Local-Regional News Jan 31

 Three people were injured in a rollover accident on Hwy 85 just east of Hwy T last Wednesday.  According to the Pepin County Sheriff's Department, 22yr old Kaly Lanning of Durand was traveling west on Hwy 85 when she lost control, crossed the center line, and rolled over on the eastbound side of the road.  Laning, along with 27yr old Joathon Miner of Durand and their 2yr old daughter were all taken to the hospital with varying injuries.  Slippery roads and speed were factors in the accident.

Minor injuries were reported in a rollover accident on Hwy to on the hill between Bauer Lane and Sylvestor Road last Wednesday.  According to the Pepin County Sheriff's Department, 22yr old Brady Schmidt of Durand was traveling westbound on Hwy 10 when he lost control and rolled over on the westbound side of the road against an embankment.  Schmidt and passenger 22yr old Annabell Stultz of Princeton, MN was evaluated on scene by Durand Ambulance and released.  Slippery roads and speed were factors in the accident.

The Menomonie Police Chief provided an update on the home invasion that led to officers and a Dunn County Sheriff's Deputy shooting and killing the suspect on Jan 21st..  Chief Erick Atkinson said in a Facebook video, that the suspect allegedly invaded a home, and the homeowner then barricaded themselves in a bedroom and called the police.  The suspect tried to break down the door and fired a shot before stealing the homeowner's vehicle.  After police stopped the vehicle the suspect was shot and killed by Menomonie Police Officers and the Dunn County Sheriff's Deputy.  The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation is handling the officer-involved shooting while Menonomie police investigate the break-in and stolen vehicle.

Dunn County authorities are accusing a Florida man of possessing methamphetamine and fleeing officers after a high-speed chase in Chippewa and Dunn Counties Sunday.   The chase began in Chippewa County but ended due to safety reasons.  Dunn County authorities then tried to stop the vehicle with speeds reaching over 100mph.    Chad Turgeson was arrested after the chase and police say he admitted the meth in the vehicle belonged to him.  He was released on a $1000 cash bond.

Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative is receiving a $6.5 million loan to connect 573 consumers and build and improve 75 miles of line.   This loan includes $424,700 in smart grid technologies. The money is coming from USDA's Electric Loan Program to help rural utilities and cooperatives install and upgrade smart grid technologies. Smart grid can be a catalyst for broadband and other telecommunications services in unserved and underserved rural areas in addition to improving grid security and reliability.

It may be cold, but waiting a few minutes in a cold car is better than having your car stolen. That's the thinking behind the latest warning from police in Chippewa Falls. Officers are warning people not to leave running cars unattended. Someone may take whatever is inside or may take the car altogether. Police in Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire say they don't have any cases of someone driving-off, but they did have some cases of people walking away with things from inside unattended cars.

This may not be the year for medical marijuana in Wisconsin. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said over the weekend that he doesn't think the votes are there. Vos is one of a growing number of Republican lawmakers who've said they support the idea of a strict medical-only marijuana program in the state. But he said on Sunday that he doesn't see the proposal becoming law unless lawmakers can find some kind of 'middle ground.' Wisconsin's governor has said he wants a fully-legal, recreational marijuana program in the state.

There's now a formal complaint over how one of the liberal candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court is campaigning. A western Wisconsin man filed the complaint yesterday, he says Judge Janet Protasiewicz has violated the state's Code of Judicial Conduct by talking openly about how she'd rule on cases that will likely come before the Supreme Court. Specifically, the complaint says Protasiewicz has called Wisconsin's political maps 'rigged,' and has said she supports abortion and same-sex marriage laws. Candidates for the court are not supposed to tip their hand about how they may rule. Wisconsin's Republican Party says the court should, at the very least, order Protasiewicz to recuse herself from any case that she's talked about during the campaign.

Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources is asking people to be careful after four snowmobile deaths in four days. All four happened between last Thursday and Sunday in either Vilas or Oneida counties in the northern part of the state. Two of the deaths came when riders missed a turn, the third was a crash with another snowmobile, and the other saw a pickup truck hit a rider. The DNR is warning people to slow down, use some caution, and never drink and ride. All four deaths are under investigation.

The Minnesota House is advancing a bill to allow unauthorized immigrants to get driver's licenses without showing proof of legal residence.  The House passed the Driver's Licenses for All bill yesterday by a narrow margin.  Several immigrant support organizations rallied at the Capitol yesterday to express support for the measure.  Some Republican opponents have said the licenses could be used for voter fraud or to fraudulently sign up for government benefits.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation introduces a new intelligence tool to help small and midsize businesses.   The tool, called “Size Up Wisconsin” helps companies thrive and grow by making sound strategic business decisions.  It can be obtained through a multiyear licensing agreement through an online provider.  The state agency says Size Up Wisconsin helps with finding potential customers, identifying industry competitors, and pinpointing advertising hotspots.  WEDC says small and midsize businesses make up about 99% of Wisconsin’s economy. More information on Size Up Wisconsin is available on the Small Business tab on the homepage of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation website.

Milwaukee will host the 2024 Republican National Convention, and may also host a Republican presidential debate prior to that.   During an interview on WISN Radio in Milwaukee, Republican National Committee host committee secretary Gerard Randall said the city is a likely site for the event.  The show host who conducted the interview with Randall, Dan O’Donnell, later tweeted that several Republican officials let him know no decision had been made on Milwaukee hosting a debate.  The city last hosted a presidential debate in 2015. 

It's a good idea to give your digital life a once over. State consumer protection director Mike Domke says you should check to see who you're sharing your data with on social media, and with apps on your devices.  Domke says you shouldn't be sharing banking or credit card information with sites you don't need to and consider not having companies hold your credit card data. He says that's an extra step on checkout, but it's good in case of a data breach.

Foot Locker announces more layoffs in Wisconsin.   The athletic wear company is closing its customer service center in Oshkosh, resulting in nearly 100 layoffs according to a filing with the department of workforce development. It's the second round of layoffs in the last four months- they'll close a distribution center in Wausau this spring as well. Foot Locker also recently shut down the Eastbay brand completely- folding it into their Champs Sports line at the turn of the new year.

Local-Regional News Jan30

 Gov. Tony Evers announced Friday that he is seeking applicants for appointment as coroner in Pepin County. The appointment will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of John Albers on Jan. 18, 2023. The new coroner will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term that ends Jan. 4, 2027.  Application materials must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 24, 2023. For more information about the position, please contact Pepin County Clerk Audrey Bauer. Those interested in applying must submit an online application with a cover letter detailing professional and academic qualifications, civic activities, and community involvement.

Firefighters from Elmwood and five other departments responded to a house fire Saturday.  Firefighters responded to the fire at N4547 110th avenue Saturday night and found the home completely engulfed.  Thomas and Angel Neubauer were able to escape the fire however some pets were killed in the blaze.  The home is a total loss and a go fund me page has been set up for the family.

It's going to be a bone-chilling start to the day in the Chippewa Valley. The National Weather Service has a Wind Chill Advisory in place for the WRDN Listening area today. Forecasters say wind chills could be as low as 25-below. Things are expected to warm up by mid-week. But even then, forecasters say it will be cold across the western half of Wisconsin.

Gas prices continue to rise in Western Wisconsin.  Over the last week, gas jumped another 6 cents to an average $3.39 a gallon.  Triple-A and Gas Buddy say increasing demand due to the warmer weather is contributing to the jump in prices.

The Eau Claire Humane Association says more and more people are surrendering their pets. Addie Erdmann says they are seeing about one pet per day. She's worried, not only because more people are giving up their pets, but because the Humane Association is running out of room. Erdmann says people need to let them know in advance, so they can have space for the dog or cat. Erdman says, right now, they're booked through the end of February.

An Oronoco man had thousands of dollars worth of guns and ammunition stolen from his home Thursday.  According to the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, the homeowner called deputies last night to report a theft. It happened in the 1200 block of Oak Lodge Ln NE in Oronoco Township.  The thieves stole 2,600 rounds of ammunition, four rifle optics, four pounds of Tannerite, a 9mm handgun, three 12 gauge shotguns, one 20 gauge shotgun, one bolt action rifle, and one rifle. The estimated cost of the stolen items is anywhere between $5,050-$5,350.

Those involved with Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action program's Farm Well initiative meet with representatives from the Evers administration to discuss rural mental health programming.  A participant in the meeting, dairy farmer Dan Wegmueller, says the program connects people who have the same struggles.  The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has a round-the-clock Farmer Wellness Hotline to help those struggling with mental health crises.  Google “Farmer Wellness Hotline” to access the toll-free number.

There will be more choices for families looking at school choice in Wisconsin next year. The state's Department of Public Instruction on Friday released the list of schools participating for the 2023-2024 school year. There will be 339 choice schools next year, that's 25 more than this year. School choice is becoming more popular in the state, and enrollment in choice schools has increased as enrollment in traditional public schools has fallen.

The top Republican in the State Assembly says there doesn't have to be a flat tax in this year's budget. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos Was On UPFRONT on Milwaukee TV yesterday, he said he'd like to see Wisconsin move to a flat tax but he understands that the governor has promised to veto the idea. Vos said as long as lawmakers reduce the state's tax burden, he's fine with whatever they do. Vos has been adamant about using Wisconsin's record seven billion-dollar budget surplus to help taxpayers across the state.

Lawmakers in Madison are taking another look at so-called forever chemicals. A State Senate panel will hold a hearing tomorrow on new regulations for PFAS chemicals. Those are chemicals commonly found in firefighting foam that environmentalists worry are polluting soil and water in the state. Wisconsin currency doesn't have any regulations for PFAS pollution. Setting those standards is one of Governor Evers' top priorities.

