Local-Regional News August 9

 More than $100 million is being funneled to local road projects across the state including here in Western Wisconsin.  Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced approximately $174 million will help local communities across the state complete more than 1,000 local road improvement projects over the next five years. 1,003 projects were selected to receive funding through WisDOT’s Local Roads Improvement Program based on recommendations from county, municipal, and town officials.  Here in Western Wisconsin, Buffalo County is receiving $94,000 for improvements to Hwy C, Dunn County $161,000 for Hwy D, Pepin County $62,000 for Hwy SS and Pierce County will receive $113 for improvements to Hwy V.   The final 2023-25 biennial budget signed by Evers provided an increase of more than $4 million for the roads improvement program, providing a four percent increase each year of the biennium.

There are charges against a Bloomer man who deputies say shot a couple of rural Eau Claire County homes.  Prosecutors filed charges yesterday against Brandon Flanary of Bloomer. The sheriff's office says he randomly fired shots back on July 14th along Town Hall Road, just west of Eau Claire. His bullets hit two homes in the area. The sheriff's office says he later admitted that he was driving around drunk, and firing his gun. 

The man who broke into an Eau Claire home, stole a gun, and then went and beat a woman with that gun is headed to prison. A judge in Eau Claire yesterday sentenced Mitchell Henke to three years in prison. Police launched a week-long search for Henke, and eventually found him in Oshkosh. Prosecutors say Henke was armed and dangerous and beat the woman in front of her two-year-old child. Henke will serve three years of probation once he's released. 

The Pepin County Historical Society is celebrating 150 years of The Old Pepin County Courthouse.  A celebration will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 1pm to 4 p.m. The Pepin County Heritage Center (formerly known as The Old Pepin County Courthouse Museum) will be open at 1pm for walk-through tours and there will also be live music on the courthouse front lawn. Starting at 2pm, Pepin County historian Terry Mesch will share an interesting and enlightening history of the Old Pepin County Courthouse.  The building was completed and first used in 1874 and used as a courthouse building until 1985.

A Western Wisconsin 4-H member is advancing to the state 4-H Dairy Judging Tournament.  Tyler Quilling of Menomonie, is advancing to the 2024 State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest as an Individual after scoring well at the 2024 Area Animal Science Days dairy judging competition in Shawano County.  The State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest will be held on August 18th in Madison.

The rules against homelessness in La Crosse are about to get tougher. The city council last night approved a ban on camping on city land. The idea is to move the homeless people in the city to new homes or programs, and out of the city's parks. No one in La Crosse, however, is saying when they will begin to enforce the new camping ban.

Republican lawmakers want to know what taxpayers are getting for the billion-dollars-plus that they are spending on the University of Wisconsin. State Rep. Amanda Nedweski led the grilling that UW President Jay Rothman got yesterday at a hearing on the future of the UW System. She pressed Rothman about why the university needs more money from the state when there are fewer students and fewer campuses. Nedweski also pushed-back on the idea that the jobs of the future will require a college degree. 

There's a new alert system for missing kids in Wisconsin. The state launched the Missing Child Alert system yesterday. The idea is to have an alert that covers the situations when an Amber Alert isn't possible or appropriate. The new alert comes after both five-year-old Prince McCree went missing in Milwaukee, and 10-year-old Lily Peters went missing in Chippewa Falls. The new alert is quicker and more local than a statewide Amber Alert. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul says it is another way for law enforcement to act quickly to protect children. 

The latest data shows Universities of Wisconsin struggles in public funding. Updated national numbers from the UW System show Wisconsin ranks 43rd out of 50 states in state funding for four-year education. President Jay Rothman says the latest numbers highlight the challenges facing the state's universities. The numbers also found the college-going rate of Wisconsin high school graduates is lower than the national average and most surrounding states. According to the data nearly four in ten degrees are in STEM or health care fields, and nearly seventy percent of new programs are in STEM fields. Finally, more than 600,000 Wisconsin adults under 65 have some college credit but no degree.

A man accused of killing four siblings in a December drunk driving crash in Waupaca County reaches a plea deal.  Scott Farmer pleaded no contest to five felony counts including a 5th OWI and four counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. He was found guilty by the judge, who then ordered a pre-sentence investigation. Fabian, Lilian, and Daniela Gonzalez died at the scene; their older brother Daniel died at a hospital the next day. The 48-year-old was driving with a blood alcohol content over point three five at the time of the crash, significantly higher than the legal limit of point oh eight and his personal limit of point oh two from his previous convictions. The judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation. Sentencing in the case is scheduled for November 22nd. He faces more than 100 years in prison on the vehicular homicide counts alone.

Wisconsin's Democratic U.S. senator continues to hold a lead in her re-election bid. The latest Marquette Law School Poll gives Senator Tammy Baldwin a seven point lead against Eric Hovde. Pollsters say she's leading 53-46 among registered voters. However, 14 percent of voters say they have not yet made-up their minds. Baldwin has led the race since the first polls came out earlier this year, and the margins haven't changed that much. Baldwin is running for her third term in the Senate, and Hovde is making his second bid for the seat. 

Almost a thousand speeding tickets and warnings were given out in Wisconsin in 24-hours. Wisconsin State Patrol released its numbers today for Speed Awareness Day last Wednesday. The average speeding rate was twenty miles-per-hour over the speed limit. Almost a hundred law enforcement agencies participated statewide.

