Local-Regional News March 31

 A Dunn County teenager is in custody after a fatal hit-and-run accident on Saturday evening. According to the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to a call of a female lying in the ditch that appeared to have been struck by a vehicle on Hwy Y between 330^th and 370^th avenue in the town of Dunn. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Information was received about the location of a possible vehicle involved in the accident, and upon investigation, a 17yr old female was taken into custody for OWI 1^st offense, Hit and Run Causing Death, Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle and other charges. The accident remains under investigation.

The City of Durand has hired CIT Technologies for a new computer system and IT services. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city is always looking at ways to improve computer services.  The new computer system should be up and running in a few weeks.

The City of Mondovi is reminding residents that a letter being received from a group called the National Police Association is not affiliated with the city and any funds received from city residents would not be donated to the city police department. The city is reminding residents to be cautious when receiving mail asking for donations.

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department is informing residents of the pending release of a sex offender back into the County. Jason Rinn, who was convicted of 1^st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child has completed his sentence and will be released tomorrow and be living at a residence in Alma. Rinn will be under the supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections

One person was injured in a motorcycle vs vehicle accident Friday afternoon in the town of Gale. According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Department, a juvenile was operating a minibike in the ditch of Hwy AA and struck a vehicle exiting a driveway. The juvenile sustained serious but non life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital.

Seven people have been arrested in a drug bust in Black River Falls. Police served a search warrant on the 800 block of Pierce Street and found drugs and drug paraphernalia. Drugs found in the house included cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and different prescriptions that tested positive. Six of the people are being held in jail as one was released due to medical issues. The seven individuals ranged in ages 29 to 53. Everyone has been charged and awaiting their initial court appearance.

Candidates for the Wisconsin supreme court race are ramping up and making one final plea for why voters should vote for them. Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford are making their final pitches as we are a day away from the April 1st election. Schimel was in Janesville over the weekend and plans to visit multiple counties on Monday. Crawford was in Madison as well Mequon talking to potential voters. Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

A US Bank executive is believed to be dead after a small plane registered in his name crashed into a home in Minneapolis on Saturday. The unidentified pilot died in the crash and no other injuries were reported, authorities said. US Bancorp released a statement saying that they are aware that the plane that crashed in Brooklyn Park on Saturday was registered to Terry Dolan, it's vice chair and chief administration officer. The medical examiner's office is expected to release the identity of the pilot killed in the crash once the investigation is over.

Be wary of anyone claiming to be a celebrity contacting you directly. Lisa Schiller with the Better Business Bureau says criminals like to target fans with these tricks, in order to lower their suspicions. Then they may spend several days or even weeks before asking for money. Schiller says they've seen an increase in these types of scams, most recently with Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens. If someone contacts you out of the blue and starts asking for money, even if they seem trustworthy, be wary.

As expected, Governor Tony Evers vetoes a bill dealing with testing standards in Wisconsin’s K-12 schools. The Republican authored legislation would have reset state report card standards to levels set in the 2019-20 school year, align grades 3-8 with national standards, and restore high school testing standards to levels set in the 2021-22 school year. It also would require DPI to bring back the previous terms for pupil performance assessments. Republican lawmakers argue those changes made it more difficult to track student performance. The Democratic governor had previously signaled his intention to veto the bill.

Governor Tony Evers announces new efforts to hire fired federal workers. The Evers administration has a new portal to assist federal workers, or other displaced professionals find in-demand, difficult-to-fill roles across Wisconsin and state government agencies. They can research career opportunities based on skill set and the local job market, and access critical resources. The Evers administration also announced eight new virtual job fairs throughout the month of April to help displaced federal workers find employment, each focusing on a specific expertise. More information can be found by visiting the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development website.

A Milwaukee police officer joins a federal lawsuit against a gun manufacturer. FOX 6 Milwaukee reports Officer Yang Lee is included in the suit which claims the SIG Sauer P320 fires without a pull of the trigger. Lee's pistol went off as he searched a vehicle in 2022, striking and injuring his partner. A Philadelphia-based attorney is representing over 100 people making the same claim about the P320. The lawsuit seeks a recall of the weapon and compensation by SIG Sauer. Milwaukee police stopped using the P320 three years ago.

