Local-Regional News Feb 5

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Local-Reginal News Feb 4

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Local-Regional News Feb 3

 

A broken sprinkler system pipe at Olson Funeral Home caused an alarm to be set off. The Menomonie Fire Department responded to the alarm on Sunday afternoon to the funeral home on Wilson Ave. No fire was found and the funeral home is cleaning up the water damage from the broken pipe.

No threat is found after police responded to a swatting incident at a University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire residence hall. According to UW-Eau Claire, campus police responded to Governor’s Hall to investigate an external distress call that is believed to be a “swatting” incident. The fraudulent emergency call came in at around 10:25 p.m. on Sunday. Officers responded to the scene, secured the area, and made contact with the residents in the room referenced in the bogus call. Police determined no one was hurt and no threat was found in the residence hall.

The Wabasha Planning Commission will hold a public hearing next Tuesday to consider an application from Larry Stegemann to allow a church to be built in the Stegemann addition. This meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. at Wabasha City Hall, and other items are on the agenda. Public comments can be submitted in person or via mail or email to the Wabasha City Hall.

Another member of the Leinenkugel family is taking over the Wisconsin-based company. A social media post last week announced Katie Leinenkugel would be the next president of the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company. She takes over for her cousin Tony Bugher, and is just the second woman to hold the position in the company's history. The new leadership comes after Molson Coors recently moved brewing operations of Leinenkugel's to Milwaukee, but maintains a presence in Chippewa Falls.

A man facing kidnapping charges in a 2023 case involving an elderly victim is pleading no contest in La Crosse County. Prosecutors say that Caleb Crocker was one of three people who held an 84-year-old man prisoner in his own basement and subjected him to beating while demanding money. Crocker pleaded no contest to a kidnapping charge on Monday and will be sentenced at a later date.

Investigators are working to confirm the cause of a Monday fire in the Village of Bangor. A farm structure on State Road 162 that housed hay and other materials went up in flames yesterday afternoon. No injuries were reported though the structure was left in ruins.

The interim U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin now has the job for good. Chadwick Elgersma has served in the role on an acting-basis since June of last year. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has now appointed Elgersma to the role outright.

UW–Extension is hosting the Chippewa Valley Healthy Water Summit, a one-day educational event designed to increase water quality awareness by providing local information that enables community members to make informed decisions. Open to the public, the Chippewa Valley Healthy Water Summit is relevant to homeowners, landowners, farmers, agency staff, and industries. The event will feature locally relevant information and expert-led sessions on key water-related topics, including PFAS, soil and water interactions, local water testing and services, and conserving soil, water, and nutrients. The event will be held at the Chippewa Valley Technical College West Campus on March 20 from 9-3:30. Contact UW Extension for more information.

Wisconsin health officials are reporting a second case of measles. The Department of Health Services announced Monday that a student at UW-Madison tested positive for the disease. The student caught the disease during an international trip, and it is not related to a case from Waukesha last month. Anyone who was exposed to the student is being contacted by health agencies to monitor for the spread of measles. The US has seen a sudden spike in measles cases, with 588 reported as of last Thursday. UW Madison does not require students to be vaccinated from the measles to attend.

The UW Health Transplant Center is celebrating a record‑setting year. The center performed more than 520 organ transplants in 2025, more than all other Wisconsin centers combined. That includes 273 kidney, 134 liver, and a record 67 lung transplants, along with 24 heart and several multi‑organ procedures. Doctors at UW Health credit expanded use of advanced organ preservation technology for boosting the success rates of transplants. The center also hit milestones with its 1,000th heart transplant and 2,000th pancreas transplant. 2026 will mark 60 years since UW Health’s first transplant back in 1966.

Storms across the country are contributing to a shortage of road salt for private snow contractors around the state. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources stormwater section manager Shannon Haydin tells Fox 6 Milwaukee the shortage is a good reminder to evaluate how much salt you use, to extend your supply and protect the environment. Haydin says overuse of salt can become toxic to aquatic life. Though the DNR is not opposed to use of salt for ice management and safety, the agency recommends measuring it carefully. An 8-ounce coffee mug can salt about 10 sidewalk squares.

At the Capitol, freshman Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature want to amend the state Constitution to include include explicit protection for the fundamental right to privacy. Sun Prairie Representative Andrew Hysell says the federal government is “running roughshod over the law and the Constitution:” Hysell sees this as an issue that could get support from Republicans. Like all amendments to the state Constitution, this would require approval in two consecutive legislative sessions and in a statewide vote.