Parents and a Warroads High School girl's hockey coach are settling a defamation lawsuit.  The agreement includes a 17 thousand dollar payment to coach David Martin, a five thousand dollar donation to a nonprofit supporting mental health, and acknowledgments from parents that accusations they made on social media were false.  The coach's suit alleged that the parents, whose daughters played hockey for him, made false statements to get him fired.

 A woman in Wisconsin sent her dad a scratch off for Father's Day, and he ended up 200-thousand dollars richer. Burton Chase, a Connecticut resident, opened up a card from his daughter to find the Wisconsin lottery ticket inside. It was a winner. He flew to Madison during global I-T outages in July to claim his prize. The Wisconsin Winnings game still has one 200-thousand dollar prize left.

Local-Regional News August 8

 Expect traffic delays on Hwy 10 west of Durand for the next week or so.  Crews are installing a new shoulder and guard rails by Thompson Lake and Hwy 10 is down to one lane with traffic control signals.  Crews are also replacing guard rails near Arkansaw and Hwy 10 is also down to one lane.  The two replacements are part of the Hwy 10 improvement project.

The Pepin County Board will begin the search for a new Finance and Personnel Administrator after Pamala Hansen submitted her resignation in July.  The Administrative committee is looking at hiring the same firm the city of Durand used to find a replacement.  It is hoped a replacement would be on the job by November.  Hanson has agreed to help the county with the annual audit and other items during the transition.  Her last day is August 16th.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will host a public meeting with the Pierce County Deer Advisory Council to provide information on chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Wisconsin, local testing efforts, and disease surveillance options being considered. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, in Spring Valley.  In April, the DNR confirmed the first positive test result for CWD in a wild deer in Pierce County. The deer was located in the town of Spring Lake and is within 10 miles of the Dunn and St. Croix county borders.

There's a plea deal for the woman who stole 75-thousand dollars from The Corner Store in Eau Claire. Prosecutors yesterday said 34-year-old Devin Becker pleaded guilty to felony theft charges in exchange for a deferred sentence. Becker told police she took the money to pay for her cocaine and drinking habit. As part of the deal, she will avoid prison if she doesn't commit any new crimes for the next 16 years. She will also have to repay 111-thousand dollars to The Corner Store. 

A western Wisconsin man will spend the rest of his life in Florida for a murder that he hoped would fund his fight against the Venezuelan government. A judge in Fort Myers sentenced Alex Zwiefelhofer from Bloomer, Wisconsin to life behind bars on Tuesday. A jury convicted him of killing a Florida couple during a robbery back in 2018. Prosecutors say Zwiefelhofer wanted to use the money to go to Venezuela and fight the government there. He'd recently fought in Ukraine and had served in the U.S. Army until he went AWOL back in 2017. 

Eau Claire saw the candidates and the crowds yesterday. Both Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance and Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate made stops in the city. They held rallies at almost the exact same time. Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, hit the now-familiar talking points of abortion, gun control, and of course some attacks on Donald Trump. Vance's speech was much the same. He spent his time trashing Walz for his time as Minnesota governor, and again called the Democratic ticket the most radical ticket ever. The dueling visits once again highlight just how important Wisconsin is to both sides in the November election. 

The president of the University of Wisconsin is going to speak today about the future of the UW System. President Jay Rothman is the featured witness at today's meeting of the Legislative Council Study Committee on the Future of the University of Wisconsin System. Rothman is not yet saying just what he plans to say, but the committee is tasked with finding a way for the UW to deal with changing demographics and changing finances. This is the Study Committee's second meeting so far. The hope is to have suggestions for lawmakers by sometime next year. 

There could be four other names on the ballot for president in Wisconsin this fall. The Wisconsin Elections Commission this week said four independent candidates have filed paperwork to make the November ballot. Cornel West,  Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as well as lesser-known candidates Shiva Ayyadurai and Claudia De la Cruz all turned in their paperwork this week. WEC says it will now review their applications and signatures, and decide if they qualify for the ballot. Tomorrow is the last day for anyone to apply to be in the race, and on the ballot in November. 

Half of Wisconsin’s fire chiefs say they don’t have the financial resources to cover their department’s budgets.  New research from the Whitburn Center for Governance and Policy Research at UW-Oshkosh also shows that over 10% of the state’s fire departments had at least one instance last year of not responding to a service call. The survey of nearly 200 fire chiefs found a rise in service calls, staffing shortages, and inadequate budgets among the top concerns facing fire departments. One option is consolidating resources with other departments, but such action would require a change in state law.

The former warden at the prison in Waupun has pleaded not guilty to the charges stemming from an inmate's death. Randall Hepp was in court in Dodge County yesterday to face a single felony charge of misconduct in office. He's looking at charges, along with eight other former employees at the prison, for the death of an inmate who died in his cell from dehydration. That death is one of five recent deaths at the prison in Waupun, but it is the only one that has been ruled a homicide. 