Minnesota legislators and union members are pushing back on Governor Tim Walz's plan for thousands of state employees to return to the office. The governor released a memo early this week notifying government workers that starting June 1st, at least half of their shifts will have to be in person. State Representative Luke Frederick of Mankato says workers are angry and are threatening to quit. Minnesota Association of Public Employees President Megan Dayton said union members were taken by surprise by Walz's directive. The unions plan to use an appeal process as a part of their collective bargaining agreements.

Eden Prairie-based UnitedHealth Group no longer has mentions of diversity, equity, and inclusion goals on parts of its corporate website. TechCrunch also reports that the health care company scrubbed information from an online career page dedicated to DEI. The change comes during a federal pullback on stated diversity goals at corporations in Minnesota and across the United States. UnitedHealth Group told Reuters this week that it complies with existing and emerging laws while striving to support what is best for the communities we serve.

Cheese enthusiasts can now buy tickets to the Art of Cheese Festival in Madison. The event starts September 25th with the Wisconsin Art of Cheese Open and other events like From Farm to Cheese: A Creamery Tour and Tasting and Art of Pairing Chocolate, Coffee & Cheese. For more information log onto wisconsin-cheese-dot-com.

Local-Regional News March 28

 

After 79yrs a Pepin County Agriculture Club is on the verge of ending. During the annual meeting of the Pepin County Farm Management Club members voted to start the process of dissolving the club. According to President Trevor Baier the last few years have been hard on the club with declining interest in events. Even so, Baier said the members would like to see if there are new people willing to step up and run the club.  If no new board members with a plan are found by September 30^th, the club will dissolve on Jan 31^st and any remaining funds will be distributed to the agriculture programs at Durand-Arkansaw, Plum City, Mondovi and Pepin School Districts. Those that might be interested in the club are to call Trevor Baier or Randy Koller.

Pet owners in the city of Durand will have a new option to keep their pets under control. The City Council updated the pet ordinance to allow the use of electronic collars. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the updated ordinance is similar to the Pepin County Ordinance. The new ordinance goes into effect on April 1.

Western Wisconsin Representative Clint Moses of Menonomie has co-authored a bill that would target ultra-processed food in school meals across Wisconsin. The legislation would prohibit harmful chemicals, including red dye number three, from being served in free and reduced priced school meals. Moses said other states have passed similar legislation limiting the amount of ultra-processed foods in schools. Moses expects the bill to get bipartisan support and make it to the governor's desk for his signature.

A man arrested in connection with a 1974 murder in Dunn County has been sentenced. Yesterday 84yr old Jon Miller pleaded no contest to charges of first degree murder for the death of Mary Schlais in 1974. Schlais was hitchhiking on her way from Minneapolis to Chicago when Miller stabbed her and left her body on the side of the road in the Town of Spring Brook. Miller had left his hat at the scene and in 2022 detectives worked with the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center to use DNA from the hat to identify Miller. Miller was sentenced to life in prison.

The Chippewa Falls Police Department says the person who approached a child at Halmstad Elementary will not be criminally charged. In a social media post last night, the department says the person involved has been identified and interviewed, and based on the information gathered it was determined there was no danger to the public and criminal charges will not be referred to the District Attorney’s Office.

A wild weather weekend is in store for the entire state. Today we will see high temperatures in the mid-70's from Sheboygan south, which will feel very summer-like around some of the state. Over the weekend, temps will plummet to more of a seasonal feel with rain and freezing rain in the northern half of the state. Temps from Green Bay North look to be anywhere from low to mid 30's to low 40's with a mix of snow and rain. Travel may be a bit tricky with slick roads.

According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, over 475-thousand people have voted in the April election to date. Of that number over 240-thousand people voted in-person. The commission wanted to remind people that they can't process the ballots until election day, so results may not come in until after midnight on election night. This is the last weekend of early voting in the state of Wisconsin.

A raccoon in Northeast Rochester decided to climb up a transformer and knock out power to over two-thousand people in the area. The power outage happened Wednesday. Usually animals do not survive something like this when they get into a transformer box. This raccoon got lucky and will not only survive, but animal experts believe that the raccoon will be able to make a full recovery. Power was back on in the area later in the day.

