Local-Regional News May 31

 An ambulance was hit by paintballs in Western Wisconsin while it was transporting a patient between hospitals. The Menomonie Fire Department says medical crews drove between Mayo Menomonie and Mayo Stillwater. At some point during the drive, the ambulance was hit with blue paintballs. The vehicle wasn't damaged. The fire department asks anyone with information to contact them.

The City of Mondovi will be purchasing 3 license plate reader cameras.  During this week's council meeting Buffalo County Sheriff Michael Osmond had a presentation on the cameras.  Osmond says the cameras are not for traffic violations but for criminal investigations.  The sheriff's department can also use the cameras during amber, silver, and green alerts to locate vehicles.  Currently, Buffalo County has 6 of the cameras in use throughout the county.

The City of Durand continues is search for a new city administrator.  The city council will be holding a special meeting next Wednesday to interview the applicants for the position and narrow down the number of applicants for an additional interview.  Current administrator Scott Rassmuesson is scheduled to retire on July 1st.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has changed road signs at a Barron County intersection after a fatal crash killed 3 people in 2023.  In May of 2023, 17yr old Brody Bleskacke of Elmwood was traveling westbound on Hwy A and failed to stop at the stop sign at Hwy 25 and collided with a vehicle on Hwy 25.  The crash killed a 54yr old from Spooner, Bleskack's brother and another 13yr old.  A crash reconstruction determined that sunlight at the time of the crash caused the yellow stop sign to blend into the surroundings, plus a sign warning of a T intersection ahead was down at the time of the crash.  Since the accident, the intersection has been changed, rumble strips have been installed on Hwy A and the T intersection sign has been reinstalled.

The City of Wabasha will have a grand opening of the new athletic complex this evening.  The new complex includes baseball fields, tennis and pickleball courts, and a hockey rink.  There will be food and refreshments available plus the St. Paul Saints will be having a game to benefit the Falcon Youth Baseball Association and the Wabasha-Kellogg Summer Softball Association.  The grand opening is from 4-7pm this evening.

City leaders in Eau Claire are jumping on-board with the plan to replace most gas-powered cars in the next decade. City Councilmembers Larry Mboga and Joshua Miller spoke yesterday in a local park to say they are committed to the Biden Administration's goal of having 56 percent of cars be EVs by 2032. The two say moving away from gas-powered cars will improve the air quality throughout Wisconsin. They also hope that building the EV network to charge all of those electric cars will bring more jobs to the state. They did not say, however, how they plan to convince people to give-up their gas-powered cars in the next eight years. 

Cadott is looking to maybe sell its power grid. The Village Board will vote Monday on whether to sell the city's electric network to the Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative. This is not the first time Cadott has talked about selling its grid. Co-op leaders say if Cadott hangs-on to its power lines and power polls, people in the village could see their power bills jump by 40 percent. Almost all of that would go to cover the cost of maintaining the grid. Co-op leaders also say doing nothing isn't an option, because parts of Cadott's grid are so old they're dangerous. 

Things are not yet back to normal at Ascension in Wisconsin. The hospital suffered a ransomware attack back on May 8th, and has been locked out of parts of its network ever since. Ascension says doctors and nurses at its 140 hospitals and clinics have been affected. The hospital even called-in the FBI. Ascension this week said some doctors at some hospitals have some access to their electronic medical records. The system hack has forced doctors and nurses to go back to hand-written notes, and that has caused significant delays across Ascension's entire network. 

Wisconsin needs a new commander for the National Guard. Governor Evers' office yesterday said Major General Paul Knapp is resigning as Adjutant General next week. No one is saying why Knapp is stepping down. Knapp has served as the state's National Guard commander for the past four years. Brigadier General David May will serve as his temporary replacement. 

Wisconsin's bird flocks have avoided this latest round of the bird flu. The state's Department of Agriculture says there hasn't been a report of the bird flu in either commercial or backyard flocks since January. That was a case in Washburn County that saw over 40-thousand birds destroyed. Before that, there were two outbreaks in commercial flocks in Barron County late last year. DATCP officials also say they have not seen any bird flu cases in people who work with dairy cows in the state, though the department says it is actually monitoring the situation. 

Turtles are about to start looking for nesting spots in Wisconsin and may be more common in unusual areas. The Department of Natural Resources says all eleven species native to the state will be coming out of their habitats soon. They sometimes choose to nest in yards and roadways, which adds a risk of the turtles being run over by cars. The DNR says moving turtles that aren't aggressive by both sides of their shells is safest, while more aggressive species like snapping turtles should only be held by the back of their shell.

Wisconsin is jumping into the venture capital game. Governor Tony Evers yesterday announced the creation of the 100-million-dollar Wisconsin Investment Fund. Half the money is coming from the state, while the other half is coming from private investors. Five firms will help manage the money, and about half of the investments are earmarked for bio-health startups and entrepreneurs. Wisconsin EDC director Missy Hughes says the idea is to help companies grow in Wisconsin, thrive in Wisconsin, and ultimately stay in Wisconsin. 

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is calling for the resignation of State Senator Nicole Mitchell.  Leaders of the DFL are also looking for the Woodbury lawmaker to step down.  The moves came after Mitchell was formally charged with burglary for allegedly breaking into her stepmother's Detroit Lakes home late last month.  A few days later, Republican members of the state Senate filed an ethics complaint against Mitchell.  Shortly after, the legislator was removed from committees and caucus meetings.  Mitchell's next court date is set for June 10th.

Delta workers at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport are on the verge of forming a union for the first time, with ramp and cargo agents leading the charge. Despite Delta's efforts to thwart the unionization, workers are determined to push through. The agents, who have attempted to unionize three times since the Delta-Northwest merger in 2008, are now collaborating with other unions for support. The group hopes to trigger a vote for unionization by September and secure a contract within six months. 

The state Department of Natural Resources wants to know how Minnesotans like to cook their fish.  The agency is asking Minnesotans to submit their favorite fish recipes through their Wild Minnesota Recipe Exchange webpage.  Recipes submitted may be featured on DNR social media platforms during the summer.  The deadline for submitting recipes is June 30th.

Local-Regional News May 30

 A Wabasha man had to be rescued yesterday near Lock and Dam #4 in Alma.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, an employee of the dam called authorities after a boat was spotted floating toward the dam and the operator looked unresponsive.  The boat hit the dam and was hung up on a roller.  The sheriff's department, WI DNR, and Alma Fire Department rescued 64yr old man and he was not injured.  He was arrested for suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol and operating a watercraft.

A town of Canton home is a total loss after a fire yesterday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, firefighters were called to the Jennifer and Michael Stevens home on Wittig Road in the Town of Canton.  Crews found the home totally engulfed and firefighters from Alma, Mondovi, Durand, and six other departments battled the blaze for nearly 3 hours.  The fire is believed to have originated in the garage due to an electrical issue.  No one was hurt in that fire.

Mondovi residents will have some traffic issues starting on Monday.  The city announced that Hwy 10 East from Washington Street to Memorial Drive will be closed next week for utility work.  The work is being done for the new Kwik Trip that is being built near Washington Street.  Motorists should be aware of possible delays and make appropriate plans during the road closure.

The Mondovi City Council is asking for public input on possible changes to the city's ATV/UTV Ordinance.  During this week's council meeting, members had a long discussion about the ordinance and possible changes.  Some council members were concerned that the ordinance does not require those operating an ATV on City streets to have insurance,  unlike the Buffalo County Ordinance which requires insurance.  Other members felt the ordinance needed to be revisited as the original intent to allow ATVs/UTVs on city streets was to access the trail, but now it appears the equipment is being used for regular transportation.  The council has invited all members of the public to comment on the ordinance during the June 26th city council meeting.

Eau Claire Police are still not saying if an officer hit the man she fired at last Friday. The city's police department yesterday detailed last Friday's shooting at a drunken domestic violence call. An Eau Claire Police report says Officer Ariana Down-Larson fired at Thomas Burback when he pointed a pistol at her. It's unclear if she hit him, or if he was injured when officers used tear gas to pull him out of his house. Officer Down-Larson is now on leave as the Wisconsin Department of Justice looks into the shooting. Burback is out of jail on a signature bond. 

The old Schwan's delivery service is closing four warehouses in the state. The company, which is now known as Yelloh, yesterday said it is closing operations in Eau Claire, Marshfield, Wausau, and Rice Lake. The company announced the layoffs in a note to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The closings will mean layoffs in each city. In Eau Claire, Yelloh says nine people will lose their jobs. 

A man in Eau Claire is charged with sexually assaulting two girls. Twenty-seven-year-old Jonathan Rowan is accused of assaulting a girl starting in 2020 when she was nine. She says he was bribing her with money and toys in exchange for sexual contact for two years. The second girl says he assaulted her multiple times, with reports of other attempts over the past year. 

The new owners of the Regency Inn are promising to make it a better hotel. Eau Claire's city council signed-off on a new purchase agreement for the Regency earlier this week. It's been a troubled hotel for years, and there have been several plans to buy it and turn it into something else. Now, new owners Tarek Menesi and Jado Hark, are asking for city permission to rehab the hotel. The two say they've already turned around a troubled hotel and a troubled daycare in Minnesota. The two are promising to spend 600 thousand-dollars to update the Regency, and are promising to work with Eau Claire Police to clean the place up. 

It's been two years since a sexual assault kit tracking system was introduced in Wisconsin -- and nearly three and a half thousand have been turned in. The Wisconsin Department of Justice says the system gives victims more detailed information about the status and location of their kits. The state DOJ says the number of sexual assaults is likely higher since not every victim gets tested. Test results do not guarantee the outcome of investigations or prosecution.

