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.
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