Local-Regional News Aug 30

 Severe Weather moved through Western Wisconsin yesterday.  The National Weather Services says there were possibly 3 tornados in Pierce and St. Croix Counties.  Wind damage was reported in Pierce, Dunn, Buffalo, Eau Claire, and Chippewa Counties.  The Weather Service will be sending survey teams to review the tornado damage.  Quiet weather is expected over the next week.

Construction of the Tarrant Park Pool continues to move forward.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says things are starting to pick up on construction. Because of rain and permit delays, the project is about 7 weeks behind schedule.

The City of Mondovi is hoping to explore some parking alternatives around the school.  During this week's council meeting, the issue of parking on Jackson Street near the school was discussed.  Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the city is looking to work with the school on the parking issues.  During the discussion, one council member admitted not attending an event at the school because of the lack of parking.

The lawsuit against Eau Claire's long-troubled Regency Inn is no more. The city dropped the case this week. Eau Claire originally sued the Regency's owners, calling the motel 'a well-known den of illegal activity,' and the 'worst hotel' in the city. The lawsuit was intended to force the Regency's former owners to close or sell. They sold the motel earlier this year, and the new owners are renovating it with plans to make it into a better place to stay. 

 Only two of the suspects in the Barland Street apartment home invasion case are going to spend any real time behind bars. A judge this week sentenced Caleb Bertrang to probation in the stabbing, but to a year in jail in another case. Brandon Pember was sentenced last week to five years in prison. The two other suspects either got probation or just over a month in jail. Eau Claire Police say the four burst into the apartment on Barland, and stabbed two people who were inside fighting over drugs. 

The former library director in Altoona continues to deny years-old charges of sexual abuse. Arin Wilken was in court in Eau Claire yesterday, and entered a not guilty plea. He's accused of abusing a child years ago. He was arrested back in March at the library, but library managers say none of the alleged crimes happened at the library. Wilken says the claims against him are 'absurd.'

A former Olmsted County deputy is pleading guilty to federal child pornography charges.  Court documents filed yesterday show Mathew Richard Adamson has entered a guilty plea to one count of producing and attempting to produce child pornography.  Adamson reportedly admitted to contacting a 12-year-old girl and persuading her to send sexually explicit photos.  Adamson could face up to 24 years in prison when he is sentenced.

 Wisconsin lawmakers want to make sure the state's hunting and fishing money is being spent on hunting and fishing. Yesterday, the Legislative Audit Committee approved an audit of the Department of Natural Resources' Fish and Wildlife Fund. Hunters and fishermen pay into the fee each year when they get or renew their licenses, and there is some worry that the DNR is using that money to pay for other projects. State Senator Rob Stafsholt says the DNR has tens-of-millions of dollars in the fund, and all of it should be earmarked for hunting, fishing, and natural resources conservation. 

There are new protest rules at UW-Madison. The university announced new rules for the new school year yesterday. The biggest change is that protesters are now banned from within 25 feet of any building entrance. The rules also allow campus police to extend that distance if they feel it's necessary. There's also a ban on protesters blocking the Abraham Lincoln Statue on Bascom Hill during the week before classes start each fall, as well as during graduation week at the end of each semester. 

An audit is ordered to analyze the Department of Public Instruction's monitoring of school district finances.  The Joint Legislative Audit Committee ordered the audit following financial issues at Milwaukee Public Schools. The audit also comes as the Wauwatosa School District faces a $4 million shortfall due to miscalculations and the Monona Grove School District has had a deficit for the last three years. The audit includes an evaluation of how much time DPI staff spent reviewing and following up on school district financial info, the timeliness by which school districts reported info to DPI, and DPI policies and procedures to guide staff on reviewing financial info. Gov. Tony Evers is already moving forward with plans to audit MPS’ operations and instructional practices after the district failed to submit key financial data to the state.

Authorities are investigating a possible murder-suicide in Dakota County.  The county sheriff's office says the bodies of a man and a woman were found in a field in Empire on Sunday.  Investigators believe 65-year-old Smith Coop Brown shot and killed his wife, 27-year-old Payao Vang, before taking his own life.  The sheriff's office says Brown's son asked for help after his father and stepmother didn't return to their home in Oakdale.

The state Department of Health Services confirms two Wisconsin residents have died due to West Nile Virus. DHS Disease Epidemiologist Rebecca Osborn says they're the first deaths related to the disease in the state this year.  One other resident has been hospitalized due to the illness. Osborn says the cases originated out of Outagamie, Fond Du Lac, and Brown counties.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation releases its construction and travel forecast for the holiday weekend.  WisDOT says that to help travelers reach their destinations over Labor Day weekend, work on most highway construction across the state will be temporarily paused. According to AAA, peak travel times are expected between 1 and 7:30pm Thursday/today, 2 to 6pm on Friday, and 11am to 8pm Monday. Drivers are being asked to pay attention and expect slower traffic, especially in work zones and along major travel corridors. WisDOT says major construction projects in Columbia, Jefferson, and Monroe counties may still impact weekend travel.

The Minnesota State Patrol is telling drivers to slow down, pay attention and stay sober ahead of the holiday weekend.  The agency says more troopers will be on the road during the Labor Day weekend to try to catch those who are impaired, distracted or driving recklessly.  Troopers will also be watching out for drivers who fail to move over for vehicles stopped on the side of the highway and will issue tickets for not obeying the state's Move Over law.  Monday marks the end of the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day commonly known as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer.

Public school test scores in Minnesota are largely unchanged from last year.  The state Department of Education has released the scores from the 2024 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment tests.  The numbers show that just under 50 percent of Minnesota students meet or exceed the grade-level standards for reading.  Just over 45-percent of students statewide met or beat the math standard.  This year's scores are identical to last year's but are well below the numbers posted by Minnesota students before the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Beer sales and warm turf are the biggest changes for Camp Randall this football season. Wisconsin kicks-off the football season tomorrow night with a game against Western Michigan. It will be the first game for Wisconsin's new field turf. Crews tore-up the old turf after last season, and replaced it with turf that can be heated for cold weather games. Tomorrow will also be the first game at Camp Randall where the university sells beer. UW officials expect a lot of fans to be happy with that. 

Local-Regional News August 29

The City of Durand has approved an agreement with the Arkansaw Sanitary  District to allow the district to send its wastewater to the Durand Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says Durand will charge the Sanitary District like any other customer. Arkansaw will be responsible for building the sewer line to Durand.  The new line will need to be in place by 2029.

The City of Mondovi approved renewing the $1.5 million Promissory Note with the Bank of Alma.  Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the money is planned to be used to make improvements to Washington Street from Hwy 10 to Hwy 37. The City Council did not set a date for that project to begin.

Another chance for severe weather in the WRDN listening area today.  Clouds will be on the increase throughout out the day as a cold front approaches from the west.  A line of storms is expected to develop in West-Central Minnesota this afternoon and move east into Wisconsin this evening.    Damaging winds and large hail are the primary threat.  Quite and cooler weather is expected for the Labor Day Holiday Weekend.

Whooping cough is making its way through Chippewa County. The Eau Claire City-County Health Department says several cases have been identified in the county. The illness can cause coughing that lasts weeks or months. Whooping cough is on the rise this year in Wisconsin statewide -- more than 275 confirmed cases of the highly contagious illness are reported so far this year compared to 51 last year. 

 Eau Claire's city council unanimously voted to support limitations on federal campaign spending. The council approved an advisory resolution supporting a constitutional amendment that would reverse the Citizen's United Supreme Court ruling. The 2010 decision ruled that companies have no limit to how much they spend on campaigns. The resolution doesn't change any laws but represents support for the constitutional amendment.

The cameras on the stop-and-go lights in Altoona are working. Police in the city say their flock cameras have helped make more than 20 arrests this year. Altoona has 11 cameras posted at various lights throughout the city, but mainly on the roads leading in-and-out of town. Officer Jacob Henning says the cameras are most helpful in catching out of town, or out of state criminals. That includes one arrest of two people from Minneapolis who were stealing things in both Altoona and Eau Claire.

A Winona man has pled not guilty to first-degree attempted intentional homicide charges in connection to the shooting at George's Lounge in Fountain City.  40yr old Damien Winn made the plea yesterday in Buffalo County Court.   Authorities allege that Winn shot the man in the abdomen in the parking lot of George's Lounge on March 30 and then fled.  His next court appearance is Sept 18.

A Minnesota state trooper will be in court today to face charges related to a deadly crash in Rochester.  Trooper Shane Roper was charged with manslaughter following the May crash that killed 18-year-old Olivia Flores.  Investigators say Roper was traveling over 80 miles an hour without his emergency lights on at the time of the crash.  Information released by the State Patrol also showed Roper had four previous crashes while on duty.

Most people in Wisconsin have so-called forever chemicals in their blood, but UW researchers say they don't know if they are causing any health problems. A new study from the University of Wisconsin says a majority of the people who volunteered for the study have traces of PFAS chemicals in their system. The report says older, higher-income, white men have the highest levels. As for where they got the chemicals, researchers say in most cases the people with PFAS said they ate fish they caught or microwave popcorn. There are worries that PFAS chemicals can cause all manner of health problems, but the UW team says it could not find a definitive link in its study. 

 Wisconsin is seeing more money coming to the state. The latest report from the state's Department of Revenue says tax collections for fiscal year 2024 jumped by over one percent. Meaning there's an extra 275 million dollars for the state. The DOR says the numbers aren't finalized, and that won't happen til October. The state is also not saying just why tax collections jumped, or where the extra money may be spent. 