US Senator Tammy Baldwin was in Green Bay on Wednesday to discuss the fentanyl crisis. Baldwin says more detection equipment and more personnel are needed at the southern border to stop the flow of the drug into the US. Wisconsin health officials want to spend the state's 36 million dollar share of a drug lawsuit settlement on improving access to life-saving Narcan and doing more community outreach to the state's tribal nations. The Democrat is running for a third term in November.

Governor Tony Evers has weighed in on a lawsuit challenging provisions of Act 10. The Democratic Governor was asked Wednesday whether he thinks the Dane County judge who’s considering the case should recuse himself. Evers said he didn’t think that was necessary, and that the process should play out. Media reports show that Judge Jacob Frost appears to have signed the petition to recall Republican Governor Scott Walker in 2011. That recall was precipitated by anger over Act 10 and its restrictions on the ability of public employee unions to collectively bargain. Those are the very provisions that the lawsuit seeks to overturn. Evers appointed Frost to the Dane County bench in 2020. Evers also said he doesn’t believe that allowing public employee unions in Wisconsin to once again collectively bargain would necessarily lead to widespread strikes. The suit is expected to eventually end up before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, where liberal justices now hold a 5-3 majority.

Governor Tony Evers has issued an executive order, in preparation for this summer’s Republican National Convention Evers’ office said the executive order is at the request of the city of Milwaukee and Wisconsin Emergency Management. The governor issued an executive order declaring an emergency in preparation for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. It’s a standard part of the preparation and planning process for large-scale events. An emergency declaration is aimed at helping make sure the necessary resources are available to respond to any potential emergencies, continuing event planning and preparation steps, and ensuring the safety of the hosting community as well as event participants. The RNC is scheduled for July 15-18 at Fiserv Forum.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is looking for landowners to host hunters with disabilities this fall. Applicants must have at least 60 acres available and host a minimum of three people. The Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities has been held annually since 1992 and gives 400 people the opportunity to hunt. The hunt will be between October 5th and 13. 

Minnesota will permit marijuana cultivators to start growing weed later this year.  This is a result of Governor Tim Walz signing a cannabis bill on Friday that makes changes to the year-old recreational marijuana law.  The measure will also award cannabis business licenses through a vetted lottery instead of a merit-based application process.

Rural southern Minnesota faces a divide between traditional farmland and renewable energy production. The Kaehler family is choosing solar energy on their fifth-generation farm in St. Charles. Novel Energy Solutions has seen significant growth and is now the largest community solar developer in Minnesota. While concerns exist about prime farmland being used for solar projects, the Kaehlers view solar as a way to secure the future for their family and the next generation. Solar energy offers a stable income with minimal risk compared to traditional crops, and the family sees it as a long-term conservation project.

An attraction that advertises itself as the world's largest bounce house will be returning to Minnesota next month.  The Big Bounce America Tour will stop in Shakopee on June 8th and 9th and June 14th through the 16th.  The attraction will include multiple inflatable play areas, including an obstacle course and a sports arena.  The tour hasn't stopped in Minnesota since 2022.

Local-Regional News May 29

 One person was injured in a two-vehicle accident in Maiden Rock Township on Saturday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 19yr old Lewis Glazebrook of Cottage Grove, MN was traveling southbound on Hwy 35 when he and other vehicles in front of him stopped to allow a car to turn and was rear-ended by a southbound motorcycle driven by 76yr old Bruce Jon Klaenhammer of St. Paul.  Klaenhammer was taken to Red Wing Hospital while Glazebrook and a passenger were uninjured.

The City of Mondovi will allow golf carts on city streets.  At last night's council meeting the council passed an ordinance similar to Durand's ordinance that allows the use of golf carts on city streets.  The owner must have a permit from the city, a driver's license, and insurance.  There will be a $10 yearly fee for the permit from the city.  Golf Carts will only be allowed on city streets and not Hwy 10 or 37.

Parents needing swimming lessons for their children can now have them take lessons in Ellsworth.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says Pepin County Health Department has offered to pay for bus transportation to and from Ellsworth for the lessons. The cost of the swimming lessons is $30 and for more information, contact Durand City Hall.

The Chippewa County Sheriff's Department is reminding motorists to slow down and move over after a deputy was nearly struck while at the scene of an accident.  The deputy was responding to an accident on Hwy 29 in the town of Lafayette when a vehicle in the left lane swerves to the right to avoid hitting a slowing car in front of it.    Body cam footage shows the deputy nearly being struck by the vehicle.  The department is asking motorists to slow down and pay attention when emergency vehicles are on the side of the road.

The man who police say pointed a gun at an Eau Claire officer on Friday was released from jail yesterday. Thomas Burback was in court yesterday. He was possibly shot by an officer on Friday after police responded to Burback's house for a drunken domestic violence situation. The officer fired a shot at Burback after she said she saw him point a gun at her. Burback was taken to the hospital, but Eau Claire Police have never said if he was shot. A judge yesterday gave Burback a five thousand-dollar signature bond, and told him to return to court in the case in July. 

Eau Claire says crews have cleaned up the raw sewage from the bike path along Blazing Star Boulevard. The sewage came from a backup at the Eau Claire River Lift Station. The city says 500 gallons of sewage seeped out onto the trail Monday. Crews spent the day yesterday power-washing the area and shoveling gravel away. Eau Claire says the pipe that backed up has been replaced. 

The blue emergency phones at UW-Eau Claire are going away. The school this week said they are removing the iconic blue telephone poles and phones that allowed students to call the police. UW-Eau Claire Police say no one really uses them. Officers say they've seen only three legitimate emergency calls from the phones since 2015. Instead, officers say, students use their cell phones. UW-Eau Claire's Brian Drollinger says cell phones are faster and more reliable. The university says crews will remove the blue phones over the summer. 

Wisconsin's latest Drug Take Back Day took back a lot of drugs. The state's Department of Justice yesterday said this month's Take Back Day netted over 55 thousand pounds of unwanted prescription medicine. That's the most ever, in any state in the United States. Wisconsin's attorney general said taking that much-unwanted medication off the streets simply makes the state a safer place. Since Drug Take Back Day began in 2010, Wisconsin has taken back more than a million-pounds of medication. That puts Wisconsin third in the nation behind only Texas and California. Wisconsin's next Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for October. 

Wisconsin is looking to private money managers to help jumpstart startups and entrepreneurs in the state. Governor Evers today will announce a plan to dedicate 100 million-dollars to the new Wisconsin Investment Fund. The idea is to allow private sector money managers to handle the money, and find a way to use it to benefit new companies and new projects here in the state. 

The Minnesota Historical Society has decided to return a historic artifact to the Prairie Island Indian Community.  The organization announced yesterday that it intends to return the "Mankato Hanging Rope" to the community.  The rope was reportedly used during the hanging of more than three dozen Native Americans following the end of the U.S. Dakota War of 1862.  The historical society will file a notice of their intent to return the rope and will give it back to the tribe next month if there are no other claims.

A new Secretary for Wisconsin's prisons. Governor Tony Evers has named Jason Hoy to succeed Kevin Carr at the Department of Corrections. Carr retired in March. He was among Evers' first appointees at the start of his first term in 2019. Hoy has served as the department’s deputy director since 2021. He joined the Department in 2007 and has previous corrections experience in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

 A new court challenge was heard yesterday over Wisconsin's law limiting collective bargaining.  The law was passed in 2011 and bans collective bargaining by public employees, including teachers. An earlier challenge was rejected by the State Supreme Court.  But, if this case moves forward, it could be heard by the now liberal-leaning Supreme Court.  Today's arguments are on a motion by the Wisconsin legislature to dismiss the new challenge to the restrictions.

Minnesota Governor Walz signed new legislation yesterday for rideshare drivers in the state.  The measure is a compromise between lawmakers and rideshare companies Uber and Lyft after hours of talks at the capitol.  Drivers will now make a minimum of one dollar and 28 cents per mile and 31 cents a minute.  

 WisDOT is cracking down on wholesale vehicle dealers at two Beaver Dam locations.  Seven dealers have had their licenses revoked for allegedly breaking state law.  The department says each dealer failed to maintain a security bond, which ensures consumers can file a claim if the dealer does anything illegal.  In the past few years, Wisconsin has seen an uptick in the number of wholesale dealer licenses and consumer complaints resulting in investigations.  

The US Forest Service is reopening parts of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest five years after they were damaged by a storm.  W X P R reports the Forest Service has cleared out the debris caused by the 2019 storm. 100 mile per hour straight line winds knocked over 130-thousand acres worth of forest and blocked over 100 miles of roads. Tree trunks were piled 15 feet high in some places, waiting for crews to remove them. The reopening includes the Jones Spring area, a popular tourist and camping spot.

A second recall effort against Assembly Speaker Robin Vos takes another step forward.  Recall organizers turned in more than 9000 signatures to the Wisconsin Elections Commission on Tuesday and indicated confidence they have the necessary 6850 valid names to trigger a recall against the Assembly speaker. Now that their signatures have been submitted, Vos has until June 7 to file a challenge. If he takes the full window to do that, recall organizers would then have until June 12 to file a rebuttal, with Vos’ response due two days later. The elections commission would then have until late June to rule on the sufficiency of the recall petitions. Barring a legal challenge, that timeline would put a recall primary in early August, and recall election in early September.

The Minnesota Department Of Veterans Affairs is looking for Vietnam veterans who would be willing to be interviewed for an upcoming event.  The agency is holding the event next month to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.  Veterans and family members would share their stories on video to be preserved and archived.  The three-day anniversary event will be held at Mall of America beginning June 13th.

