Local-Regional News April 22

 

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture will be spraying in the town of Pepin for spongy moths between May and June. During the spraying, large yellow low-flying planes will use an organic product that disrupts the spongy moth's mating. Residents of Pepin will receive notification from the Department of Agriculture as to when the spraying is expected to take place.

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident in Oak Grove Township on Sunday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 36yr old Addison Hartung of Chippewa Falls was traveling southbound on Hwy QQ when he collided with an eastbound vehicle on Hwy 10 driven by 46yr old Mackenze Rohl of River Falls. Rohl and passenger 46yr old Mabel Rohl were both taken to Regions Hospital.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include approval of the minutes from the reorganization meeting from April 15 along with reports from the mayor and department heads. Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 in the Marten Center in Mondovi.

The 100 miles of city wide garage sales on Hwy 10 is this Thursday through Saturday. Durand, Mondovi, Plum City and Ellsworth are all part of the sales. Durand Police Chief Stan Ridgeway reminds those having a garage sale to not put signs in the street right of way,  Signs nailed to power poles is also not allowed.

Another sign of spring. The Rock Falls raceway is all ready to open this weekend. Its scheduled to be a busy time at the raceway this summer. There are over 65 scheduled races set for the track this season. The Volkswagen Invasion and the Mopar Showdown are two of the newest events this year that are scheduled. The first scheduled event is this weekend with the O'Riley Auto Parts Test And Tunes.

A man has been sentenced to over 20 years in prison for two counts of repeated sexual assault of a child. The man was sentenced yesterday in the Chippewa County Court house. According to court documents, the girl was ten years old when she informed police about her being raped by the suspect. She also told police the suspect was raping her for multiple years. The suspect will spend 20 years in prison followed by 10 years of extended supervision. The man will also have to register as a sex offender.

State officials say a well-known breeding bull elk was found illegally shot. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources found the bull, on March 18th. The dead animal was located on private property off East Snow Creek Road, just north of Black River Falls. The elk died from gunshot wound injuries. The DNR says it was one of the primary breeding bulls for the Central Elk Herd, and was among the last of the remaining elk brought to the state from Kentucky in 2016.

Rochester police confirmed with the public that they are investigating six separate break-ins of ATM machines in the area. The incidents are all taking place at local restaurants. The break-ins started in March and are continuing into April. The suspects are tampering with, broken into and even stolen. The police say there are other communities where this is happening and are working with other police agencies.

Earth Day has Wisconsin origins. Chelsea Rademacher with the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at UW Madison says U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson had the idea in 1969, while flying back from California after witnessing a large oil spill. On that flight back, he was reading about college students organizing teach-ins about the Vietnam War, and though the same approach could be taken for the environment. Millions of people took part in the first Earth Day on April 22nd, 1970. UW Madison is hosting dozens of Earth Day related events during Earth Fest all this week. Nelson, who died in 2005 at age 89, said “the economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment, not the other way around.”

Getting the movie cameras rolling in Wisconsin. A proposal in the state legislature would establish a state film office and provide $10 million in annual tax credits for film production incentives. Suzanne Jurva, who has worked on several major motion pictures and now works with a coalition of filmmakers and advocates called Action! Wisconsin told with Fox 6 Milwaukee, "The film office has everything in one-stop shopping, so it makes it easy for a production to come here." Jurva added that with the intense competition between states to attract filmmakers that Wisconsin is “…losing out not only in the whole country, but we’re falling behind just in the Midwest." The proposal is expected to move forward in the legislature this week.

A former leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Wisconsin gives remarks on the death of Pope Francis Monday morning. Former Archbishop of Milwaukee, and current Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan said about the passing of the 88-year-old pontiff, “You couldn't choreograph it any better than what happened. The last time we saw him, Easter Sunday. The last words: ‘Blessed Easter,’ as he gave us his blessing. You couldn't have choreographed better, and we thank him for that.” Francis died after a long period of health issues including suffering from double pneumonia.

