Local, Regional News Nov 30

 A joint meeting between the Pepin and Buffalo County Extension Committees was held last night to discuss options surrounding the Pepin County 4-H and Youth Educator Position.  Due to changes in extension, Pepin County could have a part-time 4-H program educator or a Community Youth Educator but not both.  A proposal was discussed to have a 3/4 time 4-H Educator and full-time Youth Educator that would serve both Buffalo and Pepin Counties.    Area 9 Extension Director Pat Malone says regardless of what the counties decide, 4-H will continue in Pepin County. The committee decided to table the proposal until January so details of how a merger would work are developed.

A jury says a Dunn County killer was sane at the time of his crime. The jury yesterday said there's no evidence that Ryan Steinhoff wasn't in his right mind when he killed Bruce McGuigan back in 2020. Steinhoff is looking at prison time now, and not a stint in a mental hospital. He will be formally sentenced in February.

The City of Menomonie and Menomonie Police are asking for the public's help in identifying the person or persons responsible for vandalizing the Wolske Bay Park holiday light display.    Police say the park was vandalized over the Thanksgiving weekend.   The park experienced similar vandalism in 2021 when the original display was erected.    If anyone has any information, they are asked to contact Menomonie Police or Dunn County Crimestoppers.

A new report says at least 475 thousand dollars in coronavirus grants went to ineligible businesses, but no one really knows how much money was wasted. The Legislative Audit Bureau yesterday released a report into the We're All In and Wisconsin Tomorrow grant programs. Auditors flagged 45 of the 172 grants they reviewed as ineligible. But no one is saying how many of the rest of the grants, nearly 600 million dollars in all, may have gone to other ineligible businesses or scammers. Lawmakers say the state did have some fraud protections, but the report says the state is still trying to figure out just where all that money went.

It was a good deer season for many hunters in Wisconsin. The state's Department of Natural Resources yesterday said the deer harvest was up 14 percent compared to last year. That means hunters bagged just over 203 thousand deer during gun season this year. This year's good weather and healthy deer population are getting some of the credit for the jump in deer taken.

Beginning January 1st, inmates in the La Crosse County Jail will be able to make free phone calls.   The jail will be the first in Wisconsin to allow 30 free minutes of phone calls each day. The La Crosse County Board of Supervisors passed two motions, one to eliminate county revenue from inmate phone calls the second to add $75,000 to the 2023 budget to cover the costs of inmate calls. Both motions passed unanimously. County Board supervisor David Pierce said this will remove barriers from people who need intervention for mental health and substance abuse issues. Individuals in the jail currently paid 21 cents per minute for phone calls making the average 15-minute call about $3.15

Hundreds of travelers are facing delays and cancellations at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport after runway operations were shut down because of a winter storm.  The airport shut down all runway operations yesterday afternoon due to heavy snowfall and poor visibility.  Flights in and out didn't resume for more than two hours.  Metropolitan Airports Commission officials say the shutdown will impact some flights for today as the ripple effect continues.

The remains of a Wisconsin Rapids man missing for decades have been identified in Montana.  Roger Lee Elis left Central Wisconsin in the 1970s, possibly to escape punishment for a charge of marijuana possession, and was never heard from again until 2004 when a hiker found human remains in Carbon County, Montana. It took advanced DNA analysis to link the remains to Elis, which happened earlier this year. Officers say they believe he may have been killed by a person or group of people who picked him up as he was hitchhiking.  Officials in Carbon County have opened a cold-case homicide investigation and are asking anyone with information to reach out.

The story about last week's shooting that left a Milwaukee mom dead is changing. Prosecutors yesterday filed first-degree reckless homicide charges against the ten-year-old boy who police say shot his mother in the head. Investigators originally thought it was an accident, but now say the boy was angry that his mother wouldn't buy him a virtual reality set. Detectives say the boy got his mom's gun, pointed it at her, and pulled the trigger. Family members say the boy then ordered the VR headset online the next day. Prosecutors want the boy tried as an adult.

The man who lost Wisconsin's race for governor says Republicans need to change if they want to win again. Tim Michels yesterday said Democrats in the state have an excellent get-out-the-vote operation and used that to beat him earlier this month. Michels says the Republican Party has to modernize and launch a get-out-the-vote effort of its own. Michels says Republicans simply can't compete by relying on volunteers. As for his loss, Michels says the abortion issue looks to have blunted the expected Red Wave.

Outgoing Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler is calling for action on the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2023.  The Golden Valley Democrat wrote in an opinion piece for the Minneapolis Star Tribune that the legislature has elected pro-cannabis DFL majorities in the House and Senate and re-elected a Democratic governor who supports legalization.  Winkler launched his Be Heard on Cannabis tour at the 2019 Minnesota State Fair and held 15 public meetings across the state.  House Democrats passed a legalization bill in May 2021, but the bill wasn't picked up by the then-GOP-controlled Minnesota Senate. 

One of Wisconsin's Republican congressmen says TikTok is 'digital fentanyl' that is addicting our kids. Congressman Mike Gallagher was on Fox News on Sunday, and once again called for a TikTok ban in this country. Gallagher says because TikTok is owned by a Chinese tech company, all of the data used and created by American users is sent back to Beijing. He says TikTok can not only track where users are, it can censor what they see. Gallagher has a piece of legislation that would ban TikTok in the U,S. but it hasn't been called for a vote yet on Capitol Hill.

