Local-Regional News December 30

 With the delay in the construction of the new Tarrant Park Pool, the question is should the city open the old pool for one more year in 2023.  During this week's city council meeting, Utilities Superintendent Matt Gills told council members to open the pool, 4 main items would have to be repaired at a cost of over $11,000.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the council will decide in January if it's worth the cost to open the pool for one more year.  To open the pool, a new chlorine Pump, Impeller, and pool ladders would have to be installed and the furnace would have to be repaired.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirms a wild deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Buffalo County in the town of Lincoln. The deer was a hunter-harvested 2-year-old doe and is the first confirmed wild deer CWD-positive detection in Buffalo County.  As required by state law, the DNR enacts a 3-year baiting and feeding ban in counties where CWD has been detected. Deer baiting and feeding have been banned in Buffalo County since 2018 due to CWD detections in adjacent counties. Following state law, the DNR will renew a 3-year baiting and feeding ban in Buffalo County.  A public hearing on the feeding ban will be held on January 11th at 7pm at Cochrane-Fountain City High School.

Police in Eau Claire are once again asking for help in finding a murder suspect from back in September. Investigators yesterday asked for help in finding Kemone Golden. He is one of three suspects in the killing of Christopher Conner, but he is the only one on the run. Detectives say Conner died after a fight that followed a night of bar hopping. Anyone with any information about Golden is being asked to call Crime Stoppers.

A Rochester man is behind bars on suspicion of shooting his girlfriend in the head over the holiday weekend.  The Olmsted County Attorney's Office announced that Phillip Turner is facing attempted murder and assault charges in connection to the Christmas Eve shooting.  The 34-year-old allegedly shot the victim in front of her two children inside of an apartment complex, and she wasn't discovered until police officers conducted a welfare check 16 hours later.  One child told officers their mom was dead, but she was actually still alive.  She was rushed to the hospital in "grave" condition. 

Gas prices are going up and fuel experts are blaming it on the cold.  GasBuddy Analyst Patrick DeHaan says the recent extreme cold has caused some fuel refineries to shut down, which is tightening gas supplies, especially in the Midwest.  The statewide average for regular unleaded in Wisconsin is two dollars and 94 cents a gallon, up five cents from yesterday and up nearly 20 cents from last week.  Here in Western Wisconsin, gas is averaging 2.99 a gallon.

He's had the cake, now there's not much left to do for Chippewa County's sheriff. Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk will retire next week after 15 years as sheriff, and 45 years in law enforcement. There was a retirement party for him yesterday. Kowalczyk will officially retire on January 7th, next Wednesday when Travis Hakes takes over the sheriff's department.

The top Republican in the Wisconsin Assembly says he wants to make sure that former President Trump is not the Republican nominee in the next election. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he will work to stop Trump in 2024. Vos said Trump did a lot of good things as president but fears Trump will focus on his loss in 2020 and not the future if he runs again. Vos said no one wins by focusing on the past. Vos and Trump have had a rocky relationship, with the former president trying to get Vos un-elected in November's election

Four people are being charged for their alleged involvement in last week's Mall of America shooting that left one person dead.  Court records show 18-year-old TaeShawn Adams-Wright and a 17-year-old juvenile were charged with second-degree murder and second-degree assault yesterday in the death of Johntae Hudson just two days before Christmas.  The 17-year-old remains at large and a nationwide warrant has been issued for his arrest.  Two other 17-year-olds were charged with second-degree riot for their role in the shooting.  Police expect to make additional arrests. 

Add this to the list of things to do with your old Christmas Tree. The Payne's Point Hook and Spear Fishing Club in Neenah is collecting old trees to mark the ice on Lake Winnebago. The club's Jim Nobbe says they place the trees in holes in the ice about a tenth-of-a-mile apart to help ice fishers find the shore and identify cracks in the ice. Nobbe says fishermen know that a tree that's lying flat means there is a crack or a weak spot in the ice.

State Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu wants Republicans and Democrats to work together to handle a projected massive tax surplus.   The Oostberg Republican tells WOMT radio that he's spoken with Democrat Governor Tony Evers, as has Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. LeMahieu says Wisconsin needs to change its tax rates and says that Wisconsin's top tax bracket is higher than neighboring states. LeMahieu has been pushing for a flat tax in Wisconsin. Governor Evers is opposed to that plan and says he wants to provide tax cuts to low and middle-income residents and send more money to communities through state aid.

The legal fee in the battle over the state's DNR Board cost taxpayers about 76 thousand dollars. The State Journal got ahold of the invoices for Fredrick Prehn's lawyer. Prehn fought all the way to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to keep his seat on the DNR Board, successfully arguing that he could stay on until the Wisconsin Senate approved his replacement. Prehn just this week agreed to step down from the board and allow Governor Evers to try and get his replacement confirmed.

A lawsuit has been filed against four agencies that renew contracts of travel nurses, then slash their pay by as much as 50%.  The Wisconsin Nurses Association believes that action could lead more nurses to stay in the state. The association’s executive director, Gina Dennik-Champion, tells WMTV in Madison the circumstances are an opportunity for Wisconsin health systems to attract long-term help to understaffed hospitals.  Dennik-Champion adds, in addition to good salaries, nurses are also looking for flexibility and an improved work environment and culture on the job.

An 18-year-old from Reedsburg is charged in connection with a deadly crash in Sauk County.  The Wisconsin State Patrol says the suspect was driving the wrong way down Interstate 90 near Lake Delton Wednesday night when they hit another car head-on.  One person in that car died in the crash and two other people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  The State Patrol says the suspect was arrested after showing signs of impairment and is facing an OWI charge.

Eastbay – a footwear brand born in Wausau – is being officially retired by its parent company in the new year. A statement on the Foot Locker website says all current Eastbay orders will be filled and shipped, but no returns or exchanges will be honored for any reason. This comes after an announcement earlier this year that the company would close its Wausau distribution center and quietly closed the popular retail store over the summer. Shoppers are being steered towards Foot Locker and Champs Sports, and gift cards with the Eastbay brand will be honored at those sites. Eastbay began in Wausau in the 1980s and was acquired by Foot Locker in 1997. The closure of the distribution center in Wausau early next year will result in layoffs of over 200 workers. 

Celebrate the New Year by stepping into the outdoors with a First Day Hike at a Wisconsin state park  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will join in the annual adventure sponsored by America’s State Parks on New Year's Day for the 11th year in a row. The hikes provide a way to welcome the coming year in the outdoors, exercising, and connecting with nature. A vehicle admission sticker is required to visit state park system properties. Stickers can be purchased online, and in-person at individual state parks. Visit the DNR’s Find A Park webpage to locate a park near you

Minneapolis is considered one of the best cities in the country to celebrate New Year's Eve.  That's according to a WalletHub report that compared 100 U.S. cities with nearly 30 factors, including nightlife options per capita and the price of NYE event tickets.  Minneapolis ranked 24th overall.  Meanwhile, St. Paul made the bottom half of the list at number 70.  New York, Orlando, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Atlanta ranked in the top five. 

Local-Regional News December 29

 There will be two open seats on the Durand City Council for the upcoming spring election.  Councilmembers Steve Schofield and Mark Gillis have filed non-candiacy papers and will not run for re-election.   Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says anyone interested in running needs to have candidacy papers filed by January 3rd.  Wards 1, 2, and 3 will all be up for election this spring.

One person was injured on a snowmobile in Salem Township on Monday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 38yr old Timothy Hanson of Maiden Rock was traveling eastbound on a Pierce County trail near Hwy 10 and Hwy CC when he suffered an injury while riding.  Hanson did not crash or leave the snowmobile and was assisted by other riders on the scene.  He was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul

The Wabasha County Board is meeting Friday morning.  Items on the agenda include approving the final property tax levy for 2023,  approval of 2023 department budgets and the final county budget, and setting a public hearing date for county road and bridge projects.  Tomorrow's meeting begins at 9am in the board room at the Wabasha County Government Center.

There are drug charges for the owner of the Heady Hut in Eau Claire after police say he sold THC. Eau Claire Police say an informant bought THC from Samuel Pastorello several times. No one is saying just what form the THC was. Pastorello is free on a five-thousand-dollar signature bond.

Police in Eau Claire say a local suspect hit the same daycare twice in one week. Officers arrested 23-year-old Michael Phillippi after Monday and Tuesday's break-ins at the local KinderCare. Investigators say they knew it was Phillippi because he left behind his arrest card, along with a mountain of other evidence. KinderCare managers say Phillippi stole thousands of dollars worth of iPads and electronic equipment, as well as gas cards and the keys to two vehicles. Phillippi is looking at charges, he's free on a five-thousand-dollar bond.

Fort McCoy is getting 70 million dollars for repair in the new federal spending plan. Commanders say the money is earmarked for barracks repairs. The 70 million is just part of the 250 million dollars that Democratic U.S. senator Tammy Baldwin says she secured for Wisconsin in the one-point-seven trillion-dollar omnibus package.

The next time you buy a Wisconsin Lottery ticket, know you're doing it for a good cause. Lotto managers yesterday said this year's ticket sales helped cut property taxes across the state by about 200 dollars. The state's Department of Revenue says the total is actually 213 dollars, and that's a little less than last year's 230 lottery tax credit from 2021. Some people may see a little more or a little less though, it all depends on your local school district's tax rate.

The top Republican in the Wisconsin Assembly says voters will not decide about abortion on their own. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos this week said there won't be a direct vote on the state's 1849 abortion law. That law bans most abortions in the state. Vos said lawmakers are the ones who make the laws in Wisconsin, not advocates or voters. Both Republican U.S. senator Ron Johnson and Democratic Governor Tony Evers have called for a statewide referendum on abortion. Vos said the legislature will handle any changes to the law, saying they need to get the 'nuances' right.

