Local-Regional News Dec 31

In response to resident complaints about sidewalks not being shoveled in a timely manner, the city of Durand is changing how they notify property owners of their responsibility to shovel the sidewalks.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says instead of sending the property owner a letter, city workers will not leave behind a door hanger after receiving a complaint.  The cost to have the city remove the snow could be as high as $140 per hour.  If the property owner refused to pay, it would be added to their property taxes.

A Mondovi teen is in custody after police say he was involved in an armed robbery in Minnesota.   According to Mondovi Police, 19yr old Logan Hurt was arrested Wednesday evening in Mondovi on an arrest warrant from Crow Wing County, Minnesota.  Hurt is one of four suspects in an armed robbery that happened in a park in Brainerd, Minn. at about 6 p.m. Tuesday. Brainerd Police said a group of people was robbed and that two handguns were used in the robbery, although nobody was hurt. Brainerd Police thought the suspects might be in Mondovi, and contacted the Mondovi Police Department.  Mondovi Police along with the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, Pepin County Sheriff’s Department, West Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force, and Wis. Department of Criminal Investigation, found Hurt at a house in Mondovi where he was arrested.  Hurt is being charged in Minnesota is for 1st-degree aggravated robbery.  Mondovi Police also believe the three remaining suspects are not in the Mondovi area and said there’s no reason to believe they are a threat to the Mondovi community.

A Chippewa Falls man has been arrested by the Wisconsin State Patrol for driving while intoxicated.  According to the State Patrol, Troopers pulled over 37yr old Milton Pahl on Hwy 312, Wednesday evening for a  vehicle equipment violation.  During the stop, Troopers noticed signs of impairment and gave Pahl a field sobriety test before arresting him and taking him to the hospital for a blood test.  Pahl is facing possible charges of OWI-5th offense, operating after revocation, and failure to install an ignition interlock device.   He is being held in the Eau Claire County Jail awaiting formal charges.

The Lake City Police Department is notifying residents of the release of Theodore Leisen, a Level 3 Sex Offender.  According to the department, Leisen was released from custody in August of this year after his sentence expired and will be moving to the 500 block of Marion Street in Lake City on January 1st.  The Lake City Police Department has created an online form for the community to ask questions.  For more information on the questionnaire, contact the Lake City Police Department.  

A state lawmaker wants to compel action by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, regarding ballot drop boxes and errors on absentee ballot envelopes.   Republican state Senator Steve Nass co-chairs the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules. He’s requested an executive session on the matters early next week. In a press release, Nass said many voters no longer trust the Elections Commission to act in a fair and impartial manner in carrying out election law. The commission voted unanimously several weeks ago to begin the process of developing rules. It issued guidance prior to the 2020 election. Many Republicans took issue with the expanded use of drop boxes, particularly in Madison, where clerk’s staff also collected absentee ballots in city parks.

A Dane County judge wants to hear more about records relating to the probe of Wisconsin’s 2020 presidential election. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn has set a January 24th hearing, to allow Assembly Speaker Robin Vos or his staff to explain why so few records have been turned over in an open records request. The Journal Sentinel reports that the judge expressed bafflement Thursday because the staff of the probe has only offered up a few documents from the months-long, taxpayer-funded review being overseen by former state Supreme Court Justice Mike Gableman. Vos’ attorney said the Speaker’s team turned over everything it found in response to requests by the liberal group American Oversight, which has filed suit under the state’s open records law.

Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum is requiring masks for all events starting Friday.   Masks will be required, except when eating or drinking, throughout the duration of any events. Masks will be available at the doors, and throughout the building. Fiserv Forum general manager Dennis Williams says the decision came after talking to the Milwaukee Health Department and looking at the fast-rising number of new COVID-19 cases. Williams says it remains to be seen how long the requirement will stay in place.

 A Wausau man is a lot richer thanks to a national fantasy football game.  Will Hsu beat out 180 thousand other players to win nearly one-point-two million dollars playing Draft Kings Millionaire Maker game- and he's already putting the money to good use.  Hsu tweeted that he's donated to his church and other central Wisconsin non-profits along with his alma mater- the University of Wisconsin-Madison foundation.  He also plans on taking a trip and paying off family expenses.  Hsu is the owner of Wausau-based Hsu's Ginseng.

Afghan children at Fort McCoy in western Wisconsin are getting nearly 78-hundred dollars' worth of school supplies.   The donations were raised through the "Operation Allies Welcome School Supply Drive."  Officials say about two-thousand Afghans are attending class on the Monroe County military base.  A spokeswoman for the Great Rivers United Way says the community stepped up and purchased all 673 items on the school supply list.  She says their staff will keep in touch with personnel and teachers at Fort McCoy to help with any ongoing needs.

 Crunching the numbers shows 2021 was a big year for Wisconsin solar projects.  Utilities installed and placed into service more solar power than in any other year.  Almost 300 megawatts of solar came online in Wisconsin, about half at the Badger Hollow Solar Farm in Iowa County.  The Point Beach Solar project is capable of generating another 100 megawatts.  The group RENEW Wisconsin says the Badger State will have about 25 hundred megawatts of solar-generated power in service by the end of 2023.  However, solar still makes up only about one percent of electricity sales in Wisconsin.

Attorney General Josh Kaul says, pending approval by distributors and local government, Wisconsin could see some 420 million dollars from an opioid settlement next year.  Kaul said, "and if that happens, Wisconsin will begin to start seeing resources next year. Some will go to the Department of Health Services, and others resources will go to local and county governments, for the purposes of abating the opioid epidemic.”  In a year-end interview the Democratic A-G, who is running for re-election, said combating opioid addiction has been a priority of his time in office.

University of Minnesota infectious disease expert Doctor Michael Osterholm says three people are now testing positive for COVID-19 every second - and that's a big problem.  Osterholm warns that over the next three to four weeks we are going to see the number of cases in this country rise so dramatically that we are going to have a hard time keeping everyday life operating.  He says "we are already seeing it in our health care settings and could easily lose 10-to-20 percent of healthcare workers who are not available to work at all."  The uptick in omicron cases comes as the C-D-C shortened the recommended isolation and quarantine times for people who test positive.

The state's frozen road law is now in effect for parts of northern Wisconsin.  The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is opening up roads and highways to larger vehicles.  WisDOT officials say that's because the ground is sufficiently frozen north of Highway 8 to support more weight.  The seasonal weight restrictions are there for road maintenance vehicles carrying salt, and for truckers hauling timber products.  WisDOT and county highway personnel monitor temperature forecasts, along with frost tubes - liquid-filled devices under pavement - to help determine when roads are adequately frozen to accommodate heavier loads.

The forecast for New Year's Day is brutal cold, but Minnesotans are tough and plans are still on for "First Day Hikes" at five Minnesota state parks -- Itasca, Mille Lacs Kathio, Minneopa, Whitewater and William O'Brien.  The D-N-R's Deborah Locke says those who participate are getting off on the right foot.  She says they're putting one foot in front of the other, and everyone has the opportunity to see something they've never seen before, and to meet winter halfway.  For details, and whether pre-registration is required, visit the Minnesota D-N-R website and type "First Day Hike" into the search box.  And, as they say, bring warm clothes. 

Local-Regional News Dec 30

 The City of Durand will not move forward with a special assessment of property owners on Drier Street or Laneville Road.  During last night's City Council meeting, the council reconsidered the assessment.  A motion to move forward with the assessment failed for a lack of a second.  A motion to not proceed with the special assessment passed on a vote of 2-1.  Five property owners who had extra work done during the construction project will be billed for the extra work.  The cost of not assessing will be approximately $200,000 and the Finance committee will be meeting to discuss how the city will cover those costs.  

Durand City Hall will be closed on Friday.  City Administrator Rassmussen says that property owners who drop off their property taxes on Friday, should use the drop box at city hall and the city will consider the taxes paid as of December 31st.

Two people were injured in a car vs semi accident on I-94 at milepost 74 in Eau Claire County on Wednesday morning.  According to the Wisconsin State Patrol  I-94 became Icy just south of Eau Claire causing two separate accidents, blocking the eastbound lanes.  Two people from Apple Valley, MN that were traveling eastbound ran into the back of an eastbound semi.  The driver was med-flighted to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, while the passenger was taken to Mayo Hospital.  The semi-driver was not injured and that accident remains under investigation.

The City of Wabasha and its Port Authority successfully received a grant award from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, through the federal department of Housing and Urban Development, to offer small businesses grants up to $19,000 to replace their HVAC systems in response to Covid-19. “We want our small businesses in Wabasha to continue to thrive during the pandemic- one strategy is through helping them to improve the air circulation in their buildings,” said Caroline Gregerson, City Administrator, “Optimizing air ventilation is a great strategy to keep workers and customers safe.”  A total of $95,000 is available and the City anticipates assisting 5 small businesses. Small businesses located in Wabasha can apply to the City of Wabasha for this assistance. The application and guidelines are available on the city’s website.

 

The Mayo Clinic Health System is tightening its mask policy at all its hospitals and clinics. Mayo will now require patients and visitors to wear medical-grade or surgical masks on its campuses. Officials say the move is "due to the growing wave of infection from the omicron variant and the urgent need to strengthen all layers of protection against COVID-19." Everyone will be offered N-95 or KN-95 masks when going through the screening process. Mayo points to several studies showing the variability in cloth mask performance.

