Another Democrat is entering Wisconsin's Third District U-S House race. Eric Wilson of Eau Claire says he wants the seat currently held by Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden. Wilson joins fellow Eau Claire Democrat Rebecca Cooke and three others in the Democratic primary February 20th. The Third District covers west and southwestern Wisconsin.
A Red Wing man has been charged in the death of an infant. A grand jury indicted 27yr old Hunter McCutchen after a four-month investigation by Red Wing Police and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension after McCutchen's infant died on May 23rd. McCutchen is now charged with two counts of first-degree murder and 13 other charges and is being held in the Goodhue County Jail. He will be in court on November 13.
The Pepin County Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include resolutions on the Pepin County Conservation Aids Program, the County Board Per Diem Rate and compensation for Board Chair and Committee Chairs, and amending the meal, mileage, and lodging reimbursement policy for county volunteers. Tonight's meeting begins at 7pm in the board room at the Government Center in Durand.
The Dunn County Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include the second reading of an ordinance regulating the hours and use of county parks, annual reports from the County Fair Board and the county IT department, and updates on the 2024 budget. Tonight's meeting begins at 7pm at the Dunn County Government Center in Menomonie.
A judge says there is enough evidence to take the fourth suspect in last September's killing in Eau Claire to trial. A judge yesterday refused Jamon Sullivan's request to dismiss the charges against him. Eau Claire Police say Sullivan is allegedly one of four people who killed Christopher Conner last September at the intersection of Bergen and Bellevue. Investigators say the four reportedly got into a fight with Conner after a night of bar hopping. The three other suspects in the case are in the Eau Claire County jail and waiting for trial.
The latest numbers from the state of Wisconsin show both Pepin and Pierce Counties had an increase in population, while Buffalo and Dunn Counties saw a drop. The State's Department of Administration is out with its latest population estimates and says Pepin County has 7339 residents, an increase of 21 people, while Pierce County had a 130-person increase for a population of 42,342. Meanwhile, Buffalo County saw a 155-person drop in population to 13, 202 and Dunn County's population of 45,317 was a drop of 123 since the 2020 census. The report bases its numbers on census data, housing data, and college admissions.
You are going to have to wait to cash in on your rewards points at Kwik Trip for a little while longer. The company yesterday said it has fixed some of its computer issues, but said the rewards program remains offline. A spokesperson yesterday didn't say just what happened to cause the outage, but said Kwik Trip has been working for days to fix it. The company is also trying to ensure people that their private information was never at risk. Kwik Trip says people should continue to use their rewards number, and they will eventually get credit for everything they buy.
The plan to spend more than 500 million-dollars in taxpayer money on the Brewers' ballpark is halfway there at the Wisconsin Capitol. The State Assembly yesterday approved the plan to use taxpayer money to pay for upkeep and renovations at American Family Field. Sixteen Republicans and 11 Democrats voted against the plan, but there was also bipartisan support for the package. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos yesterday said the plan is a good deal for taxpayers. Pewaukee Republican Adam Neylon, however, said it's irresponsible to give more than a half billion dollars in taxpayer money to a team that's worth nearly two billion dollars. The package now heads to the State Senate, where lawmakers expect to add a few tweaks.
Wisconsin's governor is going to have to try again to get his people on to the Department of Natural Resources Board. The Wisconsin Senate rejected four of the governor's appointees yesterday. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said the four weren't qualified and refused to follow the law. Democrats say LeMahieu and the Republicans are playing games. Governor Evers yesterday nominated four new people to try and take over the board.
A southern Minnesota city is exploring its law enforcement options, a move that has upset some members of its police force. The mayor of Zumbrota says hiring new police officers and paying them a competitive wage is becoming more difficult. That's why the city recently reached out to the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office to discuss having that agency take over law enforcement services. The union steward for the seven-member police force said he was surprised to learn about those discussions and that's led to some criticism of city leaders on social media. The city will hold a discussion on the topic during a City Council meeting scheduled for Thursday.
The Wisconsin legislature's employment relations committee approved pay hikes for nearly all state workers. The exception is Universities of Wisconsin staff. The raises amount to a six percent increase total -- four-percent in the first year and two-percent the second year. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is blocking raises for University employees unless the U-W System cuts Diversity, Equity and Inclusion positions.
A man who illegally brought a loaded handgun into the Wisconsin Capitol has been charged with a misdemeanor. Capitol Police say on October 4th, Joshua “Taco” Pleasnick was shirtless while carrying a holstered handgun as he entered the Capitol demanding to see Governor Tony Evers to talk about “domestic abuse towards men.” Evers was not in the building at the time. After he was arrested for illegally openly carrying a weapon, Pleasnick posted bail and returned to the Capitol that night with an assault rifle. The 43-year-old Pleasnick was charged with carrying a firearm in a public building. Officials said Pleasnick did not have a concealed carry permit. He’s scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning.
The argument against Wisconsin's political maps is actually relatively narrow. Law Forward, the collection of progressive groups that are suing Wisconsin to get new political maps, yesterday filed its brief in the case. Law Forward argues that Wisconsin's Constitution requires all statehouse or congressional districts to be contiguous, which means they cannot include separate pieces of detached territory. Law Forward is also arguing that Governor Evers vetoed the maps in November of 2021, and the legislature never overrode that veto. Law Forward is asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to draw new maps before next fall's elections. The group says the current maps are both unconstitutional and gerrymandered to favor Republicans.
Minnesota's projected budget surplus is getting bigger. State budget officials announced yesterday that tax and fee collections have outpaced expectations while spending has been lower than projected. That's added about 820-million to the forecast surplus of one-point-six-billion dollars. The actual amount of the surplus will be announced in December.
A Hugo dairy farmer is back to work after heart surgery which involved an aortic valve replacement from a cow. Fran Miron underwent triple bypass surgery in July at M Health Fairview St. John's Hospital. Health experts say heart disease can come with many symptoms, such as chest pain or tightness, feelings of lightheadedness, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Anyone with unusual symptoms is urged to seek medical attention. Miron, who also serves as a Washington County Commissioner says he is still restricted from heavy lifting but is otherwise back on the job.
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