There's a plan at the Capitol in Madison that would give the legislature and the governor some more insight into the Wisconsin National Guard. Lawmakers are considering several pieces of legislation that would require the Guard to report to state leaders about efforts to confront and stop sexual assault within the ranks. The proposals come after a report into failures at the Guard base in Madison. State Rep. Tony Kurtz says more transparency will only help with the efforts to hold the Guard accountable.

It's not just that the final family has moved from the Foxconn site in Mount Pleasant, they took their home with them. Kim and Jim Mahoney agreed to move their home as part of a one-million-dollar deal to leave the area near the Foxconn plant. The Mahoney's are moving their home five miles up the road. They stayed for four years, even as the rest of the homes in their neighborhood were torn down. The hope is to deliver the home to its new home by tomorrow, though it'll be a little while before the Mahoneys will be able to move back in.

Governor Evers is launching a new program to help people experiencing homelessness and those battling opioid-use disorders also known as OUD.  The Recovery Voucher Program will provide two million dollars towards providing access to affordable and safe housing for the homeless and those diagnosed with OUD.  The governor says basic needs like housing and food need to be met before anyone can overcome an illness, including opioid use disorder. 

A Madison student is saved from being scammed out of 30-thousand dollars.  Madison Police say the college student was bombarded with emails, calls, and text messages from a scammer impersonating a Chinese police officer.  They claimed the student was involved in a criminal investigation and needed to pay 30 grand to resolve the situation.  Fortunately, her bank raised concerns when she tried to send the money and blocked the transaction. 

New year, new paycheck.  Minnesota's minimum wage is getting a slight bump on January 1st.  Both small and large employers will have to adjust workers' hourly rates for inflation.  Large employers will owe workers ten-59 an hour, while small businesses will pay eight-63 an hour.  In the Twin Cities, minimum wage rates are 15 dollars an hour for large employers and 13-50 for small businesses. 

Police in Kenosha are investigating the death of an 89-year-old assisted living resident.  The unidentified woman, who lived at Parkside Manor Assisted Living and Memory Care, was found on the morning of December 19th.  Her cause of death was determined to be "related to weather exposure," according to police.  Temperatures during the overnight hours on the 19th reached a low of 9 degrees in Kenosha.  Police say there is a “potential” for charges to be referred to the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office. 

A popular Eden-Prairie-based mail-order company is accused of opening thousands of accounts without permission resulting in reduced credit scores.  A class action lawsuit has been filed in Hennepin County court against Fingerhut.  The suit accuses the business of violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act by opening new unauthorized credit accounts last spring and falsely representing that consumers had closed their older credit accounts at that time.   The legal action seeks damages, a ban on Fingerhut from false reporting, and to correct previous false reporting.

A 27-year-old Milwaukee man is charged in connection to a December 3rd shooting death outside of a Milwaukee high school.  Nico Thomas is accused of shooting 16-year-old Chevaz Collins.  A criminal complaint has a friend of Collins saying she, Collins, and four others headed to South Division High School for a basketball game and left at halftime. As the group walked toward her vehicle in the school’s parking lot, Collins ran ahead of the group. The friend says she then heard gunshots and found Collins face down in the parking lot with gunshot wounds,.  Prosecutors say Thomas, who is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, told investigators someone else fired toward him first, but the video shows Collins never fired a weapon. 

If you're looking for something to do with your Christmas tree, try your local zoo. A number of zoos across the state say they will take Christmas trees and recycle them for the animals. Zookeepers at the zoo in Marshfield say animals love to eat, root around in, or scratch on the trees. Each zoo is different; but usually they'll take trees so long as they are free of tinsel, fake snow, spray paint, and any other chemical that could be harmful to the animals.

Local-Regional News December 28

 Third District Congressman-Elect Derrick Van Orden wants a seat on the House Agriculture Committee .  Van Orden said “I've committed to staying on the Agriculture Committee for my entire time in Congress. And if that's two years or four years or whatever it is I don't know, but I really mean what I say. We're an agricultural state.”  Van Orden defeated state Senator Brad Pfaff in November after congressman Ron Kind announced he wasn’t seeking reelection.

Governor Tony Evers is awarding some local organizations grant money to help improve the services they offer to the community.  The Pepin County Housing Authority is receiving a $50,000 grant for sidewalk and concrete replacement, while Osseo Housing is receiving a $50,000 grant for fire alarm replacement.  The grants are through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, or WHEDA. It was announced Tuesday that 54 organizations will receive $2 million in grants to provide emergency shelter, transitional residences, and extremely low-income housing.

Pepin County will receive just over $1600 from the State of Wisconsin for the replacement of a vehicle for rural transit.  The award was announced yesterday and is part of more than $5 million under the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. 

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight.  The council will be wrapping up any final bills or items for the year along with reports from the mayor and department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall.

A young woman from the Chippewa Valley who's serving a life sentence for stabbing a man to death back in 2018 wants a new trial. Ezra McCandless' lawyers this week filed a motion for a new trial, ticking off a laundry list of things they said were problematic with her first case. A jury in Dunn County convicted McCandless of stabbing her boyfriend, 24-year-old Alex Woodworth, to death during a fight four years ago. She's serving a life sentence but can ask for parole in 2070. McCandless claims she killed her boyfriend in self-defense.

It's another sign of getting past the coronavirus. The city of Eau Claire yesterday said room tax collections for last year jumped 17 percent from the year before. The city took-in two-point-two million dollars in room tax money in 2021. That's far better than in 2020 when fewer people came to Eau Claire. The city says the two-point-two million is even better than the last pre-pandemic total of two million dollars in room taxes back in 2019.

A Fort Worth, TX man is facing charges after being accused of firing shots from a suspected handgun in the City of La Crosse on Christmas Day.  33-year-old Luke Springer is facing charges of second-degree recklessly endangering safety, possession of a firearm while intoxicated, obstructing an officer, and disorderly conduct.   According to authorities, officers responded to Avon Street and Clinton Street in the City of La Crosse for possible shots fired. Upon arrival, it was determined that Springer was involved in a verbal argument with two people about his driving behavior. After they confronted Springer, it was determined Springer then fired off two rounds from what was believed to be a handgun, directly behind the vehicle that belonged to the two people that they were sitting in. Shell casings were found on the scene. Springer was found next door and taken into custody

Governor Tony Evers has found his next DNR Secretary.  Evers named Sheboygan County Administrator Adam Payne to the position on Tuesday. He'll be set to take over leadership as of January 3rd. In a statement, Evers says Payne has a long history of conservation and led the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association, and worked in the farmland preservation program at the state ag department. Former secretary Preston Cole stepped down in November. It's unclear if or when Payne will be confirmed. Numerous appointed positions in the last Evers administration were left unconfirmed by Republicans.

Things didn't get better for flyers in Minneapolis and Milwaukee yesterday. Mitchell Airport saw another 17 flights delayed yesterday, that's about 15 percent of all flights out of the airport. Once again it was Southwest that canceled the most flights. The airline continues to struggle to get people across the country. FlightAware, which tracks cancellations and delays, says Southwest canceled over 25 hundred flights yesterday. There's no word when Southwest will get back on track, but the company has said it could be the weekend before flyers in Minneapolis and Milwaukee can get on new flights.

Minnesota Governor Walz is proposing a plan to fight fraud following the Feeding Our Future scandal.  Walz announced yesterday that he wants to add an inspector general to the Minnesota Department of Education.  He is also proposing higher spending on grant oversight, audits, and fraud investigation.  The plan is the governor's first detailed response to one of the largest federal fraud cases in Minnesota history.

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Dozens of agencies that provide transportation in rural areas for seniors and people with disabilities will benefit from state and federal funding awarded today.  Governor Tony Evers says more than five million dollars will provide grants to strengthen Wisconsin's network of support by improving the mobility of seniors and those with disabilities.  Agencies can put the funding towards operating budgets, the purchase of human service vehicles, and mobility managers. 

Police agencies around Wisconsin are reminding residents to be careful disposing of boxes and other gift packaging in the trash.  Thieves are scoping out dumpsters and curbsides to see what electronics and items worth stealing Santa may have delivered.  Video game and game console boxes should be flattened and stacked for easier disposal.  Don't leave boxes by a recycling bin but wait until recycle collection day to put them out.

 An investigation continues into the disappearance and death of a Stillwater man.  The body of 20-year-old George Musser was found Christmas night in Baytown Township.  He was last seen the night before at Brian's Bar in downtown Stillwater.  A candlelight vigil was held for Musser on Monday night in front of Lift Bridge, just a few hundred feet from the bar.  A spokesperson for the family says they're working on a date and time for the funeral.

The University of Minnesota is adding a new undergraduate major in public health.  It is expected to be available this fall.  The new program will provide students with the skills to understand public health challenges and implement prevention strategies.  The hope is that the major will prepare a larger and more diverse group of students to help fill open positions.

A self-initiated foot race will promote tree health around the state.   The Wisconsin DNR’s “Happy Little 5-K” allows its participants to pick their start and finish lines and competing against partners on an outdoor course anytime from April 22nd through April 28th, which are the dates for Earth Day and Arbor Day.  A $34 registration fee will fund tree planting and forest health on Wisconsin-owned land.  There’s more information on the event in the news section of the DNR website.  The name for “The Happy Little 5-K” is inspired by painter and TV host Bob Ross, who was known for adding “…some happy little trees" to his works on his “Joy Of Painting” TV program. 

A Fond du Lac woman will become the new Miss Wisconsin.  Kylene Spanbauer will succeed Grace Stanke as the state title holder after Stanke was crowned the 2023 Miss America earlier this month.  Spanbauer was the first runner-up to Stanke in the Miss Wisconsin pageant in June.  A news release says as Miss Wisconsin, Spanbauer will be getting the message out about her social impact initiative "No Means No: Sexual Assault Education."   Spanbauer and Stanke will appear together in the state sometime in February or March at the yet-to-be-scheduled Miss America 2023 Homecoming.

