Local-Regional News June 28

 The City of Mondovi will spend $32,000 to re-plant the reed bed that is part of the new wastewater treatment plant.  During this week's council meeting, members discussed the options of just planting seeds or having a company come in and replant the bed with new plants.  It was decided to have SGH come in and replant the bed using starter plants instead of seeding.

Durand residents could see an increase in water and sewer rates and property taxes because of the Madison Street reconstruction project.  During this week's city council meeting, administrator Rassmuesson presented a scenario where homeowners could see an increase of $453 per year in increases in water and sewer rates and property taxes.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city is working on a few different ways to lower the cost of the project to city residents.  The city hopes to have the Madison Street project completed in either 2025 or 2026.

Xcel Energy says it's starting work to make sure the riverbank at its dam in Dunn County doesn't erode like the dam in Minnesota. Crews are focusing on the Menomonie Dam's abutment. Xcel's Tony Witkowski says the plan is to cover the entire bank of the river, upstream of the dam on the left side of the river, with new concrete. The project has been in the works for years, but it's taken on a bit more urgency after the Rapidan Dam in Minnesota failed because of abutment erosion on Monday. Witkowski says the dam has been in Menomonie for 50 years, and he hopes to keep it for another 50.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has struck down a ban against a western Wisconsin abortion protester. The liberal-majority court yesterday unanimously agreed that a Trempealeau County judge's ban that kept Brian Aish away from the abortion clinic in Blair is a violation of his First Amendment rights. The judge banned Aish after one of the women who works at the clinic accused him of making a threat. The high court said Aish never really threatened the woman. Lawyers for the Thomas More Society say the decision is a victory for free speech in Wisconsin. 

Wisconsin's DNR has set the deer quota for this year. The Department of Natural Resources yesterday said hunters will be able to take nearly 273 thousand deer, and another 245 thousand ' bonus antlerless' deer this year. The DNR says Wisconsin's County Deer Advisory Councils helped set the harvest numbers. Deer licenses are on sale through the state;s Go Wild app. Deer season begins in Wisconsin in September with archery season. Gun season in the state is set for November 23rd through December 1st. 

There is a new lawsuit that accuses Milwaukee Tool of using Chinese prison labor to make some of its work gloves. The lawsuit comes from a Chinese inmate who says he was forced to make the gloves while working under deplorable conditions. Those conditions include 13 hour days, no heat or air conditioning, and dangerous amounts of dust and other pollutants. The suit accuses Milwaukee Tool of violating the U.S. Trafficking Victim Protection Act. The company has not responded to the lawsuit. Milwaukee Tool is owned by Techtronic Industries, which is based in Hong Kong, and is also named in the suit.

Minnesota State and local officials are welcoming a new veteran's home in Fillmore County.  Governor Walz was among the dignitaries who traveled to Preston yesterday for the facility's dedication.  It's one of three veteran's homes that have opened in the state this year.  The home passed its federal certification earlier this week, which will allow it to house even more veterans and hire additional staff.

Nineteen independent Minnesota hospitals are joining forces to create their own healthcare network.  The formation of the Headwaters High-Value Network was announced yesterday.  The network also includes more than 50 clinics that will offer care to more than 750-thousand Minnesotans.  Officials say the partnership will help control rising healthcare costs and promote best practices for all network members.  The network includes a location in Winona.

Those attending the Northern Wisconsin state fair this year will see some security changes.  Fair CEO Rusty Volk says the changes are for the main-stage events and will include bag checks.  The Northern Wisconsin State Fair is July 10-14 in Chippewa Falls.

A recall effort against Speaker Robin Vos is rejected.  On a 4-2 vote Thursday, the Wisconsin Elections Commission found that organizers failed to collect enough valid signatures on the recall petition. Democratic appointees Commissioner Mark Thomsen and Chair Ann Jacobs voted against a motion from Republican appointee Don Millis which found the petition to be insufficient. .

The latest Marquette Law School Poll shows there is room to change Wisconsin's race for the U.S. Senate between now and Election Day. The new poll gives Democratic U.S. senator Tammy Baldwin a five-point lead in the race against Republican Eric Hovde, 52-47. But pollsters say 17 percent of voters haven't made-up their minds yet. Baldwin is looking for a third term in the Senate, while Hovde is looking for his first victory. The undecided gap is enough to flip the race before November. The poll also shows that a lot of voters say they need to learn more about Hovde, and have yet to decide if they like him or not. 

Wisconsin's attorney general is joining a coalition asking that TurboTax services not be advertised as free. Attorney General Josh Kaul is joining 21 other attorneys general to ask the U-S Court of Appeals to reject an appeal filed by Intuit, the maker of TurboTax. Intuit is appealing a settlement of 141-million dollars reached in 2022. The company was also ordered to stop advertising its services as free, unless they are free to all consumers, by the FTC in 2023.  The attorneys general say these should be upheld.

There will be extra law enforcement on Wisconsin waters next week for Independence Day. The state Department of Natural Resources says wardens and law enforcement will participate in the national Operation Dry Water campaign. The DNR says crews will be looking for boat operators who are drinking, and educating people on proper life jacket use. Since Operation Dry Water began in 2009, almost seven-thousand impaired operators have been removed from waterways nationwide. The campaign runs from July fourth until the sixth.

Rochester-based Mayo Clinic plans to use drones to deliver prescription drugs to patient's homes.  The hospital system recently signed a deal with Zipline, the world's largest commercial drone delivery company.  Mayo's goal is to start same-day delivery of medications to patient's doorsteps beginning in 2025.

Two rare tiger cubs are born at the Minnesota Zoo.  Officials at the Apple Valley-based zoo say the new additions were born on May 23.  The Amur tiger cubs, a male, and a female, spent the last month under the care of the Zoo's Animal Care and Health team and are doing well.  Amur tigers are considered endangered.  The public won't see the cubs until late summer or early fall.

Local-Regional News June 27

 Still no official announcement on a new city administrator for the City of Durand.  During last night's council meeting, the council met in closed session to talk about the position but took no action.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city is still finalizing contract details. Current administrator Scott Rassmussen's last day is July 12.

The City of Mondovi is expected to remove the snow fence from atop the retaining wall on North Eau Claire Street soon.  During this week's council meeting the council approved the purchase of 64 wooden fence posts that will have cabling in between them to replace the current snow fence.  It is hoped that the new fence will be installed before the end of July.

A six year old was seriously injured after being shot in Elgin on Tuesday.  According to the Wabasha County Sheriff's Department, deputies responded to the home and found the child had been shot outside of the home.  The Sheriff's Department believes the incident to be accidental but that shooting is still under investigation.

Motorists in Wabasha who use Hwy 60 to get to Hwy 61 will be forced to use a detour due to the flooding.  The Minnesota Department of Transportation has closed Hwy 60 in Wabasha due to flooding between McDougall Avenue and 12th Street East.  It is expected the road will be closed until at least Monday.

A Minnesota tribe is opening a cannabis dispensary in Red Wing.  Island Pezi [[ pay-ZEE ]], in the Prairie Island Indian Community, opened Monday to the public.  The dispensary offers a range of cannabis products including flowers from White Earth Nation's cultivation facility, as well as hemp-derived gummies, beverages, and oils from Minnesota businesses.  The tribe expects to hold its grand opening on Saturday with a daylong celebration featuring vendors, food trucks, and live music.

A southern Minnesota man has decided to take a plea for an alleged kidnapping that happened in Goodhue County.  Investigators say a woman got into Daquarius Black's car in 2022 thinking it was a rideshare.  Black allegedly wouldn't let the woman out until she asked to use the bathroom.  She called the police, and Black was arrested after a chase that reached a top speed of over 120 miles an hour.  Black entered an Alford plea yesterday, accepting a plea bargain while not admitting guilt.  He'll be sentenced on charges of kidnapping and fleeing from police in August.

 There is a warning about a runaway cow in Chippewa County. The sheriff's office took to Facebook this week to say a cow escaped a farm on State Highway 27 on Tuesday and hasn't been wrangled just yet. Deputies say the cow broke through a fence and hasn't let anyone get close since. The sheriff's office says people need to be careful and watch out for the runaway cow if they are driving in the area south of County Highway S in Cadott. 

It's time to party in Cadott. Country Fest begins its three-day run today. Thousands of fans are already in Cadott for what organizers call the country's largest party in a hayfield. Jake Owen is the headliner tonight, followed by Keith Urban tomorrow, and Eric Church on Saturday night. Online ticket sales are closed, and VIP and reserved lawn tickets are sold out. Campsites at the Country Fest grounds are also sold out. There are, however, some general admission tickets left. 

A New Jersey man is looking at nearly 50 felony counts after investigators say he sent nude pictures and nude videos to an 11-year-old girl. Prosecutors say 35-year-old Mark Uptegrove met the girl, who lives in Rusk County, on Snapchat. He's being charged with 45 felony counts of exposing a child to harmful material. Uptegrove could spend the rest of his life in prison if he's convicted on all of the counts. There is no word when he will be brought to Wisconsin to face charges here. 

 Wisconsin's chief justice wants to find a leaker in the court. Chief Justice Annette Ziegler called for an investigation after someone leaked a report that the Wisconsin Supreme Court will take-up an abortion case in the coming months. The story was leaked to the liberal-leaning Wisconsin Watch, and said the high court will hear the case that seeks to declare a right to abortion in Wisconsin. The draft order denies Wisconsin's pro-life groups a chance to intervene in the case but will allow them to file a brief. Ziegler says she is 'shocked' that the court's draft order was leaked. She said in a statement that she has contacted law enforcement, and has asked for a formal investigation. Planned Parenthood asked the court back in February to take-on the right-to-abortion case. There's no word when arguments may come. 

