the city’s Planning Commission and sending fake invoices demanding payment to local contractors, businesses and property owners. The city says the scammers are pulling details from news reports and public records to make the invoices appear legitimate. The city says it does not send out emails demanding wire transfer payments. Anyone who receives one of these emails is to contact the City of Winona Directly.

Prison is being ordered for a Sparta man convicted in the 2024 killing of Ticarra Manning. Andrew Nauman pleaded no contest earlier this year to charges of first-degree intentional homicide and felony murder battery. He was sentenced yesterday to 36 years in prison.

The Clark County Sheriff's Office has canceled its contract to use Flock license plate reader cameras. Sheriff Kerry Kirn issued a statement yesterday, saying that as sheriff, he has a responsibility both to provide department deputies with effective tools to keep the communities they serve safe and to listen to the people. He says he has heard the concerns expressed by Clark County residents regarding the use of the plate reader technology, including concerns about privacy, and took those concerns seriously.

A bill approved by the US House would make A M radios standard in all vehicles. Supporters say A-M radio provides an essential, free service and an important lifeline for broadcasting emergency information when cell phones and the internet aren't working. If the bill becomes law, A-M radio would be classified as standard equipment in a vehicle and automakers would not be allowed to charge extra for it. According to the most recent data from Nielsen Media Research, over 90 percent of U-S adults listen to the radio every month and 74 percent of people who commute listen to the radio while they're driving. The A-M Radio for Every Vehicle Act passed the U-S House Tuesday night by a voice vote. The bill has been eligible for debate in the Senate since last year. Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin is among its co-sponsors.

A Bangor choir teacher is facing allegations of child sex crimes. Paul Sadergaski, who taught at Bangor Middle School/High School, was arrested after allegedly having inappropriate communication with a student. During the investigation, officials found inappropriate content unrelated to his position in the district or the case. Officials are recommending he be charged with grooming of a child for sexual activity, as well as possession of child pornography. Sadergaski is currently on administrative leave from the district.

ACT and SAT scores could soon be optional for UW System college admissions. Testing requirements were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and have remained optional ever since. Research conducted by UW-Madison found test scores were not strongly tied to student retention or graduation rates, while factors like high school coursework, grades, and extracurricular activities were better predictors of success. The proposal goes before the Board of Regents Thursday. If approved, campuses could still use test scores for scholarships, course placement, and other academic opportunities.

Three more southeastern Wisconsin communities are shutting down their Flock Safety automated license plate reader programs. The cities of Waukesha, Oconomowoc, and Racine all voted to part ways with the vendor following council decisions. Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson emphasized that while the technology helps solve crimes, maintaining public trust and transparency is just as essential. The moves come as several local departments re-examine privacy protections and vendor practices regarding automated camera systems across the state.

Alliant Energy has set its price for data centers. The utility earlier this month sent a "large load" rate for approval with the Public Service Commission after the Commission ruled the company needed to find a standard rate for hyperscale data centers. This comes in response to Alliant's original filings to provide power to a Meta data center in Beaver Dam. Alliant would charge its large customers the full price for any new power generation that needed to be built to handle their facilities, and would prevent rate increases for the rest of Alliant's customer base. The P S C will have to approve the request.

The two biggest races in Minnesota appear to be getting closer. A new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll shows the gap between Amy Klobuchar and Lisa Demuth in the race for governor is tightening. Last month, Klobuchar led Demuth by 16 points and now she has a seven-point lead with several weeks to go before the election. Meanwhile, in the U. S. Senate race to replace retiring incumbent Tina Smith is also close. Peggy Flanagan started the race with a five-point lead over Republican nominee Michele Tafoya. They are both now are knotted up at 42 percent. Twelve percent of the registered voter in the poll are undecided.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport is ranked the best in North America for the third straight year. J.D. Power released its Airport Satisfaction Survey today. MSP edged Detroit and Phoenix for the top spot. The study includes factors such as level of trust with airport, terminal facilities, airport staff, food, beverage and retail and departure and arrival experience.