Many Minnesota nonprofits are seeking state funding from the state's budget surplus.  The requests are facing increased scrutiny following the Feeding Our Future fraud investigation.  More than a billion dollars is disbursed annually to nonprofits through state grants.  The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits recently released a report that includes ways to develop a more efficient and equitable grant system.

An 85-vehicle pileup on I-39/90 between Beloit and Janesville closed all lanes in both directions for hours Friday.  At least 21 people were injured. The Wisconsin State Patrol says snow, ice, and whiteout conditions were factors in the initial crash around 12:30 p.m.  The northbound and southbound lanes of I-90 were closed for about seven-and-a-half hours.  Southbound lanes reopened shortly after 8 p.m. and all lanes didn't reopen until just past 9 p.m.

Less than one full month into 2023 Wisconsin has already seen five snowmobile deaths.  The Department of Natural Resources said on Friday that all five crashes happened between January 14th and this past Thursday.  The most recent fatal crash happened northwest of Rhinelander.  Snowmobile deaths are trending slightly above last year and the DNR is urging snowmobilers to keep safety front of mind.

Governor Tony Evers said this week he'll veto the upcoming state budget of the Republican-controlled Legislature if it includes a flat tax.  GOP lawmakers have said they want Wisconsin to transition to a three-point-25 percent income tax for all income levels.  The Democratic governor said he's considering either a line-item veto or vetoing the entire budget if the flat tax is part of it.  Evers said he believes the current progressive tax system is a good one and that the state doesn't provide what he called "some extraordinary large tax cut" to the wealthiest Wisconsinites.

The state Department of Health Services wants to know how the people of Wisconsin think the state should use a second round of opioid settlement funds.  The state will have eight-million dollars to use for new projects and programs aimed at reducing the dangers of misusing opioids.  The survey is available in English and Spanish on the DHS website and the public can submit suggestions through February 17th.  

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is announcing a 3.3-billion-dollar plan to maintain and update aging infrastructure.  In a proposed bonding package unveiled Thursday, Walz wants to spend almost 900 million dollars from the general fund and 1.5 billion dollars from a bonding bill.  The plan includes 650 million dollars for road, bridge, and water system work in the state as well as nearly 44 million dollars for Department of Natural Resources facilities.  Under the plan, over 1.2 billion would be spent to repair or replace existing infrastructure and properties.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's plan to pay off the one-point-one billion dollar U. S. Bank Stadium looks like a done deal.  He announced in his budget speech this week that he wants to pay off the 377 million dollars in outstanding bond debt from the publically financed portion of the arena.  Walz would use the balance in the stadium reserve fund as well as general fund money to make the final payment, which wasn't expected to happen until 2046.

A Memorial grad has been named Wisconsin's Poet Laureate. Governor Evers this week named Nicholas Gulig as Poet Laureate for the next two years. Gulig says it's an honor to receive some recognition for his work, he's written three books North of Order, Book of Lake, and Orient. Gulig will split his time between the laureate post and his full-time job as a professor at UW-Whitewater.

Local-Regional News Jan 27

 The City of Durand will begin the process of removing ash trees from the city after receiving a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.   Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city will be talking with tree removal companies about costs and then determining which trees need to be removed first. Later this spring, residents with ash trees will be able to apply with the city for grants to cover half the costs of the tree removal.

No one was injured in a single-vehicle accident in the township of Canton on Wednesday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, a 23yr old from Thomasville, GA was traveling on Hwy JJ when she lost control and crashed in the ditch and rolled.  Emergency crews had to extricate the driver from the vehicle.   The driver said she was unable to slow down while going downhill and approaching a curve.  Weather and road conditions were a factor in the accident.

Eau Claire is the latest city to jump at the chance to get a passenger train. There was a meeting last night at the Chippewa Valley Technical College to talk about a proposed rail line to Minneapolis. The push is part of a larger, statewide effort to return Amtrak service throughout Wisconsin. Supporters hope to get some of the billions of dollars that the federal government has set aside for Amtrak service in the new infrastructure plan. If Wisconsin is chosen by the feds, it will be years however before Eau Claire or other cities will see new service.

A woman is pleading guilty to the murder of her baby.  The infant was found dead at the Methodist Campus Beach in Frontenac in 2003.  Fifty-year-old Jennifer Lynn Matter of Red Wing was charged with the boy's death last year after a DNA identification.  After admitting to the second-degree murder, Matter will be sentenced in April.

Utilities are asking certain Minnesota residents to reduce energy usage today because of a peak energy alert.  Members of the Dual Fuel Energy Management Program are being asked to make the changes between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.  This comes as a result of high demand on the regional electrical grid, affecting Freeborn-Mower Electric Cooperative in Albert Lea, MiEnergy Cooperative in Rushford, People's Energy Cooperative in Oronoco, and Heartland Power Cooperative in St. Ansgar.

Steven Avery's lawyers say new evidence in the case requires a new trial. His attorneys made the argument in their latest filing in the case. Avery is serving a life sentence for the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach, but his legal team says the state needs to re-open the case. His lawyer says another relative was seen with Hallbach's SUV near the time she was killed, and that evidence must be examined. Judges have repeatedly turned down Avery's requests for a new trial.

About half of voters in Wisconsin don't want the current president or the last president to run for office again. The latest Marquette Law School Poll says 48 percent of Republicans don't want Donald Trump to run for president in 2024, and 51 percent of Democrats don't want President Biden to run again either. The nearly 50-percent split comes even as the poll says both men are very popular with their base. The Marquette Poll says 70 percent of Republicans like Trump, and 83 percent of Democrats like Biden. The poll says if the two were to face off, it'd be a tie. Pollsters say both men would get 40 percent of the vote.

The University of Wisconsin Law School is the latest to drop out of the U.S. News & World Report rankings. The school yesterday said it won't participate in this year's rankings because the rankings make it more difficult for low-income students to get in. UW Law School Dean Dan Tokaji says the rankings push the school to hit the mark on LSATs and GPAs. He said that's not a good thing for legal education as a whole. UW is not alone in dropping out, many top law schools including Yale have made similar moves.

The Department of Military Affairs is looking at an equal pay lawsuit from the federal government. The Justice Department yesterday filed the suit in federal court in Madison. The suit claims the state offered a woman a job as Wisconsin Emergency Management's Director of the Bureau of Response and Recovery but offered her less than the nearly 80 thousand dollars the state was paying a man in a similar job. The lawsuit goes on to say that when the Department of Military Affairs finally filled the job, they paid a man more than what they offered the woman. The case dates back to 2016 and involves former Adjutant General Donald Dunbar who resigned back in 2019.

The police chief in Green Bay is reminding people not to mail him drugs. Chief Chris Davis says someone mailed him fentanyl and cocaine this week. The drugs were flagged by the Post Office before they ever got to the chief, but he says he was told about them right away. The chief says there was also a note explaining why the sender mailed the drugs. Chief Davis says there are better ways to handle unwanted drugs, like a drop-box at the police station. The chief says no one should ever mail drugs to anyone, let alone to him.

Republicans on the Legislature’s budget panel urge caution with a big surplus.  The Legislative Fiscal Bureau now projects state government will finish the current fiscal year with a $7.1 billion surplus, due to several factors including higher than previously expected tax revenues for the current fiscal year. And while Governor Tony Evers proposed nearly $1.3 billion in new initiatives in his State of the State address, Joint Finance Committee co-chairs, Senator Howard Marlein and Representative Mark Born, are cautious. Marklein noted the surplus was significantly impacted by one-time money from the federal government. Born said there are fiscal uncertainties ahead.  

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will hold a virtual listening session on wolf management, but can everyone take part? Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Kevin Krentz says many farmers in the areas most affected by wolves don’t have adequate broadband coverage to participate. The online public hearing is scheduled for February 7 at 4:00 PM. Public comments can also be submitted until the end of February, at D N R dot W I dot Gov. Search for Wolf Management Plan.

Governor Tony Evers is promising more shared revenue for Wisconsin counties and municipalities. Marathon County Board Chair Kurt Gibbs says that's refreshing news after years of declining revenues from Madison.  Gibbs notes that no matter what number the state comes up with, shared revenue will be split between all 72 counties and nearly two thousand townships, villages, and cities.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reminds motorists to give snowplows space while they clear the state’s roads.   A Facebook post from the agency says most winter crashes are caused by drivers going too fast for the conditions.  They urge motorists to slow down, be attentive, and stay at least 200 feet away from a snowplow.  The message comes after the January 20th death of a Milwaukee County snowplow driver that ran off the road.  The family of 71-year-old John Manka tells Fox 6 Milwaukee his truck was cut off by another driver before it crashed near I-41 and Beloit Road.

The USDA is unveiling new rules to prevent organic food crime, and two Minnesota farmers are partly responsible.  The department has tightened restrictions to prevent farmers from selling non-organic crops as organic.  This comes after Cottonwood County farmer James Wolf was indicted by the U.S. Attorney's office in Minnesota for allegedly making 46 million dollars off an organic fraud scheme from 2014 to 2021.  Wold pled not guilty.  His alleged conspirator Adam Clifford Olson is expected to plead not guilty during his first court appearance this week. 

Minnesotans are getting the opportunity to name the vehicles that help keep roads clear of snow.  The state Department of Transportation has opened voting for its Name a Snowplow contest.  Officials say they received more than ten thousand suggestions and have narrowed it down to the top 60.  Some of the names you can vote for include Ace of Blades, Han Snowlo, and Snow Force One.  Voting closes February 3rd.  The eight names selected will be distributed to snowplows in Minnesota's eight districts.

