Local-Regional News June 15

 

Construction Crews have begun the 6^th Avenue West reconstruction project. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the project is a complete rebuild of 6^th Avenue West.  That project is expected to be completed by August.

Trempealeau County was the scene of a deadly weekend collision. One person has died and two others were left injured after an SUV hit a deer Saturday morning on Highway 93. The force of the crash pushed the SUV into oncoming traffic where it collided with another vehicle. A passenger from the SUV was killed while both drivers survived with injuries.

The Durand Fire Department is looking for a house to burn. The department is looking for an old, abandoned home to burn down as part of training for department members. Anyone who has an old, abandoned home that is in the Durand Fire District willing to let the department use, should contact the Durand Fire Department.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is turning off lights on three Mississippi River bridges as the annual mayfly hatch begins. The affected bridges are in Red Wing, Wabasha and Winona. Mayflies are attracted to bright lights and can create slick driving conditions. The lights will remain off until the hatch subsides. Officials are urging drivers to slow down and stay alert.

Western Wisconsin Motorists will have to find alternate routes in Chippewa County starting today. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says that all ramps at the Hwy 53-Business 29 interchange will be closed starting today. Crews will be replacing the pavement on the ramps and widening the shoulders of the ramps. The project should be completed by the end of the month.

A three-year mural project has been recently completed at the Wabasha Public Library, which includes three murals that honor the community’s past, present and future. The “Instilling a Sense of Place” project, began with the need to update the library’s walls. Then Library Director Bev Hall and Librarian Liesl Knox, secured several grants and donations, to make it something even more. The library partnered with local artist Sue Mundy on the project.  She worked in collaboration with input from library staff, local historians, indigenous artist Jalayah Whitecloud, Dakota Educator Inkpa Mani, as well as the Wabasha County historical society, Wabasha Main Street, National Eagle Center, and Bird City Wabasha.

Strawberry season has begun amid another year of challenging weather. Farmers say late spring frosts and recent rainfall threatened crops statewide, with some reporting damage from winter injury and other related issues. Despite the challenges, farms are welcoming customers for strawberry picking and fresh berry sales. Growers are also encouraging residents to support local farms as they hope for a harvest season lasting closer to the typical two-to-three weeks.

A player who purchased a ticket in the Wisconsin Lottery's 100-thousand-dollar All or Nothing game recently in St. Croix County has come up a grand prize winner. The ticket sold at Bob and Steve's BP Amoco Shop in New Richmond matched all eleven numbers announced in the June 11th drawing. The winner has 180 days to step forward and collect their prize.

Wisconsin's Lieutenant Governor wins a straw poll at the state Democratic Convention. Sara Rodriguez led a WisPolitics poll of attendees at the convention this past weekend. State Representative Francesca Hong and State Senator Kelda Roys polled second and third respectively. The poll could be a sign of things to come as seven candidates vie for the chance to take on Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany in November. Also in the race are former Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, Milwaukee County executive David Crowley, former Wisconsin economic development corporation CEO Missy Hughes and former Tony Evers Secretary of Administration Joel Brennan. Delivering the keynote address, Governor Evers called for unity. "Our Democratic candidate for governor will need every single one of us," Evers said.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce awarded one-million dollars in grants to four organizations to train 84 educators. Mount Mary University Inc, Carroll University Inc, Concordia University Inc and Innovators in Learning and Achievement Inc each received 250-thousand dollars. This funding supports efforts to train and recruit teachers where shortages are most prevalent in Wisconsin. It also covers two years of program costs to help recruit, train and license teachers to meet the state's guidelines for serving qualifying low-income and-or urban school districts.

The man convicted of the 2004 shooting deaths of six hunters and wounding of two others in Northwest Wisconsin has died. Wisconsin court records said 57-year-old Chai S. Vang was deceased as of Wednesday, June 10. The nature of his death was not known. Vang was serving time for six counts of first-degree intentional homicide and three counts of attempted homicide, stemming from an incident November 21, 2004, in woods near Birchwood, known as the “Tree Stand Murders.” Vang was confronted for trespassing on private land during deer hunting season. He claimed the incident was racially-motivated and the shootings were in self-defense after being shot at. A survivor of the shootings testified Vang fired upon them first.

Oshkosh police say nearly a dozen people were involved in a disturbance near the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh campus. City and campus police responded to calls about a large fight and a report that a gunshot was heard Thursday night. Officers interviewed several individuals and were told the sound of the gunshot was a firework thrown into the air. No one was hurt in the disturbance and no one was arrested. The incident is under investigation.

