Local-Regional News Dec 3

 The Wabasha County Board is meeting today. Items on the agenda include accepting a $1000 donation from the Millville Sportsmans Club for the Veterans Services Office, approving a grant agreement for County Hwy 2, and approving the final payment to Hiawatha Broadband. Today's meeting begins at 4 in the board room at the government center in Wabasha.

A man is dead after the van he was riding in was hit by a semi truck. It happened in Chippewa Falls on Thanksgiving. Police say the van's driver was heading south on Seymour and tried to turn left onto East Park. That's when a semi truck hit the van. In all, three people inside the van went to the hospital. Chippewa Falls Police say one of them didn't survive. The semi driver wasn't hurt. There's no word about tickets or charges in the case. 

The trial of a Zumbro Falls woman accused of false imprisonment and 2nd degree assault is now scheduled.  Polly Calhoun, 41, is accused of walking into a Lake City home in April and threatening people inside, before taking money from them.  Authorities said she had a gun, knife, and baton.  Her jury trial is now scheduled for December 16th. 

It's life in prison for one of the men charged with killing  three people near La Crosse back in 2021. A judge yesterday handed down 37-year-old Nya Thao's sentence. Police say he killed three people in a local rock quarry over a drug debt. Thao's first trial ended with a hung jury, but his second ended with a conviction. The other suspect in the case pleaded guilty in October of last year, and is already in prison. 

Western Wisconsin's Republican Congressman says President's Biden's decision to pardon his son 'cements his legacy' as a liar. Congressman Derrick Van Orden yesterday blasted Biden's pardon. He said President Biden's pardon of his son Hunter is a 'striking confirmation that he is one of the most crooked presidents in United States history.' He added that Biden 'repeatedly lied to the American people about a pardon,' and 'abused his authority to shield his son from the consequences of his crimes.'

 Some of Wisconsin's Democrats aren't on-board with President Biden's decision to pardon his son. Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin yesterday said pardons should not be used for family members or political favors. She said the president has the power to pardon his son Hunter, but she questioned his decision to do so. Madison's Democratic Congressman Mark Pocan also criticized the president. He said Biden's decision to pardon Hunter will give President Trump 'excuses' to pardon all sorts of people, including the January 6th protesters. Almost every Wisconsin Republican on Capitol Hill yesterday said they were outraged by Biden's pardon. 

  Democrats and public sector unions in Wisconsin are taking a victory lap after a Dane County judge struck down Act 10. The judge yesterday ruled the 2011 law unconstitutional. Progressive Milwaukee lawmaker Ryan Clancy says the judge's decision returns collective bargaining power to workers, while the state's largest teachers union said the ruling restores the powers that were taken away more than a decade ago. Republican lawmakers say the end of Act 10 could bring-back the skyrocketing costs that had many local school districts raising taxes year-after-year. The top Republican in the Wisconsin Assembly said Act 10 has saved taxpayers 16-billion dollars over the past 13 years. He worries all of those savings will now disappear. 

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser has died.  The Appleton native died Sunday at age 81 several months after being diagnosed with cancer. Prosser was appointed to fill a state supreme court vacancy in 1998 by former Republican Governor Tommy Thompson. He was elected without opposition in 2001, and narrowly defeated assistant attorney general JoAnne Kloppenberg in 2011 before retiring from the court five years later. Prior to that, Prosser represented the Appleton area in the state Assembly from 1979 through 1996, served in the U.S. Department of Justice and as Outagamie County District Attorney.

 There is a search for a missing teenager in Adams County. The sheriff says 16-year-old Aaron Ashbacher went missing last Wednesday, and hasn't been seen since. Ashbacher also goes by Madison or Maddie, and was last seen getting into a car at the McDonalds in Westfield. Deputies are asking anyone who knows anything about Ashbacher's whereabouts to please reach out. 