Local-Regional News Sept 17

 

With the upcoming stormy weather on Friday, many schools have move football games to tonight. Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the Durand-Arkansaw vs Regis game will have a new time on Friday.  The game would begin at 5pm weather permitting. The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy rain and thunderstorms beginning Friday afternoon and continuing into Friday night with 2-3 inches of rain possible.

A previously-deported Mexican citizen is being sentenced to five months in prison for illegally reentering the country after having been arrested earlier this year in Trempealeau County. That sentence was announced this week in federal court for Jaime Carvajal-Juarez. Carvajal-Juarez continues to face charges in Trempealeau County, including drug offenses and operating while intoxicated.

A Western Wisconsin Teacher is being recognized. Shannon Beighley, a teacher at Whitehall Middle school has been named the 2026 Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance Rural Teacher of the year. Beighley has taught at Whitehall Middle School for 21yrs and will be recognized at the WiRSA Conference on October 29 in Stevens Point.

Officials are sharing the name of an Eau Claire woman who died after a Tuesday morning crash on Highway 53. The accident happened just south of Clairemont Avenue. Police say 65-year-old Jody Peterson veered off the side of the roadway and into the concrete median -- suffering fatal injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

An Onalaska man charged in connection with recent fires in La Crosse County has been ruled incompetent for trial. David Sheldon was taken into custody last month on charges that he had intentionally started a number of fires. He has been ordered committed to the Department of Health Services, with a reevaluation expected in 90 days.

The price of diesel fuel in Wisconsin is as high as it’s ever been. The Triple-A Fuel Prices page shows the average price for diesel just shy of $6.13 a gallon as of Wednesday, up two cents from Tuesday and an increase of $2.69 from a year ago. It’s the same story nationally, with diesel at a record high $6.31 a gallon according to Triple-A. The price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline – just over $4.10 – is 26 cents below the national average, with higher prices in Northern and Central Wisconsin.

Keep an eye out for reptiles and amphibians on the road this fall. As temperatures cool, frogs, salamanders, turtles, snakes and lizards are moving to overwintering areas, often crossing roadways along the way. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, many are killed by vehicles each year. The public can report sightings, including roadkill locations, to help identify trouble spots and guide future conservation efforts. More than half of Wisconsin's reptile species are considered endangered, threatened, or of special concern.

A new case of measles in Central Wisconsin means more work for the Department of Health Services. Dr. Ryan Westergaard says health officials have been able to focus on containing a series of community outbreaks in Southwestern Wisconsin. Westergaard says the new case in Marathon County will require D H S to mobilize in order to contain possible exposures in a new region of Wisconsin. The case in Marathon County is from out of state travel. Two new cases are also reported from Vernon County, in addition to previously confirmed cases in Iowa, Grant and Lafayette Counties, bringing the total number this year to 164, of which 163 were unvaccinated individuals.

Bird flu is detected in a commercial bird flock in Barron County. The Wisconsin Department of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection has been monitoring for the highly pathogenic avian influenza. Officials said on Tuesday the affected flock, located between Rice Lake and Barron, was depopulated and premises quarantined to prevent the spread of the disease to other flocks and stop the birds from entering the food system. Other flocks in the area are being monitored. The disease is often spread by wild birds and their droppings. For more information, visit the DATCP website at D A T C P dot W I dot gov and click on the link for highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry.

A case of Measles in Marathon County. The County Health Department says an unidentified person came down with the disease after traveling outside Wisconsin. The person is self-isolating, and as of Tuesday there is no indication that anyone else may have been exposed. The case is unrelated to an outbreak in Southwestern Wisconsin, where more than 150 people have come down with the disease in Iowa, Grant, and Lafayette Counties. Officials say they will continue to monitor the case, anyone concerned about the disease should check their vaccination status and practice good hygiene while out in public.

Pulling the plug on a candidate forum in the race for Wisconsin governor. It’s the second time a scheduled appearance between Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany and Democratic Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley is cancelled. The Milwaukee County Intergovernmental Cooperation Council, TMJ4 and UW–Milwaukee announced an October 8 town hall forum will not take place. A joint statement says “scheduling did not work out.” Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association debate to be held on October 9th was cancelled after Tiffany declined to participate. The sole opportunity for voters to hear from both candidates will take place Wednesday, October 21, on the Marquette University campus at 7 p.m. WISN-12 reporters Matt Smith and Gerron Jordan will moderate the one-hour debate, which will be available statewide on partner stations in Green Bay, Madison, Wausau, Eau Claire and La Crosse.

