Local-Regional News Nov 20

 

The Durand City Council has approved a resolution that having the city join the new Durand Fire District. The new district is a result of a merger between the city and rural fire departments. The new district will go into effect on Jan 1. Other townships are expected to join the district before then.

Sentencing is scheduled today for an Eau Claire man convicted in connection with the death of a Dunn County corrections officer. Officer Jeff Reynolds was killed in a Christmas Eve 2024 vehicle collision on US 12 near Menomonie. Defendant Mark Sokolowski pleaded guilty in September to charges including homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle.

The Wabasha Police Department is working on solving an ongoing feral cat problem on the city’s west side. The department is working with several individuals and agencies and is placing live traps in the mobile home park as part of a trial run to capture a few of the cats. All captured cats will be spayed or neutered and then relocated to area farms. Residents are asked to not disturb the traps.

The Lake City Public Works department is alerting residents that received a letter from American Water Resources of Minnesota regarding an optional insurance program that Lake City utility customers already pay a montly fee on their utility bill for water service line protection. The protection doesn’t include other utility lines so residents are encourged to review the offer from the company before deciding.

A man charged in a Winona child torture investigation pleaded guilty Wednesday. Jalil Wilson, 30, of La Crosse admitted to false imprisonment with intentional restraint. As part of the plea agreement, he faces up to three years in prison. Wilson will be sentenced on Jan. 29 in Winona County Court.

The Trempealeau County Sheriff's Office is investigating a Wednesday morning crash on State Road 93. The accident happened shortly before 3 a.m. in the Town of Chimney Rock. Reports say a car went left of center and collided head-on with a semi. The car's driver suffered serious injuries while the truck driver was not injured.

A La Crosse County man accused of killing his wife is entering his plea. Investigators say that Zachary Fritz stabbed his wife to death in the couple's Shelby home on June 10th of last year. In court Wednesday, Fritz pleaded no contest by reason of mental disease or defect to a charge of first-degree intentional homicide. He is set to go to trial in February.

A Rochester man is expected to stand trial on rape and assault charges later this year. Police say Donald Priester connected with a runaway 14-year-old girl from Wisconsin in July 2024, picked her up in St. Croix, threatened her with a gun, and raped her twice. The 37-year-old defendant has also been charged with having an illegal firearm and drug possession. Priester is scheduled to return to Olmsted County Court for a pretrial hearing on January 6, and a jury trial is set for January 12.

Bringing new research on aging to UW Madison. A new research center will focus on understanding how metabolic changes associated with aging influence health and cause disease. The National Institute on Aging has recognized the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s strength in aging research through a competitive grant awarded for the Wisconsin Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging. The center will bring together more than 40 researchers from across the UW–Madison campus who work on metabolism and aging, with the goal of generating insights that may one day guide improved approaches to health care. UW and the NIH are investing $6.3 million in the center to foster cross-campus collaboration. Wisconsin joins eight other Nathan Shock Centers, which are named for the first director of the National Institute on Aging, part of the NIH.

The Wisconsin Legislature’s deep partisan divide was on display as the state Senate took to the floor on Tuesday. Democratic Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein criticized Republican authored bills, saying nothing on the day's calendar addressed costs and affordability for working families across the state of Wisconsin. She said Democrats "are frustrated and dismayed.” Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said Republicans addressed costs and affordability with a middle-class tax cut in the latest state budget, while Democrats introduce bills that let local governments increase their levies to raise property taxes. He said Democratic complaints seems "a little disingenuous.” Democratic Governor Tony Evers is expected to veto numerous Republican measures, including bills to prohibit undocumented persons from receiving taxpayer financed health care, to ban local governments from setting up income programs, and to allow new cigar bars to open. The Senate will not return to the Capitol until January.

The Milwaukee Public Museum will be bowing out in a big way next year. The downtown museum announced Tuesday that its final year of 2026 will be an ongoing “Greatest Hits” celebration until its closing in January of 2027. The museum's iconic exhibits, theme days and activities will be spotlighted throughout the year, and two major fundraising events will also happen. There’s a schedule of the events online at M-P-M dot E-D-U. When the Milwaukee Public Museum closes, the new Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin will take its place in downtown Milwaukee when it opens in early 2027.

A third-party candidate is entering the Minnesota governor's race. Mike Newcome of Lake Elmo is a buisness veteran who has received the endorsement of the Forward Independence Party. The Forward Independence Party is the descendant of the organization that endorsed former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura in 1998. Newcome is hoping a similar wave of frustration with Republicans and Democrats among voters will carry him to victory in 2026. Newcome's father served in the Minnesota Legislature as a Republican in the '60s and '70s, while his mother worked on several campaigns over the years.