Governor Evers says he's ready to listen to the people about the next state budget. The governor launched a listening tour in Appleton. The governor says he's trying to build a base of support for a new spending plan. Evers continues to want to send more money to Wisconsin's public schools and the UW. He also says he wants to expand Medicaid in the state. The governor has suggested several ways to spend Wisconsin's four billion-dollar budget surplus. However, the Republican lawmakers who control the state legislature and who will write the state budget, have repeatedly said they don't intend to spend any of the surplus. 

 Minnesota's attorney general is encouraging seniors to research all their options before signing up for a Medicare Advantage plan this year.  Open enrollment for Medicare ends Saturday, and some Minnesota health providers have announced they won't accept certain plans next year.  Humana's Medicare Advantage plan has been refused by six providers, including Allina Health, Essentia Health and Sanford Health.  Attorney General Keith Ellison wants seniors to carefully examine the plans available for cost, coverage changes and acceptance before this year's deadline.

Gift cards are one of the most popular gifts around the holidays, but be careful when you're buying them. Wisconsin consumer protection director Michelle Reinen says criminals have ways to take money out of those cards if you're not careful. Only buy gift cards directly from the retailer, and inspect the cards before you buy them to see if safety features are still in place. And never use a gift card to pay someone over the phone. That's one of the favorite ways for criminals to take your money.

A new state park pass model is allowing you to explore for 12 months from the month of purchase rather than having it expire on December 31st. Department of Natural Resources Section Supervisor Chris Pedretti says the sticker itself is slightly different.  Passes can be bought online at the DNR’s website.

A holiday train that tours parts of Canada and the U.S. to collect food for those in need will be returning to Minnesota next week.  The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will enter the state next Tuesday, making stops in La Crescent, Winona, Wabasha and Hastings.  It will travel to Cottage Grove and St. Paul next Wednesday, then move on to Golden Valley, St. Louis Park and Minneapolis next Thursday.  Additional stops as the train travels into the northwest part of the state will happen next Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  More information is available online at CPKCR-dot-com.

Local-Regional News Dec 2

 One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident in Ellsworth Township yesterday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 28-year-old Josehp Jordan of Stillwater, MN was traveling northbound on Hwy 65 when he lost control and entered the ditch.  Jordan was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Two people were injured in an UTV accident in Ellsworth Township on Friday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 55yr old Lonnie Huppert of Ellsworth was traveling eastbound on Hwy 72, and while attempting to turn onto 530th Street, he lost control and the UTV overturned.  Passenger 27yr old Bret Welty of Ellsworth was med flighted to Regions Hospital, while Huppert was taken to River Falls Area Hospital.

An Osseo man was arrested for OWI after a one-vehicle accident in Unity Township on Thursday.  According to the Trempeleau County Sheriffs Department, 33yr old Daniel Quintor of Osseo was traveling southbound on Hwy D just north of Hotchkiss Road when he went off the roadway, struck a utility pole guide wire, and then went into a pasture before striking a road embankment.  Quintor was taken to the hospital and later arrested for OWI.

 Chippewa Falls Schools may be short, even with their new seven-and-a-half million-dollar tax increase. The school district says it is looking at a million-dollar-plus deficit over the next two years, even after the three-year referendum that passed this year. The school district said their finances only get worse after that. There's no word about possible budget cuts or another tax increase at this point. Some say the state of Wisconsin needs to step up and send more money to local schools, but lawmakers say local schools across the state already get plenty of money and simply need to do a better job of living within their means. 

 A 33-year-old Monroe County man is facing multiple charges in connection with a Thanksgiving night stabbing.  The stabbing happened at a residence in the town of Tomah, about 43 miles east of La Crosse.  Attempted first-degree homicide and disorderly conduct are among the charges against Justin T. Novak of Tomah.  A police department news release on Saturday said the victim is in the hospital, but there's no word on the victim's identity or condition.  Novak is being held in the Monroe County Jail in Sparta.