Be on the lookout for transportation scams during the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay. The state Department of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection is warning of possible scams regarding transportation both on the way to and into Green Bay. DATCP says you should be on the lookout for fake QR codes on parking meters, invalid parking spaces, or fake parking tickets. Green Bay Metro will provide a free bus route from downtown Green Bay to the draft event grounds in the Titletown District. The Brown County Tavern League will also be providing free shuttles to and from participating locations. More info on draft transportation can be found by downloading the NFL One Pass app or visiting GreenBay.com.

The State Senate will vote Tuesday on expanding how long new moms in Wisconsin can be on Medicaid. The current limit of 60 days would be extended to 12 months under the bill. The Senate approved a similar bill last session, but it was never taken up in the Assembly, where Speaker Robin Vos has called the measure an unnecessary expansion of welfare. Wisconsin is one of just two states that does not offer expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage. If the bill becomes law, the Department of Health Services would be directed to seek a waiver from the federal government to allow the longer coverage period.

Sturgeon spawning season is starting. Officials at the Department of Natural Resources said there's some activity at Princeton Dam. More movement will happen when water temperatures reach above 58-degrees. Officials said they might have been seen as early as this past weekend.

A temporary dog park will soon open in La Crosse. Cameron Park will welcome dogs into their park starting this spring. The City Council voted and approved the new location to Cameron Park from the previous location of Burns Park. The park will open in May and stay open until August. 

Local-Regional News April 21

 

A rural Pepin man is dead after an ATV accident Saturday. According to the Pepin County Sheriff’s Department, 73yr old Richard Bignell was operating his ATV in front of his garage when he was ejected from it and the ATV came to rest on his body. First responders arrived on the scene but life-saving efforts were unsuccessful. Bignell was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police in Illinois have confirmed that four people that died in a small plane crash were from Menomonie Wisconsin. Illinois State Police said the incident took place on County Road 14 North in Trilla, Illinois. The four people in the plane were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Police said that the plane hit power-lines and crashed in a nearby field. The investigation is ongoing.

School Districts across Wisconsin are waiting for the ruling on the constitutionality of ACT10, the law that limited collective bargaining for teachers and other public employees. Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says there will be many questions that need to be answered if the act is ruled unconstitutional.   Last December, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Jacob Frost ruled that Act 10 is unconstitutional. 

The Dunn County Dairy Promotions Committee has announced there will not be a June Dairy Month Breakfast this year. The current committee is in a season of transition and will forgo an official dairy breakfast this summer; however, the group is planning on some smaller events in the upcoming year, including a presence at the Menomonie Farmer’s Market and Music Over Menomin. Please look for more information on these events as they develop. The committee has plans to put together a breakfast for June Dairy Month in 2026 and will be sharing more information and requests for assistance as it gets closer to the planning stages.

An Eau Claire man was sentenced to 9yrs in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine. Corey Hobbs was charged in May of 2024 with three counts of distributing meth after an investigation found he had been selling the drug in 2023. Hobbs entered a plea deal last week where two of the three counts were dismissed.

An Eau Claire County man is facing multiple charges after a police chase left seven squad cars damaged. 41Yr old Nathan Stevens is charged with two counts of 1-st degree recklessly endangering safety, two counts of fleeing an officers and possession of methamphetamine. The chase last week started when officers tried to pull Stevens over and a pursuit ensued. Stevens is being held on a $35,000 cash bond and his next court appearance is May 27^th.

Fire crews are investigating how a fire took place at a vacant house in La Crosse. The fire took place late Friday on the 1400 block of Caledonia Street. When crews first arrived, they saw heavy smoke coming out from the house as well as searched for people inside. It was later determined that the house was vacant. The house suffered major smoke and fire damage.

You have an opportunity to comment on Wisconsin’s deer management plan. The Department of Natural Resources and County Deer Advisory Councils remind the public to attend local county meetings to share feedback on local deer management ahead of the 2025 deer season. Each if Wisconsin’s 72 counties has a County Deer Advisory Council that meets annually to provide input and recommendations to the DNR on local deer management. Recommendations are reviewed and set annually to allow for adjustments in response to the previous year's deer harvest, winter severity and other factors. This year's meetings will take place today (Monday) through May 1. More details, including meeting locations, are available in the 2025 County Deer Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule on the DNR website.

