Local-Regional News July 31

 A Mondovi man has been arrested on child pornography possession charges.   According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department,  investigators from the WI Department of Justice Criminal Investigation, Buffalo and Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department, and Mondovi Police executed a search warrant on Thursday at the home of 38yr old Kyle Gilles.  During the search officers located evidence of child pornography on a computer belonging to Gilles, and evidence of a marijuana growing operation.  Gilles was arrested on child porn possession and manufacture with intent to deliver THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The City of Durand is working with the organizers of Fun Fest to work out details for next year's event.  There will be changes next year as the vacant lots next to Memorial Park have been sold and new housing is planned to be built on the lots. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city is working with organizers to keep Fun Fest at Memorial Park.  Another factor for next year will be the reconstruction of Madison Street in the Downtown.

A group in Mondovi is exploring the possibility of having Pickle Ball Courts installed.   Currently, the group uses the tennis courts at Mondovi School District, but the courts are too big and not always available.   The group approached the City Council last week asking how they could move forward with a project either at Mirror Lake Park or Tourist Park.  The Mayor suggests the group talk with the Park Board first to find a suitable location and look at possible grant programs to help pay for the courts.

The Buffalo and Pepin County ADRC will be holding another Stepping on Class starting on Wednesday.  The class is designed to help seniors prevent falls.  Class facilitator Rhonda Sweeney says not only does the class teach new habits, but medical experts also have presentations as well.  The class will be held on Wednesdays at the Nelson Town Hall starting this Wednesday.  To register, contact the Buffalo and Pepin ADRC.

The Wabasha County Board is meeting tomorrow.  Items on the agenda include approval of maintenance contracts with the Cities for 2024, approval of the family home visiting grant agreement, and a presentation of the quarterly 4-H and Extension report.  Tomorrow's meeting begins at 9am in the board room at the Wabasha County Government Center.

Crews in Chippewa Falls are looking into a weekend house fire. No one was hurt when the house on Dover Street caught fire yesterday. Firefighters say it looks like the fire started in the kitchen. Crews were able to keep the flames to one level of the house. Firefighters rescued both a cat and a dog from the fire, they say the two are doing fine. 

Eau Claire's new parking rules start tomorrow. The city posted a reminder to Facebook over the weekend, explaining that Block Face Parking will start in August. The idea is that people will now have to move their car, at least, around the block to avoid a parking ticket downtown. City leaders hope to open up more downtown parking for visitors and shoppers. The change will allow for two hours of parking on each block, each day. You can find out more about the switchover on the city's website. 

Four people are dead after a pair of crashes at the EAA show in Oshkosh. Both crashes happened Saturday. Investigators say two people died when their plane crashed into Lake Winnebago earlier in the day Saturday. The other two died when a helicopter and gyrocopter collided later that afternoon. The sheriff's office in Oshkosh has not yet identified any of the four who were killed. Local, state, and federal investigators are now looking into the crashes. 

A new report says 99 percent of Wisconsin's water systems are safe to drink. The Department of Natural Resources released the report on Friday. It says over 99 percent of water systems in the state 'met all health standards.' That includes passing tests for lead, nitrates, bacteria, and other chemicals. The report doesn't, however, offer any insight into PFAS chemicals. There weren't any official tests for PFAS chemicals last year, but the DNR says that has changed, and there will be a report on PFAS in Wisconsin's water system next year. 

The back-and-forth over early voting in Wisconsin isn't ending. The heads of both the Wisconsin Republican Party and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin were on Capital City Sunday in Madison over the weekend. Republican Boss Brian Schimming said the new Republican early voting initiative is a recognition that Republicans can no longer wait for Election Day. Democratic Party boss Ben Wikler said the Republican early voting push is hypocritical because Republicans criticized early and absentee voting following the 2020 election. The new Republican push is being eyed for next fall. 

Minnesota health officials are investigating a number of sicknesses that may have been caused by bacteria in raw milk. The Department of Health says it has received five reports of illness caused by Salmonella among kids in the Twin Cities Metro area. The Department said the children ranged in age from three months to ten years old and one was hospitalized. Health officials are asking anyone with raw milk not to consume it. 

You could qualify for free or reduced-price broadband internet. Alyssa Kenney with the state Public Service Commission says a new Internet Discount Finder will help residents navigate available programs without having to make a bunch of calls.   All you have to do is provide your address, and a list of benefits you already qualify for, and the program will do the rest. To find out more, head to P S C dot W I dot Gov and click on "Internet Discount Finder"

Two people were injured following a plane crash Thursday afternoon in Green Lake County. The sheriff's office there said one of the people on the downed aircraft walked to a nearby home in the town of Brooklyn to call for help.  Emergency responders found the plane in a cornfield. The pilot of the plane and a passenger in it were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.   There’s no word on what caused the crash.

Taylor Schabusiness was mentally competent when she killed and dismembered a Green Bay man.   That’s what a Brown County jury decided in less than an hour Thursday after hearing testimony from several witnesses Thursday.  Schabusiness was convicted by that same jury Wednesday of homicide, third-degree sexual abuse, and mutilating a corpse in the 2022 killing of Shad Thyrion.  She’s scheduled to receive a prison sentence on September 26th.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wants your help collecting data on deer and game birds.  The Operation Deer Watch Survey and the Game Bird Brood Observations Survey will begin accepting reports from the public on August 1st.   According to the DNR, the surveys are designed to measure the reproductive status of deer and game birds and will give a clearer picture of how wildlife is doing. Observations are collected using the Survey123 smartphone app which can be downloaded at the DNR website.  

Country artist Tim McGraw is coming to Wisconsin next year.  He'll play in Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum on April 19th.  Carly Pearce will be the opening act.  Tickets go on sale at 10:00 a.m. on August 4th online at ticket-master-dot-com.

Local-Regional News July 28

 Are LP tanks allowed in the residential areas of the city of Mondovi?  That was a question asked during this week's council meeting.  The council and police chief discussed the issue after a resident complained about someone having a tank in their year.  They cited the ordinance against bulk LP storage in residential areas.  Some council members questioned if tanks used for residential heating could be classified as bulk storage.  The mayor directed the chief to work with the fire chief to find out the original intent of the ordinance, was there were exemptions for home heating use, and report back to the council.

A western Wisconsin congressman is facing questions after he yelled at some Senate pages at the Capitol this week. Wisconsin 3rd District Congressman  Derrick Van Orden says he told the pages to show some respect and get up off of the Capitol floor Wednesday. Democrats in Wisconsin spent the day yesterday calling Van Orden a bully, and demanding he be held accountable. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell yesterday said he was shocked by the story, and shocked that Van Orden did not apologize. Van Orden said he was bothered that the pages were treating the Capitol rotunda like a frat house. 

While most of southern Wisconsin worries about another hot and humid day, folks in northwestern Wisconsin are worried about too much rain. Forecasters say last night's rain has swollen many creeks and streams in the counties north of Eau Claire. More rain is in the forecast through the day today. There are no watches or warnings, and forecasters say some parts of the area can use as much rain as they can get. 

The Lily Peters murder case is moving forward.  During a Thursday hearing in Chippewa County Court, Judge Steven Gibbs granted a defense motion, sealing autopsy photos and video. That means they will not be viewed during a reverse waiver hearing set to begin August 7 to determine whether the trial of the teen charged in Lily Peters’ death will be moved to juvenile court. The 10-year-old was reported missing from her Chippewa Falls home on April 24, 2022, her body was discovered the next morning. Two days later, the now 15-year-old suspect - known as C.P.B. because of his age - was arrested and charged with homicide and sexual assault.   

Wisconsin's fair managers say an extra 10-thousand dollars in prize money would be a huge help. A number of fair managers testified at a State Senate hearing yesterday about the plan to double prize money for Wisconsin's county and district fairs. Right now, the state sends each fair 10-thousand dollars for premiums. The plan would boost that to 20-thousand dollars per fair. 

Another local police department is getting a therapy dog.  The Chippewa Falls Police Department announced they are getting the dog to be part of the department.  The dog will be a puppy donated to them from Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles in Osseo.  Other departments already have a therapy dog on staff including Altoona and the Dunn County Sheriffs Department.  The Durand Police Department is also fundraising to add a therapy dog to the staff.

Wisconsin's governor says the 10-billion-dollar settlement from 3-M over PFAS contamination isn't enough. Both Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul yesterday said the offer from 3-M may do more harm than good. The governor said in a statement that the deal is structured so water systems across the state could end up paying 3-M once the settlement dollars run out. 3-M is one of the largest producers of PFAS chemicals and has offered nearly two dozen states 10-billion-dollars to settle contamination claims. The governor also doesn't like the provision in the settlement that requires local water systems to agree to the terms, without first knowing how much money they will receive. 

The Wisconsin Elections Commission says its voter education program won an award. The Commission yesterday said the National Association of State Election Directors named Wisconsin's Elections 101 program as the winner of its Innovator Award. Elections 101 is a four-part video series that explains the inner workings of elections in Wisconsin. The Commission launched the video series in an attempt to answer some of the questions and criticisms of the 2020 election here in the state.

An Oronoco woman is taking the city council to court for tossing her from a meeting.  Andrea Johnson has filed a lawsuit saying her First Amendment rights were violated when she was hustled out of a recent Oronoco City Council meeting by a sheriff's deputy.  Johnson had spent time during the meeting criticizing the actions of some of the Council members.  The city isn't commenting on the lawsuit.  

 The Stillwater Lift Bridge will be closed throughout the day next Tuesday. The historic bridge spans the St. Croix River at the Wisconsin border, and the closure is to allow for crews to replace an electrical power cable. The bridge will remain in its lowered position, and small boats and watercraft will be allowed to pass underneath it. The closure will last from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Another major health system consolidation is being proposed here in the Midwest.  Duluth-based Essentia wants to join with Wisconsin-based Marshfield Clinic Health System to form what executives call "a new integrated regional health system servicing rural and mid-urban communities across four states."  The proposed merger would combine Essentia's system, which stretches from Bismarck, North Dakota through Fargo and central Minnesota to the Iron Range and Duluth.... with the Marshfield system, which covers most of the northern two-thirds of Wisconsin except for the far northeast, plus several communities in southeastern Wisconsin and on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The proposed merger is subject to regulatory approval. 