Local-Regional News Jan 26

 The Durand City Council has approved a resolution declaring the city's intention to operate the Tarrant Park Pool this year.    With the new pool project delayed until at least 2024, the council decided to pass the resolution and try to get an additional year out of the current pool.  The city will have to spend $11,200 to make repairs to re-open the pool, but according to Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren, the biggest concern is pea gravel is getting into the water lines at the pool.  Along with repairing the furnace and impeller, a new chlorine pump and ladders will also have to be installed before the season opens.  The city will have just over $3000 left to make any other repairs before the council would have to approve future repairs.

A Wausau woman, facing 5 charges in connection with a 2020 Pierce County fatal accident has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.  25yr old McKenna Fell plead guilty to a count of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle this week.  Authorities say on February 19 of 2020,  Fell was driving north on Hwy 63, crossed the center line, and crashed head-on with a southbound vehicle injuring a 91yr old man from Ellsworth and killing the passenger an 81yr old woman from Ellsworth.  Law enforcement found empty cans of alcoholic seltzer and prescription pill bottles in Fell's vehicle.  She will be sentenced in May.

UW-Eau Claire is once again hoping for a new science building in the next state budget. Chancellor James Schmidt says replacing Phillips Hall is one of his top priorities. The building is nearly 60 years old. Lawmakers gave UW-Eau Claire 100 million dollars back in 2019 to tear down and replace Phillips, but Schmidt says the school needs another 230 million to finish the work. He says inflation has forced prices and the cost of a new science building much higher.

A pair of adults in Barron County are looking at charges for running a 'party house' and tattooing two 15-year-olds. Prosecutors say 27-year-old Chase McCarty and 24-year-old Hannah Rhodes gave local teens alcohol and marijuana and let them get drunk or high at the house. The teens would sometimes do chores for the two. Investigators started looking into McCarty and Rhodes after one of the teenagers who partied with them said something to authorities about a six-year-old who lived at the house. During the investigation, detectives learned McCarty gave two 15-year-old tattoos without their parent's permission.

There's some fear that a powerful animal tranquilizer has made it into the drug supply in La Crosse. Authorities in the city are investigating nine deadly overdoses since the beginning of the year. The worry is that the animal tranquilizer xylazine, also known as 'tranq,' is now being included in fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in the city. Investigators say it will take a while to get the final toxicology reports on all nine overdoses, so they may not know anything for sure for weeks.

Forecasters are warning of much colder weather coming to Western Wisconsin and East Central  Minnesota this weekend.  The National Weather Service says colder air will move into the area Friday night, with temperatures below zero in the overnight hours.  Cloudy conditions are expected both Saturday and Sunday, and temperatures will be in the single digits during the day.  The service-added wind chills will be in the region of negative 20 to negative 30 next week. 

Wisconsin's DMV managers want to continue to allow some new drivers to skip their road test. The DMV yesterday suggested making its driving test waiver permanent. The DMV says 87 percent of new drivers since May of 2020, when the DMV closed because of the coronavirus, have been given a waiver.  That comes to over 108 thousand drivers. There are worries though. Some drivers ed teachers say not testing new drivers behind the wheel will make the roads more dangerous.

Wisconsin's record budget surplus is growing, again. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau yesterday said the surplus will now hit seven-point-one billion dollars this July. That's a half-billion dollars more than expected. Almost 90 percent of that increase comes from money that was set aside during the past two years but wasn't spent. Republican lawmakers yesterday once again said they, and their budget decisions, are responsible for Wisconsin's record surplus. Lawmakers and Governor Evers are now talking about what to do with that money.

A lot of people have changed their minds about the U.S. Supreme Court after the Dobbs decision. The latest Marquette Law School Poll shows the court's reputation has rebounded since last summer. Immediately after the Dobbs leak, pollsters say people said they lost faith in the high court. Back in July, 61 percent of people said they disapproved of the Supreme Court. In the poll released yesterday, that number was 53 percent. The change is more noticeable when you look at the gap between disapproval and approval. That gap was 23 points in July, it's just six points now.

Lawyers for the Oshkosh teen accused of stabbing a school resource officer back in 2019 are suggesting it may have been an attempt at suicide by cop. Yesterday saw a day full of testimony in Grant Fuhrman's trial. His lawyers questioned a police sergeant whether they thought Fuhrman wanted to harm himself when police say he stabbed a school resource officer with a bar-b-que fork. Fuhrman is now 20 and is looking at attempted homicide charges. His trial continues today.

Applications are now being accepted for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection's Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grants.  The grants are designed to help Wisconsin farms and businesses sell locally-grown food.  Up to 200-thousand dollars is being offered and applications are being accepted until March 31st.  More information is available on the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection website.

US Senator Tammy Baldwin wants to ensure that Americans will continue to get the money they need to afford health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Those grants were expanded under the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Wisconsin Democrat says they should stick around.  Baldwin says 13 percent more people were able to sign up for insurance on the Marketplace in 2022 thanks to the increase in grants.

The owner of an abandoned Milwaukee mall was found in contempt of court Tuesday.  Milwaukee County Judge William Sosnay makes the decision against the out-of-state owner of Northridge Mall, US Black Spruce Enterprise Group, for failing to secure the property.  The mall’s owner is appealing an order to raze the shuttered property.  Two-thousand-dollar-a-day fines assessed to the mall owner by the judge for failure to secure the decaying mall now total over $300,000.  Attorneys for the City of Milwaukee trying to move forward with plans to demolish the vacant mall have filed a motion to have the deed to Northridge given to them.  The job to tear the mall down would cost the city about $15 million, money the city says it doesn’t have.

A 15-year-old boy from Florida is arrested in connection with threats made at Portage High School earlier this month.  A possible active shooter threat was called into the school back on January 3rd and a 15-year-old girl was arrested three days later.  Now police say a 15-year-old boy from Sarasota, Florida has been linked to swatting calls in Canada, Washington, Indiana, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, including the one at Portage High School.  Police want him charged with terroristic threats.

Former Badger football player Marcus Randle El is heading to prison for the rest of his life for murder. A jury yesterday convicted him for the 2020 murders of two women. It took the jury just about two hours to find Randle El guilty. Prosecutors say Randle El killed the women because he thought they were stealing drugs from him. He'll be sentenced in May.

This year's United States Championship Cheese Contest will happen in Wisconsin.  Nearly 200 cheese makers will take to the Resch Expo in Green Bay on February 21st and 22nd for the 21st biennial competition.  Medals will be given out in 118 cheese categories.  The champion cheese announcement will be streamed live online on February 23rd.

Local-Regional News Jan 25

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on a resolution declaring the city will operate the Tarrant Park Pool this summer along with any capital expenditures for the pool, a resolution to vacate and discontinue portions of 10th avenue east and Hardy Street along with reports from the mayor and department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall.

An Alma woman is facing charges in connection to a fatal accident in the town of Nelson in May of 2022.    Buffalo County authorities filed homicide by vehicle and use of a controlled substance against 55yr old Jacqueline Britt in Buffalo County Court.  According to authorities, on May 31st,  Britt was northbound on  Highway 25 coming from Wabasha, crossed the centerline, and struck a southbound motorcycle on the Wabasha Bridge, killing the driver.  A blood test found evidence of methamphetamine.   Britt's next court appearance is March 8.

There's no word what the UW System's TikTok ban means for UW-Eau Claire, Stout, and River Falls. The UW-System yesterday said TikTok can no longer be used or installed on university-owned phones, laptops, and computers. There's a fear that TikTok's Chinese owners can spy on American users. But the university isn't saying just how many employees have university-owned cell phones, and there is no word how many of them actually use TikTok. Students will continue to be able to use TikTok if they like.

An escaped inmate from St. Croix County is back behind bars. The sheriff's office in Hudson says they found Brian Fern in Washington County, Minnesota yesterday. He walked away from the jail earlier in the day. Deputies say Fern had special privileges and was allowed to leave, but he didn't come back. New charges are likely coming against Fern.

There's a search for a long-missing woman in western Wisconsin. La Crosse Police are asking for help in finding 37-year-old Jennifer Peterson. Investigators say her family hasn't heard from her since September. She was living in La Crosse at the time, but she may have moved. Her pictures are online, and police are asking anyone who knows anything about her whereabouts to please contact them.

Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity hopes to convert a two-story classroom wing of Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire into affordable housing for veterans.  Officials said a $1.14 million federal grant should help them purchase the property from Grace Lutheran.  Habitat would then retrofit the classrooms and offices into 10 to 14 condominiums for veterans who are experiencing homelessness or are soon-to-be homeless.  If the project is approved, construction could begin this summer.

Tax season has officially started as the Internal Revenue Service has started taking digital tax returns. IRS Spokesman Christopher Miller says most Americans qualify to file their taxes online for free. You can find out more online at I R S dot Gov. This year's tax filing deadline is April 18th.

Wisconsin's governor is sticking with his theme of more. Governor Tony Evers last night used his state of the state speech to push for billions in new spending. The governor says he wants to spend two billion dollars more on public schools in the state, and earmark 20 percent of the state's sales tax to spend more on local government. The governor says Wisconsin is in the best fiscal shape ever, and he wants to spend some of the state's record six-point-six billion-dollar surplus. The Republicans who control the state legislature say the governor is asking for too much.

Minnesota school counselors are urging lawmakers to allocate funding for mental health teams.  A counselor testified at Capitol yesterday in front of the Senate Education Finance Committee.  She says the need for team mental health care has increased since the pandemic began.  The American School Counselor Association ranks Minnesota fourth-worst in the nation for counselor-to-student ratios.