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announces $11.4 million to expand state charter schools. DPI says the investment will go towards planning and implementation for charter schools opening in fall 2025, implementation for charter schools that recently opened or will open in 2024, and expansion for existing high-quality charter schools. According to DPI, a high-quality charter school must show evidence of strong academic performance, operate in a financially appropriate manner, meet statutory regulations, and demonstrate success in increasing graduation rates and other student academic achievement. More information on charter schools can be found on the DPI's website.

There are enough signatures to recall Wisconsin's Assembly Speaker, but no one is sure if it will actually happen. The Wisconsin Elections Commission yesterday said there are enough valid signatures to force a recall election against Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, but the commission isn't saying which district will hold the recall election. Vos, like all other Wisconsin lawmakers, is running in a new district this fall. His old district, the 63rd, was erased when the Wisconsin Supreme Court said Wisconsin's old political maps were unconstitutional. The Elections Commission has til Friday to decide on the district question. 

The Department of Natural Resources encourages ATV/UTV safety as the holiday weekend approaches. Choosing to wear appropriate safety gear and operate ATVs/UTVs responsibly can reduce the risk of severe injury or fatal crash. Vehicle operators can also take an online safety course on how to safely drive and ride. The DNR also recommends driving sober, traveling in familiar areas, following all posted signs and speed regulations, and letting someone not riding with you know where you are going and when you will return. The DNR says so far this year, 17 people have been killed in ATV/UTV crashes.

 Partisan sample ballots for the August Wisconsin primaries are available. Political parties narrow down their candidates for the November election during the primaries. Voters are only able to vote for candidates in one party across the ballot. Residents can use their address to find their sample ballot on My-Vote-W-I-dot-gov. Primaries are on August 13.  

The Minnesota Department of Commerce reports that less than eleven-thousand homes in Minnesota are protected by flood insurance, leaving many homeowners vulnerable to potential water damage. Homeowners can purchase add-ons to their insurance policies for some types of flooding, such as sewer water backup coverage. However, for protection against significant flooding, a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program is necessary, with an average cost of 400 dollars per year. The department urges all homeowners to consider flood insurance, even those living outside high-risk areas, as recent trends show increased flood claims from unexpected rain events. 

Mall of America officials say they will implement new facial recognition technology in its security systems.  They say the Corsight system will be used only for detecting a person of interest suspected of trespassing, those posing a threat, and endangered or missing persons. Mall officials say they're team has undergone extensive training to verify the persons of interest.  If an individual is not a match, no data is stored, and no information on a non-PIO is kept.

Country star Jon Pardi has filled the final open spot in the 2024 Minnesota State Fair lineup. Pardi will perform on Wednesday, August 28. Tickets for the show will go on sale on Friday, June 28. The Grandstand concert venue is now complete for the 2024 show, featuring a diverse range of genres over the 12-day event. You can visit the Minnesota State Fair website for more information on ticket prices or the lineup. The State Fair Box Office will not be open for in-person sales; tickets must be purchased online or by phone.

Local-Regional News June 26

 The Durand City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include reports from the mayor and department heads, a presentation on the Madison Street project and the council will go into closed session to consider a contract for the new city administrator.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall and will be live-streamed on the video streaming page of our website.

The city of Mondovi is considering some changes to the UTV/ATV ordinance.  During last night's council meeting members talked about the possibility of requiring insurance and a valid driver's license for those 16 and older.  Some council members would like to see the city ordinance be the same as the Buffalo County Ordinance to avoid confusion among UTV operators and authorities.  It was decided to look at possible changes and have them ready at the next council meeting.

There are two new, operational solar arrays in Dunn County. Ribbon cuttings were held Monday in Boyceville and Colfax to celebrate their completion. Dunn Energy Co-Op built the new solar arrays with the help of Dairyland Power Cooperative, One Energy, and local landowners. They were built on a solar field that's been producing energy since January.   The Boyceville array will generate enough power for 600 homes.

Crews have found the body of the man who went missing in the Eau Claire River over the weekend. Robert Hanson slipped below the water on Saturday while he was fishing. The sheriff's office yesterday said a kayaker found Hanson's body near Harstad County Park,  by the County Road D bridge. Hanson's friends say he went into the water after he tried to walk across the river. 

 SkyWest may be coming back to the Chippewa Valley's airport. Airport managers this week said SkyWest and Sun Country Airlines are both applying to fly out of the airport in Eau Claire. SkyWest pulled-out of Eau Claire back in 2022, saying there wasn't enough business. Sun Country has held the contract for the airport ever since. That contract expires in November. The new contract, which they are both bidding on, will last for three years. 

Prosecutors in Eau Claire say a local man stole 100 thousand-dollars from his grandmother. Evan Daniels is currently in jail on drug charges. This week, prosecutors charged him with exploiting his 92-year-old grandma. Investigators say Daniels was living with his grandmother, and was supposed to be playing her bills. Her accounts show she had 300 thousand-dollars at the beginning of the year, and now she has just 75 thousand-dollars left. It's not clear if Daniels spent the money on drugs. Daniels is due in court Friday.

 La Crosse County is looking at homes for the homeless and a lot more green energy is its next strategic plan. The county announced yesterday that it is working on a new, five-year plan. The goals include bringing more people to town and increasing the workforce. But La Crosse county administrator Jane Klekamp says they also want to reduce the county's carbon footprint by 50 percent and bring high-speed internet to 85 percent of the county. Klekamp also says they want a plan to get the county's homeless population into homes in the next five years.

A judge says disabled voters in Wisconsin should be emailed their ballots this November. A Dane County yesterday said voters who cannot read or fill-out a paper ballot on their own can request an emailed ballot to make voting easier. The ruling comes after Disability Rights Wisconsin sued for the change. They say forcing disabled voters to rely on someone else to fill out and mail their ballot is an unconstitutional hurdle. Wisconsin's Elections Commission argued against the change, saying there's not enough time to get an email ballot system up and running before Election Day. While the ballot will be emailed to the voter, they will have to physically mail the ballot back to the clerk. 

Minnesota Governor Walz says the total impact of flooding in Minnesota may not be known for several weeks.  Walz and other state leaders toured areas of central and southern Minnesota by helicopter yesterday.  The governor said the scope of the damage was much more visible from the air and could get worse since some rivers and streams have yet to crest.  Walz also said he could call a special session of the legislature if damage totals exceed the amount of disaster relief money currently set aside.  Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar said the state may be close to qualifying for federal aid that could help pay 75 percent of the cost of replacing vital infrastructure.

A missing Rice Lake woman may have passed through a trash incinerator. 39-year-old Melissa Davis has been missing since May 13. Rice Lake Police investigators said surveillance video from that evening shows Davis, alone, climbing into a dumpster near her residence and not exiting. The dumpster was emptied the next day and taken to the Barron County Incinerator. Suspected remains and clothing matching that of Davis were seen at the facility. All the contents from that day passed through the incinerator. Investigators said the search for Davis is ongoing.

US Senate candidates Democrat Tammy Baldwin and Republican Eric Hovde have agreed to a debate. The two will face off on October 8th, and the debate will be broadcast by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. The debate will be moderated by Poynter Institute faculty member Jill Geisler, and will feature questions from other panelists. Baldwin is seeking a third term in the US Senate. Hovde previously ran for Senate in 2012, but was defeated in the primary by Tommy Thompson.

Everyone involved in a lawsuit over Wisconsin's election maps will have to foot the bill for experts brought in to examine the case. The State Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the six separate parties that got involved with the lawsuit each owe just over 21-thousand dollars to pay for a pair of outside experts to examine proposed election maps. The case was dropped after Republicans and the Governor's office came to terms on a new map and passed it into law. Justice Rebecca Dallet says the two professors put in the time and effort to make rulings and should be paid for that time.

The chair of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission wants faster development of new nuclear technologies. Summer Strand commented during a WisPolitics luncheon in Madison last week. Strand said there is a lot of really exciting innovation research and development happening on the nuclear front. She said if she had it her way it would be happening faster and be more readily deployable now. Strand said the US Senate has approved a measure to facilitate that work. And she noted that European countries are already making progress on small modular reactors.

The U.S. Secret Service has finalized the security perimeter for next month’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Police Chief Jeffrey Norman expects protesters to behave, and that anything beyond lawful protests will not be tolerated. People will be allowed to carry guns within blocks of the downtown security perimeter. Protesters will be given two outdoor stages outside the perimeter, although one will be within sight of Fiserv Forum. The RNC runs July 15-18 and is expected to bring thousands of delegates and others to Milwaukee.

A middle schooler from Eau Claire is headed to Washington, D.C. to represent Wisconsin in the national civics bee. Rya Mousavi won the Wisconsin Civics Bee last week. The judges decided that her essay on changes to public schools in the state was the best of the lot. Rya actually got second in the regional bee, but managed to grab first place at the state bee. She won a thousand-dollars and the chance to compete at the National Civics Bee later this fall.

Local-Regional News June 25

 A 60yr old Fountain City woman had to be rescued from the Mississippi River on Monday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, deputies responded to a woman impeding traffic on Hwy 35 in Fountain City.  Prior to the deputy's arrival, it appeared the woman had entered the river intentionally.   The woman was rescued about 1/2 mile from where she entered the river.  She was taken to a local hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries and further mental health evaluation.  Due to current high water conditions, the public is urged not to swim in the Mississippi River until water levels and dangerous currents go down.

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident in Martell Township on Saturday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 16yr old Alex Batho of Maiden Rock was traveling southbound on Hwy Y when he failed to stop for a stop sign and collided with a westbound vehicle on Hwy 29 driven by 46yr old Travis Bonse of Baldwin.  Both drivers were taken to Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include a discussion of the UTV/ATV Ordinance, a review of the Waste Water Treatment Plant Compliance Report from the DNR and discussion of replacing the fence on North Eau Claire Street.  Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue a permit for the incidental taking of a rare plant, which may result from the Nugget Lake County Park Project in Pierce County.    Pierce County proposes to dredge portions of Nugget Lake and transport the dredge material through wooded habitat to a nearby agricultural field.   The presence of the state-threatened snow trillium is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. The DNR concludes that the proposed project is not likely to appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival or recovery of the species within the state, the whole plant-animal community of which it is a part of or the habitat that is critical to its existence.  The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to the snow trillium by July 24, 2024.