Local-Regional News May 28

 The sheriff in Dunn County is looking for suspects in a beating at Shooters Showgirls in Elk Mound from back in March. Investigators on Friday released security camera footage from the club that shows five college-aged suspects who deputies say later beat up a man in the club's parking lot. The beating sent the man to the hospital with a broken cheek and a possible brain bleed. The security video shows the moments leading up to the fight but does not show the fight itself. But no one is saying why the fight happened. 

There's been an arrest in a western Wisconsin killing. The Trempealeau County Sheriff's Office says deputies arrested a person on Friday for a death that happened in Ettrick back on May 15th. No one is saying anything about the case, including who was arrested. The sheriff's office also continues to remain tight-lipped about just what happened with the death in Ettrick. Investigators say it's a homicide, but they're not saying much else. 

The City of Durand will now look at applying for a CDBG grant to help cover the costs of the Madison Street Project.  As part of the grant process, residents who live along the project will be surveyed on their household income.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says if the grant is approved it could help to cover half of the costs of the water and sewer parts of the project.  Milliren says if the grant is approved, the project wouldn't start until 2026.

One person remains in jail after a standoff Friday night ended with a shooting. Eau Claire Police say it started as a disturbance call. The suspect had a handgun, and police say an officer shot and wounded him. There was then an hours-long standoff. Police were eventually able to talk the suspect into surrendering, and they were taken to jail. The shooting remains under investigation. 

Two people are injured after a collision with a highway sign in Goodhue County.  The Minnesota State Patrol says a Honda Goldwing motorcycle hit a "road closed" sign on State Highway 58 on Sunday night.  Sean Askew of Zumbrota suffered life-threatening injuries, while passenger Ginny Hoffman of Pine Island was also hospitalized with less serious injuries.  Investigators say alcohol was a factor in the crash and Eskew and Hoffman were not wearing helmets.

There are layoffs coming at Viterbo. The school in La Crosse on Friday said it is making cuts to try and trim its expenses. In all, 27 positions at the university are being eliminated. Viterbo's president says they are looking at both an enrollment decline and a growing deficit. That deficit is expected to hit five-and-a-half million dollars next year. 

Police in Rice Lake are asking for help in finding a local woman who's been missing for weeks. The city's police department took to Facebook yesterday to ask anyone for any information about Melissa Davis. Her family says they haven't seen or heard from her in weeks. Rice Lake Police are not saying anything about how she left, or where she may be. Her pictures are online, and you can find out more at the Rice Lake Police Department's Facebook page. 

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin say there is a bird flu risk in drinking raw milk. Scientists at UW-Madison say people who drink raw milk from cows that have bird flu are at risk because the pasteurization process that killed the virus does not happen with raw milk. Researchers have found that cows can catch the bird flu, but they say there's no evidence that regular milk can pass the flu along. There are no reports yet of anyone getting the bird flu from raw milk, but researchers say it's possible. Their advice is to heat-up any raw milk in order to kill the bird flu. 

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bill allocating 30 million dollars to rural emergency medical services. These services will happen in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, with 24 million for short-term aid and six million for a pilot program. The pilot program will be testing roving paramedics to help improve in response times. Despite the funding, EMS providers say it falls short of the 122 million dollars needed to sustain services. The bill also addresses an office for EMS and workforce shortages. An Emergency Medical Service Task Force will propose long-term solutions in August. 

Fewer federal student loan applications were turned in this year compared to last in Wisconsin. The state Policy Forum says the FAFSA form was available in January of this year when it was previously open in October. Technical problems were also reported while students and parents were filling out their forms. Madison College reported getting hundreds fewer applications than in previous years. 

A Republican appointee on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents says he won't be stepping down even though his term expired at the start of the month.  Robert Atwell, founder of Nicolet Bankshares, was appointed by Republican Governor Scott Walker for a seven-year term back in 2017.  In an email, Atwell said he was reminded by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos that he could stay on indefinitely until a replacement is appointed.  For that to happen, a successor would need to be appointed by Democratic Governor Tony Evers and confirmed by the state's Republican-led Senate. 

 Nearly three-quarters of Minnesota is now drought-free.  The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows just over 72 percent of the state with no trace of drought, up from nearly 61 percent last week.  About eight percent of the state is in moderate drought, with 19 percent classified as abnormally dry.  Ninety-nine percent of the state was in some form of drought as recently as late March.

The country's tallest water slide is now open in Wisconsin.  The giant water slide can be found at Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park in Wisconsin Dells.  The Rise of Icarus attraction featuring five slides opened to the public on Friday, just in time for the Memorial Day Weekend.  The tallest slide is called "The Fall," standing at 145 feet for the record.

Local-Regional News May 24

 The Durand City Council is supporting the Durand Public Library Board in applying for a Flexible Facilities Grant for a possible new library and community center.  During the Council meeting this week, members of the Library Board said they wanted to at least explore the grant for a new facility.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says while there has been a good working relationship with the Durand-Arkansaw School District, there have always been some space issues.  There is $107 Million available from the state through the program.

The Minnesota Department of Health has ordered the closure of a nursing home in Red Wing.  The agency informed staff members and residents of the Bay View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of the impending closure earlier this week.  The state took over the nursing home in December because the facility had problems paying vendors and staff.  Efforts to relocate residents are underway and the facility is expected to close in late July.

There will be a new community hospital in the Chippewa Valley, and it will have an emergency room, but beyond that, no one knows just what the hospital will look like, or where it will be. Planners with the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative yesterday said they have agreed to open a new hospital with between 60 and 70 beds and an emergency room. The idea is to replace Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and St. Joe's in Chippewa Falls. Planners say details of the hospital location and opening date will come in the near future. 

 No one was hurt in a fire just west of Eau Claire yesterday. Firefighters say the fire started in a metal shop in the town of Union yesterday afternoon. The flames closed West Cameron Street until fire crews could get things under control. There's no cause for the fire, though firefighters say there were a lot of things that could have caught on fire inside the shop. 

Kwik Trip will be getting a lot of electric chargers as part of Wisconsin's new EV network. Governor Evers yesterday announced plans to add 53 electric vehicle charging stations across the state, about half of them will be at Kwik Trips. Wisconsin is looking to spend 78 million dollars over the next five years to build a string of EV charges across the state. The idea is to have a charger at least every 50 miles. Kwik Trip is getting 24 EV chargers under the plan. There's no word just when construction will begin, or when EV drivers can expect to charge-up at their local Kwik Trip. 

Regional health care providers, politicians, and others were at UW-Eau Claire yesterday for an event on rural healthcare sponsored by the Wisconsin Technology Council.  UW-Eau Claire Chancellor James Schmidt announced the creation of the rural health innovation alliances to bring new ideas in providing health care for rural communities.  This program hopes to bring community partners like Mayo Clinic, Marshfield, and smaller providers like Oakleaf together to create solutions.  The alliance is being funded with a $9.4 million 2021 workforce development grant.

Wisconsin 3rd District Congressman Derik Van Orden voted to advance the Farm Bill out of the House Ag Committee last night.  The bill included the Dairy Farm Resiliency Act to increase the cap on Tier 1 Coverage for the Dairy Margin Coverage program to 6 million pounds of milk, along with the Whole Milk for Health Kids Act to permit schools to offer students whole and reduced fat flavored and unflavored milk.    The bill would also make changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order and restore the higher of formula for the calculation of the price of Class 1 milk.  

There is a warning about downed trees and blocked paths at Wisconsin's state parks. The state's Department of Natural Resources yesterday said people need to remember this week's storm damage before they head out to camp or walk the trails this holiday weekend. The DNR says crews have not yet cleared all of the trees, branches, and even downed power lines that fell earlier in the week. Wisconsin is expecting a very busy outdoorsy weekend. The DNR says 99 percent of state campsites have been reserved. 

 Wisconsin's Department of Transportation and the State Patrol are issuing their usual Memorial Day reminder to pay attention, buckle up, and slow down. WisDOT is reminding people of ongoing road construction across the state. There's a list of every highway project available on WisDOT's website. The State Patrol is reminding people that troopers will be out in force this weekend. They will be looking for speeders, drunk drivers, reckless drivers, and anyone who is causing danger on Wisconsin's interstates and highways. 

The Department of Natural Resources is reminding people to be safe on the water this Memorial Day weekend. Wardens say there were 30 boating fatalities last year, and two already this early into the season. All but one of those fatalities have involved someone not wearing their life jacket, which is the easiest way to save your life. Whoever is driving the boat is reminded to stay sober because drunk boating is another leading contributor to serious incidents.

A successful Spring Drug Take Back Day in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Justice reports that Wisconsin ranked number two throughout the country for the most prescription medications collected during the Drug Take Back by collecting 55,122 pounds of unwanted medications. Dating back to when Drug Take Back began in 2010, Wisconsin has collected more than 1.25 million pounds of unwanted meds. In fact, Wisconsin ranks third behind only Texas and California for the amount of meds collected in that time frame. While Drug Take Back Day technically happens twice a year, Wisconsin residents are encouraged to dispose of unwanted meds year-round at one of the 490 drug disposal boxes around the state.

Despite a slight decrease in the projected surplus, Wisconsin’s fiscal footing appears sound.  The Legislative Fiscal Bureau projects the state will end the 2023-25 biennium with a more than $3.1 billion surplus. That’s down slightly from the $3.25 billion from January revenue estimates. Fiscal Bureau Director Bob Lang told WisPolitics the numbers are “tracking well” compared to the agency’s estimate and that LFB is “comfortable on where they are.” State tax collections through the month of April are up 0.9% over the year before, slightly ahead of the 0.4% growth that Fiscal Bureau had projected for the current year. The latest Department of Revenue numbers show income and sales tax collections are up compared to the same period a year earlier, accounting for $13.1 billion of the $16 billion the state took in between July 1 and April 30.