New long-term closures tied to the I-94 are now in effect. The 27th Street viaduct between St. Paul Avenue and Evergreen Lane, as well as the I-94 exit to 26th Street and St. Paul Avenue, are expected to stay closed through summer 2026. The closures are expected to lead to longer detours not only for drivers, but also for bus routes and nearby businesses. Construction on the I-94 East-West Project is expected to continue through 2033.

Target is welcoming a new CEO. Michael Fiddelke was named to the role in August. He succeeded veteran CEO Brian Cornell following a shaky performance and unrest in the retailers' hometown. Fiddelke previously served as Target's chief operating officer. The retailer has logged 12 straight quarters of weak or declining sales, and its stock has fallen more than 20 percent in the past year. Fiddelke's expected to share more details of his vision next month at Target's 2026 Financial Community Meeting, which will be held in Minneapolis rather than New York.

Lawyers for the Minnesota state government are considering the unprecedented move of prosecuting federal agents. There is no modern precedent of criminal charges being filed by the state, without the cooperation of the federal government, against federal officers for the use of deadly force. If charges are brought, the cases would first focus on arguments over federal vs. state court jurisdiction and whether federal officers have immunity from state prosecution. However, state attorneys said this legal process could take years to play out. The charges would pertain to federal agents killing Renee Good and Alex Pretti in January.

A food publication is picking its top brewery in Wisconsin, and it's located in Green County. Mashed recently released its list dubbed "The Best Brewery In Your State, Hands Down," which highlights what it found to be the number one spot for beer in each state. It looked at online reviews and accolades won by different breweries to make its choices. New Glarus Brewing Company was named the best in Wisconsin, a business that has been operating since 1993. It has earned awards at the World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival.

Local-Regional News Feb 2

 

Charges are being filed against a Buffalo County woman after the seizure of a large volume of fentanyl. Thirty-six-year-old Danielle Hauser was one of two people seen leaving a Fountain City apartment that was under surveillance last month. Her vehicle was stopped with authorities then saying they found a stolen, loaded handgun inside. Back at the apartment, drugs including more than 220 grams of methamphetamine and 165 grams of suspected heroin that field-tested positive for fentanyl were found along with multiple stolen firearms. The drug seizure is the largest fentanyl seizure in Buffalo County History. Hauser is being charged with a list of drug offenses.

Crews responding to reports of someone having trouble breathing at a home in the Town of Pleasant Valley on Friday found potentially deadly levels of carbon monoxide. The situation on Balsam Road resulted in two people being taken to the hospital for treatment with both found to have a high level of carbon monoxide in their blood. Authorities are reminding the public the importance of having working smoke and CO alarms in you home, and to check your furnace intakes and exhausts for obstruction. The matter is being investigated.

Ellsworth police responded to a call of a shooter at the Ellsworth Elementary School on Friday. According to Ellsworth Police, the call came in from the Goodhue County Dispatch Center saying students were hurt at the school because of the shooting. Ellsworth police placed the elementary, middle and high schools in a non emergency lockdown and performed a walk through and found no threats. Goodhue County Dispatch reported that it received twelve calls involving schools bus accidents, a rape and other accidents. It was determined the caller or callers were using phones that were only using 911 and there was no active cellular carrier. The matter remains under investigation.

Prison for an Eau Claire man convicted on federal drug charges. Nathan Hendrickson was arrested last year after selling methamphetamine in multiple controlled transactions. He later pleaded guilty to possession and distribution charges and was sentenced last week to ten years in prison.

The Durand Improvement Group has released the line up for this year’s music in the park concert series. Half Shebang will perform on June 17^th, Left Wing Bourbon is on July 15^th and Chris Kroeze will perform on August 19^th. All concerts begin at 6pm at the bandshell in Memorial Park in Durand.

The Wabasha County Board is meeting tomorrow. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on a proposal to withdraw from the Whitewater Joint Powers Board, authorize contracts for preventative maintenance contracts with Harris for the Old Courthouse Building and the Justice Center and approve using Opioid Settlement Funds for three non profit groups including the Wabahsa Ambulance Service. Tomorrow’s meeting begins at 9am in the Old Courthouse Annex in Wabasha.

Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude announced on Friday that he will not be seeking another term as the county sheriff. The sheriff said it was after a “great deal” of reflection and conversations with his family that his decision was made. While he said it was not an easy decision, he feels as if it was the right one. Ganrude’s law enforcement career began in 1980 with the St. Charles Police Department and has been the Winona County Sheriff since November of 2014.

Wisconsin’s K-12 open enrollment period begins Monday. Application runs through April 30th during which parents and guardians can apply to send their children to any Wisconsin public school district next school year. Applications are available to any Wisconsin resident in 4K through high school, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public instruction. Parents are typically responsible for their students transportation to and from school if they use open enrollment although some districts may offer partial transportation families interested in applying for open enrollment can visit dpi.wi.gov/open-enrollment to find out more.

Wisconsin may get updated standards for PFAs in drinking water. Following approval by the Natural Resources Board, the updated standards will now go before Wisconsin Legislature and Democratic governor Tony Evers for approval. The drinking water standards align with the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 federal standard, setting levels near zero for two of the most pervasive PFAs compounds, and establishing standards for other PFAs compounds. The Legislature will need to approve the new standards by the end of its session in the spring for Wisconsin to remain in compliance with federal laws. Water systems in Wisconsin would have until 2029 to comply with the new standards.

Cape Cod potato chips will soon be made in Wisconsin. The Campbell's Company, which owns the brand, says the Hyannis factory that produces them is set to close this spring. Campell's says the location only produces four-percent of the total amount of chips and that the "site no longer makes economic sense for the business." Forty-nine-workers will lose their jobs and will get separation benefits with job placement support. Cape Cod potato chips will continue to be made in Wisconsin.

A federal judge has denied Minnesota's request to end the ICE raids in Minneapolis. A lawsuit was filed by the state along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul after the Renee Good shooting, demanding an end to the Trump administration's immigration raids. The lawsuit argued that the administration was violating the 10th amendment of the Constitution, which limits federal power. On Saturday, the judge ruled that there was evidence that federal agents have "engaged in racial profiling, excessive use of force and other harmful actions," but that the plaintiff had failed to show the administration had violated the 10th amendment.

A federal judge last week fined a Florida man for misrepresenting Native American-made goods at art shows, including in Wisconsin. Jose Farinanago [[ fah-ree-nah-nah-go ]] Muenala [[ Moo-eh-nah-lah ]] pleaded guilty Wednesday to misrepresenting Native-produced goods. Along with the 25-thousand-dollar fine, he was also sentenced to three years of probation. Prosecutors said he sold jewelry under the business name Southwest Expressions. He reportedly claimed the jewelry was handmade by Pueblo natives, but it was actually mass-produced and imported from the Philippines.

A Milwaukee man is found guilty of forging death threats against President Donald Trump to frame an immigrant robbery victim and get him deported. A Milwaukee County jury convicted 52-year-old Demetric Scott Thursday of felony identity theft and witness intimidation. Scott was jailed for stabbing Ramon Morales Reyes and stealing his bike. While in jail, Scott wrote letters posing as Morales Reyes to state and federal officials threatening to kill President Trump. Investigators determined Morales Reyes couldn't have written the letters because he doesn't understand English well, and the handwriting in the letters didn't match his. Scott later admitted that he wrote the letters. The jury also found Scott guilty of reckless endangerment connected with the bicycle theft. He faces up to 26 years in prison when he’s sentenced next month.

Travelers without proper I.D. will face a 45-dollar fee at airports across the nation. TSA's ConfirmID program allows those without acceptable identification to go online and be verified through biographic data. The pass is good for ten days of travel

Local-Regional News Jan 30

 

A former Pepin County substitute teacher has been convicted on charges in a sex crimes case. Zachary Weber worked in the Durand-Arkansaw School District and this week 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. He will be sentenced at a later date.

A Menomonie teen charged in connection with a deadly Dunn County hit and run is pleading guilty. The body of 54-year-old Ann Seidl was found lying in a ditch along County Highway Y on March 29th of last year. Authorities say that then-17-year-old Addison Bowell was the driver of the vehicle that hit Seidl and failed to stop. Bowell has pleaded guilty this week to charges including homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. She continues to face a charge of hit-and-run involving death.

The Eau Claire City-County Health Department reports that respiratory viruses -- including influenza and COVID-19 -- continue to be diagnosed at a high rate locally. Folks are being encouraged to get vaccinated, to wash their hands often and to stay home from work or school if they are sick. In regards to the measles, local health officials say that there is no evidence of exposure or community spread in the county.