Charges have been filed against a couple from Johnson Creek, accused of leaving their 4-month-old baby on a boat. This happened last Sunday at a bar near Milton in Rock County. The sheriff's office says a person called 911, to say this baby which was in the sun and unattended on the boat didn't look right and was sweating and turning red. Another witness told police the baby was left alone for about 45 minutes. The parents had been having some drinks at an outdoor bar and told cops their baby was always sweaty and they were nearby and keeping an eye on him. The parents have been charged with neglecting a child and part of their bond conditions are staying sober and not having contact with the child unless approved by child protective services.

A popular Minneapolis-based mattress maker is filing for bankruptcy as it plans to merge with a Canadian mattress business. Sleep Number executives announced last month that it was looking at other option after recording a 50-million-dollar quarterly loss. They did not say how much the deal to merge with Sleep Country Canada is worth. Sleep Number recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company hopes to continue operating and has secured 260-million dollars of debtors-in-possession financing. Sleep Number has recorded four years of declining sales.

A beagle rescued from Ridglan Farms that had been feared killed by an alligator in Florida is in fact alive. The dog named Omelette was rescued last month from the research facility in Blue Mounds and adopted by a family in Florida. Last weekend, the dog got free from its back yard. On Wednesday Big Dog Ranch Rescue announced they found the remains of a dog mauled and killed by a gator, but Thursday, the actual Omelette was found alive and well. Rescuers matched the beagle to its microchip for a positive identification. The dog will not be going back to its adoptive family, but to a rescue foster instead.

Local-Regional News July 12

 

The City of Durand Police Department announced that School Resource Officer Bonnerup has resigned. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says Bonnerup has taken a position teaching at Chippewa Valley Technical College.   Milliren says the city and school district are recruiting for a new School Resource Officer.

The Hwy 10 Bridge in Durand is now open for ATV-UTV Traffic. Pepin County Highway Crews completed installation of the signs yesterday thus opening the bridge for ATV-UTV use. Pepin County ATV-UTV Club President Evan Mercer says ATV-UTV traffic will need to stay to the right when crossing the bridge.  ATV-UTVs will not be allowed to continue eastbound on HWY 10 past Main Street in Durand or continue westbound on Hwy 10 past Hwy P.

Buffalo County Residents are encouraged to download the new REGROUP notification system. The county is ending its contract with NIXLE and will end that service in late July. With the REGROUP program, residents will receive alerts directly from Buffalo County Emergency Management via text, email, and voice message. Visit the Buffalo County Website for more information.

A Western Wisconsin School District has received a grant from the state of Wisconsin to expand its technical education lab. Arcadia was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s Fab Lab Grant Program. The grant will help the school district purchase advanced welding and fabrication equipment for its automotive-focused fabrication laboratory at Arcadia High School. The District will match the grant to support the full project.

A Chippewa Falls man has been sentenced for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition. According to a press release, law enforcement searched Michael Raskie Jr.'s house and found multiple firearms, including seven privately manufactured firearms, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, silencers, high-capacity magazines and parts to assemble the weapons. He was previously prohibited from legally possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. Raskie Jr. pleaded guilty to his charges in March and was sentenced to seven-years in federal prison this week.

Western Technical College is announcing the addition of two new apprenticeship programs. The new Surgical Technologist apprenticeship will help to prepare students for work in hospitals and other healthcare facilities while the Education Assistant apprenticeship program will help prepare students for work in K thru 12 school settings. More details are available at westerntc.edu.

If you've been a victim of a phone or internet scam, you might be targeted again. Wisconsin Consumer Protection administrator Michelle Reinen says scammers have a habit of sharing lists of victims, so they can try and pretend to help you recover from the first scam. Reinen says anyone who knows you've been scammed without you reporting in the first place will be connected to the first scammer. Simply hang up or stop texting, and find local help on your own. You can contact DATCP for assistance at D A T C P dot W I dot Gov or by calling (800) 422-7128.

It’s now easier to get your annual Wisconsin State Parks Pass. A partnership between the DNR and DMV allows residents to purchase a pass at the same time as they renew their vehicle registration online. Governor Tony Evers called it " government efficiency at its finest. Maximizing strength and working together." Motorists who choose the option will receive their 12-month state park pass and vehicle registration stickers together in the mail.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services wants residents to be on alert for ticks. The agency reported there is high activity statewide thanks to nymphal deer ticks and are known to spread more tickborne illnesses than the adult version. Officials warned these ticks are harder to see because of their size and can remain attached longer since it's harder to notice. The department emphasized the importance of using insect repellent and more clothing to prevent ticks attaching.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin holds its state convention this weekend in Madison, with a crowded race for governor taking center stage. UW–La Crosse Political Science Professor Anthony Chergosky says, unlike the Republican side, Democrats still have seven candidates in the running. He says the convention could help bring clarity as candidates work to stand out and sharpen their messages. Chergosky adds the event marks a key moment to ramp up campaigning ahead of the August 11th primary. The winner will go on to face Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany in November.