Portage County authorities have released details on a fatal weekend shooting in the Village of Amherst.   The accused shooter is 78-year-old Miles Bradley. According to investigators he shot 92-year-old Clarence Banks Sunday morning as Banks was visiting on of his relatives, officers haven't disclosed what may have started the argument, Bradley is being held on a one million dollar bond, and faces a possible charge of first-degree intentional homicide. Court action against him is pending.   Bradley, who shared a home with Banks' relative, was arrested without incident.

Madison is named one of the top midsize college cities in America.  WalletHub ranks Madison the eighth-best midsize college city and the 35th-best city overall compared to over 400 cities and towns.  Madison's best category is social environment, ranking 39th.  Milwaukee is also on the list, ranking 229th overall.  WalletHub says the top overall college city is Austin, Texas.

A couple is engaged after being trapped on the ice on Upper Red Lake.  Andy LaBarge proposed to Lydia Thole while they were stuck with many other anglers on breakaway ice Monday.  The Hibbing couple has been together for about three years and they like to go ice fishing on Red Lake early in the season each year.  All the trapped anglers were rescued safely.

Local-Regional News Nov 29

 Western Wisconsin is bracing for a blast of winter weather. There is a Winter Storm Warning and a Winter Weather Advisory in place til 9 p.m. tonight for folks from Eau Claire to the northwestern tip of the state. The worst of the weather will fall between Eau Claire and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Forecasters say those folks will see as much as seven inches of snow. It could be as much as five inches in Eau Claire itself.

Members of the Pepin and Buffalo County Extension Committees are meeting tonight to discuss a possible merger of the Pepin County 4-H program into the Buffalo County program.  UW-Extension is proposing the merger as Pepin County is in need of a new 4-H educator and per Extension rules, the position must be full-time, but Pepin County's position is part-time.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6pm at the Pepin County Government Center in Durand.

It's another day of significantly lower gas prices in Wisconsin.  Triple-A says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Wisconsin is down 20 cents compared to this time last week, three dollars and 16 cents.  That's also 40 cents lower than this time last month.  Here in Western Wisconsin gas was averaging $2.87.  

A jury will decide if a man convicted in a Dunn County killing will go to prison or the state mental hospital. The sentencing phase for Ryan Steinhoff began yesterday. The jury is being asked to decide if Steinhoff was sane when he killed Bruce McGuigan back in 2020. Another woman charged in the case is already in prison, she's serving a 25-year sentence.

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission is asking for public comments on a proposed solar farm in Dunn County.  TED Renewables wants to build a 300-megawatt solar farm on 2000 acres of land between 890th Street and Hwy H north of Hwy C in Dunn County.  Public comments can be submitted by letter, email and through the Public Service Commission website through December 9th.  If the project is approved, construction could begin in the spring of 2024 and be completed by mid-2025.

There are some families who aren't happy about Eau Claire Schools' plans to drop two languages starting next year. The city's school district is looking to drop Hmong and the first-level Japanese next year. Hmong language classes will be rolled into Hmong History and Cultures, and the school district is looking to drop Japanese classes altogether in 2024. Superintendent Mike Johnson says they made the decision after studying language trends and meeting with an outside consultant. But the group Black and Brown Womyn Power Coalition isn't so sure. They say they want more transparency in the decision-making process.

An apartment complex in Chatfield, MN is a total loss.  According to the Chatfield fire department, firefighters were called to the 8-unit complex early Sunday morning and were on the scene for nearly 6 hours.  No one was injured in the blaze, but the complex is a total loss due to fire, smoke, and water damage.  The Red Cross is assisting the families.  The cause of that fire is still under investigation.

There's a warning from the state about charity scams on this Giving Tuesday. Wisconsin's Department of Financial Institutions yesterday said people need to be careful with their donations. DFI says you should never give money to anyone who calls you over the phone and says you need to be careful with giving money to anyone who reaches out to you via email or text. The state also says people should ask to know how their donation will be used. Today is the traditional day for charities and non-profits to raise money. DFI says unfortunately that also means scammers will be trying to steal money as well.

The federal budget will be a big part of the waning days of the current session of Congress. Second District Democrat Mark Pocan told WKOW’s Capitol City Sunday that Senate Republicans and Democrats seem to be working together trying to get something done before the end of the year, but House Republican leadership could be a holdup. Sixth District Republican Glenn Grothman says his colleagues have concerns over a budget bill that includes an eight or nine-percent spending increase. Congress has yet to pass a budget for the 2023 fiscal year which began October 1st, but the government remains funded because of a September resolution maintaining 2022 spending levels through December 16.

It'll cost you more to fly out of Madison than most other places in the country. A report from Smart Asset dot Com shows that Madison's Dane County Regional Airport is now the most expensive place to buy an airline ticket. That's out of a survey of the nation's 100 largest airports. The average price of airfare at MSN is 526 dollars. Officials at the airport tell the Wisconsin State Journal that they have no control over the price of tickets, those are set by the airlines. Nationwide, ticket prices have gone up an average of 21 percent over the past year. 

Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza says he and his staff are having discussions at least once every week in preparation for next year's USGA Men's Senior Open at SentryWorld, Wiza says that means thinking of everything including logistics and traffic control. More than 70 thousand spectators, sponsors, and participants will converge on Sentry World for the Senior Open which runs June 29–July 2.