Some Amtrak railcars are being removed from routes between Milwaukee and Chicago due to concerns about corrosion. Amtrak says several Horizon cars are out of service following an inspection. The train services travelers at the Mitchell International Airport, and the Borealis route that was introduced last year. Updated route information is available on Amtrak's website.

Changes are coming for one of Wisconsin’s popular big money lottery games. A ticket in the multi-state Mega Millions game will increase from $2 to $5 per play beginning April 5th. The price change comes with such enhancements in game play as a randomly generated built-in Multiplier which would grow a winning prize anywhere from two to ten times. The lowest prize a player can win doubles from $5 to $10. Starting Mega Millions jackpots will be increased to $50 million, with jackpots expected to grow faster and larger.

A Wisconsin health care provider lifts its mask requirement. Aurora Health Care announced on Wednesday the temporary halt to masking requirements and visitor restrictions in place since January. Lifting of restrictions comes amid an ongoing decrease in respiratory illness among Aurora patients and employees. Masks remain available for visitors at Aurora facilities, and anyone with respiratory symptoms should refrain from visiting.

The Racine Police Department is facing a lawsuit. The suit was filed Wednesday by a man who claims he was mistreated and subjected to extreme and life-threatening conditions while being transported from a Milwaukee hospital to the Racine County Jail last July. The lawsuit alleges that Adam Locke, who was involved in a car crash that left him with significant injuries, travelled in a police van that lacked proper ventilation. Locke claims the trip led to him being hospitalized for five more days and diagnosed with heat exhaustion. A second suit alleges the city of Racine failed to comply with the open records law, including withholding the identities of the officers involved.

The Department of Natural Resources is looking for its next batch of wardens. The DNR expects to hire about 10 full-time conservation wardens for the upcoming 2026 class. Conservation wardens enforce laws protecting fish and wildlife, the environment, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Wardens also teach the public about natural resources, outdoor safety and environmental conservation. The DNR is looking for applicants from various backgrounds, and it says no prior involvement in hunting and fishing activities or law enforcement experience is required. More information is available on the DNR's website.

Minnesota health officials learned that the federal government is cutting 226 million dollars in federal grants. Officials believe that between 150 and 200 people will lose their jobs because of the cuts. Several programs will also be affected because of the cuts. Those programs include free vaccine clinics, transportation for those who don't have reliable modes of transportation and educational outreach programs. Most of the grants approved were during the COVID-era.

A new ticketing system will be introduced at American Family Field on opening day. Brewers fans will now be able to take scans of their face on to the MLB Ballpark App, and simply walk through the entrance after going through security. The stadium says it's a way to get people into the stadium faster. The new system will be available at the Home Plate West and Third Base gates on opening day next Monday, March 31st. 

Local-Regional News March 27

 

The City of Durand is working on financing for the Madison Street reconstruction project. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city is looking at using its Tax Increment Financing District to cover the extra costs of the project.  The city was approximately $1 million short when bids for the project came in last year.

One person was injured in a motorcycle accident in Hartland Township last Friday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 65yr old John Neihart of Bay City was traveling westbound on 690^th Street when he lost control of the motorcycle, and entered the ditch. Neihart was taken to Mayo Hospital in Red Wing.

An area dairy farmer has been named to the World Dairy Expo Board of Directors. Randy Koller was named to the board earlier this year. Randy and his family have a dairy farm east of Durand off of Hwy 85 and he is chair of the Pepin County Dairy Promotions Committee as is on the Dairy Farmers of America Central Council Board and the DFA Corporate Board of Directors. World Dairy Expo is September 30-October 3 in Madison.

Mondovi Police is warning residents of a possible scam. Police received a report of a resident having a note left on the door of their home advising them to contact their mortgage loan servicer as their may be an issue with their mortgage. The number listed comes back to Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance Company. If you don’t work with this company and recognize the information do not call the number listed. Authorities remind residents a normal mortgage servicer would not contact you via a note on your door.