A judge has upheld a partial veto from Governor Tony Evers that modified school funding.   Dane County Judge Stephen Ehlke ruled Tuesday that the bills Governor Evers used his partial veto on were budget and appropriations bills and thus subject to the partial veto. That means the Governor can strike out parts of sentences and string together different plans. In this case, Evers turned a bill that would have increased funding on school literacy into a general spending increase for the Department of Public Instruction, while also cutting grants for school vouchers and private schools. The judge also ruled that the legislature's joint finance committee still had the right to decide how to distribute the original 50 million dollars in literacy funding.

The recall effort against Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is dead, again. Yesterday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected the attempt to revive the case by skipping it directly to the high court. The justices didn't offer any explanation. A group of conservatives twice targeted Vos for recall because they didn't like how he handled the 2020 election. They failed to collect enough valid signatures in Vos' old district, and then didn't get enough valid signatures in his new legislative district. The recall appeal can move forward, but it likely won't be decided until after Election Day in November, and would likely be moot after that.  

The Minnesota Republican Party is backing GOP congressional candidate Joe Teirab despite the local party's reluctance.  State Republican Chairman David Hann released a statement today saying they fully back the party representative for incumbent Angie Craig's seat.  Second Congressional District Republicans pushed back a decision on whether to endorse Teirab after he won the GOP primary two weeks ago.  He was not backed by the local party, which endorsed candidate Tayler Rahm, who suspended his campaign to work as former President Trump's senior adviser in Minnesota. The Second Congressional District Republicans were scheduled to decide yesterday whether to formally back the candidate but tabled the vote.

A surge in COVID-19 in Wisconsin to start the school year. Wastewater monitoring data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services shows the concentration of the virus is at its highest since this past February. Twelve municipalities around the state showed COVID levels considered “very high” with “significant increases” in six of them. Updated quarantine guidelines from the CDC state that those infected with the virus should stay home 24 hours after a fever has resolved without using fever-reducing medications

Wardens want you to be safe on the water this Labor Day Weekend.  The Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone to stay sober and wear their flotation devices. Not wearing a preserver is one of the leading causes of death on the water. There have already been 13 boating related deaths this year, and 9 of those weren't wearing life preservers. You should also keep an eye on the weather forecast, and be sure people know where you're heading.

Corn mazes around Wisconsin celebrate the coming of the NFL Draft. A collaboration between the 2025 Draft Local Organizing Committee and several family farms will salute the agricultural history of Wisconsin and bring attention to the April event in Green Bay. With the kickoff of the NFL regular season nearing, corn mazes with football-themed designs will open throughout September in Ripon, Chilton, Stevens Point and Bonduel. The draft is expected to draw a quarter-million fans and nearly a hundred million dollars of revenue to Wisconsin. 

Local-Regional News Aug 28

 The Durand City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on the purchase of a new copier, a CSM for property on auth Street, and reports from the mayor and department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall.

The Mondovi City Council is looking at reviewing the ordinance fees and fines for camping at Tourist Park after discovering there are no fines listed in the ordinance.    Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the city needs to have the legal right to fine those who break the ordinance rules.  The review was started after some people were camping down at Tourist Park for over 7 days and not paying the camping fee, both of which violate the city ordinance.

A man charged with 1st Degree Reckless Homicide in the shooting death of Kyle Dahl in May was in court on Monday.  Authorities alleged that Todd Gieck shot Dahl during a road rage incident on Hwy 53 just outside of Ettrick on May 15.  An evidentiary hearing was held in Trempealeau County Court on Monday.  Gieck's next court date is a status conference on October 16th.

 

Ground is broken on a new affordable housing complex in Chippewa Falls. Hope Village is planning to build three complexes, offering six two- and three-bedroom units each. The non-profit is working on plans for five duplexes. The more than 25 units will be built throughout the Chippewa Valley, and some will be complete as soon as next April. The two-million-dollar project is funded through community donations and grants.

The Boys and Girls Club in Chippewa Falls is officially open. The club cut the ribbon on its newly expanded building yesterday. The new center has bigger rec rooms, a new teen room, and added more space for activities. There are also new bathrooms and a new elevator, CEO Jeff Jaeger says the new building will help them meet kids where they're at.' The new building has been in the works since last year. 

 A former Eau Claire daycare worker who admitted to slamming a baby down by the arm, and kicking him in the face is not headed to prison. In fact, 32-year-old Mercedes Bergeron can avoid prison altogether as part of her plea deal. She pleaded guilty yesterday to a single count of child abuse but accepted a deferred prosecution agreement. That means if she doesn't commit any other crimes, the case will be wiped away in two years. 

A western Wisconsin airman who was a World-War-Two prisoner of war has been laid to rest in Onalaska. More than 100 people turned out for Sergeant Jack H. Hohlfeld's funeral earlier this week. He was in the Army Air Corps, and was captured in the Philippines in 1942. He died in a Japanese P-O-W camp. His remains were found and identified back in May. He was originally from Trempealeau, but was laid to rest in his family's hometown of Onalaska. Some of those family members said they thought Hohlfeld would never come home.

New details regarding alleged harassment of members of a Wisconsin Amish community by high school students. According to the Sauk County Sheriff's Office, the harassment that took place earlier this month included blowing air horns and shining lights outside of Amish homes, ringing doorbells and knocking on windows during the night. Nine students in the School District of Reedsburg were involved. It’s not clear if all of them were football players, but Reedsburg Area High School canceled its first two varsity football games of the season. A statement from the school district said it is disappointed to learn of the allegations, and that not all of the players on the team were involved. 

Wisconsin's study committee on A.I. is taking a look at healthcare this week. The committee will hear from UW Health, the dean of UW-Oshkosh's School of Nursing, and Rogers Behavioral Health at a hearing tomorrow. The Study Committee is looking at possible regulations for A.I. The governor's task force on A.I. looked into how artificial intelligence will change the state's workforce. The committee issued a report that didn't have many specifics, or suggestions for future state laws. 

A dental program for children in Wisconsin is renewed for the 25th year. The Department of Health Services says the Seal-A-Smile program brings preventive dental services directly to schools across the state. Last year, more than 86-thousand students got free dental sealants, which D-H-S says prevents most cavities. The department says students with dental pain from cavities or other oral health issues are three times more likely to miss school. More information is available on D-H-S-dot-Wisconsin-dot-gov.

A northwoods community is asking for state and federal help to negotiate road access with tribal officials. The Lac Du Flambeau Tribe and the town of Lac Du Flambeau have been in discussions for over a year after the tribe cut off public access to roads on their reservation that lead to private homes. Tribal leaders have demanded the town pay easements that have been neglected for over a decade. The town held a meeting last week with elected officials, while it tries to broker a 1 point 8 million dollar deal with the tribe that would secure easements for 50 years. The tribe is asking for 10 million dollars.

A former candidate for Minnesota governor has had his lawsuit against Life Time Fitness dismissed by the state Court of Appeals.  Hugh McTavish sued the company after the fitness center terminated his membership in 2022.  McTavish refused to remove political flyers he placed on cars in the Life Time parking lot, claiming the company was trying to violate his right to free speech.  A lower court dismissed the case and McTavish appealed.  The Court of Appeals noted that private businesses have a right to restrict political speech on their property and that McTavish was given the opportunity to remove the flyers before his membership was revoked.

 Both Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy and Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein will be on the Wisconsin ballot in November. The state Elections Commission decided this afternoon the two will join nominees Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Kennedy dropped out of the race last Friday and asked the W-E-C not to put him on the ballot.  The Commission says a candidate can't withdraw their name after filing to be on the ballot and added him on a five-to-one vote. Stein was added after the Democratic National Committee unsuccessfully tried to get the Green Party blocked from the state's ballot. The Wisconsin Supreme Court denied that request.

State officials announce a new plan for tax credits that fund low-to moderate-income housing in Wisconsin.  Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Authority say the Qualified Allocation Plan includes changes to use the federal and state tax credits effectively and to reach as many communities as possible. That includes redefining categories that promote resource distribution, modifications to the competitive and non-competitive application process, and updating and revising scoring categories to respond to the current state of the housing market. According to the governor, WHEDA awarded $69 million in federal and state tax credits during the 2023-24 period to create more than 2,900 affordable housing units.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants to help develop a new generation of tree care professionals.  The agency is offering up to 500-thousand dollars to eligible non-profit and educational groups, local governments, Tribal nations and professional associations.  The funding can be used for educational programs and activities to help develop a skilled workforce dedicated to urban and community tree care.  Applications for the funding will be accepted until October 8th.

Local-Regional News Aug 27

  Most of the people in Eau Claire who lost power because of last night's storms have their lights back on. Xcel Energy reported as of 4 a.m. today that just under 700 people were without power. At its worst, there were thousands of people in the dark after a line of strong stems cut across western Wisconsin. The good news is that the rain and storms brought cooler air with them. Highs today in the Chippewa Valley are expected to be in the low 80s.

A Fountain City man has been arrested on child pornography charges.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, deputies executed a search warrant at the home of 37yr old Staniel Neverdahl and he admitted to downloading and viewing numerous photos and videos of child pornography.  He was arrested on charges of possession of child pornography and is being held in the Buffalo County Jail on a cash bond of $10,000. 

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on a $1.5 million promissory note with the Bank of Alma for TIF 2 project expiring September 1st,  review of Tourist Park Campground Ordinance Fines and Violations, and reports from the Mayor and Department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

The Durand Handy Mart is closing.  The company announced yesterday on social media that it would close the Durand Location this Saturday.  A few years ago, Handy Mart closed a 2nd location in Durand after removing the gas pumps.  Earlier this summer, Subway Corporate closed the Subway location inside the Handy Mart.  The company still has locations in Nelson and Wabasha. 

