Local-Regional News March 5

 

A now defunct poultry farming company is convicted of abandoning over 2 million chickens to starve to death across the Midwest. A Buffalo County judge found Pure Prairie Poultry guilty on Wednesday of 30 counts of mistreatment of animals. Prosecutors say P P P delivered 24-thousand chickens to a farm in Mondovi in October of 2022 with the intent to sell them for processing. But P P P ran out of money to pay for feed in 2024, and left its farms to fend for themselves. The chickens from the Mondovi farm were eventually given away, but not before they went more than three weeks without eating and hundreds of chickens died of starvation. Pure Prairie Poultry was fined over 13-thousand dollars, but it is unlikely the court will receive those funds since the company is bankrupt.

A longtime Durand-Arkansaw School District Employee is retiring. Food Service Director Lori Snap will retire at the end of the year. Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the food service program is one of the most regulated parts of any school district.  The district is now looking for a new food service director.

Spring Weight Restrictions are now in effect in Pepin County. The seasonal weight limits will be in effect on all Pepin County Roads effective on Thursday. Axel weight limits will be at 6 tons per axle with a 22 tons maximum gross vehicle weight. Restrictions will remain in place until road conditions stabilize. More information is available on the Highway Department Page of the Pepin County Website.

Democrats introduce a bill they say could make healthcare more accessible and affordable in Wisconsin. La Crosse County Representative Tara Johnson said the BadgerCare public option is designed to extend healthcare coverage to more residents, lower costs and expand BadgerCare enrollment to small businesses. Johnson said public health care keeps prices down because it is not beholden to insurance company stockholders or bonuses for executives, and those savings will get passed on to Wisconsinites. Republican leaders have already adjourned the state Assembly this session.

More details are emerging in an ongoing death investigation in Rusk County. The body of Ladysmith resident Terry DuSell was found on Tuesday. Sixty-two-year-old Charles Allers -- who is currently being held on an unrelated probation warrant -- has been identified as a person of interest in the case. Meanwhile -- DuSell's wife -- Terry DuSell has been taken into custody on a charge of hiding a corpse. Reports say the suspects were having an affair.

La Crosse City Council is considering a measure that would enforce a minimum age of 21-years-old for the purchase or possession of cigarette & tobacco products and electronic vaping devices. Council's Judiciary and Administrative Committee gave its approval to the idea this week with a full council vote planned for next week. If approved, the measure would being La Crosse in line on the matter with state and federal laws.

A Wisconsin-based bottler is recalling more than 600-thousand bottles of water. Nearly a month ago, Portage based Valley Springs Artesian Gold issued the recall, after the bottles were packaged in unsanitary conditions. Last week, the FDA upgraded the recall to a Class 2, which means use of or exposure to could cause "temporary or medically reversible" adverse health ​effects. The recalled bottled water was sold at retailers in Wisconsin and Illinois and sold mostly in 1 gallon jugs, which includes Valley Springs infant water and Daisy Doggy water, along with steamed distilled and natural varieties.

Over 650 federal agents are remaining in Minnesota nearly three weeks after the end of Operation Metro Surge. On February 20th, White House border czar Tom Homan told CNN that the DHS would return its regular footprint of 150 agents. Meanwhile, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem told Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar that fewer than 650 agents remained. At its peak, the operation had roughly four thousand federal agents and officers assigned to Minnesota. In February, Homan told Fox News that if federal agents need to return, they will.

A State Senate committee is considering a bill that would send an extra $14.6 million to UW–Madison athletics and overhaul how athletes' name, image, and likeness deals are handled. Badgers Athletic Director Chris McIntosh told lawmakers the industry is changing fast, and rising costs, including a $20.5 million expense from the House settlement, are putting pressure on UW’s financial model. But student‑athletes say the fallout is hitting them. Track and field athlete Maggie Munson says she lost a $6,000 academic award and that her team has lost nutrition support. She also noted the university tore down the indoor track facility with no plan to rebuild a competition track. The bill passed the Assembly last month with just one “no” vote and would also make NIL contracts exempt from public records laws.