Ten structures are destroyed by a major fire on the Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds in Shakopee. The blaze started Friday evening. Several retail shops and food vendors were lost in the flames. One Shakopee firefighter suffered a minor injury after being struck with a fire hose. They were treated at the scene and quickly returned to duty. The Renaissance Festival is scheduled to open on August 16th. Organizers say they are planning ahead and will work to rebuild.

The Wisconsin State Supreme Court is ruling in favor of Governor Tony Evers [[ EE-verz ]], upholding his veto to lock in a 400-year school funding increase. In the decision posted on the court's website, the vote was four-to-three affirming the partial veto power Evers used. Wisconsin is the only state that allows governors to partially veto spending bills by striking words, numbers and punctuation to give bills new meaning or change dollar amounts.

Wisconsin's latest unemployment rate holds steady at three-point-two percent. The Department of Workforce Development says that's a full percentage point lower than the national unemployment rate. The labor workforce participation rate decreased in March, but is still higher than the same time last year.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is turning down Title VI certification. It's part of the Civil Rights Act that prevents race-based discrimination in federally funded programs. The President ordered in January that diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are discriminatory because they advance opportunities for only some people based on race. By not signing the certification, Wisconsin may lose 568-million-dollars in federal funding from the US Department of Education.

Rochester-based Mayo Clinic is changing the name of its DEI office. It will now be known as the Office of Belonging. Under that change, staff with titles related to diversity, equality, and inclusion will now be branded Belonging employees. Mayo is also restructuring its websites to reflect the new language. The changes come as President Trump continues to target DEI programs at academic and medical institutions that receive federal funding. The president says the programs violate federal civil rights law, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.

Milwaukee's police union is threatening charges against Froedtert  Hospital. Froedtert issued a written apology to police after a uniformed officer who wasn't feeling well was refused medical care after not removing his firearm at a clinic last week. The Milwaukee Police Association said officers carry their service weapons in preparation for dangerous situations and is considering filing obstruction charges against Froedert staff. Froedtert is working to clarify its policy regarding law-enforcement officers and their firearms.

There's only a couple of weeks left to get the new REAL ID. Officials with the transportation department say this I.D. is required for those that plan to fly and visit federal buildings. Current driver license or ID status are still valid for other uses like driving. Enforcement begins May 7th.

A Wisconsin technical college is selected as the best in the U.S. The Aspen Institute awarded the 2025 prize for Community College Excellence to Southwest Technical College in Fennimore. The school received the prize in recognition of its strong completion rates and exceptional wage outcomes for graduates. The college exceeds the national average for community college graduation rate by nearly 20 percent. Southwest Tech will receive $700,000 for winning the prize, which the Aspen Institute calls “…the nation’s signature recognition for high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges.” 

Local-Regional News April 18

 

Students from Western Wisconsin will have a chance to learn about law enforcement and public safety careers during the Public Safety Career Days with the Durand Police Department, Pepin County Sheriff’s Department and Durand Fire and EMS. Durand Police Chief Stan Ridgeway says the career days is a revamp of the explorers program.  The event will be June 18-19, and is free and open to students in grades 6-12 or recent high school graduates. For more information on the program, visit the Durand Police Department Website.

County Health Rankings from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have been released and Pepin County has some bright spots. Pepin County Health Officer Heidi Stewart says the county has seen improvements in the number health care providers for the county.  The report shows three areas that need improvement, including adult obesity, mental distress, and lower rates of flu vaccinations.

The teenager accused of hitting and killing a woman in a vehicle crash has been bound over for trial. 17Yr old Addison Bowell of Menomonie is charged with one count of homicide by intoxicated use a vehicle and one count of hit and run resulting in death in connection with the death of 54yr old Ann Seidl of Eau Claire on March 29^th. She is being held on a $100,000 cash bond and her next court appearance is June 24^th.

The City of Menomonie is starting construction on a new playground at Phelan Park. The new playground was designed with help from students at River Heights, Oaklawn and Wakanda Elementary Schools. The city will also be installing new walkways and safety surfaces. The new playground is expected to be completed by early June.

An Eau Claire man who is accused of burning down his own bar and grill back in 2021, made his first court appearance. The man is being charged with one count of arson of a building with the intent of committing fraud. This is a class C felony. According to court documents, the man's lawyer tried to dismiss the case, but it was denied. The man is out on a 10-thousand-dollar signature bond and will be in court next on May 29th.