A man from southern Minnesota and his father have a plea agreement with federal prosecutors for their involvement in the January 6th attack at the U-S Capitol.  Daniel Johnson from Austin and Daryl Johnson of St. Ansgar, Iowa were found on photos and video from the attack that took place nearly a year ago.  A social media tip to the F-B-I helped identify them after Daniel posted about being one of the first to break into the building.  The charges against them were recently updated to include interfering with an officer, disorderly conduct, and entering a restricted building.  The Johnsons are scheduled for a hearing before a Washington, DC district court judge on Tuesday.

Authorities say three juveniles have been arrested for a stabbing at an apartment complex in Rice Lake last Thursday.  Emergency responders were called to the apartment at about 7:05 p-m.  When they arrived they treated a victim for a stab wound to his back.  Then, he was taken to a medical facility.  A witness identified the stabbing suspects and they were arrested in Ridgeland by deputies from the Barron County Sheriff’s Office.  No names have been released.  The stabbing victim’s medical condition is unknown.

Biologists have discovered a cluster of rare mussels that could be more than 100 years old in the upper St. Croix River. Wisconsin Public Radio reported Wednesday that biologists from the University of Minnesota, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the National Park Service discovered eight spectaclecase mussels in the river in August. Biologists said the find was surprising because a hydroelectric dam built in 1907 divided the river and has prevented the host fish the mussels need to reproduce from reaching the upper stretches of the river.

COVID-19 complications are now blamed for more than ten-thousand deaths in Wisconsin.  State health officials report ten-thousand-14 people have died from the coronavirus since the pandemic began.  The Department of Health Services confirmed six-thousand-477 new COVID cases Wednesday, which is the highest daily count since November of 2020.  The seven-day average of new cases is three-thousand-869.  Madison and Dane County are seeing their highest-ever level of new cases of COVID-19.  The new omicron variant is believed to be more contagious than other strains.

The governor’s office says Tony Evers has issued more pardons than any Wisconsin governor since 1977.  The Evers administration announced 30 more names Tuesday morning.  In three years Evers has granted 337 pardons.  His Republican predecessor, Scott Walker, didn’t grant any during his eight years in office.  Evers said he is proud of his administration’s work to provide second chances to people.  Wisconsin Governor Patrick Lucey issued 457 pardons between 1971 and 1977.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is remembering former U-S Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.  The Nevada Democrat lost a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer Tuesday at age 82.  Klobuchar says she will miss Harry Reid dearly and her prayers are with his wife, Landra, and his family.  She says Reid worked with Republicans to get a pool safety bill passed following the death of Abbey Taylor of Edina.  Klobuchar said, "sometimes people only get a one-dimensional view of political leaders via news coverage and political ads. But Harry Reid was so much more than a thirty-second political ad."  Reid served as Senate majority leader from 2006 to 2014 and retired in 2017.

While the Omicron variant of COVID-19 does appear to cause less severe symptoms, it could still add to pressures on Wisconsin hospitals. UW Health Dr. Jeff Pothof says that’s because it’s easier to catch than previous strains.   Both UW Health and Bellin Health are running at 100 percent capacity most days. Both health care systems are urging the public to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

 A home invasion suspect in Dane County is accused of holding a father and his 18-year-old son at gunpoint Wednesday afternoon.  The victims were at home when two suspects showed up and were invited in.  After they got inside, one of the suspects pulled a gun before damaging some personal items, then taking a rifle, a handgun, and a wallet before leaving.  The 19-year-old suspect is being held in the Dane County Jail on tentative charges of armed robbery and felony bail jumping.  Authorities in the Madison area are still searching for the second suspect.

Minnesota's minimum wage goes up by 25 cents an hour on January 1st to ten dollars, 33 cents at large employers -- and 21 cents to eight-42 at small employers.  James Honerman with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry says the legislature passed a law in 2014 to keep workers' minimum wage rates even with inflation, so the state's minimum wage rates are adjusted each year to keep up with inflation.  The increase is two-and-a-half percent, the largest since 2018 when the state began indexing the minimum wage to inflation after several years of increases specified by the legislature.   In January 2019, the increase was just over two percent.

A Minneapolis garbage truck driver says he was emptying dumpsters early Monday morning at a Taco Bell when he heard a woman’s voice.  He says the woman was inside the hopper of his truck.  The Minneapolis Fire Department says the woman was apparently sleeping in the dumpster when she was dumped into the truck.  Emergency responders were able to get her free and she was medically evaluated.  She was taken to a hospital for treatment of a foot injury.  The woman’s name wasn’t released.

Local-Regional News Dec 29

 The Durand City Council will reconsider the preliminary special assessment for property owners on Laneville Road at tonights City Council meeting.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says since the first vote in November, a change in ownership of property on Laneville by a city council member made it necessary to revisit the issue.  If the vote on the resolution to move forward with the special assessment fails tonight, the special assessment process would stop.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall.

No charges will be filed against a police officer who fatally shot an armed suspect in Eau Claire.  The Eau Claire County Attorney's Office says the November 3rd shooting of LeKenneth Miller was justified.  Officers were responding to a 9-1-1 call about a suspect breaking into a home and stabbing a woman.  Investigators say Miller was holding a knife when he was shot by Officer Kristopher O’Neill.  The D-A's office said that under the circumstances, Officer O’Neill was justified to use deadly force.  Officer Jason Kaveney was also placed on leave following the shooting.  The Eau Claire Police Department issued a statement, saying "the actions of these officers were heroic."

A Whitehall Hospital will build a new facility.  Gunderson Tri County has announced it will build a new hospital and clinic in Whitehall that will have private rooms and accommodations for in-patient care, a new emergency room, and dedicated trama rooms.    The campus will also have a helipad, ambulance building, and a 13 room assisted living facility.  Construction of the new hospital will begin this spring with completion expected by August of 2023.  

A Western Wisconsin Hospital is suspending its Urgent Care service due to high patient demand.  Tomah Health announced that Urgent Care Services would be suspended starting January 1st to all staff to provide care to emergency department cases caused by a mix of illnesses including Covid-19.  It is unsure how long the Urgent Care will be suspended, but Tomah Health's Warrens Clinic will remain open.

Olmsted County Attorney Mark Ostrem is moving ahead with another jury trial of a Rochester man charged with aiding and abetting a 2019 murder.  After 18 hours of deliberations, the jury deadlocked in the first trial of 32-year-old Muhidin Abukar and the judge declared a mistrial on December 8th.  Twenty-eight-year-old Garad Roble was found dead of nearly a dozen gunshot wounds along a rural road at the southeast edge of Rochester.  In Abukar's first trial, the prosecution used witness statements and cell phone tracking data to try to link the defendant to the killing and the location where the murder weapon was found.  A second man charged in the case, Ayub Iman, is scheduled to stand trial in February.

Legislative leaders are asking Governor Tony Evers to speak about the state’s employment issues when he delivers the State of the State address on February 15th.  Evers will speak in person inside the Assembly Chambers.  Last year’s address was virtual.  Wisconsin Senate President Chris Kapenga and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos say they want to hear from the governor about the “short-term assistance” for the unemployed that has turned into what they call “long-term, unsustainable handouts.” They say they want Evers input on how to address challenges like filling 130-thousand job openings in Wisconsin that aren’t being filled despite the offer of incentives.

After serving as Merrill’s city clerk for nearly 24 years, Bill Heideman says it’s time for him to step aside.  Heideman says he thinks the city is going in the wrong direction when it comes to civility and the willingness to work together.  He says it isn’t just one thing leading to his decision and he isn’t calling anyone out.  Heideman says one of his biggest challenges recently has been trying to restore public trust in local government.  His last day on the job will be January 3rd, three months before his term was set to expire.

Prosecutors say they have charged more than 60 people with crimes committed during last year’s Kenosha protests.  Seventy felonies and 18 misdemeanors have been filed and six of the criminal cases involve juveniles.  The crowds were protesting against police brutality and racism after a white police officer shot Jacob Blake in the back after responding to a domestic disturbance call.  Kyle Rittenhouse shot three of the protesters, killing two.  He was found not guilty on multiple charges last month.

Stay on the trails.  That's the message for snowmobilers planning to take advantage of the fresh snow in Minnesota.  The D-N-R's Paul Purman says the state's 23-thousand miles of trails are largely on private property.  He says some folks decide to go off-trail and it upsets landowners.   While recent snow has many snowmobile enthusiasts excited to take their first ride of the season, most of the state’s trails are not yet groomed and ready to ride.   Purman encourages you to check trail conditions before heading out.

The proof is in the price posted on your local gas pump and it pops up when you buy a loaf of bread or a ribeye steak.  Inflation is a real “thing” for people living in Wisconsin.  Some inflation is normal and essential for a healthy, growing economy.  But, that would be about two percent.  Inflation last month hit a 39-year high when the consumer price index jumped six-point-eight percent from November of last year.  Grocery prices are up by six-point-four percent, according to the U-S Department of Labor, and gas prices were more than six percent higher.  Gas prices are also 58 percent higher than this month last year and that impacts the cost of airfare and shipping goods.

Wisconsin’s governor says he might support an overhaul of the state’s bail system to raise the amount of money violent offenders have to pay.  Tony Evers says everyone needs to “take a breath,” while adding that all stakeholders in the issue should be involved in any discussions.  The Democratic Evers’ comments came during a year-end interview with W-I-S-C Television.  The issue gained statewide attention when Darrell Brooks Junior drove an S-U-V through the crowd at the Waukesha Christmas Parade, killing six and injuring more than 60.  He was free on a one-thousand-dollar bail that was too low for the charge he faced.

A new study confirms that far too many Minnesotans are still unable to put enough food on the table.  Joel Berg of Hunger Free America says 393-thousand Minnesotans, including one in ten children, live in households that cannot afford enough food.  He says there was a pretty significant drop this past year because of a massive increase in federal aid.  Berg also says about one-in-four Minnesotans who are eligible for SNAP benefits aren't taking advantage of the food stamp program.