The trees decorating the State Capitol and the Governor's Mansion are coming from Oconto County. The trees were harvested Monday morning at a tree farm near Gillett. According to the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association, a 30-foot balsam fir will take center stage in the Capitol Rotunda. Governor Tony Evers says this year's theme for the holiday tree is "The Learning Tree". Students are being encouraged to make handmade ornaments honoring educators, child care providers, custodians and other school staff and submit them to decorate the tree.

The Tug-of-War event between Vikings and Packers fans is moving to Wisconsin after the permit was denied. When organizers applied for a permit to hold the event at the Stillwater Lift Bridge, Minnesota's Department of Transportation denied it. Now organizers are moving the event to the old toll bridge in downtown Hudson, Wisconsin. The annual Border Battle event started last year with proceeds going to first responders on both sides of the St. Croix river. Organizer Cory Buettner said the last year drew around 150 to 160 participants and about 600 spectators.

Local-Regional News Nov 19

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on joining the Durand Fire District, the Madison Street bids and a new PTO Policy. There will also be reports from the mayor and department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm at Durand City Hall.

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on the start college now and early college credit program approvals for Spring of 2026, reports from administration, and the board will go into closed session to discuss the joint library agreement with the City of Durand. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department is warning of a phone scam. According to a post on the department's social media page, Waumandee State Bank has received reports of a man named Collin calling residents asking for access to their online banking information. This is a scam and the department reminds residents to not share any account information or personal information over the phone.

Travelers flying out of La Crosse Regional Airport now have another carrier to consider. Allegiant Airlines is launching nonstop flights in and out of La Crosse to two destinations next year -- Mesa, Arizona and Sanford, Florida. Flights to Mesa will begin February 6th and flights to Sanford will start May 21st.

Western Wisconsin residents and folks across the state could see an increase in influenza in the coming weeks. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports that only about 23 percent of the Badger State population has received a flu shot for the season. Health officials say that statistic -- combined with an increase in travel during the holidays -- could add up to a rise in flu levels across the state.

The City of Eau Claire is seeking applicants interested in serving on its Landmarks Commission. The commission designates landmarks, landmark sites and historic districts inside of city limits. The commission positions are volunteer roles. More details are available at eauclairewi-dot-gov.


The Rusk County Aging & Disability Resource Center reports they have recently received a donation of nearly 300 life-saving fire suppression tools. The gift comes from the Ladysmith Freemasons Lodge in partnership with the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation. Rusk County Health and Human Services says those tools will be distributed to community members in the days to come.

A sports betting bill is on the fast track at the Capitol in Madison, with the Assembly set to take it up on Wednesday. It would require online operators give at least 60% of revenues to tribal partners under a “hub-and-spoke” model, with bets placed off-site routed through servers located at tribal casinos. Governor Tony Evers said that’s necessary if he’s to sign the bill. Evers also told WISN’s “UpFront” that he’s not concerned about opposition to the bill by major operators including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Fanatics. State Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said his Republican caucus is still discussing whether they can support the legislation.

If you're heading out into the woods this weekend, be sure to wear something visible. Wisconsin DNR warden Jeff Mulroney says blaze orange and hunter pink outdoors wear is inexpensive and widely available. While non-hunters are recommended to wear that clothing, all hunters are required to wear high visibility gear on at least 50 percent of their body and on their head. The nine-day gun deer season opens on Saturday. More info is online at D N R dot WI dot Gov.

A bill to stop SNAP recipients from buying soft drinks, candy, and energy drinks is up for a vote. The Republican-backed measure will be discussed tomorrow in the Wisconsin Assembly. It would need the state's Department of Health Services to apply for a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture if approved. Officials estimate the department would spend around six-million-dollars to create a database of the restricted products.

Legislation introduced at the Capitol would require Wisconsin school districts to serve real butter in school meal programs. State Senator Howard Marklein (MARK’ line) is Senate author of the bill and says the bill was drafted after meeting with farmers at a local Farm Bureau chapter meeting. A student brought home the margarine packets from school lunch. The state already requires real butter in other government-supported meal programs, including at state prisons. Marklein says requiring real butter only makes sense, especially in rural areas where dairy farmers are a big supporter of school districts.

More than 282-million-dollars is being allocated to 74 municipalities to improve water infrastructure. Governor Evers and the state's Department of Natural Resources say the funds come from the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. Key projects include arsenic-contaminated sediment cleanup and grants for counties to implement land and water resource management programs. Officials say the funding continues the state's long-term efforts to provide residents with safe drinking water.