The Eau Claire City-County Health Department is launching a new way to track communicable diseases. Yesterday, the department launched a dashboard that can track diseases like Covid-19, influenza, sexually transmitted diseases and much more. This will be an easy way to see which diseases are spreading around the area. The dashboard will give you information on each disease as well as how to reduce your risk of getting sick.

In small cities and rural areas that lack childcare access, Governor Tony Evers says school districts may be the solution to filling those gaps. Evers says state funding is vital, comparing childcare to public infrastructure. Evers has proposed $480 million for childcare providers in his state budget. The Governor was in Barron on Wednesday, touring the city’s new Main Street and promoting clean drinking water initiatives. The Democratic governor also said that migrant workers without legal status are vital to the state’s economy, and urged the Trump administration to continue federal funding for infrastructure projects in the states.

During a multiple county car chase, a Monroe County squad car burst up in flames. Monroe County Sheriff's Office said that they were assisting in the chase of a suspect who was wanted by the Wisconsin Probation and Parole. When the chase ended, the suspect bolted out of the car and a foot chase began. As officers were chasing him on foot, a squad car started on fire. The suspect was caught a short time later. No injuries were reported.

The two-day aerial enforcement on Madison's beltline is over, but over 60 citations were issued during those two days. Two of those citations were people speeding over 100 miles per hour. Other violations included OWI citations, flex lane violations and the average speed for speeding violations was 83 miles per hour. Police officials want to remind people that any conviction for a speeding violation over 25 miles per hour is an automatic 15-day suspension of your driver's license.

Green Bay prepares for next week’s NFL Draft. The Green Bay City Council on Tuesday approved a jump in parking rates at city garages from $1 an hour to $2 during draft week to offset expenses for extra staff. While that cost goes up, WISN-TV in Milwaukee reports short-term rental units are reducing prices with draft week occupancy being lower than expected. Green Bay’s Austin Straubel Airport expects draft week traffic to exceed its busiest holiday weeks, with 2,500 travelers expected each day beginning Wednesday, the day before the draft starts.

Democratic lawmakers reintroduce a Green Amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution. Milwaukee Representative Darrin Madison says it would protect the state's climate and environment for current and future generations. Beloit Senator Mark Spreitzer says protecting the lakes we fish in, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the lands that support our communities and economy benefits all of Wisconsin. The amendment is unlikely to be taken up in the Republican controlled State Legislature. Constitutional amendments must pass two consecutive sessions before going before voters for approval.

Wisconsin Congressman Mark Pocan calls the current situation surrounding Trump administration tariffs “incomprehensible.” But the Second District Democrat says there’s at least a possibility that some nations will negotiate during the latest 90-day pause. Pocan says Trump has thrown markets into turmoil by imposing tariffs without any sort of plan.

The Arkansas man accused of taking a pregnant Beaver Dam teen from her home is now in Wisconsin. 40-year-old Gary Day was booked into the Dodge County Jail Wednesday evening, charged with three counts of child abduction and enticement. Day was arrested earlier this month when he and 17-year-old Sophia Franklin were spotted at a Nebraska truck stop. Authorities say Day is the father of Franklin's unborn child. He also faces charges in Nebraska and Arkansas. The teen has been reunited with her family.

Tuition at Minnesota colleges and universities could dramatically increase in the next two years. The price hikes would impact the Minnesota State system, which comprises more than 30 colleges and universities. The Minnesota State Board of Trustees will eventually set tuition rates in June. The increases could be anywhere between three-point-five and nine percent for each of the next two years.

A Madison cheese sculptor will attend the 'Taste of the Draft' in Green Bay April 23rd. Vicki Janisch says she learned cheese carving from her dairy farmer roots. She plans to create a Lombardi Trophy from Wisconsin cheddar. The event is a fundraiser for the non profit GENYOUth, working to end student hunger

Local-Regional News April 17

 

Firefighters from Durand and Plum City responded to a garage fire in Durand yesterday afternoon. Firefighters were called to the fire at 512 5^th Avenue East at approximately 1pm and found the garage totally engulfed. Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to other homes and no one was reported hurt in the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

An Eleva day care owner has been charged after a child in her care had to be taken to a hospital with a brain bleed. Ashley Hove was charged yesterday with one count of physical abuse of a child, intentionally causing great bodily harm. A doctors report said that the child's injuries were caused by some kind of physical violence. Hove told authorities that she thought the child had fallen while playing, and when she came back to the room, the child was laying on the ground unresponsive. If convicted, Hove could be sentenced up to 40 years in prison.