It was a painful way for a Twin Cities area man to get caught with a gun.  Brooklyn Park police report a accidentally shot himself in the foot Sunday afternoon.  The injured man drove himself to the hospital and told officers the accident happened while he was inside his car.  The injury was minor and the man was treated and released.  That’s when police seized the gun and arrested the man because he is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.  The man’s name hasn’t been released.

It’s not just men sitting there, holding their poles waiting for a bite.  Not even close.  A group that started forming 15 years ago has evolved into a fishing club with more than 450 members.  The Wisconsin Women Fish club reports it has members from 20 states and two Canadian provinces.  About 40 of those members are on the Bay of Green Bay this week ice fishing for perch.  A spokesperson says the club’s calendar is full of events year-round with activities all over the Midwest and Canada.  This week there are classes and workshops for the members who range in age from 18 to 86.

Local-Regional News Dec 28

 More snow is expected today as another storm system moves through the upper midwest.  According to the National Weather Service, anywhere from 1-3 inches of snow along with some freezing drizzle this evening with some minor ice accumulation.  After the storm moves through, much colder weather is expected with overnight lows below zero and afternoon highs in the teens to near 20.  A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the entire WRDN Listening are until 9pm this evening.

One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident in Clifton Township last Wednesday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 51y old Todd Smith of River Falls was traveling northbound on Hwy F when he lost control of his vehicle, entered the west ditch, and struck a power pole.  Smith was taken to Hudson Hospital with undetermined injuries.

One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident in Spring Lake Township on Friday morning.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 18yr old Kaylina Bemis of Elmwood was traveling northbound on Hwy 128 when she lost control of her vehicle and struck the guardrail.  Bemis was taken to River Falls Area Hospital with undetermined injuries.

Two men have been arrested in Chippewa County for stealing catalytic converters.  According to Lake Hallie police, Ryan Deveau and Timothy Cox were pulled over after someone alerted authorities to people walking around the Wisconsin Auto Auction with flashlights.  Officers found a freshly cut catalytic converter and other car parts along with tools.  Both were arrested on charges of theft and possession of methamphetamine.

It’s complicating the resettlement process - a growing number of female Afghan refugees at Fort McCoy are getting pregnant. Some of them are still waiting to be resettled. Military officials report almost 500 afghan women have been pregnant on the Wisconsin base since they started arriving in August. Pregnant refugees in their third trimester are given priority to be permanently resettled faster than the general population. Base officials are working with local hospitals on the deliveries. Classes and support groups for new and expecting mothers are being held.

Wisconsin’s COVID-19 vaccination rate hasn't changed much despite a statewide advisory urging people to get vaccinated. Around 61-and-half-percent of Wisconsin’s population has had one vaccination dose. That’s a little less than three-and-a-half million people. Dane, Menominee, and Door counties are the only ones with vaccination rates over 70 percent. Wisconsin is heading into the last week of the year averaging just more than 25-thousand COVID-19 shots each week. The state Department of Health Services also reports an average of about 17-thousand booster shots each week.

Minnesota health officials are battling the COVID pandemic and a "more normal" flu season in Minnesota.   The latest influenza report shows the first flu-related death of a child happened the week ending December 18th.    The flu is blamed for five fatalities so far this season.  There were zero pediatric flu deaths last year and a total of seven.  Thirty-nine patients are currently hospitalized with influenza - compared to 35 all of last season.   There were 87 school outbreaks before the holiday break and nine nursing home outbreaks.

 Jury selection will start next Monday for the Dane County man accused of killing his parents.  Prosecutors say Chandler Halderson killed Bart and Krista Halderson during the Fourth of July weekend, then lied to police about where they were after he reported them missing.  Dismembered remains identified as the two victims were found scattered in locations across Dane County.  Halderson is charged with two counts each of first-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse, mutilating a corpse, and lying about the whereabouts of a missing person.

The Kewaunee County Sheriff’s Office reports a 48-year-old suspect has been arrested for allegedly making threats of violence against a cell phone store.  David Riemer was taken into custody last week on a charge of disorderly conduct.  A 9-1-1 caller told dispatchers last Thursday at about 10:55 a-m that a man had threatened people who were inside the Cellcom store in the Village of Luxemburg.  Riemer had left by the time authorities arrived, but he was caught a short time later.  Investigators say he never showed a weapon.

Authorities in Racine County say they chased a fleeing car at speeds up to 120 miles an hour on Christmas Eve before finally stopping two suspects and taking them into custody.  Twenty-three-year-old Shamir McNair and 30-year-old Antoine Gibson – both of Chicago – were arrested.  A deputy had conducted a traffic stop for speeding on Interstate 94.  Shortly after stopping, the vehicle took off again.  The two men were finally arrested in Franklin.  McNair was the driver and he has been charged with eluding, recklessly endangering safety, and obstructing an officer.  Gibson is charged with drug possession after marijuana was discovered in the car.

The latest coronavirus surge is putting a strain on Wisconsin hospitals. They’re asking people to do what they can to avoid getting sick.   Advocate Aurora Hospital took out a full-page ad in Sunday’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, asking people to do what they can to stay out of the hospital. Advocate Aurora says it’s seeing three times as many coronavirus patients as it did just two months ago. The ad asks people to wear masks and get vaccinated. Hospital officials in Green Bay recently wrote an op-ed in the Press-Gazette, asking the same thing. 

Most people in Wisconsin will have to wait for the new pills that treat the coronavirus.   State health officials say supplies of Pfizer and Merck’s new medication are limited and will be sent to the most vulnerable and hard-hit communities first. In the meantime, the Department of Health Services says people need to get vaccinated and get boosted. Deputy state health secretary Deb Standridge says that’s the best way to protect yourself. 

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating a fatal shooting incident that happened last week involving an Austin police officer.  Police say the man was holding a knife when he confronted officers in a gas station parking lot Thursday.  Those officers were responding to reports of a man armed with a machete who had been walking in and out of traffic.  Tasers were ineffective and the man walked into a nearby apartment complex and started threatening to hurt people.  He finally walked to the gas station at about 9:30 p-m Thursday and was shot during the confrontation.

The annual Mendota Freeze contest has been extended by the recent warm temperatures Madison is experiencing.  The Clean Lake Alliance holds the contest each year, letting people predict when Lake Mendota will become fully frozen.  The winner gets a thousand-dollar gift card good and Land’s End.  The average freeze date for the lake is December 20th, but that hasn’t happened this year.  The Wisconsin State Climatology Office has to declare that 90 percent of the lake has been frozen for the rest of the winter.

Local-Regional News Dec 27

 The National Weather Service says a winter storm that got its start in South Dakota is bringing snow to Wisconsin.  Winter weather advisories are in effect until noon for most of the state’s 72 counties.  Some parts of southern Wisconsin will get rain and drizzle instead of snow.  Meteorologists say the heaviest snowfall will be in the northwestern part of the state.  Rice Lake could expect up to nearly five inches.  Another snow chance enters the picture Tuesday afternoon with temperatures turning sharply colder.

Saying it’s only fueling distrust in Wisconsin elections, Governor Tony Evers wants Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and former state Supreme Court Justice Mike Gableman to wrap up their review of the 2020 presidential results.   But Gableman is vowing to continue the taxpayer-funded effort into the new year. And he’s calling for the resignation of state Senator Kathy Bernier, the Lake Hallie Republican who’s been a vocal critic of the partisan probe. 

An Eau Claire man who was sent to a state mental health institution after being found not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of his wife and teenage daughter in 1998 is asking to be released from supervision.  65yr old Cher Cha Moua was released from the institution in 2011 has been under supervised release since then.  He is now asking the court to drop the conditions of his supervision saying he is no longer a threat to himself or others.  A hearing on his petition is set for late January.

The Wabasha County Board is meeting tomorrow.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on the final 2022 property tax levy, and approve budgets for Sheriff's Department, County Attorney's Office, Recorders Office, and the Final County Budget.  Tomorrow's meeting begins at 9am at the Wabasha County Government Center.

Wisconsin Third District Democratic Congressman Ron Kind is looking forward to the help contained the recently-passed Infrastructure Bill.  While there is money set aside for rural broadband, Kind says it's important to make sure companies like Frontier Communications use it in the way it's intended.

The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the Scrooge who stole from church donation boxes and jars last week.  The suspect took donations at Shullsburg Catholic Church Wednesday afternoon.  Surveillance photos are being circulated in hopes someone will be able to identify the suspect.  He was wearing a black jacket and a blue hooded sweatshirt, with dark tennis shoes, dark-framed glasses, and a camouflage-style baseball cap.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources invites you to start the new year with a hike. This year marks the 11th annual “First Day Hike” at state parks and recreation areas across the United States. Individuals and families can start the new year by connecting with nature in the outdoors. Guided hikes will be available at several properties. You’ll need a vehicle admission sticker to get in. If you can’t hike on New Year’s Day, there’ll be more opportunities to hike by moonlight or on candlelit trails throughout the winter.

Authorities in Florence County report two people are in the hospital after their plane crashed Saturday morning.  Callers reported the crash at about 8:38 a-m near Spread Eagle.  G-P-S coordinates were used by emergency responders to locate the crash site.  The two people who had been in the plane were treated by paramedics, then taken to Dickinson County Memorial Hospital for further treatment.  Their names and medical conditions haven’t been released.  The Federal Aviation Administration has taken over the investigation.