Authorities are blaming a crane for knocking out the power and starting a grass fire in Altoona. It happened just before 1 p.m. yesterday on 9 Mile Creek Road. Altoona Fire Chief Mark Renderman says the crane was doing some work when it knocked over a powerline. The fire it started was small, just about 100 feet long, and fire crews were able to put it out in about 15 minutes. No one was hurt. Xcel Energy says a little over 200 people lost power because of the downed powerline. 

The search continues for an Eau Claire man last seen in the Eau Claire River. The Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office says 35-year-old Robert Hanson went missing Saturday afternoon while he was fishing. Friends say he tried to walk across the river and went into the water. Rescue crews say the search has been difficult because of the recent rains and a fast current on the river. 

It's going to be a day of cleaning up in northern Wisconsin after a line of strong thunderstorms rolled across the state. The National Weather Service kept a patchwork of watches and warnings in effect overnight for folks from Wausau to Green Bay. Severe thunderstorms pounded the area. There are no reports of any major injuries, but there are plenty of reports of downed trees and storm damage. The Weather Service is expected to send teams to the area today to see if any of the storms produced a tornado.   Here in Western Wisconsin, due to an atmospheric cap, there was no storm development overnight.

Tribal leaders of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Prairie Island Indian Community were appointed to the Minnesota Racing Commission by Governor Tim Walz. The appointment sparked concerns from the state's horse-racing tracks, Canterbury Park and Running Aces, as they viewed the tribal leaders' casino operations as competitors. The tracks expressed worries about the tribal leaders' lack of horse racing experience and potential conflicts of interest. Despite the tracks' objections, Walz defended the appointments, emphasizing the appointees' understanding of gambling regulation. The appointment comes amid ongoing debates over sports betting legislation and the role of the Racing Commission in regulating the industry. 

A 32-year-old woman was arrested in Olmsted County after a dead woman was found in her car following a single-vehicle crash on I-90. The driver was tended to by a passerby, and authorities discovered the deceased 35-year-old woman in the back seat. The condition of the deceased woman was deemed suspicious, and the suspect was arrested for interfering with a dead body. She is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday after being medically cleared at the hospital. 

The state of Wisconsin is helping inspect boats this week, to keep tiny animals and invasive plants out of the state's lakes. The Department of Natural Resources says volunteers will be at boat launches until July 6th, helping educate people on where invasive species may be on their boats or boat trailers. The DNR's Erin McFarlane says taking a few minutes to clear mud and grass from your boat and trailer can save lakes and rivers across the state. The DNR says the Clean Boats Clean Waters effort can make the difference between being able to enjoy a lake or river and losing that water to invasive species. 

Officials say this year will be the last one for the Monona Community Festival. Organizers announced the end of the festival today citing a lack of core volunteers, increased costs, and new city regulations. Festival president Eric Redding in a statement says over the last few years the number of core volunteers has shrunk from 20 to about seven. Redding says the nonprofit also received notice a few weeks ago that the city would require a substantial fee in 2024 for police, fire, EMS, and public works staff time. The Monona Community Festival dates its origins to the 1960s and 1970s when it was called Monona Fun Days. The event has routinely brought 20 to 30 thousand people annually to Winnequah Park for one of the region's best Fourth of July fireworks shows. 

Local election clerks have been facing harassment over the state's new absentee ballot envelopes. W K O W in Madison reports a New London man has sent emails to clerks across the state saying those new envelopes are illegal and he'll sue any clerk who uses them. This is despite the envelopes being approved by the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission. The man has already filed over a dozen lawsuits against local clerks. Dane County clerk Scott McDonell has been debunking the emails and sending out assurances to clerks that they're doing nothing wrong. McDonell calls the emails a scare tactic and an attempt to stop absentee voting.

There are plenty of job vacancies in Wisconsin, but if you're coming off a job in a specialized field, it might be hard to get a new position. Department of Workforce Development section chief Scott Hodek says you might need to consider a change to get back in the workforce. That includes relocation, or even upskilling into a new line of work. If you're still having trouble getting a position, and you're on unemployment, contact the Job Center of Wisconsin to get some assistance.

The Minnesota Department of Health wants those who use private wells for drinking water to take steps to prevent contamination due to flooding.  The agency issued a news release urging property owners to have a private well contractor do a check-up.  They also suggested flood-proofing for wells that need repairs, including extending the well casing above any expected flooding.  Those who can't get their wells checked should get a supply of clean water that will last several days.  The Department of Health also suggests shutting off power to the well to prevent floodwater from being pumped into the plumbing system.

A Beaver Dam woman is the new Miss Wisconsin. Mandi Genord was crowned in Oshkosh Saturday night. The 22-year-old Genord, who recently graduated from the University of Alabama, also served as Miss Wisconsin’s Teen in 2018. Genord tells Fox 6 Milwaukee that her mission as the new Miss Wisconsin, called “Movement Matters: Keeping Kids in Motion”, inspires kids “…to move and get active and be outside and have fun.” Genord will represent the state at the upcoming Miss America 2025 competition.

People around Wisconsin are helping scientists track ticks in the state. Marshfield Clinic Research Institute Executive Director Jennifer Meece says the Tick Inventory via Citizen Science helps them track disease-carrying ticks. Meece and her team want to raise awareness of those illnesses and make sure people are looking for the bugs. Thousands of ticks have been sent to researchers since the effort began in April. For more information, or to request a pre-paid collection kit be sent to you, contact T I C S at marshfield clinic dot org.

Local-Regional News June 24

The City of Mondovi will have to re-plant the reed bed portion of the wastewater treatment plant.  Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the reed beds are a part of the main plant. The cost of the new reed bed could delay the purchasing of the new license plate reader cameras that the council has approved.

The City of Durand's Wastewater treatment plant passed its DNR yearly assessment.  The plant is 43yrs old, and Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city continues to find ways to make small changes to the plant to keep it operational. Milliren says the city public works department has done a great job in keeping the plant operational.

The Mayo Clinic Health System says it is suing the city of Eau Claire over a property tax dispute.  The health organization claims the city should not have billed the system in excess of a million dollars for real estate and property taxes generated from its ownership of seven city-based properties.  City officials argue that Wisconsin law provides an exemption for hospital facilities but that does not include clinics, medical office buildings, and parking lots.  Eau Claire's city attorney says he has yet to see the lawsuit.

 It's been eight years since anyone has seen a missing Chippewa Falls woman. Saturday was the eighth anniversary of Shannah Boiteau's disappearance. She left her home in Chippewa Falls on June 21st, 2016, and was last seen the next day running from her car in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Police in both Chippewa Falls and St. Cloud searched for her for years. Her family offered a three-thousand-dollar reward for information in the case, but nothing came of it. You can find pictures of Boiteau, and more information about the case online. 

The Wabasha County Board is meeting tomorrow morning.  Items on the agenda include an extension of an interim ordinance for cannabis and other products containing THC, approval of new meal reimbursement amounts, and approval of the Wabasha County Liquor License Renewals.   Tomorrow's meeting begins at 9am in the board room at the Wabasha County Government Center.

There's a hearing today in court in Madison that could change how some people vote in the state. Disability Rights Wisconsin is suing to get some kind of electronic absentee voting option for disabled voters in the state. The group says forcing disabled voters to have someone else fill out their paper ballot creates an unconstitutional hurdle. The group would like to see the change before this November's election. The judge in the case is hearing motions today, there's no word just when full arguments could happen. 

Don't take cicadas home with you. That's the word from Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources. The DNR yesterday said they've gotten a couple of reports of people harvesting cicadas from Big Foot Beach State Park in Walworth County. Conservation police say it's against the law to remove bugs from state parks. It's also a bad idea. Moving the cicadas could help spread them throughout Wisconsin. The DNR says it wants to remind people that it is illegal to harvest bugs, but said if it continues, they will issue tickets. 

Minnesota Governor Walz is authorizing the Minnesota National Guard to assist with emergency flood operations around the state.  The governor issued a peacetime emergency order on Saturday, allowing the National Guard to send soldiers to communities that request help.  The governor said in a statement that the intense rain has had "catastrophic effects" on several communities, including property damage and road closures.  Le Sueur County asked the National Guard for logistics and operations support for their ongoing flood recovery efforts following the governor's order.

 A Republican lawmaker from Green Bay says he plans to try again with a law that would allow parents to set a curfew on their kids' social media accounts. State Rep. David Steffen yesterday said he plans to reintroduce his Kids Online Safety Act. The idea is to have a law that allows for a 'sleep mode' for social media accounts, and that would ban certain algorithms, targeted ads, and direct messages for accounts held by children. Steffen introduced the plan last year, but it didn't go far at the Wisconsin Capitol. Steffen said social media companies have shown that they will not protect kids on their own, so he said the state needs to step in. 

Storm trackers are confirming that there were at least three tornadoes in southern Wisconsin Saturday night.  A meteorologist for WKOW says twisters were reported in the areas of Platteville, Belmont, Argyle and Janesville.  Residents in Lafayette County are reporting wind damage to trees and structures, and images from the area show severe damage to a church in Argyle.  Flooded roadways are also being reported, and hail the size of quarters.  

The personal health information of nearly 20-thousand Wisconsin Medicaid members may have been leaked in a security breach.  The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced Friday that the breach was discovered after suspicious activity was found on an email account for Disability Rights Wisconsin.  The nonprofit organization is now mailing notifications to state Medicaid members who may have had their data compromised.  The DHS says those affected will be offered free credit monitoring for one year.

A Wisconsin woman who allegedly tried to poison her husband with animal drugs has taken a plea deal.  Wisconsin Circuit Court records show that 51-year-old Amanda Chapin pleaded no contest Friday to a charge of felony first-degree reckless endangering.  The charge was downgraded from first-degree attempted homicide after Chapin cut a deal last week with Lafayette County prosecutors.   Chapin allegedly put animal euthanasia drugs in her husband's coffee three times in 2022, putting the 70-year-old man in a coma.  A criminal complaint from the man's family said he was Chapin's "sugar daddy."