Financially-strapped UCare plans to shut down next year. The Minneapolis-based nonprofit insurer announced yesterday that close to 300 thousand people receiving Medicaid and Affordable Care Act benefits will be shifted to Medica. UCare has already announced the end of its Medicare Advantage plans for next year. There is no word yet on what will happen to the more than 14 hundred who work at UCare, even though Medica said it will need more employees to handle the expected enrollment numbers.

Minnesota organizations are saying cuts to federal housing grants will cause a spike in homelessness. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced plans to limit the amount of money eligible for permanent supportive housing. CEO of Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative has called these funds the backbone of the nation's response to ending homelessness. Alliance House in Minneapolis said without these subsidies, rent will become unaffordable, and more people will be back to living on the street. According to a federal report, more than nine-thousand Minnesotans experienced homelessness during a single night in 2024.

Before you get into the holiday spirit, there's something you should know about decorating your car. Driving with Christmas lights is illegal on Wisconsin roads. State law restricts car lighting to white or amber in the front and red in the rear. If you don't comply, you could face a fine of up to 200 dollars. You are allowed to have decorations on your car as long as they are secured down and don't block your view.

Local-Regional News Oct 18

The Village of Pepin will have to install equipment to the water system to control the Ph levels The Wisconsin DNR ordered the installation of the equipment after a single water test from 2020 show high levels of Ph. While the water is still safe, the DNR still wants the equipment installed due to the lack of enough follow up testing.

A Menomonie man has been sentenced in a child sexual assault case in Dunn County. Ronnie Pichler, 31, was charged in 2024 with first-degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 13. In Dunn County Court on Monday, as part of a plea deal, Pichler was sentenced to ten years in prison, followed by seven years of extended supervision. He must also register as a sex offender. 

A woman arrested and charged following a deadly shooting in Eau Claire back in August is pleading not guilty. Police say that Dakota Bilderback fatally shot her children's father -- 37-year-old Michael Lee -- at a home on Sunset Drive. Lee was found dead at the scene. Bilderback -- who is charged with first-degree intentional homicide -- entered her plea on Monday.

The Wisconsin Farmers Union is welcoming the community to write hand-written thank you letters to local farmers at a letter writing party. WFU will provide all letter writing supplies, including cards, envelopes, writing utensils and stickers. People can write to their favorite farmer, food producer or select a highlighted WFU member at the event. The "Thank a Farmer Letter Writing Party" will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday. November 18th at Market on River.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is approving grant funding for the development of 26 new EV charging stations across the state. Governor Tony Evers says his administration has prioritized ensuring the state's infrastructure meets the needs of the 21st Century since Day One because expanding clean energy and electric vehicle infrastructure helps create jobs and bolster our economy, and it's good for the planet, too. The grants approved will mean the development of new EV stations in communities including Eau Claire, Tomah and Black River Falls.

A Richland County deer farm is being placed in quarantine. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says a deer from the farm has tested positive for chronic wasting disease. Chronic Wasting Disease is spread directly through animal to animal contact and is fatal for members of the deer family. An epidemiological investigation is underway.

 A Rochester resident says he received a scam call in which the caller had very specific details to seem credible. It was around 8 a.m. on Friday when Dan Charlesworth received a phone call from a (507) area code number. When he answered, a person identifying as an Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office claiming he missed a court date. Charlesworth said another person claiming to be a representative from the Olmsted County District Court then got on the line and told him he had missed a court date in reference to a loan from the Small Business Administration back in 2020.  The caller wanted Charlesworth’s personal information but he declined and Charlesworth said he reached out to the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office to verify the caller’s number. Law enforcement and district court confirmed the number used was not associated with them.

Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to create a population goal for wolves in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that the bill from Grand View Representative Chanz Green and New Richmond Senator Rob Stafsholt would require the Department of Natural Resources to include a specific population goal for wolves in the state's wolf management plan. A wolf limit has been backed by hunters who contend Wisconsin's growing population justifies a hunting season, while animal advocate groups argue the population isn't big enough to hunt. A similar bill requiring a statewide limit on gray wolves was passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature in 2023, but vetoed by Democratic Governor Tony Evers.

Three people, including a baby, are hospitalized after a crash on Highway 63 in Olmsted County. The collision happened Sunday morning near West River Road. Minnesota State Patrol says a Chevy Camaro struck a Jeep Compass, which went into the ditch. The driver of the Jeep and a baby both suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Camaro also had non-life-threatening injuries.

