Local-Regional News March 3

 

The Dunn County Sheriff's Office is entering into an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The deal will allow select deputies to serve federal detainers on individuals who are already in custody at the Dunn County Jail on local criminal charges. The deal does not grant deputies authority to enforce federal immigration laws or to participate in immigration enforcement activities such as arresting individuals based solely on suspected immigration status.

A candidate is throwing his hat in the ring to be Wabasha County’s next top cop.  Jason Bade announced his run for sheriff on Monday. Bade has been with Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office for 24 years, and has 29yrs experience in law enforcement. Sheriff Rodney Bartsh announced his retirement last week.

Three Durand-Arkansaw High School Students have advanced after a regional competition. SkillsUSA Wisconsin held the competition last Thursday and Friday in Menomonie. Ian Afdahl took first place in the Cabinetmaking category, while Brody Bechel, Korbin Bechel and Sam Bergeson took Second Place for Welding Fabrication. All three will now move on to the 53^rd annual Wisconsin SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference in Madison April 7-8^th. Founded in 1973, Wisconsin SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry representatives working together to ensure America has the skilled workforce needed to stay competitive.

The Dunn County Highway Department is implementing seasonal weight restrictions starting on Thursday. The restrictions are put in place during the spring thaw to help prevent roadways from damage caused by heavier loads traveling over them. Gross vehicle weight of 5 tons per axel with a maximum gross vehicle weight of 25 tons will be in effect. Once the ground has dried out, the restrictions will be lifted. Visit the Dunn County Website for a list of roads under the restrictions.

A Tennessee man convicted of kidnapping and assaulting a Holcombe teenager is learning his fate. Investigators say that -- in 2022 -- Trevor Blackburn drove to Wisconsin and kidnapped the then-15-year-old girl from her home. Blackburn pleaded no contest to charges of kidnapping and first-degree child sexual assault. He was sentenced yesterday to 30 years in prison.

Prison for a former Monroe County mental health nurse who engaged in sexual activity with a patient under her care. Melissa Knutson claimed in 2022 that she was raped by the patient, but did not report it due to fears of retaliation. She now acknowledges that was not the case. She has been convicted of charges including Misconduct in Public Office and Obstructing an Officer and been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Administrators in the School District of La Crosse are broke ground Monday at the site of what will be a new elementary school. The ceremony took place at the former site of the Hogan Administrative Center. The new school will begin welcoming students in August of next year.

The cost to fill up at the pump has risen 23.2 cents per gallon over the last week here in Wisconsin and gas prices have also risen all across the country. That’s according to GasBuddy. Experts are saying it’s all due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The average price per gallon is still 4.8 cents lower than the average here in Wisconsin a year ago.

Members of the Wisconsin National Guard are playing a role in U.S. strikes on Iran. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, told reporters yesterday National Guard units are showing the "value of America's reserve forces," including Wisconsin's troops "operating in Kuwait and Iraq." A Wisconsin National Guard spokesperson confirmed it is deployed to the Middle East, but didn't provide any specifics.

The 62nd annual Eau Claire Farm Show begins today. The event at the Chippewa Valley Expo Center features more than 150 agricultural business vendors showcasing the latest products and equipment. Parking and admission are free for the event. The show runs through tomorrow.

The former principal at Sun Prairie West High School pleads not guilty for failing to report child abuse. Jennifer Ploeger appeared in Dane County Court Monday. She's charged with three misdemeanor counts for allegedly failing to report child abuse. As part of her conditions, she’s barred from contacting the school district or any child victims named in the complaint. Her case stems from the investigation that followed the arrest of former dean of students Robert Gilkey‑Meisegeier, who faces multiple charges related to child exploitation and recently pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges. Ploeger was given a $500 signature bond and is due back in court on March 26.

Wisconsin drivers are being warned to watch out for a surge in phishing scams during National Consumer Protection Week. The Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles says scammers are posing as the DMV trying to trick people into clicking fake links or paying bogus “unpaid toll” or “DMV fee” charges. The DMV reminds residents Wisconsin has no tolls and they will never send urgent demands for money. They’re encouraging drivers to enroll in eNotify for alerts about any changes to their account. The DMV has also added new identity‑verification tools, comparing a customer’s selfie to the photo on file to reduce fraud.