Olmsted County commissioners are moving to limit the number of retail cannabis businesses that can open in the county.  Commissioners voted unanimously yesterday to cap the number of businesses that can be registered in the county at 14.  The vote came after no one spoke at a public hearing on the ordinance.  The chair of the county board of commissioners said the cap balances public safety and community needs and could expand in the future.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is offering info on how to obtain an ID to use at the polls.  US citizens who will be 18 by the next election, who don't currently have a valid state driver’s license or ID, can check the Wisconsin Elections Commission website for info on what forms of ID are acceptable at the polls. Prospective voters can start the process of getting a license by visiting the DMV website. Documents including a birth certificate, proof of identity and Wisconsin residency will be required to obtain an official ID. If documentation isn't available, DMV does have a process that may be used to obtain a receipt valid for voting while the remaining documents or verifications are obtained.

The Minnesota Supreme Court is upholding the year-old law restoring the right to vote to felons upon their release from prison.  This was a measure pushed by Governor Tim Walz. The high court rejected a challenge to the 2023 law by the Minnesota Voters Alliance.   The courts said the alliance did not have the right to sue because taxpayer money was used to implement the law.  The timing of the ruling is critical because early voting has already started and this year's primary is next week.  An estimated 57 thousand Minnesota felons are newly eligible to vote.

The USDA has completed an investigation into the death of an owl at the Minnesota Zoo.  A recently released report indicates the Eurasian eagle owl was being trained for a bird show in April when it flew away from a handler and landed in the zoo's tiger enclosure.  The owl was eaten by one of the tigers.  The USDA is requiring the zoo to develop flight training that emphasizes the health and safety of the animals involved.

Local-Regional News August 7

 The Durand Fire Department's new ladder truck has arrived.  The department picked up the new 110-foot ladder truck yesterday and had it on display for National Night Out.  Durand Fire Chief Jamie King says the new truck will be useful in town and in rural areas. Firefighters will spend the next few weeks training to be certified to use the truck and King hopes to have the new truck in service by the end of August.

A Dunn County man has been found guilty of child sexual assault.  Daniel Sims was found guilty by a Dunn County Jury for assaulting a child back in 2016.  Sims is already serving time for assaulting a woman several times and will also go on trial again in November on charges of assaulting a different child. 

All eyes will be on Eau Claire today, and both presidential campaigns come to town. Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance will speak to a Republican gathering this afternoon, while at almost the same time Kamala Harris and her new VP pick will speak to a crowd of Democrats. Both are campaigning, again, in a part of western Wisconsin that could help tip the balance in the state. Wisconsin is considered one of the key swing states in the race for the White House. A new poll for that race here in the state is due out later today. 

There is a warning about overdoses from Barron County. The sheriff's office yesterday said authorities had to use Narcan three times on Monday and Tuesday to revive people from ODs. The sheriff is blaming a bad batch of drugs, likely laced with fentanyl. Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald says all three OD victims were found in public places, even though they were all found in different places. The sheriff says Narcan doses are available for free at the county's public health department, and other counties have drug testing strips available as well. 

Someone in Lake Hallie is stealing cars. Police in the city say they've gotten calls about six stolen cars recently. Detective Tim Bowman says they've recovered four, but the other two are missing. Of the cars that police have recovered, money and other things inside the car were all cleaned out. Bowman says they have some suspects in mind, but he says it's best for everyone to lock their cars going forward. 

Back-to-school shopping doesn't need to strain your wallet. Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin president Jim Temmer says you should make sure you actually need to buy things on your child's list of supplies. You might have some things like cleaning supplies, napkins, and other basic stationery on hand from last year. Be on the lookout for discounts or coupons, and shop early to make sure you can find good prices on items, rather than having to settle for what's left closer to the start of school.

Students in Rochester will face new restrictions on cell phone use when they return to school this fall.  The district school board approved new rules this week that require elementary students to keep their phones in their locker, backpack or cubby throughout the school day.  Middle school students also must keep their phones in their lockers and not bring them into classrooms.  School district officials say the new policies are designed to improve students' performance in class while also enhancing their mental health.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is confirming the appearance of a new invasive species that attacks elm trees.  The agency says elm zigzag sawflies have been found on the Twins Cities campus of the University of Minnesota.  The insect is native to Asia and was first found in the U.S. in 2021.  It was named because of the distinctive zig-zag pattern it leaves on elm leaves.  The insect can be harmful to elm trees, though the Department of Agriculture says the full impact is still unknown due to the short time it's been present in the U.S.

Wisconsin got a visit yesterday from U-S Attorney General Merrick Garland. He visited the U-S Attorney General's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, U-S Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad, and law enforcement workers. Garland says an anti-violent crime strategy is deployed in Wisconsin to arrest felons and prevent violent drug trafficking. He also noted the national violent crime rate was one of the lowest in the past fifty years last year, including the largest drop in homicides. 

Sharp-tailed grouse hunting will be closed this year in Wisconsin, despite an increase in population. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says conservation groups and biologists have concerns about the long-term viability for grouse. The species has been recovering since an all time-low population in 2021. This year will be the sixth closed season in a row. 

Dodge County's sheriff says the latest inmate to die at the prison in Waupun likely killed themself. The sheriff's office is leading the investigation into the inmate's death. Waupun's mayor is identifying the inmate as 57-year-old Christopher McDonald. He was serving a life sentence for a double murder back in 1992, and the mayor says he was found hanging in his cell. McDonald is the fifth inmate to die at the prison in Waupun since June of last year. One of those deaths has been ruled a homicide, and nine former prison employees, including the former warden, are facing charges in that case. 