UW - Eau Claire’s chancellor is leaving for a new job. Jim Schmidt was announced Wednesday as new President of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Schmidt was among the Universities of Wisconsin system’s longest-tenured leaders, serving as chancellor at UW-Eau Claire since 2013. UW System President Jay Rothman named Michael Carney as interim Chancellor at Eau Claire effective July 1st. Rothman says Carney is a terrific scientist and leader who will keep the university moving forward. Carney graduated from UW - Eau Claire in 1983 and had been serving as interim provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs.

A new police chief has been named in Tomah. Assistant police chief Eric Pedersen has been promoted to chief. Pederson has been with the Tomah police department since 2005. Before joining the force in Tomah, Pedersen was an MP in the US Army. Pedersen will step into his new role on April 19th.

Wisconsin voters needn’t be put off by President Trump’s latest executive order. Trump’s executive action requires providing proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. Jay Heck with Common Cause in Wisconsin said Wednesday that the April 1st election in Wisconsin for the Supreme Court for the Department of Public Instruction, and many, many local races is a state election, not a federal election. Heck said it's also unclear whether the order is constitutional and will withstand challenges in court. He said the intent appears to be to sow confusion ahead of Wisconsin's state Supreme Court election, in which Trump has endorsed conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel. Trump is also demanding that all ballots be received by Election Day. Ballots received later than that are not counted in Wisconsin.

The man found guilty of killing his former girlfriend is heading for a retrial- three months after her body was found in rural Marathon County. Court records show Jesus Contreras Perez had his conviction for first-degree homicide overturned earlier this month- and the case against him as been re-opened. He was found guilty in 20-22, two years after Cassandra Ayon went missing- though her body wasn't found until last December. It's unclear if new charges will be filed against the 45-year-old, who is now being held in the Clark County jail on a one million dollar bond. No court action has been scheduled at this time.

A Facebook post from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation shows over 40 bald eagles, caught by traffic cameras in La Crosse while gathered on the frozen waters of the Black River near French Island. The impressive sight led to several timely comments on the post, one saying that the river should now be renamed the "Lake of America.”

A former Marquette University employee is accused of living in student housing rent-free. Investigators say Michael Gerard was eligible to live in the Gilman Apartment Building due to his work for the university. WISN-TV reports that he used his employee account to tweak records in a software program to live there rent-free for over a decade. The university calculates an income loss of over $60,000. Gerard is charged with false representation and computer crimes. He's no longer employed by Marquette.

Wisconsin's Supreme Court election isn't the only one setting spending records. According to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, the race for State Superintendent has surpassed the previous record of $3 million spent during the 2021 campaign. The challenger in the non-partisan race, Brittany Kinser, has brought in more than $2 million, including Republican contributions. Incumbent Jill Underly has raised over $1 million, including funding from Democrats. Outside groups have added another $1.5 million for both candidates.

A Wisconsin comedian says criminals are using his name and face in their scams. Fox 6 Milwaukee reports that Charlie Berens, known for his routines and online videos with a lighthearted take on Wisconsin life, has been trying to stop people using his identity to trick people out of money. In one case a woman was scammed for 500 dollars, supposedly to get back stage access to one of his shows. Berens says the character he plays online might ask you for a ride to Culvers or a brandy old fashioned, but not money. He also is worried about people using AI to fake his likeness in a scam, saying there's more regulations to make a bratwurst than to use AI.

The state Building Commission deadlocks on Governor Tony Evers' capital budget. Republican lawmakers argued more discussion is needed, so the $4.3 billion plan now goes to the Republican led Joint Finance Committee with no recommendation. State Senate President Mary Felzkowski told Evers that a lot of worthy projects are being proposed, but she’s concerned about the level of new bonding. It's the fourth straight time the commission has deadlocked, with a vote six years ago believed to be the first time members sent a capital budget to JFC without a recommendation. Evers' proposal includes $493 million for Wisconsin's prison system.

Minnesota is one step closer to seeing cannabis shops in more locations around the state. The Office of Cannabis Management announced yesterday that it submitted rules governing legal cannabis for final approval. If a judge approves the rules, OCM officials can start issuing licenses to business owners. The judge has two weeks to do so. More license lotteries for social equity applicants and general applicants are expected to be held later this year.