A group of Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature want to legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill adults. WTMJ radio obtained a co-sponsorship memo circulated by six Democrats in the Senate and Assembly. The proposed bill would let patients with less than six months to live request life‑ending medication. It would require a written request signed by the terminally ill patient and witnessed by at least one other person who can attest to the patient’s mental capacities and prove they are not being coerced. Providers could opt out but would be required to document requests and transfer medical records to a new provider if a terminally ill person chooses. Co‑sponsors have until March 5 to sign on. Similar measures have failed to advance in the Legislature, most recently in 2024.

Another successful year for the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affair's Valentines for Veterans Program. The DVA says this year's program brought in more than 40‑thousand handmade valentines from across the country, and even Canada and Germany. Secretary James Bond says the response shows how strongly people still value veterans’ service. DVA staff and board members delivered the cards to residents at the state’s Veterans Homes and the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program in Union Grove. Each veteran got a gift bag filled with handmade cards from schools, scout troops, community groups, and individuals saying “thank you.”

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton will not run for a third term. The city's first female mayor says she plans to focus on family and travel. Norton is credited with gaining 100 million dollars in investments, improving city infrastructure and parks. She previously served on the Rochester school board and in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

A big hockey fan is buying the "X" from the Xcel Energy Center Rooftop Sign for 21 thousand dollars. The proceeds will benefit the Minnesota Wild Foundation, which supports youth hockey in the state. The single letter is about eight feet tall and eight feet wide. Despite its sitting atop the building for 25 years, it's in good condition.

Local-Regional News March 2

 

Police arrest a man who is accused of killing a woman in her camper at Wabasha County Campground. The 69-year-old suspect, Stanley Alan Munstermann, was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree manslaughter. Munstermann's charges are in connection with the death of 66-year-old Barbara McBride-Law of Lakeville. She was found dead in her camper in southeastern Minnesota in August at Mac's Park Place in Mazeppa near Lake Zumbro.

The Mondovi Fire Department is reminding residents that the spring fire season is hear. The Department along with the Waumandee-Montana-Lincoln Fire Department responded to a wildfire over the weekend. The fire burned over a half acre. The dry conditions and strong winds present a recipe for potential large fires. No one was injured in the blaze.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is asking for public comment on planned repairs to two bridges on Highway 79 in Dunn County. The bridges are located in the Town of Tiffany and the Village of Boyceville. Both structures — one spanning the South Fork Hay River and one spanning Tiffany Creek — were built in the 1940s and 1950s and are showing signs of deterioration. The project will include replacing the bridge decks, repairing concrete and laying new asphalt. A public meeting is scheduled for tomorrow starting at 4:30 at the Boyceville Village Hall.

The Independence School Board President is facing charges after a January 22^nd incident at Colby Pharmacy in Whitehall. According to authorities, 58yr old Joe Bragger is charged with threats to injure, telephone harassment and disorderly conduct after the pharmacy and Mayo Clinic refused to pre-authorize a prescription. The felony charges carry a maximum of 6yr in prison and a $10,000 fine. An initial court appearance is set for March 17.

Aspirus Health says its new hospital in the Chippewa Valley is on pace for completion by September. The new facility in Chippewa Falls will be across the street from Fire Station #1 on Chippewa Crossing Boulevard. The hospital will feature an emergency department along with ten treatment rooms and ten inpatient beds.

Wisconsin DNR says they are collecting water samples for analysis after a manure spill in Trempealeau County. The spill was discovered Monday -- coming from farm fields into the Town of Gale and impacting a pair of Beaver Creek tributaries. Dead fish have been spotted in the water. Officials have not said when results on the water samples will be available.

A duplex fire in the 2100 block of Julie Avenue in Sparta killed one person and displaced another Saturday evening. According to the Sparta Area Fire District, the fire was reported around 6:48 p.m. When Chief Mike Arnold arrived, the front of the structure was fully engulfed with heavy fire. During a search of the home on person was found inside. Paramedics performed life-saving efforts, but they were unsuccessful. The home on the other side of the duplex sustained fire and smoke damage. The cause of that fire is under investigation.