A factory closure in Western Wisconsin will put 200 people out of work and end the Wisconsin production of a classic motorcycle line. Polaris has announced that its factory in Osceola will close, ending production of the Indian motorcycle brand in Polk County. Indian was sold to a private equity firm last year, and the company is moving the production line from Osceola to a plant in Iowa. The closure will occur sometime this summer, according to Polaris. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development will be offering assistance to the displaced workers.

Bond is being set at 100-thousand dollars for a man authorities say violated a restraining order and injured law enforcement officers. Reports say that 19-year-old Nathaniel Witaker was served with a temporary restraining order Tuesday in Hillsboro. He was later found armed with a knife at a prohibited location. A police officer and a sheriff's deputy were injured while trying to take the suspect into custody. Whitaker faces charges including stalking and battery on a law enforcement officer.

Wisconsin residents are pushing for homeschooling as a valid education option for families. This comes during National School Choice Week, which helps raise awareness of all education options available for families. Supporters for this option say that it can provide "certain things that students can miss in traditional education." Critics are arguing that public funds should remain invested in only public education systems.

Help the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources track the state's black bear population. The DNR is asking for the public to report any black bear den locations as part of an ongoing statewide study on black bear reproduction and population. The survey will improve the accuracy of population models, as well as help researchers as they investigate a connection between consumption of human food and bear reproduction. If you come across a black bear den, note its GPS coordinates, take a photo from a safe distance, and describe the site and surrounding area. More info can be found on the DNR's website.

Minnesota farm communities are saying the ICE surge is going to be very damaging for business. In Willmar, the Minnesota Farmers Union has 18-thousand Minnesota members and says ICE raids have had a profound impact on their bottom line. One raid made headlines this month when ICE agents ate at a Willmar Mexican restaurant, then followed the workers home and arrested them afterward. Gary Wertish, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union, says workers are scared to come to Minnesota and even to other states. He predicts lower crop yields and ultimately higher prices at the grocery store.

Wisconsin and several other states won't have to give up federal funding for electric vehicle charging stations. A federal judge in Washington ruled last week that Wisconsin and 16 other states will continue to get grant funding to pay for improving coverage for those stations. The ruling preserves 62 million dollars in grants for the state. The Trump Administration last year froze the funding for the program over policy reasons, saying the country didn't need more electric vehicles. The judge said the White House violated procedures and couldn't stop congressionally approved spending.

After months of meetings and concerns from residents in the Deforest area, a big data center project has been officially scrapped. On Wednesday, QTS announced now is not the right time for our proposed project to move forward in the DeForest area. Earlier this week, the DeForest Village Board said the proposal was "not feasible." Many locals were apprehensive about the 12 billion dollar, 16 hundred acre data center campus proposal just outside of DeForest, citing worries of the environmental impact and decreasing property values. The “No Data Center in DeForest” group has more than 4-thousand followers on its Facebook page.

Donald Trump’s endorsement clears the Republican primary field for governor for Tom Tiffany. Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann announced Wednesday he will step aside from the race after President Trump endorsed 7th District Congressman Tom Tiffany. Schoemann said he was proud of his campaign, and that the move will allow Republicans to support one another, rather than fight. Tiffany wished Schoemann the very best and said he'll work to improve Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Democrat Party's response to Schoemann’s departure from the race was simply "Who?" The Democratic primary field to succeed Tony Evers remains crowded, with nine declared candidates.

Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar is formally announcing her bid for governor of Minnesota. She released a video this morning said that "these times call for leaders who can stand up and not be rubber stamps of this administration." Klobuchar's announcement comes after current Governor Tim Walz announced he would be dropping his bid for a third term over criticism surrounding a statewide fraud scandal. It also comes as Minnesota has become the epicenter of President Trump's immigration crackdown.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation can help prospective voters obtain the necessary ID. Ahead of the Spring Primary Election on February 17, the Division of Motor Vehicles reminds residents how to obtain identification, free of charge, that is valid for voting. Valid ID for voting purposes includes a driver license, Tribal identification card, military or student ID and others. There is no separate “voter ID,” and a federally compliant REAL ID card is not required to vote. Not sure if your ID meets the requirements? Visit the Wisconsin Elections Commission website to check. To see a list of required documents needed to present at a DMV Customer Service Center in order to get ID to show at the polls, visit wisconsindmv.gov/idcards.