 A lot of packages are showing up on porches with it being the holiday season and Madison Area Crime Stoppers has some tips on deterring porch pirates.  Crime Stoppers says you can request packages be held at the post office if you know you won't be home.  They also say you can ask that a signature be required for delivery, have your packages delivered at work, and have a delivery scheduled when you know you'll be home.

The 2023 state park and state forest admission stickers are now on sale. Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources launched the sale over the holiday weekend. Admission stickers cost 28 dollars for people from Wisconsin, and 38 dollars for people from out of state. All visitors to state parks and state trails must have an admission sticker, trail pass, and/or parking pass. They are valid from the day you buy them through the end of next year.

VA clinics across the country are now handling coverage for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their time in the service, like burn pits and Agent Orange. Dane County Veterans Service director Daniel Connery says that this is a major step in getting vital coverage for veterans.   Illnesses covered by the PACT Act include cancers, respiratory illnesses, Type 2 Diabetes, and more. Veterans will also be getting new screenings for these diseases to see if they're covered.

A Wisconsin woman celebrates her 107th birthday over the weekend.  Born in November of 1915, Lillian Bach grew up on a Wisconsin farm and later raised five children.  Lillian lives in Waunakee and says there isn't a secret to living a long life, she says she filled her life with family, faith, music and dancing....and she says, make sure to eat fruit. In fact, her birthday cake was a cake made of fruit.  Lillian’s family still is top priority as her daughter is going through chemo . For her 107th birthday, Lilian asks for prayers, for her daughter. 

Local-Regional News Nov 28

 Firefighters from Mondovi and Durand responded to a house fire at 526 Fitzgerald Road near Mondovi on Saturday night.  When firefighters arrived the roof was fully engulfed.  All of the occupants of the home were able to get out safely.  The cause of that fire is still under investigation.

Travel may become difficult tomorrow across Western Wisconsin as a large winter storm will impact the area.  Snow with a mix of rain and freezing rain is expected to develop overnight and continue throughout the day on Tuesday.  The heaviest snow is expected well to our north.   Colder weather moves in after the snow with wind chills near zero by Wednesday night.

The young man who ran down the three Lake Hallie Girl Scouts isn't getting a new trial. The Wisconsin Supreme Court this week turned down Colten Treu's request to have his case reviewed. Treu is serving 54 years in prison for killing the three scouts and one of their mothers back in 2018. The girls were picking trash along the side of the road. Treu was high when he ran them down. Treu complained to the court that his original lawyers didn't explain all of his options before he pleaded guilty in the case.

A Hastings woman was arrested on Wednesday for OWI.  According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, troopers pulled over 27yr old Angelique Washington for speeding on I-94 near Milepost 101.  Troopers detected the odor of marijuana and conducted a field sobriety test.  Washington was arrested for OWI first offense, possession of marijuana.  Four children ages 1-6 were passengers in the vehicle.

An Eau Claire man was arrested Saturday for OWI 6th offense.  According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, troopers pulled over 42yr old Keith Fox for speeding on Hwy 53 near milepost 93.  Troopers observed signs of impairment and after a field sobriety test, Fox was arrested.  He is being charged with OWI 6th offense, possession of cocaine, operating a motor vehicle after revocation, and other charges.  He was taken to the Eau Claire County Jail.

 There could be some changes for military voters in Wisconsin. The head of the state's Election Commission says they are looking to make sure that only military voters can request and return military ballots. Service members are not required to register or show voter ID in order to get an absentee ballot in the state. That loophole became a major talking point after a Milwaukee election manager was accused of creating three fake ballots and mailing them to a lawmaker before Election Day. The head of the Elections Commission says federal law stops states from requiring voter ID from service members, but they are looking at other options to verify someone's identity here in Wisconsin.

The 2022 election will be finalized this week. The Wisconsin Elections Commission is set to meet Wednesday morning to certify the vote. County election managers finalized their count last week. There won't be any recounts this year, only the secretary of state's race could have qualified, but the Republican candidate in that race conceded last week. Once the totals are final we will get a number for voter turnout and other pieces of Election Day data.

The Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission says UW Health isn't required to negotiate with a recently created nurses union.  The state commission issued its ruling yesterday.  UW Health said the commission "concluded that Act 10 eliminated UW Health from coverage by the Wisconsin Peace Act."  Both the nurses union and UW Health agreed this is just a "first step."  The nurses union UW Nurses United plans to appeal the ruling and also petition the National Labor Relations Board for a union election.  UW Health will seek clarification from the state's Supreme Court if it's legally required to recognize and negotiate with the union and if not, can it do so voluntarily.

Dozens of people were ejected from Saturday's Badger game against the Golden Gophers.  Minnesota beat Wisconsin 23-16 at Camp Randall Stadium.  During the game, University of Wisconsin Police say they ejected about 50 people, including dozens of students, mostly for intoxication, possession of alcohol, and being disorderly.  Sixteen people were arrested, and one person was given a citation for disposing of human waste.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is proposing to issue a blanket permit for what’s known as “incidental taking” of endangered and threatened species as a result of surveys, removals, and breeding required for “regulatory purposes.” The permit would authorize approved people to handle, possess, propagate, remove and relocate endangered or threatened species. The DNR has determined that by adhering to conservation practices the change will minimize impacts to species and is not likely to jeopardize their existence or the survival of the state population. 