More witnesses are testifying as the homicide trial of Zachary Fritz continues. Fritz is accused of killing his wife in June 2024 and claims he was mentally ill at the time. A clinical psychiatrist testified he evaluated Fritz three times and believes he did not lack substantial capacity to conform his conduct to the law. The psychiatrist also said Fritz appeared mentally stable for years, despite the defense noting other experts diagnosed him with bipolar one disorder. Fritz's trial is set to continue on March 9th.

Wisconsin is part of a group of ten states reaching a 100-million dollar settlement agreement with Walmart. The retailer was the subject of a multi-state lawsuit alleging that customers and drivers who took part in the company's Spark Driver Program were deceived. The suit alleged that drivers who worked through the company's home delivery program were misled on how much they would be paid and that customers were led to believe that 100-percent of tips would be passed on to delivery drivers when that wasn't always so.

Work to reconstruct WIS 35 in La Crosse is set to continue Monday. WisDOT said construction is taking place between the La Crosse/Vernon County line and Sunnyside Drive in La Crosse. Improvements include culvert replacements and bridge deck replacement of the Mormon Creek bridge. Drivers can expect to come across flagging operations and single lane closures with temporary traffic signals during box culvert replacement. Access to businesses and residences will be provided and maintained during construction.

State aid is on the way to prevent flooding around Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers announced Thursday that the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs will provide $2.0 million in Pre-Disaster Flood Resilience Grants to 15 communities impacted by flooding in past years. The grant program created by Evers in 2024 helps implement strategies like reconnecting streams and floodplains and mitigating erosion hazards to prevent frequent flooding. Wisconsin Emergency Management administers the program and received 21 grant applications totaling over $2.6 million.

$250,000 in grant funding will help bolster Wisconsin's commercial driver workforce. The money comes through the state’s Commercial Driver Training Grant program and will help about 190 trainees earn their CDL—supporting high‑demand jobs like school bus, truck, and delivery drivers. The program, administered by the Department of Workforce Development, reimburses up to half of training costs and was renewed in the latest state budget through 2027. DWD leaders say the grants help meet ongoing demand, with more than 500 CDL‑required positions currently posted statewide.

A Central Wisconsin paper mill’s workforce is being downsized. Ahlstrom says after careful consideration and discussions, they will close the pulp mill at their Mosinee facility and idle their M2 and M3 machines, a move that could cost up to 200 jobs at the mill- which has been in use since the early 19 hundreds. Officials said the move does not reflect the quality of work from the facility, and they will be working with the impacted employees through the transition. Ahlstrom does plant to upgrade the two remaining lines at the facility, creating a more "agile and sustainable" mill for the future. The company's mill in the Fox Valley is not impacted.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is announcing changes to the 2026 elk hunting season. The DNR says the state will move to one continuous season from mid-October to mid-December. The Central Elk Management Zone quota rises to six bull and six antlerless elk. The Northern Zone quota is eight bull elk pending tribal declaration. Applications open March 1st and close at the end of May with more licenses available in parts of the state. Hunters can apply for one bull and one antlerless license.

Ice shanty's will need to be removed within the next few weeks. A natural resources representative says portable ones are still o.k. as long as they're removed when not in use. As the weather warms up -- ice becomes thin and will not be able to support the structures. For more details visit their website. 

Local-Regional News Feb 27

 

The Colfax School District has a new Superintendent. The Colfax School Board selected  Eric Young as the district’s next Superintendent of Schools. Young’s background includes extensive experience in school leadership, professional learning communities, career and technical education programming, facilities planning, and district-level strategic initiatives. He begins on July 1^st

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is seeking public input on a proposed Chippewa River Bridge project. The proposed maintenance project would be on the bridge carrying County H over the Chippewa River in the Dunn County towns of Rock Creek and Spring Brook. The project would include replacing and widening the concrete bridge deck, and reinforce the steel girders for the new deck. Construction currently is scheduled for 2027. During construction, the bridge will be closed, and traffic will be detoured. Comments are due by March 19^th. Visit the WI DOT website for more information.

Wabasha County Sheriff Rodney Bartsh, announced Thursday his retirement after close to 40 years of service. Bartsh says he made the decision after discussing the idea with his wife. Bartsh had previously announced his retirement during the 2022 election cycle but changed his mind before the filing deadline.