Teamsters Union president Sean O' Brien will speak at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next month.  Former President Trump announced the move Friday saying that O'Brien had accepted his invitation.  The influential labor group has yet to endorse a presidential candidate, but O'Brien has requested to speak at both party conventions.  President Biden won the union's endorsement in 2020 and has secured the endorsement of several other unions, including the United Auto Workers. 

 A Pewaukee girl has been crowned Miss Wisconsin Teen.  The pageant was held last night at Alberta Kimball Auditorium at Oshkosh West High School, and featured performances from 23 Wisconsin girls competing for the title.  This year's winner was Ella Bey from Pewaukee.  Bey will now compete for Miss America's Teen.

A half dozen Minnesota businesses are getting some financial help from the USDA.  The agency awarded 50-million dollars in Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection grants last week, including nearly two-million dollars for six businesses in Minnesota.  Olson Custom Farms in Hendricks received the biggest award, getting 600-thousand dollars to help supplement worker pay and benefits.  Spring Valley Farms in Morris and Featherstone Fruits and Vegetables in Rushford also received grants of 400-thousand dollars each. 

Local-Regional News June 21

The Durand Police Department is reporting a phone scam.  According to police, three businesses received calls yesterday from someone claiming an employee was arrested and the business needed to bail them out and another call claimed an employee was involved in a crash and needed money.  The caller tried to claim they were a Durand Police Officer.  If you receive this type of call do not give out any information and contact the Durand Police Department.  

Students at Caddie-Woodlawn Elementary School will have a new principal next year.  This week the Durand-Arkansaw School Board accepted the resignation of principal Ericka Johnson, who has been with the district for 13yrs.  Johnson thanked the board and the community for all of the support over the years. Johnson will be working with a new company to help prevent school violence.

The problems with the new Mondovi Waste Water Treatment plant continue.  Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says it's not the plant itself, but an attachment to the plant from a company called Clear As that is not working properly.  The attachment in question uses algae to reduce the amount of phosphorus.  It has been installed in two other communities in Wisconsin. 

A Wisconsin woman is in the hospital after a motorcycle crash on Interstate 90 in Olmsted County on Wednesday.  The Minnesota State Patrol says the driver of the motorcycle, 58yr old James Gierok of Whitehall lost control in the westbound lanes of the interstate near milepost 228 in Dover.  56-year-old Angela Gierok of Whitehall fell off the back of the motorcycle and was transported by helicopter to St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester with non-life threatening injuries.

There are new questions about Chippewa County's sheriff getting personally involved in a case. The lawyer for a foster parent sentenced to jail in Chippewa County this week wrote a letter to the judge, accusing Sheriff Travis Hakes of threatening to hand down extra punishments to his client. The case ended with a plea deal and an eight-month jail sentence, but the lawyer says the sheriff is threatening to take away the foster parent's work release. The letter says Sheriff Hakes is personal friends with some of the witnesses in the case. This is just the most recent time that someone in Chippewa County has questioned Hakes' integrity and job performance. The sheriff isn't commenting on the letter

We're getting some answers about a month-old killing in Trempealeau County. Prosecutors provided some details yesterday about the May 15th killing in Ettrick. Investigators say the suspect in the case, Todd Gieck, shot and killed the victim, Kyle Dahl, as he was driving home from his family farm. The prosecution's case doesn't say it outright, but it appears that Gieck didn't know Dahl, and investigators say Gieck shot Dahl for no reason. Dahl's body was found in a ditch off the highway, and the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Office refused to release any information about the case. Prosecutors say Gieck told investigators that he was "on edge" and bothered by how Dahl was driving just before the shooting. 

New this year, the Pierce County Fair is offering online ticket sales. Tickets purchased prior to the fair through online sales have reduced pricing compared to tickets that are purchased at the gate.  Advanced tickets purchased online will cost $5 for a single-day ticket, and season passes will be $13.  Advanced Concert tickets will be $10 and Truck and Tractor Pull tickets $7.  Besides online sales, select advanced tickets will be available at locations throughout Pierce County including Ellsworth, Hager City, Maiden Rock, and River Falls.

The University of Wisconsin has rested its case against former UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow, but no one is saying when the school will decide if he gets to keep his job as a professor. The university wrapped up a two-day disciplinary hearing yesterday. Gow was fired last year when his porn career came to light. Interim La Crosse Chancellor Betsy Morgan said since then, the university has been the butt of jokes, has seen pushback from humiliated alumni, and even had one student ask for a new diploma without Gow's name on it. Gow pressed Morgan for examples of how he harmed the school's reputation, saying he helped bring in more students during his time as chancellor. Gow is trying to keep his job as a communication professor. 

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for the E-Cycle Wisconsin Electronics Collection Grant for projects hosting an electronics collection site or event between September 2024 and December 2025.  In 2022 and 2023, the DNR awarded more than $135,000 to 29 projects in 18 counties, mostly in rural areas. These projects supported the development of a permanent collection site in Pepin County and 30 one-day collection events between August 2022 and May 2024.  Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

Wisconsin’s employment numbers are the highest in its history. May's labor numbers show the state has over 3 million people working.  Department of Workforce Development section chief Scott Hodek says the continued low unemployment rate is good for workers.  Over 3 million people are now employed in the state, and the unemployment level is at 2 point 9 percent, about a point below the national average.

Wisconsin will have its first annual Invasive Species Awareness Day. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says the awareness day will be held on state park properties Saturday. There will be special events like guided hikes, educational programs, and fieldwork focused on removing or preventing invasive species across the state. The events are open to all ages. Closed-toed shoes, gloves, sunscreen, and plenty of water are recommended.

Wisconsin is reporting a record breaking number of home purchases so far this fiscal year. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority says it's closed 27-hundred single-family home sales so far this year, more than doubling last year's home loan closures. During the entire 2023 fiscal year, eleven hundred home purchases were completed. The previous record was broken in 2006. June is Wisconsin Homeownership Month.

Honoring Wisconsin’s first woman lawyer.  The Wisconsin Supreme Court announced Wednesday that the State Law Library will be named in honor of Lavinia Goodell, the first woman lawyer in Wisconsin. Goodell was born in New York state and moved to Wisconsin in 1871. Three years later she was admitted to the practice of law by the Rock County Circuit Court. In 1875 she was denied the right to represent a client before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Goodell drafted legislation to guarantee women the ability to practice law in Wisconsin. The bill was signed into law in 1877.

A man who injured dozens of people in a 2022 boating crash in Oshkosh is convicted. A Winnebago County jury found 53-year-old Jason Lindemann guilty on 14 of 15 counts, including two felony charges of recklessly endangering safety and 11 counts of failing to provide aid after a crash. Lindemann crashed his powerboat into the side of a paddlewheel boat on the Fox River in July of 2022, and fled the scene despite pleas from passengers on his boat to go help people. Lindemann had been drinking while at the helm. He'll be sentenced in August.

Deputies say two people are dead and another was seriously injured in a four-vehicle collision in Dodge County yesterday. The Dodge County Sheriff's Office says a 17-year-old driver allegedly crossed the centerline on State Highway 33 in Herman at about 1 p.m., which led to a chain-reaction crash. Deputies say an 84-year-old man and a 79-year-old woman died. A Shorewood man was transported to a local hospital but his condition is not available. Deputies say the collision is under investigation. No names or other information was released. 

The Wisconsin State Fair cream puff turns 100 years old this year. For the first time, flavored versions of the traditional treat will be offered at the fair. Root Beer Float, Raspberry Cheesecake, and English Toffee-flavored cream puffs will be served during different days with a Chocolate Birthday Cake variety on sale August 10th only. Only 1,924 flavored puffs will be available to fairgoers each day. The flavored cream puff schedule is available at the Wisconsin State Fair website.

Local-Regional News June 20

 The Durand-Arkansaw is facing a possible budget deficit of $560,000 for the upcoming school year.  During last night's school board meeting the board discussed the preliminary budget.  Many school districts are facing possible deficits due to the drop in federal COVID aid.  Last year Durand Arkansaw received nearly $1.5 million in federal Esser money, and this year that aid is down to $317,000.  It is still very early in the budget process and administrators are confident they will be able to fill that deficit.

The problem of accidental 911 calls continues to be an issue in Pepin County.  During last night's Pepin County Board Meeting Sheriff Joel Wener told the board that while Apple and Android made updates to their phones to try and prevent accidental 911 calls there is a new issue involving notification that the phone has been involved in an accident.  Wener estimates that 15-20% of the 911 calls last year to the dispatch center were false calls.

The group that is looking to replace Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls' closed hospitals is now looking for both patients and doctors. The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative yesterday said it is accepting community and physician members. Patients can join for 25 dollars a-year, while doctors can join for 100 dollars per-year. The new health co-op covers 15 counties in western Wisconsin, including Buffalo, Pepin and Dunn counties. 

 Police in Eau Claire say they've arrested a woman who helped a wanted attempted homicide suspect from Madison escape. Eau Claire Police say 54-year-old Candace Rogers hid Jerome Jacobs in her car, and drove him away from Eau Claire last week. Police in Eau Claire had just tried to stop Jacobs, but he ran. Investigators say Rogers' help meant Jacobs got away and is still on the run, She's looking at charges of harboring or aiding a felon.

The teenager who dragged an 11-year-old girl behind a shed and raped her is heading to jail for just nine months. Barron County Court Judge Maureen Boyle this week sentenced Riley Tomesh to nine months in jail, and three years of probation. Tomesh was 17-years-old when he raped the young girl during the Harvest Days Festival in the Village of Brill. The girl told police she tried to scream, but she said Tomesh held his hand over her mouth and threatened to kill her. 