A Menomonie man has been arrested on Child Sexual Assault charges.  According to Dunn County Authorities,  30yr old Ronnie Pichler gave a 12yr old girl alcohol and the girl fell asleep and woke up with Pichler next to her.  The assault sopped when the victim's mom entered the room and saw what was happening.  Pichler was arrested Monday and charged with sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 and is being held in the Dunn County Jail on a $15000 bond and will be in court next week.

 A pair of western Wisconsin lifeguards are being hailed as heroes. Henry Meek and Bella Rowan say their training took over when they saw a boy under the water at the Hoffman Aquatic Center last week. They pulled the boy out, and Rowan started CPR. The boy came-to just as paramedics arrived. Pool managers say they are extremely proud of the two, and say the situation shows just how important it is to have lifeguards.  

With the Labor Day Holiday weekend coming up, area law enforcement are reminding drivers to drive sober or get pulled over.  Area law enforcement will be participating the program again with the goal to get those that are not sober off area roads.  There will be extra patrols now through the  end of the Labor Day Holiday Weekend.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has overturned the conviction of a Rochester man who threatened to kill people on social media.  Kyle Ketterling was arrested in 2022 after making threats to kill members of the "deep state" earlier that spring.  He was convicted on three charges, but only his conviction under the threats of violence law was reviewed by the Court of Appeals.  A three-judge panel ruled yesterday that Ketterling's post was not a true threat because no one was specifically targeted.  The court also ruled that Ketterling's language was "disturbing" but was ultimately political speech protected by the First Amendment.

Wisconsin's governor wants to update the rules for PFAS contamination in the state's drinking water. Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Natural Resources introduced an update for the state's clean water standards this month. The update brings Wisconsin in line with the federal rules for PFAS, plus adds three new chemicals to the list of PFAS chemicals that would be regulated. Wisconsin lawmakers approved PFAS rules back in 2022, but there continues to be a battle at the statehouse over how best to deal with PFAS contamination across the state. Yesterday, the governor accused Republican lawmakers of doing nothing.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will not keep the Green Party off the ballot this November. The court yesterday rejected a request from the Democratic National Committee to block the Green Party. Democrats said the Greens couldn't run Jill Stein for president because the party doesn't have any elected officials in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty said the court's decision stops Democrats from disenfranchising thousands of voters in the state. But the Green Party is not guaranteed a spot on the Wisconsin ballot. The state's Elections Commission will meet later this morning to decide who makes the November ballot. The Commission kept the Greens off the ballot four years ago. 

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A sunflower maze in Eau Claire County will be open this weekend to raise money for local families. Jaquish Farms is also hosting tractor rides and tours. The farm will be only be open next Saturday and Sunday, since sunflowers are only in bloom for a short time. All proceeds will go to Joshua's Camp, an organization that pays for retreats for the families of children battling cancer.  

Wisconsin gas prices are the lowest of the summer as the Labor Day weekend approaches. Gas prices are down, driven by a drop in global oil prices last month. The Triple AAA gas price tracker showed an average of just under $3.23 a gallon in Wisconsin on Monday. That compares with a national average of $3.35 a gallon. Prices varied quite a bit around the state, with a gallon going for a little over three dollars in some locations in the Chippewa Valley to an average of nearly $3.60 in Ozaukee County.

Nine juveniles from the Reedsburg area are accused of harassing members of the Amish community.   They’ve been cited for disorderly conduct following an investigation by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies made contact with a suspect vehicle while conducting extra patrols in the rural Reedsburg area earlier this month due to multiple reports of harassment of members of the Amish community. No information on what the juveniles did specifically has been released, but Sheriff Chip Meister confirms this is related to the Reedsburg Area High School football team. The team's first two games of the season were canceled due to conduct by some players.

The Wisconsin Department of Health updates its vaccine requirements for the new school year.  The updates align the definition of a "substantial outbreak" for both schools and childcare centers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Changes for the 2024-25 school year include the requirement of a meningitis vaccine in seventh grade and a booster dose at twelfth grade, and students must be diagnosed by a qualified health provider to be exempt from a required chickenpox vaccine. Some vaccine requirements for students entering grades kindergarten through seventh grade include four doses of the polio vaccine, three doses of hepatitis B, and two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella. More information is available at the DHS website.

 Wisconsin is going to get a share of 25-million dollars from the National Parks Service to save some of the state's historical places. The Park Service last week said Wisconsin will be getting grants to preserve the Baggage Horse Barn at the Ringling Brothers Circus Winter Headquarters in Baraboo, the National Soldiers Home Governor's Mansion and Chapel in Milwaukee, and the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wauwatosa. The Parks Service says all three are 'nationally significant sites.

The 2026 and 2029 National Horseshoe Pitchers Association World Championships are coming to central Wisconsin. Visit Wausau Executive Director Tim White says he'll start working with local partners right away, and that big events coming to one community help all of the surrounding communities. The 2026 games will be held in Weston and run from mid to late July.

Local-Regional News Aug 26

 It is going to be a dangerously hot day in Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley today. The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the entire area that runs from 1 p.m. til 8 p.m tonight. Forecasters say highs will be in the mid-90s, but the heat will make it feel closer to 100 degrees. A round of thunderstorms tonight should cool things off. The Chippewa Valley will go from highs in the 90s today, to the 80s tomorrow, and into the 70s by Friday. 

The Pepin County board has approved Michelle Weiss as the interim Administrative Coordinator and Finance Director.  Weiss is taking over for Pamala Hansen who resigned from the position earlier this month.   The County Board has hired an outside firm to do a search for a permanent Administrative Coordinator.

The Buffalo and Pepin County Sheriff's Department continue to look at combining jails.  During this months administrative meeting, Sheriff Wener asked for request for proposal information on options to study the possible Pepin-Buffalo County Jail and Justice Center.  The first part of the study would not have any costs involved.  Both departments are wanting to explore the possibilities now for future needs.

While Dunn and Eau Clarie Counties have Narcan Machines available for the public, could Pepin County be in line for a machine.  During the Durand City Council meeting that topic was brougt up and Councilman Roesler who is also Chief Deputy with Pepin County told the council memebers that there are grants available for Pepin County to get a machine, but the big question is where could the machine be located?  Roesler said the machine needs to be in a private area for those using it.

 There could soon be charges for Glenwood City's former school superintendent. A recent audit of former Glenwood City Schools superintendent Tim Johnson shows he took nearly 300-thousand dollars in reimbursements and educational stipends for classes he never took. Johnson is accused of enrolling at Viterbo University, and then failing to finish his classes. He resigned from Glenwood Schools last year. Johnson is also accused of taking money he wasn't entitled to by claiming to be Glenwood's special education director, even though he didn't have any of the required qualifications. The current superintendent at Glenwood Schools says there aren't any charges now, but he says he expects charges to be filed soon. 

Former President Trump will be holding a town hall in La Crosse on Thursday.  Trump's campaign announced the town hall will be held at the La Crosse Center.  Doors will open at 3 p.m. and the town hall is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.  This will mark the former president's first visit to Wisconsin since last month's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

The Wisconsin Grocers Association is pushing back on claims of price gouging from VP Kamala Harris. The Grocers released an open letter last week saying inflation, not grocery stores, is to blame for the high prices that people are paying. The letter says the inflation from the COVID outbreak is now 'baked-in' to the price on the shelf. The grocers say local grocery stores work on razor-thin margins, and the idea that they are gouging customers is nothing but campaign rhetoric. 

The remains of a man who went missing after his boat capsized in the Bay of Green Bay last month have finally been found. The Marinette County Sheriff's Office said they found Billy Salnik's body on Green Island over the weekend. Salnik and his two children died when their boat overturned in the bay last month. The Coast Guard found his kids' bodies, as well as his boat, but they couldn't find him. His family says the news of his remains is devastating. They are planning a memorial for him. 

The city of Rochester is ready to start making improvements to its existing wastewater treatment plant.  The city broke on the 91-million-dollar project on Friday.  The upgrade will allow the city to meet current and future standards for removing chemicals such as phosphorus, which is known to contribute to algae bloom formation.  The upgrades should be finished early in 2027.

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A Wisconsin man is facing charges for transporting more than 15 pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine. Nebraska State Patrol says a trooper tried to pull over the suspect, identified as Deante House from La Crosse, last night. House sped away from the attempted stop and a chase began. NSP says the chase ended when the suspect rear-ended a semi-truck. The semi driver wasn't injured. Once House is released from the hospital for non-life threatening injuries, he will be taken to jail on multiple charges.    

West Nile Virus is detected in Rock County mosquitos. Public Health says it's the first time the virus has been detected since mosquito surveillance started in early July. No human cases have been reported in Rock County so far this year, but cases in humans and animals have been found in other parts of Wisconsin. WNV spreads when a mosquito feeds on an infected bird and then bites an animal or human. Most people with the virus won't get sick, but those who do have symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, rashes, and fatigue.

An Oshkosh man gets jail time for his role in a boat crash on the Fox River. 53-year-old Jason Lindemann was sentenced Thursday to five months in jail and three years of probation in connection with the 2022 crash. A jury found Lindemann guilty this past June of several counts including recklessly endangering safety and failing to provide aid. 44 people were on board the paddlewheel cruise boat Lindeman crashed into. The paddleboat was severely damaged.

A huge financial error for a Milwaukee area school district. The Wauwatosa School District is starting the new school year $4 million in the hole. The chief financial officer for the district, Scott Ecker, says his predecessor’s budget was poorly built. The district was planning to spend down more than 9 million of reserves to cover funding the state wasn’t providing. The district’s treasurer says nefarious spending didn’t cause the error. Ecker says the district is considering short term borrowing from the state, and budget cuts could also be coming. The news comes as a $16 million operational referendum is on the ballot for Wauwatosa voters this fall.