Wisconsin signs off on PFAS and lead water regulations in line with federal standards. Democratic Governor Tony Evers says this updates state limits for several PFAS chemicals and lowers the action level for lead in drinking water, requiring all lead service lines to be replaced by 2037. The announcement comes as national utility groups challenge the federal regulations, and as Evers battles with Republican lawmakers over who can approve agency rules. Wisconsin’s new lead service line rule is set to be published March 30, but the PFAS rule is still pending. Lawmakers are nearing a deal to release $125 million in PFAS cleanup funds.

Governor Tony Evers is calling lawmakers back to Madison to ban partisan gerrymandering. The Democratic governor signed an executive order yesterday for a special session to be held beginning April 14th. Evers wants to see a constitutional amendment passed that doesn't allow gerrymandering, although the amendment wouldn't specify how to draw electoral maps. Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez and both Democratic legislative leaders were absent for yesterday's announcement. It's unclear if the idea has any support from either side of the aisle.

Governor Tony Evers is urging Congress to change new federal restrictions on hemp. The law is set to take effect in November and will ban the sale of most products in the U-S as it sets the legal THC limit in hemp products to trace amounts. Governor Evers says that will jeopardize the 700 million dollar economic impact in the state, along with nearly 35 hundred jobs. Wisconsin had 470 federally licensed hemp producers as of last November. Evers also highlighted the importance of hemp products as lawful alternatives in Wisconsin, where marijuana, even medicinal use, is not legal.

A Republican candidate for Minnesota governor is selecting a running mate. Kendall Qualls has named business leader Brian Nicholson as his lieutenant governor. The GOP hopeful described his running mate as an everyday Minnesotan and a father with a lengthy background in business. Nicholson released a statement claiming that he's ready to step up and be the leader that the state needs. The primary election is set for August 11th. The general election is on November 3rd.

The World Championship Cheese Contest returns to Madison. Cheese producers from 25 countries and 34 U.S. states and territories are competing, entering cheeses, butters, cultured products, and dry dairy ingredients. International judges score each entry on a 100‑point scale, deducting for any defects in flavor, texture, color, finish, or packaging. More details are available at worldchampioncheese.org.

Local-Regional News March 4

 

One person was injured in a single vehicle accident in Oak Grove Township on Sunday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 30yr old Raymond King of Hagar City was traveling eastbound on Hwy 10, when he entered the ditch and struck a tree. King was med-flighted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

A Trempealeau County man is being identified as the person who died after a recent vehicle collision in Jackson County. Seventy-nine-year-old Blair resident Harold Crivitz died after a February 24th head-on collision on State Highway 95 near the Town of Curran. The accident remains under investigation.

Three people are hurt following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 93 and Golf Road in Eau Claire Monday morning. According to Eau Claire police, a vehicle traveling southbound on Hwy 93 attempted a left turn onto Golf Road from the straight ahead lane and was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound on Hwy 93. The three injured were taken to the hospital.

The UW-Stout Cybersecurity program is receiving some national recognition. The bachelors degree program has been named the 14^th best in the nation by Programs. Com. The rankings consider academic quality, affordability, hands on training and curriculum relevance. The program at UW-Stout was created four years ago.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is moving to close an assisted living facility in Eau Claire. The department is revoking the operating license of Care Partners Eau Claire West meaning that the facility's current roster of 51 residents must be transitioned elsewhere. The license revocation comes after the Department of Health Services issued Care Partners multiple violations for failed to provide proper notice to at least seven residents before they were involuntarily discharged.

Two people are in custody as a death investigation continues in Rusk County. The body of Ladysmith resident Terry DuSell was found on Tuesday. Sixty-two-year-old Charles Allers -- who is currently being held on an unrelated probation warrant -- has been identified as a person of interest in the case. Meanwhile -- DuSell's wife -- Terry DuSell has been taken into custody on a charge of hiding a corpse.

The Durand Improvement group has announced a new event for spring. DIG will be holding a Spring Fling Luncheon on April 30^th in the Orton Room at Riverside Grill. Proceeds from the luncheon are going to help with the costs of refurbishing the bandshell at Memorial Park. Tickets are $30 each and will go on sale March 9^th at Ntec.