University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate Ken Sembach is heading up the project that just launched a new, powerful telescope into space.  Sembach earned his P-h-D in Madison in 1992.  The Webb Telescope launched Saturday morning.  Sembach says it will be able to show scientists all kinds of things they couldn’t see before  It will be able to look at galaxies billions of light-years away – giving a much more complete picture than the one we’ve seen through the Hubble telescope.  It might even detect life on other planets.

 It may not feel like it, but gas prices in Wisconsin are some of the cheapest in the country.  Triple-A is reporting the cost for a gallon of regular, unleaded gas in Wisconsin averages two dollars, 97 cents.  That figure is more than 30 cents under the national average and it has fallen 15 cents in the last month.  The cheapest gas prices are apparently in the Appleton area where pump prices average about 2-84 a gallon.

A former candidate for the Fitchburg City Council has been charged with homicide by negligent driving.  Shawnicia Youmas was charged in Dane County Court Wednesday.  Investigators say her vehicle collided with the motorcycle being operated by Wisconsin Public Media Director Gene Purcell last July.  The onboard computer in her car revealed Youmas had been traveling at almost 65 miles an hour less than two seconds before the impact.  The speed limit in that neighborhood is 30 miles per hour.  Purcell was a longtime official in public broadcasting in Wisconsin.

Charges have been filed against an Auburndale mother after her 11-year-old girl was found barefoot last week at a gas station.  Police say the girl wasn’t wearing a coat, hat, or gloves and the temperature at the time was about 20 degrees.  The child had visible injuries, including cuts and bruises on her face, neck, and hands.  She also had a black eye.  Police say Teresa Ertl admitted hitting the victim when they confronted her.  Ertl is scheduled to be arraigned January 4th.  If convicted, she could be sentenced to more than four years in prison.

There is much speculation about the possible sentence for former police officer Kim Potter after the jury convicted her Thursday.  The judge isn’t expected to go light on Potter’s prison term.  The maximum is 15 years, but sentencing guidelines for a first offense range from six to eight-and-a-half years.  The defense is seeking no prison time but that would require the presence of mitigating or aggravating factors.  Prosecution and defense will submit written arguments.  Potter was immediately sent to the Minnesota women’s prison in Shakopee after the verdict was returned.

Details regarding Wisconsin’s youngest coronavirus victim will remain confidential. A child recently became the first in Wisconsin younger than ten years old to die with COVID-19. It’s extremely rare for young children to die from the coronavirus. The Department of Health Services says of the nearly ten thousand people who’ve died with coronavirus in Wisconsin, only seven of them were 19 or younger. 73-percent of Wisconsin coronavirus fatalities were 70 or older, and many of them had other health problems.

 Skaters in Warroad can skate for more than five miles without turning around.  The longest skate path in the U-S has been created there.  It’s called the Riverbend Skate Path and its located along the Warroad River.  A recent expansion means it's twice as long as it used to be – five-point-two miles.  The project started last year and eventually, 300-to-400 skaters were using it on weekends, having fun pulling sleds, curling, playing broomball, or practicing puck handling.  The three men who created the skate path are playing several events and activities for users.  Work is still being done to make sure it is ready for the winter season. 

Local-Regional News Dec 24

 No one was injured in a one-vehicle roll-over accident on Hwy 25 just south of Durand yesterday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department 42yr old Jeremiah Cleland of Nelson was northbound on Hwy 25 when he lost control of the log truck he was driving, when into the ditch, and rolled over.   The accident caused logs to be scattered across the area.  Hwy 25 was closed for approximately 2 hrs while crews cleaned up the accident.

 

The Wisconsin State Patrol says 12-to-15 people suffered scrapes and broken bones when they were involved in a massive pileup on Interstate 94 Thursday.  About 20 ambulances were called to the scene between Osseo and Black River Falls.  Troopers say freezing rain caused ice-slick pavement leading to crashes involving more than 40 vehicles.  The first accident was reported at about 5:45 a-m.  Emergency crews responded to multiple crashes, drive-offs, and jackknifed semis in Jackson and Trempealeau counties.

Nearly $1000 was raised at last night's Durand-Arcadia Girls Basketball game for the Bendickson family of Durand.  Nicole Bendickson died  12 days after giving birth to twins on December 1st.  Durand Girls Basketball Coach Darrin Lowenhagen says that Arcadia Coach Lucas Passehl reached out to him asking how his team could help.  The crowd at the game donated $700 while the Arcadia basketball program chipped in an additional $250.  Lowenhagen says the Durand Girls Basketball Team will be holding a fundraiser for the Bendickson Family during January 4th home game against Prescott.

Two more tornadoes are confirmed to have occurred in Wisconsin on Dec. 15, according to the National Weather Service in La Crosse.  The Weather Service says an EF1 tornado briefly touched down west of Greenwood in Clark County with a track of only a quarter of a mile at 9:33 p.m., but it removed the roof of a barn and destroyed a power pole, a pole shed, and damaged several trees in about one minute on the ground.   Another EF1 tornado happened south of Osseo, crossing from Trempealeau County into Jackson County, traveling 2.7 miles in about three minutes and ending just before it hit Interstate 94 damaging a home and several trees.  The weather service says there were 7 tornados that occurred in Wisconsin on December 15.

Some coronavirus relief money will help people pay their water bills in Wisconsin.  Governor Evers says he’s earmarking 18-million dollars for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. The governor’s office says Wisconsin has diverted a total of 86-million dollars to help people impacted economically by the COVID-19 pandemic. The money is helping people pay utility bills, rent, and mortgage payments.

 An assistant Wisconsin attorney general is asking Dane County Judge Rhonda Lanford to block a subpoena demanding the state’s chief elections administrator to turn over documents and submit to an interview.  This is part of former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman’s investigation into the November presidential election.  The attorney representing Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe told the judge Thursday the subpoena is too vague and broad.  Gabe Johnson-Karp also said the questioning needs to be done in public – not in private.  Judge Lanford said she will issue her ruling by January 10th.

The chair of the search committee says she wants a new chancellor for the University of Wisconsin-Madison to be chosen by May.  Karen Walsh released the committee’s timeline earlier this week.  Walsh wants a faster decision so the school can avoid hiring an interim chancellor when outgoing Chancellor Rebecca Blank leaves this summer.  Walsh says the plan calls for the application deadline to be in mid-March, semifinalist interviews a month later, finalist campus visits in early May, and a recommendation to the U-W System Board of Regents by the middle of that same month.  Blank is leaving to become president of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

 The changeover was quick in Milwaukee.  Former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett was sworn-in Thursday morning as U-S ambassador to Luxembourg.  He represented Wisconsin’s largest city for 17 years.  Barrett heads to Washington for briefs next month and expects to be in Europe by the end of January.  His temporary replacement, Alderman Cavalier Johnson, took the oath at Bay View High School where he attend class as a youth.  Johnson is now Milwaukee’s acting mayor and he has said he will run for the permanent position in next February’s local election.

Authorities in Calumet County have identified the human remains found at High Cliff State Park last September as a man who has been missing since 1983.  Hikers found the remains on a trail and D-N-A tests were used to identify them as Neenah native Starkie L. Swenson.  He had been legally declared dead and John C. Andrews of Chilton was sentenced to two years in jail in 1994.  Swenson was 67 years old when he went missing.  A witness, Susan Eggert, gave what officials are calling “ear-witness” testimony, saying she heard Andrews arguing with Swenson before Swenson disappeared.  Andrews was her boyfriend.

Parents are demanding answers about the chemical leak that closed down the middle school in Spooner last month.  When students and staff began getting sick the school was evacuated.  Dozens were sickened by a smell they reported.  Parents say the school district still hasn’t provided clear answers about what students were exposed to and whether the problem really has been fixed.  Those district officials have said what they are calling “industrial hygiene” reviews suggest styrene may have been the chemical everyone was smelling.

The U-S Attorney says the conviction of a judge on child porn charges shows “no one is above the law.  Thirty-nine-year-old Brett Blomme was sentenced to nine years in prison Wednesday.  He had pleaded guilty to the charge in September.  Blomme had served as a Milwaukee County Children’s Court judge.  Federal Judge James D. Peterson described Blomme’s actions and the illicit materials he distributed as the “worst of the worst.”  Acting U-S Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea says the sentence shows “we will track down and hold accountable those who distribute child sexual abuse material.”

An online lender who didn’t get licensed to do business in Minnesota has settled a lawsuit with the state Department of Commerce.  MoneyLion agrees to pay a fine, cancel or forgive some of the loans, and give refunds to some of its Minnesota customers.  The MoneyLion loans carried interest rates up to 645 percent.  Department of Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold says the settlement shows that Minnesota consumers who borrow from online lenders do have protections under state law.

 The Metropolitan Airports Commission in the Twin Cities expects the day after Christmas to be the busiest travel day.  They are projecting about 35 thousand passengers to clear T-S-A checkpoints at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Sunday.  Similar crowds are expected Monday.  Last year, 60 percent fewer passengers – 21 thousand – passed through the airport the day after Christmas. 

Local-Regional News Dec 23

 Homeowners in Wisconsin are seeing an increase in the lottery tax credit on their property tax bills.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says for the owner of a $100,000 home in Durand that should mean property taxes will be about $28 less than last year.  The Lottery Tax Credit is the highest in the lottery's 33yr history.

The Durand-Arkansaw School District and the City of Durand are working on an agreement to be a part of the Dunn County Economic Development Corporation.  Durand Arkansaw School Superintendent Greg Doverspike says the city and district felt it was easier to work with Dunn County EDC than start a separate one.  Doverspike hopes the collaboration with the Dunn County EDC will help bring new businesses to the Durand area.