A student pilot made a successful emergency landing in south central Wisconsin Tuesday. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office says the pilot was making a solo flight when the aircraft began to have engine problems. The sheriff’s office said in a statement the pilot “was skilled in their landing” of the plane on a roadway in Columbus Township. There was no property damage nor injuries from the incident. The plane's owner made arrangements to remove the plane from the roadway.

The Minnesota State Fair has set another record.  Officials say the  Great Minnesota Get-Together drew nearly 140-thousand people for opening day on Thursday.  That's around 55-hundred more visitors than the previous opening day record set in 2019.  Thursday's numbers far outstripped the previous year, when just over 106-thousand opening day visitors attended. 

Local-Regional News Aug 23

Xcel Energy is looking to sell the old railroad right of way parcels in the city of Durand.  Many of the parcels are odd shaped and very small.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city would be interested in the part of the right of way that goes past the wastewater treatment plant. As for the bike trail north of the city that would be a county project to purchase the right of way.

Two big summer projects for the Durand-Arkansaw School District are nearly completed.  The parking lot with two new entrances has been completed and there have been some repairs to the entrance of the high school.  Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the repairs addresed some foundation issues. New railings and carpeting are expected to be installed at the new entrance in the coming weeks. 

Don't be surprised to see more converted garages, tiny homes, or garden apartments in Dunn County. County leaders this week voted to ease the rules for 'accessory dwelling units.' County Manager Kristin Korpela says the people of Dunn County said in a recent survey that they want more types of housing. The idea is to allow people to convert or add on to their existing properties to meet the demand for places to live. There are some limits. The 'accessory dwelling unit' must be smaller than the main house, it must be hooked up to a sewer line, and there can only be one per property. 

The Town of Washington wants to become a village to protect itself from being swallowed. The town filed the paperwork with the state this week to incorporate part of the town as a village. The change would allow Washington to set its boundaries, better control its land, and fend off annexation attempts. The town and village would operate 'separately but together.' The change would mean that the new village of Washington would send kids to Eau Claire Schools, while kids in the Town of Washington would go to Altoona, Eau Claire, or Fall Creek schools. 

A man is heading to prison for killing his roommate at a state mental health facility. A judge in Taylor County yesterday sentenced Cory Carlson to life behind bars for his roommate's death back in January of this year. Investigators say Carlson strangled the man in their room at the Almost Home Again facility in Gilman, Carlson told investigators that he was hearing voices, and does not remember what happened. He pleaded guilty to first-degree homicide charges earlier this year. 

A board that oversees Minnesota teachers has revoked the teaching licenses of a former high school principal.  The Professional Educator and Licensing Standards Board ruled against Grant Klennert on Tuesday.  Klennert was charged with criminal sexual assault in 2022 and entered a guilty plea earlier this year.  The charges were related to sexual assaults committed when Klennert was a juvenile.  Klennert was employed by the Hayfield school district for 16 years, including seven years as principal of Hayfield High School.

UW regents are on-board with the plan to ask for nearly a billion-dollars more for the university over the next two years. Regents yesterday approved President Jay Rothman's 855 million-dollar budget request. He says the UW needs the money to continue to pay employees more. They're due for an eight percent raise over the next two years. But he also wants to use the money to pay tuition for students from families making under 55 thousand-dollars a year. Republican lawmakers say they're willing to give the university some of that money, but not without reforms and budget cuts first. 

Two major Canadian railways that serve Wisconsin have stopped operations during a labor dispute. Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Southern locked out union workers this week ahead of a possible strike by the Teamsters. Management claims the move prevents a later strike by the Union during the busier fall shipping season. The Teamsters say the freight carriers have refused to improve work conditions for employees or offer more sick days. 9000 workers are affected, along with wide swaths of the agriculture, manufacturing, and industrial sectors.

Wisconsin's Elections Commission says RFK Jr. could be on the ballot in November, even if he drops-out this week. The commission has not yet decided if Robert Kennedy Jr. will appear on the ballot, but if he does, there is no getting off. A Commission spokesman yesterday said Wisconsin doesn't have a drop-out law that would allow candidates to remove themselves from the ballot. Kennedy filed the paperwork to get on the ballot in the state earlier this month. He's scheduled a news conference for today that has many people speculating he is going to drop out of the race. 

Oshkosh Defense continues to pile-up defense contracts. The company announced yesterday that it had landed a one-and-a-half billion-dollar contract to build trucks for the Army. The new deal covers another order of the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles that Oshkosh has been building for years. Oshkosh, of course, landed a 30 billion-dollar deal back in 2015 to make the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, which is the U.S. military's replacement for the Humvee. Other countries, including Israel and Ukraine are also buying those trucks from Oshkosh as well. 

The Wisconsin Supreme Court could decide who won a state wrestling title back in 2019. The high court Wednesday said it will hear arguments in the case of Hayden Halter who won the state title in 2019, then had it taken away by a court, only to have it reinstated by another court. The Supreme Court says it will decide if the WIAA is a "state actor," and will decide if Halter's family has the right to sue over a decision made by a high school wrestling ref. Halter was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct during a conference title match in 2019. Those penalties came with a suspension, and that should have kept him out of the state tournament. His family sued and got a judge to issue a restraining order against that suspension. Halter then went on to win the state wrestling title at 120 pounds.

A new report by Insurify reveals that car insurance rates in Minnesota have increased by 55 percent this year, the highest in the nation. The average comprehensive insurance plan in Minnesota now costs over two-thousand dollars, up from fifteen-hundred last June, with further increases expected. The rise in rates is attributed to factors such as severe weather, particularly hailstorms, which have led to more expensive repairs and increased claims. While Minnesotans may see steady rate increases in the future, the state's insurance rates still rank 19th in the nation. 

A new invasive species is spreading across Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources says eastern Asia’s elm zigzag sawfly was first detected in the U.S. three years ago and was first seen in the state on July 4th in Portage County. The insect, named for the zigzag pattern its caterpillars chew in elm leaves, has now spread to 17 counties statewide. The DNR says the pests only cause minor or cosmetic damage to elm trees, but could lead to possible defoliation. Their presence is usually not a cause for alarm, but careful monitoring is recommended.

North Star Honor Flight is preparing to take off in 2025.  The organization is part of the National Honor Flight Network which provides trips for veterans to the national monuments in Washington, D.C.  North Star plans to offer a flight in the spring for an all-expense paid day trip to the nation's capital to visit the World War Two, Korean and Vietnam War memorials.  Terminally ill veterans and veterans in southeast Minnesota and northern Iowa qualify.  Wheelchairs and medical supervision are provided.  More information is available NorthStarHonorFlight.org. 

Local-Regional News Aug 22

 A Durand man has been charged with four felony sex crimes.  According to the Pepin County Sheriff's Department, on February 27th Durand School Resource Officer Bonnerup contacted the sheriff's department about two female students who had reported to Bonnerup that they had accepted a friend request from a Snapchat profile and had been sent unsolicited sexual images.   After an investigation and execution of search warrants, it was determined the account belonged to 22yr old Zachry Weber.   He has been charged with causing a child under the age of 13 to view or listen to sexual activity,  and three counts of soliciting intimate representation from a minor.  Weber was employed by the Durand-Arkansaw School District at the time of the incident but is no longer employed by the district.  He will be in Pepin County Court on September 3.

Property values in the Durand-Arkansaw School District are on the rise.  Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the rise in values in the district exceeded the state average. Because of the rise in property values, Nelson says the property tax mill rate should drop for the upcoming school year.

A Western Wisconsin man is charged with homicide after a U-T-V crash that killed one passenger.  Bradley Holz from Arkansaw is charged for the lethal crash from June of 2023.  Holz is accused of driving one of five U-T-Vs that traveled down County Highway Z, which was closed off for construction at the time.  Officials believe he hit a pile of gravel and the vehicle overturned, killing Jessica Bignell.  Deputies say they could smell alcohol on his breath when they responded to the crash.  Holz will be in court on August 26.

The Pepin County Sheriff's Department has announced the release of a convicted sex offender back into the community.  31yr old Zachary McDonnell is scheduled to be released from prison on September 3rd and live on Curtis Road in Arkansaw.  He was found guilty in 2014 of 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child, Child Enticement and Possession of Methamphetamine in Pepin County.  McDonnell's release requires him to wear a GPS location monitoring device,  and have regular contact with his probation/parole agent.

The United Way in Dunn and St. Croix counties are merging. The two groups yesterday announced their plans to come together. Executive Director Steve McCarthy says together, the two will now serve six counties in northwestern Wisconsin. McCarthy says the goal of the United Way is the same as it always has been. The combined United Way effort will also have a new headquarters in Menomonie. McCarthy said the focus now is to raise money for their annual campaign. 

Students at one UW school are getting a friendly reminder about the rules before they head-out this weekend. Police in Menomonie, where UW-Stout is located, are going door-to-door this week to talk with students about the laws for underage drinking, using a fake ID, noise, and other ordinance violations that could get them into trouble. Police even have a one-page piece of paper with the laws, the fines, and some helpful pictures to remind students of what to expect. The city's Kaitlin Ingle says the idea is to warn students ahead of time, and hopefully avoid some of the problems that come with back-to-school. 

A Winona County judge has decided on the location and date for the murder trial of Adam Fravel.  Fravel was arrested and charged with murder after Madeline Kingsbury was found dead in a field in Fillmore County last year.  Court documents filed yesterday set the trial date for October 7th at the Blue Earth County Justice Center in Mankato.  Fravel's lawyers were granted a venue change after claiming pre-trial publicity would keep Fravel from getting a fair trial in Winona County.

Some taxpayers in Wisconsin will be able to file their federal taxes for free next year. The Department of Revenue yesterday said Wisconsin is now a member of the IRS' Direct File program. That means people filing simple tax returns can do so for free. The offer comes with a lot of exemptions, including people who have gig jobs, alimony, or are living off their pensions. You can find out if you qualify at the IRS' website. 