No new measles cases have been reported at UW-Madison. The University announced Monday that a required 21-day monitoring period for anyone who might have been exposed to the disease last month passed without any new detections. A student in off campus housing contracted the disease following international travel in February, and the school rushed to contact and track down over 4-thousand people who might have come in contact with the patient. The university is requiring all students to report their vaccination status by next week, to better react to situations like this.

Sergeant 1st Class Nicole M. Amor from White Bear Lake, MN dies in Kuwait from Iranian military missile strikes. Amor was one of six American soldiers to be killed since the start of the conflict against Iran. The Pentagon announced yesterday that she was killed by an unmanned aircraft system attack. Four of the six soldiers have been identified as members of the Army Reserve who died Sunday when a drone hit a command center. Their deaths were a day after the U.S. and Israel launched their military operations against Iran.

A southeastern Wisconsin church group is being held up overseas following military strikes by the U.S. The group from Lakeland Community Church in Lake Geneva has been stranded in Jerusalem after most air travel was shut down in the Middle East. They were set to fly back today, but those flights were canceled as the U.S. and Israel started strikes against Iran over the weekend. Members told WISN they are trying to make the most of their trip, despite continuous sirens and having to shelter-in-place.

A Madison Democrat wants answers after a nonverbal student was allegedly given a can of dog food last month. State Rep. Sheila Stubbs spoke to reporters last week after reports came out that a 15-year-old student with autism was fed wet dog food by a Madison East High School staff member. The child's mother, Debra Hawkes, explained her son was given the dog food on February 13th, but wasn't informed about the situation until the following week. Stubbs demanded answers from school leaders and the police. The Madison school district said the accused staff member has been put on leave as they investigate.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission recommends criminal charges against more thirteen people involved in a failed effort to recall Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. In a letter obtained by WisPolitics WEC said it found probable cause that recall volunteers violated election fraud laws. Two allegedly listed false addresses on petition forms, and 11 are accused of turning in fraudulent voter signatures. The findings have been forwarded to the Racine County District Atto for review. The recall campaign came from supporters of President Donald Trump, who criticized Vos for refusing to decertify Wisconsin’s 2020 presidential results. Vos filed a complaint with the Elections Commission after several residents said they found their names forged on recall petitions. In a statement, Vos said he hopes the DA moves quickly to prosecute the individuals.

A case of the Bird flu is being reported in Dane County. The case was identified in a backyard poultry flock, with the affected premises being quarantined. Bird flu can be spread by contact with infected birds, as well as interactions with wild birds or their droppings, equipment or clothing worn by anyone working with animals. Poultry owners are encouraged to continue monitoring their herd and flock health.

Minnesota is suing the Trump administration over frozen Medicaid payments. On Monday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the state Department of Human Services announced the lawsuit. Minnesota's Human Service Department alleges the federal government hasn't shown how the state is not in compliance with federal statutes or provided feedback on a revised action plan. Last week, the Trump administration announced its plan to halt over 250 million dollars in Medicaid payments to Minnesota. This comes as the federal government continues to scrutinize Minnesota's social services programs amid allegations of fraudulent schemes.

A piece of Green Bay Packers history fetches a high price at auction. A certificate from the team's very first stock sale in 1923 sells for over 64-thousand dollars. Belonging originally to W. R. Whittenberg, the certificate was for 20 shares of stock and would have cost Whittenburg 100 dollars. Those shares were sold to keep the newly formed team afloat, and originally raised 55-hundred dollars. There have been 5 more sales of shares since then. The auction was handled by Heritage Auctions, and the new owner was not named. 

Local-Regional News March 3

 

The Dunn County Sheriff's Office is entering into an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The deal will allow select deputies to serve federal detainers on individuals who are already in custody at the Dunn County Jail on local criminal charges. The deal does not grant deputies authority to enforce federal immigration laws or to participate in immigration enforcement activities such as arresting individuals based solely on suspected immigration status.

A candidate is throwing his hat in the ring to be Wabasha County’s next top cop.  Jason Bade announced his run for sheriff on Monday. Bade has been with Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office for 24 years, and has 29yrs experience in law enforcement. Sheriff Rodney Bartsh announced his retirement last week.