One person was injured and another was arrested in a stabbing in the town of Wilson.  According to the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department, the attack occurred in the victim's home and the attacker was known to the victim.  The suspect fled to his home after the attack where deputies confronted him.  The suspect remained uncooperative and started a fire in his home which forced the Eau Claire Regional Tactical team to use its armored vehicle to recuse the suspect and he was taken into custody.  

Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and the leader of his partisan probe into the 2020 election may be headed to court over their records.  A Madison judge is ordering Vos and former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to release public records about the review “immediately,” or appear in court next month.  The order is part of a lawsuit brought by a liberal watchdog group called American Oversight, which wants the records of Gableman’s probe to be made public.  The ruling is the latest in a string of legal setbacks for Vos and Gableman.  Wisconsin taxpayers are being charged 676-thousand dollars for their election review.

The University of Wisconsin is announcing a new incentive for U-W students who work in health care during the COVID pandemic.  U-W System President Tommy Thompson says around one-thousand students will be eligible for a 500-dollar tuition credit if they work at least 50 hours in a health care setting from now until the end of February.  U-W students enrolled in the spring semester have until the end of March to enroll in the program.  Thompson says they are working to secure additional funding.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has confirmed that Foxconn Technology Group has qualified for tax credits.  The state agency reported Wednesday Foxconn has met job creation and investment benchmarks to qualify for almost 29 million dollars.  The Taiwan-based company created 579 eligible jobs and made a 266-million-dollar capital investment at the Mount Pleasant location.  Foxconn will receive two-point-two million dollars in job credits and 26-point-six million in capital investment credits – for the first time.  It missed those benchmarks the two previous years.

Thirty-two thousand registered voters were deactivated over the summer in Wisconsin.  The Wisconsin Elections Commission took that action after a legal fight that had gone on for two years.  The conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty had argued the commission should have deactivated the voters who had moved within 30 days.  The new lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court in Madison argues the 31-thousand-584 voters should still be on the rolls because they weren’t told it could happen and weren’t given a deadline to respond.

The message hasn’t changed.  Beloit police are reminding people not to leave their cars running in cold weather while they run into the convenience store.  Two drivers learned that the hard way Wednesday.  Police say by 8:00 a-m they had already received a pair of reports about cars that had been stolen.  Yes, they had been left running.  The thieves got away with a 2009 Honda Accord and a 2006 Chrysler 300.  Officials say consider buying an extra set of keys and lock the door on your running car while you’re away.  That’s cheaper than buying a new car.

Almost one-fourth of all jobs at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections are vacant right now.  State officials say maximum security prisons in Waupun and Portage are operating with half-staffs.  Wisconsin Public Radio reports the state agency is sending two dozen officers from other locations to help.  State lawmakers approved raising the pay rates for guards by almost 15 percent last year to 19 dollars, three cents an hour.  Corrections Secretary Kevin Carr has said low pay and fears of contracting COVID-19 are keeping applicants away.  There are about 11 hundred open positions in the department.

A Wisconsin woman accused of child neglect in her son’s death has been released on bond.  Thirty-one-year-old Natasha Bratland of Lublin has been ordered not to leave the state or consume any controlled substances without a prescription while she is free.  Her two-year-old son died last June when he was hit by a train.  Taylor County Sheriff Larry Woebbeking says the train tried to stop and was blowing its horn before the child was hit.  People who lived nearby told investigators Bratland’s children were often seen playing in the street, on the railroad tracks, or even on rooftops.

The Minnesota Department of Labor reports it recovered more than 334-thousand dollars in back wages for construction workers in the state.   Many workers were not paid the correct prevailing wage or overtime wages.     D-L-I investigators say A-E-2-S Construction, doing business as E-I-M, did electrical work at a Detroit Lakes wastewater treatment plant partially funded by a state grant and did not pay employees the prevailing wage.  More than 333-thousand dollars was recovered through that order for 33 workers.  The company also made partial overtime back-wage payments to nine workers.     The prevailing wage rate is the minimum hourly wage employers must pay their employees performing construction work on projects funded in whole or in part with state dollars.

A planned quarter-billion-dollar pharmaceutical campus in Verona could create between 200 and 250 new jobs.     Arrowhead Pharmaceutical will build the project on a 13-acre property at the city’s technology park.  Arrowhead says the project reaffirms its commitment to the biotech industry and to Wisconsin.  When it is complete, there will be a 140-thousand square-foot drug manufacturing facility next to a 115-thousand square-foot laboratory and office complex.  The new campus is expected to open by the end of 2023.  Arrowhead already has one facility in Madison and another in southern California.

Wisconsin is one of 19 states where possibly contaminated salad products were sold.  The U-S Food and Drug Administration has issued a recall notice saying the products could be contaminated with listeria.  That can cause serious or fatal infections in consumers with weakened immune systems.  Florida-based Fresh Express says customers who bought salad products should throw them away and contact it or the store where they made the purchase to get a refund.  The recalled items were sold under several brand names including Fresh Express, Bowl and Basket, and Marketside.  They were labeled with product codes Z-3-2-4 through Z-3-5-0.

 If you're planning to do some ice fishing over the holidays, remember that ice conditions continue to vary across Minnesota and Wisconsin.  The Minnesota D-N-R's Lisa Dugan says in the northern parts of the state it sounds like that they are opening up vehicles to larger vehicles, but in central and southern regions that just doesn't seem to be the case right now. She says there hasn't been enough ice to support the large vehicles and, in some cases, even A-T-Vs and snowmobiles. Recent rain, snow, and fluctuating temperatures have affected ice-making and impacted ice that’s already formed. The D-N-R recommends four inches of clear ice for walking and five to seven inches for four-wheelers and snow machines.

Local-Regional News Dec 22

 Firefighters from Durand and Nelson along with assistance from Alma and Lund battled a barn fire yesterday at S433 Hwy 25, south of Durand.  Firefighters were called to the scene after a passerby noticed the fire and called 911.  By the time firefighters arrived, the barn was fully engulfed.  Some horses and a bull that was in the barn were rescued by the passerby and not injured.  The barn is a total loss.  No other injuries were reported.

School Districts in Wisconsin and around the country are facing shortages of substitutes.  Durand Arkansas School Superintendent Greg Doverspike says while there are companies districts can hire to share substitute teachers, it's something the Durand-Arkansaw School District does not do.  Last week the district did approve pay raises for the teaching and support staff.

The Durand Ambulance Service is looking for additional EMT's to join the service.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the service has some new EMT's coming on board, and the city and service is looking for ways to find more people.  Anyone interested in becoming an EMT or EMR should contact the Durand Ambulance Service.

The man that was injured in an accident at the Lake Wissota Dam earlier this month has died.  Xcel Energy said that Jon Grunseth from Gilman was injured when he was unloading some equipment at the Dam.  OSHA is still investigating the incident.

Both political parties agree on this one – bail reform is needed in Wisconsin.  The move comes because Darrell Brooks Junior had been released on a low, one-thousand-dollar bond just days before he killed six people and injured dozens by driving an S-U-V through the crowd watching the Waukesha Christmas Parade.  Democrats and Republicans agree there should be an easier process for judges to deny bail to certain defendants when those defendants offer a greater risk to public safety.  Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm has admitted the court system made a mistake when bail was set for Brooks last month.  State Senator Van Wanggaard is the sponsor of the measure that appears to have bipartisan support in the next legislative session.

The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Committee on Employment Relations has approved two-percent pay raises for all state employees – except for one.  Tuesday’s vote was unanimous.  The exception will be the winner of the 2024 election for Milwaukee County district attorney.  All other D-As in the state will get the raise.  Committee co-chair Chris Kapenga, the Republican Senate president, says the pay raise for the Milwaukee County district attorney was withheld due to the low bail recommended by the office for a violent offender who killed six and injured more than 60 at the Waukesha Christmas Parade.  Darrell Brooks Junior was free on a one-thousand-dollar bail at the time.

The Third District Wisconsin Court of Appeals is asking the State Supreme Court to take a case.  If the justices agree, they would decide whether a constitutional amendment approved by voters last year was worded properly.  Marsy’s Law expands crime victims’ rights.  Dane County Judge Frank Remington ruled the ballot question failed to adequately warn voters that the amendment would diminish the rights for defendants.  Remington decided not to kill the amendment while the Wisconsin Elections Commission appealed.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says he and his wife and their ninth-grade son all tested positive for COVID-19.  Information is not available on whether it's the omicron variant.  The governor said his son got a positive result Monday and he and Gwen had a positive test last night.  Walz says thankfully his son has mild symptoms, and he and Gwen have no symptoms -- but the family is isolating.  The governor says his son is vaccinated, and he and his wife are vaccinated and have received their booster shots.

People trying to get the Verso paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids operating are keeping a close eye on a major international transaction.  A Swedish paper company is buying Verso for 825 million dollars in a stock purchase action.  A news release mentions the plans for two paper mills in Michigan, but it doesn’t mention the Wisconsin plant that has been shut down since the middle of last year.  Efforts to get the state of Wisconsin to intercede haven’t worked yet.  Hundreds of people worked at the plant when it was operating.  Now, a skeleton crew is performing light maintenance on the machines so it will be ready to restart – if needed

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to the Dane County mask mandate brought by two county residents and a business.  The high court’s calendar doesn’t list a specific date for arguments yet.  The suit was filed against the county, Public Health Madison and Dane County, and public health director Janel Heinrich.  The parties suing argue that local health officers like Heinrich can’t “unilaterally issue orders that restrict daily life.”  They say moves like that require approval from the Legislature.  The court was first requested to take the case in August.  It agreed to hear arguments Monday – the same day the county’s mask mandate was extended to February 1st.