A contested case hearing in the permitting of Ridge Breeze Dairy is set for Tuesday at the State Government Center in Eau Claire. Opponents of the project say the expanded dairy would harm the environment and that the farm has not secured enough land to safely spread roughly 80 million gallons of manure. Ridge Breeze Dairy is wanting to expand from 1700 to 6500 cows at their location on Hwy CC in Pierce County. That meeting will begin at 9am on Tuesday morning and is expected to last three days.

Rochester's Mayo Clinic is rated again as the top hospital globally. Newsweek named the medical facility at the top of its World's Best Hospitals list for the eighth straight year. The magazine's annual rankings are based on patient survey results, an international survey of healthcare professionals, performance metric and implementation of patient-recorded outcomes. The rest of the top five hospital are Toronto General Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Karolinska medical center in Stockholm, Sweden and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

A Wisconsin bill proposing roadside drug testing is sparking a public safety debate. The proposal would allow law enforcement officers to use roadside oral fluid testing in suspected drug-impaired driving cases. Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett says deputies are encountering more cases involving drugs, including prescription medications, in addition to alcohol. Milwaukee defense attorney Andrew Mishlove says expanding roadside testing raises constitutional questions because bodily samples are considered searches. The proposal is still in the early stages of the legislative process.

The Wisconsin Lottery reports a scratch-off ticket recently sold in Black River Falls is a jackpot winner. The ticket in the lottery's Two-Million-Dollar Cash game is a top prize winner. It was sold at the Taylor Corner Store on State Route 95. There has been no word on the identity of the person who has won the two-million dollars.

Vice President JD Vance is pushing the Trump's administration's affordability message in Wisconsin today. Fresh off President Trump's State of the Union address, Vance traveled to the village of Plover, a hotly-contested congressional district in 2026 midterm elections. He's visiting a machine shop, stressing the importance of American manufacturing. Trump will hit the road himself on Friday for a stump-style speech in Texas.

WisDOT is updating several state-supported intercity bus routes to improve connections statewide. The changes include a new Route 11 offering direct service between La Crosse and Green Bay. The routes operate in partnership with Greyhound, Indian Trails, Jefferson Lines, Lamers Bus, and Wisconsin Transit Lines. Department officials say the updates better link rural and mid-sized communities with major hubs including Milwaukee, Chicago, and Minneapolis. The announcement also reshuffles service providers on multiple routes to maintain regional connectivity.

Attorney General Josh Kaul says Wisconsin is joining a lawsuit over federal changes to the childhood vaccine schedule. Attorneys general from 14 other states, along with the governor of Pennsylvania, are also part of the effort. The suit challenges the Trump administration's decision to remove several vaccines, including rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, and COVID-19. State health leaders report responding to measles cases in 2025 and 2026, including 36 in late 2025. Officials say all cases involved unvaccinated people.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul told a Special State Senate Committee that the Department of Justice relied on outside legal fellows because the agency is under‑resourced for environmental enforcement. Kaul said majority Republicans have been “hostile” to environmental efforts and were unlikely to approve additional staffing. Republican Committee chair Mary Felzkowski pushed back, criticizing Kaul for not bringing staffing requests to the Joint Finance Committee. The hearing centers on DOJ’s use of NYU‑funded legal fellows to handle environmental cases, help Kaul says was necessary after lawmakers reduced resources and oversight in 2018.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has finalized a permit allowing Enbridge to begin work on its Line 5 relocation project. An Enbridge statement says work is already underway on staging and clearing for the $450 million, 41‑mile pipeline reroute around the Bad River Reservation. The company calls it the most studied pipeline project in state history that will bring millions in construction spending to northern Wisconsin. Environmental groups and the Bad River Band have filed court petitions and are asking for an immediate halt to construction, arguing the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources failed to fully evaluate environmental risks when it granted permits for the project.

Wisconsin Public Service says colder temperatures and higher gas prices are driving up energy bills. The utility says this is the coldest winter in about a decade, and gas costs are up roughly 18-percent from last year. Officials say increased demand locally and nationwide has pushed prices higher, though WPS does not profit from the gas it buys. WPS says it uses storage and fixed contracts to help manage price swings. Customers struggling with higher bills are urged to contact WPS about budget billing, time of use savings, rebates, or payment plans.  