The Prairie Island Nuclear Facility lost three months of power generation and twelve million dollars in repair costs due to a severed cable. The incident occurred in October when underground cables were inadvertently severed during maintenance work. Xcel Energy incurred two million dollars in operation and maintenance costs to return the plant online. The cost of purchasing replacement power and cable repairs will be determined in upcoming hearings, with Xcel customers potentially bearing some of the financial burden. Despite the outage, Xcel customers continued to receive power from other sources. 

Olmsted County officials are preparing for the possible departure of County Administrator Heidi Welsch.  Welsch has confirmed that she is a finalist for the position of county manager in Dakota County and will interview for the position next week.  Welsch previously worked as Dakota County's director of policy and analysis before taking a position in Olmsted County.  Commissioners discussed the process of hiring a new county administrator on Tuesday, noting it could take months to recruit and hire someone to replace Welsch.  

The woman in charge at UW-La Crosse says she doesn't want the school known as Porn-U. Interim La Crosse Chancellor Betsy Morgan yesterday said the university needs to fire former Chancellor Joe Gow to protect the school's reputation. Gow was fired as chancellor late last year after the university learned that he was making porn movies with his wife, and sharing them online. Gow accepted that firing, but is now fighting to save his job as a communications professor. He had the first day of his disciplinary hearing yesterday. Gow continues to say he did nothing wrong. 

The shot clock is not coming to high school basketball in Wisconsin. The WIAA, the group that manages high school sports in the state, yesterday voted against adding a shot clock to games. The WIAA Board of Control voted 6-4 against the idea. Opponents worry about the cost to install the clocks, and worry that smaller schools won't have anyone to run them. Twenty nine states have shot clocks for their high school basketball games, including Minnesota. 

 Pizza Hut is shutting down several restaurants. The company abruptly shuttered 15 locations, but the reasons behind the closures are different than other chains. Pizza Hut shut down the stores due to an ongoing financial dispute with one of their biggest franchisees. The franchisee operates 144 Pizza Hut restaurants across five states and they're being sued by the pizza company over millions of dollars in alleged unpaid bills.  Reports say another 129 Pizza Huts owned by franchisee group EYM will close in Georgia, Illinois, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.

Wisconsin's share of the national baby powder settlement comes to just under 16-million dollars. Attorney General Josh Kaul yesterday announced the settlement. In all, Johnson & Johnson will pay states 700-million dollars to settle claims that the company knew baby powder with talc was harmful to women, but continue to market it nonetheless. Kaul said his office is dedicated to protecting people in Wisconsin. He is not saying how the state will spend its part of the settlement. 

Wisconsin has already surpassed its total tornado count from last year.   The latest confirmed twister happened Monday morning in Colby, where an EF-0 tornado touched down. The number of tornadoes in the state in 2024 is now at 24. The 2023 total of 21 was surpassed last month, and the current total has overtaken Wisconsin’s annual average of 23 tornadoes within a calendar year. National Weather Service data shows the year with the greatest number of tornadoes in the state was 2005, when 62 were confirmed. 

The University of Minnesota is considering a proposal to introduce mixed alcoholic beverages at Gophers sporting events. The plan includes a three-phase approach, starting with canned and batched cocktails in general concourses this fall. The university successfully tested liquor-based drinks at a concert last summer. The proposal aims to expand alcohol sales over the next few years, with full-service bars and bottle service in suites by 2025-26 and alcohol in the stands by 2026-27. 

The man known as the godfather of Minnesota defense attorneys has passed away.  Joe Friedberg died this week from colon cancer at age 87.  He is known for representing some of the region's most high-profile criminal defendants, including NFL players, politicians, murderers, and drug lords.  Friedberg also won several awards, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and induction into the Minnesota Lawyers Hall of Fame.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is getting international recognition for videography. The department won two Viddy Awards for outstanding achievement in video and digital production. The two videos that won awards are about properly disposing of batteries using an e-cycle, and another about properly managing chronic wasting disease. The Viddy Awards, formerly the Videography Awards, judge videos from news broadcasters, freelance workers, and other entities based on their industry standards.  

Local-Regional News June 19

 The Durand-Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include a discussion of the preliminary 2024-25 Budget, renewal of membership in the WIAA, and reports from district administration and building administrators.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6pm in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

The Pepin County Board of Supervisors is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include annual reports from the Emergency Management, Land Conservation, and Health Departments,  and budget modifications for the Quite Trails Grant for Pepin County Parks and Health Department Grant Agreements.  Tonight's meeting begins at 7pm in the board room at the Pepin County Government Center in Durand.

There is now an arrest in a western Wisconsin homicide case, but there are still no details. The sheriff in Trempealeau County yesterday said deputies arrested 61-year-old Todd Gieck for the killing in Ettrick back on May 15th. But the sheriff's office has yet to say anything about just what happened, how the victim died, or why they were killed. The victim has been identified as 36-year-old Kyle Dahl of Ettrick. Prosecutors have not provided any details in the case either.

The National Weather Service has extended its flood warning for the Mississippi River in Buffalo and Wabasha Counties.    The weather service says because of all the heavy rain in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, the Mississippi is expected to rise to nearly 13 feet by Monday.  At 13ft the railroad underpass on Hwy 60 in Wabasha may be flooded, flooding may also be possible on Lawrence Boulevard and Main Street East in Wabasha. 

Mayo Clinic is suing Eau Claire over its million-dollar tax bill. The hospital yesterday announced a lawsuit that challenges both the real estate tax and personal property tax bills from the city. Mayo says because it is a non-profit hospital, it is exempt from property taxes in Wisconsin. Eau Claire's attorneys say the exemption only applies to the hospital portion of Mayo's facilities in the city. Office space and parking lots, the city argues, can and should be taxed. This is the first time Mayo has sued Eau Claire over its taxes. 

UW-La Crosse's former chancellor plans to try and keep his teaching jobs later today. Joe Gow is facing a disciplinary hearing today. He was fired as chancellor in late December after the university discovered he was making porn movies with his wife, and sharing them on the internet. Gow accepted his firing as chancellor but is fighting to save his job as a communications professor. He says he did nothing wrong. Gow questions why the UW can have a major in sexuality, but he can't keep his job because of his now public sex life. 

HSHS says it will donate nearly 16 million-dollars in former donations to its hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls. The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis Foundation yesterday said the bulk of the money, nine million-dollars, will go to the Community Foundation of Chippewa County and Eau Claire Community Foundation. Each will get four-and-a-half million-dollars. HAHS says it will give nearly five million-dollars to the Monsignor Klimek Healing Presence Endowment, the Healing Place Endowment, and the Healing Place Fund. There will be another three million in other charitable donations, and then HSHS will give 150 thousand-dollars to former employees at Sacred Heart and St. Joe's. 

 Wisconsin doesn't want the bird flu to ruin the fair season this summer. The state's Department of Health Services and the state's Department of Agriculture yesterday said they both plan to monitor fairs across the state this year for the bird flu. There are outbreaks in other states where the flu has been found in dairy cows. Both DHS and DATCP say people need to be aware of staying healthy after visiting fairs, but there's no reason to be afraid. DHS says your best bet to stay healthy after visiting the fair is to wash your hands. Public health managers also say parents should keep kids away from animals that may look sick, whether that's at petting zoos or livestock at the fair. 

The Minnesota Department of Corrections is identifying an inmate who was found dead in his cell at Stillwater Prison over the weekend.  They say 22-year-old Dalmario Smith was unresponsive when he was discovered on Saturday.  Staff began life-saving measures, but Smith was pronounced dead a short time later.  Authorities believe he may have overdosed on synthetic drugs.  Foul play isn't suspected. 

 It's a guilty plea and 30-days in jail for the man who brought a pair of guns to the Wisconsin Capitol last fall in an attempt to meet the governor. Court records show Joshua Pleasnick pleaded guilty about two weeks ago to a misdemeanor charge of carrying a firearm in a public building. The judge in the case gave him 30 days in the county jail, with work-release privileges. Pleasnick said he wanted to speak to Governor Evers about why men should be taken seriously when they want an order of protection against women. He first came into the Capitol with a pistol and returned later that night with a rifle. He was arrested both times. 

 No one knows just how much it will cost to look at the books in Milwaukee Public Schools. Governor Evers' office yesterday approved a short list of audit firms who may be chosen for both a financial and operational audit of Milwaukee schools. The list includes Baker Tilly, the firm that's already working on MPS' months-late financial audit. But no one knows how much the new audits will cost, or just how long they will take. The governor's office has said in the past that the audits will be paid for with unspent MPS money and leftover dollars from the federal government. 

 Minnesota's education ranking now stands at 19th place. That's according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. This year's ranking is down from tenth place in 2019.  Despite previous academic success, Rochester Public Schools has also seen a decline in student performance. Steps are being taken to increase student learning, including implementing the 2023 Read Act.  

No Mow May is over, but Wisconsin's conservationists continue to think about the pollinators. The state's Department of Natural Resources is celebrating Pollinator Week this week. The DNR is asking people to think about bees butterflies and other pollinators when planting a garden, dealing with their landscaping, or just walking throughout the state. The DNR says planting native Wisconsin plants is one of the best things that you can do. So is providing shelter and water for pollinators with things like a brush pile and a bird bath. The biggest piece of pollinator advice, though, is to use fewer pesticides on your lawn and garden. 

There are some unusual bug populations in Wisconsin this spring. UW-Madison Entomologist PJ Liesch tells WKOW TV that spongy moths, an invasive species, are dying off in large numbers. He says wetter weather conditions are prime for fungi that kill the species. Liesch says he's also gotten reports of more Japanese beetles than usual, and a scorpion in a Wisconsinite's basement. He says scorpions have been found in Wisconsin before for reasons such as recent travel or unusual weather and climate patterns. The scorpion is in a lab for further testing. 