Wisconsin’s entire U.S. House Delegation sent a letter to the director of the Air National Guard to permanently house a new KC-46A Pegasus tanker at Milwaukee’s 128th Air Refueling Wing. It would replace another plane that’s over 60 years old. Wisconsin First District Congressman Bryan Steil says the 128th is the ideal location for the aircraft.  The 128th is one of 15 locations around the country looking to house the tanker plane.

The suicide rate in Minnesota is on the decline.  The state Department of Health reports that last year 815 people took their lives.  That number is down from 860 in 2022. Suicide rates remain higher in parts of Greater Minnesota than in the Twin Cities. Health experts say poor access to mental health care is a factor in the increase.

The 2024 Minnesota State Fair will feature 63 new drinks, including hard seltzers, slushies, mixed drinks, and beers. Some highlights include the Agua Fresca Hard Slushie from Indeed Brewing, the Apple Pie Hazy Cider from Wild State Cider, and the Attack of the Quack! from Surly Brewing. With a wide range of flavors and options, fairgoers can enjoy refreshing beverages from various local breweries and cideries. Remember to drink responsibly and savor the unique offerings at this year's fair.

Local-Regional News Aug 6

 

Two people were injured in a single-vehicle accident in the town of Hale on Sunday.  According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department, 72yr old  George Wallner of Galesville was traveling Hwy 53 when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed.  Both he and 73yr old Jenn Wallner had to be extricated from the vehicle and were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

One person is dead after a one-vehicle accident in Barron County on Friday.  According to the Barron County Sheriff's Department, 28yr old Zach Kahl of Chetek was traveling on 29th street when he failed to stop for a stop sign, lost control of the vehicle an crashed.  Speed is believed to be a factor in the accident.

Eau Claire, Wisconsin is going to the political hub in the race for president tomorrow. Both Republican vice presidential pick JD Vance, and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris will be in town. Harris is scheduled to make a stop in Eau Claire with her new VP pick. Vance is set to deliver a speech to the faithful in northwestern Wisconsin. The dual visit is just the latest sign of how important Wisconsin is in this year's elections. The latest polls continue to show former President Trump with a slight lead over Kamala Harris in Wisconsin, but Trump's lead is smaller than it was over President Biden. 

Small town, big heart during the 141st Pierce County Fair August 8th through 11th at the fairgrounds in Ellsworth.  Enjoy the great music of Johnny Cash with the Church of Cash August 8th at 7pm.   The truck and tractor pull is on Friday at 8pm and Senior day is on Sunday!  Season passes are available now for the discounted advance price of $13 on the Pierce County website, the Pierce County Fair office, and select merchants around the county.

Don't be surprised to see a lot of people with telescopes in Fall Creek this weekend. The Beaver Creek Reserve has been named one of the best places in Wisconsin to see this weekend's meteor shower. The Perseid meteor shower will happen Saturday night. The Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society is hosting a watch party at the Hobbs Observatory, starting at 9 p.m. People will be able to watch the shower and ask questions, free of charge. The Perseid meteor shower happens every year around this time. This year's shower will peak next Monday. 

Add Altoona Schools to the list of school districts in Wisconsin with Narcan available in their school buildings. Altoona Schools are installing overdose aid kits before the return to school this fall. The kits will go in at Altoona High School, the middle and intermediate schools, and the city's elementary school. State Senator Jesse James says the idea is to be prepared just in case someone needs overdose medication. The Overdose Response Network is helping bring the kits to Altoona. The Network has already installed 720 kits at schools across Wisconsin, and is adding more each year.  

The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office will begin using a special vehicle to help catch distracted drivers.  The sheriff's office unveiled its specially-equipped Chevy Silverado yesterday.  A lift kit and special tires were installed to give deputies a better view into other vehicles.  Deputies will call in a marked patrol car to make a traffic stop when a distracted driver is spotted.  The sheriff's office says the vehicle was purchased thanks to a 78-thousand-dollar traffic safety grant received in April.

Nearly 150 people are out of work as a wood products company closed some locations last week. W X P R in Rhinelander reports Besse Forest Products Group closed three locations on August 2nd with a day warning to employees or the state. The owners of the company, Hoffman Family of Products, told the Department of Workforce Development that a downturn in the industry forced the closure. The closures affected the mills in Goodman, Rice Lake, and Mattoon.

Wisconsin's' public health managers are confirming the state's first cases of West Nile Virus. The state's Department of Health Services yesterday said the virus has been found in a person in Washington County, and a dead bird in Chippewa County. DHS says the person in Washington County is a blood donor, and his West Nile case was caught in a blood scan, even though he never had any symptoms. West Nile is not uncommon in Wisconsin, and in fact, cases tend to peak in August and September as more people are out at dusk when mosquitoes are most active. 

Central Wisconsin will see increased flight activity due to a military exercise this week.  The Northern Lightning Exercise takes place now through Friday and again August 12th through the 16th at Volk Field Air National Guard Base in Juneau County. Military aircraft such as F-35s and F-16s will be operating at supersonic speeds within the Volk Military Operating Area, sometimes above 30,000 feet. When training missions are going on between 9am and 5pm, people may hear sonic booms and other noises associated with the high-speed training. The exercise is part of ongoing military readiness training and aims to improve operational capabilities.