A child is safe after being rescued from a frozen retention pond in southern Wisconsin.  The fire department in Milton says an eight-year-old got stuck out on thin ice about 50 feet from the shore near East High Street Tuesday.  The fire department says a first responder was able to make their way out to the boy and save him.  No one is hurt and the boy is back with his mom. 

The Middleton High School student falsely named in last January's gun-related school lockdown is now suing the school district.  The student was named by Principal Peg Shoemaker in a text that went to teachers and some students.  Shoemaker says she meant to send the text only to parents.  The student was accused of having a gun in his backpack.  Police later said there was no gun.  The student's family is suing, saying the text message made it seem as if he was a dangerous, violent lawbreaker.' 

A man is behind bars for allegedly waving a fake gun at a busy intersection in downtown Minneapolis.  The city's new Police Chief Brian O'Hara witnessed the man driving ""erratically" before getting out of his car and waving a replica assault weapon at drivers.  He was arrested on suspicion of making terroristic threats.  The Minneapolis Police Department issued a statement, saying "this type of behavior will not be tolerated."

Two leaders in cryptocurrency are among the donors to several Minnesota political campaigns.  Then-FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and co-CEO Ryan Salame made the donations just before the collapse of their company.  The donations were part of a nationwide effort before the midterm elections.  Campaign finance records show Democratic Congresswoman Angie Craig and Democratic Senator Tina Smith received donations from Bankman-Fried. Bankman-Fried and Salame also gave more than 100-thousand dollars to the National Republican Congressional Committee chaired by Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer.

Young adults in Wisconsin are being warned about so-called "deposit fraud" scams.  UW Credit Union recently released a study that revealed people 30-years-old and under have been targeted for deposit fraud.  The scam is when a person is sent a fake check which they then deposit and spend the money or are instructed to send a portion of the money back to the scammer.  The scammers tend to pose as an employer.

Local-Regional News Nov 25

 More information has been released about a Goodhue County deputy-involved shooting.  The city of Red Wing says an altercation happened after a crash near Bay Point Park yesterday afternoon.  During the scuffle, a deputy fired their weapon, injuring a person.  Officials haven't said what led the deputy to fire their weapon.  The person who was shot was taken to the hospital in unknown condition.  The deputy was also injured and sustained non-life-threating injuries.  Red Wing Police and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are leading the investigation.

An Eau Claire man who stole a dog and killed it is heading to prison. A judge in Chippewa Falls yesterday sentenced 40-year-old Joshua Erickson to five years in prison. He pleaded guilty in the case. Police say Erickson stole a dog named Kawani back in April. The dog was later found dead at the boat landing in the Town of Wheaton.

Leaders in Lake Hallie are considering a tax hike question for roads. The village board will decide next week whether to put a referendum on the April ballot.  Clerk and Treasurer Kris Fitzsimmons isn't saying how much the village is looking to raise. If leaders decide against a tax increase, they may simply borrow the money.

There aren't a lot of answers about a stabbing in Tomah that sent one man to the hospital and another man to jail. Police say it happened in a mobile home park on the city's west side about 1:15 yesterday morning. The victim was taken to the hospital for a stab wound to the chest. Police say 43-year-old Dennis Balaban was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide.

One of the two young men arrested for this week's bomb threat in Manitowoc is a local high school student, the other is his buddy in Canada.  Manitowoc Police yesterday said they arrested a student at Lincoln High School just hours after someone phoned in a bomb threat to the school.  Officers got a tip from other students.  At about the same time, police in Canada were arresting a young man in Winnipeg who called in the threat.  Investigators say the two knew each other from gaming online.

We're going to get a new snapshot of how voters feel about the Supreme Court and other national issues.  Two new Marquette Law School polls are due out next week.  Pollsters say they're asking voters about the high court, and cases up for argument now.  The new polls will also gauge public opinion after the midterm elections.  The polls are due out next Wednesday and Thursday.

Minnesota schools are struggling to keep their classrooms staffed as respiratory sicknesses are surging statewide.  The Minnesota Department of Health says flu-like outbreaks more than doubled last week compared to the week before.  The outbreak is affecting staff and students alike.  The Hinckley-Finlayson School District held all classes virtually last week after more than 20 percent of its students and staff were sick.

A judge is denying a request by the Minnesota Department of Education to have the organization implicated in a massive pandemic fraud case pay its legal fees.  MDE was sued by Feeding Our Future after it attempted to regulate the nonprofit's operations back in October 2020.  MDE argued the lawsuit was a sham and filed a claim against Feeding Our Future for over 580-thousand dollars in lawyer fees spent defending itself against the nonprofit's claims of racism.  The judge in the case says the MDE hasn't met the state law requirements in its submission and can file it again at a later date.

Authorities in Dodge County say one of their latest drug busts has ties to a Mexican cartel.  The sheriff's office says deputies took four pounds of meth, two pounds of pot, and 50 thousand-dollars cash off of three suspects.  Investigators say the drugs can be traced back to a cartel in Mexico. Two of the three suspects are looking at drug trafficking charges, while the third is accused of allowing them to sell the drugs out of her house.