Democrats in the Wisconsin Assembly have chosen a new minority leader.  State Representative Greta Neubauer of Racine was the only party member to run for the position Monday.  She takes over for State Representatives Gordon Hintz of Oshkosh who leaves the job January 10th.  Neubauer told party members she will work to build the relationships, strategy, and infrastructure to move their shared values and priorities forward.  She won a special election three years ago.  The Democratic caucus holds just 38 of the 99 seats in the Wisconsin Assembly.

Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association say they're at the breaking point due to long-term staff shortages in hospitals -- and are calling on C-E-Os and public officials to take action.  Kelley Anaas, I-C-U nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis said, "just because we aren't selling raffle tickets to see who gets a ventilator doesn't mean that we aren't rationing care. A patient boarding in an emergency department in rural Minnesota for days, waiting for a staffed I-C-U bed at my hospital, is rationing care."  Officials at the Minnesota Hospital Association weren't immediately available to respond -- but earlier acknowledged the state's health systems are experiencing a workforce crisis.

The U.S. Navy is sending a medical team to Green Bay to help at Bellin Hospital.   FEMA approved a team of 20 people last week. In addition to doctors and nurses, the Navy is also sending respiratory therapists to the hospital. The hope is that the Navy team can support, and give a break to, local doctors and nurses who are overwhelmed by the coronavirus and the flu. The combination stretched resources at Bellin, much like it has in other healthcare systems around the state.  Wisconsin is not alone in getting military assistance.  Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, Colorado, New Mexico, and Montana are also getting support from either the Army or the Navy as the nation braces for a continuing spike in COVID and flu.

 Family members, co-workers, and law enforcement authorities are calling a 15-year-old worker at a McDonald’s restaurant in Edina a hero.  Sydney Raley was working her Saturday shift at the drive-thru window when she noticed a customer coughing.  The teen had taken first-aid training so she jumped through the window, got the distressed woman out of her car, and told her daughter to call 9-1-1.  When the Heimlich maneuver didn’t work, Raley got a bystander to help because he was stronger.  A chicken nugget was quickly dislodged and the woman was able to breathe.  Tom and Stephanie Raley call their daughter “Sydney Sunshine” and they say they are proud of her.  Two police officers gave her 100 dollars from a holiday fund for her quick actions.

Local-Regional News Dec 21

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board has approved the renewal of an agreement with the Alma, Plum City, and Pepin School Districts to provide special education services.  Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Greg Doverspike says by providing the services to the other districts saves Durand-Arkansaw some money.  The agreement between the districts has been in place since the 1990s.

One person is dead after a one-vehicle accident in Oak Grove Township on Sunday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department 63yr old Rickard Perkins of Prescott was traveling northbound on Hwy 35, when he left the roadway, entered the east ditch, and struck several trees hidden from view.  Perkins was pronounced dead at the scene by the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office.  That accident remains under investigation.

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident in Oak Grove Township on Friday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 21yr old Naomi Dolton of Racine, MN was turning northbound onto Hwy E from Hwy 10 when an eastbound vehicle driven by 29yr old James Bigott from Elmwood rear-ended the Dolton vehicle.   Dolton had to be extricated from her vehicle and was taken to Region's Hospital with undetermined injuries, while Bigott was taken to Regina Hospital in Hastings.  

The Pierce County Health Department is announcing the testing site at  Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services will close after the January 6th testing date.  The Wisconsin National Guard that runs the site is being re-deployed to help with staff shortages in hospital and long-term care facilities.  The testing site will be open from 9-11am on December 27th, January 3rd, and January 6th.  Test at the site continues to be drive up without appointments necessary.

 Jerry Bauer, chairman of the Board of Security Financial Bank (SFB) and Security Financial Services Corporation (SFSC), the holding company that owns the Bank, announced the appointment of Mark C. Oldenberg to succeed Paul Rudersdorf as president of SFB effective January 10, 2022. Rudersdorf will continue to serve as CEO of SFB as well as CEO and president of SFSC until he retires at the end of 2022 at which time Oldenberg will assume those responsibilities.

A Thorp meatpacking business is suing USDA over a mask rule that requires employees and workers of meat processors to require their employees on contractors to wear masks if the plant is located in a county with substantial or high community transmission of Covid-19.  Nolechek's Meats filed a lawsuit after the Food Safety and Inspection Service removed their USDA Mark of Inspection because the company was not requiring masks, which then impacted Nolechek's wholesale distribution.  The Company is currently complying with the rule but told WAOW-TV they believe  USDA has gone beyond what Congress has authorized.

Authorities in Chippewa County say the 24-year-old woman found dead in a farm field last year was pregnant when she died.  The body of Rosaly Rodriguez was discovered in a suitcase in the Town of Wheaton just over three months after she was reported missing.  Twenty-four-year-old Jose Dominguez-Garcia is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse, and intentional homicide of an unborn child.

Gov. Tony Evers and Chairman William Reynolds of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin today signed a compact amendment allowing St. Croix operated casinos and affiliate locations in Wisconsin to offer event wagering on sports and non-sports events. The signed amendment was sent to the U.S. Department of Interior where it will undergo a 45-day review.   That amendment is expected to be approved by the Department of Interior.

Students at Spooner Middle School are set to return to in-person learning  Today as the Spooner Fire Department has deemed the building safe, after more than a month of being closed.   The school was closed on November 10 after dozens of students and staff fell ill due to an epoxy-like odor in the building.   According to the district, environmental testing of the school had been conducted by multiple organizations, and that reporting showed the symptoms students and staff were experiencing were side effects of styrene exposure.  

The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission says an environmental review for the move of an oil and gas pipeline in Wisconsin is incomplete and flawed.  Canada-based Enbridge Incorporated wants to move about 40 miles of its pipeline in Ashland and Iron counties.  The company was sued by the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in 2019 demanding the pipeline be removed from that reservation.  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources released its draft environmental impact statement last week.  Wisconsin Public Radio is reporting the intertribal agency told the D-N-R its review has significant gaps in the information provided.

National Weather Service survey teams have now confirmed nine tornadoes touched down in Minnesota during storms last week that moved across the southern half of the state. Two of the latest confirmed twisters were both rated E-F-1. The first was east of Plainview in Wabasha County and had max wind speeds of 93 miles per hour. The second was near Racine in Mower County and had a max wind speed of 110 miles per hour. E-F-0 tornadoes were also newly confirmed in Winona County and Fillmore County.

The Republican Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly is telling the state’s hospitals they may have contributed to their own staffing shortages during the COVID-19 surge.  Robin Vos says firing nurses who didn’t want to get the coronavirus vaccine didn’t help with the situation.  Vos spoke on W-K-O-W Television’s Capital City Sunday program.  The Wisconsin Hospital Association says hospitals fired less than two percent of their workers based on vaccine mandates.  The Association maintains that state hospitals are becoming overwhelmed by the rapidly rising number of COVID-19 patients.

U-S Senator Ron Johnson is demanding answers about the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.  The Wisconsin Republican sent a letter to the Secretary of State’s Office and the head of the Department of Homeland Security last week.  Johnson is asking for information about how many Americans are still in Afghanistan and how many Afghans are in the U-S.  He says Americans deserve to know who came to this country when troops were pulled out – and who was left behind.  He also wants to know how the Afghan refugees were vetted before they arrived here. 

Drug companies are still fighting against Minnesota’s emergency insulin law.  A federal court is being asked by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of American to overturn a ruling by a lower court that upheld the law known as the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act.  Smith died four years ago while he was trying to ration his insulin.  The law approved last year lets diabetics seek an emergency one-time 30-day supply of insulin from a pharmacy.  The supplies are donated by three drug companies.  Their lobbyists say that violates the U-S Constitution’s takings clause.

The effort to pass President Joe Biden's Build Back Better Plan has effectively ended.  West Virginia Democrat Senator Joe Manchin voiced his final opposition to the plan during an interview on Fox News Sunday, effectively ending the trillion-dollar stimulus bill. Senator Tammy Baldwin has been working to build support for the plan, while Republican Ron Johnson has opposed it.

Results of a study show people aren’t moving to Wisconsin and that threatens the state’s future.  The study by Wisconsin-based Forward Analytics focuses on the state’s three-point-six-percent population growth over the last 10 years.  That makes the Badger State one of the slowest growing states in the U-S.  It’s also the slowest 10-year growth rate ever for Wisconsin.  A decline in birth rates and the under-18 population creates some long-term challenges.  Fewer young people in Wisconsin will have a negative effect on future labor forces and the state’s economy.

Local Regional News Dec 20

 Pepin County has received $1.4 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan.  These funds are intended to provide local governments with resources to continue to address the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as well as provide local units of government with the opportunity for recovery and to assist their communities with economic recovery.  Pepin County is requesting input regarding how residents think Pepin County’s $1.4 million in funds awarded should be spent and anyone that would like to propose a project or program that qualifies for funding can apply.   The application deadline is January 31 and the application and more information can be found at the Pepin County Website.

A Dunn County woman is sentenced to 25 years in prison for her role in the beating death of a man last November.  Ashley Gunder had pleaded no contest to being a party to the reckless homicide of 37-year-old Bruce McGuigan of Hayward.  Ryan Steinhoff and Chad Turgeson are accused of beating McGuigan for hours and using a propane torch to burn him.  Gunder told investigators that she was ordered to clean up the bloody scene after McGuigan died.  She will receive credit for 395 days already served.  Turgeson and Steinhoff have court hearings in the spring.