Brad Schimel is taking over as US Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The Journal Sentinel reports Schimel was appointed to the role by US Attorney Pam Bondi, noting the process of nominating a full-time attorney broke down. The district covers more than two dozen counties and has courthouses in Milwaukee and Green Bay. Schimel recently ran and lost a campaign for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

A former village trustee from central Wisconsin faces more than 40 counts of animal neglect and abuse. 49-year-old Sean Dumais served as a Village Trustee in Kronenwetter until losing a re-election bid in 20-24. Investigators say he was trusted with caring for and treating several animals but instead left them in unsanitary kennels with no access to food or clean water. Additionally, an Illinois animal rescue group is accusing him of taking more than 100 thousand dollars for animal care services, which were never provided. Police describe the investigation as complex and ongoing, with further court action scheduled for mid-January. Dumais is held in the Marathon County Jail on $10,000 bond.

At the Capitol, a package of Red Tape Reset bills is advancing. State Senator Julian Bradley says the aim is to decrease the administrative burden imposed on households and businesses by state government. A sunsetting bill requires all chapters of administrative code be reviewed, updated or allowed to expire every seven years. Another bill requires any new administrative code regulation with an economic impact be offset by repeal or revision of existing regulations. The Red Tape Reset package recently cleared a Senate committee on a 3-2 partisan vote.

A Minnesota member of Congress wants House Speaker Mike Johnson to hold a vote on President Trump's contested tariff authority. U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison sent a letter to Johnson Monday calling the tariffs illegal. The Democrat from Deephaven is also calling on Congress to regain control of its constitutional authority. Morrison says her letter also has the signatures of a bipartisan group. Last month, three separate resolutions cleared the U.S. Senate overturning Trump's use of tariff power against Brazil, Canada and several other nations under a 1977 emergency authority.

Jaelyn Logterman has won the 2026 Wisconsin State Park and Forest vehicle admission pass design contest. Logterman is a recent graduate of Delevan-Darien High School. Her artwork was inspired by her adventures with her dog. The contest in its 35th year is open to Wisconsin high school students. The second-place winner is Adalynn Zahurance of Rice LAke High School and Elizabeth Bornick of Princeton High School took third place.  

Local-Regional News Nov 17

 

Western Wisconsin and Southeast Minnesota could see the first accumulating snow overnight. A weather system will bring rain into the area tonight and then turn to all snow. Accumulations of 1-3 inches is possible for areas south of I-94 by Tuesday morning. The snow wont last long as temperatures in the 50’s are expected by Thursday.

A Trempealeau County woman is dead after a weekend vehicle crash in Jackson County. Wisconsin State Patrol says that 32-year-old Cortney Schultz was one of two people in a pickup truck that crashed early Saturday near West Blair Road and County Highway N. Schultz suffered injuries that proved fatal. There was no word on the condition of the other person.

Dunn County’s 2026 capital improvement plan includes squad trucks and a new Hvac System. The 2026 capital improvement plan includes $10.3 million for replacing four squad trucks and equipment in the Sheriff’s Department; updating the Judicial Center’s HVAC system; performing park and facility maintenance; and replacing aging network switches to maintain security and performance.  The projects were included in the 2026 county budget approved last week.

The Wabasha County Board is meeting tomorrow morning. Items on the agenda include approval of an agreement between the county and MnDot, approval of 9 different highway projects for 2026, reconsideration the salary for the county attorney and reports from committee chairs and department heads. Tomorrow’s meeting begins at 9am at the old courthouse annex in Wabasha.

Authorities are sharing the name of a person found dead last week at the scene of a La Crosse house fire. Crews dispatched to a Taylor Street blaze early Thursday morning found the body of 27-year-old Alexis Pickett. There has been no word on the cause of the fire.

C-and-M Home Builders have donated 250-thousand dollars to help build a New Day resource center in downtown Eau Claire. The money goes toward the Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council's capital campaign for the center, which will help families and individuals dealing with homelessness. The council is working with Hope Gospel Mission, the city and local community groups in the six-point-four million dollar renovation work on the center.

Plans to develop the last undeveloped plot of land in Altoona's River Prairie District have received the green light from the city. The city's planning commission approved the plan earlier this week. The development proposal calls for a Chipotle's restaurant and another commercial building on the lot. The River Prairie District has seen significant growth over the last decade.

In Vernon County, the trial of a man accused of beheading a UW-La Crosse student has been set for October of next year. Twenty-four-year-old Terry Dolowy went missing in February of 1985 and was found dead days later in a Mohawk Valley Road Culvert. Tomah resident Michael Popp was arrested last year in the case and is charged with 1st degree murder.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development awards 500-thousand dollars to Rochester agriculture industry. The funds will help Workforce Development in Rochester create farming training programs. Over two million dollars was sent to six additional organizations across the state for similar training. Minnesota's Department of Agriculture said the state is not seeing as many people as they'd like working in the agriculture field, hence the need for the funding.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is facing delays in receiving federal funding. The pause may affect state residents who rely on the program to access heating bill support. State leaders are encouraging people to apply now to check their eligibility for benefits. Crisis funding and utility protections are helping ensure households do not lose heat during the delay. Funds are expected to be available in several weeks.