Three Durand-Arkansaw High School Students have advanced after a regional competition. SkillsUSA Wisconsin held the competition last Thursday and Friday in Menomonie. Ian Afdahl took first place in the Cabinetmaking category, while Brody Bechel, Korbin Bechel and Sam Bergeson took Second Place for Welding Fabrication. All three will now move on to the 53^rd annual Wisconsin SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference in Madison April 7-8^th. Founded in 1973, Wisconsin SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry representatives working together to ensure America has the skilled workforce needed to stay competitive.

The Dunn County Highway Department is implementing seasonal weight restrictions starting on Thursday. The restrictions are put in place during the spring thaw to help prevent roadways from damage caused by heavier loads traveling over them. Gross vehicle weight of 5 tons per axel with a maximum gross vehicle weight of 25 tons will be in effect. Once the ground has dried out, the restrictions will be lifted. Visit the Dunn County Website for a list of roads under the restrictions.

A Tennessee man convicted of kidnapping and assaulting a Holcombe teenager is learning his fate. Investigators say that -- in 2022 -- Trevor Blackburn drove to Wisconsin and kidnapped the then-15-year-old girl from her home. Blackburn pleaded no contest to charges of kidnapping and first-degree child sexual assault. He was sentenced yesterday to 30 years in prison.

Prison for a former Monroe County mental health nurse who engaged in sexual activity with a patient under her care. Melissa Knutson claimed in 2022 that she was raped by the patient, but did not report it due to fears of retaliation. She now acknowledges that was not the case. She has been convicted of charges including Misconduct in Public Office and Obstructing an Officer and been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Administrators in the School District of La Crosse are broke ground Monday at the site of what will be a new elementary school. The ceremony took place at the former site of the Hogan Administrative Center. The new school will begin welcoming students in August of next year.

The cost to fill up at the pump has risen 23.2 cents per gallon over the last week here in Wisconsin and gas prices have also risen all across the country. That’s according to GasBuddy. Experts are saying it’s all due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The average price per gallon is still 4.8 cents lower than the average here in Wisconsin a year ago.

Members of the Wisconsin National Guard are playing a role in U.S. strikes on Iran. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, told reporters yesterday National Guard units are showing the "value of America's reserve forces," including Wisconsin's troops "operating in Kuwait and Iraq." A Wisconsin National Guard spokesperson confirmed it is deployed to the Middle East, but didn't provide any specifics.

The 62nd annual Eau Claire Farm Show begins today. The event at the Chippewa Valley Expo Center features more than 150 agricultural business vendors showcasing the latest products and equipment. Parking and admission are free for the event. The show runs through tomorrow.

The former principal at Sun Prairie West High School pleads not guilty for failing to report child abuse. Jennifer Ploeger appeared in Dane County Court Monday. She's charged with three misdemeanor counts for allegedly failing to report child abuse. As part of her conditions, she’s barred from contacting the school district or any child victims named in the complaint. Her case stems from the investigation that followed the arrest of former dean of students Robert Gilkey‑Meisegeier, who faces multiple charges related to child exploitation and recently pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges. Ploeger was given a $500 signature bond and is due back in court on March 26.

Wisconsin drivers are being warned to watch out for a surge in phishing scams during National Consumer Protection Week. The Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles says scammers are posing as the DMV trying to trick people into clicking fake links or paying bogus “unpaid toll” or “DMV fee” charges. The DMV reminds residents Wisconsin has no tolls and they will never send urgent demands for money. They’re encouraging drivers to enroll in eNotify for alerts about any changes to their account. The DMV has also added new identity‑verification tools, comparing a customer’s selfie to the photo on file to reduce fraud.

A group of Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature want to legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill adults. WTMJ radio obtained a co-sponsorship memo circulated by six Democrats in the Senate and Assembly. The proposed bill would let patients with less than six months to live request life‑ending medication. It would require a written request signed by the terminally ill patient and witnessed by at least one other person who can attest to the patient’s mental capacities and prove they are not being coerced. Providers could opt out but would be required to document requests and transfer medical records to a new provider if a terminally ill person chooses. Co‑sponsors have until March 5 to sign on. Similar measures have failed to advance in the Legislature, most recently in 2024.