An unusual find for a Southeast Wisconsin landscaper. West Bend Police say the landscaper discovered what appeared to be a grenade buried beneath some shrubs Monday morning. The area was evacuated, and the Milwaukee County Bomb Squad removed the item, determined to be a deactivated grenade that may have been among the shrubs for some time. No one was hurt. Authorities are investigating.

Local-Regional News June 18

 The City of Durand is going to have to replace a pump at lift station number 1.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city council decided to just have an updated pump installed instead of trying to repair the current pump.  There should be no reduction in service while the pump is being replaced and that should be done in the coming weeks.

Like other small communities, Mondovi is struggling to find and maintain full-time police officers.  Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says maybe Mondovi and other communities along Hwy 10 could share an officer.  Weiss says he has not reached out to other communities to see if there would be interest in his idea.

Drivers in Dunn County may be allowed to use Hwy B north of the Badger Drive intersection soon.  Currently, crews are working on Hwy B from Hwy 12 to I-94 and from I-94 to Packer Drive.  Portions of Hwy B had been open but traffic issues because of the construction caused the county to close the road.  It is hoped to re-open Hwy B north of the Badger Drive intersection in two weeks.  The construction projects are expected to be completed in the fall.

Two teenagers were injured in a UTV accident Sunday in the town of Pigeon.  According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department, the two teenage males were in a UTV traveling northbound on Thompson Coulee Road when the UTV ran off the roadway, into a steep embankment, struck a tree and overturned.  The driver was taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries while the passenger was treated at the scene and released to his parents.  Inattentive driving is suspected to have played a role in the accident.

New windows in Eau Claire could look a little different going forward. The city is considering a bird-friendly glass ordinance. The idea, city planning manager Ned Noel said, is to try everything the city can to stop birds from flying into windows. The focus would be on office buildings and large commercial buildings, as opposed to homes. Though Noel said Eau Claire is ready with its Navigator Program that looks to upgrade windows, insulation, and air conditioning units in older homes and older apartments. 

There are charges for an elderly lady in Hawkins who police say tried to use 67 thousand-dollars in library money to buy gold. Prosecutors yesterday announced charges against 79-year-old Marcia Lyons. Investigators say she originally tried to wire transfer 95 thousand-dollars from the village library's account to buy gold, but the bank said there wasn't that much money in the account. She's accused of then sending 67 thousand-dollars from the library, and 33 thousand-dollars from a family member. Lyons is charged with theft in a business setting and misconduct in office. She is due in court next month. 

 Wisconsin's Supreme Court is going to hear the challenge to Governor Evers' 400-year school funding increase. The high court yesterday said it will accept the case from the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Litigation Center. The case revolves around Governor Evers' line-item veto that struck a few numbers and dashes to give Wisconsin's schools a per-pupil funding boost for the next four centuries. Wisconsin's governor has tremendous veto powers, but the courts have limited the governor's ability to strike single words or letters in the past. No one is saying just when the court will hear arguments in the case. 

There's a good supply of electric power to handle the hotter-than-normal weather this summer in Wisconsin. Rob Allerman, Senior Director of Power Analytics at Enverus, says MISO [[ MY-soh ]], the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, will have the most to bear. The company distributes power across much of the Midwest, including Wisconsin. Allerman says MISO has more supply of power than there is demand.  That keeps electric prices lower and means there's less of a chance of brown-outs on the hottest days this summer.

A Flood Watch is in effect for most of Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin.  The National Weather Service says heavy and persistent rain is expected over the next two days.  Some areas of could get more than six inches of rain before the weekend.  The Flood Watch covers most of Northwest Wisconsin and the northern half of Minnesota.

The life journey of a soldier from Kenosha who died during World War II found closure yesterday. Though U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Casimir Lobacz died in France in September of 1944, his remains weren’t identified until two years ago. Lobacz, who earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service, was buried with full military honors Monday at Arlington National Cemetery. He was the son of Polish immigrants who moved to Kenosha in 1916.

A union that represents about 16-hundred workers at the Mayo Clinic wants to pause direct negotiations over a new contract.  The SEIU Healthcare union announced Friday that over 99-percent of its membership rejected the latest contract offer from Mayo and decided to take the matter to arbitration.  The contract expired on April 22nd but is still in effect for the time being.  The Mayo Clinic released a statement saying it remains committed to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement as soon as possible. 

In Wisconsin, differing perspectives on the US Supreme Court’s bump stock ruling. The court ruled Friday that the federal government overstepped in banning the accessory that allows automatic fire from semi-auto rifles. NRA affiliate Wisconsin Firearm Owners President Rob Kovach says the court’s conservatives made the correct call. Kovach said it’s up to Congress - not unelected bureaucrats - to regulate bump stocks. Tyler Kelly is a communications fellow with the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Educational Fund. He said that there have been 47 mass shootings since 2020 while bump stocks have been banned and that ending the restriction will make Wisconsin communities less safe. Kelly called on the Wisconsin Legislature to ban the accessories here. While bump stocks were used in the 2017 Las Vegas concert massacre which killed 60 people and injured hundreds more, in Wisconsin and elsewhere around the country, the majority of gun violence victims are killed and wounded by handguns.

The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee is less than a month away, and it seems no one is happy with the designated protest zone. That includes Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson. On WISN’s “UpFront” Johnson said it’s “way too close” to Fiserv Forum. The Republican said he’s not worried about Wisconsinites, but about “outside agitators being bussed in.” A group representing protesters claims the 1st Amendment zone at Pere Marquette Park - about a 10 minute walk from Fiserv, is too far away from the convention. A U.S. Secret Service spokesperson said the security zone is still in development. The host city has the final say.

A group that helps research Minnesota bumble bees is looking for some additional volunteers.  The Minnesota Bumble Bee Atlas is a joint project by the University of Minnesota and the Xerces Society, a non-profit dedicated to helping preserve pollinators like bumble bees.  Volunteers working on the atlas have documented about two-dozen bumble bee species in the state.  The project needs help covering the 87 grids that need to be surveyed around Minnesota.  More information about volunteering is available on the group's website.

Local-Regional News June 17

 A Mondovi man has been arrested after a UTV vs Tank accident in Mondovi on Saturday.  According to Mondovi Police, 40yr old Christopher Schultz was driving a UTV on Oak Street near Veterans Memorial Park early Saturday morning, and left the roadway, drove over a curb, and hit multiple signs before crashing into an M60 Main Battle Tank head-on that was on display at the park.  Police observed signs of impairment and Schultz was taken into custody for Operating a UTV under the influence of an intoxicant.

Western Wisconsin will get the first real taste of summer this week. The National Weather Service says the WRDN listening area will see hot and humid days today, tomorrow, and Wednesday. Some places could see some strong storms along with the heat and humidity. Wisconsin's return to summer comes after a warm and wet spring that left the state with a little too much water. Forecasters say there's a chance for more rain on Wednesday, and that could cool things down a bit. 

The City of Durand is having to make some changes to the Tarrant Park Pool Building.  During the City Council Meeting last week, Public Works Director Matt Gillis told the council additional showers were going to have to be installed inside the building due to changes to state law.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says there will be some additional costs due to the changes.  According to Milliren while there is a contingency fund for the project, the city has also saved some money on other parts of the project that will help cover the additional costs.

Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss is asking for a pause in installing the 3 Flock License Plate Reader cameras in the city.  While the Mayor thinks the cameras are a good idea, he is concerned about the yearly cost and its effect on the police department budget. Specifically, Weiss wants to know if the city would be able to afford the cameras if and when the city police department is back at full staff.

No one was hurt in a house fire in Lake Hallie yesterday. Crews say the fire started in one room, but quickly spread to the rest of the house. Firefighters say it took them 15 minutes to knock down the flames once they arrived. There is no word on what caused the fire, or just how much damage it did. 

Wisconsin's Republican U.S. Senator says he is encouraged by the progress being made to fill the void created when HSHS closed its two hospitals in the Chippewa Valley. Senator Ron Johnson over the weekend said he has met with leaders of the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative, and he likes what they are saying. Johnson said he hopes the co-op can be a bridge until Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls get new hospitals. The co-op is looking to open a new clinic but has not yet said when that will happen. 

The boutique damaged by an apartment collapse in Chippewa Falls is moving to a new location until repairs can be made. No one was living in the apartments above Iris Boutique, and no one was in the store when the collapse happened last week. Iris will stay on North Bridge Street, but occupy the space that used to be Lucy's Eatery. The city inspector says the owner of the damaged building has sixty days to restore the site. The last time the building was inspected was in January, according to the Chippewa Falls Fire Department.

The prison in Stillwater is back to its normal schedule after a weekend death. The Minnesota Department of Corrections says a 22-year-old inmate was found dead in the prison Saturday morning. No one is saying just how the inmate died, but investigators say it looks like a death related to synthetic drugs. The prison was placed on a temporary lockdown on Saturday. DOC managers say that the lockdown was lifted yesterday. 

A Wisconsin sergeant is under arrest and accused of child sex crimes. The Taylor County Sheriff's Office conducted a search in the Village of Spencer at the unnamed Clark County sergeant's home before the arrest. The warrant came from an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation. There are four charges against the suspect, who was released after paying more than twelve thousand dollars in bonds.

A daycare worker has been arrested in Rochester after allegedly injuring a young child with a pizza cutter.  Police arrested 26-year-old Andrianna Newburn of Pipestone on Thursday.  Investigators say Newburn was arguing with a co-worker when she allegedly grabbed a pizza cutter and threatened to injure the co-worker's child.  She reportedly went into the infant room and began swinging the pizza cutter, hitting the co-worker's child.  Newburn is facing multiple charges, including felony assault of a child and making terroristic threats.

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Mercury Marine is laying off more than 250 people in Fond du Lac.  The company made the announcement Thursday.  Mercury says the 'softening of consumer demand' is to blame, but so are high interest rates and a slow-down in boat building from some of the company's partners.  In all, 300 people who work for Mercury Marine will lose their jobs, and all but 50 of those layoffs are coming in Fond du Lac.  The recent layoffs come after 100 people were let go at Mercury Marine earlier this year. 