Local-Regional News Dec 27

 We could be pushing 40 by Thursday. The National Weather Service says Western Wisconsin will see much warmer weather this week.  Temperatures will rise into the mid 20's today, but forecasters say things will warm up quickly. Some parts of southern Wisconsin could see 50-degree temperatures by Thursday.

Eau Claire County is looking to spend some of the last of its coronavirus stimulus money on power and water. The county board last week voted to spend more than a half-million dollars on solar panels for the county courthouse, and a new water testing program. The money is the last of the unrestricted portion of the 20 million that Eau Claire County received as part of the stimulus program. In addition to the courthouse, the county plans to add solar panels to the Eau Claire County Agriculture & Resource Center in Altoona as well.

 A fire on the day before Christmas killed three pets. Firefighters in Eau Claire say the pets died in a fire at a home in Seymour Saturday afternoon. No people were hurt. Township Fire and the Eau Claire Fire Department responded to the fire. Investigators say it looks like an electrical problem sparked the fire.

The sheriff in Taylor County says the suspect in a Christmas Eve armed robbery is behind bars. Deputies arrested 36-year-old Tommy Wilkes yesterday. Deputies say he pulled a gun on the clerk at the Cenex gas station in Gilman on Saturday. The sheriff's office says they arrested Wilkes at his home.

 A community is mourning after the death of a Stillwater man who went missing Christmas Eve.  Hundreds turned out yesterday for a candlelight vigil to remember 20-year-old George Musser.  Musser was last seen at a downtown Stillwater bar early Saturday morning and his body was found the evening of Christmas Day more than two miles away.  Authorities say his cause of death is still being determined, but there is no indication of foul play.

The latest Census snapshot shows Wisconsin gained about 12 thousand people. The Census Bureau released the numbers for the past year last week. The numbers show Wisconsin gained nearly 12 thousand new residents. Many of those people moved into the state. The Census numbers also show more deaths than births in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is doing okay, especially compared to our neighbors. Illinois lost over 141 thousand people last year, the third most of any state in the country. Minnesota added about five thousand new residents according to the Census.

Add Milwaukee to the list of cities seeing problems with Southwest flights. According to FlightAware, Southwest canceled more than 26 hundred flights across the country yesterday. In Milwaukee, they canceled 27. That left hundreds of people stranded or scrambling. Bad weather and a continued shortage of pilots and flight crews are being blamed for the cancellations. Southwest issued a statement yesterday saying the cancellations are 'unacceptable,' but also said it could be Saturday before some of the people who missed their flight can book a new one.

COVID-19 booster rates in Wisconsin have health officials concerned.  According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services COVID data dashboard, fewer than 18 percent of eligible state residents have received the updated COVID-19 bivalent booster. The numbers for those 65 and older are somewhat better at 42 percent, but still far short of what DHS had hoped for when the booster shots first became available. State and local health officials note that the COVID booster and flu shots are readily available at pharmacies. Being updated on vaccines and wearing masks in public settings remain the best defense against COVID and seasonal influenza.

The holidays and severe weather have contributed to the shortfall of blood donations to the Red Cross.  Many blood drives were canceled or postponed in recent days.  The Red Cross says there is a constant need for blood and blood products and they urge anyone who can donate to roll up their sleeve and give.

Nonprofits across Minnesota are concerned that a fraud investigation into Feeding Our Future is leading to decreased donations to other agencies.  Nonprofits are also preparing for the possibility of new state regulations in response to the scandal.  The investigation involves more than 250 million dollars in alleged fraud.  Prosecutors say it's the largest pandemic-related fraud in the U.S.

 A lot of people are looking to hit the latest half-billion dollar Mega Millions jackpot. Wisconsin Lottery managers say tonight's jackpot will be at least 565 million dollars. No one has won Mega Millions since October, and the jackpot has been growing ever since. The 565 million-dollar Mega Millions jackpot comes after someone in southern California won the two billion-dollar Powerball jackpot back in November. Tonight's drawing is at 10 p.m. local time.

A new audit says the University of Wisconsin spent almost all of its 563 million in coronavirus stimulus aid properly. The report from the Legislative Audit Bureau found just 239 thousand dollars was spent on 'unallowable expenses.' Lawmakers say there's room for improvement at the university, but they say overall the audit shows the university did a good job in spending its stimulus haul. The audit does ding the school for not having written policies as to how each campus could have or should have spent their money. 

Snowmobile trails are opening up across the state and the Department of Natural Resources wants you to be safe and legal out on the snow. Warden Jake Holsclaw says you should keep yourself up to date on the rules so you don't get a ticket. Holsclaw reminds you that anyone born after 1985 is required to take a snowmobile safety course before going out on the trails. He also reminds people to respect people's property and stay on marked trails. 

We're past Christmas and now's the time when people start to see more scams related to shipping in their inboxes. State consumer protection director Mike Domke says many scammers will be sending out fake messages about failed deliveries or deliveries you aren't expecting. Depending on what sort of info the scammers are asking for, you could be giving up anything from personal identifying information or financial data. If you are worried you have a stuck delivery, contact the shipper directly through proper websites or phone calls. 

Twin Cities suburbs are enacting a variety of ordinances to address the recent legalization of edible THC products.  The cities are trying to address questions not answered by state legislation or temporarily banning their sale to create time to research the issue.  More than 25 suburbs have taken action on the issue, while others haven't addressed the law passed in July.  The state law allows the sale of edible products containing THC to people 21 and older.

Minnesota wildlife officials plan to keep the state's wolf population stable.  The Department of Natural Resources hopes to keep the count between 22-hundred and three-thousand.  Gray wolves are an endangered species managed under federal protection.  Most of the DNR plan would only go into effect if wolves are removed from the endangered species list.

There’s a rather “cheesy” option to mark the New Year in Sheboygan County this week. For the past 16 years, Sartori Cheese has held the Big Cheese Drop, which is a play on the ball drop in New York City. Over the years, the event has drawn thousands, with the highlight being a countdown and the lowering of a giant wedge of Sartori’s world award-winning BellaVitano® Gold Cheese. This year’s festivities will begin at 8:30 p.m. on December 31st in the Plymouth Arts Center Greatroom. For more information on the quirky event, visit PlymouthArts.org.

Local-Regional News Dec 26

 Congressman Ron Kind is looking back at 25 years in Washington. The La Crosse Democrat says it’s been an honor serving the 3rd District.  Kind, who didn’t run for reelection in November, says he wishes he could have done more. He says healthcare costs remain too high, and Wisconsin family farmers are still struggling way too much. Republican Derrick Van Orden will be sworn in the 3rd Congressional District seat on January 3rd.

It is going to feel much warmer across the state of Wisconsin this week. The National Weather Service says last weekend's bitter cold will move out of the state today, and everyone will warm up. Temperatures will be near 50 degrees for folks in southeast Wisconsin later this week, it will of course be colder the further north you go. The big difference this week will be the lack of an arctic windchill and very few chances for snow. The next big chance for snow doesn't come until New Year's Eve.

A state trooper is recuperating after a truck slammed into his patrol vehicle near Wisconsin Dells.  WMTV says the trooper was responding to a crash on I-90 in Juneau County early Saturday when the driver of a pickup truck lost control of his vehicle and slid sideways into the patrol vehicle.  The report says the pickup truck rolled into the ditch, but the driver was unharmed.  The trooper suffered non-life-threatening injuries. 

Stillwater Police are searching for a 20-year-old man who went missing on Christmas Eve. George Musser was last seen at Brian's Bar in downtown Stillwater around two a.m. Police are asking people in the area to check their security cameras for signs of the man. Anyone with information is asked to call the Washington County Dispatch.

One man was injured after a semi jackknifed on Interstate 35 Friday morning.  According to the Minnesota State Patrol, 54-year-old Roderick Dewayne Trice of Hastings was traveling southbound on I-35  when it jackknifed into the median of the road.  Trice suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the incident and was taken to Northfield Hospital.

No one is hurt after a house fire on Saturday in La Crosse.   The La Crosse Fire Department said the fire happened at a home on the 1000 block of Liberty Street on La Crosse’s north side at 6:54 p.m. Saturday.  Noone was home at the time of the fire.  Firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire to the room that it started in. Investigators said that the fire was caused by the reckless use of a heating appliance to thaw a frozen water pipe. The house had moderate fire and smoke damage.

We Energies says you can turn your heat back up.  On Friday, the company asked customers to lower their thermostats to 62 degrees to avoid any outages after a system failure. Yesterday, officials said because of the measures taken on Friday, there were no power outages and it's now safe to turn the thermostats back up.

Five people are in custody connected to a fatal shooting at the Mall of America. On Friday, a fight involving two groups ended with the death of 19-year-old Johntae Hudson. Bloomington Police say three 17-year-old boys and two 18-year-old men have been arrested. They say this is the first gun-related homicide in the Mall of America's history.

Wisconsin’s delegation voted along party lines as the US House on Friday approved the omnibus spending bill on a 225-201 vote.  The $1.7 trillion dollar spending package averts what would have been a government shutdown and increases domestic and military spending. Republican Congressman Scott Fitzgerald said, “the process and substance of the last-minute bill are reckless.” He joined Republicans Glenn Grothman, Tom Tiffany, and Bryan Steil in voting no. Republican Mike Gallagher did not vote. La Crosse Democrat Ron Kind cast his final vote as a member of the House of Representatives in support of the bill, along with Democrats Mark Pocan and Gwen Moore.

There's a change at the top of the Department of Natural Resource's board. Fred Prehn, who was nominated by former Governor Walker, has stepped down. Prehn fought to stay on the board, saying Governor Evers never officially replaced him. But last week, Prehn said it was time to allow the State Senate to vote on his replacement. Prehn was a deciding vote on a number of issues including Wisconsin's wolf hunt. Senate leaders say they expect to give the governor's nominees an 'up or down' vote this year.