Area farmers will have a chance to speak with members of the house agriculture committee about the new farm bill on August 16th.  3rd district congressman Derrick Van Orden says Ag Committee Chairman Glen  GT Thompson and other members of Congress will be in attendance.  The listening session will begin at 1pm at the La Crosse Center.  Van Orden would like farmers to RSVP to the meeting.  To RSVP, visit the congressman's website.

Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources is looking for land for disabled hunters. The DNR is asking landowners to volunteer to host disabled hunters this deer season. The DNR says volunteers must have at least 60 acres, so they can host three hunters. The disabled hunting program has been going strong for 30 years. The DNR says you can apply, and find more information online. 

A foundation will be paying off medical debts for 37-hundred Minnesotans. The Fergus Falls-based CA Foundation said they donated to RIP Medical Debt to target the three-point-three million dollar medical debt carried by residents. RIP Medical Debt said they will target households with incomes below four times the federal poverty level and have debts related to unavoidable medical procedures. Officials say those who qualify will receive a notification by mail in the first full week of August. 

Wisconsin small businesses last year secured more than $1 billion in federal contracts for the second year in a row.   That’s according to the latest U.S. Small Business Administration figures cited by WisBusiness.com. The federal agency this week announced more than $5.9 billion was spent on federal contracts in Wisconsin in fiscal year 2022, including nearly $1.03 billion -- or about 17 percent -- going to small businesses. In fiscal year 2021, those figures were about $6.1 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively. Since 2010, the figure for small businesses in the state hadn't exceeded $900 million, even in years when the total amount going to all Wisconsin businesses was higher.

The latest rescue for Dunn County deputies likely ended with lots of kisses. Three deputies rescued a seven-week-old puppy, named Liam, from a culvert near Elk Mound yesterday. The puppy's human, Anna Govin, posted a video of the rescue. The puppy's mom is a guard dog on the local farm and came home with just three of her four puppies the night before. The Dunn County deputies found the missing pup, and helped dig him out.

Local-Regional News July 27

Heat advisories are in effect for today.  Heat stroke is one of the leading weather causes of death in the United States.  With the hot weather this week, Meghan Sickel from the Pepin County Health Department reminds folks to stay hydrated and take a break from the heat.  Sickel also reminds those with pets that if the pavement is too hot for you to walk on its too hot for your pets.  Make sure pets have plenty of water and can be kept indoors or out of the sun during the heat of the day.

The Durand City Council is planning on returning the land for Hansen Park back to the Durand-Arkansaw School District.  The deed to the land stated that if the city was not going to use the land for the park it must be returned to the district.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city has to go on record returning the land.  A resolution to return the land back to the school district will be submitted to the council at the August 9th meeting.

Dunn County highway commissioner Dustin Binder announced signage is now up, and ATV/UTV riders can use the majority of county highways. This adds about 400 miles of additional roads for riders to use.    The move comes after the Dunn County Board approved the measure in May.  Hwy B from  Hwy 29 to Hwy 40 is still closed to ATV Traffic along with all state highways.  ATV riders will need to check with local townships to find out the rules for ATV traffic on Town Roads.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Farah Ahmad Wednesday announced $7.1 million in additional funding for the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility for the City of Osseo. The City of Osseo is within the Rural Partners Network (RPN) Northwestern Wisconsin Community Network.  In June, USDA Rural Development approved a loan of $6,338,000 and a grant of $850,000 through the USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program. This investment will be used to provide additional financing due to increased project bid costs.  Construction is currently underway and is tentatively scheduled for completion in October 2024.

USDA has announced a hearing on revamping the Federal Milk Market Order System.  Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darrin Von Ruden says if the FMMO is to be revamped to help milk processors, there needs to be something in the plan to help dairy farmers too.  Von Ruden would like to see changes to the way dairy farmers are paid and control overproduction issues.  The USDA hearing will be held on August 23 in Carmel, IN.   Opportunities to share testimony virtually will be offered on Fridays, starting September 1.

The next blue ribbon-winning pie at the county fair could be worth more money. Wisconsin lawmakers are scheduled to hear a plan that will double the money available for prizes at county fairs across the state. Right now, Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture pays up to 10-thousand dollars in prize money per-fair to county fairs across the state. The new plan would raise that to 20-thousand dollars. The new plan also keeps Wisconsin's ban on entering multiple county fairs. Though the proposal spells out that local fairs, and not the state, are responsible for setting those rules.   The Dunn County Fair is underway through Sunday in Menomonie.

The Army Corps of Engineers has initiated a drought watch, which means it is closely monitoring water levels on the Mississippi River as the season continues to see a lack of rainfall.  We are actually in low water condition right now,” Lock and Dam 5 Lockmaster Judy Denzer said.  As summer is in full swing, and many areas in Minnesota are now in a drought, the corps is now monitoring conditions on the Mississippi to ensure there is enough water in the lock channels for vessels to pass. The lock channels need to maintain a 9-foot level in order to operate correctly.  Last fall, river conditions in southern states caused barge traffic to halt, because it was too shallow.

 A man from Grant County will spend the next 13 years in prison after being convicted of shooting his future son-in-law five times.  Investigators say Todd Holder shot Ari Williamson at a bar in Livingston after a confrontation back in 2021.  He was convicted of second-degree attempted homicide and sentenced this week.

A Madison area native is one of 3 Marines found dead earlier this week in North Carolina.  Nineteen-year-old Lance Corporal Tanner Kaltenberg graduated from Verona High School.  On Sunday,  the 3 Marines were found dead in a vehicle at a gas station about 30 miles from Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.  Authorities say the deaths seem to be accidental, adding that the men did not appear to have died by suicide.  No weapons, illegal drugs or evidence of an attack were found. The investigation continues.

Prosecutors on Monday dropped charges of first-degree intentional homicide against 19-year-old Sage Hicke after he pled guilty to a single felony count of intimidating a witness. The charges stemmed from the shooting death of 15-year-old Storm Vondrashek following a May 2022 fight on La Crosse's south side. An assistant district attorney said the case was difficult to prosecute because of uncooperative witnesses. Hicke's attorney argued his client had a strong case for self-defense. Another man, 18-year-old Jackson Greengrass, was sentenced last month to three years in prison for his role in the shooting.

A woman has drowned in the Wisconsin River in Wausau.   The middle-aged woman’s body was recovered by Wausau Fire and Police from the rocks near a dam on the river Tuesday evening. A middle-aged man was also found in the water.  Police say the unidentified man was treated at the scene and left under his own power.  Police haven’t yet said how the pair ended up near the dam, but say the woman was probably swimming and her drowning was an accident.

Wisconsin cheese was a big winner at a national competition.   The Dairy State won more than a quarter of all the medals at the American Cheese Society Judging and Competition in Des Moines. The results announced last week had Wisconsin cheese companies earning 86 awards, including 27 gold medals.  The Pleasant Ridge Reserve variety from Cheese of Uplands Cheese in Dodgeville placed third for Best of Show, and Klondike Cheese Company of Monroe won 19 total awards in the judging.

Be careful of swimmer's itch as you swim in your local lake or pond this summer. Vilas County health department educator Rachael Cornelius tells WXPR that it can form after you swim in water that's shared by ducks or other waterfowl. The best way to keep yourself safe is to wash off after you get out of the water and towel off right away. If you do get the itch, you can try treating the rashes with cortisone creams or taking a bath with Epsom salt.

A new food festival is coming to the region this summer.  Valleyfair has announced that Corn Fest will take place at the Shakopee amusement park on weekends beginning August 19th.  The food festival will feature new ideas for corn dishes and drinks.  There will also be corn-themed events and crafts for kids to do as well as a corn-on-the-cob eating contest.  Corn Fest will run through Labor Day.

Local-Regional News July 26

 The Durand City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include an update on the Tarrant Park Pool, possible action on the bidding process for the pool with US Aquatics, and reports from the mayor, city administrator, and department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall and will be live-streamed on the WRDN YouTube Channel.

The Mondovi City Council has approved the bid for the construction of a new library.  At last night's council meeting, the council approved the bid from Del Construction.  While Del was the lowest bid, the company will have to redo some specifications to meet what the library board wanted.  The mayor believes the company will be able to accomplish that and still have the lowest bid for the project.  A Groundbreaking ceremony is expected in the coming weeks.

The  Buffalo County Board is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on a resolution to use ARPA funds to purchase squad and body cameras for law enforcement, resolutions supporting and funding the remonumentation projects in the Towns of Maxville and Canton and reports from department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 7pm at the County Board Room in Alma.

The Dunn County Board is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include an update on the development of the 2024 budget, a presentation of the Dunn County Housing Study Report, and a resolution to transfer Myron Park to the Town of Sand Creek.  Tonight's meeting begins at 7pm in Room 54 at the Dunn County Government Center in Menomonie.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how Lock and dam #4 works this Saturday.  The Army Corp of Engineers is holding an open house and lock master Joe Minnes says they hope some large barges will be going through the lock during the open house. The open house is Saturday from 10-2

 

There's a new plan at the Wisconsin Capitol that would make diapers tax-free. State Rep. David Steffen and State Senator Jesse James yesterday formally introduced what they are calling the Tiny Tot Tax Credit. The idea, the two say, is to give new parents a break on the cost of everything from diapers to car seats to strollers to wipes. The lawmakers say removing Wisconsin's sales tax on essentials for babies will only help new parents. The plan would save parents about 37-million dollars over the next two years.

Governor Tony Evers was joined by local politicians and nearly 100 community members Tuesday to officially open the new Cobban Bridge, which crosses the Chippewa River north of Jim Falls.  Evers was joined by speakers such as State Senator Jesse James and Representative Rob Summerfield, who shared personal stories of the bridge and said this location is important to connect the community and to improve public safety by lowering emergency response times.  The original bridge was built in 1908 and was a historical marker before it was deemed unsafe for travel and closed in 2017.

 Owning a car in Eau Claire just got more expensive.  The city council last night okayed a 24-dollar wheel tax.  The money the tax will raise is being earmarked for road repairs.  A lot of people in Eau Claire are unhappy with the next tax, which will be added to the cost of registering your license plates if you live in Eau Claire. 

