Xcel Energy is asking state regulators for permission to use a different type of protective cask to store radioactive waste outside its Prairie Island nuclear plant near Red Wing. But it's still unclear how soon that spent fuel could be shipped to proposed interim storage sites in either Texas or New Mexico. Xcel's Pam Gorman says the U-S Department of Energy is bringing back a blue-ribbon report from the Obama administration and asking for input on a siting process. She said, "it's certainly not going to be anything fast, but it is a step forward and I think it's a recognition of the administration that we do have to address the used fuel side." Gorman notes emerging technologies could allow spent nuclear fuel to be re-used. And she says the new-design casks will cut costs and make it easier to ship spent fuel to storage sites outside Minnesota.
Multiple scams against senior citizens are being reported in Olmstead County. According to the Olmstead County Sheriff's Department scammers are calling claiming they are lottery officials, the IRS, or utility companies demanding payment. In December, 7 seniors were targeted and lost over $466,000. The department reminds everyone that if it sounds too good to be true it probably isn't and that the utilities, law enforcement, or the IRS will never call you demanding payment over the phone or payment via gift cards.
One plan being discussed would pay police officers for their experience if they agree to relocate to Wisconsin. Local law enforcement and state lawmakers met Tuesday in Wausau to talk about legislation addressing staffing shortages. The bill would offer two thousand dollars to existing officers and 10 thousand to new officers. It also includes a five-thousand-dollar bonus for new officers and would pay for their enrollment in a law enforcement academy. State Representative Patrick Snyder, a Republican from Schofield, would federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act to cover the cost. Portage County Sheriff Mike Lucas says recruiting new deputies has been a challenge.
A southern Minnesota man is pleading guilty for his role in the January 6th attack on the U-S Capitol. Daniel Johnson of Austin and his father - Daryl Johnson of Iowa - were initially charged with five counts but entered guilty pleas Tuesday to one count of civil disorder. The Johnsons were seen in photos and videos inside the Capitol building after entering through a broken window. A social media tip to the F-B-I helped identify them. Daniel and Daryl Johnson could face between six months and five years in prison at sentencing in April.
A Black River Falls man has been arrested by the Wisconsin State Patrol for 5th offense OWI. According to the State Patrol, troopers pulled over 42yr old Harold Hill for an equipment violation on I-94 near mile marker 73. Hill showed signs of impairment and after a field sobriety test, HIll was arrested and taken to the hospital for an evidentiary blood draw. Hill faces OWI 5th offense, operating after revocation, open intoxicants in the vehicle, possession of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
A Dane County judge has denied efforts by Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and his attorneys to block a series of depositions. The liberal watchdog group American Oversight wants to see records from the Republican-ordered investigation into the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin. Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn ruled during a Tuesday hearing that Vos has to sit for a deposition. The Assembly leader has turned over some documents, but the American Oversight group wants him to be found in contempt for failing to comply with various court orders quickly enough.
Wisconsin’s Medicaid fund is in the black. In a letter to chairs of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, Department of Health Services Secretary designee Karen Timberlake said the Medicaid fund is projected to finish the 2021-23 biennium with a surplus of nearly 185-million dollars. Timberlake cited several factors for the projected surplus, but the extension of the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration by the federal government accounts for a surplus of 116 million dollars. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health care coverage, long-term care, and other services to more than one million Wisconsin residents.
In 2021, members of the Pierce Pepin Co-Operative Services have donated over $510,000 to community programs like local food shelves, senior citizen programs, veterans’ programs, winter clothing for children, and equipment for law enforcement, fire departments, and EMS. On average, members who round up their monthly energy bill contribute only about $6.00 per year. Operation round-up lets members round up their electric bills to the next dollar to help donate money to charitable causes.
Security Financial Bank (SFB) is currently accepting applications for scholarships it awards to graduating high school students continuing their education. Each year, SFB awards up to two $500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors in each of its markets, including Alma Center/Black River Falls, Bloomer, Durand, Eau Claire, Ladysmith, and River Falls. Recipients are chosen based on involvement in school, youth organizations, and community events with particular preference given to students pursuing a career in finance, accounting, or business administration. The applicant or parent/guardian of the applicant must be an account holder of SFB. For more information contact SFB.
Some people living in a Sauk City mobile home park say they don’t know where they will go in the middle of winter. They have been given legal notice to vacate the property by the end of January. One resident says a man served legal papers to her husband last Thursday morning. It gave details about the property manager’s decision to terminate leases and close the community in Sauk City. Escalating operating costs have been blamed. A news release from the owner says the operation is no longer economically viable. All residents have been on month-to-month leases – so the quick notice is legal.
The new cybersecurity center at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has space for research, training, and outreach, working in partnership with the Wisconsin Cyber Threat Response Alliance. The center is located on the Oshkosh campus. It features a cyber range where users can experience real-world cyber threats in a controlled, educational environment. Center director Michael Patton says it’s not just about helping students but the whole state when a security threat is encountered.
Minnesota health officials say they are going to announce expanded COVID-19 testing options this week as demand surges. Those seeking tests in the state over the last two weeks have been met with long lines and even signs saying testing supplies had been exhausted. Some Minnesotans attempting to order home testing kits from Department of Health partner Vault Health got messages saying that all test kits for the day had already been shipped. A Department of Health spokesperson says they are assessing their testing network and are preparing new options for residents.
A federal lawsuit has been filed against two former police chiefs and the city of Marshfield. The woman who filed the suit last month says she is seeking monetary compensation for the injuries she suffered when she claims she was being sexually harassed and stalked by former Marshfield Police Chief Rick Gramza. He was a detective at the time. The woman alleges former Chief Gary Jepsen knew of the situation and should have protected her. The woman says her rights were violated when Gramza used his position to extort sexual favors from a vulnerable person.
Three people who pleaded guilty to bringing more than 20 pounds of methamphetamine into Wisconsin are going to prison. Attorney General Josh Kaul announced the Wood County sentencings of Darryl Matthews of Sturtevant and Dawn Jung and Arnold Ksionek both of Wisconsin Rapids. Matthews and Jung were sentenced to nine years each and Ksinoek was given a six-year sentence. The criminal complaint says the three imported more than 20 pounds of meth from Arizona during a nine-month period that began in March of 2018.
Traffic deaths in Minnesota last year reached a 14-year high. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says 497 lives were lost in crashes on roads in the state in 2021. D-P-S officials say there were 162 speed-related deaths -- a 33-percent increase from 2020. The report shows there were also 124 alcohol-related deaths, 24 distracted-related deaths, and 109 unbelted motorist deaths
There’s no more paying after you fill-up at Kwik Trip. Wisconsin’s dominant convenience store chain made the change to pay-at-the-pump -- or pre-pay only -- on Monday. Kwik Trip says the change helps free clerks from having to keep an eye on the pumps for drive-offs while also serving customers. There is an exception for some diesel-only pumps.
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