A new Minnesota high school girls flag football league is going to start at the end of April. A donation of over 600 thousand dollars from the Minnesota Vikings will get over 50 teams statewide ready to compete in flag football. Most schools will have teachers or support staff as coaches.

Local-Regional News March 26

 

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on hiring CIT Technologies for IT Services, amending ordinance 6-25 to have animals have e-collars, and reports from the mayor and department heads. Tonight’s meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall and will be live-streamed on the WRDN Website.

The Durand-Arksansaw School Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include action on breakfast and lunch prices for the 25-26 school year, renewal of dental health insurance and the board will go into closed session to discuss staff and administrative contracts. 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 a resolution the Governor and Legislature to support County Courts, a budget modification for the Sheriff’s Department’s purchase of radio backup equipment and a resolution to appoint Karen Amsrud as Administrative Coordinator and Finance Director. Tonights meeting begins at 7pm in the Board Room at the Government Center in Durand.

A send off for 6 Durand Youth Wrestlers headed to the State Tournament will be tonight. The Durand Police, Fire and Ambulance Service and Pepin County Sheriffs Department will escort the team through the city starting at 6pm. The escort will depart the school and head south on Prospect to 4^th Avenue West, then to Main Street, then to 2^nd Ave East and back to Prospect Street toward the high school.

Eau Claire County will be searching for a new County Administrator. Last week, current Administrator Kathryn Schauf sent a letter to County Board Chair Nancy announcing that she will retire on July 10^th. Schauf has been County Administrator since 2015 and the county will now begin a search for the next administrator.

A firefighter was injured in a house fire on Trimble Street in Eau Claire yesterday. Firefighters responded to the blaze around 5pm yesterday and found heavy smoke coming from the front of a single story home. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire in the kitchen. One firefighter suffered minor injuries but the residents had evacuated the home safely and three pets were rescued by firefighters.

Governor Tony Evers visited the Chippewa Falls area to push his budget proposal in a round table. Evers met with community members at Milestone Early Education Community on Monday. The focus was on the childcare industry. In his budget proposal, Evers calls for 480-million dollars to continue the Child Care Counts program.

A former mental health nurse is being charged with sexual assault of a patient under her care. Melissa Knutson is facing four counts of second-degree sexual assault and one count of obstruction. Knutson claimed in 2022 she was raped by the patient, but did not report it due to retaliation. Knutson told police that she was forced into a relationship with the patient, but messages and screen shots saved by the patient show otherwise. Knutson was arrested last Friday, and posted 25-hundred-dollar cash bond on Monday.

A new bill was introduced to Wisconsin lawmakers would allow sandhill crane hunting. The bill is created to assist agricultural producers in stopping damages to corn crops from the cranes and allowing the hunting of the bird. The sandhill crane is protected by federal law however, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could open a sandhill crane hunting season to obey the protections.

Great Lakes tribes are withdrawing their cooperation in the construction of a pipeline in northern Wisconsin. The Journal Sentinel reports that construction plans for Enbridge Line 5 line are being fast tracked by the Trump Administration. The line had to be re-routed around the Bad River Tribe reservation in northern Wisconsin after the Canadian company lost its easement through the tribe’s land. Enbridge also plans to run the line under the Straits of Mackinac separating Lakes Huron and Michigan. Last week, six Great Lakes tribes withdrew from the project review process. The tribes in Canada and Michigan said the Army Corps of Engineers had informed them that the permit will likely be issued soon, and that the Corps was no longer acting in good faith. The tribes stated they no longer wished to lend credibility to a project that will endanger the lakes if a leak occurs.

The listing of an empty building on the UW-Oshkosh campus drew no interest from any parties in buying the site. The building which once housed the Campus Center for Equity and Diversity was listed for sale by the Universities of Wisconsin. The deadline for requests for proposals passed earlier this month with no response. The programs which had been in there are now dubbed the Center for Student Success and Belonging, and are located in Reeve Memorial Union. The building was originally constructed in 1968 by the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay as a catholic student center. The building was sold in 2004 to the UW Oshkosh Foundation. UWO purchased the building from the Foundation two years later. A campus spokesperson says they are continuing to explore options for the site.