There's a lawsuit against schools in Eau Claire over how the school district talked to kids about a teacher's gender transition.  The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, known as WILL, yesterday sued Eau Claire Area Schools on behalf of a parent who wants to know what the school told her children about a teacher's transition from man to woman.  The school district has refused to share the statement that was read to kids on the second to last day of school, saying there is an ongoing investigation.  WILL says the case isn't about transitioning, rather it's a public records case.  WILL says Eau Claire Schools are stonewalling parents with talk of an investigation that hasn't even started yet.

The sheriff in St. Croix County wants to raise more than half-a-million dollars to remember one of his fallen deputies.  The sheriff's office yesterday said it wants to raise 600-thousand dollars to build a memorial for Deputy Kaitie Leising, help her family go to the Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony in Washington, D.C. next year, and to provide emotional wellness training for local law enforcement.  Leising was shot to death while on the job in May. The sheriff's office is accepting donations online at HonorKatie.com. 

The Mega Millions jackpot is inching closer to a billion dollars.  No one won the big prize in last night's game.  Lottery managers say that means Friday's drawing will be worth 910-million dollars.  That would be the eighth-largest jackpot in U.S. history.  The lump sum payout would be 464-million dollars, before taxes.   

Federal court rulings mean thousands of people will need to restart payments on their student loans. Better Business Bureau spokesperson Lisa Schiller says these are just the sort of events that bring out scammers.  Schiller says the confusion over what's happening with student loans gives those scammers a hook to try and get your money. If anyone asks you for money or personal banking information over the phone, hang up and report the scam. 

A reported child abduction attempt in Whitewater never happened.   Police there originally reported a man grabbed a girl’s arm and tried to get her into his car Thursday afternoon.  The report said during the abduction attempt the girl then bit the man and ran away.  A Monday morning update from the department said the person who initially reported the incident told police her account was not true.  Police added that any descriptions of a suspect released at the time should be disregarded.

Wisconsin U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin witnessed firsthand how legislation she’s introduced has impacted dairy producers in the state.  While at a Columbus dairy farm Friday, Baldwin talked about the Dairy Business Innovation Act, which is designed to help cheesemakers and dairy businesses develop new products, meet market demands, and expand markets.  The program has delivered almost $40 million to help Wisconsin dairy businesses.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's administration has put together a group of rideshare drivers to advise him on how to address wage and safety concerns.  Policy recommendations are due to the governor by January 1st. Walz vetoed legislation last May that would have boosted pay for Uber and Lyft drivers.  This happened shortly after Uber announced plans to pull out of all Minnesota markets except premium-priced services in the metro area if the bill was signed into law.

The grandstand at Rochester's Graham Park has been replaced just in time for the Olmsted County Fair. Just months ago, an inspection of the grandstand determined that the structure was unsafe. However, organizers came up with a solution by installing temporary bleachers at the site, allowing attendees to attend this year's popular grandstand events. Fair Board member Brandon Helgeson says that grandstand events vital to fair operations, and are one of the fair's main sources of funding. 

The Green Bay Packers now own the company that makes cheeseheads. The folks at Milwaukee-based Foamation say they recently agreed to sell to the team. The Packers say they were the largest customer for Foamation's cheeseheads, so it just made sense for the two to join. The team says it's now looking at ways to grow the brand and bring even more cheeseheads, and other foam cheese products, to fans this football season. 

Local-Regional News July 25

One person was injured ina motorcycle vs deer accident in Union Township on Sunday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 34yr old Brady Hughes of Arkansaw was traveling northbound on Hwy ZZ when he struck a deer and overturned the motorcycle.  Hughes was med flighted to St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include the awarding of the contract to build the new library, agreement between the City and area townships for fire protection calls, and an update on the new waste water treatment plant.  Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

The Pierce County Board is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include the first reading of a change in the animal waste storage ordinance, the second reading of a zoning change in Oak Grove Township and a resolution on reimbursement for protective footwear for employees.  Tonight's meeting begins at 7kpm at the Courthouse board room in Ellsworth.

A man in Dunn County woke up to find a Wisconsin State Trooper arresting him for his 7th OWI offense.  The State Patrol said in a Facebook post that, over the weekend, the man was found in the early morning hours sleeping behind the wheel along I-94 in Dunn County with a beer in hand.  The trooper woke the driver up. ‘Upon further investigation,’ the man was charged with operating while intoxicated.

 Folks in Eau Claire are not sold on the latest wheel tax proposal from the city. Nearly every person who spoke at last night's city council meeting came-out against the nex tax. City leaders want to add 24 dollars to the cost of registering a car in Eau Claire as a way to raise millions for road repairs. Many people said they simply cannot afford to give the city more money. The full city council will vote on the tax tonight.

A North Dakota man was arrested this weekend for allegedly driving 140+ mph on I-94.   According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, troopers were attempting to pull over Ira Hankinson but he refused to pull over.  When a Dunn County Sheriff's Deputy approached Hankinson's vehicle he increased his speed in excess of 140mph.  THe pursuit ended when the vehicle's tires blew out.  Hankinson has been charged with attempting to flee or elude an officer, and first degree reckless endangering of safety.   

A former northwestern Wisconsin prosecutor is going to jail for making secret sex tapes. A St. Croix County judge yesterday sentenced former Burnett County Assistant District Attorney Daniel Steffen to one-and-a-half years behind bars for filming himself having sex with women, without their knowledge. Steffen was convicted of making two secret sex tapes at his house in Polk County back in 2018. After his time in prison, Steffen will be on parole for two years, and under a probation agreement for another four. 

Minnesota officers will be on the lookout for drivers who are high on marijuana. Officers say they're bracing for the legalization of marijuana on August 1st by having an awareness campaign. The campaign reminds drivers that ingesting cannabis products while driving is illegal and law enforcement will be on alert for drug impaired drivers. Officials say the state plans to certify up to 100 officers as drug recognition evaluators in the next year. Officials say Drug recognition evaluators have the ability to recognize the signs, symptoms, and physiology of somebody who is under the influence of something other than alcohol. 

Wisconsin's attorney general is looking to get out of the lawsuit over former President Trump's border wall. A-G Josh Kaul has to first ask permission from lawmakers. Wisconsin is one of several states that sued the Trump Administration in 2019 over the then-president's plan to shift money from the National Guard to the wall along the southern border. The lawsuit isn't going anywhere because President Biden issued an executive order canceling the shift. Lawmakers will hold a hearing on the lawsuit this morning. Wisconsin lawmakers must approve any move by the A-G to get into, or get out of lawsuits involving the state. 

Republicans reverse course on early voting.   RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel announced Monday that the party has chosen Wisconsin to be the first state to implement its new "Bank Your Vote" early voting initiative. The campaign will encourage voters to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. Voting by mail has generally been more popular among Democrats here and elsewhere around the country. Former President Donald Trump - who continues to deny his 2020 loss - has cast doubt on the practice but McDaniel said she has spoken to Trump, and he’s indicated his support for the campaign and understands it will help Republicans compete. 

Factors in the disposing of fresh milk include lowered milk demand, global milk competition, naturally higher milk production in the spring months, and staffing challenges at milk processing facilities.  The president of agricultural logistics company Ever Ag Insights, Phil Plourd, believes that prices will rebound soon, since the hotter weather later in summer reduces milk production in cows.

A woman working for a Twin Cities property manager is going to prison after stealing from her employer.  Mix Xiong was sentenced to five-and-a-half years behind bars after pleading guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making a false tax return.  The defendant, who worked as a financial manager, admitted to stealing more than one-million dollars while working at Minneapolis-based Common Properties Management Cooperative.  Prosecutors say she stole the money to help feed a gambling habit.

 Wisconsin lawmakers want to expand the definition of a strip search. Lawmakers last week held a hearing on a plan that would clarify stripping someone down to their underwear counts as a strip search. The clarification comes after the superintendent in Suring Schools stripped a handful of teenage girls down to their underwear to search for a vape cartridge. State Rep. David Steffen says prosecutors couldn't punish the superintendent because she let them keep on their undergarments. Lawmakers say the change needs to be made to make the law, and the intent of the law, perfectly clear.

A man’s body is recovered from a Wisconsin lake. The Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office says they received a 911 call late Thursday afternoon saying a 36-year-old man was with a group of people on a pontoon boat on Big Green Lake when he went into the water.  The man’s body was found and recovered late Friday afternoon from the lake.  The Sheriff's Office has been joined by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in their investigation of the death.  Currently, foul play is not suspected as a cause of the death.

Wisconsin has some of the best school systems in America.  That's according to WalletHub, which ranks Wisconsin fourth overall and as having the fourth-highest average SAT scores.  The only states ahead of Wisconsin are Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey.  WalletHub says the state with the worst schools is New Mexico.

A study determines that Wisconsin buys more alcohol at lunchtime than any other state. After reviewing transactions nationwide, the restaurant management software company Toast revealed that 30% of the items on an average lunch check in Wisconsin were alcohol.  That’s almost twice as much as the national average.  Four other states—Hawaii, Wyoming, Colorado, and Vermont—spent 25-percent or more of their lunch bill on alcoholic drinks.  When it comes to metro areas, Milwaukee and Denver led in lunchtime libations at 26% of the bill. 

Local-Regional News July 24

 It is going to feel like summer this week across Wisconsin. Forecasters say a wave of 90 degree temperatures will blanket the state all week. Some of the warmest weather will be in northwestern Wisconsin. The Chippewa Valley is bracing for a high of 97 by Thursday just in time for the Dunn County Fair. Forecasters say these are the days to stay inside if you can, and to drink plenty of water and take breaks if you cannot.

There's another warning about the air in Wisconsin. The National Weather Service has posted an Air Quality Alert for most of Wisconsin through noon tomorrow. Forecasters say smoke from the Canadian wildfires is once again to blame. The Alert means the air is unhealthy for people who are sensitive to smoke and other particulates in the air.

Gas prices across Wisconsin are unchanged this weekend.  Triple-A reports the statewide average for regular remained at three-40 a gallon Saturday.  That's three cents higher than a week ago an 13 cents lower than last month.  But gas prices are a lot lower than this time last year when the statewide average for regular was four-13 a gallon.  Here in Western Wisconsin this morning gas was averaging $3.49 a gallon in Durand and Ellsworth, $3.39 in Mondovi, $3.36 in Menomonie, $3.34 in Alma, and $3.33 a gallon in Wabasha.

The Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office says speed and alcohol played a role in a wreck that sent a 17-year-old to the hospital. The wreck happened about 4 a.m. yesterday morning after the teenage driver sped away from deputies. The chase reached 100 miles-per-hour before the teen crashed into the roundabout at Black Avenue and Riverview Drive. Deputies say the teen's car rolled several times. Prosecutors are looking at OWI and several other charges in the case.

Governor Evers has issued a new round of pardons, taking his total over one thousand. The governor on Friday issued 96 more pardons, Most of the people on this latest list were arrested for drugs years ago. The governor's pardon doesn't clear their records, but allows them to once again serve on a jury or hold public office. Governor Evers has now pardoned one-thousand-29 people since being elected in 2018, that's a new record for Wisconsin governors. Former Governor Julius Heil set the previous record with 943 pardons between 1939 and 1943.

Wisconsin isn't out of the woods when it comes to drought.  Our recent rains were a God send, for sure, but according to the latest US Drought Monitor, a third of Wisconsin is still in the "severe" drought category and large portions of southern Wisconsin still face "extreme" drought conditions. Farmers in 27 Wisconsin counties may be eligible for emergency loans because of recent drought conditions. They have been designated as natural disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to provide support, like emergency loans, to farmers.  Here in Western Wisconsin, we have parts of Central Pepin, Eastern Pierce and Central Dunn Counties abnormally dry, with the rest of the WRDN Listening area under moderate drought conditions.

One of the biggest Democratic organizations in the nation is challenging Wisconsin's absentee ballot rules in court.  Priorities USA filed suit in Dane County Circuit Court, arguing that elements including signature requirements and a state Supreme Court ruling barring absentee ballot drop boxes violate the Wisconsin Constitution and disenfranchise voters.  The suit filed against the Wisconsin Elections Commission is aimed at changing voting rules in this swing state before the 2024 presidential election.

A man who fell over 50 feet from a cliff near the Wisconsin-Minnesota border Wednesday is rescued.  The Chisago County Sheriff’s Office says the 74-year-old man fell from a cliff face along the St. Croix River in Franconia was believed to be bleeding and unconscious when first responders arrived.  Due to the difficulty of the rescue on near-vertical terrain, local fire departments used ropes and other equipment to hoist the man out of the valley with a helicopter.  The man was transported to a a local trauma center.  He’s expected to survive the ordeal.

There's a new budget option to flying to Florida for northern and central Wisconsin. Budget airline Avelo is now sending flights from Mosinee to Orlando. Company executive Trevor Yealey says there's a market for it, and room for growth.   Flights will be running on Tuesdays and Sundays for now, but Yealey says they're expecting expansion in the future.

The Better Business Bureau sent an alert Wednesday, warning of contracting fraud. Lisa Schiller, media relations with the BBB, said most cases involve someone making contact with a homeowner at their door claiming to be doing a project in the area and having left over supplies. The would-be scammer will then promise to repave the homeowner's driveway or conduct repairs at a lower cost with payment up front.  According to Schiller, you should avoid contractors that demand full payment in cash or provide unwanted estimates.  If you're the target of a scam, officials said filing a complaint with the BBB allows other homeowners to be aware of the risk. Another important step is to contact local law enforcement so they can investigate.

June's jobs numbers are out and the Department of Workforce Development says more people are employed in Wisconsin than ever before. D W D chief economist Dennis Winters says having this many actively working is great news for the economy.   Winters says over 3 million people are now employed in Wisconsin, and unemployment remains below 3 percent, so that gives workers plenty of incentive to seek out better paying jobs, and pushes to increase wages.

A man shot himself to death in the back of a squad car in Kenosha County.  A preliminary investigation shows Pleasant Prairie police were transporting a man arrested for weapons offenses to the Kenosha County Jail Thursday when the shooting occurred near the entrance of the jail.  Authorities believe the man shot himself with a concealed weapon that police didn’t locate during an initial search.  The man was pronounced dead at the scene.  The incident is being investigated by the Racine County Sheriff's Office.

Republican Minnesota lawmakers want carjacking sentencing to be harsher. Officials say the omnibus public safety bill set no minimum sentence fro the crime but has a maximum of 20 years for first degree carjacking offenses. Republican lawmakers say the new law does nothing to dissuade would-be jackers and the crime should be treated more serious than a traditional aggravated robbery. Officials say during yesterday's meeting at the State Capitol, Senator Warren Limmer tried to get a five-year minimum sentence built into the law. The sentencing panel will make the final decision on carjacking sentences at it's next meeting on July 27th at the Department of Corrections offices in St. Paul.

The death of a Marathon County woman in prison for the cold case murder of her husband is a homicide.   The Department of Corrections says 68-year-old Cindy Schulz-Juedes was found dead in her cell at Taycheedah Correctional on Wednesday. Fond du Lac police are handling the death investigation and have released no further details.  Schulz-Juedes was convicted of the 2006 murder of her husband in 2021. Marathon County investigators had long suspected her of her husband's death, and say she was looking to get his life insurance benefits.

TSA officers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are seizing firearms at a record pace.  They recently confiscated 31 weapons so far this year at MSP checkpoints. In all of 2022,  TSA officers found 58 firearms in carry-on luggage.  Passengers caught with weapons will be arrested, face jail time, and receive a fine of nearly 15-thousand-dollars.

Local-Regional News July 21

 No one was injured in a garage fire Thursday morning in the town of Union.  Firefighters from Township Fire, Rock Creek and Elk Mound responded to the blaze on Aspen Lane.  According to authorities, the homeowner uses the garage as a woodworking shop and after opening the door to the garage, they noticed smoke and flames inside.  The garage became fully engulfed in flames and fire fighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the home.  No one was injured in that fire.

A 26-year-old man from Millville was killed Wednesday after a crash in Mount Pleasant Township.   According to the Minnesota State Patrol, around 4:30 p.m.,Spenser Sommerfield was traveling southbound on Hwy 63 when he collided with a northbound vehicle driven by a 16yr old boy.  Sommerfield was killed in the accident while the boy was taken to St. Mary's Hospital.  That accident remains under investigation.

The milk brand Kemps is taking action to provide nourishment to families facing food insecurity with a donation of more than 800,000 “Giving Cow” cartons to food banks in the Midwest.    This week, in partnership with Hy-Vee, Kemps will deliver more than 18,000 of the “Giving Cow” milk packs to Channel One Regional Food Bank, which will distribute to its network of 167 food shelves, pantries and programs in 14 counties in western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota, including Rochester.    The “Giving Cow” packs are 8-ounce packs of ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurized milk with a shelf life of up to 12 months, while typically fresh milk has a shelf life of only 20 days.

Governor Evers talked about the budget, new goals for reading, and farming in his swing through western Wisconsin yesterday. The governor visited the Mary Dirty Face Farm just outside of Menomonie yesterday. He spoke with the owners about their farm, their efforts with the Menomonie Market Food Co-Op, and the orchard on the farm. The governor also talked about the new state budget, which he says will bring more money to smaller towns across Wisconsin. And he talked about the new reading overhaul for Wisconsin elementary school kids, which he says is a first step toward helping more children in Wisconsin learn.

There is a new officer on the way in Chippewa Falls. The city's police department yesterday said on Facebook that it is expecting a police therapy dog soon. The PD posted a picture of a therapy dog harness, along with an ultrasound of a pregnant momma dog. Police Chief Matt Kelm says they hope to get a puppy in the next month or so, then it will have to go through months of training. The chief says the dog will be used for stress relief for officers, and well as for outreach at community events.  Chippewa Falls joins the Dunn County Sheriffs Department, Augusta and Eau Claire Police Departments that have a therapy dog on staff.  The Durand Police Department is also looking at adding a therapy dog.

It's the latest sign of a return to normal. The Northern Wisconsin State Fair in Chippewa Falls set a record for attendance this year. Fair manager Rusty Volk says just over 121-thousand people walked through gates last week. Volk had hoped for 125-thousand people at the fair, but says he'll take this year's crowd with a smile on his face. Volk says two sold-out concerts this year helped boost attendance numbers.

The Rochester Police Department responded to two suspected overdoses in less than 12 hours. Officials say the police responded to a 31-year-old man who overdosed behind the GuestHouse Inn & Suites yesterday afternoon. Police say the man was administered Narcan and taken to Saint Marys Hospital by Mayo Clinic Ambulance. Officials say early Thursday morning police responded to a call about a 24-year-old man who overdosed but his friend gave him two doses Narcan. Police say they located the man in a homeless encampment and he was conscious and alert and refused medical attention.

A Rochester man who was arrested after he pursued an ambulance in his car has been sentenced. George McIntosh was arrested in a school parking lot earlier this year, after a paramedic reported somebody following their ambulance before driving off. McIntosh claimed he was "practicing a bomb drill", and was considering  stealing the ambulance. Officers found meth inside his car, and he was charged with DWI and making terroristic threats. He's been sentenced to one year and one day in prison, with credit for 141 days served.

A lot of people either missed or failed Wisconsin's first Medicaid re-up in three years. The state's Department of Health Services yesterday said just 30-percent of the first round of people to re-apply for health insurance through the state this year kept their coverage. Almost 40-percent re-applied but were rejected. The others either didn't apply, or are still being processed. The end of the coronavirus emergency orders means people on Medicaid in Wisconsin must re-apply for coverage, and means that some people will lose coverage because the income guidelines are no longer as generous. As many as 25-percent of people in Wisconsin, over one-and-a-half-million people, were enrolled in Medicaid during the coronavirus emergency according to the state.

The father of a teen boy that's missing from Sauk County is offering a ten-thousand dollar reward to find him.  Thirteen-year-old James Yoblonski was last seen late at night on June 12th in Reedsburg.  His father says he hopes the reward will help motivate someone that knows something to come forward.

Investigators now say the man that died in this week's motorcycle crash in southwest Madison set his own tattoo parlor on fire.  Seventy-one-year-old Ted Heffner crashed into wrong way traffic getting off the beltline near Seminole Highway Tuesday morning.  That happened around the same time Heffner's nearby tattoo shop caught on fire.  Investigators have yet to say why they think he set the fire.