An attorney accused of attempting to help President Trump win the 2020 presidential election says he's got a presidential pardon. Attorney Jim Troupis is accused in Dane County of helping a group of Republicans issue their own slate of electors after former President Joe Biden won the state in 2020. Troupis wants one of 11 charges he faces in Dane County thrown out because of a blanket presidential pardon issued by President Trump. Attorneys for Troupis argue that while that is a federal pardon, it should also apply to a conspiracy to commit forgery charge in state court. His attorneys also want to move the trial against Troupis out of Dane County, claiming the jury pool will be prejudiced against him.

The Madison Police Department is warning residents about a scam where people pose as government officials to get people's assets. Scammers have contacted victims by phone and text and claim to be apart of government agencies, such as the SSA, and will make false claims that the victim's Social Security number was compromised with their assets at risk of being frozen or stolen. MPD says the scammer will text victims false documents and convince victims to convert their assets into gold, make a wire transfer or mail a cashier's check. Officials are reminding people that government agencies wouldn't ask them to move funding to keep personal accounts safe, as well as never ask to buy gold to help with an investigation.

A Rochester man is accused of abducting a woman and leading police on a high-speed pursuit. Paul Canini Jr. has been charged with kidnaping-to-facilitate felony or flight, false imprisonment-intentional restraint, fleeing police and two counts of domestic assault. Police say the defendant hit a woman and forced her into a 2014 Chevy Malibu on June 8th at Kwik Trip on Marion Road. Police spotted the vehicle and a high-speed chase ensued. The Chevy crashed into another vehicle and Canini allegedly fled on foot. He eventually was taken into custody. The woman who was abducted was still in the car and suffered a busted lip and red marks around her neck. Canini is expected back in court on June 23rd.

Wisconsin landowners can host fall gun deer hunts for hunters with disabilities. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is reminding landowners to sign up by July 1st to host this year’s Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities. There are new dates for 2026, hunts on enrolled properties run October 3rd through the 9th. Then, October 10th and 11th, eligible hunters can take part statewide on public land or private land with permission. To qualify, landowners need at least sixty acres, space for three hunters, and must complete an online application. The program, started in 1992, gives about four hundred hunters each year a chance to take part in Wisconsin’s deer hunting tradition.

Local-Regional News July 11

 

Severe storms moved through Western Wisconsin Yesterday. Thunderstorm Wind Damage was reported with trees down near Plum City, some building damage at a farm near Maiden Rock, trees and powerlines down between Downsville and Menonomonie and a Pole Barn was damaged near Montana. More rain and cooler temperatures are expected today.

The Durand City Council has approved having city staff look for bids for repairs to the bandshell. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren said the city had some estimates for a project a few years ago but the city is not looking at a large project.  The Durand Improvement Group has been raising funds for the bandshell.

The City of Mondovi has approved a proposal from VPI Engineering Services for inspections of the Mirror Lake Dam. The former engineering firm Oakridge Engineering ended offering the inspections. The cost to hire VPI is similar to the costs from Oakridge Engineering.

The Durand Public Library is asking for the publics help. A few weeks ago there was a malfunction of the HVAC system at Durand-Arkansaw High School which has caused the part of the building housing the library to not have Air Conditioning. The library is asking that if you have a spare fan to allow the library to use it temporarily until the AC is functioning. Contact the Durand Public Library for more information.

A head on-collision in Chisago City Minnesota has claimed the life of a Wisconsin woman. The Minnesota State Patrol says that 75-year-old Rebecca Freedom of St. Croix Falls went left of center on Highway 8 Tuesday night and hit another vehicle head-on. Freedom died at the scene while the other driver sustained life-threatening injuries.

A former University of Wisconsin-River Falls two-sport athlete who has been an engaged and generous supporter of the university for more than four decades has established the largest individual-funded program endowment in UWRF history. Paul Dykstra, who was a four-year letter winner in golf and hockey and a key member of the Falcons’ 1983 NAIA national hockey championship team, will donate $1 million to establish the Falcon Athletics Endowment for Excellence. The transformational contribution, one of the largest gifts in UWRF history, will provide critical resources to support initiatives focused on enhancing student-athletes’ experiences.

Investigators are working to determine the cause of a Tuesday afternoon fire at the Viroqua Heritage Inn. Crews dispatched to the hotel found fire and smoke coming from the front of the building. Minor damage was reported and no one was injured.

Two teenagers are in custody following a fight that led to shots fired in Rochester. The incident happened Tuesday night in the parking lot of Crossroads Center. Police say the shooter is a 17-year-old male and identified a 17-year-old female as another suspect in the shooting. No injuries were reported. The pair were arrested early this morning during a traffic stop. They're now being held at the East Central Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Anoka County. Charges are pending.