The Mayo Clinic is reporting an increase in quarterly revenue.  An unaudited financial report posted Monday shows the healthcare organization took in just over five-billion dollars during the second quarter, an increase of 12-percent over the same quarter last year.  Expenses grew by just over nine-percent to four-point-five-billion dollars.  Quarterly operating income increased by nearly 50-percent to 449-million dollars.  Officials credited the impressive revenue growth to the "sustained commitment of Mayo Clinic's exceptional staff." 

First responders, school bus drivers and parents are all urging drivers to use extra caution as students start back to class over the next two weeks.  One of the biggest threats to kids is drivers not paying attention to them crossing the streets and not observing the laws regarding stopping for school buses.  In many school districts cameras have been installed in the stop-arms on the buses to catch those drivers who steer around a bus picking up or dropping off kids.

One person is in the hospital after an officer-involved shooting in central Wisconsin.  Wisconsin Rapids Police say they responded to a call about domestic violence just after midnight yesterday.  The suspect shot at officers after leading a chase from the scene and ran away when their car was disabled by police.  The subject hid on a nearby roof and shot at police once they were found with a drone.  Officers returned fire and hit them.  The suspect is in the hospital, and responding officers are on leave while an investigation continues.    

Sauk County is looking to pause refugee resettlements. The county board talked about a plan that would stop Jewish Social Services, and other groups, from moving people into the area. JSS says it's resettled hundreds of people this year, but only one family is living near Sauk County. The rest are in Dane County. Sauk County leaders say they want to make sure they don't get stuck with any costs from having immigrant families placed in their communities. The resolution that was up for a vote last night specifically cited the costs to schools and social service programs. Sauk County is one of a handful of communities that support a proposed state law that would require social service agencies to get the okay from everyone in a community before sending families there. 

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management has some work to do before issuing Minnesota's first recreational business licenses.  Just over 18-hundred social equity applicants submitted their license applications by the August 12th deadline.  According to the OCM, only 282 licenses will be issued from the first round of applicants.  Some Minnesota residents have voiced concerns that over half of the remaining applications were filed by people living outside the state.  An agency spokesperson says the focus on social equity applicants should help keep out-of-state companies from taking licenses away from deserving Minnesotans.

Officials at the Minnesota state fair are reminding fairgoers there are changes to some protocols regarding livestock.  The fair announced last month that there would be no live calves being born at the Miracle of Birth Center.  That's because of concerns about the H5N1 virus also known as bird flu.  Proof that dairy cows coming onto the fairgrounds have been tested will be required.  The State Fair veterinarian will be on-site to examine any dairy cattle showing symptoms.  

A squad car collided with several other cars…on purpose.  The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post they entered one of their old patrol cars in a demolition derby at last weekend’s Kenosha County Fair in Wilmot. The post says the deputy behind the wheel brought home the checkered flag, though he thought some of the hits to his vehicle felt personal. The smashed-up squad car has since been donated to Wilmot Union High School. Students there will repair it for future demolition derbies.

Local-Regional News Aug 21

 The Pepin County Board is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on hiring Public Administration Associates to search for a new Administrative Coordinator, approving Michelle Weiss as the interim Administrative Coordinator, and establishing a fund for recreation and youth education using proceeds from the sale of the old fairground property.  Tonight's meeting begins at 7 in the board room at the Government Center in Durand.

The Durand-Arksansaw School Board is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include action on a strategic planning initiative with Joe Schroeder Consulting along with reports from the superintendent and building administrators.  Tonights meeting begins at 6 in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

A Menomonie man who pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography is going to prison.  Joseph Ellis was sentenced to 8yrs in prison and fined $3114 Tuesday by Dunn County Judge Luke Wagner.  According to authorities, they found hundreds of images of child pornography on his electronic devices last year after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

There will be a goose hunt in Mondovi again this year.  The Mondovi City Council approved the hunt that will follow the state hunting season.  Hunters will have to have all state hunting licenses and stamps and will have to register first with the city.  The hunt is designed to help control the goose population around Mirror Lake.

The Durand City Council has approved moving forward with a water rate and water service study with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says water rates are controlled by the Public Service Commission. That study should start in the next month or so.

Two new outdoor trails will be finished soon in Eau Claire. A 600-thousand dollar paved trail between Folsom and Madison Streets will connect to a trail that leads to Eau Claire's High Bridge. That trail qualified for a state grant, so the City of Eau Claire only paid 120-thousand dollars. It's scheduled to be open to the public in mid-September. The second trail is by the Galloway Flats development. It'll be finished in the next couple weeks after 200 feet of pavement is laid under the River Prairie Bridge. 

 There are new charges for a child sex suspect in Chippewa County. Prosecutors this week filed sexual assault charges against 44-year-old Scott Detlaff. Investigators say he abused a now 15-year-old boy over a number of years. Detlaff was already facing child pornography charges, though it's not clear if the cases involve the same victim. The sheriff's office says Detlaff admitted to the child porn images but is denying the sexual assault. 

There's a report of at least one rabid bat in western Wisconsin. Polk County's Public Health Department yesterday said it tested the bat after there was an 'encounter' with a human. The bat is the first rabid bat in Polk County in a decade. The fear is that rabid bats can spread rabies, but those cases are rare. Public health managers with the state say it's been almost 15 years since a bat bit someone and gave them rabies. 

Two Rivers police haven't given up on finding the missing three-year-old Vue. Captain Andrew Raatz says the investigation looks different now compared to six months ago. He also warns of misinformation and scams being spread online. Vue was reported missing February 20th and still has not been found. Jesse Vang and Elijah's mother Katrina Baur face charges of felony child neglect, and Baur is also accused of obstructing police.

UW Regents are being asked this week to sign off on the university's barely one billion-dollar budget request for the next two years. Regents will meet in Madison starting tomorrow, and the 855 million-dollar budget request from president Jay Rothman is on their agenda. Rothman said on Monday that the UW System needs millions-of-dollars more to be a competitive school. He says Wisconsin ranks at the bottom of the list nationally when it comes to state funding. But his 855 million-dollar request would be a 65 percent increase in state funding in just two years. State taxpayers are currently sending one-point-three billion dollars to the UW. 

A man in Clark County is found guilty of sexually assaulting four young girls. Seventy-year-old Joseph Pierce, a Senior from Owen was charged in 2021 with abusing the girls for years, starting in 2017. A jury found him guilty on eight charges, including repeated sexual assault of a child and enticement. A sentencing date hasn't been set yet. 

More charges have been filed against a former elementary teacher in Hudson.   Twenty-four-year-old Madison Bergmann, who taught fifth grade at River Crest Elementary School, is accused of sexting and making out with a boy in her class.  Authorities have now added a slew of additional charges against her.  They include child enticement, sexual misconduct by school staff, and use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime. Bergmann resigned after the allegations came to light.

Harley-Davidson says it is done with DEI.  In a Monday statement posted to ‘X’, the Milwaukee based motorcycle manufacturer said it has had no "DEI function" since April of this year, has no hiring quotas, and no longer has supplier diversity goals. Harley said it will no longer participate in Human Rights Campaign scoring and will strike "socially motivated content" from employee training materials. Harley’s statement is the result of a campaign by a conservative activist and follows similar moves by Tractor Supply and John Deere. In its own statement, Human Rights Campaign said decisions to cut DEI send a clear signal to workers that their employees don’t care about equality in the workplace.

Making sure the coming school year is safe. Trish Kilpin from the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Office of School Safety said in Oconomowoc Monday one of the most effective tools schools have to curb violent activity is the state’s confidential Speak Up Speak Out Hotline. Kilpin said that her agency knows in most school shootings, a peer knew about an offender’s plan to attack. She added that tips on the hotline have led police to investigate hundreds of reports about potential school attacks and students with weapons. $2 million of funding needed for the hotline will last until September of next year. Kilpin says her office will request long-term funding in the next budget cycle.

The Department of Natural Resources unveils a new tool to help monitor water quality. The Wisconsin Water Explorer is a web-based tool that can help residents address concerns about the quality of water in their local lakes or rivers. The tool makes scientific data analysis accessible to the public and provides insights into current conditions and trends through graphs, maps and automated reports. It also includes an updated version of the Wisconsin Lake Modeling Suite to help people analyze whether a lake adheres to water quality standards and identify likely sources of pollution. The Wisconsin Water Explorer tool can be found by visiting the DNR's website.

The Mayo Clinic is celebrating a milestone in the construction of its new proton beam facility in Rochester.  Staff members signed the building's final steel beam before it was hoisted into place yesterday.  The Mayo Clinic says the demand for proton beam therapy to treat cancer is growing and the new building will help meet some of that demand.  The new facility should open in the spring of 2026.

Local-Regional News Aug 20

Durand Police is hosting a community wellness event today.  Buffalo County Sheriff Osmond will have a presentation on current drug trends and Pepin County Health will have a mock bedroom showcasing various products commonly seen with vaping and or drug use.  Durand Police Chief Stan Ridgeway says there will also be presentations on mental health and internet safety. The event is free and begins today at 5 at Durand Middle School.

Work on W. Riverside Avenue in Mondovi is underway to connect the sanitary sewer to the new wastewater treatment plant.  Work will be primarily on the north side of W. Riverside Avenue from Schmidtknecht Road going west.  Motorists should expect possible traffic delays during construction.  The anticipated completion date is September 27, 2024.

Menomonie is turning hunters loose on its goose problem. Last night, the city council approved goose hunts in four city parks. City officials say the geese are becoming a problem in local parks, and there are worries they could be too much for the local airport. Menomonie's police department will handle the hunt, and the DNR will regulate it. The city says anyone who lives near one of the parks will be notified when there will be a hunt. 

Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services has been named as a Tree Line USA Utility for the 20th straight year by the Arbor Day Foundation.  The program recognizes public and private utilities demonstrating best practices in protecting and nurturing America’s tree canopy.  By achieving this recognition, PPCS has demonstrated its dedication to maintaining healthy community forests while delivering safe and reliable electricity to its customers.

 

Eau Claire says Kamala Harris has paid her bill. The city yesterday said Harris' campaign paid the 16 thousand-dollar bill for police protection from her last week. Eau Claire is now working under a new set of rules that require private venues, like the one Harris used for her rally, to charge for police protection up front. Eau Claire says there wasn't a cost for JD Vance's visit last week because he used a smaller venue that didn't require any extra police protection. 

There are new charges for the Eau Claire aesthetics clinic owner charged with sexual assault. Prosecutors yesterday charged Chris Devlin after they said he and his assistant took pictures of a client's breasts and vagina during an exam for 'scar tissue.' Devlin is accused of sexually assaulting at least six victims who came in for treatments at his Renew Aesthetics spa. He's due back in court to face his charges next month. 

A northwestern Wisconsin man is headed to prison for at least 20 years for killing the mother of his child. David Edaburn Jr. pleaded no contest in a Burnett County courtroom yesterday. He told the judge he was high and drunk last September when he stabbed his ex, 32-year-old Brittany Hollan, to death. The medical examiner said she had so many cuts that they couldn't be counted. Edaburn never gave a reason for her murder. He's due to be sentenced in November. 

The latest proposal for Wisconsin's healthcare workforce would have the state spend a lot more money. The Governor's Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce released its final report yesterday. The 75-page report doesn't include a specific price tag, but it asks for more money for new nurses, nurses who are already on the job, apprenticeships, healthcare education, and frontline staffers. There are some recommendations to deregulate Wisconsin's healthcare rules, but most of the focus of the report is finding a way for the state to support more training, more education, and more workforce goals. Governor Evers says he supports the proposal, but he's not saying where he plans to find the new money. 

A southern Minnesota teen is being charged with underage drinking and driving after crashing into an Olmsted County home.  The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office says the crash happened Sunday morning in Dover.  The unidentified 17-year-old was taken to the hospital for evaluation after deputies determined the driver was under the influence of alcohol.  The house sustained minor damage and no other injuries were reported.

The latest data from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension shows a decrease in reported violent crimes in Minnesota last year. The metro area is experiencing an eight-point-two-percent drop and Greater Minnesota seeing a three-point-four-percent decrease. Carjackings declined by nearly 38 percent, while bias crimes increased slightly. The city of Minneapolis reported 41 homicides so far this year, the same as in 2023, with fewer shots fired calls, and gunshot wounds. Law enforcement officers also saw a slight rise in assaults.

Scammers are using people's social media videos to copy their voices. Wisconsin Better Business Bureau president Jim Temmer says it only takes a few seconds of your voice to make a reasonable copy with a computer. They could then use your voice along with your phone number to try and trick your loved ones into handing over money or personal information. Temmer says the best way to prevent this is to only share your videos with your friends and family, and keep a close eye on friend requests to make sure they're not from phony accounts.

Pre-application for six-million dollars in surface water improvement grants is now open in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources says funding is available for projects including surface water education programs, lake and river management planning, and habitat restoration. Pre-applications must be submitted by September 15 to compete for a grant in November. 

A woman convicted of killing the man who trafficked her will be heading to prison.  24-year old Chrystul Kizer of Milwaukee was sentenced in Kenosha County Court on Monday to 11 years in prison for the 2017 killing 34-year-old Randall Volar III. She pleaded guilty earlier this year to reckless homicide. Volar, who was White, had been filming his sexual abuse of Kizer, who is Black, for more than a year before she shot him. The case drew national attention on what sort of leniency was available for victims of sex trafficking who strike back at their captors. Kizer was the first to use that defense in a Wisconsin court. Kizer will get a year and a half credit for time served, and spend 5 years on extended supervision after her release.

Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman proposes a two-year budget.  Rothman says his 2025-2027 budget proposal would allow the UW System to shed its ranking of 43rd among 50 states in public funding and reach the national median. Rothman says it will take an additional $457 million annually to achieve that. Features of the proposed budget include extending the Wisconsin Tuition Program to students from families earning up to $71,000 annually, five and three percent general wage increases for faculty and staff and emphasizing talent development. Rothman said he would not recommend tuition increases over the period covered by the biennial budget.

Nominations for the 2024 Coolest Thing Made In Wisconsin contest are accepted starting today. Contest hosts Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and Johnson Financial Group say any product manufactured in Wisconsin qualifies. Sixteen nominees will be chosen, and the public will vote in a bracket-style tournament called Manufacturing Madness. Past contenders include military vehicles, beverage dispensers, and pastries. Nominations will be accepted until September 6th on Made-In-W-I-S-dot-com, and the winner will be announced in October.  

Local-Regional News Aug 19

 A Menomonie man is in custody after a pursuit in Pepin County on Thursday.  According to the Pepin County Sheriff's Department,  Buffalo County Sheriff's Deputies attempted to pull over 36yr old Matthew Smith on Hwy 25 near Nelson.  Smith refused to pull over and turned off his lights in an attempt to elude the deputies.  The pursuit was ended due to safety reasons.  Smith was spotted on Hwy 25 a short time later by Pepin County deputies and a pursuit with speeds of up to 100mph.  Smith's vehicle was disabled when a Durand Police Officer used spike strips to deflate the tires.  Smith fled on foot, stole a bike, and was spotted near some businesses on the Northeast side of Durand.  He was taken into custody and is expected to be charged in Pepin and Buffalo Counties with drug possession with intent to deliver, eluding an officer, resisting an officer, and other charges.

 

The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office is investigating a single-vehicle crash in Arcadia that claimed the life of a 16-year-old.  The crash happened Thursday afternoon on Boland Valley Road between Arcadia and the Township of Glencoe.  Authorities say the teenage driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the side of a bridge after going into a ditch.  The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene.  Speed is considered a factor in the accident.

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident Wednesday evening in Gilman Township.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 36yr old Aaron Place of Spring Valley was traveling eastbound on Hwy 29 when he struck a westbound vehicle driven by 66yr old Nancy Sukowatey of Ellsworth.  Both Nancy and passenger Gary Sukowatey were injured and taken to River Falls Area Hospital.

 A bike ride that features military veterans who were wounded in battle is underway in Minnesota.  The Project Hero Great Lakes Challenge is an annual event that travels from the Twin Cities to Madison, Wisconsin.  Organizers say the purpose of the ride is to raise awareness of PTSD while helping veterans and first responders bond and build confidence.  The event is also a fundraiser for Project Hero, the nonprofit that sponsors the ride.  Riders will travel from the Twin Cities to Red Wing today, then move on to Rochester tomorrow.  The riders will head from Rochester to La Crosse, Wisconsin on Wednesday.

The Wabasha County Board is meeting tomorrow.  Items on the agenda include action on the County Lease Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Corrections, discussion of the Cannabis Ordinance, and discussion on the No Net Gain Policy.  Tomorrow's meeting begins at 9 in the old courthouse annex in Wabasha.

One person is reported injured following a chemical fire in Chippewa Falls.  The fire happened Saturday around noon at TTM Technologies and Chippewa Falls Police say all employees were evacuated.  Area roads were closed for about two hours due to the risk of hazardous chemicals.  No chemical leaks were found after inspections by emergency services,   A post on the police department's Facebook page at around 2 p.m. said roads were reopened.

A woman is dead after a weekend house fire in Rusk County. Firefighters say it took them about an hour-and-a-half to put out the fire at the home in Ladysmith. That's when they found a 35-year-old woman dead inside. Five other people who lived in the home managed to get out, though two of them suffered minor burns. Firefighters are not saying what started the fire. 

 Dispersed camping will not be allowed at Eau Claire County Forest for the next two months.  Eau Claire County Parks and Forest Josh Pedersen said numerous instances of trespassing, damage, and littering are the main reasons for the ban.  Activities such as hiking, fishing, and hunting are still permitted, and campers can purchase ten-dollar permits and camp anywhere in the 50-thousand acre forest.  Dispersed camping will be allowed again starting on October 15th.

A park that honors Peace Corps volunteers is scheduled for construction in southeastern Minnesota.  Several groups associated with the Peace Corps are planning to build a National Service Park near Rochester in 2026.  The "Peace Corps Plaza" in Plainview will include bricks with the names of volunteers, the countries where they served, and the dates they were there.  The groups organizing the construction hope the park will inspire more people to volunteer for national service.   The groups are currently raising money for the project and have yet to announce an overall timeline for construction.

 We are waiting to see what comes from UW regents this week. The regents have a meeting on Thursday and Friday in Madison. Regents are being asked to both approve campus closures and layoffs, and hold-off from closing any more branch campuses. Regents approved a tuition increase at their last meeting. The meeting will be the last before University of Wisconsin campuses welcome students back to campuses across the state.

An estimated 100 Wisconsin protestors are headed to Chicago to march during this week's Democratic National Convention.  Among the protestors will be some who marched during last month's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.  A number of pro-Palestinian protestors marched in Milwaukee on Saturday.  The Democratic National Convention starts on Monday.  Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz are scheduled to be at a rally in Milwaukee on Tuesday.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is getting a new secretary. Current secretary Craig Thompson's last day will be September 11th of this year and is taking a job at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Governor Tony Evers says Kristina Boardman will take over the position and will be the first woman to do so. She's currently the deputy secretary with the Wisconsin DOT and previously worked as an administrator at the state Division of Motor Vehicles. 