Scammers are using exam anxiety to try and trap college students into sending them money. Wisconsin Better Business Bureau spokesperson Lisa Schiller says the scam starts with an email or text message offering help passing exams or tests. Another person will then start contacting you, saying they know "you're trying to cheat" and demand money or else theyll get you expelled. If you get one of these messages offering help, make sure the sender is who they say they are by checking online. If you are looking for legitimate help with prepping for exams, contact your school to find tutors or look for reputable agencies online at B B B dot Org.

Minnesota cannabis sales are at 250 million dollars in the first year of business. The figure represents 150 million dollars in adult-use products and 100 million dollars in medical cannabis products. In the last year, the state has licensed more than 300 businesses. The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management says sales have generated 45-point-six million dollars in tax revenue for the state.

September is College Savings Month in Wisconsin. A proclamation from Governor Tony Evers serves as a reminder for families to start or continue saving for future education costs through the state's 529 College Savings Program. Funds can be used for college, technical school, apprenticeships, and some K-through-12 expenses. Contributions grow tax-free when used for qualified education costs, and Wisconsin taxpayers may qualify for state tax deductions. More information is available through the Edvest 529 and Tomorrow's Scholar savings plans.

Local-Regional News Sept 16

 

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include a report on preliminary student enrollment, consideration of the 2026-2027 district continuous performance report and reports from district and building administrators. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

The Pepin County Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion of the 2027 Budget timeline and goals, approval of changes to the Rural Functional Classification System in Pepin County, and county board committee reports. Tonights meeting begins at 7pm in the board room at the Pepin County Government Center in Durand.

The Dunn County Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include approval of the hazard mitigation plan, addressing the 2027-2028 funding gap and establishing a plan to maintain compliance with county fund balance policy. Tonights meeting begins at 7pm at the Dunn County Government Center in Menomonie.

A Menomonie woman is facing arson charges after four fires at properties she lived at. Authorities are accusing Marquetta Rodey with setting fires to her home in September 2023, then again in July of 2024 along with an apartment building she was living at in October 2025. Authorities say that Rodey collected over $500,000 in insurance money. She is charged with four counts of arson with the intent to defraud. She will be in court on October 20.

Authorities are investigating a fatal crash that happened Tuesday morning on Highway 53. The accident happened around 11 a.m., just south of Clairemont Avenue. Police say a 65-year-old Eau Claire woman veered off the side of the roadway and into the concrete median -- suffering fatal injuries. Her name has not yet been released.

Wabasha County Highway 9 from Hwy 33 south to 670^th street is closed for the rest of the month as crews replace a bridge. Crews will replace the bridge with large culverts. That project is expected to be completed by mid October.

Authorities are releasing the identity of a man who was killed in a crash in Red Wing. The collision happened Monday on Highway 61 near Mile Post 89. Minnesota State Patrol officials say 71-year-old Michael Murphy's vehicle crossed the median, struck a guardrail and rolled several times. Authorities say the roads were wet at the time of the crash.

Governor Tony Evers visited multiple University of Wisconsin campuses on Tuesday as part of his annual back-to-school tour. Evers bragged on higher education in the state during a stop at UW-La Crosse, saying that 'whether it's a technical college system, or a UW System, higher education in Wisconsin is clearly better than in almost any other state in the nation.' The governor yesterday also visited the UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stout campuses.

Charges are being filed against a former nurse at the Tomah Veterans Affairs Memorial Center. Fifty-three-year-old Beth Holtz is accused of intentionally depriving a dying hospice patient of oxygen. The incident happened in August of last year, with Holtz reportedly telling a fellow staffer that she hoped the patient would die before the end of her shift because reporting his passing would be easier than writing up a fall that he had experienced earlier. Holtz was taken into custody yesterday on a charge of intentionally abusing a patient causing great bodily harm.