A Central Wisconsin man who went on a statewide crime spree is sentenced Friday to a year and a half in prison.   Prosecutors say Curtis Mallory of Babcock stole a truck in Wisconsin Dells in December of 2019.  He then headed to Wauwatosa where police report he broke into two homes. Police finally caught up with Mallory during his attempt to commit a burglary in Whitefish Bay.   Mallory pleaded guilty in August of last year to charges of driving or operating a vehicle without the owner's consent and carrying a concealed knife, while a burglary charge was dismissed. He was also sentenced to two years of extended supervision. 

Democratic lawmakers at the Wisconsin Capitol continue to ask for a spring vote on abortion. A group of Democrats Monday again said Republicans are refusing to budge on the state's 1849 abortion law. A similar group of Democrats made a similar request last week. In order for an advisory referendum to make the statewide ballot in April, the Republicans who control the legislature would have to agree to a ballot question. That's not likely to happen because many Republicans are happy with the state's current abortion law. The Democrats say they're not giving up.

The Minnesota House is advancing legislation that would extend unemployment benefits for laid-off mining workers.  The measure passed Monday and would offer an additional 26 weeks of benefits for over 400 workers laid off from Northshore Mining's facilities in Silver Bay and Babbit.  The extension would also apply to workers from associated businesses offering goods and services to Northshore, especially the explosive manufacturing industry.  The Senate approved the bill earlier this month, which is now headed to Governor Walz's desk for signature.

January is National Radon Action Month. Jessica Maloney is with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services says radon is colorless, odorless, and it's radioactive, and it enters buildings through cracks and foundations, sump crocks, and utility lines. And radon decays pretty quickly and gives off radioactive particles. And it causes lung cancer.  You can find out about radon testing and mitigation on the DHS website.  

An investigation's underway after Madison police say over six-thousand dollars worth of lottery tickets are stolen from a gas station on the near east side.  Police say two men wearing facemasks broke into the BP on Sherman Avenue Saturday night.  They say one of the suspects held a worker at gunpoint while the other stole cash and lottery tickets.  So far the suspects haven't been found.

A missing corpse from Rockford has been located in Chicago.   The weird saga began on Saturday when Rockford police tweeted that a funeral home van...with a body inside.... was stolen. The next day, the van was found abandoned in Chicago....without the corpse.   But then late Monday, police gave an update that the body, which was that of a 47-year-old man, was found. Apparently, it was not covered in a bag - it was just dumped on the street. The search for the suspect continues.

Local-Regional News Jan 24

The City of Durand has received an urban forestry grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to remove ash trees from the city.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the grant will pay for 50% of the cost of tree removal.  Property owners are responsible for any trees that need to be removed that are on city boulevards.  Milliren says there are no plans to replace the ash trees at this time.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include a discussion on the public service commission broadband grant agreement with Ntec, a review of the parking regulations for the city, and reports from the mayor and department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

Improvements are coming to Arkansaw Creek Park.  The Pepin County Board approved spending $25000 in ARPA money for repairs and updates to both the upper and lower Arkansaw Creek parks.  New equipment would be installed along with other updates.  The Arkansaw Fur Fish and Game Club is also spending $25000 toward the updates.

The City of Wabasha is seeking Lifeguards & Water Safety Instructors (WSI) and Front Desk Attendants for the 2023 Operating Season at the Wabasha City Pool. Lifeguards must meet the minimum age requirements and possess or obtain American Red Cross Lifeguard/First Aid/CPR Certifications, WSI Instructors must meet the minimum age requirements and possess or obtain WSI certification.   Front desk attendants must be of legal age.   Contact Wabasha City Hall for more information.

An Altoona teen who sped away from police last August with more than a pound of marijuana in his car won't be spending any time behind bars A judge in Eau Claire yesterday sentenced 18-year-old Cesar Cruz-Ramirez to two years probation. The sentence came as part of a plea deal that saw felony drug charges dropped. Police found a pound-and-a-half f marijuana in Cruz-Ramirez's car.

Today is the last day for COVID testing at CVTC. Eau Claire City-County Health Department says tests will be available til 6 p.m. this evening. No one is offering a reason for the closure, but the demand for testing is nowhere near what it used to be, and there are other testing clinics that will remain open. The latest COVID report from the state shows low coronavirus levels in Eau Claire County.

The cost to mail a letter has gone up.  The US Postal Service raised the price of stamps by 3 cents to 63 cents on Sunday.  First-class mail is just over 4% more expensive.  One-ounce metered mail now costs 60 cents, and domestic postcards are 48 cents.  The U.S. Postal Service announced the increases in October.

We're going to get an update on the state of Wisconsin tonight. Governor Evers is set to deliver his State of the State speech from the State Capitol. The State of the State speech is one of the governor's two big speeches to lawmakers, the other will be his budget speech next week. The governor is not yet saying what he is going to speak about. Republicans at the Capitol will have their own address after the governor's speech tonight.

Wisconsin's attorney general is offering schools some safety training. A-G Josh Kaul's office yesterday announced a new round of Standard Response Protocol and Standard Reunification Method training. The idea is to help schools learn what to do in an emergency, then help schools reunite kids with their parents afterward. Kaul says the hope is to make sure that schools across the state have a 'comprehensive toolkit' if they ever need it.

There could be hundreds of layoffs coming at a battery factory in Portage. The union for workers at Energizer's plants in Portage and Fennimore says more than 600 people could lose their jobs if the two plants consolidate. Portage Mayor Mitchel Craig says he's talking with Governor Evers about some state help to keep the two plants open. Fennimore's mayor says nothing is final yet. There's no word when the plants could merge, or when layoffs could be announced.

The University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel is resigning from the board of directors of Securian Financial.  Gabel announced her resignation from that board yesterday after informing the Board of Regents.  The company has more than a billion dollars in business with the university.  Her decision came after the governor, state attorney general, and other high-profile officials expressed concern over the arrangement. 

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A company that operates a Dodge County wind farm is looking at what caused part the collapse of a wind turbine there.  The blades and top portion of the turbine fell Wednesday night.  It was located at the Butler Ridge wind farm near the town of Herman.  The collapse of the turbine, which the National Weather Services says stands about 400 feet above the ground, leaving a scattering of massive pieces of debris, as well as a crater in the ground from the impact.  A statement from the company that owns the turbine, NextEra Energy Resources, says they believe “this was an isolated incident as turbine malfunctions are rare.”  They add they’re working to determine “the cause of the turbine failure and assess other turbines on site as a quality-control measure.”

Workers on strike since last May at CNH Industrial in Racine approve a new contract Saturday. The United Auto Workers announce the approval of the deal with the ag equipment and heavy equipment maker two weeks after turning down a previous offer that proposed raises of 28- to 38 percent over four years.  The company’s workers stayed on the picket lines, saying that pay increases offered by their employer would be eaten up by inflation and increasing health insurance costs. Back in early May, CNH employees turned down an 18.5% pay increase for those same reasons.

Don't expect much relief in the price of eggs until producers bring prices down. Wisconsin Grocers Association president Brandon Scholz says wholesale prices from major egg companies have forced the current high prices at your local grocery stores.   Scholz recommends looking around for better prices where you can and considering store brands or private label brands to see if those prices are lower. 

The latest march for abortion access at the Wisconsin Capitol came with a lot of talk about the past, and more talk about the future. The latest Women's March in Madison brought hundreds of people to the statehouse yesterday. They were there for what would have been the 50th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. A lot of people in the crowd talked about this spring's election for Wisconsin Supreme Court. They hope that electing a liberal justice will end Wisconsin's near-total ban on abortions that goes back to 1849.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is unveiling another portion of his two-year spending plan.  The Democrat has slowly rolled out his proposed budget in sections.  Today's focuses on health and safety with major investments in healthcare access and equity, housing stability, and criminal justice reform.  That includes 300 million to improve public safety, 100 million to support affordable housing efforts, and 22 million to mitigate substance abuse.  Walz will debut his full spending plan tomorrow.

A wild turkey is terrorizing residents in a northern Minneapolis suburb.  The bird has called a Coon Rapids mobile home park home since Thanksgiving of 2021, but neighbors say it's become more aggressive in recent months.  Rachael Gross told CBS Minnesota the turkey attacks her everyday and tries to get into her house.  The State Department of Natural Resources says trapping and relocating the bird isn't an option and suggests all residents should "be bold" and assert dominance to get rid of it. 

Local-Regional News Jan 23

 A home invasion and stolen car report in Menomonie ended with the suspect being shot dead. The sheriff in Dunn County says a man broke into an apartment in Menomonie last night, fired a gun, and stole a car. A few hours later officers spotted that car and pulled it over. That's when the sheriff says authorities shot and killed the suspect. A Dunn County deputy along with an unspecified number of officers from the Menomonie Police Department have been placed on leave because of the shooting. The state's Department of Justice is now investigating the case.

It's a reminder that this winter's ice isn't as strong as in years past. The sheriff in Goodhue County, says six trucks fell through the ice on their side of Lake Pepin over the weekend. The trucks were parked on the ice because there weren't any parking spots on the beach. No one was hurt, and deputies say they towed all six trucks out of the water. This winter has been warmer than last, and DNR managers say fishermen need to be aware of the ice when they head out.

Home sales continue to fall in Western Wisconsin.  Winter is traditionally the slowest time of the year for home sales.  According to the Wisconsin Realator Association, home sales herein Western Wisconsin for December of 2022 were down 26% compared to December of 2021.    Buffalo County reported 10 home sales in December, Dunn County 35, Pepin County 1, and Pierce County 26 homes were sold in December.  The median price of a home in Western Wisconsin rose 2% to $255,000.

Broadband will be coming to southern and Western Pepin County.  Last week the Pepin County Board approved spending $160,000 of ARPA toward broadband expansion for Stockholm, Frankfort, and Pepin.  The money is contingent upon Pierce-Pepin Cooperative Services receiving a grant from the FCC for the expansion. 