 A new poll out of Wisconsin shows both leading presidential candidates head to head with voters. President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are tied in the Marquette Law School Poll out of Milwaukee. The poll included candidates Robert F Kennedy Junior, Jill Stein, and Colonel West, each getting three percent of the vote.

 Unemployment rates in Wisconsin decreased in April. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development says seasonally adjusted unemployment was two-point-nine percent last month compared to three percent the month before. The rate increased statewide compared to the same time last year.  

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is looking into a manure spill in Monroe County that killed dozens of fish. The fish were found Saturday in Moore Creek in Monroe County. The DNR says the manure transfer system at a nearby farm failed and caused the spill. No one is saying just how much waste spilled into the creek, or just which farm is responsible. The DNR said the more immediate need is to avoid more manure spilling into the same creek. 

Minnesota is joining the U.S. government in suing Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster.  The DOJ filed an antitrust lawsuit today, alleging that Live Nation "relies on unlawful, anticompetitive conduct to exercise its monopolistic control over the live events industry." State Attorney General Keith Ellison issued a statement, saying that people are "fed up with having no option but to fork over their hard-earned money for the high prices and hidden fees that Ticketmaster routinely charges." Ellison says he's proud to join the DOJ in holding Live Nation accountable. 

An Eau Claire volunteer has a new bike thanks to some community support. Jason Sunde is one of the most popular, and busiest, volunteers in Eau Claire's bicycling community. But he's been without a bike since the marathon weekend because someone stole his bike. Now, he's able to hit the road once again thanks to a four thousand-dollar donation that got him a new set of wheels. Sunde said it was heartbreaking to lose his old bike, and the people who helped raise money for his new bike said it warmed their hearts to do it. Sunde, by the way, is still looking for his old bike. There's even a reward. 

Local-Regional News May 23

  All of the tornadoes from Tuesday night's storms fell in western Wisconsin. The National Weather Service in Minneapolis yesterday confirmed tornadoes in Buffalo, Trempealeau, Marathon, and Clark counties. Forecasters also confirmed a small tornado in eastern Eau Claire County. None of the twisters were very strong, they were all EF1 tornadoes with top wind speeds between 90 and 105 miles-per-hour. There are no reports of any serious injuries from the tornadoes, though Tuesday's storms did plenty of damage.

The Durand City Council has approved moving forward in negotiations with the Durand Rural Fire Department to merge both the City and Rural Fire Departments into a fire district.  During last night's council meeting members discussed how over the years both departments have merged services and now was the time to look at creating the fire district.  The Council put a July 2025 time limit for negotiations to wrap up and for the fire district to be created. 

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident in Martell Township on Tuesday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriffs Department, 64yr old Dennis Kiefer of Spring Valley was traveling southbound on Hwy 63 when he was struck by another soutbound vehicle driven by 23yr old Dennan Fogarty of Colfax.  Kiefer and his passenger, 55yr old Anne Kiefer were taken to Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin.  Fogarty was not injured in the accident.

One person was injured in a two-vehicle accident in Ellsworth Township last Thursday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriffs Department, 25yr old Cole Rasmuson of Baldwin was traveling northbound on Hwy 63 when he rear-ended another northbound vehicle driven by 34yr old Elizabeth Wallin of Spring Valley.  Rasmuson was taken to Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin while Wallin was not injured.

Two people were injured in a single-vehicle accident last Thursday in Isabelle Township.  According to the Pierce County Sheriffs Department, 73yr old Wolfido Doron of Brooklyn Center, MN was traveling northbound on Hwy 35, when he lost control of the vehicle and entered the ditch.  Doron was med-flighted to Regions Hospital, while passenger 77yr old Mara Fe Rosalodo Doron was taken to Mayo Red Wing Hospital.

The man who threatened to shoot up the Chippewa County courthouse is back in the Chippewa County Jail. The sheriff says Harley Alcala was returned to Chippewa Falls this week. He was arrested in Texas after he made threats last year that he was going to shoot up the courthouse because of a custody dispute over his daughter. Alcala is also facing charges in Eau Claire County, the sheriff in Chippewa Falls says they will keep him in their jail until those charges are settled out as well. 

A man is under arrest under suspicion of sexually assaulting a minor in a downtown Eau Claire restroom. Police say they got a 9-1-1 call about a man coercing a young person into a portable toilet. Officers say they knocked on the door and Ray C. Jackson came out. They say they saw the child inside. Jackson was arrested Monday, and was in Eau Claire County Court yesterday and charged with second-degree sexual assault of a child under 16, child enticement, and kidnapping. 

A retired teacher from St. Croix County has announced he will run for Wisconsin's 10th Senate Seat.  On Wednesday, Paul Hambleton announced his candidacy saying that its time for new faces in Madison who are willing to put in the time and effort to accomplish the hard work.  District 10 will now include Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix, and parts of Trempealeau and Dunn Counties.  Currently, the district is represented by Senator Rob Stafsholt.

The man pulled from the water in Chetek has died. Barron County's Sheriff on Tuesday said the 63-year-old La Crosse man who was found in the water at the Pokegama Lakeside Cantina died. The man was pulled out of the water back on May 11th. No one is saying how the man ended-up in the lake, but investigators say alcohol likely played a role. 

Wisconsin is allowing hunters to take 12 elk this year. The state's Department of Natural Resources yesterday announced the quota for this year's elk hunt. The DNR says eight elk bulls can be taken in the Clam Lake Elk Zone, and four bulls can be taken in the new Black River Elk Zone. The DNR says the Ojibwe tribes may claim up to half of the harvest for themselves. There is a lottery for an elk permit in Wisconsin, and hunters can win it just once in their lifetime. The deadline for those permits is the end of the month.

Another funding request from the governor to Republican lawmakers. Governor Tony Evers wants the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee to release $20 million to assist communities in the redevelopment of closed two-year UW campuses. The Democratic governor signed legislation earlier this year to create a program to award grants of up to $2 million. To date, the UW System has announced the closure of UW-Platteville Richland Center, UW-Oshkosh Fond du Lac, UW-Green Bay Marinette, and UW-Milwaukee campuses at Waukesha and Washington County due to decreased enrollment and limited funding. Evers and finance co-chairs have already deadlocked over releasing funding for PFAs remediation and assisting western Wisconsin communities following hospital and clinic closures.

Nearly half of voters in swing states said they expect violence around November's presidential election. A Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll asked voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin how much they trust the election to be free from violence. Forty-nine percent said they either trust there to be "not much" violence or none at all.  The poll also found that in a hypothetical matchup between President Biden and former President Trump, swing state voters leaned towards Trump by four points.

UW Milwaukee's chancellor issues an apology over a deal struck with campus protesters. After receiving criticism from Milwaukee’s Jewish community and Universities of Wisconsin president Jay Rothman over an agreement reached to end a two-week-long pro-Palestinian protest, Chancellor Mark Mone (MO-nay) released a statement in which he says, quote “It is clear to me that UWM should not have weighed in on deeply complex geopolitical and historical issues. And for that, I apologize.” Rothman responded to the statement on social media by saying he appreciated that Mone reassessed his approach regarding the protests.

The Mayo Clinic is showing strong revenue growth in the first quarter of this year.  The clinic posted its unaudited financial report on Monday.  Operating income increased by 143-percent between January and March, rising to 363-million dollars.  Total revenue was up nearly 11-percent, rising to more than four-point-seven-billion dollars.  Mayo Clinic officials credited the increases to their employees, saying that team members continue to put patient needs first.

Designers are seeking the public's help is the revamping of the Minnesota State Capitol Mall in St. Paul.  The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board released their plan yesterday with a request for feedback.  The goal is to make the Capitol Mall more welcoming for visitors.  The CAAPB is asking Minnesotans to visit the project website and provide feedback before August 20.  It's mn-capitol-mall-dot-engage-dot-sasaki-dot-com.

Northwoods hospitals are once again ready to save people from their own fishing tackle. W X P R in Rhinelander reports Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff and Aspirus Eagle River Hospital make a display of every fish hook, spoon and musky lure they remove from patients. They call it their People Catchers' Club. Hospital staff say the displays help ease people's fears and shame at seeing they aren't alone in having a bad day on the water. The collections first started in 1993.

Local-Regional News May 22

The Durand-Arkansaw School District has a new superintendent.  The Durand-Arkansaw School Board approved a contract with Dr. Ryan Nelson.  Nelson has 13yrs of experience as an administrator and is currently the Superintendent at Augusta School District.  Nelson will begin his duties at Durand-Arkansaw on July 1st.

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on borrowing $550,000 from Security Financial Bank for capital projects, borrowing  $1 million from SFB for the pool project, and possible action on negotiations to form a regional fire district.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall and will be live-streamed on the video streaming page of the WRDN Website.

We're waiting to see just what kind of storm hit in Buffalo and Trempealeau counties last night. The two counties look to be the hardest hit after last night's round of severe weather in western Wisconsin. There were tornado warnings for both counties, but it's unclear if a tornado actually touched down.  Utility crews may have some work to do this morning after last night's severe weather. Xcel Energy last night said the storms knocked out the power to people across the area, though the hardest hit areas look to be near Maiden Rock and Elmwood in Pierce County, and Baldwin and Hammond in St. Croix County.  Meanwhile, Riverland Energy also reported widespread power outages in Buffalo and Trempealeau Counties.