The Minnesota Department of Health is warning residents about a surge in pertussis cases across the state.  Patients range from one month to 86-years-old.  The increase is particularly notable among adolescents.  As of Thursday, there have been 516 reported cases, with Hennepin County leading with 178 cases.  The MDH advises testing for pertussis in patients with a persistent cough lasting more than seven days or with close contact to a known case.

A man shot by police in Fitchburg earlier this week has died.  The Wisconsin Department of Justice says the 28-year-old man died Thursday afternoon. Police in the Madison suburb were called to an apartment building on Monday morning on a report of a couple fighting. Officers encountered the man armed with a knife. Fitchburg Police Chief Alfonso Morales said the man approached officers after refusing repeated commands to drop the knife. At that point, one officer shot him. The man's name has not been publicly released. The officer who fired his weapon is on administrative leave, and the Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation into the shooting.

Flight attendants working for Minneapolis-based Sun Country Airlines are authorizing a strike after five years of contract talks.  International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 120, which represents 560 flight attendants, says a majority of its members voted yes on the measure.  Union Bargaining Committee member Tanya DeVito says they voted to strike because they are fed up with Sun Country dragging their feet during negotiations.  Flight attendants have been working under a 2014 deal that was amended in 2016.  Sun Country officials say they are confident that they will reach an agreement with its flight attendants.

A Milwaukee area native welcomes a unique visitor to Wisconsin.  The general manager of the National Hockey League champion Florida Panthers, Bill Zito, gave the Stanley Cup a tour of Milwaukee. Stops Zito made with the Cup Wednesday included Fiserv Forum, the Brewers’ clubhouse at American Family Field, Froedert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Kopp’s Frozen Custard and his alma mater, University School of Milwaukee. One-day tours with the Stanley Cup are a longtime tradition in the NHL. Zito grew up in Whitefish Bay, just north of Milwaukee.

Local-Regional News Aug 16

 The City of Durand finally received all the necessary state permits for the Tarrant Park Pool.  Currently, crews are working on installing the main under drains for the pool and the pool walls along with the construction of the walls for the bathhouse.  Currently, the project is 8-9 weeks behind schedule due to the delays in getting the state permits and rain delays.  Crews are expected to work as late into fall as they can weather permitting.

Pepin County has a new 4-H program educator. Sky Holt began her duties with Pepin County in July during the fair and will be spending 50% of her time working on 4-H programs and the other 50% on Youth Development Programs. Holt came from St. Croix County where she was the 4-H Program Educator.  She has a past history working in the area when she helped implement the Buffalo-Pepin County Teen Court Program.

Eau Claire is not waiting to deal with the so-called forever chemicals in its water. The city yesterday broke ground on a new plant that is designed to remove PFAS chemicals from the city's water supply. The 20 million-dollar facility comes a year-and-a-half after the city closed about half of its wells because of high PFAS levels. There's no direct link between PFAS and health risks, but there are growing worries about the chemicals. Constriction is expected to take about a year-and-a-half. 

 A 16-year-old is looking at charges after a string of car break-ins and stolen cars in Lake Hallie. Police there yesterday said they arrested the teen this week. Lake Hallie Police say someone stole a half-dozen cars, and broke into several others. Investigators say the teenage suspect confessed to some of the crimes. Lake Hallie's police chief says almost all of the cars that were broken into or stolen were unlocked. 

A man is dead after a motorcycle wreck in Chippewa Falls earlier this week. Chippewa Falls Police say the wreck happened Tuesday near the new Kwik Trip on Chippewa Crossing Boulevard. Officers say it looks like the 31-year-old man was speeding and hit a light pole. Police aren't saying if alcohol played a role in the crash. The investigation is on-going. 

There aren't many answers about a small plane crash in Chetek on Wednesday. Police say the plane went down at the Municipal Airport on Wednesday. The pilot was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Eau Claire because of his injuries. Police are identifying the pilot as 34-year-old Travis Turner of Cameron, Wisconsin. Both local and federal investigators say they are looking into the crash.

 Land continues to get more valuable in Wisconsin. The state's Department of Revenue released its latest Equalized Values Report. It shows the total value of all the land in the state is sitting at 907 billion-dollars, an increase of 75 billion from last year. Residential land continues to be the most valuable, worth just over 667 billion, followed by Wisconsin's commercial properties. However, farmland and forest land saw the biggest jumps in their value. Both went up 11 percent last year. Oconto County saw the largest increase in land values at 16 percent, followed by Lafayette and Pepin both at 14 percent. 

Zumbrota could have a new public pool by 2026 if the community comes together to raise money for the construction.  Voters this week approved a referendum to replace the city's pool.  The project will get three-million dollars in funding from the city, but supporters will need to raise another one-point-three million before construction can start.  The city anticipates breaking ground next year if the money is raised in time.

Nine Minnesota clinics are starting to receive free insulin from drug manufacturer Eli Lilly under an agreement negotiated by the state's attorney general.  The Attorney General's Office sued the drug maker in 2018 over the price Minnesotans were paying for insulin.  A settlement with Eli Lilly reduced the price of insulin to 35-dollars per month and required the company to supply free insulin to 15 clinics statewide.  Six clinics in the Twin Cities are now receiving free insulin, and the rest is going to clinics in Red Wing, Cook and Duluth. 

Some of the hundreds of thousands of people who are expected to come to Green Bay for next spring's NFL Draft could be sleeping in a camper at EAA. EAA yesterday said they are looking to open-up their facility to draft-goers. Managers say they have one thousand spots available for campers. Dick Knapinski says Detroit used a number of campgrounds when it hosted the draft in April of this year, and he said there's no reason to think Green Bay can't do the same. There are still some details to be worked-out, like amenities and such. But EAA says there will be campsite reservations for the draft between April 19th and the 29th. 

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There is a push from national Democrats to keep the Green Party off the ballot in Wisconsin. A member of the Democratic National Committee filed a complaint yesterday with the Wisconsin Elections Commission that claims the Green Party cannot nominate a slate of electors, and therefore cannot run Jill Stein as their candidate. Wisconsin law requires an elected official to be a part of any presidential elector slate, and the Green Party doesn't have any of those. The Wisconsin Elections Commission kept the Green Party off the ballot in 2020 because of a paperwork issue. The Green Party did make the ballot in 2016, and Democrats say the party kept Hillary Clinton from winning the state that year.

Wisconsin's employment rates are at a record high for the third month in a row. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development says seasonally adjusted unemployment was at three-percent last month, one-point-three percent less than the national rate. The state's labor participation rate remained the same at 65-point-five percent. 

 A texting-based program designed to help young Wisconsinites quit vaping is expanding. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says it'll now allow people aged 18-through-26 to use the Live Vape Free Program. This age group will benefit from two weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy if they medically qualify. The department says this therapy doubles the chances of quitting entirely. The texting program is still available for teens aged 13 to 17.

There are hate crime charges for a Madison man who police say threatened some UW sorority sisters. Dane County prosecutors say 20-year-old Lukas Nowak burst into a classroom last November, threatened to kill at least one young woman, and made some racial remarks. He is also accused of making threats and racial comments at the Domain Apartments a couple of days earlier. Investigators say they found an AR-15 rifle in the car Nowak was riding around in. He told investigators that he was angry at Asian people because he was being sent to China, and that Chinese spies are all around.

The southeast Minnesota biotechnology company United Therapeutics plans to invest 100-million dollars into a research farm in Stewartville.  The Maryland-based business is known for engineering organs for the first-ever pig-to-human heart and kidney transplants.  They plan to expand their research at a site ten miles south of downtown Rochester.  All pigs will be born and harvested inside the tightly controlled facility, which is equipped with biosecurity measures regulating every aspect of their lives.  United hopes that human studies could start as early as next year. 

A historic document in Wisconsin sports is up for auction. It’s the Green Bay Packers NFL Membership Certificate from circa 1923. Heritage Auctions says the certificate first emerged over a decade ago from the estate of early NFL president Joe Carr. A slightly scaled-down color reproduction is on display at the Packers Hall of Fame. The original certificate is described as 13-and-a-half by 16 inches in size with some age-toning but no tearing, creasing or chipping common to similar collectible documents. Bids are expected to exceed $50,000.

Local-Regional News Aug 15

 The City of Durand will not be eligible for a CBDG grant for the Madison Street Project.  During last night's council meeting, the city engineer told the council that because there are not enough residents that have a Madison Street address, the project isn't considered a neighborhood project and therefore not eligible for a CBDG grant.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says while there are some other options the city might have, the city may have to scale down the project.  The City is looking at some DNR Water Quality Grants and possible low-interest loan programs.

The City of Mondovi is exploring the possibility of working with UW Stout to improve the water quality of Mirror Lake.  During this week's council meeting, Mayor Weiss told the council about a resident who had looked at Eau Claire's improvements to Half Moon Lake and how that could be done in Mondovi.  Weiss says there is some potential to improve the water quality of Mirror Lake. The council has directed the city administrator to look into the costs and requirements of working with UW-Stout on a water quality improvement project for the lake.

The last of the three people accused of sexually assaulting a cognitively impaired teenager in Trempealeau County is heading to prison. A judge yesterday sentenced Terry Loewenhagen to four years behind bars. He's accused of assaulting the teenager. Investigators say another woman helped in the assaults, and a second man helped organize them. The other two suspects are already serving their sentences. Loewenhagen will spend two years on probation when he's released. 

The pedestrian underpass on Menomonie Street in Eau Claire is going to have to wait. City engineering director Leah Ness yesterday said the city is waiting for the materials to build the underpass, so they are holding-off on construction for now. The city wanted to start work on the underpass as soon as the roundabout on Menomonie Street was finished. That project is now finished, but the underpass project will have to wait. The hope is to start work in the spring. 