One person is injured after an accident in the Town of Unity on Saturday.  According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department, a man traveling eastbound on Hwy 10, pulled over to retrieve a recycling container that had fallen out of his truck.  He was standing by the rear of his truck when he was struck by a passing vehicle.  He was air-lifted to Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire.  

The chair of the state Senate’s elections committee says criticism may spur her to seek another term. State Senator Cathy Bernier, who’s said that an elections probe led by former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman contains “made-up things” meant to play to the Republican base, said in a tweet she’s been considering retirement but (quote) “I may rethink it. Right-wingers calling for my resignation is motivation!” The Lake Hallie lawmaker said her fellow Republicans need to stop attacking the integrity of Wisconsin’s elections.

The Chippewa Valley Airport and La Crosse Municipal Airport are both receiving funding from the infrastructure law.  Chippewa Valley will receive just over $1 million while La Crosse Municipal will receive just over $1.3 million in funding.  The money can be invested in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects as well as terminal, airport-transit connections, and roadway projects. More funding for Wisconsin airports is expected in years to come.  In total, Wisconsin Airport will receive $39 million in funding.

The Dunn County Sheriff's Department has identified the victim of a two-vehicle accident in the town of Lucas last Wednesday.  18yr old Carson Lund of Baldwin was killed when the vehicle he was in failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Hwy K and Hwy 12 and was struck by a westbound vehicle.   Two other occupants in the vehicle were also injured and taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

The National Weather Service has confirmed a fifth tornado was on the ground last Wednesday in western Wisconsin.  The E-F-Zero tornado damaged several homes and blew trees onto four houses on the west side of the Village of Trempealeau.  It was on the ground for about a minute starting at 8:23 p-m.  No injuries or deaths were connected to that tornado.  Meteorologists say the tornado was about 25 yards wide and had estimated peak wind speeds of 75 miles an hour.  Two other tornadoes have been confirmed in Clark County that night, along with tornadoes in Eau Claire and Chippewa counties.

Eau Claire County prosecutors say they have reached a plea agreement with a 25-year-old man charged in a fatal shooting last year.  Juan Olivarez entered a guilty plea Thursday to charges of felony murder and aggravated battery.  Four other charges were dismissed.  Investigators say Olivarez and Joe Moya broke into an Eau Claire home in March 2020 and shot Edwin Garcia-Smith three times.  Garcia-Smith was killed and a second person in the home was wounded.  Olivarez is scheduled to be sentenced in April.

 A Hastings man is accused of burning the body of a drug overdose victim and dumping him near a boat launch on the Mississippi River last summer.  Dakota County prosecutors say 33-year-old Timothy Otto is charged with second-degree arson and interference with a dead body in connection with the death of 30-year-old Kyle Hamilton.  His remains were located July 10th by a burnt outhouse at Jaycee Park.  An autopsy determined Hamilton had fatal amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl in his system.  Fire investigators also found gasoline in the soil underneath Hamilton's body.  A witness told police that Otto admitted to putting his body in a garbage can at the boat launch and setting it on fire.

The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau is reminding residents not to share their COVID vaccine cards on social media.  Officials say even a minimal amount of self-identifying information makes you vulnerable to identity theft and can help scammers make fake cards.  There have been reports of scammers offering to sell phony vaccine cards.  B-B-B Wisconsin president Jim Timmer warns people who are vaccinated not to post a selfie holding the card on Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms.

Now you can call him Ambassador Tom Barrett.   The U-S Senate Thursday confirmed Milwaukee’s mayor as the new ambassador to Luxembourg. President Biden nominated Barrett for the post in August, but he’s been waiting for an official vote. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson helped move Barrett’s nomination forward. Barrett’s departure kicks off a special election for Milwaukee's mayor. That field is already crowded. 

Former Governor Scott Walker says if Wisconsin set aside its personal income tax it would save the average family about 17 hundred dollars a year.  The Republican says it would also create jobs and likely would lead more people to move to Wisconsin.  Walker, U-W economist Noah Williams, and several reform groups are making a pitch to lawmakers to dump the tax.  They want it replaced with a slight bump in the sales tax rate.  Walker tells reporters eliminating the state income tax would make Wisconsin a destination in the Upper Midwest.  Seven U-S states have no personal income tax.

A Dane County businessman and executive is looking to become Wisconsin's first Hmong lieutenant governor.  Peng Her is the C-E-O of the Hmong Institute in Madison, and if he's elected would also be the first Hmong elected to a statewide office in the nation.  Her has also served on the Governor's Early Childhood Advisory Council and the Governor's Homeless working group.  Her became a U-S Citizen in 1986 along with his family, who came to America in the 70s following the fall of Laos.  Other Democratic candidates include state Representatives David Bowen of Milwaukee, Sara Rodriguez of Brookfield, and state Senator Lena Taylor of Milwaukee.

State officials are reporting more positive tests for chronic wasting disease in Wisconsin deer.  The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection confirms that two white-tailed deer at a Portage County hunt ranch tested positive for C-W-D.  The 200-acre farm and its herd of approximately 370 deer are under quarantine while an investigation is conducted.  The D-N-R is confirming that a wild deer in the town of Lincoln is the first-ever positive C-W-D case in Vilas County.  Conservation officers are enacting a three-year baiting and feeding ban in Vilas County as well as a two-year ban in Forest County.  The infected deer was harvested within ten miles of the county line.

 The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development reports the state’s unemployment rate dropped to a record-low three percent in November.  More than 12 thousand private-sector jobs were added knocking the unemployment percentage down by two-tenths of a point, keeping it well below the national average.  The three percent figure ties November 18th for the lowest rate ever recorded in the state.  The labor force participation in Wisconsin is a little over 66 percent – also well ahead of the national rate of just below 62 percent.  The Badger State ranks among the top 10 states in the nation for that.

The C-E-O of Minnesota-based My Pillow says he's spent 25-million dollars promoting claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.  Mike Lindell tells "Business Insider" that includes ten million dollars to build his social media platform FrankSpeech, which he uses nightly to promote his claims.  He said the biggest obstacle to "saving America" is conservative media like Fox News and Newsmax, which have canceled him and won't talk about the 2020 election.  Lindell added, "I will spend everything I have and sell everything I have if that's what it takes" to re-instate Trump as president.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is telling families whose kids missing free school lunches will be getting extra food stamp benefits.  The lunches were missed while the programs were idled during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The state announced Thursday those families will receive just over seven dollars per child, per-day.  The refunds are covered by money from the federal government.  Families enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have been told to expect a letter that will explain when the extra benefits will be available.

Local-Regional News Dec 17

 Power should be fully restored to Riverland Energy Customers in Buffalo County today.  Crews returned to work this morning to restore the remaining 200-300 customers that were still without power overnight.  Over 3000 customers were affected by the power outages in Buffalo, Trempealeau, and La Crosse Counties as a result of the severe storms from Wednesday.

The Pepin County Board has approved spending $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Funds to be used for a broadband expansion in the Town of Albany.  Ntec is applying for a $1 million grant from the Federal Government and as part of the grant process there need to be public-private dollars.  The Town of Albany also approved a $100,000, and the total cost would be approximately $2 million.  The project is similar to a project by Ntec in the Town of Mondovi.

The Durand-Arkansaw School District along with the City of Durand and other private partners have reached an agreement with the Dunn County Economic Development Corporation to provide Economic Development Services for Durand.  At this week's Durand-Arkansaw School Board meeting Superintendent Doverspike announced the agreement.    While the City, School District, and other private partners committed to the project, Pepin County has yet to commit.

The Dunn County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance with information on a burglary that occurred at Jack’s Place Bar and Grill in Connersville.  According to the department, the burglary occurred during the early morning hours of Monday.   If anyone has any information or observed anything suspicious during this time period authorities ask that you please contact the Sheriff’s Office or report information anonymously at dunncocrimestoppers.com.

Farm Technology Days will be returning to Western Wisconsin in 2024.  Chippewa County has been selected to host the 2024 Farm Technology Days.   Farm Tech Days is the largest outdoor agricultural event held in Wisconsin annually. Chippewa County officials estimate up to 30,000 people may be in attendance, which could make a large economic impact.  This is the second time in 20 years that Chippewa County will host Farm Tech Days— the last being in 2004.    Officials from Chippewa County and Farm Technology Days will meet later this spring for a date and location for the 2024 Show.  Last year, Farm Tech Days were held in Eau Claire County.

The Biden administration’s efforts at promoting its historic infrastructure investment brought Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to northwest Wisconsin on Thursday. The city of Bloomer will receive 27 and-a-half million dollars to upgrade its water and sewer services.   Vilsack announced Rural Development infrastructure investments in 11 Wisconsin counties.

A Wisconsin appeals court has upheld the denial of a permit for a frac sand operation in Monroe County.  Georgia-based Meteor Timber wants to build the processing and rail loading facility on a property that includes a rare forested wetland.  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued a permit to fill 16 acres of those wetlands four years ago.  A challenge by several entities – including the Ho-Chunk Nation – was backed by a lower court, then confirmed by the three-judge appeals panel Thursday.

Former Brooklyn Center officer Kim Potter is likely to take the witness stand today (Friday) as the defense wraps up its case.   Potter is on trial for first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April shooting of 20-year-old Daunte Wright.   She told the judge Thursday that she still wants to testify.  Several witnesses testified favorably about Potter's character.  Ex-Brooklyn Center police chief Tim Gannon called Potter a "fine officer."  Gannon released bodycam footage soon after the fatal shooting and said it was an accidental discharge and that Potter meant to use her Taser.