Wisconsin’s regular waterfowl hunting seasons begin this month. The goose season opens Wednesday in the Northern and Southern Zones, while duck season opens later this month in the North. Hunters are reminded to have required licenses, stamps, and federal HIP registration before heading afield. The Department of Natural Resources also recommends precautions when handling harvested birds because avian influenza remains present in wild waterfowl. Season dates and regulations are available through the DNR's website.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear arguments this week on the state's congressional maps. Two lawsuits claim the state's congressional districts are illegally gerrymandered. Liberal legal groups argue the maps are unfairly drawn and have helped Republicans maintain a 6-2 advantage in Wisconsin's U.S. House delegation. One lawsuit claims the maps amount to partisan gerrymandering, while another argues they're designed to protect incumbents and reduce electoral competition. Republican lawmakers and congressional representatives oppose the challenges and say lower court panels were right to dismiss them. For now, the Supreme Court is only deciding whether those dismissals should stand.

Construction is set to begin this month on a 700-million-dollar soybean processing plant in Evansville. CHS Incorporated says the facility on 300 acres of farmland will be capable of processing 80 million bushels of soybeans a year into livestock feed and oil for products like biodiesel. Project leaders had briefly paused development in 2024 to wait for clearer federal policies, but recent EPA announcements convinced the company to press forward. The plant marks the most expensive single development project in Evansville's history and is expected to open in the fall of 2028.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice is pushing for tougher anti-robocall rules. Attorney General Josh Kaul says current safeguards aren't doing enough to keep scammers off the nation's phone network. A multi-state coalition wants phone companies to do a better job vetting providers that route calls, increase monitoring, and strengthen caller ID authentication requirements. The DOJ says Americans received nearly 30 billion scam robocalls and texts last year and lost almost two billion dollars to fraud.

More than 163-thousand students are enrolled at UW System schools this fall. The Universities of Wisconsin have been providing enrollment estimates based on Day One counts since fall 2020, and after three years of consecutive growth, overall enrollment levels remain steady. Enrollment decreased approximately 1% across the 13 campuses including significant decreases in international students. Estimates show fall 2026 enrollment at 163,260, a decline of 1,732 overall, with 1,100 of those being international students. Enrollments at the three largest UWs – Madison, Milwaukee and Green Bay, account for more than half of the UW System total.

New BCA data shows reported crime fell sharply across Minnesota in 2025. Murders dropped 23-percent, from 172 in 2024 to 132 last year. Violent crime fell 14-percent in the Twin Cities metro and nine-percent across the rest of the state. Robberies, carjackings and vehicle thefts also saw double-digit declines. The BCA briefly pulled the report after initially omitting the murders of Melissa and Mark Hortman.

The Badger State is a happy state, just not as much as you may think. A recent study by finance website WalletHub ranked the happiest states in America and whether it has an impact on people's daily lives. It used factors such as depression and unemployment rates, income growth, and more. Wisconsin fell into the above average category and ranked 27th overall. The state's highest rating came in the work environment category at number 18. In case you were wondering, Hawaii was ranked as the happiest state in the country.

Local-Regional News Sept 15

 

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department is reporting the release of a sex offender back to Pierce County. 61Yr old Todd London is being released today by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections after serving his sentence for 1^st Degree Sexual Assault of a child. London is listed as being homeless and will be required to wear a GPS monitor, have no unsupervised contact with minors and have no contact with the victim.

The Durand Police have seen an uptick in property upkeep complaints. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the police will write a citation if its something noticeable, but most of the complaints are called into the city.

Durand-Arkansaw School Resource Officer Schue is settling into his new position. Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson says that Schue’s education experience will serve him well.

One person was killed in a single-vehicle accident near Red Wing on Monday. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 71yr old man from Red Wing was traveling on 7^th Street and attempting to go northbound onto Hwy 61 when he lost control of the vehicle and it went into the median, through the guardrail, and rolled onto its side. Roads were wet at the time of the accident.

The City of Wabasha and Three Rivers Community Action are looking for a child care provider to operate out of the historic Wabasha Mittle Schule building. The Wabasha Port Authority will provide 18 months of free rent, a fully equipped classroom along with business and licensing assistance. The goal is to make launching or relocating a childcare business more attainable and create another childcare option in Wabasha.