Another successful year for the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affair's Valentines for Veterans Program. The DVA says this year's program brought in more than 40‑thousand handmade valentines from across the country, and even Canada and Germany. Secretary James Bond says the response shows how strongly people still value veterans’ service. DVA staff and board members delivered the cards to residents at the state’s Veterans Homes and the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program in Union Grove. Each veteran got a gift bag filled with handmade cards from schools, scout troops, community groups, and individuals saying “thank you.”

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton will not run for a third term. The city's first female mayor says she plans to focus on family and travel. Norton is credited with gaining 100 million dollars in investments, improving city infrastructure and parks. She previously served on the Rochester school board and in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

A big hockey fan is buying the "X" from the Xcel Energy Center Rooftop Sign for 21 thousand dollars. The proceeds will benefit the Minnesota Wild Foundation, which supports youth hockey in the state. The single letter is about eight feet tall and eight feet wide. Despite its sitting atop the building for 25 years, it's in good condition.

Local-Regional News March 2

 

Police arrest a man who is accused of killing a woman in her camper at Wabasha County Campground. The 69-year-old suspect, Stanley Alan Munstermann, was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree manslaughter. Munstermann's charges are in connection with the death of 66-year-old Barbara McBride-Law of Lakeville. She was found dead in her camper in southeastern Minnesota in August at Mac's Park Place in Mazeppa near Lake Zumbro.

The Mondovi Fire Department is reminding residents that the spring fire season is hear. The Department along with the Waumandee-Montana-Lincoln Fire Department responded to a wildfire over the weekend. The fire burned over a half acre. The dry conditions and strong winds present a recipe for potential large fires. No one was injured in the blaze.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is asking for public comment on planned repairs to two bridges on Highway 79 in Dunn County. The bridges are located in the Town of Tiffany and the Village of Boyceville. Both structures — one spanning the South Fork Hay River and one spanning Tiffany Creek — were built in the 1940s and 1950s and are showing signs of deterioration. The project will include replacing the bridge decks, repairing concrete and laying new asphalt. A public meeting is scheduled for tomorrow starting at 4:30 at the Boyceville Village Hall.

The Independence School Board President is facing charges after a January 22^nd incident at Colby Pharmacy in Whitehall. According to authorities, 58yr old Joe Bragger is charged with threats to injure, telephone harassment and disorderly conduct after the pharmacy and Mayo Clinic refused to pre-authorize a prescription. The felony charges carry a maximum of 6yr in prison and a $10,000 fine. An initial court appearance is set for March 17.

Aspirus Health says its new hospital in the Chippewa Valley is on pace for completion by September. The new facility in Chippewa Falls will be across the street from Fire Station #1 on Chippewa Crossing Boulevard. The hospital will feature an emergency department along with ten treatment rooms and ten inpatient beds.

Wisconsin DNR says they are collecting water samples for analysis after a manure spill in Trempealeau County. The spill was discovered Monday -- coming from farm fields into the Town of Gale and impacting a pair of Beaver Creek tributaries. Dead fish have been spotted in the water. Officials have not said when results on the water samples will be available.

A duplex fire in the 2100 block of Julie Avenue in Sparta killed one person and displaced another Saturday evening. According to the Sparta Area Fire District, the fire was reported around 6:48 p.m. When Chief Mike Arnold arrived, the front of the structure was fully engulfed with heavy fire. During a search of the home on person was found inside. Paramedics performed life-saving efforts, but they were unsuccessful. The home on the other side of the duplex sustained fire and smoke damage. The cause of that fire is under investigation.

More witnesses are testifying as the homicide trial of Zachary Fritz continues. Fritz is accused of killing his wife in June 2024 and claims he was mentally ill at the time. A clinical psychiatrist testified he evaluated Fritz three times and believes he did not lack substantial capacity to conform his conduct to the law. The psychiatrist also said Fritz appeared mentally stable for years, despite the defense noting other experts diagnosed him with bipolar one disorder. Fritz's trial is set to continue on March 9th.