Local-Regional News Feb 26

 

Probation for a former Pepin County substitute teacher convicted on charges in a sex crimes case. Zachary Weber worked in the Durand-Arkansaw School District and last month pleaded no contest to charges of soliciting an intimate representation from a minor. Investigators say those charges stemmed from exchanges the defendant had with underage girls on Snapchat. Weber was sentenced yesterday to three years of probation and 12 months of conditional jail time.

State officials are monitoring environmental conditions following a manure spill in Trempealeau County. According to the Wisconsin DNR, the spill was discovered Monday -- coming from farm fields into the Town of Gale and impacting a pair of Beaver Creek tributaries. Dead fish have been spotted in the water.

An Eau Claire Police Department officer is being recognized as the Wisconsin Association of Women in Policing's Woman Officer of the Year. Officer Ariana Larson has been with the Eau Claire Police Department for just over four years. The Woman Officer of the Year distinction recognizes an individual who has exceeded the duty requirements expected of her position and has demonstrated a distinct pattern of community service coupled with professional achievement.

Investigators are working to determine the cause of a Monday night fire in Eau Claire. Crews dispatched to a Northland Drive duplex found the structure burning and were able to extinguish the fire. No one was hurt though a cat did die in the blaze.

The Chippewa Valley Technical College Foundation is among nine entities being announced this week as recipients of grants from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The money comes as an award from the Commercial Driver Training Grant program -- an effort to support programs that prepare folk for earning their commercial drivers license. Northwood Technical College in Barron County and Northcentral Technical College in Marathon County were among the other recipients.

 Barron County is announcing the launch of Text-to-911 service through the Barron County 911 Center. Text-to-911 allows people to send a text message directly to 911 when they cannot safely make a voice call. To use the service, text 911 with your emergency. A trained emergency dispatcher will respond by text, gather critical information, provide instructions, and deploy the appropriate emergency responders-just as they would during a traditional phone call.

In La Crosse County, a man charged with killing his wife has taken the stand in his own defense. Investigators say that Zachary Fritz stabbed his wife to death in the couple's Shelby home on June 10th of 2024. Fritz has pleaded no contest by reason of mental disease or defect to a charge of first-degree intentional homicide. On Wednesday, the court heard from a clinical therapist who says the defendant has been diagnosed with bipolar one and the court heard from Fritz himself -- who says he has suffered manic episodes and bouts of paranoia dating back to when he was in high school.

A group of Onalaska residents who recently found themselves stranded in Mexico is making their way home. Members of the Onalaska Hilltopper Rotary Club were visiting Puerto Vallarta when Mexican authorities killed a top drug lord on Sunday. That action reportedly ignited widespread cartel-organized violence and left many Americans who were in the country without a way to get home. Mexico's president is now saying that normal activity has largely been restored in the country. The Onalaska Hilltopper Rotary Club reports that all members have now secured flights back to the U.S.

An annual report from the USDA shows that Minnesota lost 13-hundred farms in the past two years. The amount of farmland across the state also fell by 100-thousand acres. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen said Minnesota's farmers are struggling. Local farmers have struggled to cope with the global trade wars triggered by President Trump's tariffs throughout 2025. State farming officials are glad to see the 12-billion-dollar Farmer Bridge Assistance program, but it still isn't enough.

A group of teachers and school districts are suing the Wisconsin Legislature for more state aid for students. The lawsuit was filed Monday in Eau Claire County by liberal Madison based law firm Law Forward on behalf of 19 plaintiffs. It accuses Republicans in the legislature of failing to uphold Wisconsin's constitutional requirement to provide all students a "sound, basic, and uniform education." Districts have long been restricted from raising their spending, and the Legislature under Republican leadership has reduced per-pupil state aid. The last time districts attempted to use the legislative process to change the school spending formula was in 2000, when the State Supreme Court’s conservative majority upheld the formula. The court’s current liberal majority will likely rule differently if this lawsuit advances.