 It will be a life sentence for one of the suspects in La Crosse County's triple murder from back in 2021. A jury on Tuesday convicted 36-year-old Nya Thao for the murders at the quarry in the Town of Hamilton in July of 2021. Prosecutors say Thao and another man killed the three over a 600 dollar debt. Investigators say there were some gang disputes as well. Thao is facing a mandatory life sentence in the case. His sentencing date has not yet been set. 

The old Mary Ann's Root Beer Stand in Chippewa Falls is gone. Crews took down the building yesterday. The stand closed in 1994, but new owners bought it two years ago. Those owners say there was no way to salvage the old building, so they had to tear it down. The owners say they have some plans for the land, but they are not saying what those plans are. 

Nearly one-in-four voters in Wisconsin cast a ballot in Tuesday's election. The state's Elections Commission yesterday said voter turnout was 26-percent. Voter numbers were higher in some communities, and lower in others. Election managers say the 26-percent number is the highest for a primary election in 60 years. Democratic leaders in the state say new legislative candidates and two constitutional amendments drove that turnout. 

 Some tweaks are coming to Wisconsin's elk hunting rules. The Department of Natural Resources Board yesterday approved the updated Elk Manager Plan for the state. It changes Wisconsin's elk hunting season into one continuous season between October 15th and December 15th, and splits the state into 15 different hunting units. The plan also states the goal to grow Wisconsin's elk population and minimize elk-human interactions. 

 A federal judge is dismissing a challenge to laws regulating Minnesota's deer farms.  State lawmakers approved several measures last year that tightened industry regulation to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease.  The Minnesota Deer Farmers Association filed suit and asked for an injunction to keep the laws from going into effect.  A U.S. District Court judge dismissed the request yesterday, saying the state was not deliberately working to damage the deer farming industry.  Lawyers for the deer farmers say they will appeal the judge's decision.

Governor Tony Evers is pleased with Tuesday's rejection of two Republican-authored constitutional amendments. The Democratic governor says voter approval would have made it difficult to distribute federal funding when it's needed most. Evers says the result means a Republican governor would have the same powers as he did to disperse COVID-19 relief dollars.

More than seven-thousand Wisconsin businesses are getting refunds for a business certificate scam. State Attorney General Josh Kaul [ CALL ] says two Florida-based companies sent out tens of thousands of mailers that appeared to be from a government office, asking businesses to buy a certificate of status for 72-dollars. Businesses are not required to have certificates of status but could order one from a state agency for only ten dollars. The Florida companies and their owners are ordered to pay three-point-five million dollars, including 600-thousand in refunds to the scammed Wisconsin businesses. 

The University of Wisconsin is partnering with the Department of Natural Resources to track greensnake populations. UW-Madison student volunteers will work at select sites to complete population surveys. Greensnakes are considered a common species in Wisconsin, but are declining in numbers with a need for conservation regionally. The species is non-venomous. 

The University of Minnesota is using wastewater sampling to track the spread of COVID in the state.  According to the CDC, Minnesota is one of 27 states seeing "very high levels" of coronavirus right now.  The vice dean of the U of M Medical School says there's "no question" that a lot of COVID is spreading right now in the community and statewide.

UnitedHealth Group is sending letters to patients this week informing them that their personal information may have been accessed during a cyberattack early this year.  The information ranged from patient health conditions to Social Security numbers.  The Minnetonka-based health system has not said how many letters are being sent.  UnitedHealth Group officials say they have fixed and restored systems at Change Healthcare while improving security.  The company is offering free credit monitoring and identity theft protection for two years.

Police in Sturgeon Bay are looking for the owner of a bag of cash. Officers say someone turned-in the bank bag recently, and they are now looking for whoever lost it. The PD says they tried to take the money back to the bank, but without a name or account number the bank couldn't do anything. Sturgeon Bay Police are not saying which bank, or just how much money is inside. The idea is that the owner will know those things, and be able to ID their cash. 

Local-Regional News August 14

 The Mondovi City Council has approved a resolution asking communication companies to bury communication lines when possible.  Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says service interruptions are prevented when utilities are buried underground. N-Tec is currently upgrading to fiber optic in Mondovi.

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on purchasing tablets for city council members for emails and council packets along with reports from the mayor, city administrator, and department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall.

A trial date was set Tuesday for the western Wisconsin nurse who allegedly cut off a dying man's foot.  Mary Brown of Durand is accused of caring for a patient with severe frostbite on his feet at Spring Valley Senior Living 2022 and amputating the man's foot without the man's or doctor's permission.  Tuesday in court, her trial on elder abuse and mayhem charges was set to begin on August 19th of 2025.  It is expected to last four days.

It's Rebecca Cooke heading forward in western Wisconsin's race for Congress. Cooke beat current state Rep. Katrina Shankland to grab the Democratic nomination for Congress. That race was, perhaps, the most heated in the state with allegations from all sides. She got about 49 percent of the vote in a three way race. In terms of raw votes, she beat Shankland by more than five thousand votes. Cooke will take-on incumbent Congressman Derrick Van Orden in November.

There was a shortage of paper ballots at some polls in Eau Claire yesterday. Deputy City Clerk Rebecca Draeger said a higher than expected voter turnout caused the shortages. No one was ever without a ballot, the clerk's office simply sent more to where they were needed. In all, about 33 percent of people turned out for yesterday's election. 

The days of free parking next to the Y Tennis Center are over. Eau Claire's city council last night voted to start charging for parking there. Starting later this month, drivers will have to pay one dollar per-hour to park in the lot. You'll have to use either an app or the lot's kiosk to pay. No one is saying why Eau Claire is making the change, or just how much money the city expects to see from the new fee. 

 A homeless man who set a series of fires in Eau Claire is headed to prison for a year-and-a-half. A judge yesterday gave Joshua Stromme an 18 month sentence for arson. Stromme admitted that he set a porta-potty, a couple of dumpsters, and a bus shelter on fire back in December of last year. Stromme told the judge he was angry that he was kicked out of the local homeless shelter. Stromme also told the judge he has mental health issues. 

Wisconsin voters said No to putting limits on the governor's spending powers. Voters yesterday rejected a pair of constitutional amendments that would have given lawmakers some say in how billions of dollars in federal money was spent. Democrats in the state framed the questions as a Republican power grab. Conservative groups in the state said there needs to be some oversight in how those dollars are spent. About 58 percent of voters rejected the amendments. 

There is now a First Amendment challenge to Wisconsin's personalized license plan restrictions. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty is asking a judge to strike down the state law that allows the DMV to ban license plates that are deemed 'objectionable.' WILL lawyers say people have a First Amendment right to personalize their license plate. The case stems from a man who wanted a license plate that read RD RRAGE [[ road rage ]]. The DMV allowed him to get the plate back in 2003, but later denied his request. WILL's Lucas Vebber said Wisconsin's license plate law allows bureaucrats at the DMV to decide what speech is allowed, and what speech is objectionable. 

We could get an update on elk hunting in Wisconsin today. The Department of Natural Resources Board is set to meet in Madison, and the state's Elk Management Plan is on the agenda. Wisconsin expanded elk hunting to two regions last season, and hunters continue to show a strong interest in the hunt. No one is saying what, if any changes, the DNR Board may make to the Elk Management Plan.  

A western Wisconsin man accused of murder is being held on a million-dollar bond.  55-year-old John Stumlin is accused of killing Daniel Riordan and hiding his body behind a mobile home. La Crosse County deputies were called there for a death investigation last week and found Riordan's body concealed under some plants in the backyard. When they tried to get inside they found the home barricaded by Stumlin. Deputies eventually got inside and arrested Stumlin after finding blood. Prosecutors say Stumlin struck Riordan multiple times in the head and punctured his skull.

A Republican lawmaker who helped write the legislation is disappointed in the low number of applications for Wisconsin’s Agricultural Road Improvement Program. State Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) said he's surprised, especially with the large number of town and county roads that need improvements to handle heavy agricultural and forestry traffic. Marklein said the program, established through a bipartisan legislative effort, may not be renewed in the next budget if there aren’t enough applications demonstrating a need for funding. The Agricultural Road Improvement Program has already distributed fifty million dollars this year, and the deadline for the second round of 100 million dollars is the end of September.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is looking for volunteers to find and monitor rare plants. The department says the volunteer program is the largest state resource for rare plant data. Last year there were 178 reports of rare plants, including more than 30 in locations they'd never been seen in before. Virtual training is available on the Wisconsin DNR website, and in-person training will be offered on August 24 in Madison. 

A search for a missing kayaker in northeast Wisconsin continues.  The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office contacted Green Lake County Monday after a 44-year-old man didn’t return home from a kayaking trip to Big Green Lake. Green Lake County deputies found an overturned, unoccupied kayak with a life jacket attached. The missing man's vehicle was found near Dodge Memorial Park.  

Some eagle-eyed Minnesotans may soon notice a difference in the logo used by the State Patrol.  The agency is debuting a new logo design this week.  The old logo featured the version of the Minnesota state seal that was retired earlier this year.  The new logo features the Mississippi River surrounded by Norway Pines under the North Star.  Officials estimate it will take six to nine months and four-million dollars to replace the current logo on all uniforms and equipment. 

The Minnesota Zoo is celebrating a new record.  The Apple Valley-based facility has drawn close to one-point-46 million people in the fiscal year 2024, which ended July 1.  That number exceeded the attendance record of one-point-37 million set in 2012.  Zoo officials credit the Treetop Trail for luring additional visitors.  It opened in July 2023.  Treetop Trail is an elevated walking trail that gives a clear view of ten different animal exhibits along with ponds and woods.