The identity of the man killed in a motorcycle accident in the town of New Haven on Saturday has been released.  According to the Dunn County Sheriff's Department, Joshua Martell of Clear Lake was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle on 145th Street just north of Hwy K.  Martell died at the scene of the accident, and alcohol is believed to have contributed to the accident.

Someone mailed something to the NBC affiliate in Eau Claire. Station managers at WEAU yesterday said someone mailed a suspicious substance to the station. That forced an evacuation and brought Eau Claire firefighters rushing to the station. The substance turned out to be what firefighters are calling a 'non-hazardous food substance.' No one was hurt, and everything then returned to normal. 

A local real estate developer and town board supervisor is throwing his hat in the ring to represent the 93rd Assembly District.   James Rolbiecki made his campaign announcement at the Eau Claire County Republican Party headquarters Tuesday morning.  At the press conference, Rolbiecki said he wants to focus on transportation, education, and cutting taxes. He also spoke about supporting small businesses. He joins Democrats Nickolas Butler and Christian Phelps running for the seat that is being vacated by current representative Warren Petryk, who announced he would not run for re-election on Monday.

Amtrak on Tuesday inaugurated its new Borealis service connecting Chicago, Milwaukee and the Twin Cities. But what about taking the train from Milwaukee to Green Bay for next year’s NFL Draft? Wisconsin Deputy Transportation Secretary Kristina Boardman says that’s being explored. Boardman joined local officials as the St. Paul bound Borealis made a stop at the Milwaukee Airport Station. The new service leaves St. Paul at midday and Chicago at late morning and makes all existing stops on Amtrak’s Empire Builder and Hiawatha routes.

Get ready for the noise, the DNR says the cicadas have started to come out in Wisconsin. Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources says it has confirmed the emergence of cicadas in southern Wisconsin. The DNR says the 17-year Brood 13 cicadas are the only ones known to emerge in Wisconsin, and those only appear in the state's southern counties. Other parts of the Midwest will see both the Brood 13 cicadas and Brood 19 cicadas this year. Conservation managers say the bugs will continue to come out through the end of next month, then they won't be seen again in Wisconsin til 2041. 

A Rochester City Council member is calling her ejection from a Monday meeting an abuse of power by the council president.  Molly Dennis sent an email to council members and city staffers yesterday challenging the decision by Council President Brooke Carlson.  Carlson asked Dennis to leave the meeting during a discussion of the city's policy on unpaid parking tickets.  Dennis defended her actions, saying her attention deficit disorder was responsible for her interruptions during Monday's meeting.  Dennis asked for information about filing an ethics complaint, though she did not say if she plans to file a complaint against Carlson.  

New vaccination requirements for kids in Wisconsin schools and child care centers. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announces updates that include a requirement for meningitis vaccination and that chickenpox infection must be documented by a qualified medical professional. There is no change to existing exemption options for medical, religious, or philosophical reasons. These changes align with long-standing childhood vaccine recommendations made by a CDC advisory committee. The new requirements were initially implemented in February, but paused in early March when some were suspended by the legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules. That suspension expired at the end of the legislative session on April 15 making the requirements now fully in effect.

If you're on the job hunt, be on the look out for scams targeting you. Wisconsin consumer protection director Michelle Reinen (RY-nen) says scammers post fake job offers that are too good to be true. That includes offers like being a mystery shopper, doing outbound mailing, or other seemingly simple tasks for big money. Reinen says you especially shouldn't be paying to do your job, or cashing checks and sending back money. If you run into trouble, contact Consumer Protection at D A T C P dot W I dot Gov.

Wisconsin could be getting 15-million dollars for childcare providers. Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is requesting funding from the Joint Finance Committee. The money would help childcare providers keep their businesses open. The funding was approved as part of the 2024-2025 budget.

A teen is dead and four other people are injured in a three-vehicle crash Saturday involving a State Patrol squad car. Eighteen-year-old Olivia Flores, who was a cheerleader at Owatonna High School, died from her injuries. She was a passenger in a car making a left turn, that was hit by the patrol car and pushed into an SUV. Two other passengers were seriously hurt.  The incident is under investigation. 

Wisconsin state park admission fees will be waived during the first weekend of June. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says fishing licenses and trail passes will also be free to all for the weekend. Free fishing clinics will be held over the weekend at state and city buildings for beginning anglers. This will be the twelfth annual Free Fun Weekend hosted by the DNR.

The Mayo Clinic is introducing its latest group of peregrine falcon chicks to the public.  The Mayo Clinic has been tracking falcon activity on top of its building in Rochester since 1987.  A pair of falcons has lived atop the building since 2016 and the clinic has teamed with the Midwest Peregrine Society to band and track any chicks born there.  The three chicks introduced yesterday were named Onyx, Adira and Heritage.  They should grow to full size over the next three weeks and will remain in the Rochester area for at least another month. 

Local-Regional News May 21

 Forecasters are waiting to see what kind of weather Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley will see today. Eau Claire is at the northern tip of a huge swath of Wisconsin that could see strong and severe storms later today. The National Weather Service says there will be some storms early in the day, then again later this evening and into tonight. Forecasters say the severity of those later storms depends, in large part, on what the earlier storms do to the atmosphere.

Warren Petryk is retiring from the state assembly.  In a release Monday, Petryk said he will not seek re-election for the 93rd assembly seat.   Petryk said that serving in the assembly was one of the most humbling experiences of my lifetime and one which I never have and never will take for granted.  Petryk was first elected in 2010. The 93rd Assembly District previously covered parts of Eau Claire, Dunn, Pepin, and Pierce Counties. Under new maps signed into law this year, the 93rd covers a much smaller area of Eau Claire County, Dunn County, and the northern portion of Trempealeau County.

An Eau Claire author announced he's running for Wisconsin's 93rd Assembly District.  Fall Creek resident Nickolas Butler is running for the State Assembly as a Democrat.  Butler grew up in Eau Claire, and after graduating from UW-Madison and the University of Iowa, he moved back to rural Eau Claire County with his wife and two kids.  During a press conference yesterday, Butler said he is running for State Assembly so he can work with other leaders to stabilize healthcare in the region, protect shared natural resources, and aid local voting systems.  Christian Phelps has also announced he is running for the seat. 

The Wabasha Port Authority and the City of Wabasha, recently wrapped up a three-year grant, totaling $284,835 in assistance to 17 small businesses to upgrade their HVAC systems in response to COVID-19. The Port secured these funds through a competitive process through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Small Cities Program, which awards grants through the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The HVAC grant program allowed the Wabasha Port Authority to provide businesses in Wabasha up to $25,000 to improve the air circulation in their buildings. In the process, the Port also worked with 11 different HVAC and electrical contractors, based in Wabasha, Kellogg, Lake City, and Plainview. 

Motorists that use Hwy D in Nelson Township should expect delays this week.  Yesterday crews began a milling and repaving project on Hwy D between Hwy F and Hwy KK.  The 2-mile project will also include some shoulder construction work.  The road is open during the project but will be down to one lane at times.

The Regency Inn looks to have a new owner. Eau Claire yesterday said a new purchase agreement has been signed with the new owner. The plan is to renovate the long-troubled motel. The new owner comes after the last agreement to buy and renovate the Regency fell through. That proposal was for apartments. No one is saying exactly what the new owner is looking to do with the Regency. 

 Federal prosecutors are going after a western Wisconsin man who they say used artificial intelligence to create child pornography. A federal grand jury last week indicted Steven Anderegg, from Holmen, on four counts of using AI to make child porn. He was arrested last week after investigators say he sent one of his created images to someone who is underage. Anderegg is facing 70 years in prison if convicted. Federal prosecutors say they hope the indictment sends the message that AI child porn will not be tolerated. 

Folks who ride the train in Wisconsin have a new option to get from Milwaukee to Minneapolis, starting today. Amtrak says it's launching the new Borealis Line today. The new line will connect Milwaukee, Portage, The Dells, Tomah, La Crosse, Winona, and Red Wing before ending in the Twin Cities. There will be two trains per day. One will leave from Milwaukee in the morning, and one will leave from the Twin Cities later in the day. You can find out more, and get tickets, at Amtrak's website. 

 Don't wait to book your camping trip, even if it's a couple of months away. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is warning people that campsites are filling up fast. The DNR says people can book a campsite up to 11 months in advance, and many people have. The DNR says some of the best sites at Wisconsin's most popular state parks have already been booked for the summer. Memorial Day could also be a disappointment for last-minute planners, many of the state's parks are seeing plenty of reservations for this weekend. 

Minnesota businesses will no longer be allowed to tack on surcharges and fees to a transaction at the end of a sale.  Governor Walz signed a bill yesterday that bans the use of so-called "junk fees."  The bill allows some exceptions for real estate, automotive and utility transactions but will prevent businesses from advertising a low price on an item and then adding fees that inflate that price.  The law goes into effect on January 1st, 2025.

Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin is calling on the six Class One railroads to address severe staffing shortages that are causing challenges. Baldwin talks about her specific concerns with the nation’s railroads.   Railroad workers in Canada are threatening to strike, something that would directly affect the U.S. Baldwin says that makes her even more concerned.  Baldwin says railroads have reduced their staff by 30 percent between 2011 and 2021. That’s compared to only a three percent decrease in carloads and a one percent drop in tons of freight during the same period. The Surface Transportation Board said in an April 2022 hearing that staffing shortages were a major reason for exceptionally poor service levels.