As the investigation of the 2020 presidential election in the state continues, a conservative think tank has ranked Wisconsin high for election integrity.  The Heritage Foundation lists the Badger State eighth in the country.  The rankings are based on voter I-D implementation, absentee ballot management, vote counting practices, and access for election observers.  Wisconsin got perfect scores in four categories, but it got zeroes for the way it verifies citizenship and the way it handles election litigation.

Authorities responding to two crashes involving school buses Wednesday say no children were injured.  The first happened at about 8:30 a-m on Highway 49 near Poy Sippi in Waushara County.  The school bus was stopped, waiting to make a left turn, when it was hit by a vehicle towing a trailer.  Twenty-two students from the Berlin School District were on the bus, but none were hurt.  A few hours later in Waupaca County, two people were injured when an S-U-V rammed a school bus that was waiting to make a turn.  Four adults and 21 children were on the bus and two of the adults suffered minor injuries.  Investigators say a heavy fog played a role in that wreck.

Doctors report more surgeries are being delayed at a time when coronavirus patients are crowding Minnesota hospitals.  Procedures have been deferred to free up beds and that has left some patients in pain for longer periods.  The state’s health care systems say patient demand over the last month has been the highest seen during the 21 months the pandemic has lasted.  State leaders are hoping booster shots will slow the most recent wave of infections and help hospitals get back on schedule.

A proposal in the Legislature would roll back regulations on Wisconsin’s hunters, fishers, and trappers.   An Assembly committee passed a bill Wednesday that would require the Department of Natural Resources to erase three regulations for every new regulation. State Representative Calvin Callahan says the idea is to make it easier to get out into the outdoors. The Department of Natural Resources’ 50-thousand regulations for hunting and fishing is reportedly more than the next three most-regulated state agencies combined. Democrats say the proposal will just lead to more red tape. 

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s nomination to become U-S ambassador to Luxembourg cleared a major hurdle Wednesday.    The U-S Senate Committee on Foreign Relations gave its unanimous approval.  The question now goes before the full Senate.  If Barrett is approved by December 28th, the Milwaukee Common Council could order a special election to fill his seat at City Hall.  The primary would be held February 15th and the general election April 5th.  Barrett was nominated by President Biden last August.  He has been Milwaukee’s mayor since 2004.

Stillwater Area Public Schools are hoping delays and cancellations are in the rearview mirror after its contracted bus company reports it has found replacement drivers.  The district and the company were worried about an anticipated shortage of drivers impacting things next week.  Metropolitan Transportation Network says it has hired 20 replacement drivers, mostly from other school districts who are closing their buildings next week.  The company says it doesn’t expect any disruptions to Stillwater bus services anymore.  Families had previously been put on notice about possible delays and cancellations.

 Oshkosh is telling people in the community they aren’t being double-billed on their taxes this year.  The announcement became necessary after about 500 duplicate real estate and personal property tax bills were sent out by mistake.  It still isn’t clear how it happened last week.  Residents only need to pay one property tax bill before December 30th.  The city reminds people they can pay the bill online, in the mail, or drop the payment off at a secure box outside city hall.

Local Regional News

 The clean-up continues after severe storms moved quickly through Southeast Minnesota and West Central Wisconsin Wednesday evening.  Storm Reports from the National Weather Service reported winds from 50-85 mph across the area causing some minor damage to trees and buildings.   No injuries have been reported as of early this morning.  The high winds behind the storm will diminish today and after the record high temperatures yesterday, much colder weather is expected for the remainder of the week.

One person is dead and 4 others injured after a two-vehicle accident in the Town of Lucas Wednesday afternoon.  According to the Dunn County Sheriff's Department, a car was traveling southbound on Hwy K, failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Hwy K and Hwy 12, and was struck by an SUV traveling westbound on Hwy 12.  A person in the car was pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.  Two people in the SUV were treated for minor injuries. Visibility does not appear to be a factor in the accident, which remains under investigation.

The Pepin County Board voted 9-3 to approve changes to the Pepin County ATV-UTV ordinance to follow state law.  The ordinance would open up all county roads year-round in the county to ATV and UTV use unless otherwise posted.  Kids 12-16 that have taken the DNR ATV Certification will be allowed to drive an ATV on county roads under their parents' supervision.    Liability insurance is not required and while operating under the influence is prohibited, open containers are allowed.  The county did put a 35mph speed limit in the ordinance, however, that is not enforceable as speed limits are not in the state rules. 

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board has approved moving forward with filing a request with the Wisconsin Department of Instruction to start school early next year.  State law requires districts to start school after September 1st, but does allow districts to ask for a waiver and start early.   If the waiver is approved, the school calendar would have a similar start date as this year.

 U-S Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack makes a stop in Bloomer today to talk about new investments in rural infrastructure projects.  Vilsack plans to discuss with local officials how the Infrastructure Law and the president’s Build Back Better agenda will improve access to clean drinking water and eliminate lead water pipes in rural Wisconsin.  He will visit a dairy cooperative near Madison this afternoon to talk about safety-net programs for dairy producers.  Friday, Vilsack will travel to Evanston, Illinois to make what is being called a major announcement on strengthening the food supply chain and supporting school meal programs.

Wisconsin’s slowing population growth means problems ahead for the state’s economic growth, according to a new report. Dale Knapp with Forward Analytics says the state has been failing to attract families with children.   Knapp says the challenge ahead will be to reverse that trend. The state’s 18 and under population – the future workforce – has declined, as more older workers are reaching retirement age.

 Minnesota vehicle owners needing to renew their registration next month may have to wait for the sticker.  The Department of Public Safety is dealing with lingering supply chain complications that are slowing delivery.  The first shipment isn’t expected until Christmas Eve.  State officials say about 52 thousand registration renewals have been submitted so far and more than 300 thousand will be received by the end of January.  Vehicle owners who go into their local office in person won’t have to wait.  Don’t worry.  You won’t be ticketed due to the delays.  Law enforcement officers will see your valid registration immediately when they check your license plate in the system.

Wisconsin’s governor reacted to the state Supreme Court’s ruling on redistricting maps by releasing a new set.  The court ruled it wants to see maps with the “least amount of change” from the old version.  The maps released Wednesday by the Democratic governor would reduce Republican control over the Legislature, but would conform to the Supreme Court’s request.  Governor Evers calls it a compromise and says he is still in favor of his previous maps that wildly deviated from Republican plans.  Assembly Speaker Robin Vos was critical of Evers for drawing up the maps in secret.  That’s something Democrats have objected to in the past when Republicans took the secretive approach.

Researchers say their study has found a 37-percent increase in the number of cases where Wisconsin hospitals have filed suit against people for unpaid bills.  The study is called the first step toward a nationwide research project on the costs of healthcare for people.  Researchers found that half of the suits resulted in garnished wages and Black patients and patients from rural areas were more likely to be sued.  Non-profit hospitals filed the most lawsuits.  The head of the study points out that non-profit hospitals get many benefits from Wisconsin and the federal government – some don’t pay property taxes, bringing the question of why they are suing patients?

The 34-year-old suspect arrested for a sexual assault on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus was already wanted in Rhode Island.  The most recent Dane County charges against Robin Perkins are based on a criminal complaint filed last week.  Local prosecutors say he is actually facing charges in a pair of sex-related cases that date back several months.  Prosecutors in Rhode Island charged Perkins with indecent exposure, cyberstalking, and cyber-harassment.  Perkins had been living in an apartment on the Madison campus but he is being evicted.  It isn’t clear why authorities in the two states hadn’t kept him behind bars on the charges.

Wisconsin’s attorney general says he wishes more Republican lawmakers would join state Senator Kathy Bernier.  The District 23 Republican from Lake Hallie called for an end to the review of the 2020 presidential election Monday.  Bernier called it a “charade” designed to appease the party’s conservative base.  She says it will hurt the Republican Party, in the long run, to continue questioning the integrity of elections.  Josh Kaul told the Associated Press he would like to see more Republicans speaking out.  Kaul is a Democrat.

 Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin changed his plea to guilty Wednesday in a federal civil rights case involving the death of George Floyd in May 2020. Chauvin appeared in U-S District Court in St. Paul in an orange jumpsuit to sign the plea agreement that changed his original not guilty plea. A separate federal indictment accusing him of holding a teenager down by the throat in 2017 will be dismissed under the plea.

The University of Wisconsin in Madison is pausing its vaccine mandate.  President Biden’s nationwide order requiring vaccinations for all federal contractors is on hold, while a legal challenge works its way through the courts. U-W Madison was requiring all employees to get vaccinated against the coronavirus by January 4th, or be fired. The president’s order allowed for exemptions, but those employees would still have to be tested. The university says 96-percent of its employees are fully vaccinated. 

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar has introduced bipartisan legislation to prohibit the E-P-A from reducing the minimum applicable volume of biofuels into transportation fuel once the levels are finalized for any given year. Klobuchar, a Democrat, says she and others want fuel to come from farmers and workers in the Midwest not the oil cartels of the Middle East. Klobuchar says this move would prevent the E-P-A from retroactively reducing 2020 or future finalized levels. Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley is co-sponsoring the bill, and it has bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.

 In a switch from last year, the commencement ceremony this weekend at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will be held in-person.  The winter 2021 commencement will start at 10:00 a-m Sunday at the Kohl Center.  Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a virtual ceremony.  University officials say the event will comply with all public health guidelines, including the requirement that all people attending wear masks.  One-thousand-823 doctoral, professional, master’s and bachelor’s students are graduating.  A little over 12 hundred have indicated they plan to attend.