An iconic blue barn in Beaver Dam has been leveled by strong winds. The barn, which featured a message from Culver's saying "Thank You Farmers," was toppled over yesterday by severe weather rolling through the area. Pictures of the aftermath show the barn essentially collapsed, destroying the local landmark. Officials noted a paint job for the barn was in the works after a tornado damaged the structure earlier this year. Despite the destruction, officials said nobody was hurt in the collapse.

Harley Davidson is bringing some production lines back to the US and Wisconsin. The company announced Tuesday that the Pan America, Sportster and Nightster model lines will be returning from factories overseas. The company will resume production of the Revolution Max series in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Brand Ambassador Bill Davidson says the Milwaukee based manufacturer wants to invest in American manufacturing and bring work home to the US. The company said shifting global markets and trade issues under the Trump administration are also factors in the move.

More details are coming out about the termination of the Wisconsin Center District's CEO. The Journal Sentinel reports Marty Brooks was offered a severance package before the board of directors decided to fire him on Monday. The newspaper said the package was upwards of 380-thousand dollars, but Brooks refused to accept it. Board members reportedly fired Brooks for cause after he was accused of using a district credit card for personal expenses of over 50-thousand-dollars, including making several political donations. His termination will go into effect in less than 30 days.

The School District of Janesville is spending a pretty penny to clean up its schools. A memo from school officials shows the district has spent more than 870-thousand dollars cleaning up the damage left behind by April's flooding. On top of that, more than 350-thousand dollars is still needed to help Washington Elementary with damage caused by severe weather. Roughly nine inches of rain fell on the city, and feet of water poured into the lower level of the school. The costs include pumping water and dehumidifying the campuses.

President Donald Trump had a farmer-focused stop in Wisconsin Friday. Dunn County dairy farmer Trevor Baier is hopeful Trump’s three-month target includes additional dairy export markets: This was Trump’s first Wisconsin visit since the start of his second term.

Southern Minnesota is mourning a black bear named Todd. Todd was killed on Interstate 90 near Albert Lea early Sunday morning. The initial report was that an SUV driver from Austin struck a deer, but later it was determined to be a bear. Austin police say the bear is believed to be the same one spotted around Todd Park last week. The bear became an online sensation as businesses shared edited images of him across Austin and Mason City.

Local-Regional News June 10

 

Heat, humidity and severe weather is expected today. The National Weather Services says that heat indices could reach near 100 today. Severe Thunderstorms are then expected to develop in Eastern Minnesota and move into Western Wisconsin later this afternoon with the potential to produce large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.

An investigation is underway after a crash that killed a River Falls man in western Wisconsin. Pierce County Sheriff's deputies say Jesse Hageman was driving westbound on Hwy 29 when his car went off the road and struck a tree in Oak Grove Township on May 31st. Once first responders arrived and put out the fire, they found Hageman inside the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was in the car. It's not clear what led to the crash.

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on a compliance maintenance annual report, a review of a special event application for Durand Improvement Group for the upcoming 250 years of freedom festival and reports from the mayor and department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm at Durand City Hall.

Tourism spending in Wisconsin continues to increase. Governor Tony Evers says Wisconsin’s tourism industry hit new highs in 2025, with a record 117.99 million visitors, up 3.5 million from the year before. Direct spending climbed nearly 5% to $17 billion, while tax revenue reached a record of $1.7 billion. Evers called it “a record-breaking year” for the state’s tourism economy. Pepin County had $10.2 million in direct spending, Buffalo $19.3 million, Pierce County $39.1 and Dunn County $58.3 million in direct tourism spending. 68 of Wisconsin's 72 counties saw a growth in tourism in 2025. Overall economic impact rose to $27 billion, the fourth straight annual record.

The City of Mondovi will not change a city ordinance that prohibits registered sex offenders from living near schools and daycares in the city. Kyle Gilles, who was convicted of possession of child pornography in Feb 2025 is scheduled to be released in July and had requested to live back at a home he owns in Mondovi with his mother. The council last night rejected Gilles’ request.

Charges are being filed against a suspect in connection with a man's drug overdose death in Lake Hallie. Police were called to an adult store in November of last year with reports that a man had been found unresponsive. That man died at the scene. Investigators say that 46-year-old Nicholas Frederickson supplied the drugs that led to the victim's death. Frederickson faces charges including first-degree reckless homicide / delivering drugs.

Dave Solberg officially takes the position of Eau Claire City Manager today. City Council named Solberg as their choice to replace former city manager Stephanie Hirsch after her resignation earlier this year. Solberg previously served as Eau Claire's interim city manager and deputy city manager.

Sun Country Airlines says they are bringing back non stop service to Fort Meyers out of the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. Those flights are expected to begin in January of next year. Sun County also offers seasonal service to Las Vegas out of Chippewa Valley Regional.