Marijuana has been reclassified at the federal level, but here in Wisconsin, a Democratic lawmaker doesn’t expect much to change. Last week the Biden administration moved cannabis into the Drug Enforcement Administration's less hazardous Schedule III classification. Milwaukee state Senator LaTonya Johnson doesn’t expect attitudes to change among her Republican colleagues. During a Milwaukee press conference on Friday, Johnson said many Republicans still consider marijuana to be “a gateway drug.” She said there was no reason for marijuana to be classified as a Schedule I drug when fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II. A limited, tightly controlled medical marijuana bill failed to advance in the Wisconsin Legislature last session, due to strong opposition by Senate Republicans.

Wisconsin Republicans endorsed their U.S. Senate candidate at their state party convention. Banker and real estate developer Eric Hovde was the only Senate candidate who met the qualifications to speak and be on the state party's endorsement ballot over the weekend in Appleton, although some delegates wanted to hear from UW Stevens Point College Republican Rejani Raveendran. Party leaders said Raveendran was not allowed to speak because she didn't meet the qualifications. Hovde will face incumbent Democrat Tammy Baldwin in November. The Real Clear Politics average of polls shows Baldwin with a 6.8 point lead over Huberty. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin will hold its state convention next month in Milwaukee. The same city will host the 2024 Republican National Convention in July.

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation plans to reduce prices on thousands of basics this summer like diapers and milk as inflation affects household budgets.  Leaders at the retail giant announced today that price cuts on up to five thousand food, beverage, and household essential items in a bid to cater to customers who are struggling financially.  Target says the rollout of lower prices will take place over the summer on national brands as well as its house brands. 

If you're moving out of your college apartment, be sure you're getting back as much of your security deposit as possible. It is time to move out for college students. Wisconsin consumer protection administrator Michelle Reinen says renters should do a checkout and take pictures of the apartment so they can get back their security deposit. She said a landlord needs to provide an itemized deduction list, telling renters how much they are withholding and why they are withholding that amount. Consumer protection says landlord tenant disputes are one of the top complaints they handle every year. If you run into trouble, contact them at DATCP. WI.gov or call (800) 422-7128.

A championship weekend was in the cards in New Glarus. The second annual World Euchre Championship drew hundreds of participants to the south central Wisconsin village. Saturday’s singles play had Chicagoan Yamuna Reddi named the World Euchre Champion, while Sunday’s doubles tournament was taken by Todd and Judith Wolf of Dubuque and Madison respectively. The winners all received championship belts like those worn by professional wrestlers. Proceeds for the event will be used to build a new, more inclusive playground in New Glarus.

Local-Regional News May 20

 The Chippewa Valley is looking at a chance for severe storms tomorrow. Forecasters expect rain and a few rumbles of thunder today, but they say the chances for stronger storms are much greater tomorrow. Western Wisconsin is at the northern tip of a storm system that could bring high winds, hail, and even a tornado or two to the western third of the state. 

A home is a total loss after a fire on Saturday Afternoon in Buffalo Township.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, firefighters from Dodge, Arcadia, Founty City, and Tri-Community responded to the blaze at S3226 Brandhorst Road and found the home fully engulfed.  The family of three was not home at the time of the fire, but three cats and a dog perished in the fire.  The cause of that fire is still under investigation.

One person is dead after a motorcycle accident in New Haven Township on Saturday.  According to the Dunn County Sheriff's Department, a male was traveling northbound on 145th Street, when the motorcycle traveled left of center, entered the west ditch, and struck a field driveway causing the motorcycle to leave the ground and eject the driver.  The Dunn County Medical Examiner's Office responded to the scene and pronounced the driver deceased.  Alcohol appears to be a factor in the accident.  The name of the driver is being withheld pending notifications of the family.

One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident in Mondovi Township on Sunday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, 32yr old Abraham Fick of Maiden Rock was traveling eastbound on Hwy 10 near Fitzgerald Road, when he crossed the center line and struck the guardrail on the westbound side of the road.  He then overcorrected and the vehicle rolled and ended up in the westbound ditch.  Fick was transported to Eau Claire Hospital with life-threatening injuries.  During an investigation of the accident, it was discovered Fick was operating while under the influence.  He has been charged with OWI first offense.

One person was injured in a motorcycle crash in the town of Modena on Saturday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriffs Department, 56yr old Christine Miller of Kilkenny, MN was traveling southbound on Hwy KK near Hanson Road when she negotiated a curve too fast, lost control of the motorcycle and ended up in the southbound ditch.  She was med-flighted to Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire.

One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident in Buffalo Township Saturday afternoon.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, 26yr old David Knot was traveling on Pieper's Valley Road when he noticed he was too close to a mailbox, and over-corrected causing the vehicle to skid, enter the eastbound ditch, and roll several times.  Knot was taken to Winona Hospital.

A suspicious death in Trempealeau County is now being called a homicide. The sheriff's office yesterday upgraded last week's death in Ettrick.  There are some unanswered questions in the case. The Trempealeau County Sheriff's Office says the death happened last Wednesday near Highway 53 and County Road TT. The person's identity hasn't been revealed or how they died.

When the new Dollar General was built the sewer lines under Hwy 85 needed to be replaced.  However the patch in the road has settled, causing a bad dip in the road.  Durand Public Works Director Matt Gills says that he thinks the cause of the settling is because the roadbed has settled.  So who is responsible for fixing the road?  Gillis says since the Wisconsin DOT issued the permit to repair the line, it's up to the DOT and Dollar General.  According to Gills, the city and county have been in contact with the DOT to try and get the patch repaired.  

After more than seven decades and 100-thousand graduates, UW-Eau Claire commencement ceremonies will have a new home.  Saturday's graduation at Zorn Arena was the last in the facility that opened in 1952.  University officials say the all-time 100-thousandth UW-Eau Claire graduate was among the nearly 15-hundred students who received their degrees on Saturday.  The school's next commencement ceremony will be in December at the Sonnetag Center, which opens this fall.

 State investigators continue to say they don't know who planted the marijuana found growing outside the Wisconsin Capitol. Capitol Police found the pot growing in a tulip bed outside the statehouse last week. Investigators say it was clearly planted because it was spaced-out and growing in intervals. No one knows just when the pot was planted, but it's been taken out of the flower bed and taken into evidence. 

Twin sisters involved in a deadly Fillmore County buggy crash want the charges against them dropped.  Prosecutors say Sumatran Peterson was allegedly driving under the influence when she crashed into an Amish buggy near Rochester last September, killing two children.  Authorities say she then persuaded her identical twin, Sarah Peterson, to trade places with her.  Both sisters have been charged in connection with the incident. A defense attorney claims the state lacks sufficient evidence.

Wisconsin unemployment is now less than three percent. The state Department of Workforce Development says unemployment is more than one percentage point less than the national average. The number of unemployed people statewide decreased by about 13-hundred over the month.   

A Dane County 21-year-old is pleading no contest to attempted homicide in connection with an alleged kidnapping plot.  A court on Friday found Gabriel Savage guilty, but not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.  Savage was accused of plotting to kidnap a former DeForest classmate and then kill her and her parents and himself.  He was arrested last June on four counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, but three of the charges were dropped after Friday's plea.  Savage is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday and is expected to be ordered to enter a treatment facility.

Most Minnesota voters want legislators to work out a deal with rideshare companies who are threatening to leave the state over a minimum pay requirement.  A recent KSTP/Survey USA poll shows that 51 percent say a compromise should be worked out with Uber and Lyft.  Sixteen percent say the statewide pay bill should pass and 16 percent say the Minneapolis ordinance should be allowed to take effect.

Leaders of Monk Botanical Gardens in Wausau have walked back a poorly received re-branding effort  In a statement on Wednesday they've announced that the Wausau Botanic Garden name has been thrown out less than four weeks after they announced the change, which was immediately met with pushback from the community and the family of the late Robert Monk- who donated the land for the gardens with the intent that it be used for a public garden and outdoor learning center. After digesting that feedback, leaders announced they would reconsider the move last week- leading to Wednesday's announcement that the name "Monk Botanical Gardens" has returned to the property. Board President Paul David adds that if there is a future name change or rebrand for the property, the Monk name will still be included.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson would like to see marijuana sales legalized in Wisconsin.  You may be hearing more of this from elected officials in Wisconsin, now that the Biden Administration has reclassified marijuana from a dangerous Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota have all legalized recreational sales of the drug. Johnson and others argue Wisconsin is missing out on revenue from that.  Wisconsin residents are spending millions of dollars on legal cannabis in neighboring states.

A Minnesota city is getting praise for being a great place to retire.  Forbes magazine placed Rochester on its list of the 25 best places to retire last week.  The list was determined on factors like natural hazards, doctor availability, crime and affordable living.  The magazine listed the Mayo Clinic, good air quality and a low serious crime rate as good reasons to move to Rochester.  But it also docked the city points for being cold in the winter and not being very walkable.

Local-Regional News May 17

 It's a special time of year for area high school seniors as they are graduating.  Tonight 74 students will receive their diplomas from the Durand-Arkansaw School District.  The ceremony will be held at the Bauer Built Sports Complex starting at 7pm tonight.  We will provide a live stream of graduation on the live streaming page of the WRDN Website, the Durand-Arkansaw YouTube Channel, and Ntec Channel 99.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture will be spraying for spongy moth in Buffalo County today.  Planes will spray a product called Foray 48B a naturally occurring soil bacteria which kills spongy moth caterpillars feeding on tree foliage. Btk is not toxic to people, bees, pets, or other animals and is approved for use in certified organic food production. It will break down in sunlight within a few days after application.  People who have allergies may wish to stay indoors or leave the area until treatment is done. The yellow planes are loud and will fly low, just above the tree canopy, which may frighten pets or livestock. Those with animals may use their discretion to reduce stress by keeping them indoors or monitoring their behavior during aerial treatments.