No one is injured after a fire in a four-unit townhouse in Eau Claire. Crews were dispatched Sunday morning and found heavy smoke and flames coming from a center unit. All occupants were safely evacuated, with the American Red Cross assisting displaced residents. Damage to the building and contents is estimated at one-point-two million dollars. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

An Eau Claire tattoo artist is pleading guilty to charges of sexual assault. Christopher Ardoin -- a former tattoo artist at the Skin Prints Studio -- had been accused of inappropriately touching three women, including two clients and a coworker. On Friday, he pleaded guilty to two counts of third degree sexual assault and no contest to three counts of fourth degree sexual assault.

A former Western Wisconsin fifth-grade teacher is pleading guilty to sex crimes charges. Former Hudson educator Abigail Faust pleaded guilty yesterday to charges including child enticement-sexual contact and sexual assault of a child. She will be sentenced at a later date.

Gas prices continue to climb in Western Wisconsin. Triple-A reports the average price of regular fuel in Western Wisconsin is now four-19 per gallon -- 24-cents more per-gallon than it was last week. The average cost of a gallon of regular fuel in the State of Wisconsin is four-oh-eight per gallon -- 27-cents-per gallon more versus the week before.

Wisconsin hunters need to be sure of their target before pulling the trigger. The Department of Natural Resources is urging hunters to make sure they're not mistaking elk for white-tailed deer during hunting season. Elk sometimes roam outside the state's northern and central elk management zones, especially during the fall breeding season. Elk are larger than deer, have different antler shapes, and distinctive markings, including tan rump patches and black legs. Some may also be wearing orange tracking collars. Accidentally shooting an elk can result in fines and the loss of hunting privileges. Hunters can find identification guides on the DNR website.

Everwood Farmstead Foundation has announced ten-thousand dollars in grants has been awarded to school arts educators through its Aspiring Artists Fund. The grants will help fund creative projects and classroom resources for students across western Wisconsin. Foundation leaders say the goal is to support innovative arts programs and give young artists more opportunities to learn and grow. The organization has contributed more than 70-thousand dollars to local school programs since 2012. Recipients were recognized for projects ranging from music and visual arts, as well as programs designed to foster creativity and student engagement.

De Pere police officers are no longer allowed to use Flock automated license plate reader cameras. De Pere Police Chief Jeremy Muraski made the announcement Monday, citing concerns over data integrity and public trust. Muraski says Flock violated agreements by disclosing data without authorization, including offering to sell up to five years of traffic analytics. The cameras will be covered immediately, but will remain in place until they're removed by November 15th.

An athlete is dead after suffering a medical emergency during the IRONMAN 70.3 Wisconsin competition in Madison. Officials said the incident happened during the swimming portion of the event Saturday morning. UW Lake Rescue personnel brought the athlete to shore and began life-saving measures before emergency crews took over. The athlete was transported to a hospital, where they later died. IRONMAN USA confirmed the death and is not releasing further information out of respect for the family's privacy.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice has joined a coalition of states in two lawsuits challenging Trump administration changes to the Endangered Species Act. The suits target new federal rules that make it easier to alter or develop habitat used by threatened and endangered wildlife. State attorneys general argue the changes weaken long-standing protections and could speed the decline of vulnerable species. Wisconsin officials say habitat loss is already the leading cause of species decline and note the state is home to 233 endangered or threatened plants and animals.

The SS Badger won't be making trips across Lake Michigan today. The National Weather Service is predicting gale force winds on the Great Lakes for Tuesday, with possible 12 to 20 foot waves. The operators of the car ferry say that will make the crossings far too dangerous and have cancelled all service. The Badger will attempt to run on Wednesday, weather permitting.

Wisconsin archery deer hunters may want to focus on food sources as the season gets underway. DNR Interim Deer Specialist Derek Johnson says red oak acorn production looks strong across much of the state, making food sources a key factor in early season deer movement. Hunters are also encouraged to monitor local water conditions, especially in drier areas. Meanwhile, the DNR reminds hunters that baiting and feeding restrictions remain in place to help slow the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease. Reporting natural resource violations can be done confidentially through the state's 24-hour TIP-WDNR hotline.