 A Madison man will spend six years in federal prison for illegal gun possession.  A U.S. attorney said 33-year-old Devin Crayton pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Crayton was arrested back in January after he handled and fired a firearm in his girlfriend's residence.  When officers executed a search warrant they also found a stolen police captain's badge.  Crayton was also arrested in March for possessing two handguns and a shotgun.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he’s “hit the reset button.”   The Republican leader made the comment referring to the upcoming legislative session in an interview with WisPolitics.com. He says that means not drawing bright lines, in hopes of arriving at some compromises with Democratic Governor Tony Evers. That would be a marked change from the previous session during Evers’ first term, during which the governor and Republican lawmakers barely spoke to one another and remained at odds on a variety of issues.  

Wisconsin's Republican U.S. Senator says he voted against the one-point-seven trillion-dollar spending plan in Congress because it simply spends too much. Senator Ron Johnson last night said the omnibus package is an 'abomination.' Johnson tried to delete eleven billion dollars in earmarks from the package but was voted down. Johnson says the spending plan adds to the deficit and 'mortgages our children's future.

A second child in Wisconsin has died from complications related to influenza. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services confirmed that Friday morning after announcing the state’s first pediatric flu death of the season earlier this week. DHS has not released the ages of either child or where the deaths occurred. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show that 47 children across the country have died from flu-related causes. Seventeen of those occurred in the past week.

The Palace Theater has closed its doors in the Dells and is telling people with tickets to ask for a refund. The theater's website yesterday simply said 'We will forever cherish the wonderful memories of shows, concerts, and special occasions that we created over the past eight years.' No one is offering a reason for the theater's sudden closing. The Palace says anyone who bought tickets within the past 90 days should cancel their orders through their credit card company. Anyone with tickets older than 90 days should apply for a refund.

 Minnesota public school students are experiencing more stress and anxiety than in years past.  The 2022 Minnesota Student Survey was released today, and the results show more students have been struggling with their mental health since the COVID-19 pandemic began.  Twenty-nine percent of students reported having mental health issues lasting longer than six months this year, compared to 23-percent in 2019.  The jump was most significant in female students.

Local-Regional News Dec 23

  U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that more than $255.7 million in congressionally directed spending for Wisconsin projects has been included in the bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2023.   AdventHealth Durand will receive $916,000 to expand and modernize the ambulance bay at AdventHealth Durand to enhance patient safety, accommodate the larger modern ambulances operated by local municipalities, provide enhanced isolation for decontamination and hazardous waste cleanup, and additional space for community services.   The bill passed the Senate yesterday, 68-29.

Strong winds predicted at nearly 50 miles per hour will likely lead to blizzard conditions through tonight, with blowing and drifting snow, white-out conditions, and extreme cold.  Those winds will also contribute to extraordinarily cold temperatures during the storm, with wind chills hovering around 40-below-zero creating life-threatening conditions for anyone who becomes stranded while traveling. 

Dunn County Emergency Management along with municipalities across Dunn County are preparing for expected blizzard-like conditions.  According to a media release, Dunn County Emergency Management has finalized the location of warming shelters around the County in the event that there is a long-duration power outage. At this time, these warming shelters are not open and will be opened as deemed necessary.  If you lose power and are dependent on electricity for medical reasons, you are asked to reach out to Dunn County Sheriff’s Department dispatch center at 715-232-1348.

They're hiring in Chippewa Falls. The city says it is looking to fill one new police officer and three new firefighter positions. Voters in Chippewa Falls approved a new tax increase to pay for the new hires back in November, and now the city is actually doing the hiring. The tax hike will mean just over a million dollars in new money for Chippewa Falls each year. City leaders say in addition to the new hires, current cops and firefighters will see a raise from the tax hike money.

Eau Claire Police say a man broke into a home on Zephyr Hill Avenue earlier this month to get money for drugs. They say he broke into the same house again this week to get money for Christmas presents. Police arrested 40-year-old Christopher Lamb again this week after he broke into the same home twice. Investigators say he stole cash, checks, and personal identity documents during the first break-in. They say he grabbed another check during the second break-in. Lamb is now looking at formal charges, he's out on bond and due back in court in February.

A 79yr old man is dead after a three-vehicle accident on I-94  near Black River Falls in Jackson County on Thursday.  According to Wisconsin State Patrol, the driver of a GMC Sierra was headed westbound on the interstate just past the Hwy 12 exit, when they rear-ended a slower-moving vehicle in front of them. They then went off the road and struck a tractor-trailer that was on the shoulder.   Traffic was moving slower at the time of the fatal accident because of another crash being cleared in the same location.  The name of the victim has not been released pending notification of family members. 

Wisconsin is now under an energy emergency. Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order yesterday that starts a 10-day waiver to get more fuel delivered to the state. The governor says the state is suffering through dangerous cold and high winds, and there is a shortage of fuel in some communities. Evers says giving companies a waiver will help get more fuel to the state and will help utility crews maintain the power grid.

Winter storms and power outages can bring additional hazards.  Birchwood Fire Chief Ken George says to make sure you know how to properly use your alternative heat source, a fireplace, before starting it.  An overheating wood stove was the suspected cause of one house fire this week in Sawyer County. George urged people to clear snow away from their furnace exhaust vents and to clear snow and ice away from all exterior doors so they are not blocked in an emergency. Officials say to make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector as well.

lu hospitalizations in Minnesota are on the decline.  Just over 260 people were hospitalized with influenza during the last weekly reporting period.  That makes two consecutive weeks with a drop in hospitalizations.  State health leaders say the surge in cases may end sooner than expected.  People are still urged to get flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is discouraging travel during the winter storm Friday.  Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan tells WMTV in Madison the snow, cold temperatures and wind will make for dangerous motoring on the interstates. The strong winds during the storm may also cause larger vehicles to tip or lose control.

Governor Tony Evers says his administration continues to monitor the use of TikTok on state devices.  But in an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal, the Democratic governor stopped short of committing to a formal ban of the popular Chinese social media app on state-issued phones or devices. Several other states have banned TikTok 0n government devices, and Congress is considering a similar move due to security concerns over the potential for data mining by the Chinese Communist Party. Evers told the State Journal that the number of state employees using TikTok on state devices is minimal and his administration is in frequent contact with the FBI and emergency management officials to monitor the app.   

Madison is taking a bit of a different approach to treating the roads for this winter storm.  The Madison Streets Division says it's using sand instead of salt on the snowy roads.  The city says it's making the switch to sand because the extremely cold temperatures can make salt ineffective.  Sand is meant to help drivers get better traction, but roads will still be slick.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar is sponsoring a bill that would require social media companies to be more transparent.  The Minnesota Democrat joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce The Platform Accountability and Transparency Act yesterday.  The bill aims to make social media companies' internal data more accessible to the public. 

We're getting our annual warning about cannibal sandwiches in Wisconsin. State and local public health managers are once again reminding people that eating raw meat is not recommended, and can make you sick. Cannibal sandwiches, also known as Tiger Meat sandwiches, or wild cat sandwiches become a popular offering at many holiday get-togethers. Samantha Moore, a registered dietitian at the Marshfield Clinic in Wausau says anyone who is sick or has a compromised immune system may want to stay away from raw meat as part of their diet this holiday season.

Local-Regional News Dec 22

 There's no need to worry about school til after the New Year. Schools in Durand, Mondovi, Wabasha, and most other Chippewa Valley communities have canceled classes for today. Many were headed for winter break tomorrow, and others said they didn't want to or couldn't fight the snow. Many other places are also closed across the area, so you may want to check to see what's open before heading out.

One person is dead after a vehicle vs pedestrian accident on Hwy 35 in Oak Grove Township on Tuesday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriffs Department,  42yr old Leila Koehnen of Harris, MN was traveling northbound on Hwy 35 and approaching 1240th Street when she struck 73yr old Lynda Hudak of Prescott, who was crossing the road.  Hudak was pronounced dead at the scene by the Pierce County Medical Examiner.  Koehnen was taken to River Falls Area Hospital with undetermined injuries.

The snow is being blamed for a crash on I-94 that killed a woman. It happened about 7 p.m. last night near mile marker 66 in Eau Claire County. State troopers say it looks like a truck was traveling eastbound, lost control, and rolled into the westbound lanes. The State Patrol says the woman who was driving was tossed from the truck and died at the scene. Troopers found a baby in a car seat, in the truck and uninjured. The crash closed 94 for about an hour.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is asking drivers to be very cautious during their holiday travel this week.  The D-O-T says travel may not be possible in some parts of the state Friday because of the potential for blizzard conditions.  The D-O-T also says driving conditions may become too treacherous for tow trucks to help stranded drivers.  Twenty-four-hour road conditions are available online at 5-1-1-W-I-dot-gov.

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board has agreed to a partnership with the Pepin County Human Services Department and the Pepin Area School District to hire a school-based social worker.  The social worker would assist students and staff in the building and perform community outreach.  The social worker would have a 2yr contract and the program would be reviewed at the end of that contract.

With all of the recent snow, snowmobile trails in Western Wisconsin are starting to open up.  Trails in Pepin and Dunn Counties are open with good conditions and are partially open in Buffalo and Pierce Counties.  Visit the travel Wisconsin website for the latest snowmobile trail conditions.

A Fall Creek woman is accused of stealing more than $40,000 from her employers.  On Tuesday in Eau Claire County Court, Jeanie Frederiksen wass charged with theft of a business setting, after her employer, The Shed in Altoon contacted authorities and said Frederiksen had been stealing from them for the last 5 years.  If convicted, Frederiksen faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $25,000 fine.  Her next court appearance is on January 5th.