Drought conditions are getting worse in Minnesota as temperatures continue to rise. The U.S. Drought Monitor said Anoka County in the north metro and areas near Rochester and St.Cloud have reached extreme drought conditions. A large area of east central Minnesota and most of the metro area have reached severe drought levels. The National Weather Service said June was one of the driest on record in the Twin Cities. Officials said they're concerned about the prolonged heat wave on the way.

There have been 16 deaths of ATV & UTV riders in Wisconsin this year, and DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator Lieutenant Jake Holsclaw says many victims were not wearing helmets.  The majority of victims have been older adults who did not complete the certified safety course which is required for operators born after 1988. Holsclaw notes the popular UTVs come with seat belts, and recommends using them. 

A teen involved in a police pursuit Saturday was found dead in a Franklin quarry.   Oak Creek Police say their chase of the 17-year-old driver reached speeds of 102 miles per hour.  Once the pursuit reached the City of Franklin, a tire deflation device caused the suspect vehicle to stop, and led the driver of the vehicle to flee and trespass the property of a nearby quarry.  Officers tried to search the area but called off the pursuit due to “dangerous terrain”.   After authorities received reports Friday from the Milwaukee teen’s family of his being missing, Franklin Police began a search and found him dead Wednesday afternoon in the quarry. 

A Packers home game looks to be worth about nine-million dollars to the team. Green Bay released its financials from last season yesterday, and team profits dropped almost 12-percent.  Green Bay says profits last year were nearly 67-million dollars.  That's down from almost 78-million the year before.  Overall, Green Bay saw 610-million dollars in total revenues and 541-million dollars in expenses.  The drop in profits is being blamed on the Packers' game in London, which cost the team a home game at Lambeau, and all of the money that goes along with that game.

Local-Regional News July 20

 The Durand-Arkansaw School Board has approved allowing the School Resource Officer to have a therapy dog at the school.  During last nights council meeting Durand Police had a presentation on the therapy dog.  Resource Officer Bonnerup told the board the dog would be good for school students, and staff and the dog would stay in officer Bonnerup's office at the school during the school day.  The police department is in the process of fundraising for the dog and hope to have the dog on staff by the fall of 2024.

It's the best sign of just how powerful yesterday's thunderstorms were in Rice Lake.  Firefighters say hail from yesterday's storms broke windows at the local Walmart, forcing the store to close.  Walmart said on Facebook you'll need to check when the store can reopen.  The hail also damaged cars in the Walmart's parking lot.  There are no reports of any injuries from the hail, or the broken glass inside the store.  There were also reports of wind damage in portions of Dunn and St. Croix Counties during last nights storms as they moved through.  Forecasters are waiting to see just how powerful yesterday's storms were.  

A man charged with illegally shooting a bear next to a Dunn County daycare has settled the case.  Hunter Strenke of Clayton was one of 4 people charged in the illegal killing of the bear.  Strenke pleaded no contest to killing a bear without a license and possessing or borrowing someone else's license.  He was fined $3600, lost his hunting privileges for three years and has to give-up the bear and his rifle.

Eau Claire County is looking for some public feedback.  The county yesterday opened the Citizen Engagement Survey.  The idea is to see which county programs are providing services that people want.  The hope is to better provide those services, or find areas where the county can do more.  The survey is online, you can find it at the county's website.  The survey will stay open until September.

Wisconsin's largest teachers union isn't happy with the state's new reading law.  The Wisconsin Education Association Council yesterday criticized the new law which will change how kids in Wisconsin are taught to read.  WEAC's Peggy Wirtz-Olsen says the law came from 'backroom deals' with politicians, and not from working with teachers across the state.  The new law will focus on teaching phonics, with an emphasis on making sure kids can read at grade level by the fourth grade.

Wisconsin's attorney general is not saying if he plans to bring charges against the people who signed on to be electors for former President Donald Trump in 2020.  A-G Josh Kaul said yesterday he wants to see the people who 'committed crimes in order to try to subvert the results of an election' be held accountable, but he didn't say if that means charges from his office.  Michigan's attorney general filed charges against Trump electors in her state earlier this week.  Both Michigan and Wisconsin saw a slate of Trump electors sign up even after the former president lost the 2020 presidential race.

Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig is leading her two Republican challengers financially in the Second Congressional race.  So far, the Democratic incumbent's campaign has taken in more than one-point-one-million dollars.  On the GOP side, Burnsville criminal defense lawyer Tayler Rahm collected just under 51-thousand-500 dollars.  Meanwhile, former Lexington Mayor Mike Murphy has struggled as he has brought in less than four-thousand dollars.

The Olmsted County unveiled plans for spending opioid settlement funds. Officials say the county is set to receive seven-point-two million dollars from two rounds of settlements over the next 18 years. The Public Health Services says their goal is provide better healthcare for those affected by the opioid epidemic. The service also announced that it will expand its Diversity and Equity Community Outreach team to implement a digital mental health tool to serve the community.

A Rochester business owner has been sentenced for tax fraud. Master Jewelers owner Bernard Benavidez was charged for hiding over 400-thousand dollars in sales from 2013 to 2017. He reportedly diverted the money from the business's sales account to his bank account, and he pleaded guilty back in February. At a Tuesday sentencing hearing, Benavidez was sentenced to six months in prison and one year of supervised release.

There's a statewide alert for a Juneau County woman who's been missing for two weeks. The sheriff in Mauston yesterday asked for help in finding 43-year-old Leya Stewart. Her friends and family last saw her on July 4th in the Town of Lemonwier. The sheriff's office says it's already searched the area, both on foot and with drones. Stewart's pictures are online, anyone with any information is being asked to reach out.

Governor Tony Evers says incoming federal funding for broadband expansion will continue his office's efforts to get high speed internet to everyone.  Speaking at Farm Technology Days in Baraboo, Evers says high speed internet will enable residents and businesses in rural areas to contribute to today's high tech needs. The state is getting over a billion dollars to lay new fiber lines as part of the new federal infrastructure act.

Wisconsin Republicans want to make sure churches in the state are kept open during the next emergency. State Senator Cory Tomczyk and state Rep. Ty Bodden are proposing a constitutional amendment that would stop public health managers from closing churches. Wisconsin saw its churches closed during the early days of the coronavirus outbreak. The two say all places of worship should be protected from all levels of government. Arizona, Florida, North Dakota, and South Carolina currently have similar no-closing laws. The amendment in Wisconsin would have to pass through the legislature twice, then go to voters before going into effect.

The mother of the American soldier being held in North Korea lives in Racine. The Pentagon says 23-year-old Private 2nd Class Travis King is being held in North Korea after he ran across the border yesterday. A number of reports say King was just released from a South Korean jail, he'd been held for two months for getting into a fight with some locals. He was supposed to fly back to the states, but skipped that flight and ran across the border during a tour of the area. His mom, Claudine Gates, says she never thought her son would do anything like that. She says she wants him to come home and be safe.  

Some Milwaukee alders don’t want the city paying for AmFam Field improvements.  Five members of the 15 member Milwaukee Common Council have released a statement opposing city funding for upgrades to the Brewers stadium. Alders Jonathan Brostoff, Mark Borkowski, Russell Stamper, Larresa Taylor and Lamont Westmoreland say “not a dime” of money from the city should go towards renovations of the ballpark, which opened in 2001 as Miller Park. In May, the Milwaukee County Board unanimously opposed putting county money toward AmFam Field repairs. 

Officials are urging new Minnesota farmers to apply for farmland down payment assistance. The Minnesota Down Payment Assistance Grant is offering up to 15 thousand dollars for qualified farmers to purchase their first farm. The Department of Agriculture's Rural Fiance Authority said it's apart of their plan to develop the state's agricultural resources. Officials say farmers have until July 31st to submit their application and the grants will be given out by a lottery system.

The attendance numbers are in for last weekend’s Harley-Davidson Homecoming in Milwaukee.  The motorcycle maker says 130,000 people attended the event, with over 80,000 attending concerts headlined by Green Day and the Foo Fighters.  The company adds that 73,000 bikes lined the Harley-Davidson Museum grounds and surrounding streets over the four days, with 7,000 of those bikes and their riders taking part in Sunday’s final parade through the city of Milwaukee.  Harley announced their intent to hold the festival every year rather than every five years.  The next Harley Homecoming will happen July 25th through the 28th of 2024. 

Local-Regional News July 19

 A Minnesota man was injured and arrested after a vehicle pursuit in Pierce County on Sunday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, deputies attempted to pull over 29yr old Deandre Harrington of Columbia Heighs, MN at the intersection of Hwy QQ and Hwy 35 in Oak Grove Township.  Harrington refused to pull over and fled on Hwy 35.  He lost control of the vehicle near 468th avenue and was injured. He was taken to River Falls Area Hospital and was also taken into custody.

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda inculde discussion and action on the notification of the public of the academic standards for the district, discussion of the use of a Therapy Dog by the School Resource Officer and the board will go into closed session to discuss the library negotiations with the City of Durand.  Tonight meeting begins at 6pm in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

Tonight's Pepin County Board meeting has been cancelled.  County Board Chairman Tom Milliren cancelled the meeting due to a lask of agenda items.   Next months meeting is currently scheduled for August 16th.

The recent state budget will increase funding for education in Wisconsin but at different rates per student.  Students attending Durand-Arkansaw Schools and other Western Wisconsin Public School Districts will be funded at $11,000 per student, while those students attending a private school using the voucher system will be funded at $12,000 per student.  During an interview from Farm Technology Days on Tuesday, Governor Tony Evers told WRDN Radio the reason the voucher students are funded more was to pass the shared revenue bill.  Due to the use of the line item veto, the Governor extended the school funding for the next 400yrs.

A University of Wisconsin-River Falls team took first place in the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) New Product Competition with an innovation that contains 89 percent dairy ingredients and meet’s the contest’s guidelines of offering a calming aspect.  The students created RootCurd, which resembles a soft pudding with a smooth and velvety texture and a slightly spicy flavor thanks to its inclusion of ginger. RootCurd was inspired by a traditional Chinese recipe and features lavender to help reduce physical and mental stress levels.  The students received a first place prize of $8000 from the Dairy Checkoff.