The suspect in the May 10 robbery of the Circle C Convenience store on Broadway Street in Menomonie has been arrested.  According to Menomonie Police, 43yr old Andrew Horner of Menomonie was arrested on Wednesday.  Horner has been charged with armed robbery with threat of force, carrying a concealed knife, manufacture of drug paraphernalia, and possession of THC.  He is currently being held in the Dunn County Jail.

After years of planning and construction, the Gundersen Tri-County Hospital is formally open.  The ribbon-cutting this week marked the culmination of work that began with a groundbreaking in March of 2022 and the welcoming of its first patients last July.  The hospital in Whitehall is seen as a major step toward providing rural healthcare for an estimated 20-thousand people in the region.  It's double the size of the original hospital that was built in the 1960s.  It features two dozen beds with improved emergency room services and two trauma bays. 

The Pepin County Register of Deeds is now offering property fraud alerts for property and homeowners.  Property Fraud Alert is an online subscription service that allows individuals to have their name monitored within the county register's office in order to track possible fraudulent recordings that affect their property.  The service is free to all home and property owners.  The service is available by visiting property fraud alert dot com.  Call the Pepin County Register of Deeds office for more information.

Second quarter grants were recently awarded by Pierce Pepin Cares, the charitable foundation of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS), to six local non-profits.   The Durand Fire Relief Association received a $500 grant toward a new tender truck.  Other grant recipients include Healing Play, Inc., the Pierce County Historical Association, the Prescott Fire Department, and the River Bluff Humane Society.  Pierce Pepin Cares is funded by Pierce Pepin Coop members who round up their monthly energy bills to the nearest dollar, as well as direct donations.

The Chippewa County Courthouse will be getting a new full-time security officer. The County Board approved the new position yesterday as a response to the arrest of a man, accused of making threats to shoot up the building online. Harley Alcala was arrested last May and is currently committed to a hospital for mental health treatment. He will go back into custody after he's done, and a Zoom hearing is scheduled at the end of July. The new officer will bring additional protection to visitors and workers at the courthouse.

An Eau Claire man charged with the beating death of his wife, 81-year-old John Berthold, has pleaded guilty to the charges.  Berthold entered into a plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to second-degree homicide in the death of his 77-year-old wife, Diane, last July.  The police report stated he beat his wife to death with a wine bottle and then tried to commit suicide in their home on McElroy Court in Eau Claire.  He'll be sentenced in September. 

UW La Crosse will be getting more funding for science programs. The University announced on Thursday that the science department is getting 2 point 8 million dollars in endowment funding to help pay for new science education fellowships. That donation will fund a new position in the science faculty, and permanently establish positions for the campus's water science major. The announcement comes at a time when many UW campuses are facing staffing cuts and budget shortfalls.

Today is National Endangered Species Day and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is marking the occasion by announcing a discount on new license plates.  DNR says any Wisconsin resident who purchases new endangered resource plates now through the end of the year will get a 25-dollar rebate.  For the last three decades, the sales of endangered resource plates have supported DNR's work in wildlife and nature conservation. For more information on the Endangered Resources Fund or on how to get the license plate rebate search D-N-R-dot-Wisconsin-dot-gov.

 Federally funded food pantries in Wisconsin will soon stop asking for visitor identification. Wisconsin state health officials say the changes aim to improve access to the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Some pantry leaders say this raises concerns about tracking demographic information and more potential for food shortages. The pantries will have the choice to ID users until October when the state will require them to stop.   

A political newbie is planning to challenge Minnesota U. S. Senator Amy Klobuchar.  Republican Joe Fraser is seeking the state Republican Party endorsement this weekend.  The retired Naval intelligence officer hopes to focus on issues like the economy, the U. S. border with Mexico, and the war in Gaza.  Fraser says he's critical of Klubachar's lack of support for mining in northern Minnesota and she's not a vocal advocate for Minnesota jobs.  He added that he would welcome an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.  The primary election is set for August 13.

A high school sprinter is unlikely to compete in the upcoming WIAA state championships. Cambellsport High School Senior Joshua Onwunili tells FOX 6 Milwaukee he has an eligibility issue. The league doesn’t allow transfer students to compete at the varsity level their first year. It doesn't matter where you come from. Joshua started high school at Cambellsport, but spent two years in Ghana, where his parents were doing missionary work. His coach, Derrick Toshner, says the rule is being misapplied here. Onwunili may be one of the fastest 100 meter runners in state history, but barring a reversal by the WIAA, a new record looks out of reach. Three state lawmakers have written a letter to the league asking it to reconsider.

Applications for an 800-thousand grant program supporting improvements to shooting ranges in Wisconsin is now open. The state Department of Natural Resources says the ranges must be open to the public and ADA-compliant. The money is coming from federal excise taxes on archery equipment, guns, and ammunition. Last year, eighteen projects split the 800-thousand dollars. Applications will remain open until July 15.

A Dodge County Board supervisor is in hot water for allegedly bringing a gun into an elementary school. Authorities say Daniel Siegmann, who is also a school board member, was arrested for bringing a firearm into the Honor Elementary School in Neosho Tuesday. Siegmann was at the school for a meeting with the superintendent of the Herman-Neosho-Rubicon School District. The school said Siegmann didn’t pose a threat. The Dodge County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that carrying a firearm into a school without the proper authority to do so is unacceptable considering the school shootings that have occurred around the country.

You may not actually own all those books, songs and movies you've bought online. Wisconsin consumer protection director Michelle Reinen says you should find out your options for archiving your purchase by downloading it or saving it elsewhere. Reinen says some services might consider saving your movies or music piracy, so be sure to check the fine print on your user agreement.

Local-Regional News May 16

 Parents in the Durand-Arkansaw School District will not see an increase in school breakfast and lunches next school year.  At last night's school board meeting the board voted to keep breakfast and lunch prices the same for the 2024-25 school year.  Currently, elementary students pay $1.50 for breakfast and $1.75 for lunch, while middle-high school students pay $2.05 for breakfast and $2.40 for lunch.

As mobile food trucks become more common, the city of Mondovi is looking at a possible new ordinance and licensing.  During this week's council meeting, city administrator Loken told members that the current licensing system is not adequate.  She also told members that food trucks need to be located only on private property.  Council members were concerned about how a new ordinance would affect other non-profits that sell food during events.  The council directed administrator Loken to explore possible ordinances that could be adapted for the city of Mondovi.

The former Prevea Clinic in Mondovi has been purchased.  Emplify Health has announced it is purchasing the clinic as the healthcare group expands.  In a statement from Emplify Health, the new name of the care provider following the merger of Bellin Health and Gundersen Health System said it is "the next step in Emplify Health's thoughtful exploration of opportunities in and around the Chippewa Valley."  The company is in the process of filling staff and equipping the building.  It is hoped the clinic will open sometime in the summer.

A man arrested in Trempealeau County in December for possession of child pornography has been arrested again.  According to the Trempealeau County Sheriffs Department, authorities searched the home of 23-year-old Clayton Solberg on May 7 after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.    Solberg was arrested for violations of possession of child pornography and bail jumping.  He is currently being held in the Trempealeau County Jail.

One person died after a single-vehicle accident in the town of Sommer on Tuesday night.  According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department, deputies received a crash alert from a cell phone in the area of Hwy B near Myhre Road.  When deputies arrived on scene they found the lone occupant of the vehicle deceased.  The cause of that accident remains under investigation.

Officers from across western Wisconsin gathered yesterday to remember those colleagues who gave their all in the line of duty.  The names of 53 officers who died while serving since 1881 were read during the annual Northwest Regional Law Enforcement Memorial Service at Florian Gardens.  Three new names were added since last year's ceremonies -- Chetek Police Officer Emily Breidenbach, Cameron Police Officer Hunter Scheel and St. Croix County Deputy Kaitie Leising.

 Authorities in Jackson County say an Onalaska man has been charged with reckless homicide in the overdose death of a man in the Town of Albion this month.  The Jackson County Sheriff's Office says they answered a call about an unresponsive man at a home on May 8.  The man was later pronounced dead from a drug overdose.  An investigation concluded that 33-year-old Aspen Kalina of Onalaska had delivered drugs to the dead man.  Kalina is in custody in the Jackson County Jail awaiting a bond hearing today.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for its Shooting Range Grant Program.  Facilities across the state that offer public hours, including privately owned ranges, can make requests for funding now through July 15th.  Previous projects that were awarded grants include renovations to or construction of backstops, shooting benches, indoor ranges, and restrooms.  Those who got grants before can still apply.  Additional details are posted at D-N-R-dot-Wisconsin-dot-gov.

A new report shows Wisconsin is one of eleven U.S. states where childcare can cost more than twice as much as rent.  According to data released by Child Care Aware of America, the average cost of placing two children into a center-based daycare in the Badger State is nearly 25 thousand dollars per year, as compared with just over 19 thousand annually for average housing costs.  A Wisconsin couple at the median income level of about 121-thousand per year can expect to spend over eleven percent of their earnings to place an infant into a care center, according to the report.  For a single parent making the median 37 thousand per year, that's more than 36 percent of their pay.

Governor Tim Walz has unveiled a six-million-dollar grant initiative aimed at bolstering childcare accessibility across Minnesota. The funds, distributed through the Department of Employment and Economic Development, will support 21 community organizations in expanding childcare services. The investment is anticipated to create over 2,200 additional childcare slots, addressing the growing demand for childcare facilities in both urban and rural areas of the state.