A change of venue request has been denied for the teen accused of killing Lily Peters three years ago. Court officials said if Carson Peters Berger's defense team is worried about bias or prejudice in the Chippewa Falls jury pool, they can take care of it through the jury questionnaire process. Meaning the case will stay in Chippewa County. The 17-year-old is accused of beating, sexually assaulting, and killing Peters three years ago as he was escorting her home following a visit to her aunt's house, something he told investigators that he had been planning for some time because he wanted to know what it would feel like to take a life. The case is scheduled for a hearing on June 9th, no trial dates have been set but that could come in early 20-26.

Osseo Firefighters responded to a shed fire yesterday near Osseo. According to Osseo Fire, the fire spread and caused minor damage to a mobile home. Firefighters were able to put out the fire quickly and are investigating the cause of the fire. No one was injured in that fire.

The Durand Spring Clean Up begins this Saturday. Durand Public Works Superintendent Matt Gillis says homeowners must follow some rules.  The spring clean up goes through May 4 and crews will pick up yard debris two times during the clean up.

One person is dead after a semi-truck accident took place on I-94 in Eau Claire. Police officials said the crash took place Tuesday morning when a car going West was traveling in the eastbound lanes of I-94 when it collided with a semi-truck. The driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene while the semi-truck driver had minor injuries. The Wisconsin State Patrol is still investigating the incident.

Multiple residents have reported seeing a large black bear in Osseo's west side. The Osseo Police department posted on Facebook that they are aware of the sightings. Police warn and want people to be aware of items left outside. They said bears can be attracted to food scraps, dog food and even bird feeders. Police say if you do come across a black bear to yell loud or make loud noises to scare them off, and then to reach out to police.

Students and staff were evacuated from Onalaska Middle School due to a gas line being hit. The incident took place yesterday morning shortly after 9 a.m. Onalaska Fire Chief Pete Fletty said that construction crews were digging in the school parking lot when the gas line was hit accidentally. Xcel Energy crews checked out the building to make sure it was safe for students and staff to return. A short time later the school re-opened. Parents were sent a letter detailing the situation.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is asking for $30 million in the next state budget to cover the costs of for crime victim services. At a Wausau roundtable on Tuesday, the AG said federal funding has decreased dramatically. The Democratic AG said for a five-year period, $44 million roughly went to victim service providers. In the current federal fiscal year which started October 1st, that number has dropped to $13 million, a reduction of over $30 million or about 70%.” A fund established by the federal Victims of Crimes Act distributes money from fines and fees paid out by people convicted of federal charges. The state has used American Recovery Act and pandemic relief money to supplement that, but those funds are now tapped out.

Putting the brakes on Buc-ees. A proposed Buc-ees travel center in Oak Creek is the subject of a lawsuit. A nonprofit known as Oak Creek Neighbors United alleges the city lacks legal authority to rezone a 29-acre property adjacent to Interstate 94 for a 73,370-square-foot convenience store and gas station with 120 pumps. The goal is to open the location in early 2027. The suit claims the property was rezoned and the city’s Comprehensive Plan amended to benefit the property owner, over the objection of "several hundred citizens and the alderman for the district." The city has 45 days to respond.

The Watertown man accused of faking his death and fleeing the country wasn’t present at his Tuesday status hearing. Court records indicate the attorney for 45-year-old Ryan Borgwardt was in Green Lake County Court on his behalf. Multiple agencies searched for Borgwardt for months after a kayak overturned in Green Lake in August. Investigators later learned Borgwardt staged an elaborate hoax in which he left the U.S. for Eastern Europe. Borgwardt returned in December and was charged with misdemeanor obstructing an officer. Green Lake County is seeking restitution for the costs incurred for the search.