Add UW-Oshkosh to the growing list of UW schools that are losing their branch campuses.  UW-O yesterday said it will close its Fox Cities campus in Menasha at the end of the next school year. University leaders say it's a tough but necessary decision to try and pull Oshkosh out of an 18 million-dollar budget deficit.  There were just over 500 students at the Fox Cities campus back in the fall, down from over 16 hundred in 2018.  Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson slammed the decision yesterday, accusing UW leaders of betraying the trust of students and the community in Menasha. 

Alverno College is cutting a large number of its academic programs after declaring a financial emergency.  The board of trustees announced on Friday the school plans to cut a third of its majors, including English, history, and mathematics.  A fourth of the graduate programs at the Catholic women's school in Milwaukee will also be eliminated.  A college spokesperson said in a statement that all undergraduates will be able to complete their majors.  Not all graduate students will be able to finish their degrees at Alverno, but the statement said the school is working with other colleges.  In addition, Alverno will eliminate 25 full-time faculty positions and 12 full-time staff positions.

 Madison man could spend the next 20 years behind bars after being found guilty of stealing almost a half-million-dollars from the government during the coronavirus outbreak.  The Department of Justice announced that a jury in federal court convicted 36-year-old Eric Upchurch on multiple charges related to making false statements on more than a dozen P-P-P loan applications.  Prosecutors argued that Upchurch deposited 400-thousand-dollars in loans straight into his bank account, and then laundered the money through cryptocurrency.  A sentencing date is scheduled for August 30th.

More than 32-point-eight million dollars in overpayments were recovered in fraudulent unemployment claims in Wisconsin last year. The state Department of Workforce Development says there were more than 23-hundred identity theft investigations, along with almost two-thousand worker misclassification tax audits. DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek says more than thirty programs have been launched or expanded in the past five years to help prevent unemployment insurance fraud.  

Temperatures are rising in Wisconsin, and the chances of pavement buckling are increasing with them. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says pavement can buckle when the weather quickly changes from cold to very hot. The department says this causes slabs of pavement to expand and push against each other, potentially resulting in unexpected bumps or dips in the road. 

Local-Regional News June 14

 A longtime Durand Business owner has passed away.  Bob Borgert, who with his wife Darlene have run the Durand Bakery since 1983 passed away unexpectedly on Monday.  Bob and Darlene moved to Durand from Sun Prarie to take over the Durand Bakery.  A celebration of life will be held on June 21st from 4-7pm at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand.

Homeowners and Landowners in Pepin County now have a chance to register for Property Fraud Alert with the Register of Deeds office.  Clint Heitz of Fidlar Technologies says the program will alert property owners when the register of deeds files paperwork with their names.  For more information on the program, call the Pepin County Register of Deeds Office.

The new basketball court at Tarrant Park is open and in use.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the Durand Sportsman's Club is looking at having a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the court on June 25. The Durand Sportsmans Club paid to have the court installed at Tarrant Park.

The ground has been broken for UW-Eau Claire's new science building. University leaders yesterday turned-over the first shovel of dirt for the replacement for the Phillips Science Hall. The new building is on track to open in 2027. UW-Eau Claire is partnering with Mayo Clinic on the new science hall. Mayo donated 13 million-dollars for the project. The new building will be five stories tall and include a rooftop garden. It will be UW-Eau Claire's largest academic building. 

Menomonie is getting a new treatment center. Crews broke ground yesterday on Arbor Place's new facility in Menomonie. The new center will be a place for people struggling with both substance abuse and mental health issues. The new center will be 15 thousand square feet and have 20 beds plus space for counseling and therapy, a child care space, and a playground. The hope is to open the new center next year. 

Western Wisconsin's congressman is pushing back against the report that former President Trump called Milwaukee a 'horrible city.' Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden yesterday said the former president was talking about the horrible crime in Milwaukee. A report from Capitol Hill said the president called Milwaukee, where Republicans will have their convention next month, a 'horrible city.' Van Orden says it's a waste of people's time to have to fight back against inaccurate reports about what the president is alleged to have said. 

 A 19-year-old is dead after police say he drowned in a lake in far northwestern Wisconsin. The teenager, identified as Hunter Oneal, died Wednesday after he slipped below the water on Shell Lake. Police say he and his friends were on the beach when Oneal went for a swim. At some point he started to struggle, he then went under the water and never came back up. Rescue crews pronounced him dead at the scene. 

The reaction in Wisconsin to the latest ruling on the abortion pill is predictably split. Pro-Life groups in the state say they intend to keep fighting the Biden Administration over its plans to make the pill more available, while Democratic lawmakers say the ruling is a win for women. The United States Supreme Court yesterday said the group that had sued over the FDA's decision about the abortion pill didn't have the standing to bring a legal challenge. Wisconsin Right to Life says that's not the same thing as ruling that the FDA has the green light to move ahead with its plans. 

For the first time in years, Minnesota is officially drought-free.  The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map released yesterday shows that abnormally dry conditions in northern Minnesota are gone, making the state 100-percent drought-free.  Over 99-percent of the state was in some form of drought in mid-March.  The moisture deficit began dropping when the state received more than 12 inches of rain between March and May.  Meanwhile, only small portions of Iron, Adams, Juneau, Sauk, and Richland Counties are still considered abnormally dry in Wisconsin.

A dairy operation in Sparta is looking at a six-figure fine after state investigators say the owner allowed his pollution permit to expire. The Wisconsin Department of Justice yesterday fined Mlsna Dairy Supply just under 210 thousand-dollars for allowing their Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit to expire in 2015. The dairy never replaced it. There's no word of any manure spills from the dairy, but state investigators say the dairy did make several pollution-containment improvements without state approval. The fine covers the two-thousand-501 days when the dairy didn't have the proper pollution paperwork

It's a return to Wisconsin for Donald Trump. The former president will be in Racine next week to rally his base. It is the former president's latest stop in Wisconsin, and another sign of how crucial Wisconsin is to both sides in this November's race for the White House. The latest Marquette Law School Poll shows Trump tied with President Biden in Wisconsin. The former president lost the state by just 22 thousand votes back in 2020.

A new requirement is aimed at checking the spread of avian influenza in dairy cattle.  Acting on a recommendation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is requiring Influenza A testing prior to the movement of lactating dairy cattle to fairs or exhibitions. This will be effective June 19th, and producers must receive a negative test for Influenza A at an approved laboratory with samples collected no more than 7 days prior to movement. USDA already requires Influenza A testing for interstate movement of dairy cattle, and this latest announcement will limit the risk of commingling infected animals. Avian influenza has been detected in dairy cattle in 12 states including neighboring Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan.  

The state of Minnesota will get over 10-point-five million dollars over three years in a settlement with Johnson & Johnson.  The deal resolves deceptive marketing allegations in selling the pharmaceutical company's talc powder products.  Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says the company failed to disclose that asbestos was in the talc products and that it was harmful and may cause cancer.   New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson did not admit wrongdoing but agreed to pay 700 million dollars to settle an investigation by 42 states and Washington, D.C.

The Minnesota Department of Health is expressing concerns that a majority of state schools do not employ a school nurse.  The health department released its Minnesota School Nurse Workforce study yesterday.  The report focuses on 2022 and the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on health.  The agency surveyed 94-percent of the state's public and charter schools and found that only 49-percent of those districts employed a licensed school nurse.  The report concludes that schools in smaller districts, charter schools and schools that serve lower-income families often don't have access to nursing or health care services.

 According to the Happy City Index, Minneapolis ranks as the happiest city in the U.S. Minneapolis ranked 18th globally according to the Global Institute for Quality of Life. Boston, Baltimore, and Washington also ranked in the top 100 nationally. Factors such as education, social inclusion, transportation, and green spaces are considered when evaluated. 

Local-Regional News June 13

 The City of Durand interviewed the four finalists for the city administrator position yesterday.  During a special council meeting yesterday the four candidates met with the council, and city employees and took a tour of the city.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says they are in contract negotiations with the finalist and hope to announce the new administrator in the next few days.  Current Administrator Scott Rassmuesson is retiring at the end of the month.

Weather permitting today, the City of Durand will be seal-coating Washington Street, 9th Avenue East and 10th Avenue East.  Crews will seal coat the roads one half at a time so the streets do not need to be closed.  Residents are advised there will be no parking on all three streets today.  If crews are unable to do the project today, they will try again later in the week.

  

There is a warning from the police about people selling fake jewelry. Police in Menomonie say they've gotten a few calls from people who were offered, or who bought what they thought was gold jewelry, only for it to turn out to be fake.. Police say some of the offers came from people at grocery stores and gas stations. Officers say it's probably best to not buy jewelry from someone in a parking lot. Jewelers say there are some things to look for when buying jewelry like color, stamps, and quality. 

There are questions to answer about a decades-old pickup truck that crews pulled out of a lake in Menomonie. Police say the truck was in Lake Menomin for a while. The truck is from the 1980s, but it's little more than a rusted hulk. Investigators say there's no VIN number and no license plate. They don't believe the truck is tied to any crime. They are, however, looking for any information about the truck, its former owner, or how it ended up in the lake. 

The Chippewa County Courthouse is expanding security measures following a Board of Supervisors vote. The board voted twenty-to-one to reduce the number of usable entrances to the courthouse. That will limit the number of spaces the newly hired security officer will have to monitor. Security became a concern when threats were made to the courthouse last May.  

Add this to the list of problems after the closing of HSHS' hospitals in the Chippewa Valley. Chippewa County says it needs a new morgue after St. Joe's Hospital closed this spring. Chippewa County Administrator Randy Scholz says the county is looking for a new spot to build a morgue, but he says it will cost at least 750 thousand-dollars to renovate a building. It would likely cost more to build a new morgue from scratch. For now, the county says it's using space at the Stokes, Prock, and Mundt Funeral Chapel in Altoona. 