Western Wisconsin's new congressman wants to be the 'cheese king of Congress.' Congressman Derrick Van Orden was named to the House Committee on Agriculture last week. He's the first Wisconsin member of that committee in nearly a decade. Van Orden says he wants to make sure dairy farmers are protected in the next farm bill. He said he wants to be an expert on dairy for Congress as that new bill is written.

Wisconsin gas prices are on the rise thanks to high demand.  Triple-A says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Wisconsin is three dollars and 19 cents.  That's up six cents from last Friday.  In Western Wisconsin, gas is three-24, up about 10 cents from last week.  Triple-A says gas prices are up because more people are driving because of the mild winter.

The Wisconsin Senate is ready to vote on the governor's appointees. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu last week said he is sending over 200 appointees to state against, boards, and commissions to the Senate for up-or-down votes. The nominees will first have a hearing in front of a statehouse committee. The Senate didn't approve any of the governor's major nominees during his first term. Le Mahieu was quick to say that just because they are getting a vote, that doesn't mean the appointees will be approved.

Wisconsin's governor is going to lay out his plan for the state. Governor Tony Evers will deliver his State of the State speech tomorrow night. There's no official preview, but the governor will likely talk about finding more money for local schools and local governments in Wisconsin. Much like his inauguration speech, he's also expected to talk about restoring abortion access in Wisconsin. Republican leaders at the Capitol are also set to deliver a response tomorrow night. The governor will speak at 7 p.m., and the Republicans will speak after that.

There's a fight about yard signs in Neenah. A number of folks have signs in their yard fighting the rezoning of a local middle school. Leaders say city rules only allow signs for 30 days in every 90-day period. Neenah wants the signs removed. But the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty says there's a free speech question to answer. WILL says Neenah's sign rules regulate content and should be struck down. WILL is threatening to sue. Neighbors near the middle school say they simply want to protect their neighborhood from over-development.

Minnesota Democrats are proposing billions of dollars in new spending for education.  Governor Walz is asking the Legislature to invest more than 700 million in additional general public school funding over the next two years.  Annual boosts would be tied to inflation, amounting to a nearly one-point-five billion dollar funding increase for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years.  Walz's plan also includes more than 700 million over the next two years to pay for special education services and around 200 million a year for free meals for all students. 

Wisconsin's Emergency Rental Assistance program will stop taking applications in ten days.  The state Department of Administration said on Friday that January 31st will be the last day for applications.  The program has helped thousands of households with rent, utility, water, and internet bills.  Funding for the program is running out and benefits will be paid as remains available.  The Department of Administration said priority will be given to households facing imminent eviction.

The Teamsters Union says it will fight Energizer's plans to close its plants in Portage and Fennimore.  Energizer has notified workers it intends to close both plants in the next year to two.  The Teamsters Union represents nearly 600 workers at the two plants and said on Thursday it will fight the company's plans to move some jobs to a non-union plant in North Carolina and others overseas.  As of Thursday afternoon, Energizer had not filed layoff notices with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

The man convicted of killing a University of Wisconsin-Madison student over 14 years ago will spend the rest of his life in prison.  Today David Kahl was sentenced to life in prison for the 2008 murder of 21-year-old Brittany Zimmerman, who was found dead in her apartment on West Doty Street.  Kahl wasn't charged in the case until 2020 and he pleaded guilty back in October.  He'll have a chance to petition for release after 20 years.

A Belgian foreign exchange student at a West Allis high school is unable to compete as a gymnast for the school.  The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association says Ana Glineur cannot be a member of the Nathan Hale High School varsity gymnastics team because the WIAA says she violated rules for direct placement, which requires a year of ineligibility from competition unless a transfer student’s parents also change residence.  Students at the school started an online petition to allow Glineur to compete.  The petition already has more than 2,600 signatures. 

Wisconsin voters will be able to weigh in on a proposed constitutional amendment on bail reform as part of the April statewide ballot. The measure will allow judges to consider past convictions of those charged with crimes when setting bail. Lawmakers also approved an advisory referendum that will ask whether childless, able-bodied adults should be required to look for work in order to receive state welfare benefits.

A Minneapolis healthcare provider is being ordered to pay over a million dollars in back wages and damages.  The U.S. Department of Labor found Minnesota Living Assistance Inc. failed to pay workers overtime wages and didn't keep proper payroll records.  A collective one-point-six million dollars will be distributed to 136 employees. 

Local-Regional News Jan20

 The Pepin County Board has approved using $125,000 in ARPA money for improvements at Holden Park.  The money will go toward installing new restrooms and drinking water for the campground.  Land Conservations is working on securing a Wisconsin DNR Grant to cover the rest of the cost of the project.  Last year saw an increase in camping at the park with a $10,000 increase in revenue generated.

A River Falls man is facing prison time after he allegedly abused a woman for years.   According to the US Department of Justice, 29yr old Austin Koeckeritz used threats of force and coercion to cause a woman to engage in forced labor for nearly two years.    According to Pierce County Authorities, Koeckeritz forced the woman to make sexually explicit videos and imprisoned the woman in a room, and took all the money from the videos.  If convicted he faces 20yrs in prison.  His next court appearance is next week.

There's an investigation into a jail death in La Crosse County. Guards found a 28-year-old man unresponsive in his cell early yesterday morning. The inmate was rushed to the hospital but later died. La Crosse County's sheriff has tapped the sheriff in Trempealeau County to handle the investigation.

Eau Claire Schools say their nearly 100 million-dollar tax hike won't be as expensive as first thought. The city's school district yesterday said homeowners in Eau Claire will save about 200 bucks off the original expectation. Eau Claire Schools sold the tax hike for school improvements with a price tag of an extra 80 dollars in property taxes for the next 20 years. Yesterday, the district said that price tag will actually be an extra 70 dollars over the next 19 years.

The top Republican in the Wisconsin Senate says switching to a flat tax will likely mean Wisconsin won't have to raise other taxes. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu yesterday said eliminating Wisconsin's personal income tax altogether would likely mean a tax increase somewhere else. LeMahieu said moving the state to a flat tax, however, would likely mean that lawmakers could keep the state's sales and other taxes where they are. LeMahieu this week introduced his plan to move Wisconsin to a flat three-and-a-quarter percent personal income tax by 2026. He says Wisconsin has plenty of money in its six-point-six billion-dollars surplus to afford that kind of a tax cut.

Wisconsin's largest business group says most companies are expecting a recession this year. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce released its latest Employer Survey yesterday. The survey says 39 percent of employers rated the Wisconsin economy as strong or very strong. That is a five-point drop from the summer, and well below the 53 percent who said the economy was strong just a year ago. WMC's Kurt Bauer says just 25 percent of bosses in Wisconsin expect the economy in this country to grow over the next year. Bauer says high prices and a worker shortage remain the biggest problems for Wisconsin companies.

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association announces its policy priorities for the year ahead. The industry group wants the Legislature to increase state funding for an ag exports program and grants for dairy processors. A press release notes lawmakers in the previous budget cycle allocated $400,000 for the Dairy Processor Grant program. The Association is seeking an annual allocation of up to $1 million per year. The producers also want more for the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports, a five-year, $5 million effort launched in 2021.

Wisconsin’s Attorney General announces a new statewide, multi-agency task force to support survivors of human trafficking.  Josh Kaul was in Milwaukee Wednesday to introduce the Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, led by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and Project Respect.  Kaul says the collaboration will bring law enforcement and victim service providers together to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases at the federal and local levels.  The effort is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime.

Voters will decide if they want to change how bail works in Wisconsin. The State Assembly yesterday approved the constitutional amendment that will allow judges to consider more things, specifically a suspect's criminal history when deciding whether to let them out of jail. Republican lawmakers say the idea is to protect communities and keep dangerous people behind bars. Democrats say the plan would criminalize being poor. Voters will have their say in April.

Wisconsin is opening the lakes and rivers to anyone with a fishing pole this weekend. This is a free fishing weekend from the Department of Natural Resources. Fishermen can head out tomorrow and Sunday without a license or stamps for trout and salmon. The DNR says the idea is to allow people a chance to experience the joy of fishing. There is a warning though, the DNR says this winter's warm weather has left the ice on many of the state's lakes and ponds thin. They say to be careful if you plan to ice fish this weekend.

The Minnesota House is advancing a bill that would secure abortion rights as part of state law.  The House approved the Protect Reproductive Options Act last night, with one DFLer and all Republicans voting against it.  The bill would bind the right to abortion into state law and provide access to other reproductive services.  The legislation was introduced in response to the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade last year.  The bill must still be approved by the state Senate and may be signed by Governor Walz within a week.

Minnesota's COVID-19 trends are staying stable even with the presence of new variants.  The state's pandemic update released yesterday showed under 400 inpatient cases for the first time since mid-October.  Health officials say the state didn't experience an expected surge in cases over the holidays.  The state's flu numbers are declining.

 Wisconsin's largest business group is not surprised the state is in the bottom tier when it comes to starting a new business. WalletHub released a new survey this week that ranks Wisconsin 37th in the nation for starting a new business. Scott Manley with Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce says that should be expected. He says small businesses don't pay corporate tax rates, they pay personal income tax rates, and he says Wisconsin has the 10th highest personal income tax in the country. Manley says Wisconsin's other costs and the state's worker shortage doesn't help either. Utah, Florida, and Texas are the top three states to start a new business according to the WalletHub list. While West Virginia, Connecticut, and Alaska are the bottom three states.