Eau Claire County is going to make Narcan more available. The county board last night approved two plans that will make it easier for people to deal with opioid overdoses. The county is going to spend about 34 thousand-dollars for an extra year's worth of Narcan and test strips, as well as medical lock boxes. County supervisors also approved a 45 thousand-dollar bid to help run a needle disposal site for the next year.

There's a new person in charge of the Eau Claire County Board. Supervisors last night elected Nancy Coffey as County Board Chair. She replaces Nick Smiar, who was voted out last week following the sheriff's report into millions-of-dollars in overspending at the county's Department of Human Services. Coffey represents the county's District 10, which covers part of the town of Washington and some of the southern portion of Eau Claire. She did not say if she plans to continue pushing into the investigation at DHS, or if anyone else will be held accountable for the problems there.

Barron County is renaming County Highway SS to remember two fallen officers. Barron County leaders voted to rename the highway for Chetek Officer Emily Breidenbach and Cameron Officer Hunter Scheel. They were gunned down on the highway back in April. Investigators say a wanted man with a hatred for the police pulled the trigger. The name change is immediate, though the county says it will take about two weeks for the state and others to update the maps. The highway will now be known as the Officer Emily Breidenbach and Officer Hunter Scheel Memorial Highway.

A body found behind Byron City Hall has been identified as a missing Rochester man. The body was found in a retention pond behind the building on Monday, after law enforcement followed up on a tip from someone who heard unknown noises near the pond. Authorities say the body is that of Wade Gordon Junior, who was last seen leaving his job in Byron earlier this month. Family members reported him missing, and his vehicle was found at his work place. Police have not yet said if foul play is a factor.

Wisconsin’s chief elections official has been questioned as part of the investigation into the 2020 election.  A Wisconsin Elections Commission spokesman has confirmed that Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith subpoenaed WEC Administrator Meagan Wolfe to be interviewed regarding the events surrounding January 6, 2021. Wolfe appeared in person before DOJ and FBI investigators in April. Wolfe declined further comment. Elections officials in Madison and Milwaukee also answered questions as part of the special counsel’s probe into efforts by Donald Trump and his associates to overturn election results here and in several other key states. 

Wisconsin is part of a nationwide crackdown targeting illegal telemarketing.   Wisconsin’s Departments of Justice and Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection are part of the joint state and federal "Operation Stop Scam Calls" initiative aimed at telemarketers and the companies that hire them. A DOJ press release says this builds on previous efforts to combat illegal telemarketing, including robocalls. Learn more about how to file a complaint against illegal telemarketing contact DATCP’s Consumer Protection’s Consumer Protection Hotline toll-free at 800-422-7128 or by email at DATCPHotline@wisconsin.go.

A Janesville man will spend 13 years in federal prison for committing armed robberies across south central Wisconsin.   The U.S. Department of Justice says Devonti Wilson was armed when he demanded money and cigarettes from a clerk at a Lion’s Quick Mart in Janesville in September of 2020, telling the clerk to “hurry up or you’ll die.”  Wilson then committed more armed robberies in Fitchburg, Madison and Janesville before authorities found him following the last robbery in a vehicle near his home and arrested him.   The Justice Department added that Wilson had been convicted of multiple felony offenses at the time of the robberies and wasn’t allowed to have a firearm.

The Wisconsin Farm Technology Days agriculture festival is underway in Baraboo.  It's considered one of the largest agriculture festivals in Wisconsin and is expected to draw over 45-thousand visitors through Thursday.  The festival includes over 500 exhibits and activities for people of all ages.  Tickets are ten dollars for adults and kids 12 and under are free.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation unveiled 10 alternate ideas for the I-94. The Department said the project is called Rethinking I-94 and they're trying to improve the quality of life for residents in the area by cutting down on pollution and noise. MnDOT said they're committed to walk-ability and bike-ability improvement as part of all build alternatives. Officials say the department will have more community engagement events but the project won't begin for another five years.

Several hundred writers who produce travel blogs for a living are gathered in Eau Claire this week to discuss the industry and the challenges facing it.  An estimated 300 travel bloggers are attending the conference, known as the 2023 North America TBEX.  Eau Claire is in good company: the annual event has been held in Greece, New York City and Spain in the past but this year, organizers say Eau Claire was the top choice this year.  They hope the event will generate more tourism in the city in years to come. 

Local-Regional News July 18

  A man from Red Wing suffered life threatening injuries after colliding with a box truck while on his scooter.   According to the Minnesota State Patrol, it happened Monday morning on Highway 61 near Bench Street in Red Wing.  The box truck was traveling southbound on Highway 61 and 35yr old  David Egan was riding a small scooter in the northbound lane when the two collided.    Egan was taken to Saint Marys Rochester, while the box truck driver was not injured.

Eau Claire County authorities are investigating a woman's death. The Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office has identified a woman who died in the Town of Washington last week as 77-year-old Diane Berthold. Deputies and emergency personnel responding to a residence on Thursday found the woman already dead, and an 81-year-old man in need of emergency medical attention. He was transported to a local hospital. The woman's death is being investigated as suspicious.

The  Powerball jackpot has not been claimed yet but Saturday's Powerball drawing saw a six-figure winning ticket sold in the Chippewa Valley. The Cenex Convenience Store on West River Street in Chippewa Falls sold a one-hundred-thousand-dollar ticket to a mystery winner. Stores receive a six-percent commission from the Wisconsin Lottery for every ticket sold. Wednesday's jackpot is currently estimated at one-billion dollars --  but that could rise as ticket sales surge.

Registration for the 27th Durand Area Youth Fishing tournament ends this Friday.  The tournament will be held July 26 through the 29 in the Durand area.  Registration can be completed online through the Durand Area Youth Fishing Tournament Facebook page or at Ryans Sports Show.  Late Registrations will not be accepted.

The body of a man was found during the search of a retention pond behind Byron’s City Hall Monday.  The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Department was given a tip by a concerned citizen stating they heard a noise in the pond a couple of days ago and suggested someone should check it out.  This tip led investigators to search the pond and the body of a male was found. It has not been revealed how long the body was there or the identity of the person.  Investigators are not sure if foul play was involved.  Authorities are not giving information about what the noise was at this time.

 State Senator Jeff Smith just proposed four bills that he said would help protect Wisconsin's pollinator population. One bill would prohibit the DNR from using harmful insecticides on grounds it maintains. Another would allow cities and municipalities to regulate pesticide use. He's also proposing state government gives preference to native prairie and forage plants that encourage pollination, and the fourth would prohibit plants from being labeled beneficial to pollinators if they've been treated with insecticides.  All four bills will be read in a public hearing. That date has yet to be determined. 

Organizers of this year's Northern Wisconsin State Fair confirm attendance this year set  a new record -- more than 114-thousand people attended the fair in Chippewa Falls.  Last year, the fair generated 174-million dollars for the local economy and officials say the figure will easily be exceeded this year.  Chamber of Commerce officials say the fair provides a big economic impact for the region every year.

Construction on the main parking lots at the Eau Claire County Government Center has begun and is expected to be finished by the end of the month.  The work is focused on parking lots A and B of the government center and will result in the closing of Oxford Avenue between Grand Avenue and Lake Street during construction.  County official say Eau Claire Police will allow parking on the street to the west of the Chippewa River near the center during the day without ticketing.  County officials encourage residents to conduct business virtually while construction is underway. 

Student athletes would have to play on a team that aligns with their biological sex under a bill GOP lawmakers in Madison have reintroduced.  The first version of the bill -- called the Save Women's Sports Act -- failed to pass last year.  Republican State Representative Barbara Dittrich says the bill would prevent women's sports from being lost to biological males.  Democratic lawmakers who oppose the measure say it will only subject trans youth to more bullying and exclusion.     

Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig is seeking feedback from constituents about problems receiving mail.  The U.S. representative hopes to get responses before her visit to two south metro post offices on July 21.  Craig is scheduled to make stops at the post offices in Eagan and  Prior Lake.   People living in the 2nd Congressional District can submit their comments online by Wednesday at craig-dot-house-dot-gov-slash-usps.

Now is the time to check kids' vaccine status.  Public health officials say summer is a good time to make sure kids are up to date on all of their vaccines. The State of Wisconsin requires several immunizations for students, including vaccinations for polio, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella. Talk to your doctor to see what vaccines are needed and to get answers to any questions you may have on the vaccines.

Harley-Davidson anniversary celebrations will become an annual event in Milwaukee.  The motorcycle maker’s CEO, Jochen Zeitz, announced this weekend the four days of concerts, tours and rides will take place every year starting in 2024.  The festivals for the iconic cycles previously happened every five years.  Next year’s Harley gathering will happen July 25th through the 28th.  Harley’s 120th anniversary celebration, which attracted Harley riders from around the globe, wrapped up Sunday in Milwaukee.

A Brown County court heard testimony Thursday on whether Taylor Schabusiness is mentally competent to stand trial.  Independent forensic psychologist Diane Lytton told the court that in her initial meeting with Schabusiness, a chair was thrown at her by Schabusiness.  Lytton also said Schabusiness had “a thing” going on with Jeffery Dahmer for a year, and she also made comments about Johnny Cash overdosing on a train.  The psychologist assessed that Schabusiness doesn’t fully understand the proceedings and can’t participate in her defense.  She’s accused of killing and dismembering a Green Bay man in early 2022. 

Allina Health System is eliminating about 350 jobs because it's facing unprecedented financial pressure. Officials say at the end of last year, Allina had more than 28,500 full and part time employees at it's ten hospitals including Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis and United Hospital in St. Paul. Allina's financial officer said the non-profit loss 101 million dollars because of high labor costs and an inability to discharge patients to step-down facilities. Officials say most terminated employees are not in care giving roles and they will be offered severance, health benefits and outplacement resources.

A little-known battle of the War of 1812 was remembered in Prairie Du Chien Sunday. The annual re-enactment of the Battle of Prairie Du Chien was staged at Villa Louis Mansion.  The site’s curator and author of a book on the battle, Mary Louise Antoinette, tells WKOW-TV in Madison plenty of people she talks to say they have no idea the battle ever occurred. Antoinette says the goal of the event is to give people a deeper understanding of the war and its impact on Wisconsin.