Democratic state lawmakers are working on bills they're calling the "Keep Wisconsin Fed" package. They say it will protect food access if there is another federal government shutdown. Lawmakers want the bills to protect and expand access to food for Wisconsinites. Democrats say they don't want more uncertainty about Wisconsin's FoodShare program. The bills would match Farm to School grants and would also create a new program that would give grants to food banks so they can purchase locally grown food from farmers.

President Donald Trump recently said banks might have a solution to lowering the price of home ownership for new buyers: a 50-year-mortgage. Madison-area realtor Dave Stark says one of the real issues with the market is that mortgage rates were too low for too long. That lead too many people to buy out homes and take them off the market, which pushed up prices. Now that rates are back to "normal levels" Stark says that's priced a lot of buyers out of the market. It's unclear if any bank will take up the President's suggestion. Stark says adding another 20 years on the existing 30-year mortgages would significantly raise the price of that loan over the long term.

A spokesperson with Appleton Police says a police officer is recovering after his legs were run over by a vehicle. Officers responded to a call about a fight in a parking lot. Officials say they tried to approach driver Katrina Kitzman but she accelerated toward officers, hitting one of them. He was taken to a hospital and has been released. Kitzman is facing felony reckless endangerment, battery and other related charges.

With the federal government opening again, Minnesotans may have to wait a month for energy assistance. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps over 120-thousand households keep the heat on in Minnesota. State officials say receiving the federal funds could take up to 30 days. However, the Department of Commerce says there has been great collaboration between energy providers, Xcel Energy and Minnesota Power. Starting on October 1st, Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule went into effect, protecting eligible customers from disconnections during colder months.

Milwaukee is the place to grab a meal that involves a cheeseburger. That's according to DoorDash's "Cheeseburger Index," which was recently released in the food delivery company's "State of Local Commerce" report. It looked at 100 cities and how much consumers spent on food, orders delivered to commercial buildings, and other factors. The index showed Milwaukee is the second-cheapest place to grab a cheeseburger, fries, and soda from a variety of restaurants, including fast food. The average cost was eleven dollars and 36 cents.

Local-Regional News Nov 14

 

One person was injured after a semi accident in Gilmanton Township on Wednesday. According to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, 68yr old Michael Meyer of Mondovi was traveling southbound on Hwy 37 when he drove off the road and onto the southbound shoulder. Myer over-corrected and lost cont of the semi causing it to jack-knife in the southbound ditch. Meyer was treated on scene and released. Hwy 37 was closed for two hours as crews cleaned up the scene.

The Pepin County Board Authorized borrowing of up to $500,000 for the highway department. Pepin County Board Chairman Tom Milliren says this helps the highway commissioner bring in extra money for projects through grants.  The board passed the borrowing on a unanimous vote.

Dunn County will have an ambitious road improvement program in 2026. This week the budget for 2026 was passed and includes improvement of almost 17 miles of county highways in 2026, along with two bridge replacements and one bridge rehabilitation project, a considerable increase over the historical number of miles usually improved.  The total county budget will increase 1.54 percent to $83.4 million, while the tax levy will increase 1.73 percent to $25.2 million.

One person was injured in an ATV accident Thursday in Trempealeau County. According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Department, 26yr old David Kvistad was on private property an attempted making a left turn at high speed when he was thrown from the ATV. Kvistad was med-flighted from the scene to a La Crosse Hospital.

Two teenagers have been identified as the suspects in a shooting in downtown Chippewa Falls Monday.  Chippewa Falls Police arrested Carter Michael J. Murphy, 19, and Leonardo L. Campbell, 18, after police responded to gunshots Monday night in Downtown Chippewa Falls. Murphy faces multiple charges, including possession of stolen firearms and bail jumping. Campbell faces charges of recklessly endangering safety and obstruction. Formal charges have not yet been filed. 

The man accused of firing shots in a Winona neighborhood on Nov. 6 appeared in court Thursday for his first appearance. Jonathan Marquist Payton, 40, is accused of endangering safety with the intentional discharge of a firearm and the reckless discharge of a firearm. Payton is also charged with a third felony for possessing a gun with a previous criminal conviction. His next court appearance is set for December.

Compeer is alerting its customers of a caller impersonating a Compeer Employee asking for financial information. The calls appeared to be from Compeer Financial’s (800) 705-6603 number. The caller identified themselves as a member of the Compeer Financial team and claimed they were verifying a transaction. In some situations, clients receive follow-up text messages.  Compeer is reminding customers they do not ask for personal information over the phone or text. If you receive a call or text you are asked to contact Compeer via the phone number at compeer dot com.