Harley-Davidson is putting together a big celebration for its 120th anniversary.  The motorcycle maker announces Homecoming Festival events to happen July 13th through the 16th to celebrate the company’s anniversary.  Those events will happen at venues across the Milwaukee area, including the Harley-Davidson Museum, and Veterans Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront, with family-friendly activities and music from headliners Foo Fighters and Green Day on the 14th and 15th.  Harley-Davidson Museum Vice-President Bill Davidson tells Fox 6 Milwaukee the event is going to be spectacular.

The FBI is now offering a 25-thousand dollar reward for information that leads to an arrest in last year's arson at a Madison pro-life organization.  The Wisconsin Family Action building caught on fire and was vandalized last May, and the FBI determined Molotov cocktails were thrown into the building.  The FBI says a person that brings forward information that leads to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the suspects will qualify for the reward.  Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI Office in Milwaukee.

Governor Tim Walz [[ walls ]] is unveiling his spending plan for Minnesota's workforce.  The Democrat has been releasing his two-year overall budget in stages.  Today's announcement includes a more than four-billion-dollar economic proposal and a 100-million-dollar agriculture budget.  Some of the initiatives include establishing a Paid Family and Medical Leave program, funding small business programs, and supporting the preservation of land and water resources.  This comes a few days after Walz introduced a 12-billion-dollar proposal to boost education and end child poverty in the state.

 Officials say they offered help to people living in one of Minneapolis' largest homeless encampments before clearing it out.  The Minnesota Department of Transportation cleared the encampment near Currie Park in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood yesterday.  The move came a week after a 27-year-old was shot and killed in the area.  MnDOT officials said it wasn't "a safe place for human beings to live."  They claim to have offered residents contact information for organizations that can help them and offered to store their personal belongings. 

Wisconsin is middle of the pack when it comes to states where unemployment claims are decreasing the most.  WalletHub ranks Wisconsin 18th this week compared to last week's unemployment claims.  WalletHub says Wisconsin has 42 unemployment claims per 100-thousand workers.

Local-Regional News Jan 19

 The WRDN Listening area is under a Winter Storm Warning. The National Weather Service says heavy, wet snow will blanket the area. Forecasters expect up to seven inches of snow by the time the storm is done. The Weather Service is leaving the Winter Storm Warning in place til 3 p.m. this afternoon. Wis-DOT and local road crews are asking people to stay home if they can today.  The City of Durand is under a snow emergency and that means no parking on city streets, with the exception of downtown until the street is plowed from curb to curb.

Pepin County has agreed to use $25,000 of ARPA funds toward handicap accessibility for the Tarrant Park Pool.  The County Board approved the resolution last night.  The board decided that for the money to be used, the pool project must be underway by March of 2024 or the money will be reallocated for another project.  Also last night, Elizabeth Bauer was appointed as the District 6 County Board Supervisor to replace Tessa King who resigned from the board.

It's just two months in prison for a western Wisconsin man who tried to have sex with a 13-year-old in Eau Claire. A judge yesterday sentenced 25-year-old Jay Lee to two months in jail and five years probation. Lee answered an online message from someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl, but was actually a state investigator. He was arrested after he went to an Eau Claire park to meet up for sex. Lee will have to register as a sex offender for the next 15 years.

Probation for a Boyceville man accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a child.  Austin Stuart was charged in 2021 with 5 counts of repeated sexual assault of a child and one count of sexual assault of a child.  On Wednesday, he pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of 3rd-degree sexual assault, and the other charges were dismissed.  Dunn County Judge Luke Wagner placed Stuart on probation for five years. He also ordered him to register as a sex offender.

Somebody gave Altoona's public library 10 thousand dollars. The library announced the anonymous donation yesterday. Library director Arin Wilken says the money will most likely be spent on new self-checkout machines. She says adding a self-checkout option will free up overwhelmed clerks at the library.

An investigation is underway after an inmate died in the Olmsted County Jail in Rochester.  Russell Simon Junior was discovered not breathing on Monday during a routine well-being check.  Life-saving efforts were performed before the inmate was pronounced dead.  Simon was being held on assault charges in the jail facility.

The body of a missing woman has been found in Monroe County.  According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Department, the body of 50yr ol Felicia Wanna was found during a search on Wednesday morning.  Wanna was last seen on December 29th and the death investigation is active and ongoing.

If you shop at Hy-Vee and eat pot roast, you're going to want to check your fridge. Hy-Vee yesterday recalled pot roast dinners because some of them may contain an allergen. The worry is that the label does not include all of the possible ingredients. The meals were all produced between Dec. 26th of last year and Tuesday. You can find the exact UPC codes at Hy-Vee's website. If you have one of the recalled meals, you can take it back to the store.

One of Wisconsin's Republican members of the Elections Commission says he has no plans to resign. A group of Democrats yesterday demanded Bob Spindell resign or be fired. They are upset with what he said about voter turnout in Milwaukee. Spindell told Republican leaders in the state that they should be proud that outreach efforts in Milwaukee convinced some voters not to vote for Democrats last fall. The Democratic lawmakers say that's voter suppression. Spindell says it's voter outreach.

A Wausau area man accused of having inappropriate contact with children at a daycare facility will go to trial  Shawn Wilde entered a not-guilty plea to a dozen charges including five counts of first-degree sexual assault involving someone under the age of 13. Wilde is accused of inappropriately touching and photographing the girls while telling them they were playing a "Game" that he had invented. Additionally, one of the alleged victims said he would sometimes photograph them with props. A judge also bound him over for trial as part of Tuesday's hearing, further court action against him is pending. If found guilty he could face well over 140 years in prison.

The State Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in a case over the use of ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. In 2019, Aurora Health refused to administer ivermectin to John Zingsheim, after his family got a prescription for it from outside of the Aurora network. The FDA and most major medical groups maintain that ivermectin is ineffective against COVID. His nephew, Allen Gahl, sued the hospital to force the treatment, and a local court sided with him. The appeals court ruled in favor of Aurora, saying the courts had no legal authority to force doctors to perform medical treatments. Gahl's attorney says this is a case about personal freedoms.

A Marathon County man pled guilty to first-degree intentional homicide on Tuesday.  David Morris was handed the mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole for stabbing Renee Hindes (HIND-us) in the spring of 20-21 at a Weston Apartment, then threatening police with the knife as they responded to the scene. Morris, who was shot by officers but survived, will also pay five thousand dollars into the crime victims fund and will pay court costs. The plea deal saw a handful of other charges, including false imprisonment and a count of battery by prisoners, dismissed but read in. Morris has been held at the Dodge Correctional Institute while awaiting trial, it's unclear if that is also where he will serve his sentence.

There are new fish consumption advisories being posted for the Yahara chain near Madison, and some lakes in Central Wisconsin.  The DNR is recommending people limit the amount of fish they eat from the Yahara chain of lakes, Lake Wausau, and the Lake Du Bay chain. DNR Toxicologist Sean Strom says new testing in those areas shows increased PFAS contamination in popular fish like bass, crappies, and walleyes. You can find full fish advisories online at DNR dot WI dot Gov, and search for "Eating Your Catch"

Waukesha's police chief is looking at a fine for bringing his gun to Milwaukee's airport. The sheriff in Milwaukee says TSA stopped Chief Dan Thompson yesterday morning when they found his loaded pistol in his bag. Thompson says he forgot the pistol was there. He was fined just under 770 dollars, and allowed to board his flight. The chief says he was on his way to a conference to talk about Waukesha's response to the Christmas Parade attack and did not double-check his bag before heading to the airport.

 A judge now has 90 days to decide if a former Minneapolis cop convicted of the murder of George Floyd will get a new trial.  The lawyers for Derek Chauvin appeared in court to argue the location of the original trial and a juror who attended a march related to the case should be grounds for a new trial.  Chauvin's trial was held in Minneapolis and his attorneys said that meant he didn't get a fair trial.  Meanwhile, the state claimed Chauvin was treated fairly and all jurors were vetted.  Chauvin received a 22-and-a-half-year state sentence and a more than a 20-year federal sentence.

Madison is one of the top metropolitan areas for STEM professionals.  WalletHub ranks Madison 9th compared to the 100 largest metros in the country.  WalletHub uses over 20 key metrics for its rankings and puts Madison in the top 20 in many of them.  WalletHub says the top metro for STEM professionals is Seattle, Washington.

Local-Regional News Jan 18

 The Pepin County Board is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include the appointment of a county board supervisor for District 6, a discussion of expenditure of ARPA funds for the Pierce-Pepin Broadband grant, the Holden Park Drinking water and restroom projects, the Arkansaw Creek Park update, Durand Swimming Pool Accessibility and Programmable Message Boards. Tonight's meeting begins at 7pm at the Government Center in Durand.

The Dunn County Board is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include a presentation by the Chippewa-St. Croix Rail Commission on proposed passenger rail services between Eau Claire and the Twin Cities, discussion of the proposed Tainter Lake Rehabilitation District Order, and reports from department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 7pm at the Dunn County Government Center in Menomonie.

Forecasters say the Chippewa Valley could see as much as eight inches of snow before this next round of winter weather is over. The National Weather Service has a Winter Storm Warning for the WRDN Listing area from tonight through tomorrow afternoon. Forecasters expect heavy, wet snow to fall overnight and into tomorrow. The Weather Service says the drive to work and school tomorrow could be tricky.

The woman accused of running a house of prostitution out of her Eau Claire massage parlors won't be spending any time behind bars. A judge yesterday sentenced Dongmei Greer to two years probation yesterday. Police arrested Greer back in 2019 after they say her employees at the Angel Massage and Lucky Massage parlors were performing sex acts for money. Greer pleaded no contest in the case.