The ballot has been finalized for Wisconsin elections this fall, and a Democrat running for governor won’t be on it. Nomination papers from seven Democratic and one Republican candidate for governor are certified by the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Congressman Tom Tiffany, Former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, former Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Madison state Representative Francesca Hong, former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary Missy Hughes, Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez and Madison Senator Kelda Roys all collected enough valid signatures for ballot access. The commission voted unanimously Tuesday to deny ballot access to Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad, ruling the controversial Democrat fell about 500 signatures short of the 2,000 required to get on the August primary ballot.

An Appleton man who assaulted a U.S. park ranger is sentenced Monday. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 32-year-old Michael Anthony Valencia made several non-emergency calls intended to harass staff at Yosemite National Park in June and July of 2024. After tracing the calls, rangers went to the location where Valencia had been camping without a permit. Before serving a citation to him, Valencia punched and injured one of the rangers. He was arrested and has been in custody ever since. Valencia, who pleaded guilty last March to charges including assault of a federal officer and camping without a permit, was sentenced Monday in Fresno, California to time served followed by three years of supervised release.

Manitowoc County board members are considering more restrictions on data centers on top of a moratorium that's already in place. Supervisors are working on a new ordinance that would go into place after the current 18-month pause is completed. W O M T reports the draft ordinance would regulate how data centers could be zoned in the future, and what steps those who want to build the centers would have to go through to get approval. County Executive Steve Martell is hoping to get the ordinance up for a vote soon. The moratorium is set to end next September.

A lottery player in central Wisconsin wins big. Wisconsin Rapids resident Kelly Reitz won the top prize in the Wisconsin Lottery’s $2 Million Royale scratch ticket game. Reitz purchased the winning $50 scratch ticket from the Nekoosa Mart in Nekoosa and claimed it at the Wisconsin Lottery Madison office last week. Reitz is the first grand prize winner in the game which was introduced last January, offering 10 different prize levels ranging from $75, to two $100,000 prizes to the $2 million grand prize.

A carbon monoxide leak sends employees of a Fort Atkinson business to the hospital. It happened Monday afternoon at Creative Packaging. Firefighters responding to reports of an odor checked air quality at the plastics and shrink-wrapping facility and evacuated 150 employees from the building, with some suffering from headaches. Thirteen employees were sent to hospitals for carbon monoxide exposure symptoms while 14 others were treated at the scene. Elevated levels of carbon monoxide were traced to a malfunctioning propane-powered forklift. The facility's second shift was canceled while crews ventilated the building.

Minnesota Court of Appeals is ordering a further environmental review for a Fairbault Data Center. The court ruled the city did not do enough review of the Archer Data centers project. The project would include up to 500-thousand square feet of buildings for artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Judges sided with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, which challenged the city's earlier decision.

Two local students are heading to the Jimmy Awards in New York City. The awards ceremony, also known as the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, are a national celebration of outstanding high school student achievement in vocal, dance and acting performance. Middleton High School senior Ava Greenberg and Kettle Moraine School for Arts and Performance senior William Kastner are among those who are nominated. The event will take place on June 22nd at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre.

Local-Regional News June 9

 

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion of the residency of a registered sex offender, review of a proposal from VPI Engineering and reports from the Mayor and department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center.

The Lake City Police Department will be conducting training at Bluff View Elementary School this evening. The traing will be from 4-8pm and you may see a large presence of police vehicles at the school. This is for training purposes only.

The trial of a suspect charged in the killing of an Altoona man is underway in Eau Claire County. Brandon Gaston is charged with first degree homicide in the death of 79-year-old Dennis Schattie. Investigators believe Schattie was killed in Eau Claire -- though his body was found in the river near Rockford Illinois in April of 2022. Opening statements were heard in Gaston's trial yesterday. The defendant's former girlfriend -- Tracey Clark -- pleaded no contest to a charge of reckless homicide in the case last year.

Gas prices are continuing to fall in Western Wisconsin. Triple-A reports the average price of regular fuel in Eau Claire is now three-84 per gallon -- twelve-cents less than the price one week ago. In La Crosse, the average cost of a gallon of regular fuel is three-81 per gallon -- three-cents less compared to one week ago. The average cost of a gallon of regular fuel in the Badger State is three-94 per gallon.

A bill that would have provided some regulations on the siting of data centers was recently vetoed by Governor Evers. 92^nd Assemblyman Clint Moses believes there is a chance to have another bill passed but its now campaign season.  Moses cited a meat labeling bill as another example of areas where both sides of the legislature could come together but politics get in the way.