Wisconsin is part of a group of ten states reaching a 100-million dollar settlement agreement with Walmart. The retailer was the subject of a multi-state lawsuit alleging that customers and drivers who took part in the company's Spark Driver Program were deceived. The suit alleged that drivers who worked through the company's home delivery program were misled on how much they would be paid and that customers were led to believe that 100-percent of tips would be passed on to delivery drivers when that wasn't always so.

Work to reconstruct WIS 35 in La Crosse is set to continue Monday. WisDOT said construction is taking place between the La Crosse/Vernon County line and Sunnyside Drive in La Crosse. Improvements include culvert replacements and bridge deck replacement of the Mormon Creek bridge. Drivers can expect to come across flagging operations and single lane closures with temporary traffic signals during box culvert replacement. Access to businesses and residences will be provided and maintained during construction.

State aid is on the way to prevent flooding around Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers announced Thursday that the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs will provide $2.0 million in Pre-Disaster Flood Resilience Grants to 15 communities impacted by flooding in past years. The grant program created by Evers in 2024 helps implement strategies like reconnecting streams and floodplains and mitigating erosion hazards to prevent frequent flooding. Wisconsin Emergency Management administers the program and received 21 grant applications totaling over $2.6 million.

$250,000 in grant funding will help bolster Wisconsin's commercial driver workforce. The money comes through the state’s Commercial Driver Training Grant program and will help about 190 trainees earn their CDL—supporting high‑demand jobs like school bus, truck, and delivery drivers. The program, administered by the Department of Workforce Development, reimburses up to half of training costs and was renewed in the latest state budget through 2027. DWD leaders say the grants help meet ongoing demand, with more than 500 CDL‑required positions currently posted statewide.

A Central Wisconsin paper mill’s workforce is being downsized. Ahlstrom says after careful consideration and discussions, they will close the pulp mill at their Mosinee facility and idle their M2 and M3 machines, a move that could cost up to 200 jobs at the mill- which has been in use since the early 19 hundreds. Officials said the move does not reflect the quality of work from the facility, and they will be working with the impacted employees through the transition. Ahlstrom does plant to upgrade the two remaining lines at the facility, creating a more "agile and sustainable" mill for the future. The company's mill in the Fox Valley is not impacted.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is announcing changes to the 2026 elk hunting season. The DNR says the state will move to one continuous season from mid-October to mid-December. The Central Elk Management Zone quota rises to six bull and six antlerless elk. The Northern Zone quota is eight bull elk pending tribal declaration. Applications open March 1st and close at the end of May with more licenses available in parts of the state. Hunters can apply for one bull and one antlerless license.

Ice shanty's will need to be removed within the next few weeks. A natural resources representative says portable ones are still o.k. as long as they're removed when not in use. As the weather warms up -- ice becomes thin and will not be able to support the structures. For more details visit their website. 

Local-Regional News Feb 27

 

The Colfax School District has a new Superintendent. The Colfax School Board selected  Eric Young as the district’s next Superintendent of Schools. Young’s background includes extensive experience in school leadership, professional learning communities, career and technical education programming, facilities planning, and district-level strategic initiatives. He begins on July 1^st

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is seeking public input on a proposed Chippewa River Bridge project. The proposed maintenance project would be on the bridge carrying County H over the Chippewa River in the Dunn County towns of Rock Creek and Spring Brook. The project would include replacing and widening the concrete bridge deck, and reinforce the steel girders for the new deck. Construction currently is scheduled for 2027. During construction, the bridge will be closed, and traffic will be detoured. Comments are due by March 19^th. Visit the WI DOT website for more information.

Wabasha County Sheriff Rodney Bartsh, announced Thursday his retirement after close to 40 years of service. Bartsh says he made the decision after discussing the idea with his wife. Bartsh had previously announced his retirement during the 2022 election cycle but changed his mind before the filing deadline.