A new report warns there will not be enough health care workers in Wisconsin to keep up with patient needs. The annual report from the Wisconsin Hospital Association finds there are too many job vacancies in the health care system, even with an increase in hiring since the pandemic. W H A vice president Ann Zenk says health care demands are expected to increase by 10 percent as the state's population continues to age. The report also shows doctors are increasingly leaving their positions because of friction with insurance companies that often lag in allowing coverage for needed treatments or denying those treatments entirely. The WHA wants better laws on prior authorization practices, better educational pathways to employment for health care workers, and better access to at-home care and telehealth to keep up with demands.

Wisconsin Democrats are proposing a boost to the state’s minimum wage, raising it to twenty dollars an hour by 2030. At a Capitol press conference, Madison State Senator and candidate for governor Kelda Roys said at least a million workers can’t afford basic needs like housing, child care, or health care. She blamed what she called a “right‑wing experiment” of waiting for wages to rise on their own. Service worker Sabrina Prochaska also spoke, saying her $15.81 hourly wage isn’t enough as living and health care costs continue to climb. The bill would raise Wisconsin’s minimum wage to $15 immediately, then increase it by $1.25 each year until 2030. With the legislative session nearly over, the measure is unlikely to advance this year.

An expansion of Bradyns Law, which defines sextortion as a crime, could soon be on Governor Tony Evers desk. Representative Brent Jacobson says it would allow sextortion victims and their families to sue for damages including wrongful death. The Mosinee Republicans says this language will make it clear in state statute that this is a cause of action plaintiffs can bring in this specific situation for death. The bill passed the Assembly with strong bipartisan support as the chamber ended its session last week and will head to Governor Tony Evers if approved by the state Senate. Jacobson of Mosinee says more follow up legislation is in the works, including requiring education for parents, students, and teachers to look out for the warning signs of sextortion, and to fund additional positions at DOJ within the Internet Crimes Against Children Division.

New research shows that salt brine can effectively clear Wisconsin highways. A UW–Madison study for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation compared salt brine to traditional rock salt on parallel highway routes during winter storms. Researchers found nearly identical road performance, but salt brine used 40 to 72 percent less salt. WisDOT says the findings reinforce what counties have seen for years, that brine helps clear roads faster, improves traction, and reduces environmental impact. All 72 counties now use some amount of brine, which can stretch budgets by covering far more lane miles than rock salt alone.

Submissions are open for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 2027 turkey, pheasant and waterfowl stamp contests. Hunters are required to buy the stamps to legally harvest any of the game birds in Wisconsin. Proceeds from sales of the stamps generates hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for habitat management, restoration, education and research projects. Stamp designs need to be received or postmarked by August 1st and judging will take place August 22nd at the Waterfowl Hunters Expo in Oshkosh. More info can be found on the DNR's website.

Local-Regional News Feb 25

 

Mondovi schools were placed on lockdown for a time on Tuesday with reports of a possibly armed teenager walking through the city's downtown area. Police located the 16-year-old and determined that they were unarmed and posed no threat. Buffalo County Sheriff Mike Osmond reminds folks to play it safe and that if they see something that doesn't seem right, they should say something.

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on the construction contracts with Cedar Corporation for the Madison Street and Water Filtration Projects, possible action on the American Legion donation of picnic tables and benches at Veterans Park and reports from the Mayor and Department Heads. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm at Durand City Hall.

A proposed solar farm in Dunn County is awaiting a final decision from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission. The proposed solar farm would be on 2000 acres in Spring Brook Township with over 700,000 solar panels generating 322 megawatts of electricity. The farm would also have a five acre battery storage system. The public comment period for the proposed project has closed, and if approved by the PSC construction could begin in 2027.

A Comstock man charged in connection with a fire that destroyed Shooters Showgirls in Elk Mound is pleading guilty. Colton Jansen faced arson charges stemming from the January 2025 fire. Despite Jansen's plea on Tuesday, he was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for a later date.

Advocates are asking the Altoona Police Department to end local cooperation with federal immigration agents. Demonstrators went to the Altoona Police Department after the recent arrests of four community members. Protestors say local police should focus on protecting residents and not assisting ICE. The group is demanding the release of body camera footage, an apology from the sheriff's office and the permanent removal of ICE agents from Eau Claire County. APD said they appreciated that protestors "felt comfortable exercising their 1st Amendment right to free speech."