Republican state Senator Rob Hutton is criticizing leaders at the University of Wisconsin over a recent tuition hike. The UW Board of Regents has approved a tuition increase of two percent for the upcoming academic year. Hutton, who chairs the Wisconsin Senate's Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges, says the UW budget has grown by about three-billion dollars since 2021. The senator calls the tuition hike "disappointing", saying UW officials need to make cuts to keep costs affordable for students.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is sharing results from the 2026 spring turkey hunt. Officials say hunters registered over 47-thousand birds between April 12th and May 26th. The harvest for this year was up about eight percent over the five-year average. DNR says turkey numbers remain stable across all 72 counties in Wisconsin.

A state prison death lawsuit is settled. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections will pay $3.75 million to the family of Donald Maier. The 62-year-old died in February 2024 at Waupun Correctional Institution. His death was ruled a homicide, with probable malnutrition and dehydration cited as causes. A federal lawsuit alleged prison staff repeatedly shut off water to Maier’s cell while he was in solitary confinement and ignored his serious medical and mental health needs. The family also claimed disability discrimination. The state has not admitted wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

President Donald Trump, at a Chippewa County farm Friday, said the war with Iran is “nearly settled” and fuel and fertilizers prices will go down. Trump was joined by 3rd District Congressman Derrick Van Orden, Congressman and Republican candidate for governor Tom Tiffany and US Senator Ron Jonnson to promote the administration’s efforts on behalf of farmers and rural Wisconsin.

A newly created panel will consider updates to the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s recusal rule. In a 4-to-3 vote, the court’s liberal majority approved creation of the special review committee to determine when judges should step aside from cases. The panel of judges, attorneys and campaign finance experts is expected to take up to a year to complete its work. This comes after retired judges pushed for stricter recusal rules, citing concerns about impartiality. Chief Justice Jill Karofsky pointed to strong calls for more review, and other liberal justices say clearer standards and greater transparency are needed as public trust in the judiciary declines.

Human remains are found in a northern Wisconsin community. The Forest County Sheriff's Office says the unidentified remains were discovered on a property on Silver Lake in Laona, near Crandon. According to a report from WJFW-TV in Rhinelander, a man who recently purchased the property was digging the foundation for a lakeside cabin Wednesday when the skeletal remains were found. A neighbor who lived across the street from the property told the station that two bodies were found there. Several state and local agencies have joined the sheriff’s office in an investigation of the find.

A congressional report is accusing Minnesota leaders of ignoring warnings of widespread fraud in federally funded social programs as early as 2019. The 205-page study was released today by the Republican-led House committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The study also mentioned that Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison had the authority to stop payments and ban fraudulent providers but failed to do so. There were also allegations of retaliation and discrimination against state workers who tried to raise concerns. Committee Chair James Comer is also urging the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud to conduct a review of Minnesota's social services programs going as far back as 2019.

Minnesota's 511 traveler information service is getting a major reboot. The Department of Transportation is testing a cleaner version of the website and app. The new design is meant to make traffic cameras, crashes, closures, road construction and weather alerts easier to find. Users can try the pilot version now and give feedback through a survey. The state says the revamped system could go live by fall.

Wisconsin's Peninsula State Park is being named one of the greatest state parks in the nation. The area is ranked at number three on USA Today's 2026 10Best list. The Door County park is a popular destination for tourists, featuring 400 campsites, 20 miles of hiking trails, a summer theater, and more. Minnesota's Gooseberry Falls State Park and Mohican State Park in Ohio were ranked at numbers one and two on the list.

Local-Regional News June 8

 

The Pepin County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a man whose body was found Saturday morning. Fifty-four-year-old Christian Bates was a construction supervisor with Nelson Telephone Cooperative and was reported as missing when he failed to return from a worksite in Durand Township. His body was later located at the worksite. There has been no word on Bates' cause of death as authorities await the results of an autopsy. His death is also being investigated by OSHA.

A motorcyclist is dead after colliding with a deer over the weekend in Buffalo County. According to the Buffalo County Sheriffs Department, a 75-year-old Chicago resident was riding southbound on Hwy 37 as a part of a group of 14 motorcyclists Saturday near the town of Alma when the deer darted out of the north ditch and collided with motorcycle, causing the operator to lose control and crash. No one else was hurt.

A Pepin County Highway Department employee was injured in a semi-truck rollover crash on Wednesday. According to the Pepin County Sheriffs Department, 48yr Cory Breidung of Arkansaw was pulling a water tank trailer on Hwy D near Boyd Spring Road, when the vehicle left the roadway at the bottom of a steep downhill grade on Hwy D and overturned. Breidung was med-flighted to an Eau Claire hospital. The crash remains under investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol.

The Madison Street Project in Durand will continue in earnest starting this week. Durand Public Works Superintendent Matt Gilles says with Fun Fest Complete, Madison Street will be closed from 2^nd Avenue East to 8^th Avenue East. The Madison Street project is expected to be completed by this fall.