A contested case hearing in the permitting of Ridge Breeze Dairy is set for Tuesday at the State Government Center in Eau Claire. Opponents of the project say the expanded dairy would harm the environment and that the farm has not secured enough land to safely spread roughly 80 million gallons of manure. Ridge Breeze Dairy is wanting to expand from 1700 to 6500 cows at their location on Hwy CC in Pierce County. That meeting will begin at 9am on Tuesday morning and is expected to last three days.

Rochester's Mayo Clinic is rated again as the top hospital globally. Newsweek named the medical facility at the top of its World's Best Hospitals list for the eighth straight year. The magazine's annual rankings are based on patient survey results, an international survey of healthcare professionals, performance metric and implementation of patient-recorded outcomes. The rest of the top five hospital are Toronto General Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Karolinska medical center in Stockholm, Sweden and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

A Wisconsin bill proposing roadside drug testing is sparking a public safety debate. The proposal would allow law enforcement officers to use roadside oral fluid testing in suspected drug-impaired driving cases. Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett says deputies are encountering more cases involving drugs, including prescription medications, in addition to alcohol. Milwaukee defense attorney Andrew Mishlove says expanding roadside testing raises constitutional questions because bodily samples are considered searches. The proposal is still in the early stages of the legislative process.

The Wisconsin Lottery reports a scratch-off ticket recently sold in Black River Falls is a jackpot winner. The ticket in the lottery's Two-Million-Dollar Cash game is a top prize winner. It was sold at the Taylor Corner Store on State Route 95. There has been no word on the identity of the person who has won the two-million dollars.

Vice President JD Vance is pushing the Trump's administration's affordability message in Wisconsin today. Fresh off President Trump's State of the Union address, Vance traveled to the village of Plover, a hotly-contested congressional district in 2026 midterm elections. He's visiting a machine shop, stressing the importance of American manufacturing. Trump will hit the road himself on Friday for a stump-style speech in Texas.

WisDOT is updating several state-supported intercity bus routes to improve connections statewide. The changes include a new Route 11 offering direct service between La Crosse and Green Bay. The routes operate in partnership with Greyhound, Indian Trails, Jefferson Lines, Lamers Bus, and Wisconsin Transit Lines. Department officials say the updates better link rural and mid-sized communities with major hubs including Milwaukee, Chicago, and Minneapolis. The announcement also reshuffles service providers on multiple routes to maintain regional connectivity.

Attorney General Josh Kaul says Wisconsin is joining a lawsuit over federal changes to the childhood vaccine schedule. Attorneys general from 14 other states, along with the governor of Pennsylvania, are also part of the effort. The suit challenges the Trump administration's decision to remove several vaccines, including rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, and COVID-19. State health leaders report responding to measles cases in 2025 and 2026, including 36 in late 2025. Officials say all cases involved unvaccinated people.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul told a Special State Senate Committee that the Department of Justice relied on outside legal fellows because the agency is under‑resourced for environmental enforcement. Kaul said majority Republicans have been “hostile” to environmental efforts and were unlikely to approve additional staffing. Republican Committee chair Mary Felzkowski pushed back, criticizing Kaul for not bringing staffing requests to the Joint Finance Committee. The hearing centers on DOJ’s use of NYU‑funded legal fellows to handle environmental cases, help Kaul says was necessary after lawmakers reduced resources and oversight in 2018.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has finalized a permit allowing Enbridge to begin work on its Line 5 relocation project. An Enbridge statement says work is already underway on staging and clearing for the $450 million, 41‑mile pipeline reroute around the Bad River Reservation. The company calls it the most studied pipeline project in state history that will bring millions in construction spending to northern Wisconsin. Environmental groups and the Bad River Band have filed court petitions and are asking for an immediate halt to construction, arguing the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources failed to fully evaluate environmental risks when it granted permits for the project.

Wisconsin Public Service says colder temperatures and higher gas prices are driving up energy bills. The utility says this is the coldest winter in about a decade, and gas costs are up roughly 18-percent from last year. Officials say increased demand locally and nationwide has pushed prices higher, though WPS does not profit from the gas it buys. WPS says it uses storage and fixed contracts to help manage price swings. Customers struggling with higher bills are urged to contact WPS about budget billing, time of use savings, rebates, or payment plans.