A Jackson County man who killed his father back in 2013 is getting out of the state mental hospital. A judge yesterday ordered that 29-year-old  Lars Helgeson be released from state custody. Helgeson served just five-and-a-half years of what could have been a life sentence for killing his father. Prosecutors say Helgeson shot his father in the head, burned, then buried his body on their property. Helgeson's lawyers say he suffered from untreated schizophrenia. Helgeson will be out of the hospital by the summer.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is filling out his cabinet, appointing six new commissioners yesterday.  Former St. Cloud school district Superintendent Willie Jett was named education commissioner.  Assistant commissioner of the Health Department's Health Equity Bureau Brooke Cunningham is taking over as health commissioner.  Law enforcement veteran Bob Jacobson will head up the Department of Public Safety.  Former DFL state Representative Paul Marquart will be the new revenue commissioner. Nicole Blissenbach will permanently lead the Department of Labor and Industry after serving as temporary commissioner. Ida Rukavina was named commissioner of the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation.

Governor Tony Evers says he’s "leery" about dedicating part of the state's sales tax revenues to local governments.  The Democratic governor and Republican-controlled legislature are expected to have a budget surplus of nearly $6.6 billion at the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Evers told WisPolitics.com that he would prefer an approach that would provide municipalities a more stable increase each year. Evers also said he opposes calls to lower the top income tax rate of 7.65 percent, though he stopped short when asked if he'd veto a budget that included such a Republican plan.

Governor Tony Evers says he’ll again propose medical marijuana in his next state budget.  In an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, the Democratic governor said he'll reintroduce a plan to legalize marijuana for recreational use as part of the budget he presents to the Republican-controlled legislature next year. Republican leaders oppose recreational cannabis. Recreational marijuana is already legal in Illinois and Michigan. Evers also said he’d sign medicinal marijuana legislation if the legislature passes it. 

No charges will be filed against two Minneapolis police snipers involved in the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old Black man over the summer.  The Hennepin County Attorney's Office announced they believe the use of deadly force was justified following an hours-long standoff with Andrew "Tekle" Sundberg.  He allegedly fired shots inside an apartment building, one of which went through a neighbor's wall.  The Sundberg family attorney told CBS News that he was suffering a mental health crisis and called the shooting "tragic."  Body camera footage captured the snipers saying "gun" before one of them shot and killed him. 

A 34-year-old Union Grove man faces several charges following a reckless driving incident Monday night. The Racine County Sheriff's Office reports an off-duty sheriff's sergeant driving in Union Grove spotted a gray pickup truck driving recklessly and nearly driving the sergeant off the road. The sergeant followed the truck to an apartment complex where the driver identified as Joshua Karasti fled into one of the units. Karasti allegedly refused to obey deputies' commands. He was taken into custody at Taser point while allegedly shouting racist and homophobic slurs, and threatening to take a deputy’s firearm and use it against the officer.

The Natural Resources Board has approved new ski runs and a new master plan for Rib Mountain State Park.  The board approved the plan at its meeting last week. 128 new acres of ski runs are approved for construction, something that the operators of the Granite Peak ski park said was needed to keep the ski hill viable. Along with the new ski trails, other additions to the park include a new network of biking and hiking trails, a new nature center, and new campgrounds. 

The dates are out for the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.  The Republican National Committee says the convention will run from July 15th to the 18th, 2024.  Republicans will spend the week selecting their nominee for the 2024 presidential election.

Local-Regional News Dec 21

 Because of the weather, the Durand-Arkansaw School District told parents Tuesday night that they should be prepared for an early release of students today and no school tomorrow.   The District will determine the best time to send students home before the worst of the storm today.  All after-school activities will be canceled today and tomorrow.  

The National Weather Service has a Winter Storm Warning posted for the western third of the state that begins today and runs until tomorrow morning. Forecasters expect 5-7  inches of snow, gusty winds, freezing temperatures, and blizzard-like conditions for some people.  The Weather Service is also warning of possible power outages and is telling people not to travel unless they have to during the worst of the storm.

The Pepin County Board meeting is canceled for tonight.  Board Chairman Tom Milliren called the meeting off on Tuesday.  Meanwhile, the Durand-Arkansaw School board is scheduled to meet tonight.  Items on the agenda include action on entering into a joint agreement with Pepin County Human Services and Pepin Schools for a school-based social worker and reports from Superintendent Doverspike and building administrators.  Tonight's meeting is scheduled for 6pm at the board room at Durand High School.

This week's snowstorm could lead to more power outages in Wisconsin, especially near Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, and Menomonie.  Xcel Energy says trees already weighted down with ice and snow from the last storm could fall, bringing down power lines.  The power lines themselves could also be damaged by heavy snow and high winds expected with the storm.

Call it a benefit of the snowstorm. UW-Eau Claire is canceling in-person finals because of the winter weather. Students were supposed to wrap up exams today and tomorrow, but the school yesterday said that won't happen. The university said it is allowing everyone to work from home today and is closing campus tomorrow because of the heavy snow that's expected in Eau Claire. It's not clear just when students will finish their finals. UW-Eau Claire is scheduled to be on winter break until January.

Officials with Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are urging passengers to be flexible and patient with their travel plans.  A weather system bringing heavy snow, white-out conditions, and bitter cold is hitting the state today and will last through Friday.  Conditions will likely mean flight delays and cancellations.  Airlines are asking passengers to check their flight status before coming to the airport.  Today and tomorrow are the busiest travel days of the December holiday season.

The two people charged with killing, decapitating, and then trying to hide an Altoona man's body continue to march toward trial. Brandon A. Gaston, who is from Rockford, Illinois and Tracey Clark, who is from Eau Claire were both in Eau Claire County court yesterday. They pleaded not guilty to homicide and hiding a corpse charges. Investigators say the two killed 79-year-old Dennis Schattie last April. It's unclear though if he was killed here in Wisconsin, or down in Illinois where his body was found.

The top Democrat in the Wisconsin Assembly knows her job is to vote No. Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer told a Madison TV station yesterday that her job is to protect Governor Evers' vetoes. Democrats are in the minority in the legislature but have enough votes to stop Republicans from overriding the governor. Outside of that, Neubauer said the Democratic priorities are to spend more on public schools and spend more on local governments. Neubauer said her goal is to 'promote a visionary inclusive policy agenda that really demonstrates how government can and must be a force for good in Wisconsin.'

Wisconsin is reporting the first flu death in children this season. The state's Department of Health Services reported the death yesterday. There are no details about the child, including its age. DHS says, nationally, there have been 30 children killed by the flu this season. Public health managers say, everyone, including children, should get a flu shot this year.

It's another sign of the season. Wisconsin's frozen road law takes effect for the northern half of the state. The frozen road law allows some trucks hauling heavy loads to carry even heavier loads. It helps with salt trucks, and it helps trucks hauling trees out of the Northwoods. Wis-DOT says it will make the call about other areas of the state once the roads there freeze some more.

Former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter isn't being considered for leniency or a pardon.  Potter's name wasn't on the list when the Minnesota Board of Pardons considered 40 cases this week.  Potter was convicted of manslaughter in the deadly shooting of Daunte Wright in April 2021.  The pardon board's staff rejected her plea to have her sentence reduced, saying the case was undeserving.  She is serving a 24-month sentence and must finish 18 months of it in prison.  She is set to leave prison in April.

The Minnesota State Patrol says drivers shouldn't risk getting caught in the upcoming storm.  The agency tweeted that road conditions will be dangerous in most parts of the state as snow begins to fall on Wednesday.  Forecasters expect strong winds and blowing snow to pick up Thursday through Friday, which will make for even more challenging road conditions.  The Department of Transportation tweeted that drivers should slow down, make way for snowplows, and check their website hitting the road. 

A local government in Wisconsin is taking action against the Chinese social media app Tik Tok. Citing security concerns, Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann (showman) announced on Monday that TikTok is prohibited on Washington County government devices. Schoemann said he discussed the issue with Wisconsin congressman Mike Gallagher, who has introduced legislation to ban Tik Tok in the US outright.  The US Senate voted unanimously to ban the app from all US Government devices.

After Republican candidates for governor and attorney general lost, the new chair of the Republican Party of Wisconsin promises a “deep dive” into what went wrong for the party in November. Brian Schimming said on WISN TV's UPFRONT program Sunday that he's (quote) insisting that we go as far as into the weeds as we can.” Brian Schimming was recently picked to lead the party as its first paid chair, putting it on par with the state Democratic party.

The University of St. Thomas has a new president.  The school announced yesterday that Robert Vischer will replace Julie Sullivan, who left to become president of Santa Clara University last July.  Earlier this year, he was named the interim president at St. Thomas.  Vischer will officially start his new duties on January 1st.

A Minnesota-based company is vowing to stop using so-called "forever chemicals" by 2025.  In a statement, 3M announced they're "committing to innovate toward a world less dependent upon PFAS."  The company went on to explain that the chemicals can be safely made and are currently used in a wide range of products, including phones, cars, and batteries.  However, they'll slowly phase out PFAS in an effort to eliminate their presence in the environment and meet shareholder expectations. 

A Minnesota Boy Scout is giving back in a big way this holiday season.  Twelve-year-old Jonathan Werner raised more than 56-thousand-dollars selling bags of flavored popcorn and pretzels this year.  He told KARE 11 that his share was over eleven thousand dollars, and he used that money to buy 600 Christmas presents for children living in foster care and domestic violence shelters.  Jonathan explained that it makes him happy to make others happy

Local-Regional News Dec 20

  A major winter storm is possible throughout the region later this week.  The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the WRDN listening area beginning Wednesday at Noon, and running into Saturday morning.  NWS reports snowfall over six inches and wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour could create blizzard conditions across much of western and southern Wisconsin.  The timing of the storm could pose major issues for holiday travel.