Local-Regional News July 17

 One person was injured in a single vehicle accident in Naples Township on Thursday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, 18yr old Olivia Taylor of Mondovi was traveling northbound on Hwy BB when she went off the paved road and onto the gravel shoulder, lost control and rolled approximately 4 or 5 times down an embankment.  Taylor had to be extricated from the vehicle and was taken to an Eau Claire Hospital.

The top man at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair says he knows they broke an attendance record this year. Rusty Volk says it will take a few days to get an exact headcount for this year's fair, but he says he knows they set some kind of record. Volk said they sold out two concerts this year, and had a huge crowd on Saturday. This was the 125th year for the fair in Chippewa Falls. Volk says they'll take a couple of days off, then get to work on year 126 soon.

The Wabasha County Board is meeting tomorrow.  Items on the agenda include approval of the Hwy 58 LRIP Grant Agreement, approval of the disposal of a sheriffs department 2014 Dodge Ram Pickup Truck and the presentation of the Second Quarter Financial Report.   Tomorrows meeting begins at 9am at the Wabasha County Government Center in Wabasha.

There is now a lawsuit against the city of La Crosse for the PFAS pollution just across the river. Attorneys for people living on French Island last month filed a 42 million-dollar lawsuit against La Crosse for the PFAS chemicals that have leaked into their wells. More than 500 wells in the town of Campbell on the island have tested positive for the chemicals. The lawsuit says firefighting foam from the nearby airport seeped into their wells. Folks on French Island have been drinking bottled water for over a year. La Crosse is also pushing ahead with a PFAS lawsuit. The city has sued PFAS makers, but that case has been tied-up since 2021 as part of a much larger case against the companies that make the chemicals.

 One person is dead after an officer involved  incident in Barron County Friday afternoon.  According to the Wisconsin DOJ, U.S. Marshals, with assistance from the Barron County Sheriff’s Office and Barron Police Department, were in pursuit of a wanted subject on Highway 8 in the City of Barron when the suspect crashed on Hwy 8.  Upon observation, the subject had a gunshot wound and had a firearm inside the vehicle. The subject was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers discharged their firearm during this incident.  The Barron County Sheriff’s Department is being assisted by the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation.   DCI is leading this investigation and is assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol. All involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation.

There is a manhunt for a stolen fish in northwestern Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources say someone stole an extremely rare brood Brown Trout from the St. Croix Falls State Fish Hatchery back in June. Brown Trout are found about once-in-300-thousand trout, so the DNR says they are both rare and valuable. There's no word about pictures or other evidence in the case. The DNR is asking anyone who knows anything to please reach out.

Two of Wisconsin's congressmen want an investigation into Madison's Naked Bike Ride. Congressman Tom Tiffany and Congressman Scott Fitzgerald last week asked the Department of Justice to open a case after a 10-year-girl was spotted riding naked at this year's bike ride. Prosecutors in Dane County have already refused to take the case, they said there was nothing sexual about the girl's ride or the pictures that turned-up online. Tiffany said it's 'immoral, harmful, and obscene' to allow a 10-year-old girl to ride a bike naked through the city. He wants an investigation into both the girl's parents and the Naked Bike Ride's organizers.

A part of Highway 95 in the Twin Cities metro will be closed for an extended period of time. A section of the highway between Myrtle Street and Olive Street in Stillwater is closed from now until the end of September. The closure is occurring to make way for a bicycle plaza construction project. Drivers in the area will have to detour to Highway 36, Highway 96, and Manning Avenue until the segment of highway is open again.

The Minnesota DNR awarded $2.4M in grant money to 35 communities in Minnesota to help manage the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer, or EAB. First detected in the state almost 15 years ago, the EAB has slowly spread into dozens of communities around the state.  The funding will be used to do things like diversifying the local foliage, removing impacted wood and trees, and creating inventory plans for trees in each awarded community.  The City of Rochester received a $150,000 grant from the Minnesota DNR.

A  raid on a suspected meth lab in Green Bay leads to the arrest of a man known internationally for publishing books and blog articles on making meth, explosives and deadly chemical agents, like ricin.  65-year-old Stephen Preisler, who’s pen name is “Uncle Fester” faces multiple counts of meth manufacturing with intent to deliver and maintaining a drug house. Green Bay Alder William Galvin first became aware of Preisler’s activities while a Green Bay Police officer.   Preisler is being held in the Brown County Jail without bond pending a court appearance. 

New data shows more people in Wisconsin are using the suicide prevention hotline.  The Wisconsin Department of Health Services said in a news release Friday that the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline received nearly 92-thousand contacts in the past year.  Nearly 80-percent of those contacts were phone calls, and the rest were either text messages or online chats.  Sunday marks one year since the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline became the three-digit phone number 988.

Licensed drivers moving to Minnesota will no longer need to take written tests. Officials say people relocating to state won't have to take the test if they have a valid driving credential issued in another state. The director of Driver and Vehicle Services said by removing out-of-state drivers from the testing pool will open additional slots for Minnesotans 21 and under who are required to take the test.

Minnesota's biggest lender is no longer offering payday loans.  Payday America CEO Brad Rixmann released a statement claiming that online lenders will charge more than his company did for a two-week loan.  Minnesota has joined 19 other states that have restricted payday loans, which are normally attached to extremely high-interest rates.  The state Legislature capped annual percentage rates in most cases at 36-percent starting this January.

There was an event called “Summer Fest” in Minneapolis this weekend, and Milwaukee’s Summerfest organizers aren’t happy about it.  Milwaukee World Festival, Incorporated has filed a trademark lawsuit against the Minnesota Twins for hosting a music festival at the Twins’ home stadium, Target Field, called "Summer Fest."  The lawsuit says the name of the Minnesota event is "confusingly similar in its entertainment and advertising" to Milwaukee's Summerfest.  The suit filed Thursday adds that a Facebook ad the Twins posted for the event led to comments wondering if the Minneapolis event was associated with Milwaukee’s Summerfest.  Milwaukee World Festival has held a federal trademark for the name Summerfest since 1972.

Madison’s police chief is a step closer to possibly heading up Chicago’s police department. Shon Barnes was named as one of three finalists for the job of Chicago police superintendent.  The other two candidates are current members of the Chicago Police Department.  The three will be referred to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.  The Chicago Sun-Times reports Johnson has expressed a strong desire to pick a new head of police from inside the Chicago department or select someone with experience in the city.  Barnes became Madison’s chief in 2021 after serving as the Director of Training and Professional Development for the Chicago Police Department.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation wants to alleviate traffic congestion near road construction. A video on the agency’s Facebook page demonstrates a traffic maneuver known as the “zipper merge”.   The video shows when coming to a merge point due to a closed lane of traffic, drivers taking alternating turns to merge into a single file line of traffic. The post explains that when the zipper merge is used properly, it can shorten lines and reduce backups.

Local-Reigonal News July 14

 Another hazy weekend appears to be tap on for Wisconsin  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources expects smoke from Canadian wildfires will once again drift into Wisconsin beginning on Friday and continuing into Saturday. While the DNR does not expect air quality to be as severely impacted as it was in late June - when Wisconsin had the unenviable distinction of having the worst air quality on the planet - the agency is asking people to be prepared. Forecasts were still being analyzed on Thursday, but it appears northern Wisconsin will be most severely impacted, and possible air quality advisories may be issued.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, and the City of Wabasha are set to sign a historic river sand management document during a brief ceremony in Wabasha on July 24.  Col. Eric Swenson, St. Paul District commander, and Wabasha Mayor Emily Durand will sign a memorandum of agreement that affords the city to manage the Corps of Engineers’ dredged river sand within the Mississippi River Lower Pool 4 area. With the pact, known as a Water Resources Development Act Section 217 agreement, the Corps will be able to pay the city a tipping fee to help manage river sand removed from the navigational channel during Corps dredging operations.  The agreement is years in the making and the first of its kind for inland waters within the United States.   With this agreement, the city now has more control of where the sand goes and can develop more beneficial reuse opportunities.

A Mississippi man is looking at charges in Dunn County after police say he shot some bullets into some cars and sexually assaulted a woman. Jesse Fortenberry is looking at nine charges in two separate cases. He was in court yesterday. Menomonie Police say he shot holes into two cars in downtown Menomonie Tuesday night. Investigators say he sexually assaulted a local woman the night before. Fortenberry is looking at a five-thousand-dollar cash bond.

A Pair of Republican congressmen from Wisconsin wants to see new election rules for the states. Congressman Bryan Steil and Congressman Derrick Van Orden are out with separate plans that would push for voter ID requirements in every state, and a new list of rules to make sure non-citizens cannot vote. Van Orden's plan would have every state use Real IDs to make sure only American citizens can vote. Steil's plan would implement what he's calling 'federalist solutions' to make sure each state double-checks social security numbers against voting rolls, counts military ballots on time, and doesn't use federal money to expand voting to people who cannot vote. Steil says his plan has both 'the carrot and the stick.'

The Eau Claire City-County Health Department says two cases of legionnaires’ disease have been found in an Eau Claire care facility.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia that if left untreated can lead to lung failure and even death.  The Health Department says that while they are not worried for the general public, they are concerned if they are noticing issues at a care facility. The Health Department says the source of the bacteria has not been identified yet, but they are working with the care facility to identify the issue.  The facility in question has not been named.

Prosecutors in Washburn County are pushing felony charges against a local man after a high-speed chase last month. The D.A. is moving ahead with 15 felonies, most of them for recklessly endangering safety, against 50-year-old Chad Rollins from Chippewa Falls. Deputies tried to stop him back on June 25th on Highway 53 near Minong. He sped away. The sheriff's office says the chase topped out at 95 miles-per-hour, and says Rollins was able to lose the deputies that night. Deputies found him the next day and arrested him. Rollins is due in court later today.

Excessive speeding remains a "thing" on state roads.  Wisconsin's State Patrol says the number of citations for drivers going 100-plus miles per hour spiked during the pandemic and the bad habit is continuing. In 2019, they issued 583 tickets for extreme speeding. In 2020, that number grew to over 14 hundred and continues to remain high

The World Dairy Expo's home will continue to be Madison. Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced on Thursday that the county and the Expo have inked a five-year deal that would keep the event in southern Wisconsin. The show has run the first week of October for over 50 years, and Parisi says it's a one-of-a-kind event. Expo manager Laura Herschelb says the Alliant Energy Center will continue to be the home for the show, and they're planning to keep the Expo viable for years to come.