Unprecedented money continues to pour into the state Supreme Court race. The richest person on the planet, Elon Musk, donated two million dollars to the Republican Party of Wisconsin last week – the largest ever single donation to the state party. On WISN’s ‘UpFront,’ state Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler said Republicans are trying to goose turnout for conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, "by advertising the fact that Schimmel is going to do whatever Donald Trump wants." Republican Party Chair Brian Schimming said Democrats have plenty of millionaire support for liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, and that "suddenly they don't like money in politics. “ The most expensive state supreme court race in U.S. history will be decided when voters go the polls next Tuesday.

A proposed bill in Minnesota is calling for a ban on declawing cats. The legislation, sponsored by State Senator Zaynab Mohamed, would make declawing against the law unless it is for therapeutic reasons. First-time violators would face a 500 dollar fine and one thousand dollars for a second-time offender. The legislation was heard yesterday by a Senate committee and was tabled for a future meeting for consideration. Some pet owners remove claws from their cats to avoid scratches on their furniture or themselves.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is encouraging state residents to consider native plants when refreshing landscaping this spring. Wildlife officials say choosing plant varieties that naturally grow in the area can be very beneficial for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Most native plants are also relatively easy to grow in Wisconsin since they have adapted to suit the region. More information on native landscaping is posted on the DNR webpage.

A Minnesota man is the winner of the prestigious Bassmaster Classic bass fishing tournament in Fort Worth, Texas. Easton Fothergill of Grand Rapids won the Ray Scott Trophy over the weekend for the biggest winning weight in the competition's 55-year history. Over three days, he caught 15 bass weighing 78 pounds, 15 ounces. Fothergill also earned a 300 thousand dollar prize.

Local-Regional News March 25

 

Good news for farmers and manufacturers as the first barges are moving through the Upper Mississippi River. US Army Corps of Engineers spokesman Patrick Moes says ice on the upper rivers and Lake Pepin in Minnesota cooperated this year.  Moes says any time you can transport goods by water, it's cheaper and more efficient.

The fate of an elementary school in the School District of the Menomonie Area is up in the air. The district is considering whether to close Downsville Elementary School due to a decrease in enrollment over the last ten years. The school board will vote on the matter at a meeting on April 15th.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on the Clearstart Water Amended Contract for Services at the new Wastewater Treatment Plant, reports from the mayor and department heads, and the council will go into closed session to meet with legal council on possible litigation the city may become involved in. Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

Pepin County has a new Finance Director. The County Administrative Committee decided to hire Karen Amsrud as the new Finance/Administrative Coordinator. The committee had decided to hire Amsrud as the group of candidates that were found by Public Administrators Associates didn’t meet the committee’s needs. Amsrud takes over for Pamela Hansen who resigned from the position last year.

SwiftCurrent, the internet subsidiary of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services announced a milestone last week. The company announced the completion of its 4,000^th fiber broadband connection. The expansion of fiber internet services in the Pierce Pepin Cooperative Service are4a was made possible in party from funding from the Wisconsin Broadband Capital Projects Fund to help expand broadband internet into rural areas.

Nelson Telephone Cooperative is holding their annual meeting tonight. Agenda items include reports from the board of directors, voting for board members and vote on proposed bylaw amendments. Tonights meeting begins at 7pm at the Durand-Arkansaw High School Gym. The meeting will also be live-streamed on the WRDN Website.

The annual winter moratorium on utility disconnections is almost over. The moratorium ends April15th, and the Wisconsin Public Service Commission urges electric and natural gas customers with outstanding bills to make payment arrangements or apply for financial assistance now. The annual moratorium prohibits utilities from disconnecting residential heating services due to nonpayment, but customers who are behind may be at risk of disconnection if arrangements aren't made by that April 15th deadline. Contact your utility to set up a payment plan or see if you're eligible for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is naming Kara Metzger the new director of athletic bands at the university. Metzger is an alumna and former member of the Blugold Marching Band. She most recently served as director of bands at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. Metzger is replacing Randy Dickerson, who will step down July 1st.