Wisconsin lawmakers introduce legislation that would expand vehicle ignition interlock device requirements. The bipartisan bill would allow people convicted of operating while intoxicated to get a restricted license sooner after installing an ignition interlock device. The bill also would require people to use their device for 180 days without tampering or trying to bypass it. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, in 2023 182 people died in Wisconsin crashed where alcohol was a factor. The bill had a public hearing in a Senate Committee this week at the Capitol.

The parent company of Facebook and Instagram is planning to build a massive data center northwest of Milwaukee. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation says Meta wants to build a one-billion dollar campus in Beaver Dam, which they expect to be completed in 2027. State officials noted the center will support roughly a hundred jobs. The Beaver Dam location would join Meta's massive network to process and store user data.

Health care employers are being encouraged to apply for training grants. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has a new round of grant funding available for state health care employers that will help them train workers and fill critical workforce needs. Grant funding would reimburse those health care employers for developing training alongside community partners like nonprofits, educational institutions, Tribal governments, or workforce development boards. The health care and social assistance sector makes up 15% of the state's employment. There's a total of $2.25 million in grant funding available.

Authorities are investigating the case of a 14-year-old girl who weighed 35 pounds, which led to multiple arrests. Officials say the child was hospitalized in Outagamie County with several injuries, including multi-organ dysfunction. Three people, Walter Goodman the Third, Savanna LeFever, and Kayla Stemler were arrested for felony child neglect. Their court dates are set for this month and all face decades in prison if convicted. Goodman's wife, Melissa Goodman, was also arrested and is awaiting charges.

The DOJ is investigating Cargill for allegedly price-fixing beef. The Minnetonka-based company is among several meatpacking companies being investigated amidst soaring beef prices. Without evidence, the White House is accusing JBS, Tyson Food, National Beef and Cargill, for potentially colluding and manipulating prices. These companies control about 85 percent of the U.S. beef-processing market, meaning any price-tampering could greatly exploit American consumers, farmers and ranchers. Average beef prices have climbed by one dollar and 27 cents since 2020, which is more than double the rate of inflation.

The deal reopening the federal government would kill Minnesota's Hemp-Derived THC market. On Monday, the bill that passed the U.S. Senate which includes an effective ban on hemp products containing more than point-four milligrams of THC. If passed, the federal ban would take effect one year after it's approved. Carol Moss, an attorney representing several Minnesota hemp businesses is calling the bill an industry-killing change. Before the state legalized recreational marijuana, Minnesota was a pioneer for the industry that could potentially become illegal.

Governor Tony Evers is inviting you to contribute ornaments for this year's holiday tree honoring troops. The Tribute to Our Troops Tree tradition began in 2005 and honors Wisconsin service members who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Ornaments can be sent in honor of Wisconsin service members, past and present, in Wisconsin and abroad. The invitation is open to families of all service members and can be personalized. If you want your ornament to be included in this year's tree, it needs to be received no later than November 20th. Ornaments will then be displayed throughout the month of December.

Local-Regional News Nov 13

 

The Pepin County Board passed the 2026 budget last night. The budget has a total tax levy of $5.7 million, an increase of $12,532. The mill rate for the new budget is $5.06 per $1000 of equalized value. Total Equalized value in Pepin County was just over $1.1 billion, an increase of $107 million.

The Dunn County Board approved the 2026 budget last night. The budget has a total tax levy of just over $25 million. The $111 million budget includes $11 million for Facilities Operations, $9 million for the sheriff’s department, just over $7 million for administration and $5 million in debt service.

Buffalo County has a new budget. The county board approved the 2026 budget last night with a tax levy of just over $6.5 million. The $7.9 million budget includes debt service of just over $1.2 million, along with $140,000 for the county library and $14,000 for aid for county bridges.

The Pierce County Budget has been approved. The new budget will have an operating tax levy of $17.5 million with a mill rate of $3.66 per $1000 of equalized value. Pierce County saw the equalized value jump by 6.7% in 2025 for a total of just over $6 billion.

Another candidate for the 3^rd Congressional seat in Wisconsin. Rodney Rave from Black River Falls announced his campaign yesterday in Black River Falls. According to a press release, Rave will run as a Democrat and will be focusing on affordability with accountability, and fair treatment for rural communities. Rave is the latest in a crowed democrat field to enter the race to face incumbent Derrik Van Orden for the 3^rd Congressional seat.