--

One of the longest-serving Republicans in the state legislature is stepping down.  78-year-old River Hills state senator Alberta Darling is retiring after 32 years in the Legislature. Darling was first elected to the state assembly in 1990 as part of a special election and won her senate seat two years later. In a letter sent to Republican leadership, Darling said that she looks forward to "giving family and friends my full attention". Darling spent much of her time in the legislature as a member and co-chair of the powerful Joint Finance Committee.   A special election will have to be called to fill Darling's seat once she steps down on December 1st.

The University of Wisconsin is ending in-person classes at one of its smallest campuses. The school yesterday ordered the chancellor at UW-Platteville to end the degree program at the university's Richland campus. Just 60 students are taking classes at Richland right now, next year they will all be transitioned to the Platteville campus. The UW is not closing the campus, there's some talk about using it to offer enrichment programs or adult education. No one is saying what will happen to the faculty and staff members teaching at the Richland campus.

A utility worker is dead following a collision in Sauk County. The Sauk County Sheriff’s office reported the 25-year-old Edgerton man was unloading equipment as part of a crew working along state Highway 23 in the town of Franklin when he was struck and killed Tuesday at around 7:45 AM. The 17-year-old driver involved in the crash remained on the scene and is cooperating in the investigation. The sheriff’s report stated that her Toyota Highlander rolled over, but it did not indicate whether the driver was injured.

Wisconsin ranked number one in the nation for the most prescription medications collected on the fall 2022 Drug Take Back Day. The state Department of Justice announced Wednesday that a total of 54,040 pounds of unwanted medications were collected this fall. Since the program's start in 2010, Wisconsin has collected more than one million pounds of unwanted medications under the auspices of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Wisconsin ranks third for most medications collected since 2010 behind California and Texas.

 A Minnesota man is getting 20 years in prison for killing a woman after driving his SUV through a crowd of protestors.  A judge sentenced Nicholas Kraus today.  He pled guilty to unintentional second-degree murder for the death of Deona Marie in June of 2021.  At the time, the 31-year-old activist was in Minneapolis to protest the deadly shooting of Winston Smith at the hands of police.  Kraus was also given over three years for second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, though the sentences will run concurrently. 

Menomonie is once again allowing people to pay their fines with food. The city's Food for Fines program allows people to pay parking tickets with canned goods or non-perishable food items. Each can or box earns you a two-dollar discount. Police say some people bring-in carts full of food. All of the food is donated to the Stepping Stones food pantry. Last year the program brought in 14 thousand pounds of food.

Local-Regional News Nov 23

 Three people were injured in a two-vehicle accident on Hwy 10 near the Hwy 25 intersection last night.  According to the Pepin County Sheriff's Department, 36yr old Juan Vasquez was driving eastbound on Hwy 10 and drove into the westbound lane striking a westbound vehicle head-on driven by 57yr old Scott Blodgett of Columbus, OH.  Both Vaquese and a passenger in the Blodgett vehicle, 71yr old Thomas House of Columbus, OH had to be extricated from the vehicles.  House was med flighted to Mayo Rochester, while Vasquez was taken to an Eau Clair Hospital and Blodgett was treated at the scene.  Inattentive driving appeared to be the main cause of the crash.

Firefighters and emergency personnel from around Wisconsin were in Durand yesterday to pay respects to former Durand Fire Chief Pit Plumer who passed away last week.  Members of the community also came out to show their respects as the funeral procession drove through the city of Durand.   Plumer was a member of the Durand Fire Department for 56yrs with 32yrs as chief.

 

The second of three suspects in a 2020 murder in Downsville is heading to prison. A jury in Dunn County yesterday convicted Ryan Steinhoff in the stabbing death of Bruce McGuigan. Police found him dead in a mobile home in November of 2020. Another woman, Ashley Gunder, is serving a 25--year sentence for her role in the killing. A third suspect was found not guilty. Steinhoff will be sentenced at a later date.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Red Wing.  The shooting happened yesterday afternoon when the man was shot multiple times before being airlifted to the hospital.  The deputy was treated for injuries and released.  Authorities believe the shooting happened after a deputy struggled with a man believed to be walking away from the scene of a collision.  There was no body camera or squad car footage of the incident. 

Somali-American residents in Barron have withdrawn a request to play an amplified call to prayer from two mosques after facing opposition from some community members.  Isaak Mohamed, a Somali-American who was elected to the city's common council this spring, brought the call-to-prayer request to the council at the request of residents. But during a public comment period at the council's Nov. 15 meeting, all 14 speakers opposed it.  Mohamed said an agreement was made to withdraw the request after speaking with social and religious leaders in the city's Somali community.

Expect lots of traffic out on the road this week for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Triple-A Wisconsin estimates that 1 million Wisconsinites will be driving to visit friends and family this Thanksgiving. That will meet or exceed pre-pandemic levels. There are still some major construction projects underway on Wisconsin highways, and you could still see lane or road closures, along with less-than-perfect driving conditions. Be sure to check 5-1-1-w-i dot gov before you head out on your trip.

An international student at UW Madison who was reported missing last week but hadn't been heard from in over a month has been located. The Madison Police Department and the University of Wisconsin Madison Police Department asked for the community's help on Monday to locate 19-year-old Enzhe Xuny. Tuesday morning, the agencies reported Xun was found safe. UWPD said he was located after receiving a tip from a community member.   

The top Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol say they are talking with the governor for the first time in years. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu this week said they've had some conversations with the governor. Republicans spent the past two years saying the governor had frozen them out at the Capitol. No one is saying what they are talking about, but LeMahieu indicated there could be some agreement around spending Wisconsin's record six-and-a-half billion-dollar surplus. Lawmakers will return to the statehouse to craft a new budget and possibly pass some new laws in January.