The battle to drive thousands of crows out of Rochester is underway.  The city estimates that 20-thousand crows spend the winter in Rochester, creating a safety and health hazard in areas where they gather.  The city is working with the Mayo Clinic and the USDA on the problem, with trained personnel using air rifles to kill some of the birds.  They hope to create a sense of danger that will cause the crows to look for another winter home.  The abatement effort will continue through Thursday, mainly between the hours of 3 to 11 p.m.

 Wisconsin's Democratic Party boss is looking to move up. Party chairman Ben Wikler yesterday announced a bid to become the next Democratic National Committee chairman. Wikler said in a video that he wants to unite the Democratic Party, fight, and win. Wikler successfully led the Democratic Party of Wisconsin to a series of wins, including Governor Evers' statewide victory in 2022. He also helped raise millions of dollars for Democratic candidates across the state. There's no word who all he will face in the bid for the DNC's top spot. 

Seeking a serial arsonist in northwest Wisconsin. There were no new suspicious fires reported over the weekend in Sawyer County, where the sheriff's office and Wisconsin Department of Justice state fire marshal's office are seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect in six fires over a ten day period in the Radisson, Exeland, and Birchwood areas. Sawyer County Sheriff Doug Mrotek last week released surveillance footage of a person near the scene of one fire. Anyone with information that may aid the investigation is urged to contact the tip line established for this investigation at 844-267-0711

An Arizona produce company is recalling whole cucumbers due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recall affects cucumbers sold in over two dozen states and Canada between October 12th and November 26th. It includes all sizes of SunFed cucumbers, which may have been sold in various stores and restaurants. Customers are advised to check their cucumbers at home and dispose of any that are part of the recall for safety.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals is asking state officials for more information about how they determined eligibility for the state's first social equity license lottery.  Several applicants hoping to get one of the licenses sued after their applications were denied by the Office of Cannabis Management.  A district court judge blocked the agency from holding the lottery earlier this week, but pushed the case to the Court of Appeals for further consideration.  A timeline for hearings on the lawsuits has not been announced.

Wisconsin election results are finalized.  Results of the 2024 General Election are now official after Wisconsin Elections Commission Chair Ann Jacobs publicly canvassed them Friday morning. The signing of the canvass statements is the last major step of Wisconsin’s certification process. Results of all state-level and federal contests are now verified, and for most contests, a certificate of election will be issued. In the U.S. Senate and Presidential contests, there are some administrative steps that remain. More information on that can be viewed at the Elections Commission website. Once ready, WEC will post copies of canvass paperwork at the website, including copies of the signed canvass statements and official result totals for state and federal contests.

Senator Amy Klobuchar is happy Congress has passed a reauthorization bill to assure support for Alzheimer's and dementia patients.  The Minnesota Democrat spoke about the bill at a senior living facility in Minneapolis on Wednesday.  Klobuchar says the measure provides money to state and local health departments to help with the early detection and diagnosis of dementia, as well as providing support for unpaid caregivers.  Several state programs have already received funding through the bill, including efforts by the Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Minnesota.

The committee that ran the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee raised over $90 million.  A filing with the Federal Election Commission showed the Milwaukee 2024 Host Committee raised just over $92 million since it began receiving donations in 2022. The filing also revealed the committee has around $3.9 million remaining in the bank. Committee Treasurer Tim Sheehy said the committee still has to pay some final bills, but believes there will be a “couple million dollars remaining,” that will likely be donated back to the community to support education, workforce development, and resources for veterans. Sheehy said the original budget for the RNC was around $65 million but grew due to inflation and increased costs. The convention was held July 15-18 in downtown Milwaukee.

It's another sign of the season in Wisconsin. Lake Trout season begins on Lake Superior on Monday. The DNR says fishermen can head out on both of the lake's trout management areas, though there are different quotas for each. The overall quota, however, is 15 thousand fish this year. The DNR is reminding fishermen that lake trout must be a minimum of 15 inches long, and only one fish over 25 inches may be kept.