Residents in parts of Mondovi may be without water today. The city reported a water main break yesterday in the Milomere Drive, Jefferson and Oak Street vicinity. City Crews are expected to repair the water main today, and during the repairs water will be turned off. The main should be back in service by the end of the day today.

The 22nd annual Women's Business Conference drew hundreds to Eau Claire's Pablo Center yesterday. The conference provided more than 450 women with educational resources for entrepreneurs and business owners. Western Dairyland sponsored the conference and also offers year-round training and resources for business executives.

After two years under construction, the school district of Cadott has opened the doors on a new 29-thousand square foot technical education center. A ribbon-cutting formally opened the center yesterday. The school's construction was part of a ten-million dollar referendum last year. All other projects funded through the Cadott referendum have been completed.

University of Minnesota is looking to expand its Rochester campus. This comes as the Rochester campus saw an 80-percent enrollment spike in what is the campus' largest freshman class ever. It surpassed one-thousand students in 2024, and this surge has leaders both celebrating and scrambling. On Tuesday, Chancellor Lori Carrell, shared plans to accommodate up to 25-hundred students by building more academic space downtown. The university owns approximately five acres of land near Soldiers Memorial Field Park and hopes to turn it into a, "student residence and recreational district."

Governor Evers is calling on the federal Education Department under the Trump administration to release overdue funds for rural and Tribal-operated schools. Evers says the delay is harming around 20 school districts and more than 21-thousand students who rely on the funds for basic operations. The money was supposed to arrive last month but remains unpaid. Evers claims the department has provided no guidance on when it will be released. He is demanding immediate action from the DOE to ensure funds reach the districts immediately.

Trial dates are set for the man accused of stalking Chief Justice Jill Karofsky. Officials accuse 37-year-old Ryan Thornton of sending threatening emails and making multiple calls to Karofsky and the Office of Lawyer Regulation between August and October. This comes from Thornton's belief that the court improperly handled his grievance against a former attorney. Thornton was arrested last month and is charged with one felony count of stalking. His trial is scheduled to start at the end of January 2026.

Safety advocates and families of drunk driving victims are urging state lawmakers to strengthen ignition interlock laws. This follows a Senate Bill under consideration that aims to prevent repeat operating-while-intoxicated offenses. Between 2006 and 2023, ignition interlock devices prevented around three million drunk driving incidents in the state. More than 18-thousand OWI convictions were made in 2024, while nearly half of traffic fatalities involved alcohol or drugs.

Report cards for public school districts statewide are showing almost all of them meet expectations. The state's Department of Public Instruction notes that 94-percent of districts earned a rating of "Meets Expectations" or above. Evaluations are based on achievement, growth, target-group outcomes, and on-track graduation rates. DPI officials note that the ratings cannot be directly compared with previous years due to updated benchmarks.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is issuing an executive order to create a statewide Veteran Food Pantry Network for veterans and service members. The governor's office took action after mentioning that records from the government's Department of Veterans Affairs shows that 13 percent of vets on health care with the VA have food insecurity. Thousands of Minnesota vets also depend on SNAP, which has been challenged by the federal government shutdown. Veterans Affairs officials are expected to partner with nonprofits, government agencies and other entities in order to support the network. Minnesota is home to more than 280 thousand veterans.

A surprise over the weekend for a group of Wisconsin veterans. A post shared on the Badger Honor Flight Facebook page captures former President Barack Obama greeting the group of Korean and Vietnam War veterans and their families moments after their flight from Madison arrived at Washington National Airport. Obama thanked the veterans for their sacrifices as something that will always be honored, and noted the mild 70° day in DC. Veterans and their families thanked the former president, who also shook hands as the veterans exited the plane and presented each with a Presidential Challenge Coin to express his personal gratitude for their sacrifices. 

Local-Regional News Oct 12

 

The City of Mondovi will bring the Miss Mondovi program under the city’s umbrella. During last nights meeting the council approved having the program be covered under the city’s liability insurance. The council approved appointing the current program members to continue running the program as part of having the program now part of the city government.

The Pepin County Health Department is announcing a program to help farm families coping with dementia. The project is being done in conjunction with the Universities of Iowa and Illinois and is a free online educational series to support caregivers of individuals living or working on or near farms. It is a online class that will begin on January 26^th. For more information on the program contact Pepin County Health or call 319-384-3817.

The Pepin County Board is holding their annual meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include a public hearing on the 2026 budget, authorizing a $700,000 loan for highway road improvement projects for 2026 and approval of the 2026 budget and tax levy. Tonights meeting begins at 7pm in the board room at the government center in Durand.