An investigation is underway after firefighters put out a fire involving four-thousand pounds of recyclables. Crews found a large pile of recyclables on fire on the street yesterday near East Pass and Grove Circle after a city recycling truck operator dumped the pile upon noticing the back of the truck was smoking. The fire was extinguished. The exact cause of the blaze hasn't been released. Officials advise residents that electronics and other items containing lithium-ion batteries must be disposed of properly and never placed in a recycling cart.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is doubling down on his back-to-the-office order. His office says 60 percent of state workers already work in the office some or all of the time. Governor Walz says he has no plans to rescind the order. The proposal calls for state employees to return to work at least 50 percent of the time but not full-time. The state worker unions oppose the idea. There is an exemption for workers who live more than 75 miles away from their work site.

Local-Regional News April 16

 

A man is severely injured after a semi-truck jackknifed on Highway 93. The incident took place yesterday afternoon. The Trempealeau County Sheriff's Office confirmed that a strong wind gust blew hay bale off a trailer, causing it to crash into a semi-truck. The semi then jackknifed, causing it to block both lanes on Highway 93. The driver of the semi was flown by helicopter to a local hospital with serious injuries. A dog was also in the semi but un-harmed. Police did give a ticket to the truck that was hauling haybales for having an unsecured load.

Fire officials are investigating how a fire started that killed one person and left three others with injuries. The fire occurred Monday afternoon on County Road X. When fire crews responded to the house, it was fully engulfed in flames. One man who was inside could not be evacuated as firefighters found him dead inside. Three other people were taken to a local hospital with injuries.

Another UTV accident in Chippewa County killed a 97-year-old man. The incident occurred yesterday afternoon on the 13400 block of County Highway Q. Police said the 97-year-old was pulling out of his driveway and did not yield to oncoming traffic. The man was flown to a hospital on a helicopter but later died. The driver of the other vehicle was not ticketed for the incident.

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda included discussion and possible action on substitute teacher pay and certified and support staff pay, consideration of strategic plan phase 2 recommendations and reports from the superintendent and building administrators. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

The Durand Police Department, Durand Fire and EMS, and the Pepin County Sheriff’s Department will host a public safety career Day on June 18-19 from 9-3 each day. The two day event is designed to give 6^th through 12^th grade students hands on experiences in law enforcement, firefighting and emergency medical services. Lunch will be provided both days. For more information on the program visit the Durand Police Department Facebook Page.

One person is dead after a car vs semi crash on I-94 in Eau Claire County. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol a vehicle driven by a 33yr old male from Richmond, MN was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes on I-94 near mile marker 74, collided with the semi. The driver of the vehicle died from their injuries while the semi driver sustained minor injuries.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the children of two Taylor County homicide victims. Becky and Joshua Mann were killed in their home near Gilman last Wednesday, leaving behind four children aged 16 to 25- who now face a future "without their guiding presence" according to family members who set up the fundraiser. Their initial goal was 30 thousand dollars, but as of Monday evening they had more than 63 thousand already in the bank. Investigators say they were killed by a 15-year-old boy, who fled from the scene and turned the gun on himself sometime later. No motive for the shootings has been given.

According to a Facebook post on the Prairie Du Chien Gymnastics page, their program has been cut, along with the dance and cheer teams. The school board made those cuts in a meeting Monday night. In a posted agenda for the meeting Monday night, there were 12 items listed for potential co-curricular cuts or changes for the 2025-26 school year. No official meeting minutes have been posted on the school website.

A bill from Republican lawmakers makes significant changes to Wisconsin’s Unemployment Insurance law. UI would be referred to as "reemployment assistance." Waukesha Representative Scott Allen says it gives job seekers “an extra push,” calling it a compassionate bill designed to help people when they are at perhaps their lowest.” Milwaukee Representative Ryan Clancy questions the need for changes, noting there's no data to suggest that the current UI program has a problem that needs fixing. The bill mandates creation of a Division of Reemployment Assistance within the Department of Workforce Development and adds requirements for those seeking employment. It passed on a 4-2 committee vote Tuesday. The Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform also passed a bill to prohibit local governments from using tax money for guaranteed income programs.