The suspect in a child sexual assault case in Trempealeau County has been deported.Ulises Granados, from Arcadia, was charged in April with sexually assaulting a girl in 2015 and 2016 when she was between ages 7 and 9.  On Tuesday in Trempealeau County Court, Granados was informed he was being deported, and the judge ordered his $10,000 cash bond be forfeited.  If Granados returns to the United States, a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

  A Winona County judge is granting a request to move the murder trial of Adam Fravel.  The judge ruled yesterday that the trial should be held in another county.  Fravel's attorney had asked for the change of venue, saying his client could not receive a fair trial in Winona County due to media coverage of the disappearance and death of Madeline Kingsbury.  The new location for the trial will be announced after consultation with Minnesota court system administrators.

A mixed ruling on early voting from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The court’s liberal majority ruled Wednesday that municipalities may not use mobile voting vehicles to collect early ballots ahead of the November general election. But the justices ruled local elections officials can choose wherever they want to place temporary voting sites for the duration of early voting if locations don’t favor a particular party. That upholds a rule that's been in place since 2016. The court’s majority said upsetting the placement of voting sites just days before papers were due on placement would disrupt the process.

 There is now a state of emergency in Whitefish Bay because of the sinkhole in Buckley Park. The hole opened up last Sunday, and the village declared a state of emergency on Tuesday. The emergency declaration allows Whitefish Bay to move quickly to repair the hole, by fast-tracking the work. Still, crews in the village say it will take some time to clear the sinkhole, and then fill and repair it. 

Water guns aren’t allowed at the RNC, but real guns are. That’s the story within the soft security perimeter footprint for Milwaukee’s Republican National Convention next month. Tuesday, the Milwaukee Common Council approved banning a long list of items that could possibly be used as a weapon, and guns aren’t one of them. Common Council President José Pérez says that the council must adhere to a Wisconsin statute that says a municipality can’t put constraints on firearms and ammunition that are more restrictive than the state. The ordinance next goes to Mayor Cavalier Johnson for his signature.

Another potentially expensive Wisconsin Supreme Court election is in the works. Seats on the state’s seven-member high court are officially non-partisan, but a conservative versus liberal narrative has driven up campaign spending. It totaled $45 million in last year’s race in which liberal Janet Protasiewicz defeated conservative Daniel Kelly, handing liberals a 4-3 majority. Liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford is now in the race to succeed retiring liberal Justice Anne Walsh Bradley. Crawford’s resume includes a stint as an attorney for Planned Parenthood and she said her candidacy can maintain the liberal majority. Conservative former state Attorney General and current Waukesha County Court Judge Brad Schimel is already in the race. In a statement shared with WisPolitics, Schimel said Crawford was “handpicked by the leftist majority on the Supreme Court.” Voters go to the polls next April.

 A new U-S Navy combat ship named after a Wisconsin city will soon become active. The USS Beloit commissioning committee tells 27 News says all that's left is a commissioning ceremony, which will feature the ship's first crew. A date isn't available for the commission date yet, but updates will be made available on U-S-S-Beloit-dot-org. 

The Insurance Federation of Minnesota is discussing how severe weather is causing losses in the insurance industry and higher premiums for homeowners.  As insurance companies pay out more for losses, a recent New York Times investigation found severe weather is hurting the home insurance market here in Minnesota as insurers have to regain those losses by raising premiums for everyone.  Reports showed Minnesota was the only state to see losses in the industry in six out of the last seven years.  Higher premium rates mean fewer people can afford to own a home. 

 A group of German officials is spending some time in Minnesota this week.  The group paid a visit to Rochester yesterday, meeting with Olmsted County leaders.  They plan to travel to St. Paul today before returning to the German embassy in Washington, D.C.  A member of the group said the U.S. and Germany share common problems and visits to other states give them a better idea of how to solve those problems.  It's the group's first visit to Minnesota. 

Like a lot of people on summer break, a black bear in Shawano made its way to the local library. Workers at the Shawano County Library said a black bear wandered by on Monday. The workers were both excited and a little scared. Shawano Police say it's not uncommon to see bears wandering around this time of year. They are likely looking for something to eat. If you see a bear, leave it alone, and police say it should wander away.

Local-Regional News June 12

 The Durand City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include a public hearing on the yearning liquor licenses for area establishments, discussion and possible action on the liquor licenses and a zoning request from David Reiland to rezone the property at 620 7th Ave West from general business to multi-family residential and reports from the mayor and city department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall and will be live-streamed on the WRDN website on the video streaming Page.

The city of Mondovi is looking at replacing the snow fence on the retaining wall on North Eau Claire Street.  During last night's council meeting, members discussed three possible fence types from a wooden rail fence to a metal type of rail fence.  Mayor Weiss directed staff to explore the three possible options for the next council meeting and he would like to have that new fence installed by the end of July.

The manhunt continues for a Madison attempted homicide suspect who police thought was in Eau Claire. Police in Eau Claire tried to pull 37-year-old Jerome Jacobs over yesterday, but officers say he sped away, crashed his car, and then ran. Jacobs is wanted in connection to a drive-by shooting in Madison Sunday that sent two people to the hospital. He's also wanted on a warrant from the state's Department of Corrections. Both police in Eau Claire and Madison say Jacobs is no longer in Eau Claire. They are asking the public for help in finding him. 

One person was injured in a motorcycle accident in Trenton Township on Tuesday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 53yr old Michael Sandager of Bay City was southbound on Hwy 35 when he struck a deer.  Sandager was taken to Mayo Hospital in Red Wing.

One Person was injured in a single-vehicle accident in El Paso Township on Monday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 52yr old Sean Hall of Ellsworth was traveling eastbound on Hwy G when he lost control and struck a guardrail.  Hall was taken to River Falls Area Hospital.

A western Wisconsin firefighter is getting some online attention after going into a well to rescue a dog. It happened in Menomonie on Monday. The Menomonie Fire Department shared some pictures of the firefighter who rescued Rip the dog. Rip fell into a 30-foot-deep dry well, and couldn't get out. A few trucks and some ropes later, firefighters were able to get rip out and send him back to his family.

Eau Clair's city council has signed off on the plan to renovate the Regency. The city council last night approved a zoning change for the Regency. It had been zoned for apartments, and now it will be rezoned as a motel. The Regency's new owners say they have a plan to renovate the motel and make it the kind of place people actually want to stay. The Regency, of course, has had a long and troubled history, including a couple of attempts to simply tear it down.

 A cookie dough recall is affecting Minnesota as well as Wisconsin.  The FDA says more than 29-thousand cases of the dessert treat were sold to Costco and Panera.  The dough, sold by Rise Baking Company and South Coast Baking, came under several different labels.  They include Costco's Chocolate Chunk Frozen Cookie Dough, Panera Chocolate Chipper Cookie Dough Pucks, and Rise Baking Jumbo Chocolate Chunk Dough Pucks.

The Mayo Clinic has reopened a mental health treatment facility in Rochester.  The John E. Herman Home and Treatment Facility was closed in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The residential mental health home is licensed to serve up to 16 patients, but currently only has the space for eight adults.  The voluntary care provided at the home is designed to help adults return to the community and live independently. 

 Wisconsin's supreme court has suspended one of the lawyers charged as part of the Trump electors case. The court's new liberal majority yesterday suspended attorney Jim Troupis from Wisconsin's Judicial Conduct Advisory Committee. Troupis was first appointed to the committee in 2020, he's due to serve a second term until 2026. Wisconsin's attorney general charged Troupis last week with fraud for offering legal advice to the Republicans who signed-on as alternate Trump electors after the 2020 election. The court did not comment on Troupis' suspension. 

Democratic Governor Tony Evers has called for an independent audit of Milwaukee Public Schools. Evers on Monday said the investigations would be separate from a currently overdue accounting audit and would look at operations and practices inside the district. M P S has been struggling with budget cuts, accounting issues, and the departure of its Superintendent last week. Republican Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu called the announcement disappointing and said Evers is trying to cover up mistakes he made as the State Superintendent of Schools before he was elected governor in 2018.

The Wisconsin tourism industry is celebrating another record-breaking year. The Wisconsin Department of Tourism says the state brought in 25-billion dollars in economic impact in 2023. This is the second year in a row the record has been broken - in 2022 about 23-point-seven billion dollars was brought in. The state saw the highest number of overnight visits ever in 2023. 

A woman is under arrest in Monona for speeding, and officers say she told them she was trying to show her passengers just how fast her car could go. Police Chief Brian Chaney says the car was going faster than a hundred miles per hour near Monona Drive. Officers pursued the driver, who stopped just before a tire deflation device was deployed. Two passengers in the car were also detained, and a third passenger was released from the scene.

Madison is ranked the second safest major city in America for pedestrians. The National Complete Streets Coalition’s Dangerous by Design 2024 report put Madison behind Provo and Orem, Utah as the most pedestrian-friendly among 101 metro areas across the country. A release from the city pointing out the report, which compares pedestrian fatality statistics, had Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway stating that “…efforts to make Madison the safest city to walk, bike, and drive will not stop until we reach zero deaths on our city streets.” Memphis, Tennessee was listed as the worst city in the nation for pedestrian safety, while Milwaukee ranked 19th best in the nation.

A man who pleaded guilty to carrying out a deadly shooting in the Mall of America in Bloomington is going to prison.  Lavon Longstreet was sentenced yesterday to 30-and-a-half years behind bars.  He pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting intentional second-degree murder.  The crime happened in December 2022 inside the mall's Nordstrom store.  The victim was 19-year-old Johntae Hudson.  The defendant's accomplice, TaeShawn Adams-Wright, was sentenced late last month to more than 30 years.  

There is a search for the owners of some wandering Peacocks in western Wisconsin. The sheriff in Dunn County took to Facebook yesterday to ask about the peacocks that were spotted wandering near Boyceville. The two birds were last spotted on someone's back porch. The sheriff says they are looking for the birds' humans, and are asking anyone who knows anything to please reach-out.