 With a winter storm in the forecast, those responsible for delivering your mail are asking the public for help.  The United State Postal Service says homeowners and businesses need to keep pathways clear in order for carriers to bring your mail safely and on time.  That includes keeping areas around your home clear of snow, ice, and other obstructions.  The expected weather this week may cause deliveries to be delayed, but USPS hopes to have everything in mailboxes by Christmas Eve. 

Utility officials across Wisconsin say more power outages are likely coming soon because of the strain the last storm put on powerlines.  Crews from eight different states came to Wisconsin to repair outages across northwest Wisconsin.  Xcel Energy officials say almost 60-thousand customers were without power at the peak of the last storm.  Officials with Jump River Electric Cooperative say almost half of their members lost power.  They remind residents to have emergency plans prepared in case of extended out

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Wisconsin Julie Lassa announced yesterday that USDA is investing $654,710 to expand access to housing and improve education infrastructure for underserved rural people who live and work in Wisconsin.  The Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Inc. will use a $120,000 Housing Preservation Grant to rehabilitate and repair 10 homes in Clark, Eau Claire, Buffalo, Trempealeau, and Jackson counties in Western Wisconsin. Six low-income and four very low-income households will be assisted.

The city of Eau Claire and other municipalities are opening sites where residents can bring their debris from the latest storms.  Last week's storms knocked over trees and took down branches.  In Eau Claire, the site is located at Green Waste Facility and it opened yesterday.  It's located on Jeffers Road and will remain open until January 31st.  The site is also where the city's Merry Mulch tree recycling program is located for residents to recycle their Christmas trees.  Trees must be cleaned of all ornaments and decorations. 

Snowmobilers in Western Wisconsin are among the most excited to see all this snow starting to pile up, but it’s going to be a little while yet before trails will be open.  Trails in all of the WRDN Listening area are still closed as volunteers from snowmobile clubs work to clear trails of debris and get trails groomed.  Snowmobilers can check the status of trails on the Travel Wisconsin website.  Currently, only Polk County in Far Northwest Wisconsin has trails open.

Voters in the Village of Lake Hallie will be asked next year to consider exceeding the state tax levy to afford another full-time officer.  The Lake Hallie Village Board last night also approved adding another referendum question next April to support the village's fire and rescue expenses and road improvement projects.  Board members say the village is growing and calls for services have also increased. 

A Waunakee woman is spending time behind bars in connection with a deadly Monroe County crash.  A judge has sentenced 42-year-old Carrie Herbst to eight years in prison.  Prosecutors say her blood alcohol level was over twice the legal limit when she entered I-94 the wrong way in October of last year, hitting another vehicle head-on, killing a 29-year-old man.  In addition to the prison sentence, Herbst will spend another decade under extended supervision, according to court documents.

No one was hurt after a house fire in Tilden Sunday evening.  According to the Tilden Fire Department, firefighters were called to a house fire located on 110th Street, behind Tilden Town Hall at 10:55 p.m. Sunday.  The family was able to get out safely, and no injuries were reported. The fire is believed to have started in the basement. The cause of the fire is not yet identified but is believed to be electrical.  The home is a total loss.

The City of Rhinelander thinks it's found its new administrator.   The city is looking to hire Patrick Reagan, currently the village manager and village clerk for Lake Odessa, Michigan. Reagan would be taking the position in February of next year. The city has had a rough time holding onto administrators, with a history of contentious city councils and investigations of misconduct in office among top staff. Reagan would be the city's seventh administrator since 2015.

An Illinois man is accused of locking a woman in a Madison hotel room and refusing to let her leave.  Police say they were called to the Concourse Hotel around 12:30 Friday morning where a woman claimed a man put her in a hotel room, hit her, and wouldn't let her out.  Police say they were led to Nathan Doering who was arrested on several charges including false imprisonment.  Police say the woman told them she met the man on a dating app and was visiting him at the hotel.

If you're thinking about buying a pet for a loved one for Christmas, you might want to reconsider. State Consumer Protection director Michael Domke says that while the impulse to do something cute and memorable for Christmas might be enticing, a pet is a long-term decision. Domke says if you are looking to add a furry friend to your family this holiday, take the time to get the family together and find a pet from the local shelter, rather than purchasing one. 

Ten bald eagles are recovering after being poisoned at a landfill in Inver Grove Heights.  The University of Minnesota Raptor Center explained that the birds got sick from eating euthanized animals, but it's unclear what type of animals.  One eagle was also infected with the avian flu and died.  However, ten are expected to make a full recovery.  Some of them are still being treated for issues they developed while sedated, including pneumonia, lead poisoning, and soft tissue injuries. 

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources advises snowmobilers to take caution when riding on frozen bodies of water this winter.  The agency points out that even if the ice on lakes or rivers seems stable, varying weather, fluctuating temperatures, and precipitation can create unsafe ice.  The DNR suggests that snowmobilers not travel in unfamiliar areas, slow down when traveling at night, contact local sports shops to ask about ice conditions locally, wear proper clothing and equipment, and find out if the body of water you intend to travel on has inlets, outlets or narrows that have currents that can thin the ice.

Another fire happens Sunday afternoon at an abandoned Milwaukee mall that a judge ordered to be razed following several previous fires.   A deputy chief for the Milwaukee Fire Department reported the small fire in one of the one-time planters at the old Northridge Mall was the fourth or fifth fire since summer there.  In October, Milwaukee County Judge William Sosnay ordered the owner of the vacant mall to present plans to raze the property.   The mall’s owner, Black Spruce, did not meet the judge’s mid-November deadline to tear the property down, and an appeal of the judge’s decision was turned down.  Black Spruce is being fined $2,000 per day for not securing the property, and they also have outstanding tax bills for the properties totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

 Wisconsin ranks among the states with the most "Christmas Spirit."  A recent survey by the telecommunications firm, Century-Link, ranks the Badger State second only to New Hampshire when it comes to holiday excitement.  The survey looked at Christmas-themed online activity and certain Christmas-related cultural markers, such as the number of Christmas tree farms. 

Local-Regional News Dec 19

 ALCIVIA and Consumers Cooperative jointly announced last week that they have agreed to terms for the sale of ALCIVIA’s convenience stores (C-Stores) to Consumers Cooperative and have executed a purchase agreement.  “We are excited to have this opportunity to work with Consumers Cooperative, and we could not have found a better partner with the expertise and a core business focus on C-Stores,” said Jim Dell, ALCIVIA CEO and President. “It is critical to ALCIVIA and our members that we strongly focus on the support, strategic vision, growth, and ongoing improvements of our core businesses.   Here in Western Wisconsin, Alcivia has C-stores in Durand, Mondovi, Pepin, and Ellsworth.  The closing date of the transaction will be announced at a later date.

Wisconsin gas prices continue to drop as we head into the weekend.  Triple-A says the statewide average is two dollars and 79 cents a gallon, down 12 cents from last Friday.  In Madison, the average is two-82 a gallon, down 13 cents from last Friday.  Some of the cheapest gas in the state is in Appleton where the average is two-60 a gallon.  Here is Western Wisconsin gas is averaging 2.74 a gallon.

A Rusk County Walmart employee is charged with theft for allegedly stealing between 13 and 15 thousand dollars in cash and merchandise from the store from April to June. Thirty-two-year-old Saybre Graeff of Ladysmith has admitted to investigators she stole from the store because her family was broke and needed a lawyer. There is security footage of her taking at least eleven thousand dollars.

An Augusta man who admitted to sexually assaulting two children was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday.   Elvin Bauch, 76, pleaded guilty to two counts of child sexual assault in September after a woman came forward and said Bauch repeatedly sexually assaulted her when he was her foster parent. She said it happened around 2011 and 2012 when she was about ten years old.

 Wudrow's Auto Repair Shop in Stanley will reopen soon after being destroyed in a 2021 tornado. The twister struck a year ago yesterday and owners Todd and Misty Wundrow say it completely destroyed their location. Todd says they will reopen after taking care of a few technicalities, as they have been getting several calls.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire sent its latest graduating class into the world this weekend.  In two ceremonies at Zorn Arena on Saturday, almost 700 graduates picked up their diplomas, while family and friends cheered them on.  The class size was about the same as last year.  It was a memorable college career for most of them -- they spent most of their time on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.    

 The Eau Claire Children's Museum is set to open next month.  Museum officials say they're working to put the finishing touches on the museum before they open, which they expect will be the first or second week of January.  The Children's Museum has been under construction for the last five years,.  It will replace the Play Space children's center on Barstow Avenue.  The museum will be 100 percent carbon neutral.     

A bill banning TikTok from being used or downloaded on any federal device passed the US Senate by unanimous consent late Wednesday. US Senator Tammy Baldwin says people should be aware of China’s role in the immensely popular social media app, noting the app was developed in (quote) "a country whose government is very interested in spying on us.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hasn’t committed to taking up the bill in that chamber, but Republican congressman Mike Gallagher is urging her to do so. 

 Minnesota lawmakers are set to vote on a long overdue renovation of the State Office Building.  Officials say the building has inadequate security and its plumbing, lighting, and air distribution systems are outdated.  There are also issues with accessibility and overcrowding in hearing rooms.  The cost for the needed renovations hasn't been released.

Wisconsin's online library system is getting an upgrade. The old Overdrive application used to access e-books and other media is getting phased out in favor of the new Libby app.  You can find Libby on both Apple and Google Android devices. It's a free program, and if you want to get started borrowing online items, all you need is a library account.

A former  Dane County sheriff's deputy accused of lying about a shooting she was involved in Cross Plains pleads guilty.  Today Sara Bortz-Rodriguez pleaded guilty to misdemeanor resisting and obstructing an officer and was referred to the deferred prosecution program.  Bortz-Rodriguez said she shot her gun at a suspect in Festge Park last October after being stabbed, but an investigation found she lied about what happened.  She was fired the next month.