Minnesota officials say that bird flu has been detected in a Stearns County dairy herd. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health quarantined the herd until they meet testing requirements showing it's no longer infected. The MDA also said there is no concern regarding the safety of the milk supply, as all milk sold in stores is pasteurized to kill bacteria and viruses. This is the first bird flu detection in a dairy herd since last summer, and the first since the state began it's milk surveillance program.

Despite reports that younger generations are drinking less, an estimated one in six adults are still binge drinkers. That's according to the latest County Health Rankings and Roadmaps report from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. It also shows that in certain states and counties an even larger portion of adults are drinking excessively. Binge drinking is defined by the CDC as four or five drinks in one occasion depending on sex, and heavy drinking as eight or more drinks for women in one week or fifteen for men. Drinking while pregnant or underage is also qualified as excessive drinking.

State lawmakers are considering a measure aimed at increasing the safety of parking garages across Wisconsin. A bipartisan bill that has been introduced in Madison would require the structures to undergo inspections every five years. The push comes after a garage at the Bayshore Mall in Glendale partially collapsed in 2023, stranding several cars. Back in 2010, a section of concrete fell from a parking structure in Milwaukee County, killing a teenager and leaving two other people hurt.

Wisconsin postal workers are speaking out against suggestions from President Trump that the post office should be privatized. Members of the National Association of Letter Carriers held rallies in Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, and across the country over the weekend, saying broad changes to the U.S. Postal Service would negatively impact mail delivery that essentially all Americans rely on. Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency has reportedly called for ten-thousand job cuts to the postal service and Trump has suggested moving U.S.P.S. under the Department of Commerce, taking away the autonomy of the U.S. Mail.

A landmark at a Wisconsin State Park will soon reopen. The Department of Natural Resources expects the observation tower at Potawatomi State Park to open sometime next month. Originally built in 1931, the tower has been closed since 2017 when an inspection found it was decaying and unsafe. The historic tower has since received renovations and safety upgrades. Governor Tony Evers included an emergency order and $500,000 in funding in his last capital budget. An additional $500,000 was approved to complete the work.

Minnesota DNR officials say black bears in the state are waking up and coming out of their winter dens his time of year. The Department of Natural Resources is warning residents to bring in their bird feeders or risk finding them broken or gone. After hibernating for six months, the bears eat lightly on plants and leftover acorns and fruit before their digestive system gets going. The DNR estimates that 13 thousand to 18 thousand black bears live in the state. They have been expanding south and west and have wandered near St. Cloud, the Twin Cities, and the Rochester area in the past. Sightings in these areas can be reported to the DNR.

Dairy Queen is inviting fans to join them for the company's 85th birthday celebration over the next couple of weeks. They are offering guests a small Blizzard ice cream treat for only 85 cents today through April sixth. In order to get the deal, customers need to redeem the offer in the DQ app and make a purchase of a dollar or more. Dairy Queen is also bringing back their Confetti Cake Blizzard and introducing some other new Blizzard flavors as part of the promotion.

Local-Regional News March 24

Menomonie Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect in an armed robbery of Bob and Steve’s BP Amoco on Saturday night. According to police a male subject entered the business and told the store clerk he had a gun as he went behind the counter and removed cash from the register. He is described as a caucasian male in a brown jacket, grey hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, red had and was wearing a black face mask. Menomonie Police are asking residents in the area to check their security cameras for footage of the suspect from 8pm-9:30pm on Saturday night and to contact police if they have any information.

For the first time in program history, Cochrane-Fountain City boys basketball are state champions. The Pirates earned a 60-54 win over Sheboygan Lutheran in the WIAA Boys Basketball Division 5 championship game on Saturday to take home their first gold ball. This is also Cochrane-Fountain City’s first state title in any sport other than cross country. The team was escorted back home Saturday by the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department along with the Cochrane and Fountain City Fire Departments.

The Buffalo County Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include a presentation by the State Jail Inspector, discussion and possible action on a resolution urging the Governor and State Legislature to support county courts, a resolution on an increase in pay for communications and corrections officers and reports from committee chairs. Tonights meeting begins at 7pm in the board room at the Buffalo County Government Center in Alma.