Public listening sessions this week are part of the ongoing search for the next Universities of Wisconsin President. The sessions are designed to gather input from students, faculty, staff, and community members to help inform the qualities and priorities sought in the system’s next leader following the firing of Jay Rothman by the Board of Regents. Regent Ashok Rai chairs the Presidential Search Committee and says the Universities of Wisconsin belong to the people of this state, and that is why these listening sessions matter. A Thursday listening session will be held at UW-Eau Claire from 10-10:45.

President Trump says he's with the American farmer "one-thousand-percent." Speaking at a farming roundtable on Friday in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Trump said he's been fighting hard to create an equal playing field when it comes to agricultural trade with other countries. Trump also touched on new tax policies that allow farmers to deduct more costs associated with equipment, and make it easier to pass down their farm-land to their children. Trump previously announced a 12-billion-dollar economic relief package for American farmers affected by trade disruptions, largely caused by tariffs.

A Juneau County barn is destroyed after a possible tornado Friday night. The Juneau County Emergency Management director reported the leveled barn east of Elroy. Experts with the National Weather Service will survey the damage to determine whether a tornado touched down.

The Department of Natural Resources wants your input on the agency’s PFAS law program development. The DNR is authorized to develop programs to understand the prevalence of PFAS throughout Wisconsin and then address it. The agency has flexibility for how the programs are implemented but state law defines the type of activities that may be funded, including but not limited to private well sampling, addressing contamination in public water systems and sampling drinking water at schools and daycares. A virtual public listening session from 11:30 to 12:30 on June 19 will gather feedback about implementation of the programs authorized by state law. Registration is required and you can do that or share feedback in writing on the DNR website.

Officials say one person was injured following a house fire in Onalaska. Fire crews were dispatched Saturday evening and quickly extinguished the blaze. Officials say firefighters searched the home and rescued two cats and the house sustained extensive damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents is approving a two-percent tuition increase for resident undergraduate students for the 2026-27 academic year. University leaders say the increase will add about 210-dollars per year at UW Madison. Officials say the revenue will help cover salaries, utilities, facility maintenance, and student support services. Some students voiced concerns about affordability, while university leaders say the increase remains below inflation.

Tyco Fire Products will pay $10 million to the state of Wisconsin for cleaning PFAS contamination in Marinette County, where Attorney General Josh Kaul made the announcement on Thursday. The AG said the goal of the Department of Justice was to maximize the recovery for the state of Wisconsin and to work to make water cleaner in the area. He called it "as strong a recovery as we could get for the state.” The payment settles a civil lawsuit filed in 2022 and will be deposited into the state's PFAS Trust. Terms of the agreement will have Tyco providing clean drinking water for Marinette-area residents, addressing PFAS discharges and continuing to provide for well replacement, and conduct monitoring for and reporting PFAS contamination. Kaul said in his conversations withe area residents, he heard a lot of concern about the impact on their health from PFAS contamination.

A lawsuit over worms found in drinks at a Kenosha County a fast-food restaurant. The class-action suit accuses a McDonald's in Paddock Lake of serving drinks contaminated with live worms and raw sewage. In late April, several customers of the restaurant said they discovered worms in their beverages from what the restaurant described as a "maintenance-related issue" with beverage equipment. The suit claims the franchise owner and shift manager knew about the worms near the restaurant’s drive-thru beverage station but intentionally decided to keep serving customers. Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin filed the lawsuit late last month and posted a video about it Wednesday. The plaintiffs are suing for negligence, consumer protection violations and battery, and are seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

A Minnesota woman who was denied surgery while in ICE custody has been released. Representative Angie Craig and Senator Tina Smith say Andrea Pedro-Francisco was released from custody in El Paso, Texas. The Burnsville woman was on her way to work on February fifth, when she was detained and sent to El Paso. She was scheduled for surgery for an ovarian cyst on February 11th, but federal officials denied her release. Craig released a statement, which reads in part: " I am beyond happy and relieved to hear that Andrea has been released from ICE custody and will soon be home with her family and friends in Minnesota, where she belongs."

A dirty rescue in southern Wisconsin. A 57-year-old Madison man was stuck in mud up to his shoulders Thursday morning. The Iowa County Sheriff's Office says he was attempting to walk across what he thought was solid ground to get to a fishing location, north of Highway 14 in Arena. It turned out to be deep mud and the guy sunk in and was trapped. Authorities say he was stuck for about an hour before a passenger in a vehicle noticed him and called 911. It took emergency responders about an hour to free the man, who was treated at the scene. 

Local-Regional News June 5

 

UW-Stout is taking a new name. The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents has approved a change in the name to UW-Stout Polytechnic. Leaders say the new name reflects Stout's mission in regards to applied learning and research, business and industry collaboration, and career-focused experiences. The name change is the first for a school in the UW system since it was created in 1971.