A Kentucky truck driver will be sentenced in April in a St. Croix County crash that killed a child.  Michael Duvick, from Kentucky, reached a deal with prosecutors Tuesday in the case of the 2019 crash on I-94 near Roberts.  The nearly four-year-old girl who died was a passenger in a van. The driver said Duvick came into her lane while passing, forcing her into the guardrail. She said she had honked at him, and one of her kids said he displayed his middle finger and mouthed the words "eff you." Other drivers say Duvick was speeding and switching lanes back and forth to pass other vehicles. Tuesday he pleaded guilty to homicide by negligent driving in return for the dismissal of six other charges. He faces up to ten years in prison at sentencing.

We Energies receiving numerous reports from customers in northwestern Wisconsin of damage to natural gas equipment caused by falling ice and snow.  Melting snow and ice can slide off your roof and damage your natural gas meter, which can cause a loss of service or a gas leak. Use recommended tools, such as a roof rake, to remove snow buildup on your roof to help prevent this damage from happening.  To avoid problems,  Remove snow from areas above natural gas equipment, remove icicles that may drip water onto the meter,   Don’t kick or hit the meter to break away built-up snow or ice, and use a broom to gently brush snow and melted ice off the meter.   If you smell a natural gas odor, leave the house immediately and call our natural gas emergency number at 800-261-5325.

Voters in Eau Claire will see a question about changing the state's abortion law on their ballot this spring. The county board last night approved a non-binding referendum on Wisconsin's 1849 abortion law. Voters in Eau Claire won't change anything with their vote in April, the question is advisory only. Critics say the abortion vote is simply a way to get more Democratic voters to the polls. Supporters say they want to send a message to state lawmakers.

Voters in Wisconsin will almost certainly see a question about bail reform and welfare-to-work on the spring ballot, but they won't see anything about abortion from the State Capitol. Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate yesterday approved a proposed constitutional amendment that will change how bail works in the state. They also okayed an advisory question that asks if people on welfare should have to work in order to keep their benefits. The Senate ignored Governor Evers' request to add a referendum on abortion to the spring ballot. Democrats accused Republicans of playing political games.

There's now a proposal to send voters a text when their local clerk gets their absentee ballot. The plan from Republicans David Steffen and Rachael Cabral-Guevara would create a notification system for people who vote absentee in the state. Steffen says some voters don't trust their ballot in the mail, he says adding an extra layer of security could calm those fears. The two want to roll the notification system into the state's MyVote system. They say they can set up a text message service for just about 25 thousand dollars a year.

There's a lawsuit over open records and Madison Metropolitan Schools. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty filed the lawsuit yesterday. WILL's lawyers say Madison Metropolitan Schools have ignored their request for information about small instructional groups for nearly a year. Wisconsin law says governments need to respond to open records requests 'without delay.' WILL says the small instructional groups discriminate against some students, and lawyers want to see Madison's full policy for the groups. The city's school district says there was never a policy for small instructional groups, and says the piece that WILL objected to was changed long ago.

Minnesota school districts are phasing out options for online school attendance.  Virtual education at the pre-K through 12th-grade levels has been offered by a number of schools since the COVID-19 lockdowns began.  Options for parents who want their children to continue learning online are being severely limited as the pandemic wanes.  Online education options nearly doubled in Minnesota between the fall of 2020 and this year.

Minnesota Lawmakers are considering a funding bill for the Minnesota Attorney General's Office.  Attorney General Keith Ellison asked legislators at a House committee hearing yesterday for an additional four-million dollars over the next two years.  The money would be used to hire just over a half-dozen attorneys and two paralegals to assist counties with prosecuting serious crimes.  Ellison says many counties don't have the staff or expertise to handle a major case.  Two dozen of the state's county attorney offices have two or fewer attorneys on staff.

The Sheriff’s Office in Marathon County points out an increase in citations issued for motorists not obeying bus laws.  A Facebook post from the department says they’ve spoken with a few local bus companies which say roughly 20 violations occur in Marathon County each week.  The sheriff’s office estimates if that volume holds true for other bus companies across the county, “the number of violations each week would increase exponentially.”  The department states in the post the laws are in place for everyone’s safety and to prevent a child from being struck, and they add a reminder that most school buses are equipped with cameras that help to capture license plate information of vehicles that commit violations.

Richland County residents plead to keep the University of Wisconsin's Richland campus open. The UW System President announced in November that the campus would cease all in-person instruction by this summer, citing low enrollment. Critics have repeatedly fought back, claiming that the issue is more about a lack of funding and staffing. On Monday, State Senator Howard Marklein of Spring Green and State Representative Tony  Kurtz of Wonewoc heard from dozens of Richland Center residents about the impact the closure will have on the community.

Wisconsin Democrats want an advisory referendum on ballots this April that will ask people if they think Wisconsin's abortion ban should be lifted.  Governor Tony Evers held a press conference with party leaders this morning to make the announcement.  Evers says recent polling shows a majority of people in Wisconsin support abortion rights.  However, because it's an advisory question the law wouldn't change even if it makes it to ballots and passes.

The University of St. Thomas has just received the largest single donation to a Minnesota college or university.  Lee and Penny Anderson of Naples, Florida, donated 75 million dollars to the school.  Officials say they'll use the funds to build a multi-use arena on their St. Paul campus.  It'll be named The Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. 

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is unveiling a twelve-million-dollar spending plan to boost education and end child poverty in Minnesota.  The Democrat is releasing his two-year overall budget in stages, starting today with his plans for children, families, and education.  The proposal includes the state's largest-ever investment in public education and thousands of dollars in tax breaks for childcare costs.  In a statement, Walz said the budget will allow every student access to a world-class education. 

Country music fans in Wisconsin may want to watch the latest Dustin Lynch video, because they may be in it. Lynch's video for his song Stars Like Confetti was shot at Country Jam in Eau Claire. There are a number of crowd shots, and fans can be seen in the video. Lynch dropped the video last week. Country Jam is one of the largest country music festivals in the state. It is coming back to Eau Claire this July.

Local-Regional News Jan 17

 A Spring Valley man is dead after a rollver accident in  the Town of Cady on Sunday.  According to the St. Croix County Sheriffs Department, 55yr old  Timothy Boardman was traveling westbound on Hwy 29 and left the roadway near Hwy 128.  His vehicle rolled over and Boardman was ejected from the vehicle and trapped under it.  The St. Croix County Medical Examiner prounced Boardman dead at the scene.  A passenger in the vehicle had to be extricated and was med-flighted to Mayo Hospital.  That accident remains under investigation.

The City of Durand is exploring the possibility of working with St. Mary Assumption School to install a pedestrian crossing light near the school at 8th Avenue West and Prospect Street.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city would need permission from the state.  There are similar lights on Prospect Street at Durand High School and at the Bauer Built Sports Complex.  The city's cost would be nearly $3300.

The suspect in Saturday's shooting in downtown Chippewa Falls is due in court later today. Prosecutors are not saying much about the case, including what led up to the shooting. The victim called the police Saturday Night and said she'd been shot. Investigators say the suspect and victim know each other, but they're not offering any specifics either.

The Wabasha Public Works Department is now fully staffed again! The department welcomed  Brandon Huth, Justin Finley, and Steve Henthorn, to the department last week. Huth and Finley will spend the majority of their time maintaining streets, sidewalks, trails, campgrounds, marinas, and parks. Henthorn will be focused on keeping the water infrastructure and wastewater treatment plant operating smoothly. All three will be teaming up to respond to public works emergencies and to keep sewer lines free of debris.  The department has also put a new plow truck into service.

An Eau Claire man is in critical condition after a snowmobile crash. It happened in Barron County at about 1 a.m. Saturday. Deputies say 45-year-old Eric Zimmerman was on the Tuscobia Trail when he went off the trail and struck a tree. The sheriff's office says speed and alcohol both played a role in the crash.

Wisconsin will have a new member on the House Agriculture Committee.  Committee Chairman Glen Thompson of Pennsylvania announced the roster yesterday.  Wisconsin 3rd District Congressman Derrick Van Orden will be on the committee.  Van Orden had said he wanted to be on the Agriculture Committee during the November election.

The argument from locals in Richland Center is that their community needs a college campus. Dozens of people, including a few students at UW-Richland pressed lawmakers yesterday to keep the campus open. The university's president announced in November that the campus would close, in part because there are just 60 students on campus. Community members said the decision is unfair. State Senator Howard Marklein says he wants to keep the campus open but says the university's president didn't ask for his input. The Richland campus is set to close at the end of the spring semester.

Wisconsin's bail reform amendment is taking another step toward the spring ballot today. The proposed constitutional amendment will be before the full State Senate later today. Lawmakers already approved the plan, which would allow judges in the state to consider how dangerous a suspect is while setting bail, once before. Republicans at the Capitol want to approve it a second time in enough time to get the amendment on the April ballot.

There could be a question on the April ballot asking about welfare and work. The Wisconsin Senate is set to vote today on a resolution that would place an advisory question on the spring ballot that would ask voters whether people on welfare should work in order to receive benefits. The vote wouldn't change the law or the rules for welfare, it's advisory only. Critics say the question is an attempt by Republicans to boost their voter turnout in the April election for Supreme Court.

A 52-year-old Weyawega man is bound for trial in March after his DNA matches up with two deaths from over 30 years ago.  Tony Haase is facing two counts of First Degree Murder for allegedly killing Timothy Mumbrue and Tanna Togstad.  A criminal complaint says the two were found stabbed to death in the bedroom of Togstad’s home in the Waupaca County town of Royalton in 1992.  The complaint states that in July of last year, a DNA sample was taken from Haase during a traffic stop. The analysis of that sample was allegedly consistent with the DNA profile that was gathered from ‘foreign bodily fluids’ that were initially discovered on Togstad’s body.  Haase denies having anything to do with the double murder during questioning.