Two people accused of selling fake jewelry around Wisconsin are arrested. It started in May when the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office reported a man telling someone at a gas station he was out of gas, needed money and offered to sell the jewelry. Once the trade was made for the jewelry, the victim found the jewelry had no precious metals. A similar situation happened in Vernon County last month, and last week in Richland County. That’s where a deputy found two suspects from Washington State and California with cash and jewelry in their vehicle. The pair were taken to the Vernon County Jail.

A new outreach grant program is coming for lead line replacement projects in Wisconsin.  Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Natural Resources say the program will provide municipalities with funding to conduct community outreach efforts in support of ongoing or upcoming lead service line replacement projects. According to a 2023 report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum, more than 37,000 such lines have been replaced or disconnected since 2018 - more in the last five years than the previous two decades. The program’s funding comes from the Biden administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which will provide Wisconsin with more than $900 million to support state environmental loan programs. The Lead Service Line Replacement Community Outreach Grant will begin accepting applications on August 29th.

Two federal lawsuits are seeking millions from Golden Valley-based General Mills.  Plaintiffs say Cocoa Puffs cereal could contain high levels of lead.  The suits filed recently in Minnesota and California are calling for more than five million dollars in damages for consumers nationwide.   One suit claims a one-cup serving of Cocoa Puffs contained just a little less than the state's maximum allowable limit of point five micrograms of lead.

 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources fall forecast series for 2024 is released. The archery and bow deer season is being extended in some areas. The DNR expects good numbers for turkeys, pheasants, and grouse this season. Bear hunters should expect even better success this year than last, because of the abundance of acorns.  More information for other species can be found online D-N-R-dot-Wisconsin-dot-gov.

The Minnesota State Fair will feature a few new rides this year.  Visitors will be able to ride "The Kraken," which is described as a pendulum that sends riders to a height of nearly 150 feet.  Also new this year is "The Defender," which spins riders like a giant propeller.  Both rides are part of the fair's Mighty Midway.  The fair's historic Space Tower will also be open again this year.  The attraction had to shut down last year after four days due to wiring issues.

Local-Regional News Aug 5

 One person was injured in a motorcycle accident in Trenton Township on Friday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 52yr old Ronald Berensten of Red Wing was traveling southbound on825th Street when he lost control and struck a tree.  Berensten was med-flighted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

 

It should be a nice night for National Night Out. Police departments across the Chippewa Valley will be out tomorrow night as part of the national movement to get neighbors to meet with neighbors. National Night Out happens every year and is a chance for police officers to connect with people without a traffic stop or some kind of emergency.  In Durand, National Night Out will start at 5 at the Bauer Built Sports Complex, and Buffalo County Sheriff's Department will have an event at Gilmanton High School starting at 5.

Vice President Kamal Harris is set to visit Eau Claire this week and local law enforcement is preparing on how to keep the event and community safe.  The Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office and the Eau Claire Police Department said planning is underway for the vice president's campaign stop in Eau Claire and public safety is the top priority.  Harris will be holding a campaign rally in Eau Claire on Wednesday, August 7th.  The time and location of the event are still unknown, but Eau Claire County Sheriff said they are already working with the Secret Service, and federal and local agencies to have a clear security plan. 

There's another lawsuit against an Eau Claire police officer for racial profiling. Timothy Coleman claims in a lawsuit that Officer Sam Sperry racially profiled him and used excessive force when Coleman was arrested back in 2019. That's the same officer, and the same arrest that was at the heart of Sidney Coleman's lawsuit against Eau Claire. Sidney and Timothy are brothers. Sidney Coleman successfully sued Eau Claire and won more than a half-million dollars. Timothy Coleman's lawsuit asks for 12 million. 

 The sheriff in St. Croix County, Wisconsin is worried about his community's reputation. Sheriff Scott Knudson says he doesn't want people to get the wrong idea following the end of the Apple River murder trial. A judge last week sentenced Nicolae Miu to 20 years in prison for killing one teen and stabbing four others on the river back in 2022. Knudson says he wants people to associate the river with summer fun and relaxation, not a murder trial. But the sheriff says that stigma doesn't just disappear. Miu claimed self defense, and said he slashed the teens after they attacked him. The jury disagreed and convicted him of reckless homicide.

Wisconsin lawmakers are turning their attention to the state's youth prisons this week. The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety will hold a hearing tomorrow in Merrill to get answers about the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools. Wisconsin's Corrections Secretary Jared Hoy is scheduled to be the first witness. Lincoln Hills is back under scrutiny after an inmate there attacked and killed a teacher in late June. Both Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake have a troubled history, and some lawmakers have been pushing to close them both for years. 

A group of nearly 150 healthcare workers from around the state are asking for the expansion of Medicaid. Doctor Ann Helms is the state lead for the Committee to Protect Healthcare. Helms says by refusing to expand Medicaid, politicians are letting Wisconsinites fall behind compared to other Americans including those in Michigan Illinois and Minnesota. Governor Tony Evers has proposed expanding BadgerCare in his state budgets. That’s been consistently opposed by Republican legislators, and Wisconsin remains one of 10 states that have rejected federal funding to expand Medicaid.