Six people were shot in hunting accidents in Wisconsin's first weekend of deer season. The state's Department of Natural Resources yesterday said three of those accidents were self-inflicted, the three others were people shot by someone in their own hunting party. One of those hunting accidents left an eleven-year-old boy dead. The DNR says the six hunting accidents this year is double the number from the first weekend of deer season last year.

It was a good start to deer season for hunters in Wisconsin. The state's Department of Natural Resources says the harvest for this year's first weekend is up 14 percent. Hunters bagged just over 103 thousand deer this year, compared to just over 90 thousand deer in last year's first weekend. The DNR says this year's snow likely helped hunters track down the deer. Gun deer season will close after one more weekend of hunting this weekend.

The Sun Prairie teacher who's accused of filming students in a school bathroom has resigned. The school district yesterday accepted Matthew Quaglieri's resignation. He'd been on leave from Prairie View Middle School since early October, that's when police arrested him as part of a child pornography investigation. Quaglieri's resignation means the school won't have to fire him and makes some parts of the investigation into the case a little easier. Quaglieri is facing federal charges in the case, he is free on bond on the condition that he stay off the internet and stay away from his former students.

The Minnesota Medical Association and a half-dozen healthcare systems are speaking out about the staggering increase in pediatric RSV and flu cases.  Officials say the amount of respiratory illnesses is unprecedented this early in the season.  The level of illnesses is leading to packed emergency departments, clinics, and urgent care centers, along with near-capacity pediatric ICUs and shortages of antibiotic amoxicillin.  Healthcare providers are recommending that parents only come to the hospital if their child exhibits severe symptoms.  They say the treatment of runny noses and mild fevers can take place at home in consultation with a pediatrician or family doctor.

Over 40 percent of Minnesota manufacturers surveyed are predicting a recession next year.  The survey was administered in August and September by Enterprise Minnesota.  Less than 20 percent surveyed last year expected a recession.  Since the survey was completed, the Federal Reserve has hiked interest rates twice, increasing recession fears.  The survey has been conducted annually since 2008.

It's the latest snapshot of just how big UW-Madison is getting. The school says 276 students this year accepted either five thousand dollars or a free year's worth of meals to live off campus. University housing leaders say this year's record-breaking freshman class led to a housing crunch. UW-Madison offered either the five thousand dollars, a free spot at the Eagle Heights community, and in some cases a free dining plan for one year. The university said there are over 86 hundred people in the freshman class this year. There are just nine thousand dorm rooms on the entire campus.

A New Jersey telemarketing company is promising not to make any more calls to Wisconsin.  The Wisconsin Department of Justice accuses the company of selling extended vehicle service plans without being registered as a telemarketer and calling people on the "do not call" list.  Today the DOJ announced the company has agreed not to make calls to Wisconsin and try to stop third-party partners from making calls to Wisconsin, as well as pay up to 350-thousand dollars in fines.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is warning people about thin ice.  The agency reports that its currently unsafe to walk across bodies of water, but kids and out-of-state visitors might not understand the danger.  They're urging residents to talk with their loved ones and neighbors about thin ice to prevent a holiday tragedy. 

The Governor of Wisconsin is calling on residents to shop local this holiday season.  In a video message this morning Governor Tony Evers announced Shop Small Wisconsin will take place November 26th through December 31st.  Evers says Wisconsinites will be asked to focus on shopping local during that time.

Local-Regional News Nov 22

 Wisconsin gas prices are down big time to start Thanksgiving week.  Triple-A says the statewide average is three dollars and 36 cents a gallon, down over 30 cents from this time last week.  Here in Western Wisconsin, gas is averaging $3.14 a gallon.    It also looks like the weather will be quiet for the week and cause no travel disruptions.

Pepin County residents will now be able to recycle electronics at all collection sites.  The Land Conservation Department announced that old electronics including old cell phones, jump drives, and even larger tv can be taken to any of the collection sites.  There will be a charge for larger items like TVs and monitors, for more information contact the Pepin County Land Conservation Department.

No one is hurt after a semi-trailer caught on fire on Interstate 94 near Eau Claire Monday morning.   The Wisconsin Department of Transportation said that the right lane of I-94 westbound just south of the exit to Highway 12/County Highway EE on Eau Claire’s west side was closed for over three and a half hours Monday. No word on the cause of that fire.

There's finally a winner of the sheriff's race in La Crosse County.  The county's clerk on Friday declared Democratic Candidate John Siegel as the winner.  He won by 175 votes.  The Republican in the race asked for a limited recount in the race, and only found one new vote.

There's a change coming to the top of Kwik Trip. CEO and President Donald Zietlow yesterday said he will retire at the end of the year. He's been the boss at Kwik Trip for the past 22 years, but has been with the company for over 50 years. Zietlow has been credited with Kwik Trip's growth and with helping the company become a staple across Wisconsin. His son, Scott, will take over as CEO next year.

The Silver Mine Ski Invitational will not be hitting the slopes this coming January.   Organizers canceled the event after an inspection determined the ski-slope to be unsafe for jumpers. Dan Mattoon, tournament director, said they are looking for long-term solutions to fix the tower and continue their winter tradition, which would have been in its 137th year.  Mattoon said their goal is to have the invitational back next year, but it will take a lot of fundraising efforts. 

