Police in Durand and Pepin continue to investigate a swatting incident Friday. Both districts received a threatening call and notified authorities and evacuated staff from the buildings. Both Durand and Pepin Police with assistance from Pepin County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Wisconsin State Patrol, searched the school buildings and found nothing. Authorities say that other school districts in Wisconsin also received threats on Friday.
Motorists in Wabasha will notice a new pedestrian crossing signal along Hiawatha Road. The new Rabid Flashing Beacon Signal was installed in a highly traveled portion of Hiawatha Road near a speed transition up to 55 mph. The project was funded in part by a donation from the Wabasha Rotary Club.
Record temperatures yesterday across the upper Midwest. Minneapolis reported a record 90 degrees yesterday, and another day of warm weather is expected with highs in the upper 80’s in western Wisconsin. A strong cold front is expected to move into the area late this afternoon, bringing the chance of showers and thunderstorms. Much cooler and seasonal temperatures are expected for the rest of the week.
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a recent stabbing incident in La Crosse. The incident happened in the city's downtown area late on the night of September 26th. Police on Friday announced the arrest of 30-year-old Paul Thomas Jr on a charge of first degree attempted homicide.
A suspect accused of attacking a woman last week in Tomah has now been charged. Police say the victim was beaten with a hammer at a residence on Green Acres Avenue. Illinois resident Derek Johnson is being held in the Monroe County Jail on charges including attempted homicide.
Madison and Dane County lead Wisconsin’s population growth. Numbers released by the state Department of Administration show Wisconsin’s population increased nearly 2.9% as of January 1 compared to the 2020 Census. Dane County saw the largest increase, up 59,861 residents compared to six years earlier, to 621,365 residents for an increase of 10.7%. Madison now has 300,153 residents, an increase of 9.3% compared to 2020. Calumet County grew by 4,801 residents, up 9.15%, St. Croix County added 7,446 residents, up nearly 8%, and Eau Claire County added 7,365 residents up nearly 7%.
A new report from the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort finds gun violence remains a significant public health issue across the state. The group's latest data shows 735 firearm deaths in Wisconsin in 2024, including 507 suicides. Executive Director Nick Matuszewski says firearm suicides continue to account for the majority of gun deaths and are especially prevalent in rural communities. The report also notes that young Black men are disproportionately affected by gun homicides, while middle-aged and older white men face the highest rates of firearm suicide. The organization is calling on lawmakers to make gun violence prevention a priority during the next legislative session.
Similar messages on Flock Safety cameras from candidates for state attorney general. On WISN's UPFRONT, incumbent Democrat Josh Kaul says he's worried about Wisconsin becoming a surveillance state, and wants to limit how the information from automated cameras can be used by investigators. Republican Fond du Lac district attorney Eric Toney says there need to be guardrails on law enforcement officers who use the cameras for investigations with penalties for those who misuse the tech. Both candidates agree the legislature needs to step in and make a decision on automated surveillance systems rather than forcing local communities to navigate laws and rules on their use.
Governor Tony Evers is leading a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over unemployment insurance systems. In a statement released Friday, the Evers Administration said the Trump administration, without notice, made the decision to terminate millions of dollars in funding to prevent fraud and implement improvements in Wisconsin and other states' unemployment insurance systems. The governor's office said Evers sent multiple letters urging for the funds to be released, including a letter sent directly to Trump, and that they have gone "largely unanswered." The Trump Administration said the U.S. Department of Labor terminated the investments because it "does not effectuate agency priorities."
A man is in custody after a police chase across several northern Wisconsin counties that left a deputy seriously injured. Authorities say 44-year-old Joshua Micke stole multiple vehicles and about one-thousand-dollars in cash before fleeing police. The chase ended in Merrill after Micke struck another vehicle and police used spike strips and a PIT maneuver. A deputy suffered a hand injury requiring surgery, while the other driver had minor injuries. Micke was arrested and booked on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges.
A multi-million dollar malfunction at UW-Madison. UW officials on Thursday announced it cost over 15 million dollars to maintain campus-wide central air conditioning after one of a series of chilled water lines ruptured in June. Actual repairs cost around 1 point 8 million dollars, while it cost over 10 million dollars to provide campus-wide cooling while the system was malfunctioning. Another 4 million dollars covered other issues found while repairs were being made.
A nurses union at a Madison hospital files a lawsuit against SSM Health. S E I U Wisconsin alleges management at St Mary's Hospital have engaged in anti-union tactics. The Madison nurses voted overwhelmingly this summer to unionize, but St. Louis based SSM Health has not yet negotiated a contract. S E I U alleges SSM Health has forced nurses to attend anti-union meetings, fired nurses who organized for the union and threatened those who voted yes with changes to employment. Attorneys for SSM Health say the company has not violated any laws, and that the allegations are disruptive to patient care.
Early voting turnout in Minnesota is up 28-percent compared to the same period during the 2022 election. The Secretary of State's Office reports more than 127-thousand ballots have been accepted during the first three weeks of early voting, compared to just over 99-thousand in 2022. Nearly 48-thousand voters cast their ballots early in person, while nearly 80-thousand voted by mail. Minnesota has distributed more than 468-thousand absentee and mail ballots. The deadline to register in advance is October 13th, though eligible voters can register at the polls on Election Day.
All eyes on polar bear Nora at Madison’s Henry Vilas Zoo. The gossip....Nora may be pregnant. Zoo keepers however won't know for sure until she actually gives birth, either in December or January. They do know that Nora gained 237 pounds between March and September, which is about one third of her body weight and is normal for a female polar bear preparing for a possible pregnancy and denning. Nora is also spending more time in her behind-the-scenes den. The zoo has upgraded her denning area and camera systems so keepers can monitor her without disturbing her.
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