An Eau Claire County judge is being asked to consider releasing a serial killer. Alvin Taylor admits to the killings of four people between the years of 1985 and 1987 -- having said previously that he did so after receiving messages through the radio and television. In court, Taylor was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and he has confined to treatment facilities ever since. A psychiatric exam is now being ordered as the 79-year-old Taylor is petitioning for release.

No people are hurt after a duplex fire in Eau Claire. The city's fire department responded to the fire around 7:24 p.m. Tuesday on the city's north side. Black smoke came from the front side of the residential duplex, with crews working to contain the fire into the kitchen area. No people were injured, but one pet cat was found dead when crews arrived. The occupants are being temporarily relocated while the damage is being assessed.

Reports of norovirus are on the rise in Eau Clair County. Health experts say the most common symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Folks are encouraged to use soap and water when washing their hands before preparing food and after using the restroom.

A Sparta educator is facing allegations that she hit a five-year-old child. According to the report, special-ed teacher Melanie Hinz struck the child in an October incident at the Southside Early Learning Center. She pleaded not guilty yesterday to a charge of child abuse - recklessly causing harm.

Legislation that will benefit Wisconsin agriculture is ready for the governor’s consideration. The Assembly last week passed three bills that have already cleared the state Senate and now head to Governor Tony Evers. Senate Bill 474 allows soy-based firefighting foam to qualify for DNR fire suppression grants. That expands market opportunities for growers and provides a PFAS-free product to firefighters. SB 501 creates a veterinary loan repayment program for new vets who commit to large animal practices in rural communities. SB 783 provides commercial driver’s license training grants to help businesses offset the costs of employee training. Several Assembly bills are awaiting Senate action including measures to prohibit Wisconsin schools from serving margarine in place of butter and establishing a program to help facilitate farm transitions from retiring farmers to the next generation.

Wisconsin’s Bad River Chippewa Band is requesting a judicial review, after a judge upheld DNR permits for the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline reroute project. An administrative law judge upheld the permits earlier this month but did order Enbridge to make four changes to its wetlands permit, including added monitoring after construction. Attorneys for the tribe contend the decision threatens vital public resources. Earthjustice lawyer John Petoskey argues the area’s significance “cannot be overstated” and says rulings like this weaken environmental protections. The Bad River Band has filed for judicial review and is seeking to halt pipeline construction, while Enbridge maintains the judge’s decision confirms the DNR’s review was thorough.

A weekend swatting incident at UW-Parkside. A Saturday morning alert from university administrators closed the Kenosha County campus following a report of a potential threat, advising people to either evacuate or shelter in place. An indoor track meet on campus was shut down, men's and women's basketball games were delayed and a scheduled event at Parkside by candidate for Wisconsin governor Francesca Hong was moved to a nearby library. The campus reopened by early afternoon after law-enforcement determined the threat was a swatting incident. Police presence on campus was increased throughout the rest of the day.

Google is planning to build a data center near Rochester. The tech giant says the facility will be in Pine Island. Google also announced that it will be paying for a large amount of new wind, solar, and battery power as part of a contract with Xcel Energy. The project is a second attempt at a Minnesota data center for Google, which abandoned a 600-million-dollar Sherburne County project with Xcel in 2022.

A southern Minnesota man is going to prison for producing child sexual abuse material. Hunter Geidl has been sentenced to 16 years behind bars to be followed by ten years of supervised release. The Hastings man pleaded guilty last June to one count of production of child pornography. Prosecutors say Geidl solicited sexually explicit images from at least a dozen minor girls; the youngest was 13 years old. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota says there may be other victims related to this case. Anyone who believes their child had contact with Geidl is asked to contact the FBI.

Wisconsin’s dairy industry continues to dominate on the world stage. Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow, says Wisconsin cheese makers have earned more than 7,600 medals since 1995 — more than any other state or country. She credits the state’s 1,200 licensed cheese makers and 5,200 dairy farm families for their years of expertise and dedication. If you want to be sure you’re buying local, Hagenow says to look for the “Proudly Wisconsin” badge or the number 55 on dairy packaging. Wisconsin’s dairy industry now contributes more than $52 billion a year to the state’s economy.