The November election is all but over. The Wisconsin Elections Commission yesterday said all 72 counties have completed their vote canvasses. That means the local votes have been counted and sent to the state. The Commission says statewide candidates have until Friday to ask for a recount. Only one race, the secretary of state's race, is in the range for a recount. No other race was close enough. After the recount window closes, the Elections Commission has until December 1st to certify the election results.

Wisconsin lawmakers are going to have to decide what to do with another record surplus. The Department of Administrator yesterday said the state's budget surplus is expected to hit six-point-six billion-dollars next summer. The Republicans who will write the state's next budget says the extra money will give them 'flexibility,' and could help pay for tax cuts. Governor Evers' administration is looking to spend some of the money. State agencies have asked for an extra three-and-a-half billion dollars in new spending next year. State Rep Mark Born, who will help craft the budget, says the record surplus is not a 'blank check' for the governor.

The Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating a weekend pursuit that ended in the death of a driver. A DOJ press release said the incident began Sunday around 9 a.m. when a Maple Bluff Police Officer tried to stop a vehicle for traffic violations. The vehicle didn't stop and after a "short pursuit" crashed into a tree. According to a press release  the driver ran while the three passengers remained on the scene. Once the driver was located, all four were taken to the hospital where the driver died. The officer has been placed on administrative assignment. 

McDonald’s is taking a day to show thanks to active Police Officers, EMTs, and Military, and Firefighters today.    Courtesy Corporation restaurants will provide a free Combo Meal all day long to active Police Officers, EMTs, and Military, and Firefighters. The media release from Courtesy Corporation says emergency service personnel only need to present a badge, ID, or uniform when ordering to receive a free meal.   The Durand  McDonalds is owned by Courtesy Corporation.

There is a warning from the state about Christmas decorations.  The state's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection on Friday issued its warning about invasive bugs that may be hiding in Christmas trees and wreaths.  There's also a worry about certain kinds of fungus.  The state says it tries to inspect the trees and wreaths that come into Wisconsin.  Your best bet is to be careful when picking a tree or a wreath and make sure it comes from a state with pest control regulations.

Minnetonka-based Cargill is welcoming a new CEO.  The global food company has named Brian Sikes to succeed Dave MacLennan, who will become the executive chairman of the board.  The former COO has been with the company since 1991.  Sikes begins his new position on January 1.

The US may be facing a butter shortage, with the USDA reporting the amount of butter in cold storage is the lowest in at least four years, and 18% lower than last year. But  Manitowoc County Agriculture Educator Angie Ulness says that’s not reflected on store shelves.   Butter prices are up: Ulness says butter averages around $2.88 per pound, up from $1.73 per pound this time last year. 

If you're looking for part-time work, be careful not to get scammed. A Muskego woman who thought she was interviewing for a job at Hobby Lobby found herself as part of a scam. The scammers performed the job interview over text messaging and asked her for her driver's license and banking info. She wisely stopped the interview. State consumer protection administrator Lara Sutherlin says that's a red flag.   Sutherlin says anyone asking you to pay money to get a job is also trying to scam you. 

Minnesotans have the highest credit scores in the country.  That's according to a WalletHub report that compared the average credit scores of residents in all 50 states.  Minnesota ranked number one with a statewide average of 724.  According to the report, the nationwide average is 695.  New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and South Dakota rounded out the top five.  Meanwhile, Mississippi ranked dead last. 

Arrests are made in connection with a deer theft in Columbia County.  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says a buck was stolen from a property near Portage and Wisconsin Dells Saturday.  The DNR says it used tips from Facebook to track down the deer.  The suspects' charges haven't been announced and they haven't been identified.

Your library card could get you a lot more than just a book. The state's Department of Natural Resources on Friday announced a pilot program that will allow people to 'check-out' a state park pass at their local library. The program is limited to just one thousand people and 20 participating libraries across the state. The DNR says the idea is to encourage people to take advantage of the great state parks that Wisconsin has to offer. You can find out more on the program at the DNR's website.

Local-Regional News Nov 21

 Durand Area residents and businesses will be able to watch the funeral procession for former Durand Fire Chief Pit Plumer on Tuesday morning.  The procession will leave the Rhiel Funeral Home at 11:10AM, travel down Prospect Street, and will turn off of Prospect Street by Durand High School to Washington Street to drive past the Fire Station.  The procession will then travel down 2nd Ave East to Main Street, then to 3rd Avenue West back to Prospect Street, and then to St. Mary's Church for the funeral Services.  Everyone is welcome for Pizza and refreshments at 1pm at the Durand Fire Station.

Congress reconvenes for the lame-duck session as some farm and agriculture groups are pressing lawmakers to finish immigration reform through the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The legislation passed the House and waits for consideration in the Senate.  Representative Ron Kind, the retiring Democrat from Wisconsin, says it’s a complicated topic, but one that needs to be worked out.  Kind did not seek reelection this year after serving more than 20 years in Congress.

One driver needed to be extracted from their vehicle after a three-vehicle accident on Hwy 93 Friday afternoon.  According to the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department, the head-on collision occurred on Hwy 93 and the highway had to be shut down for nearly 90 minutes.  The driver that was extricated was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.  