The Buffalo County Board is meeting tonight. A public hearing on the budget will be held followed by the board meeting. Items on the board meeting agenda include discussion and possible action on the 2026 budget and tax levy, a resolution to borrow up to $500,000 and reports from the chairman and department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 7pm in the board room at the courthouse in Alma.

The Dunn County Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on the 2026 budget and tax levy, a resolution supporting increasing state funding for counties and reports from department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 7pm in the government center in Menomonie.

Arrests have been made in connection with a Monday night shooting incident in downtown Chippewa Falls. Police received calls after 11 p.m. reporting gunfire in the area and responding officers did find property damage. Two people were taken into custody.

A Chippewa Valley resource line that connects folks in need with valuable information will not be shutting down after all. Great Rivers 211 provides folks with information on where to turn for local aid with regards to families, the elderly and the disabled as well as information on addiction, mental health and crisis services. The line serves residents of 13 Wisconsin counties and is funded by Emplify Health who is pulling support due to budget concerns and was to close by the end of the year. Great Rivers United Way says now that they will be stepping in to continue the service.

Eau Claire City Council is approving a substantial increase in the wheel tax. The vehicle registration fee will more than double beginning in 2029 to 50 dollars. The increase was approved on Tuesday by a vote of seven to three.

The State of Wisconsin topped all other states in the most recent Drug Take Back collection. The October event as a partnership between the DEA and local law enforcement through which folks around the country could safely drop off and dispose of expired and unneeded prescription medications. More than 53-thousand pounds of drugs were collected in Wisconsin -- more than in any other state.

A major recall of organic baby formula. ByHeart is recalling its baby formula products after an outbreak of botulism that hospitalized 15 infants in 12 states. That includes the Whole Nutrition and Anywhere Pack pouches, sold at Target, Whole Foods and Walmart. Anyone who has the formula should throw it out immediately. No children have been sickened in Wisconsin, but there have been cases in both Minnesota and Illinois.

Another major Wisconsin retailer is doing away with pennies. Woodman's grocery stores, with 20 locations in Illinois and Wisconsin, will be rounding all cash sales to the nearest nickel, and store self-checkout kiosks will stop accepting cash in December. Digital and debit card payments will remain unchanged. The US Treasury stopped minting pennies this year, and shortages are already taking place across the country.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Department of Health Services reminds businesses in the FoodShare program they cannot turn away QUEST card users. On October 31st, Governor Evers signed Executive Order number 278, which prohibits price gouging due to the loss of FoodShare funding. It also calls on grocers and retailers to ensure relevant resources are readily available for Wisconsinites and the state and state agencies can utilize every available tool and resource to support during the government shutdown. FoodShare members who are wrongfully denied the ability to use their QUEST card to purchase food when they have a remaining balance should call Wisconsin's Consumer Protection Hotline. At this time, full November FoodShare benefits are available on all QUEST cards.

Minnesota applies for a share of Trump's rural health grant. The one-billion-dollar grant would go towards improving rural healthcare would help supplement looming cuts to the federal Medicaid health program. Minnesota should find out in the next month if it will receive its share. Each state applied for 200-million-dollars per year for five years, but the amount could vary. Federal leaders have said that states can't use the funds rather than funding to keep struggling hospitals afloat.

At the Capitol, proposed legislation would require additional labeling for lab grown protein. State Senator Romaine Quinn says the bill would place labeling requirements on food products that contain cultured animal cells or tissue. If signed into law, products containing cultured animal cells or derived from cultured animal cells would be required to be labeled with the phrase “lab-grown meat.” Quinn says it’s hard for consumers to choose if they don’t know what they’re buying. The bill was introduced in the Senate and has bipartisan support along with co-sponsors in the state Assembly.

The American Lung Association has released its annual State of Lung Cancer report. Spokesperson Michael Seilback says Wisconsin is above average when it comes to treatment and is 14th in the country when it comes to five-year survival rates for lung cancer. Seilback says one area Wisconsin could improve is biomarker testing, as it's one of 28 states that has yet to require any insurance coverage for lung cancer biomarker testing. Biomarker testing lets those diagnosed with cancer find treatments that work specifically for the tumor they have. Wisconsin’s most recent rate of lung cancer cases is 55.5%, higher than the national average of 52.8%.

UW-Madison is launching a new public policy undergraduate program available next fall. La Follette School director Susan Yackee says it can be obtained under a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. The degree will prepare students to fill roles in government, advocacy and other related sectors. It's the first of its kind in the state.

Sun Prairie food pantry spokesperson Mark Thompson says Kemps, Pick N' Save and Metro Market are donating over 20-thousand shelf-stable milk cartons in Madison. The product is shelf-stable for up to one year. Thompson says 40-percent of those they serve are under 17. The milk is the most requested and chocolate is a favorite.