Eau Claire County and the City of Eau Claire are asking for help from Wisconsin's Attorney General after homeless people have been dropped off in Eau Claire, without consent from the person or the city, by other Western Wisconsin law enforcement agencies including the Durand Police Department, St. Croix County Sheriff’s Department and the Menomonie Police Department. The city and county allege that on October 28 of 2024 Durand Police brought a female to Eau Claire who had not committed a criminal act in Durand and had told officers she was waiting for her ride. The female never asked to be brought to Eau Claire where she was dropped off at a full shelter around midnight. The female had contact with Eau Claire Police and was taken to the hospital. A short time after that she was arrested by UW-Eau Claire Police for public urination. The letter, written to Attorney General Josh Kaul by Eau Claire County Corporation Counsel and the Eau Claire City Attorney says the drop offs are unlawful, unprofessional and dangerous to the individual and the public.
The Durand-Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include action on the space availability cap for 2025-26 open enrollment, reports from the district administrator and building administrators, and the board will go into closed session for personnel evaluation summaries. Tonights meeting begins at 6 in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.
The Pepin County Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include adoption of the Shoreland Protection ordinance, a report from the Regional Office Director for the Department of Health Services and county board committee reports. Tonights meeting begins at 7 in the board room at the Government Center in Durand.
Authorities are naming the two men involved in a fatal basket lift incident in Trempealeau County. The two people involved were 63-year-old Douglas Poss and 61-year-old Ryan Poss. According to a press release, the incident happened on Saturday morning. Officials say the two men were in an aerial basket lift trimming trees when it tipped over. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
The new year brings more flight options to the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. The airport saw 13% fewer travelers in 2024 than in 2023. After more than 44,000 travelers in 2024, the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport started the year with a new partnership as United Airlines is back at the airport with daily flights between Eau Claire and Chicago. It is hoped that with the new daily flights it will increase tourism and use of the airport. Sun Country is also providing non stop flights to Ft. Myers Florida until April 7th.
A group of eight people are filing a complaint with the city of Wausau Ethics Board after the removal of the city's absentee ballot drop box. In September, Wausau Mayor Doug Diny removed the city's drop box without agreement from Wausau City Clerk Kaitlyn Bernrade. While the drop box was returned, a letter to the Ethics Board says the group believed Mayor Diny violated a section of the ethics code. They say they're concerned that Diny's actions violate federal voting rights, intimidate voters from using secure drop boxes, and undermine the security of those same drop boxes. A ruling in 2024 doesn't force or require the use of drop boxes. The decision is up to the clerk's discretion
The Republican controlled Wisconsin State Assembly passed a bill Tuesday that will allow voters to add an amendment to the state constitution requiring a photo ID to vote. Assembly Minority Leader Democrat Great Neubauer says the Assembly should be taking up issues Wisconsinites are concerned with. Speaker Robin Vos countered, saying Democrats haven't introduced any other bills to take up. If passed in April, the amendment would require voters to show a valid voter ID from the state, the federal government, a federally recognized Native American tribe, or a state college or university.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday over how the Department of Natural Resources can enforce the state's hazardous spill laws when it comes to PFAS. Conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley says the D N R doesn't have the authority to force cleanups until the legislature decides how much PFAS can be considered hazardous. Liberal Justice Jill Karofsky says the argument from Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce is misleading because the D N R has the authority to regulate spills whether or not the individual chemical is listed in state statues. The court's Liberal majority may make a ruling on the issue before the spring elections, when liberal justice Ann Walsh Bradley will be stepping down.
A federal judge in Minnesota has tossed out an expert's testimony after artificial intelligence was used to draft a court document. The expert had submitted testimony on behalf of the Minnesota Attorney General's Office in a case challenging the state's new law on election deepfakes. The document submitted was analyzed and found to contain citations that did not exist. The expert admitted that he used ChatGPT to draft his document and asked for a chance to submit an amended version of his testimony. The judge ruled last week that the submission had "shattered" the expert's credibility with the court and denied the request.
The widow of a Minnesota man who died while testing a stunt cart before a parade is filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Ryan Colligan died last August during a crash before a Shriners fundraising parade in La Cresent. The suit alleges that Shriners International failed to provide proper safety precautions. One claim was that Colligan was not offered the option of wearing a helmet before he drove a motorized cart that he never operated before. The lawsuit is seeking 50 thousand dollars or greater in damages.
Last week, Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza and other state officials were informed that Wisconsin had not been picked as the location for Belgian potato company Agristo's first US headquarters. Mayor Mike Wiza says a deal that could still be made with Agristo at a later date. Agristo will finish the deal with Grand Forks, North Dakota this spring, estimated to create 300-350 jobs.
A Dakota County judge is ruling that Minnesota State Representative Brad Tabke remains the winner of a Shakopee area House race. This decision comes after the DFL lawmaker's opponent Aaron Paul filed a lawsuit contesting the result of the November election. Tabke won by 14 votes, while 20 absentee ballots remained missing. Judge Tracy Perzel says Paul has not proven his case. He can appeal the judge's ruling to the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Wisconsin has a new Office of Violence Prevention. Governor Tony Evers signed an Executive Order creating the office today and directed ten-million dollars of funding to get it started. He says the office will focus on prevent violence and gun violence statewide, a response to the Abundant Life Christian School shooting from almost a month ago. Evers says his 2025-2027 budget will include funding that aims to support the Office of Violence Prevention as a permanent fixture in Wisconsin.
A former Minneapolis police officer connected to the death of George Floyd will be a free man. The Federal Bureau of Prisons says J. Alexander Kueng is scheduled to be released today from the FCI Elkton facility in Ohio. He was one of four officers who were convicted for the death of Floyd in 2020. Kueng was charged at the state level with three and a half years of prison time after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. He also served a three-year federal sentence after he was charged with violating Floyd's rights. Kueng will be under supervision in both his state and federal cases.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Salt Wise are inviting the public to learn more about the impact of road salt in drinking water and freshwater ecosystems. Winter Salt Awareness Week is happening from January 27th through the 31st and there will be a series of YouTube live streams with speakers and topics on the impact of salt and ways to be an advocate of freshwater. Anyone interested in watching the livestream can register through WinterSaltWeek.org, or watch it afterwards on the Wisconsin Salt Wise Youtube Channel.
No comments:
Post a Comment