 Representative Janel Brandtjen is no longer serving on the State Assembly's elections committee.  Speaker Robin Vos has removed her from the panel that she previously chaired.  The Menomonee Falls Republican has often been at odds with Vos, including over the 2020 election investigation that conflicted with the Vos-endorsed probe by former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman.  Brandtjen was dismissed from the Republican caucus last month.

 The University of Minnesota's Board of Regents is electing a new vice chair following Steve Sviggum's decision to step down.  Many people called on Sviggum to resign after he questioned if the Morris campus was "too diverse" during a meeting in October.  The board elected retired federal magistrate judge Janie Mayeron into the position in a nine-to-three vote on Friday.

If you're still hunting for that last-minute holiday gift, be sure you're not being scammed. State consumer protection director Michael Domke says that you should be wary of any hot items or extreme deals you see in your social media feeds right now.   And as Domke says, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. He says these scams are nothing new, just the way that they're delivered in social media feeds, email, or text messages. Take your time, and try to find that gift from a reputable retailer.

 Minnesota's jobless rate is ticking up slightly.  The state's unemployment rate went up two-tenths of a percent in November and has been slowly rising after hitting a record low in June and July.  Minnesota added 68 hundred jobs last month.  The solid jobs report comes after strong growth in October.

 Two Wisconsin soldiers who died in World War Two are finally being laid to rest.  The remains of Private First Class William Simon were identified last month and family members in Middleton were contacted Monday.  A press release from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency says Simon was killed in action in 1944 while battling German forces.  On Friday, the agency said an Army Air Force pilot from Grafton has also been identified.  First Lieutenant Roy Harms was killed in 1943 when his plane was hit by enemy fire during a bombing mission over Romania.

The State Department Of Revenue is looking to return 640 million dollars to Wisconsinites.  The Revenue Department said on Friday that's how much money is available to be claimed from intangible assets such as cash from a forgotten savings account, an uncashed payroll check, or a refund from an insurance premium overpayment.  The Revenue Department also has money from safe deposit boxes where the rent wasn't paid and stocks and mutual funds.  Director of Tax Operations Erin Egan said one of ten people living in Wisconsin have unclaimed property. 

 This year's Miss America is from Wisconsin.  Miss Wisconsin Grace Stanke won the Miss America competition last night.  Stanke graduated from Wausau West High School and currently attends University of Wisconsin-Madison.  She's studying nuclear engineering.

Local-Regional News Dec 15

 A man is charged with fleeing law enforcement at speeds exceeding 120mph in Buffalo County.  24-year-old Jordan Foreman of Sparta was arrested Monday after leading law enforcement on a pursuit that went 11 and a half miles.  According to charges filed Tuesday, a Buffalo Count Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to pull over Foreman as he was going 66mph in a 55mph zone on Highway 35 in the Town of Belvidere at 11:51 a.m. Monday. Foreman increased his speed to get away from the deputy, with speeds topping 120mph. Foreman slowed down once in Buffalo City, where the pursuit was stopped due to safety concerns.  Once leaving towards the Village of Cochrane. Once the vehicle left Cochrane, the pursuit was restarted once again.   Foreman was eventually pulled over, and Foreman was charged with fleeing or eluding law enforcement, possession of THC, three counts of bail jumping, and cited for operating a motor vehicle with a restricted controlled substance, deviating from designated lanes, failure to stop at a stop sign, exceeding the speed limit at 45mph or greater, reckless driving and operating without a valid license for the third time within three years.

 A Durand woman charged with removing a patient’s foot without permission has secured court-appointed legal representation ahead of her next scheduled court appearance in January of 2023.  According to court records,  38-year-old Mary K. Brown is charged with physical abuse of an elder person intentionally causing great bodily harm and mayhem, with both charges carrying enhancers due to the victim being an elder person, and will be represented by Philip Helgeson of Prescott.  Brown was released on a $150,000 signature bond on Dec. 6 with conditions that she have no contact with her former employer, Spring Valley Senior Living Facility, or the victim’s family.  Her next court appearance is Jan 27

Three people were injured in a three-vehicle accident in the town of Gale on Tuesday.  According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department, two vehicles were traveling northbound on Hwy 53 near Jim Johnson Lane when one of the vehicles slowed to make a left turn and was rear-ended by the second vehicle.  The crash sent the first vehicle into the southbound lane where is struck the third vehicle.  One driver had to be extricated and the two other drivers were treated and released.  No names were released.

 

A set of apartments will replace the old Shopko on Clairemont. Eau Claire's city council last night narrowly approved the plan. It was a 6-5 vote. The plan is for two, four-story apartment buildings with 258 units. The hope is to have the first building open by the summer of 2024.

Chippewa Falls' mayor isn't ready to hang it up. Mayor Greg Hoffman yesterday said he will run for another term. Hoffman has missed a couple of meetings over the past two years because of COVID and other health concerns, but he says he's feeling much better now. Hoffman is Chippewa Falls' longest-serving mayor, he was first appointed to the job back in 2008. He says he wants to put a bow on his work in the mayor's office with another term.

A Jackson County man has been arrested for OWI 5th offense Monday.  According to the Jackson County Sheriffs Department, deputies pulled over 37yr old Jason Twieg for speeding on Hwy 95 in the Town of Curran Monday night.  The deputies noticed signs of impairment and arrested Twieg after failing field sobriety tests.    He was taken to the Jackson county jail.

There's a new study that puts some numbers behind the difference between a dance major and an engineering major at Wisconsin colleges and universities. The study from the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty highlights the differences between in-demand majors and technical programs and majors or programs that don't earn as much. The study suggests colleges and universities talk with students about the return on investment for a degree before signing students up for six-figures worth of student loans. The study also looks at student loan default rates. UW-Madison has the second lowest rate in the state, while beauty schools in Wisconsin have the highest.

Inflation in the Twin Cities is dropping faster than it is in the U.S. overall.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released data yesterday that the consumer price index in the region is nearly two-percent lower than it is for the U.S.  Both measures were the lowest readings of the year.  The Twin cities hit a high for inflation in May.

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 A meatpacking cleaning service is laying off workers at a Worthington pork plant after JBS, the owner, terminated their contract with the organization.  Packers Sanitation Services Inc has been under scrutiny for hiring minors to clean slaughterhouses.  The permanent layoffs of over 120 PSSI workers will begin January 21st.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Board approves new regulations for PFAS chemicals in Wisconsin groundwater.  The regulations create standards for how much PFAS chemicals are allowed in groundwater before it's deemed unsafe.  Other chemicals will also be considered dangerous under the regulations.  Anyone found guilty of contaminating groundwater with PFAS chemicals could also now face consequences.

The bald eagle found shot in Milwaukee County last week has died. Animal rescuers yesterday said the bird passed away from its wounds. The state's Department of Natural Resources says someone shot the bird, it was found last Wednesday. The eagle suffered a broken wing, a wounded beak, and several other injuries. Investigators are looking for whoever pulled the trigger.

 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is warning people to be cautious when venturing out on ice.  The agency said walking across frozen lakes is never 100 percent safe, and an average of three people die every year.  No one has died this year, but several people have fallen through frozen lakes.  The majority of those people were taking large ATVs, which require ice that's at least eight inches thick.  The DNR urges people to frequently measure ice thickness.

A Wisconsin veterinarian has been accused of abusing several animals treated at his clinic. Court documents filed Monday say Doctor Wesley Arnett faces six counts of mistreating animals while he owned Waunakee Veterinary Clinic.  A complaint details nine clinic employees' accounts of Arnett allegedly kicking and punching the pets, as well as slamming them against walls. WMTV in Madison reports the clinic says Arnett is no longer an owner, nor affiliated with them.

Some Minnesota lawmakers want to make school lunches free for all students.  This was the case during the pandemic, but that program expired this fall.  As leaders consider what to do with the state's over 17-million dollar budget surplus, many have advocated for a permanent policy that would feed every student in school regardless of income requirements.  Both Governor Tim Walz and state Representative Sydney Jordan have declared their support.

 Wisconsin has the best elder abuse protections in America.  That's according to WalletHub, which also says Wisconsin has the best elder abuse resources and ranks third in elder abuse prevention spending.  However, Wisconsin also ranks 19th in elder abuse prevalence.  WalletHub says the state with the worst elder abuse protections is Utah

Local-Regional News Dec 14

 The Durand City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on the sale of the Auth Street Lot, a facade grant application from Bhodis, and reports from the Mayor, City Administrator and department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall.

Prosecutors in Menomonie are pushing ahead with terroristic threat charges against a young man who says he wanted to burn down the place where he works. The D.A. filed formal charges yesterday against Garrett Kinser. Police got the call Friday to come to Phillips Medisize because co-workers said Kinser asked them to make a molotov cocktail. Police say he also threatened to cut-up a young woman who he works with and put her in the meat grinder. Kinser told investigators he was just joking, he says he made the threats cause he was bored at work.

Two Trempealeau County men are going to federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.   Cristian Velez Vazquez, from Independence, and Michael Carmenatty Justiniano, from Galesville, were sentenced on December 8. Vazquez got eight years, and Carmenatty received a three-year sentence.  Both were arrested after an investigation in 2020 into the sale of cocaine at a barbershop and taverns in Arcadia.    Both men would receive cocaine in the mail from Puerto Rico hidden in radios, printers, and bedsheets.  The two would then send guns and money back to Puerto Rico in exchange for the cocaine.

The City of Wabasha, its Parks Board, and a community-led steering committee is preparing to move and rebuild it’s city’s baseball and softball fields, hockey and skating rink, and basketball court to the field behind City Hall in 2023 and early 2024. In addition, new amenities including pickleball and tennis courts, a year-round warming house and concession stand, and expanded parking will round out the complex which lies adjacent to Dennis Pfeilsticker Memorial Park and the city’s highly utilized pool and splash pad.  A $550,000 capital campaign for donations this winter and spring will round out the project funding and allow construction to begin next year.