A Burnett County school bus driver is facing sex crime charges. Prosecutors filed formal charges this week against Grantsburg bus driver Noah Gausman. He's accused of sexual assault, child enticement, and contributing to the delinquency of a child. Gausman drove a bus for the Grantsburg School District. The district sent a note home to parents explaining that Gausman had been arrested and said the school is working with investigators on the case. Gausman is free on a thousand-dollar bond, but has been ordered to stay away from children.

 A new clinic is now open in Rice Lake. The OakLeaf clinic says it's offering primary and family medicine, along with women's health care services that were once available through Prevea. Medical professionals who used to work in the now-closed Prevea network were hired at the new clinic. OakLeaf has also recently opened clinics in Menomonie, Ladysmith, and Cornell.     

 The Minnesota Department of Commerce has reached an agreement with UnitedHealthcare over the company's mental health coverage.  The consent order announced yesterday followed an investigation into the way the company pays mental health and substance abuse claims.  The state accused UnitedHealthcare of uneven reimbursement and failing to inform patients of their right to appeal denied claims.  The state will monitor the company until March of next year to make sure changes are made.  The company will also pay a 300-thousand-dollar fine that could increase to 450-thousand dollars if it fails to meet state guidelines.  

Concerns from the nation’s capital about protesting at Milwaukee’s Republican National Convention. Wisconsin U.S. Senator Ron Johnson discussed those with the head of the Secret Service Tuesday. Johnson told Fox 6 Milwaukee demonstrations for this July’s convention will differ from when Milwaukee was slated to host the Democratic National Convention in 2020, pointing out the summer protests of 2020, as well as the January 6th protests and “…the pro-Hamas protests on dozens of campuses.” Milwaukee hasn’t officially determined a protest zone. The proposed spot, Pere Marquette Park, is a block and a half from the Fiserv Forum where the convention will happen in July. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also sent the Secret Service director a letter concerning the proximity of the protesters to the convention site.

The pro-Palestinian encampment at UW-Milwaukee is gone. University staff cleared out the last of the encampment which stood on the campus for two weeks Tuesday morning. The peaceful dismantling came after an agreement was reached Sunday night between protesters and the school’s administration. The student demonstrators say the encampment could return depending on how their negotiations go with the UWM Foundation. The two parties met Tuesday to discuss the university's involvement with companies and groups that do business in Israel.

The NFL Draft is officially in Green Bay's hands now. The league 'handed off' the draft Tuesday. That included a couple of videos from Michigan's governor to Wisconsin's governor. There was also a ferry ride and a group of cyclists who are making their way from Detroit to Green Bay. Green Bay started its official draft countdown clock at 7 p.m. last night. The draft is scheduled for next April 24th through the 26th, at Lambeau Field. 

Local-Regional News May 15

 Mondovi residents may soon be allowed to drive golf carts on city streets.  At last night's council meeting members discussed the possibility of allowing golf carts on city streets.  Some council members were concerned about how the carts would be identified in case of accidents and that the owners should have insurance.  The council voted to direct City Administrator Loken to write a draft ordinance for the council to review at the next meeting.

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include the board reorganization, setting of the school breakfast and lunch prices for the next school year, and discussion and possible action on the renewal of the agreement with the city of Durand for the school resource officer.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6pm in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

One person was injured when they were hit by a BNSF train in the town of Trempealeau on Monday afternoon.  According to the Trempealeau County Sheriffs Department, the BNSF railroad reported one of its trains had hit a pedestrian that had been walking between the sets of tracks near mile marker 321 in the Trempealeau Wildlife Area.  After a search by authorities and BNSF employees, the 74-year-old male was found with a broken left arm and transported to the hospital.

A Trempealeau County man charged in connection with breaking into a Blair home on New Year's Day has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.  Blair police accused Shawn Gill of entering a home on Taft Street and causing thousands of dollars in damage and he also attempted to break into two other homes.  Gill was shot by the third homeowner.  Gill was charged with attempted arson, burglary, and criminal damage to property.  The plea deal requires Gill to complete a 40-month diversion agreement, he must write an apology to each of his victims,  pay nearly $19,000 in restitution, and not drink alcohol or use drugs.  In exchange, he will not serve any additional jail time and will be eligible for his record to be expunged after probation.

Menomonie's police and fire department are celebrating their biggest gifts ever. The Robert B. Wigen Family Trust on Monday gave the fire department and the police department 100 thousand dollars each. Menomonie's police department says the generosity of the gift will 'echo through the halls of our departments for years to come.' Neither the police department nor the fire department have said how they plan to spend the money. Both departments are expected to take some time and come up with some ideas. 

The man who threatened to shoot up the Chippewa County courthouse is now in the state mental hospital. Court records show that 40-year-old Harley Alcala has been committed. He was arrested last May after he threatened to shoot up the courthouse because of a custody dispute involving his daughter. Police say he didn't have any weapons on him when he was arrested. Alcala is due back in court in July. 

The Goodhue County Sheriff's Department will now have body cameras for its deputies.  The sheriff’s office stated it used one-time funding from Minnesota’s budget surplus last year to purchase 68 cameras. Officials say the cameras cost $370,000 in total. Major Mike Johnson says the bodycams will not arrive until the end of May. There will be enough cameras for all sworn officers and half of the detention center’s staff with enough to handle two out of the four shifts.

Two teens were injured in an ATV accident north of Dallas on Sunday.  According to the Barron County Sheriff's Department, a 16-year-old from Hillsdale lost control of an ATV on the trail, causing the ATV to roll and throwing both the driver and passenger off.  The 16-year-old driver was taken to Mayo Hospital in Barron with serious injuries, while the 19-year-old passenger was med flighted to an Eau Claire Hospital with critical injuries.

An elementary teacher accused of inappropriate behavior with a student has resigned.  School officials in Hudson say 24-year-old teacher Madison Bergman has tendered her resignation from River Crest Elementary.  She was arrested after a student's parents came forward with alleged sexually charged text messages between Bergman and their son. 

The president at the University of Wisconsin says he's disappointed with how UW-Milwaukee's chancellor ended his campus protests. President Jay Rothman said yesterday that he is looking into the agreement that Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone signed over the weekend to bring an end to the pro-Palestinian protests there. Rothman did not say just what part of the agreement he's upset with but did say that the university must remain 'viewpoint neutral' when dealing with protesters. UW-Milwaukee's agreement both calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and calls on Israel to release Palestinians who are being held in jail. Protesters promised to end their campus encampment, and not disrupt this weekend's graduation in exchange for the university's support. 

 As promised, Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate shot down a slew of Governor Evers' vetoes. Republicans overrode nine vetoes from the governor, including vetoes that scuttled a PFAS clean-up plan and that tied up millions of dollars for hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls.  31st State Senator Jeff Smith said in a statement, “The funding is available right now despite disagreement over the details. This was accomplished in a bipartisan way. We passed it into law and now the last step is to release the funds. We are inches away from having $15 million available, but Republicans wanted to travel a mile-long political gauntlet to come back to where we are at today. This all-or-nothing approach leaves all of the Chippewa Valley with nothing at all."  Yesterday's vote was almost entirely for show, however. Republicans in the State Assembly do not have enough votes to follow suit and override the governor

A proposed end to non-compete clauses could mean better wages for workers. UW-Madison management professor Martin Ganco says the Federal Trade Commission ruled those clauses stifle competition. Those clauses have been increasingly used in industries that don't need them like food service and retail. Ganco says non-competes allow companies to lock employees in place without offering competitive wages. The rule is set to take effect in September, but there are already several lawsuits pending against it.

Aldi is issuing a cream cheese recall due to potential salmonella.  The Germany-based grocery chain is recalling eight-ounce portions of its Happy Farms Whipped Cream Cheese Spread, Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread, Cream Cheese Spread, and Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread products.  The affected products were sold in Wisconsin, Minnesota and 26 other states, and have various sell-by states between August 30 and September 15, 2024.  The recall is out of an abundance of caution and is in cooperation with Schreiber Foods, Inc.  Anyone who purchased the products should throw them out or return them for a refund.  

The agency overseeing Minnesota's paid family and medical leave program says the state needs more money to pay for the plan.  Officials with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development asked state lawmakers yesterday to increase the payroll tax that will pay for the program when it begins in 2026.  The agency says a new analysis projects the payroll tax should be set just below point-nine percent, ensuring an additional 300-million dollars in revenue.  Lawmakers approved a tax of point-seven percent last year.  The House and the Senate are expected to consider the proposal this week.

There’s a buffalo on the loose in Waupaca County.  The sheriff’s office there said Monday the bison was spotted north of Ogdensburg, in the center of the north-central Wisconsin county. They ask drivers in that area to travel with caution, and they also advise residents to not approach the buffalo, noting that the animal can behave unpredictably.

A new bill that will make service fees more transparent in ads is advancing to the Minnesota Senate.  The House passed the measure yesterday by a 76-to-57 vote.  Under the proposed legislation, any business that does not disclose mandatory fees or surcharges as part of the advertised price of goods or services would be considered engaging in deceptive trade practices.  If the measure passes in the Senate, it will go to Governor Tim Walz for final approval.

An unusual speed checkpoint in Southeast Wisconsin.   Police in the Washington County village of Jackson had an officer sitting on the side of the road in a chair holding a radar gun. The department said in a Facebook post that several drivers who usually look for a squad car along the side of the road never noticed the officer in the chair. The “cop in a chair” method led to 14 issued warnings for speeding by Jackson Police.