Police in Rochester are investigating after the home of a state lawmaker was vandalized over the weekend.  State Representative Kim Hicks posted photos of Nazi symbols and racist graffiti that was discovered on her home early Saturday.  Hicks said the vandalism was a "hate crime against a biracial family."  The DFL lawmaker's husband is Black and the couple has six children.  The vandalism was condemned by groups like the Anti-Defamation League and the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

A new grant is reviving the Universities of Wisconsin's Tuition Promise program in 2025.  Students whose families earn $55,000 or less will be able to attend one of 11 system schools without having to pay tuition or fees. The Tuition Promise is a "last dollar" program, meaning it pays for tuition and fees remaining after a student's financial aid is exhausted. The program was last funded in the fall of 2023, but a $5 million grant from the Ascendium Education Group is covering the costs. In December UW System President Jay Rothman said any future rounds would need philanthropic support, as the system's $24.5 million request for it in the most recent budget was denied by the state Legislature. An estimated 1,300 students starting in fall 2025 are expected to qualify for the Tuition Promise.

The second earthquake of the year was recorded in Wisconsin.  A 2.9 magnitude earthquake was recorded Friday morning in Lake Michigan, about 24 miles away from Sturgeon Bay, according to the United States Geological Survey. The USGS estimates the earthquake depth at around 6.7 miles. The quake was felt in locations including Oshkosh, Appleton, Fish Creek, Sturgeon Bay, and De Pere. Friday's quake marks the second recorded in Wisconsin this year. A 2.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded near Crandon in January.

Two legal firms are threatening to sue the Rochester Public Schools over its recently approved policies for transgender students.  The policy says teachers are not required to share information about a student's gender identity unless parents specifically request it.  Students can also change their preferred name and gender pronouns without parental consent.  The two legal firms announced yesterday that they will sue if the school district acts in a way that interferes with parental rights.

Making Wisconsin homes more energy efficient.  That’s the goal of the Home Energy Rebates program that the state launched Friday. Households that take part in the program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy can save up to $14,000 for upgrades. The program, which is providing $8.8 billion nationally to pay for the improvements, is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. It’s intended to save people $1 billion each year in energy and support 50,000 jobs. The Department of Energy requires at least half the rebates to be allocated to low-income households.

A judge is not stopping the push to email ballots to disabled voters this year.  Dane County Judge Everett Mitchell on Thursday refused to put his ruling allowing disabled people in the state to be emailed ballots on hold. Mitchell says doing so would inflict significant harm on both the disability rights advocates and the public interest. It will now be up to the state appeals court to decide whether to pause the ruling that opens up a new way for an unknown number of disabled voters to cast their ballots in swing state Wisconsin before the November 5th election.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants to get rid of some excess hunting and fishing equipment seized by investigators.  The DNR is planning two online auctions to sell off shotguns, rifles, handguns, bows and other items confiscated due to hunting and fishing violations.  The first auction is scheduled for August 26th and the second will be held on October 7th.  Money raised through the auctions will go to the state's Game and Fish Fund.

Local-Regional News August 2

 The Dunn County Village of Wheeler has received a $1 million community development block grant for a new water well and existing well improvements.  The village was one of 22 communities to split 20-point-seven million dollars for public improvement projects. The grant money will go to low- to moderate-income communities with fewer than 50-thousand people across the state.  The state is getting the money from the U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development.

A series of incidents involving the vandalism and harassment over political signs has prompted the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, and the Democratic and Republican Party County Chairs to condemn the behavior.  In a letter posted to social media, all three organizations condemned the incidents and the Sherrif's Department said any theft or damage to a political sign or harassment of an individual over a political sign would result in arrest and possible fines of up to $1000.

The Chancellor at UW-River Falls is retiring.  In a letter to students and staff, Chancellor Maria Gallo said she felt the time was right for her, her family, and the campus to retire.  Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman has named Michael V. Martin as UWRF’s interim chancellor. His appointment will take effect Sept. 7, but Martin will spend time on campus and work with Gallo on transitions before that date.  Gallo became Chancellor at UW-River Falls in July of 2021, and her last day will be September 6th.

The man accused of fondling two teenage boys near the Duncan Creek bike path last year will not be going to trial. A judge yesterday found Cody Blassingame not competent enough for trial. He was homeless and hanging-out near the bike path when police say he grabbed two boys and made sexual suggestions. He is being treated at a state hospital, and prosecutors say he likely will be found competent enough for trial sometime in the future.

 The benches and picnic tables are back at the park in Eau Claire where the homeless hang-out. The city removed the tables and benches from Wilson Park last week after complaints that homeless people were taking over the park. City crews said they did not plan to return the tables anytime soon. But that didn't last long. Crews started reinstalling the tables and benches this week after complaints from at least two Eau Claire aldermen and some of the city's homeless advocates. 

  One of Wisconsin's tribes doesn't want to see the Apostle Islands turned into a national park. The Red Cliff Ojibwe this week said they do not want to see the islands in Lake Superior turned into a park. The islands are just off the coast of the Red Cliff reservation, and tribal leaders say they are worried about the possible influx of visitors if the islands are declared a national park. Northwoods Congressman Tom Tiffany is suggesting the islands be turned into a park specifically to draw more tourists to far northern Wisconsin. The tribe says it sent off a list of questions to the congressman but wasn't satisfied with the answers it got back.  

