The City of Durand will begin working on the 2027 city budget this month. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city council will again work as a committee of the whole on the budget. One issue the city will be dealing with is a 15% increase in employee health insurance rates.
Dunn County is looking for election workers. Dunn County will host 2026 election training for those wanting to work the upcoming elections or want to know how the process works. Classes will be on the last four Thursdays of October at the Dunn County Government Center. Classes are free, and for more information, contact the Dunn County Clerk’s office.
Dunn County is updating its comprehensive plan and is looking for public input. The plan will guide decisions on growth and development, agriculture, natural resources and community well-being. The draft plan is now available for review at the Dunn County Planning and Land Use webpage.
The Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District is suspending a teacher over comments they reportedly made on social media. The district has not shared the name of the educator or the nature of their comments. The district has released a statement saying, in part, that they hold all employees to high professional standards and expect them to maintain appropriate boundaries and conduct in their interactions with students. The Chippewa Falls Police Department is investigating the incident.
The UW-Eau Claire Marching Band is headed to New York. The Blugold Marching Band has been invited to perform in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year will be the 101st for the event in New York.
Sun Country Airlines is resuming non stop flights to Las Vegas out of the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. Flight schedules are available at suncountry-dot-com. The non stop service to Las Vegas begins tomorrow.
Results of a new poll show the race to be Wisconsin's next governor getting closer. According to the poll from Marquette Law School released yesterday, Democrat David Crowley leads Republican Tom Tiffany 49-percent to 46-percent among likely voters with five-percent undecided. Early in-person voting begins October 20th with Election Day on November 3rd.
Wisconsin health officials are encouraging residents to get vaccinated now before flu, COVID and other respiratory viruses begin spreading more widely. State epidemiologist Dr. Jonathan Westergaard says vaccines remain one of the best ways to reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death. He says getting vaccinated this fall can help protect families throughout the respiratory virus season. More information is available through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website.
Twenty-three minor employees at a Wisconsin McDonald's franchise will receive 17-thousand dollars in back wages following a state child labor audit. The Department of Workforce Development reports franchisee Iron Arch committed multiple violations, including overworking teenage staff and failing to provide required 30-minute meal breaks. The state Department of Justice also ordered the employer to pay nearly 60-thousand dollars in civil penalties and fees. State officials say enforcement of minor labor laws remains essential to keeping young workers safe without sacrificing their education.
The Watertown Unified School District is facing pushback after Interim Superintendent James Feil canceled Watertown High School's planned spring production of Flashdance. Feil cited personal concerns with the show's mature themes, despite acknowledging the effort to edit the script for high school audiences. Dozens gathered outside the school board meeting to protest the decision, expressing frustration over lost effort and muffled artistic expression. The controversy has also led to the resignation of the show's original theater director.
A new tool is helping drivers better find DMV centers. Finding a Division of Motor Vehicles office in Wisconsin just got easier. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has launched a new interactive online map called "Find My DMV." The tool lets you search for nearby service centers, check hours, filter locations by available services, county, or days open, and get directions through Google Maps. State officials say the new platform is designed to make in-person DMV services more accessible and convenient. Each location listing also includes links to online services that may help customers avoid a trip altogether.
Nine people are recovering after being exposed to carbon monoxide in Fond du Lac County. The sheriff’s department says EMTs were called to a home in the Town of Osceola early Wednesday morning for symptoms consistent with C O poisoning. Seven children and 2 adults were taken from the home and to local hospitals. The case is under investigation; deputies have not released further information on the conditions of the victims.
Amtrak
is expanding Borealis service after surpassing 500-thousand
passengers since its launch. The daily train connects St. Paul and
Chicago through Wisconsin and began operating in May 2024. Minnesota
transportation officials say a fourth passenger car will be added in
the coming weeks. The trip takes less than seven and a half hours,
with one-way fares starting at 41 dollars. Minnesota, Wisconsin and
Illinois help fund the service.
Take the right steps to cut food waste. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is encouraging residents to reduce food waste during Food Waste Prevention Week. A state study found food waste was the largest component of trash sent to Wisconsin landfills, totaling about 854,000 tons in 2020. The DNR says wasted food creates methane emissions when it breaks down and costs the average American consumer more than $700 a year. Officials recommend meal planning, proper food storage and learning the difference between food quality dates and actual food safety concerns.