An Eau Claire officer is found legally justified for a deadly shooting last month. The detective shot at an armed suspect last December after responding to a domestic Investigators say the suspect, Matthew Luke, fired multiple times before leaving the scene. Chippewa County deputies followed Luke until he eventually crashed. He's then accused of firing more shots and hitting an armored car. Both an ECPD officer and a Wisconsin State trooper returned fire, and Luke died at the scene. Administrative review found the ECPD detective's use of deadly force reasonable.

Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that left a home damaged in Eau Claire. Crews responded to the blaze yesterday in an apartment in 400 block of North Barstow Street. No injuries were reported. The fire is believed to have caused 50-thousand-dollars worth of damages.

Changes are coming to the La Crosse Regional Airport next month. Starting April 4th, Air Wisconsin won't be providing services for American Airlines in la Crosse. Instead, Envoy Air will bring in a larger aircraft to take over three daily routes to Chicago. The new planes will provide 25 to 50 extra seats every day.

The Chippewa County Sheriff's Office is receiving federal and state grants. A ten-thousand-dollar grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services will fund safe disposal bags for prescription drugs and fund officer training on opioid abuse prevention. A 100-thousand-dollar federal grant will pay for new law enforcement radios that can communicate on digital frequencies.

A Chippewa Falls building has been recognized by the State of Wisconsin. Market on River won 'Best Total Building Transformation' from Wisconsin Economic Development. Last fall the Wisconsin Farmers Union moved into the building after Machine Tool Camp left the historic building empty. Since then, eight permanent vendors have also occupied the space and residential units have been added to the top floor.

A problem with a control valve automatically shut down Xcel Energy Monticello Nuclear Power Plant Wednesday. Plant representatives said "led the system to automatically take the reactor offline, safely shutting it down as it is designed to do." The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission reports that "There was no impact on the health and safety of the public or plant personnel and that the [emergency shutdown] was uncomplicated with all systems responding as expected." Full operations are expected to be back online by this week.

Presidential advisor Elon Musk is using a controversial tactic in Wisconsin that he used last fall in paying voters for their support. Musk's political action committee is paying Wisconsin voters 100-dollars each to sign a petition opposing what he calls activist judges. The move comes ahead of next month's election between Democrat Susan Crawford and Republican Brad Schimel for a critical seat on Wisconsin's Supreme Court. President Trump has blasted a recent court ruling that blocked his agenda, calling the decision the result of an activist judge. The president has called for the impeachment of the judge who issued the ruling. Last fall, Musk paid voters in Pennsylvania to support Trump in his election bid.

Weather balloon launches are being cut in half by the National Weather Service. Weather balloons are valuable resources that tell forecasters about atmospheric pressure, temperature, wind speeds and other critical information. A NWS official said the temporary setbacks are part of the hundreds of employees that were laid off by DOGE last month. The lack of accurate data can negatively impact timely weather forecasting and possibly the ability to warn the public of dangerous weather conditions. Officials said it'll impact six cities and will work with special observations on an as needed basis.

A consent judgment between the Wisconsin Attorney General and the Kroger supermarket chain is settled. The A-G had joined 30 other state generals in a lawsuit over the chain's alleged role in the opioid crisis. The settlement is about one-point-four billion dollars where Wisconsin will receive about 22-million dollars. The A-G said "These and other funds that we've helped to secure will assist Wisconsin communities with this essential work."

A Hennepin County jury is ruling that the Mall of America is not liable for a young boy who fell 30 feet over an escalator handrail. The group of jurists also determined that Sea Life Aquarium was not negligent in connection with the six-year-old's injuries. The jury did rule that the child's father was negligent and failed to use reasonable care. The boy survived the fall that happened in 2019 but suffered a serious brain injury and some fractures. The jury awarded the child 870 thousand dollars but no one will be responsible for paying it since the child's father was not a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Food trucks will be on hand during Milwaukee Brewers games this season. "The Alley" Food Truck Park will be located on the left-field Loge level of American Family Field, with local vendors offering Mexican and Italian cuisines, as well as grilled sandwiches and gelato. A new bar will also be located near the food trucks. The Brewers open their home schedule March 31st facing the Kansas City Royals.