We the expansion of Ridge Breeze Dairy in Pierce County, many are asking for changes to the livestock siting law to address local concerns over the large-scale dairies. One of those concerns according to 92^nd Assemblyman Clint Moses is the damage to town and county roads. Moses would also like to see more transparency in what the public can expect from a proposed large-scale dairy moving into a community.

The Tarrant Park Pool is set to open. Durand Public Works Superintendent Matt Gills says everything is a go for the opening on Monday. For a complete pool schedule, visit the City of Durand Facebook page.

The Durand-Fun Fest begins today at Memorial Park. Durand Fun-Fest Chair Rhonda Sweeney says there will be music all three days. The parade will begin on Sunday at 2pm and will take the normal route. The city will open up the intersections of 3^rd and 4^th Avenue West at Madison Street for traffic during the weekend.

President Trump is coming to Western Wisconsin today. The White House says the president is coming to highlight his support for Wisconsin's farmers. As part of the president's trip, he is expected to speak at Custer Farm in Chippewa Falls.

Wabasha residents are reminded that Alleghany Avenue will be closed next week from Main Street to 2^nd Street West for utility work. Crews will be installing new storm sewer infrastructure. The sidewalks will remain open during the street closure.

Charges against a former Monroe County transport officer accused of sexual assault are moving forward. David Griffin allegedly grabbed an inmate's genitals while he and another officer were taking him to the Monroe County Jail back in March. Charges of abuse of residents of penal facilities and disorderly conduct have been ordered held over for trial.

Outdoors enthusiasts are mourning a local climbing guide who fell to her death. The Minnesota Star Tribune reports 30-year-old Audrie Pelosi died after a climbing accident at Devil's Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin. A co-worker said Pelosi was setting anchors for a climbing class when she fell about 55 feet. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is investigating the incident. Pelosi was well known in Duluth's snowboarding community before becoming a climbing guide in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Consumer Protection is continuing to get reports of criminals renting or selling homes that aren't theirs. Director Mike Domke says they use real information about the homes and list on third party websites with tempting offers. The scammers are targeting people who need a place to live in a hurry, like workers moving to the area or people who have lost their homes. Domke says do your due diligence when picking property online. If you can't inspect the home in person, make sure to check who owns the property through other methods. Also make sure to talk with someone on the phone and ask questions about the property. If they can't answer or won't take the call, it may be a scam.

A family is being relocated after a fire in a single-family home in Eau Claire. ECFD was dispatched to a residential structure around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Crews brought the fire under control upon arrival and removed two cats that were inside the residence, with the homeowners not being home at the time. A probable cause is under investigation, but fire officials believe the fire began in the kitchen. The damage is estimated to be around 200-thousand dollars.

Alliant Energy Corporation is expected to receive federal funds from the Trump administration's for coal plant investments. Trump will use the Defense Production Act, which grants the president emergency authority to take over domestic industries, to invest 425-million dollars into 13 coal plants across the country. AEC made the cut, which is headquartered in Madison. A White House official says the fund will be used to "invest in upgrades to extend operational lifespans, reinforce grid reliability and keep electricity prices low as demands grow."

Former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan is awaiting a judge's ruling on her motion to dismiss her guilty verdict. Lawyers were in court yesterday for oral arguments on the motion, which replaced her originally scheduled sentencing date. A jury convicted Dugan of felony obstruction in December for helping a man in her courtroom evade an immigration arrest. It's believed the case will likely head to the federal court of appeals no matter what the ruling is. The judge's decision is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

An inmate death at the Rock County Jail last year leads to a federal lawsuit. Inmate Adam Randall died in February of 2025 from septic shock caused by bacterial pneumonia. A civil complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. Court in Madison by Randall's estate claims that staff didn't take proper action when he showed signs of pneumonia and requested medical help prior to his death. An attorney for the estate said the staff's alleged handling of the situation violated Randall's 14th Amendment rights to provide basic care for him while in jail. Randall was facing charges of bail jumping at the time of his death.

The Minnesota Department of Human Service has notified more than 24-hundred providers that they will be removed from Minnesota's health care programs. This comes after a massive revalidation process as the state battles with the federal government over two-billion-dollars in funding. Of the nearly six-thousand providers reviewed, officials say only just over two-thousand were successfully revalidated.

It's time for June Dairy Month! The 78th Alice in Dairyland Sarah Hagenow says the annual celebration of everything dairy had much more basic roots. "This celebration as June Dairy Month began officially in 1939, but it actually started as National Milk Month back in 1937, and its roots really aimed to promote consuming milk and the great benefits of consuming milk." Hagenow says there are a myriad of events and celebrations taking place across the state, and you can find out more online at Wisconsin Dairy dot Org.