A former Twin Lakes policeman is sentenced Friday to two years’ probation on a count of possession of narcotic drugs.  In March of 2019, an investigation was launched after then-Twin Lakes Police Department Captain Dennis Linn was spotted removing a bottle of prescription medication from the drug take-back program.  The investigation later led to the discovery of three empty prescription bottles in the garbage cans of the home of Dennis and Cheryl Linn.  The names on the found bottles, one of oxycodone and two of hydrocodone, didn’t match the names of anyone in the household.  Linn pleaded guilty to the one count this past November

A former Rochester police officer is facing charges for criminal sexual conduct with a minor.  Court documents reveal 22-year-old Timothy Robert Morgenstern had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl he met while volunteering as a coach at her high school.  Morgenstern has denied the allegations.  His first court appearance has been set for February 15.

Wisconsin’s Assembly Speaker returns to a national office he’s previously held.  Republican Robin Vos was named Saturday as the 50th president of the National Conference of State Legislatures.  Vos, who served as the organization’s president from 2019 to 2021, returned to the post after the previous president, Idaho Speaker Scott Bedke, stepped down to assume his new role as Idaho’s lieutenant governor.  Vos will remain as the conference’s president for the remainder of Bedke’s term, which ends this coming August.

A 51-year-old man from New York state is arrested early Saturday morning after stealing a vehicle with a sleeping woman inside.   It all started when the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office receives calls from a woman who had been sleeping in the back of a parked vehicle as her family stepped in a truck stop in Dekkora Township.   When she awoke, the Sheriff’s Office says she reported an unknown man driving at high speeds and refusing to release her.  About a half-hour later, tire deflation devices eventually caused the stolen vehicle to go off the roadway and crash into several objects. Deputies and troopers were then able to stop the vehicle after it became disabled in a parking lot. The driver was taken into custody, and the female victim was uninjured.  

US Senator Tammy Baldwin on Friday got a firsthand look at Wausau’s new drinking water treatment plant. The Wisconsin Democrat helped secure federal funding after PFAS contamination was discovered in all of the city's wells. Baldwin encourages other communities dealing with PFAS to reach out to her office. Baldwin says there is still a good deal of unknowns surrounding PFAS.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office is looking for a missing inmate.  The sheriff's office says Jessica Shafer recently failed to return to the county jail in Juneau after an appointment.  The sheriff's office says she was last seen wearing jeans, a grey shirt, a black sweatshirt, and a purple jacket.  

It will cost a little more this year to attend the Minnesota State Fair.  Organizers say the price of a ticket for adults has gone up from 17 dollars to 18 bucks.  Tickets for children between the ages of five and 12 and seniors older than 65 will cost 16 dollars.  Children under four will be admitted for free.  The state fair will run from August 24th to September 4th.

A bald eagle is being blamed for a power outage in Hudson. It happened yesterday afternoon, and Xcel Energy says about 8-00 people were left in the dark. Hudson Officer James Wildman says he heard the boom and found the eagle lying dead near the powerlines. Wildman says he called the DNR. Xcel says it took about four hours to restore power to people in Hudson.

Local-Regional News Jan 16

 One person is dead after a farm accident in Rock Elm Township on Saturday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 66yr old Raymond Leffingwell of Elmwood was delivering haybales ato a farm when the load shifted and the haybales fell onto 60yr old John Robey of Elmwood.  Robey was transported to Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin and was prounced dead at the hopsital.  Leffingwell was not injured in the accident.

The Durand City Council has approved a one-time premium pay bonus for city employees working in 2021 during the pandemic.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says both full-time and part-time employees were included.  The money is coming from the city's share of ARPA funds and will cost approximately $19,000.  The city will have approximately $10,000 remaining in ARPA funds after the payout.

Police in Chippewa Falls are not saying much about a shooting downtown on Saturday, but they are calling it an attempted homicide. Investigators say they got a call from a woman Saturday night who said she'd been shot. About two hours later, police found the suspect who they say shot her. Officers say the two know each other, but they're offering any more specifics. They are also not saying what led-up to the shooting.

 Hundreds of truck drivers came out Saturday to honor the life of 12-year-old Blaze Himle, who was killed in a snowmobile crash on January 8th in Wabasha County.  The effort came about after Blaze’s family asked truck drivers to help honor their son, as he loved semi-trucks.  More than 300 truck drivers from all over the Midwest made a caravan from his funeral at First Lutheran Church in Lake City to his final resting place in Theilman.  The line of trucks was reportedly at least a half-mile long.

 It's like there is a circle around Western Wisconsin that's keeping the worst of the winter weather away. The National Weather Service says there will be snow and ice to the west and to the east, but our area shouldn't see much of anything to start the week. There will be some rain today and into tonight, and then a good chance for snow later in the week. Forecasters aren't saying anything about accumulation.

One of the candidates for state supreme court says she's embracing her 'progressive' label. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz [pro-ta-say-wich] was on Capital City Sunday and said she is not embarrassed by being called a progressive. She says she is certainly a progressive when it comes to Wisconsin's election maps, marriage equality, and a woman's right to choose. She is one of four candidates running for the Supreme Court in the fall. There's another liberal candidate and two conservatives. Voters will narrow the field next month.

A federal program bolstering Wisconsin's FoodShare program will end before March, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said Thursday.  Since passed by Congress in late December, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, of 2023, gave FoodShare households additional funds. DHS said FoodShare members got an additional $95, or the maximum amount available for their household.   DHS reports February will be the last month households will receive additional benefits, though regular FoodShare benefits will continue.

A referendum on public assistance is being proposed by Republican leaders in the Wisconsin legislature.   A question they're hoping to put on the April ballot would ask if able-bodied childless adults should be required to look for work in order to receive taxpayer-funded benefits.  The Assembly and Senate will vote on the measure this week.   Wisconsin's temporary assistance for needy families program already requires participants to work or take part in job training programs, while other state benefit programs have not had such a requirement.

After donations for memorials for the victims of the Waukesha Christmas parade attack stall at the end of last year, the fundraising drive gets some needed help Thursday.   We Energies donated $50,000, and Pro Health Care gives $25,000 to the Waukesha County Community Foundation to support the two Waukesha memorials, one to be placed on Main Street, and the other in the city’s Grede Park.  The total cost of the memorials is estimated to be around $1.5 million.  As of Thursday, about $250,000 has been raised.  In December, the chairman of the Waukesha Parade Memorial Commission expressed doubts that the memorial would be dedicated by the second anniversary of the attack, with funds raised at the time at about $95,000, or just over 6% of the goal. 

A Minnesota man is out of prison after spending nearly 25 years there for a conviction reviewers say was based on faulty evidence.  Thomas Rhodes was released Friday from the Moose Lake facility after the Minnesota Conviction Review Unit of the state's Attorney General's office examined his case in partnership with the Great North Innocence Project.  Reviewers found that the 63-year-old had been convicted based on "erroneous and incomplete evidence."  He was found guilty in July 1998 of murdering his wife Jane Rhodes, who drowned during a nighttime boat ride with him on Green Lake in Spicer, Minnesota in 1996.

A proposed flat income tax is now before the State Senate and Governor Tony Evers opposes it.  Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu introduced the three-point-five percent income tax proposal on Friday.  LeMahieu's bill would phase in the flat tax by 2026, ending the current progressive income tax rates that range from three-point-54 percent to seven-point-65 percent.  Evers tweeted on Friday that tax relief should be targeted to the middle class to, as he put it, "give working families a little breathing room, not to give big breaks to millionaires and billionaires."   LeMahieu argues that the flat tax would make Wisconsin more competitive and help the state's economy.

A contractor accused of scamming dozens of southern Wisconsin homeowners out of thousands of dollars has been arrested.  Tyler Hansen was arrested Friday and booked into the Columbia County Jail in Portage.  The 51-year-old Hansen is charged in Dane and Monroe counties on accusations that he and his contracting companies signed contracts for work but never finished the jobs.  He's expected to face similar charges in Columbia County.

Following a committee vote at the Capitol on Thursday, therapists in Wisconsin will be allowed to offer the controversial practice of “conversion therapy.” Republicans claimed that the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board enacted a rule to ban the practice without legislative approval. Thursday’s 6-4 party-line vote in the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules will allow Wisconsin therapists to try to change a person’s sexual orientation. 

Be careful of ads offering you the hottest new weight loss drug, something that will make you feel like a muscle mountain or any of those other tempting ad lines. State consumer protection director Mike Domke says you may be tempted to buy some of those medications to kick off your New Year's goals, but be careful. Domke says these are age-old tactics to get you to spend money on phony, untested medications that probably don't even have the ingredients they say they do. If you want to lose weight, consult your doctor, and put together a weight loss plan.

Hundreds of personal care assistants are stuck in limbo due to a backlog of background checks in Minnesota.  WCCO reports around 950 people are waiting for their background checks to clear before they can start getting paid.  Tammy Heuer told the news outlet she submitted her background check to the Minnesota Department of Human Services nearly three months ago, but it's still processing.  She also said Cambridge home care agency that hired her is otherwise ready to get her working.  In a statement, a DHS spokesperson said they're working to resolve the high volume of applications, but most are typically cleared within a couple of days.

A new state report says adolescents in Wisconsin are reporting more thoughts of suicide and feelings of depression and anxiety.  The report released Friday by the state's Office of Children's Mental Health found that nearly 34 percent of students said they feel sad and hopeless almost every day.  On the positive side, the report said bullying has decreased slightly, the teen birth rate has dropped, and the number of school social workers, counselors, and psychologists has increased.