Recent data shows that all of Minnesota is currently experiencing some degree of drought. According to a report released by the National Drought Mitigation Center, 100-percent of the state is now abnormally dry. On top of that, 63-percent of the state is in a moderate drought, while 11-percent is experiencing a severe drought. The dry weather is affecting farmers, and poor growing conditions are driving up hay prices. Officials say that conditions could get even worse if the lack of rainfall continues.

A northwest Wisconsin woman leads law enforcement into a long vehicle pursuit.  The Burnett County Sheriff’s Office says the woman allegedly stole a convertible in Spooner on July 8th.   After a deputy and a DNR Warden spotted the vehicle on State Highway 35 and turned on their emergency lights and sirens, the woman in the convertible flashed an obscene gesture at them and took off, leading law enforcement on a 33-mile chase.  The driver, identified as 34-year-old Katrina Boyle, reportedly caused damage to two different residential yards and a squad truck during the pursuit.  Boyle was eventually taken into custody but was allegedly ‘uncooperative’ during her arrest.

“Safe space” signs are banned in Hartland’s Arrowhead High School.  The Arrowhead United School District’s board approved a policy stating that Wednesday night.  A revised version of that policy argues that every room in the high school should be safe.  Supporters of the policy say it lets teachers focus only on curriculum and not political ideologies, while opponents say the policy solves a problem that doesn't exist and hurts LGBTQ+ students.  The original version of this policy banned pride flags, rainbows, Black Lives Matter signs, and anti-racist posters.

The Waukesha School Board voted Wednesday to fire the teacher at the center of the "Rainbowland" song controversy.  The board said Melissa Tempel violated board policy after tweeting out her frustration when administrators at Heyer Elementary School "banned" her first-grade students from singing the Miley Cyrus-Dolly Parton song “Rainbowland” at their spring concert, saying the song encouraged LGBTQ+ acceptance and references rainbows.  The tweet received national attention. After Tempel was placed on leave in April, the district’s superintendent, James Sebert, said in May he would recommend that the board terminate the teacher.  Tempel's attorney indicated she will file a lawsuit, arguing that Tempel was exercising her right to free speech.

Drought conditions continue to worsen in southern Wisconsin.  Today's U.S. Drought Monitor map says all of Dane County is now under extreme drought, the second-worst drought category possible.  All of Wisconsin is experiencing at least near-drought conditions.  The rain we got yesterday isn't included on today's map.

Starbucks workers at the two Madison locations where they've formed unions are supporting other Starbucks workers wanting to unionize.  Union workers took a bus tour to the State Street Starbucks yesterday in support of more members joining.  Union workers say they hope their support will help more workers get a labor contract.

How much do you know about the history of the Green Bay Packers?  UW-Green Bay will offer an online non-credit certificate program beginning in September. For a cost of $139, fans can explore the iconic history of the Packers in eight sessions available online via Zoom and taught by Packers Hall of Fame curator Brent Hensel. The sessions will cover important events and personalities from the Packers’ more than 100 year history that dates back to the early days of the NFL.

Local-Regional News July 13

 Two suspects are in custody following an investigation into gunshots in Menomonie. According to the Menomonie Police Department, Tuesday evening, Police received a report that a citizen heard about six gunshots in the area of 541 South Broadway.  Menomonie Police say officers searched the area and found empty shell casings in the alleyway behind 541 South Broadway. Bullet holes were found in two different unoccupied vehicles. Following an investigation, two suspects were taken into custody.   According to Police, they believe this to be an isolated incident, and do not believe anyone was targeted. They say there is no further danger to the community.

The Village of Pepin is asking for public input on the future use of the property that was acquired at 207 Lake Street.  The village is seeking possibilities regarding the best way to add public value to the location consistent with the long-term interest of village residents.  Any comments or ideas should be submitted to the Village Clerk July 31st.  For more information contact the Pepin Village Clerk.

The final step has been taken to establish a workgroup in Dunn County to address the pressing issue of a lack of adequate housing throughout the county.  The county Planning, Resource and Development Committee voted in May to establish the work group and asked County Manager Kris Korpela to nominate members. County Board Chair Kelly McCullough has approved the formation of the group and the committee has approved the members.  Top housing concerns for homeowners were the cost of buying a home (54 percent) and property taxes (36 percent). Some 65 percent of respondents said there is a need for smaller single-family starter homes, and 29 percent said there is a need for housing for senior citizens. Korpela said the intent of the workgroup is to create a plan and work for its implementation to address the concerns raised in the housing study. The group will report monthly to the county planning committee.

The head of the Eau Claire County Board is out following the investigation into millions of dollars in misspending at the county's Department of Human Services. The county board last night voted to remove Chairman Nick Smiar. County supervisors say someone has to be held accountable for the three-million dollars that were misspent or taken from the county's DHS department. Investigators say Smiar knew about the misspending and theft but never told anyone. No one has been charged in the case, and Smiar earlier this week said it is time to put the investigation in the past. County leaders may not be done, they're expected to meet again to possibly remove the county's administrator as well.

The strike at Leinenkugel's is getting political. Democrats in Chippewa County are calling for a solidarity boycott of Leinenkugel's beer. Just over 40 Teamsters at the plant in Chippewa Falls walked off the job this week, yesterday the county Democratic Party asked members not to buy Leinenkugel's beer or anything else made by Molson Coors until the strike is settled. Molson Coors owns Leinenkugel's, plus Coors, Miller, Blue Moon, and more. The brewery says it's offered the striking workers a competitive new contract.

 Wisconsin's school safety tip line is now accepting texts. Attorney General Josh Kaul yesterday announced a new text line. Kaul says allowing students, teachers, and parents to text-in tips is just another tool to keep schools in Wisconsin safe. The new text line comes after Kaul said last month he may have to close the tip line entirely. Kaul said if lawmakers didn't add two-million dollars to the state budget, he'd have to all-but close his Office of School Safety and the tip line. Yesterday, Kaul said that remains a possibility.

A proposal to allow Wisconsin pharmacists to directly prescribe birth control got its first hearing on Wednesday. State Representative Joel Kitchens says someone seeking birth control would have to fill out a simple questionnaire.   Kitchens says allowing women to have reproductive choices will not only reduce abortions, it will improve outcomes for children by ensuring that pregnancies are planned.

The Army Corps of Engineers is getting help from the Wisconsin and the Iowa Departments of Natural Resources to protect Effigy Mounds National Monument. Corps' project manager Kim Warshaw says the goal is to prevent damage from major floods along the Mississippi River. The mounds date back to the first millennium and were built by over a dozen Native American tribes.

More information is coming out about a teen who suffered fatal injuries at a Florence County sawmill.  The sheriff’s office there says on June 29th, 16-year-old boy Michael Schuls was trying to remove a jam in a wood stacking machine at Florence Hardwoods.  The conveyor belt Schuls was standing on while trying to unjam the machine moved, which led the boy to become pinned in the machine.  Schuls’ injuries led to his death two days later in a Milwaukee hospital.  Authorities say after viewing surveillance video that Schuls failed to push the machine's safety shut-off button prior to getting on the conveyor belt, leading to the incident.

TSA says more people are bringing guns to the airport in Wisconsin this year. Agents yesterday said they've found 18 guns in bags at airports across the state so far this year.  That's up from 12 at this point last year. TSA says there's no indication that anyone was planning to use any of the guns, most people say they simply forgot they had a gun in their bag.  Travelers caught with a gun face a fine of up to 15 thousand dollars, and will likely be flagged for extra screening in the future.

The town of Rib Mountain will become a village.  Unofficial results showed 92 percent of the 13 hundred votes cast Tuesday were in favor of incorporation. Town Administrator Gaylene Rhoden says it makes sense to create a lasting community image as a village because of their thriving business districts. The results now move on to the state Department of Administration for certification. Once that's complete, voters will return to the polls in the next two months to elect a Village President and Trustees- Rhoden says more information about that election will be released when it's available.

Police officers whose gunfire killed a Mequon man in a May 17th incident will not be criminally charged.  After police responded to the report of a man shooting at a neighbor who was mowing his lawn, 86-year-old Pietro La Licata barricaded himself in his home before he shot at police, who then returned fire and killed La Licata.  According to Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol, police records show officers had been called to La Licata’s home 27 times dating back to the 1980’s.  La Licata was known by Mequon Police to have mental and cognitive issues and had several guns in his home.  Gerol issued his decision not to file charges on the officers Tuesday, saying their actions were justified.

The Northwestern University football team won’t be training in Kenosha anymore.  The school said pre-season practices for the team at UW-Parkside will end following an alleged hazing scandal that has cost head coach Pat Fitzgerald his job.  Northwestern has held practices at what was commonly known as “Camp Kenosha” since the 1990’s.  The university originally placed Fitzgerald on suspension without pay following an investigation of the hazing practices.  Allegations from a former football player published in the Northwestern school newspaper detailed sexual abuse as a part of the hazing that supposedly started at Camp Kenosha.  

The pride of Pewaukee is headed to the cereal aisle of your local grocery store. Wheaties this week said it will feature JJ and TJ Watt on the front of its new boxes. The third Watt brother Derek will be on the back of the box. This is the first time that Wheaties has featured brothers on the box together. JJ Watt, who played his high school football at Pewaukee before playing for the Badgers and then in the NFL, said it's an honor to be among the lineup of athletes featured on the front of a Wheaties box.

Get ready for an array of new foods at the Wisconsin State Fair.  Every year, vendors at the State Fair seem to want to outdo each other on new offerings, and this year there are some very unique items. You can try out a deep fried dill pickle donut, cotton candy lemonade: and no that's not two items, that's lemonade with cotton candy on top. There's beer cheese stuffed pretzels served like a lava cake, and maybe have a Wisconsin quesadilla: That's cheese curds, brats, peppers and more cheese. Over 100 new foods and drinks will be on the menu when the fair starts next month at State Fair Park in West Allis.