 Local governments across Wisconsin got their first billion-dollars from the state's shared revenue plan. Governor Tony Evers' office announced the payment yesterday. In all, cities, towns, and counties will get over one-and-a-half billion-dollars from the state. Lawmakers and the governor came to terms on the shared revenue deal last year as a way to help local governments find more money for things like police, fire, and EMS services

 A wanted man from Wisconsin who ran away 30 years ago is back in jail. Police in West Des Moines arrested 71-year-old George Hartleroad for not having a reflective light on the back of his bike. It was then that they learned Hartleroad was wanted for running away from a Madison halfway house back in 1995. He's still wanted to this day. Police say Hartleroad told them he'd run away again if let go. Hartleroad did time in Wisconsin for a rape in Chippewa County and was wanted for false imprisonment and having a rifle. Hartleroad has been in the Dane County Jail since early July. State prison officials say they intend to have him serve out the rest of his sentence. 

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is partnering with local law enforcement agencies for this weekend’s annual ATV/UTV Think Smart Before You Start campaign. DNR Lieutenant Jacob Holsclaw says around 40 local agencies will take part. Holsclaw says the weekend is less about writing tickets, and more about informing people on how they can stay safe while riding. More information, including safety tips, can be found by visiting the DNR's ATV and UTV riding website.

Two members of Wisconsin's Election Commission say they're both worried about outside agitators on Election Day. Both Elections Commission Chair Ann Jacobs and Commission member Don Mills said they are worried that someone will try and stop the vote this November. Jacobs said her biggest worry is that someone will try and shut down voting, or stop the state from certifying the election. She didn't say who she's worried about. Mills said he's worried that campus protestors may try to occupy a polling place in one of Wisconsin's college towns. Both say their fears are unlikely, but say they are worried nonetheless. 

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions's investment scam tracker includes descriptions of frauds or deceptive scams based on previous consumer complaints to DFI. The scam tracker lets you search by a company's name, type of scam, or keyword and includes a list of frequently asked questions. The tool also includes links to additional resources and a list of common investment terms. According to DFI, imposter scams are the most reported and often most difficult to detect. Between January of 2022 and June of 2024 more than $3.5 million in losses were reported to DFI from cryptocurrency fraud and financial grooming.

irect care workers for older adults and people with disabilities in Wisconsin will get pay raises after a more than 250-million-dollar investment from the state. Governor Tony Evers says he's directing the state Department of Health Services to invest in a minimum fee schedule for direct care workers. This will create between a 15- and 40-percent wage increase for the workers, who help almost 57-thousand patients statewide. Minimum rate schedules will start in October. 

Several groups are teaming up in Olmsted County to help fight homelessness.  The city of Rochester, Olmsted County and eight local organizations have formed a coalition called Any Path Home.  The local groups involved include the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota and Three Rivers Community Action.  The coalition will share information and resources to help elevate the help they can provide the community.  A spokesman says the initiative is just getting started and will work to expand outreach and strengthen the partnership over the next few months.

Minnesota ranks first in the nation for health care according to a new study.  The study by WalletHub looks at the number of doctors and clinics, out-of-pocket expenses, cost of premiums, quality of health care, and average Emergency Room wait times.  Rhode Island is second, South Dakota third, and Iowa fourth on the list of the best states for health care.  Neighboring Wisconsin is 16th. 

The winner of the 2025 Wisconsin State Park and Forest vehicle admission sticker design contest has been chosen. The contest accepts entries from high school age students across Wisconsin. Rice Lake High School junior Evan Strand won first place out of about 150 entries. His design will be printed on admission stickers for more than 500-thousand vehicles. The annual state park and forest admission stickers give access to more than 60 state-managed areas and cost 28-dollars for state residents.

Local-Regional News Aug 1

 A western Wisconsin meat processor will expand thanks to a $1.5 million  USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Grant.  JM Watkins in Plum City will use the money to build a new facility just outside of Plum City.  Owner Brandon Clare says the expansion will triple their processing capacity. Groundbreaking for the new facility is this August with construction to be completed by March of 2025.

 A shutdown Prevea clinic will be reopened.  The vacant building in Mondovi is being bought by Bellin and Gunderson Health System, who are changing their name to Emplify Health.  They say the Mondovi clinic will be affiliated with Gunderson Tri-County Hospital and Clinics in Whitehall and will start seeing patients by this November. H-S-H-S and Prevea clinics shut down all of their Western Wisconsin hospitals and clinics this spring.

Severe storms moved through Wabasha, Dakota, and Goodhue Counties last night.  The National Weather Service says 1.75 inch hail was reported near Plainview, while quarter inch hail was reported near Kellogg.  Heavy rain accompanied the storms as there were reports of up to 4 inches of rain causing flash flooding along the Dakota and Goodhue County border.  Cooler weather today before it warms back up for the weekend.

 Prosecutors have cleared an Eau Claire police officer in a shooting from back in May. The D.A.'s office yesterday said the officer was justified in firing at an armed man who pointed a gun at her. Thomas Burback was grazed by a bullet and survived the shooting. Investigators say given the totality of the circumstances, that Burbank was armed, pointed his gun at the officer, was drunk, and had just gotten into a fight with his wife, the officer was justified in firing her weapon. 