An Alma Center Woman was arrested on Saturday for OWI.  According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, troopers pulled over 36yr old Heather Buder on Broadway Street in Blair for an equipment violation.  Upon contact with the driver, the trooper observed signs of impairment and a field sobriety test was conducted.  She was arrested for OWI 2nd offense with a minor in the vehicle.  Buder was taken to the Trempealeau County Jail and the 11-month-old child with her was released to an adult family member.

The state Supreme Court has denied Colton Treu’s petition to review his case.    Treu pleaded guilty and no contest in December 2019 and was sentenced in March 2020 to 54 years in prison, for the 2018 hit-and-run deaths of four Girl Scouts and one of the girls’ mothers. They were killed as the Scout troop picked up roadside litter in Chippewa County.  Treu’s lawyer filed a motion in August seeking to reverse a Court of Appeals decision that denied his request to withdraw his pleas in the case. The decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court was filed last week.

An 11-year-old boy died after being shot in the chest Sunday morning.  In a statement, the Wisconsin  DNR said it responded to the Township of Seneca in Green Lake County alongside the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office and emergency medical services.  Shortly after 9 a.m., the shooter tried to unload his gun while it was placed in the back seat of a vehicle. The gun discharged and struck the victim, officials said.  The shooter was a 41-year-old man. The shooter and the victim belonged to the same hunting party, according to the DNR.

Wisconsin health officials are concerned about low vaccination rates in our state as we head into the holidays. Tom Haupt, Influenza Surveillance Coordinator with the Department of Health Services, says the influenza vaccination rate right now is about 23%, and DHS was hoping for significantly higher numbers. In addition, only 15% percent of the eligible population has received an updated bivalent COVID-19 booster. These low vaccination rates coincide with an early onset of RSV, a respiratory illness that hits very young children particularly hard and for which there are no vaccines.

Former House Speaker Paul Ryan continues to call for Republicans to move past Donald Trump. In an interview that aired Sunday on ABC News "This Week," the Janesville Republican said that while he was proud of the accomplishments during the Trump administration, he is now “a never-again-Trumper,” because he wants Republicans to win. Ryan told ABC's Jonathon Karl (quote) “What we now know, it's pretty clear, is with Trump we lose,” citing the disappointing mid-terms in which Republicans failed to take back the Senate and gained only a narrow majority in the House.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is planning to ask for a major funding increase when the new legislature is seated.  The DNR requested 300-million dollars last session but received far less.  Senator Scott Dibble is a member of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee and says the new DFL Legislative majority will definitely help with the DNRs one-time funding request.

The Minnesota Nurses Association is considering another strike.  Last week, they announced that union members will vote on November 30th to authorize a possible strike at 15 hospitals in the Twin Cities and Twin Ports areas.  Earlier this fall, MNA held a historic three-day strike in the Twin Cities and Duluth-Superior areas.  Allina Health says they're willing to bargain with MNA but cannot agree to their conditions.  Negotiations are scheduled for December 2nd.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston Cole is stepping down.  Governor Tony Evers announced on Friday that Cole will retire next Wednesday after a 35-year public service career.  Cole has led the Department of Natural Resources for the past four years.  Before Evers appointed him director in 2018, Cole served on the state's Natural Resources Board, which sets policy for the DNR. 

Madison is getting over 430-thousand dollars in federal funding to improve its air quality.  The grant comes from the EPA's Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring for Communities program.  WKOW says the City of Madison will lead a project to install 68 air quality sensors to monitor air pollution, and to address health disparities caused by air pollution.  Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said the sensor network "will enable everyone to see for the first time which areas of our city are most impacted" by air pollution. 

Minnesota is launching a new effort to help incarcerated people land a job after release.  The Department of Employment and Economic Development is using ten-million dollars in federal funds to create grants for individuals interested in career pathways training and skills development.  People in federal correctional facilities in Duluth, Sandstone, Rochester, and Waseca will have access to the grants starting this spring.  Officials plan to expand the program over time. 

A former Rochester executive who worked for a snack food company is pleading guilty to fraud.  Thomas Wiechmann agreed to a plea of one felony count of theft by swindle.  The former chief financial officer for Reichel Foods is accused of making hundreds of thousands of dollars in charges on company credit cards for personal use.   Wiechmann is scheduled to be sentenced on February 14.

The DNR is reporting more Cougars sightings this year than in the last five years across southern Wisconsin. According to DNR data so far in 2022 There have been seven verified Cougar sightings across sock Richland grant and Crawford counties for the reports coming from Richland County. Experts say the Cougar scene here are males from South Dakota or Canada who are typically just passing through. But should female Cougars start coming to Wisconsin. It's likely the state could see a large increase in the population. The cougar is native to Wisconsin, but they were all hunted and killed in the early 1900s. 

Wisconsin's Water Park Capital of the World has a role in this week's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.  Kalahari Resort will join the parade with a float called the Colossal Wave of Wonder.  The float will feature a mother elephant, a baby elephant, a rhinoceros, and an octopus riding a wave.  The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will be televised on streaming platforms beginning at 8 a.m. Central Time.

The word is out on Minnesota's most-hated Thanksgiving food.  Geotagged Twitter data showed that stuffing is the state's least favorite holiday dish.  The data was collected from tweets, hashtags, and direct word phrases mentioning different Thanksgiving foods over the past month.  Cranberries were the most-hated for half of the U.S.