Local-Regional News May 7

Representative Clint Moses is announcing his campaign for re-election to the Wisconsin State Assembly. He's seeking to continue representing the 92nd Assembly District. Moses is currently serving his third term in the Legislature, where he chairs the Assembly Committee on Health, Aging and Long-Term Care. He said he'll continue prioritizing efforts to improve the affordability and accessibility of healthcare for Wisconsin families.

Two people are injured after an accident in Pierce County. Authorities were called around 9:15 a.m. Tuesday after a semi collided with an SUV on 170th avenue. According to the Pierce County Sheriffs Department, 63yr old Kevin Burgess was traveling northbound on Hwy C when he collided with a vehicle driven by 30yr old Silvia Ayohua of Hagar City who was traveling eastbound on 170^th Avenue. Both drivers were taken to the hospital with undetermined injuries. The driver of the SUV had a passenger, but was not taken to the hospital.

Two people were injured in a two vehicle accident April 29^th in Trenton Township. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 79yr old Kay Fuecker of Hager City was traveling northbound on Hwy 63 when she collided with another northbound vehicle driven by 54yr old Troy Miller of Red Wing. Both were taken to Mayo Hospital in Red Wing.

In Dunn County, the verdict is in for a man accused of sexually assaulting a juvenile. Investigators say that Joshua Crouse assaulted the victim and then apologized to her the next day. He was charged in 2024 and convicted yesterday of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a Child. Crouse will be sentenced at a later date.

Facing a $10.5 million budget deficit for the next school year, the Eau Clair School Board has decided to eliminate or partially cut 17 teaching positions. The positions eliminated include special education, art, instructional coaching and reading intervention. Positions with reduced time include drama, band, french and family and consumer sciences.

The 3M Company is claiming military immunity in the Minnesota PFAs case. The company claims it's not liable for the pollution of the Mississippi River because it was the result of work being done for the military. This comes after a six-year battle between 3M and the state of Minnesota over the forever chemicals in the river. 3M previously used these chemicals in products like Scotchgard, but stopped manufacturing the chemicals in 2025. Some PFAS have been linked with cancers, and all of them are resistant to breaking down in the environment and the bodies of humans.

Twice on Tuesday, an attorney for Josie Dikeman asked the presiding judge in her trial to declare a mistrial. Twice, that request was denied. Dikeman is facing homicide charges in La Crosse County in connection with the 2023 death of her boyfriend's six-year-old son A.J. Jurors yesterday heard video testimony from other children who say they saw Dikeman abuse the victim. Defense attorneys say they have evidence of witness coaching.

Authorities are investigating a fatal Tuesday afternoon crash in Barron County. Cameron Police say a vehicle collided with a commercial farm sprayer near 1st Street and US Highway 8. The driver of the vehicle died at the scene. The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of family.

Stay alert on the road as deer crashes spike in late spring and early summer. May and June bring increased activity as deer seek places to give birth and young deer separate from their mothers. State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan says deer are unpredictable and motorists need their full attention on the road. Preliminary data shows nearly 18,000 deer-related crashes in 2025, resulting in six deaths and over 700 injuries. Motorcyclists face the greatest risk. Watch especially at dawn and dusk, slow down if you see a deer, and don’t swerve—brake and stay in your lane. After a crash, move off the road if possible and call for help if needed.

Wisconsin is rolling out a new statewide action plan to address what leaders call a growing mental health crisis. Department of Health Services Secretary Kirsten Johnson says the plan reflects months of work by the Interagency Council on Mental Health, incorporating feedback from thousands of residents. A key focus is improving access to care, including creating a single, easier entry point for mental health resources across state government. The plan also prioritizes rural Wisconsin, with an expanded use of telehealth to ensure access to care no matter where people live.

Sentiment against AI and data centers continues to grow in Wisconsin. Marquette Law School poll director Charles Franklin says polling last year showed an even split in people who thought data centers were worth the cost. "But by February, that had jumped up to this 70-30 split that we saw again in March." The number is holding firm across party lines as well, with a majority of Republicans now opposing data center expansion. Franklin says even people who regularly use AI for work or other reasons feel AI is bad for society. The results come as a number of communities have passed moratoriums on data center construction.

Another central Wisconsin community is filing a class action lawsuit against 3M over PFAS contamination. The lawsuit filed by residents of the village of Maine alleges that the chemical and materials manufacturer is to blame for widespread contamination of the forever chemicals in the area. 3M has a plant in Maine that mines granite for roofing granules and waste containing the chemicals has been dumped at the quarry for years. The waste material was also sold to residents as a commercial fill product for decades. The city of Wausau received a 2 point 8 million dollar settlement with the company over similar contamination issues in 2025.

The Rock County Sheriff's Office is warning of a potential scam targeting this summer's 4-H Fair. Officials explained somebody impersonating a fair employee has been contacting vendors asking for money via email, adding a link to transfer whatever funds that are requested. The warning didn't say how many people were impacted, but argued the fair would not ask for payments through email. The fair starts on July 28th, with a theme of "Christmas in July."

Leave white-tailed deer fawns alone. That’s the advisory from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The agency says if you find a fawn, don’t touch or move it since they spend their first weeks staying quiet and out of sight while their mothers search for food during the spring and early summer. Giving the fawn that alone time is the best way to support their natural behavior. You’re also advised not to feed the fawn, since nonnatural food sources can them at risk of suffering nutritional deficiencies that can lead to deformities or death. The DNR website has more information.

The Wisconsin State Fair is bringing back Senior Day. The announcement comes ahead of the fair's 175th year. Guests 60 and older will receive a special seven-dollar admission ticket on August 10th. In addition to the discounted tickets, there will be musical performances, raffles, prizes and games. Senior Day takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.