Top lawmakers in Madison agree the state's surplus is 'the people's money,' but they don't agree on what to do with it. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Democratic Assistant Minority Leader Kalan Haywood talked about Wisconsin's record six billion-dollar surplus on Friday. They both said it's 'the people's money,' but Haywood wants to spend it while Vos wants to give it back to taxpayers. Vos expects Republicans, who control the budget-making process, to push for a multi-billion dollar tax cut. Haywood would rather see some of that money sent to Milwaukee to help the city avoid a financial collapse next year.

There are just a few days left to sign up for healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act.   The deadline to sign up for coverage with the Health Insurance Marketplace is this Thursday the 15th of December. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is offering assistance to those who need it online at Wis Covered dot com, or you can get help over the phone by calling 2-1-1. Advocates will walk you through the process and help you find out if you qualify for free or reduced-price plans.

 Gov. Tony Evers and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) announced Monday the state will receive $5,952,197 to go toward high-speed internet throughout the state.   The funds came from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and will go toward the deployment and adoption of "affordable, equitable, and reliable" high-speed internet across Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is sending out a reminder for people to get their flu shots.  The department says as of the beginning of the month 31 percent of Wisconsinites have gotten their flu vaccine.  The department says flu activity is up in Wisconsin as well as other upper respiratory illnesses.

President Joe Biden praised the Wisconsin Democrat as he signed the legislation to provide new federal protections for gay and interracial marriage.  Baldwin, the first openly gay member of the Senate, was part of a team that authored the legislation and worked on an amendment that secured bipartisan support for the bill. Baldwin said in a statement the signing of the bill made history and a difference for millions of Americans (quote) "We are telling the millions of same-sex and interracial couples that we see them and we respect them."

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It doesn’t look as if legalized marijuana will be part of the discussion in the Wisconsin Legislature next year. State Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard has been a longtime proponent of legalizing recreational cannabis. On WKOW's Capitol City Sunday, the Madison Democrat said she believes there's enough support to pass such legislation in the Senate. But state Senate President Chris  Kapenga  said there's isn't enough support among Republicans who hold a majority in the chamber. Wisconsin is becoming isolated in the Midwest with regard to cannabis – Michigan and Illinois both allow recreational use, Minnesota and Iowa allow medicinal use and Minnesota has also decriminalized possession of small amounts of pot. 

A former youth pastor from Plover has entered not-guilty pleas to child sex charges. WJFW reports that 51-year-old Jordan Huffman faces multiple charges in the case, which date back to 2017. Police say Huffman was a mentor to the victim in the case, who was a 12-year-old boy at the time when the assaults started. Police say Huffman provided drugs and alcohol to the minor before the incidents took place. Huffman is free on a 100-thousand-dollar cash bond.

Monday’s winter concert at Chilton High School was interrupted by a threat toward the school.  Superintendent Susan Kaphingst said in a statement that out of an abundance of caution, the school was placed on lockdown and the Calumet County Sheriff’s Office and Chilton Police Department were called to investigate. The specifics of the situation were not released, but the Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that it was a bomb threat. The school was searched and deemed safe, so the students were released. Classes will resume as usual today, but there will be an increased police presence at the school.

State wardens say someone shot and injured a bald eagle in the city of Franklin last week. The bald eagle survived the attack and is being treated by the Wisconsin Humane Society's wildlife center. Veterinarians at the center say one of the bird's wings was broken and its beak was injured as well. Bald eagles and their nests are federally protected, and anyone caught injuring or killing the birds could face a year in jail or a 100-thousand dollar fine. 

The state of Wisconsin wants to know when people see mudpuppies. Mudpuppies are Wisconsin's only fully aquatic salamander, and are quite often caught by fishermen looking for other fish. The state's Department of Natural Resources wants fisherman who catch mudpuppies to take a picture, then release them back into the water. The DNR says the data they get from fishermen will help round out a study being done on just where mudpuppies live in the state

Local-Regional News Dec 13

 The Chippewa Valley is waiting for the winter weather to begin. The National Weather Service says a Winter Weather Advisory will go into effect this evening at 6 p.m. and run all the way til tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. Forecasters are expecting a glaze of ice and up to three inches of snow. The Weather Service says the weather will be worse to the north, and over toward the Twin Cities. After the Winter Weather Advisory, forecasters say there's a chance for snow for the rest of the week.

Wisconsin is likely to see below-normal temperatures to start the second half of December.  The National Weather Service says the eastern half of Wisconsin has a 40 to 50 percent to see below-normal temperatures from December 17th to the 23rd, while the western half of the state has a 50 to 60 percent chance.  Wisconsin also has about equal chances to see above or below-normal precipitation over the same time period.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include a presentation on traffic/pedestrian safety from the Mondovi Girls Scouts, a presentation from Midwest Solar's energy project, and approval of the 2023 recycling agreement between the city and Buffalo County.  Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

The Wabasha County Board is meeting today.  Items on the agenda include approval of the Fiscal Year 23 Wabasha County Treatment Cooperative Agreement,  approval of the sponsorship of the City of Plainview Active Transportation Grant Application, and discussion of multiple C.U.P. Requests.  Today's meeting begins at 4pm in the board room of the Wabasha County Government Center.

Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) members are helping stock Pierce and Pepin County food shelves through the co-op’s charitable foundation Pierce Pepin Cares. At their October meeting, the Pierce Pepin Cares board awarded $16,000 in grants to eight food pantries; each received $2,000—Pierce County Food Pantry, Elmwood Food Pantry, Plum City Food Pantry, Prescott Area Food Shelf, River Falls Food Pantry, Spring Valley Community Food Pantry, Pepin County Food Pantry and Pepin-Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran-Food Pantry.  PPCS members fund Pierce Pepin Cares by participating in Operation Round Up and rounding up their electric bills to the nearest dollar each month or donating a specific dollar amount. The program provides charitable contributions to nonprofit organizations that offer programs and support projects to enhance the quality of life for those within the communities served by the cooperative. 

It's life in prison for the second man convicted of killing a pair of grandparents in Rusk County back in 2020. A judge yesterday sentenced 23-year-old Adam Rosolowski to life with the possibility of parole for the murders of his grandparents, Robert and Bonnie Rosolowski. Police say the younger Rosolowski wanted his grandparents' truck. The other suspect in the case, Joseph Falk, is already serving a life sentence for his role in the case. He does not have the possibility of parole.

Another staple at the Oakwood Mall is leaving. Dhimiters, which is known for its gyros, said on Facebook over the weekend that it has outgrown its spot in the mall's food court. There is no word on just what Dhimiters' owners are planning, but they say they are looking to make good use of their food truck. Dhimiters will close in the mall by the start of the new year.

Dr. Susan Turney, Marshfield Clinic Health System CEO Dr. Susan Turney is stepping down next year. The health care system made the announcement Monday. Turney became Marshfield Clinic Health System’s first CEO in September 2014 and will continue in that role as it progresses through a proposed merger with Essentia Health. The two health systems anticipate reaching a definitive agreement in the coming months. Turney completed her internal medicine residency at Marshfield Clinic and then served for 22 years in clinical practice and administrative roles.

Healthcare providers in the Madison area are joining together in asking people to stay home if they don't have serious illnesses.  University of Wisconsin Health, SSM Health, UnityPoint Health-Meriter, Access Community Health Centers, and Group Health Cooperative of South-Central Wisconsin released a joint statement today saying they're seeing longer wait times and need people with moderate and mild sickness to stay home.  The hospitals say they want to cut down on wait times and care for people with the worst symptoms.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has joined a coalition of 51 attorneys supporting the Federal Communications Commission’s proposal which requires mobile wireless providers to block unlawful text messages at the network level if they originate from fraudulent numbers. In a release from the state Department of Justice, Kaul said scammers are shifting from robocalls to robo texts, resulting in people losing millions through phishing texts, imposter scams, and harmful links. The coalition of attorneys general is asking the FCC to push the wireless industry to develop call authentication technology for text messages so authorities can investigate where the robo texts are originating.

There could be some roadblocks for a possible Amtrak expansion to Madison.   Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos tells a Wisconsin Policy Forum online event he does not support providing state funding for the project.  The City of Madison is seeking to get funding from the bipartisan infrastructure package passed by Congress last year.  That plan includes a program to spend $66 billion over the next five years on passenger rail services and expansion.  Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker rejected $810 million in federal funding for a high-speed rail line in 2011.   A tweet from Walker Wednesday calls the passenger rail project "stupid".

A longtime party activist will chair the Republican Party of Wisconsin.   The party’s Executive Committee on Saturday voted unanimously to name Brian Schimming as the next state chair. He replaces Paul Farrow, who decided against seeking a full two-year term so he can focus on his reelection bid as Waukesha County exec this spring. WisPolitics reports that Schimming will be paid after state party chair had been a voluntary position for years. The chair of the state Democratic party is a paid position, and some argue a paid chair will help Republicans raise more money. 

 A pair of Minnesota therapists is using the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons to help veterans.  Allison Battles and fellow VA psychologist Thomas Quinlan are among the first to use the game in group therapy at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.  Battles say the Roll for Growth program helps veterans to practice communication skills in a safe space.  Battles and Quinlan earned accolades last year after they presented outcomes from their first group to the American Psychological Association.  Veterans reported a reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms, aggression, and social avoidance after 12 weeks of gameplay.

Minneapolis is among the most fun cities in the country.  That's according to a WalletHub report that compared 180 cities by more than 65 key metrics, including everything from the number of music venues per capita to the cost of a movie.  Minneapolis ranked the 40th overall.  St. Paul also made the list at 92.