The 150th Buffalo County Fair begins today.  Judging for many 4-H and FFA projects will be today including the Junior Swine Show starting at 5pm.  A tractor pull is scheduled for Friday night along with the junior livestock auction.  WRDN will have video coverage of the swine, beef and dairy shows along with the livestock auction on the video streaming page of our website along with Ntec Channel 99.

 It's Eau Claire. Vice President Kamala Harris is coming to Eau Claire next Wednesday with her running mate. There's no word who that will be, but we at least now know where Harris will be making her campaign stop. Next week's visit will be the first time she's been to Eau Claire. The campaign rally will be in Eau Claire, sometime between noon and 6 p.m.    

The man convicted of killing a teenager on the Apple River two years ago will spend the next two decades in prison. A judge in St. Croix County yesterday sentenced 54-year-old Nicolae Miu to 20 years behind bars. A jury convicted Miu back in April of killing 17-year-old Isaac Schuman during a fight on the river. Miu was also convicted of slashing four other teens. Miu said he was looking for his phone when the teens attacked him. He claimed self-defense, but the jury disagreed. Miu's lawyers said the case is 'a tragedy all around.'

Minnesotans in 19 counties hit hard by summer flooding can now apply for federal aid.  U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith released a statement yesterday that FEMA has approved financial aid for residents impacted by the June flooding.  Affected counties include Blue Earth, Cook, Goodhue, Le Sueur, Cook, and Waseca.  Residents can apply online for individual assistance at disaster-assistance-dot-gov.

The Dakota County Sheriff's Office is offering a reward for information that leads to the location of a missing woman.  The sheriff's office announced the five-thousand-dollar reward for information about Nikki Anderson yesterday.  Anderson was last seen leaving her home in Randolph Township on July 6th.  Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office as soon as possible.

There aren't a lot of specifics in the action report from Governor Evers' AI task force. The Governor's Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence released its report yesterday. It focuses on the 'guiding principles to promote ethical decision-making related to AI,' but the task force didn't say just what that means. Evers' AI task force looked at artificial intelligence and the state's workforce. A task force from lawmakers is looking at the dangers that AI presents to Wisconsin. 

According to a DWD report, there are not enough registered nurses in Wisconsin to meet current demand, and the shortage is predicted to grow if unaddressed. Two models in the report predict a deficit of between 12,000 and 19,000 nurses by 2040. DWD evaluated several factors such as high vacancy rates of registered nurses in hospitals and low unemployment rates for nurses. The report says possible approaches to addressing healthcare workforce challenges include placing extra emphasis on retaining nurses, making it possible for nurses to care for more patients, and supporting public health to reduce the number of patients.

Insurance premiums for workers' compensation in Wisconsin continue to decline. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development says starting in October, companies will pay ten-point-five percent less on average for workers' compensation. That totals about 206-million dollars in savings over the next year statewide. Specific changes in insurance premiums for employers vary based on factors like injury risk exposure. Workers comp pays for medical expenses and lost wages for employees who were injured at their workplace.

Wisconsin gets federal funding for apprenticeships. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announced Tuesday it will receive just over a million dollars through the U.S. Department of Labor's State Apprenticeship Expansion created under President Biden's Investing in America program. DWD says the grant will grow Wisconsin's Registered Apprenticeship program which allows participants to earn wages while they gain the know-how for a high-skill, high-paying job. Last year, participation in the program broke a record with nearly 17,000 apprentices statewide.

A 19-year-old man is sentenced for a crash that killed a 13-year-old Reedsburg girl as she was about to board a school bus.  Kevin Green of Platteville tearfully apologized to the family of Evelyn Gurney in Sauk County Court Wednesday morning. Green was given 4 years probation, with 3 months in jail, along with fines and community service. Green's license has also been revoked for a year. The 7th grader was killed the morning of May 12th of 2023 while she was standing in her driveway off Highway 23/33. Prosecutors say that Green had been texting and speeding leading up to the crash.

An organ transplant program at the University of Wisconsin Health has the highest one-year survival rate nationwide. The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients says the UW Health Lung Transplant Program has about a 95-percent rate of survival one year post-operation. The national average rate is about 88-percent. The program also has a shorter waiting period; the average national wait time is one month, while UW's is twelve days. 

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is seeking a rehearing from a federal appeals court regarding the decision to allow 18 to 20-year-olds to openly carry firearms in the state. Ellison is requesting the entire Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the ruling made by a three-judge panel in July. The attorney general argues that public safety benefits from banning open carry for this age group. The case has sparked debate over gun laws and public safety in Minnesota.

Award-winning food and drink at the Wisconsin State Fair.   These are the winners of the fair’s 11th annual Sporkies and Drinkies. For food, Deep-Fried Lemonade Bites from Saz’s Barbecue won the Sporkies top spot. The deep-fried dish dips Hawaiian sweet rolls stuffed with a lemonade curd filling into a French toast batter. It’s then topped with sugar and icing. The Drinkies winner for best non-alcohol beverage was the Fairway Fusion, which blends equal parts sweet tea and lemonade, a mix of pineapple and key lime juices, and a splash of coconut syrup. The Fair begins Thursday for an 11-day run in West Allis.