More visas are terminated at the Universities of Wisconsin. The university says 43 total visas have been revoked for students and recent alumni. The majority of affected visas are on UW-Madison's campus, but also affect 13 people with visas through UW-Milwaukee and other campuses. Legal action is underway to prevent the visa cancellations. WKOW TV reports a local firm is filing a motion in federal court for a restraining order against the Department of Homeland Security for two students with canceled visas. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is also joining a suit against the federal government concerning terminated visas.

A Madison man is arrested and accused of trying to hit two people with his car Tuesday morning. Police say the man tried to hit the people working at a house on Hillside Road. One of the people fired shots into the air, saying they feared for their safety. The suspect then drove away but was seen by a DNR Warden driving in the area. A chase began, with State Patrol eventually joining the pursuit. After driving over tire deflation devices in Cottage Grove, the 34-year-old suspect was taken into custody. He faces tentative charges including first-degree recklessly endangering safety, and more charges could be coming.

The University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh has its new leader. Dr. Manohar Singh has been named chancellor at UW - Oshkosh, becoming the school's 12th leader. Singh is currently the interim president of Western Connecticut State University and will take over the UW - Oshkosh role July 1st. Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman says as a first-generation college graduate, Singh believes in the power of higher education and will continue to improve lives and is a collaborative leader. Singh replaces Andrew Leavitt, who plans to stay at UW - Oshkosh and teach chemistry.

UnitedHealth Group officials say they don't believe a man arrested with a gun at the Minnetonka campus had an issue with the health insurance company. The suspect was taken into custody yesterday after he allegedly made threats from his vehicle near the company's headquarters. Authorities say the man called the FBI and threatened violence toward the facility if his needs were not met. This incident comes months after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down on a New York City street.

A former Duluth college professor is suing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Russell Stewart claims he was fired from Lake Superior College for not following the state's COVID-19 mandates by not taking the vaccine. The ethics and philosophy instructor also named his former employer as a defendant in the suit. Stewart is hoping to get his job back and an acknowledgment that his constitutional rights were violated.

Republican lawmakers want the state to pitch in some additional funding to cover the costs of public safety for next week's NFL Draft in Green Bay. Lawmakers are asking for $1.25 million that would be split among Brown County, the city of Green Bay, and the village of Ashwaubenon. The draft takes place April 24th through the 26th. 

Local-Regional News April 15

 

A Menomonie elementary school will be closing after the current school year. The school board voted six to three to close Downsville Elementary School due to declining enrollment, district financing, and staffing challenges. No teachers or employees will lose their jobs as they will be placed in other schools.

An Alma man has been charged with burglary, concealing a stolen firearm, theft of movable property and other charges after an incident in Mondovi in March. According to the criminal complaint, Brandon Ottum broke into a residence, and took multiple firearms. A few days later an informant told Winona police about a stash of stolen firearms from Mondovi that were on the east side of Winona and Ottum had confessed to the informant that he had taken the weapons. Ottum was arrested a short time later and returned to Wisconsin to face the charges. He will be in Buffalo County Court on Wednesday.

A Buffalo County Couple has been recognized for saving a man’s life from a fire in March. According to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, Kevin and Leah Kubis were driving home when they saw a house on fire. The went to the home and realized a person was still inside and forced their way in and found Michael Helgeson who was sleeping an unaware the home was on fire. They got Helgeson out of the home and no one was injured in the fire. Buffalo County Sheriff Mike Osmond said the couples actions were nothing short of heroic.

No one was hurt in a tractor fire in Montana Township on Saturday. According to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, a 14yr old from a local farm was driving the tractor on Hwy X when he heard a popping sound. He pulled over to discover flames coming out of the front of the cab and tried to extinguish the fire but was unsuccessful. The tractor was a total loss.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items of the agenda include discussion of setting up the Fire Truck Committee, a letter of intent from Elite Diesel Repair to purchase a lot in the industrial park and reports from the mayor and department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at the Martin Center in Mondovi.

There's another candidate in the race for Wisconsin's Third Congressional District Seat. Democrat Emily Berge filed paperwork to run in the race on Friday. She's the Eau Claire City Council President. Another Democrat, Rebecca Cooke, announced last month that she'll also be running for the seat. It'll be her third attempt. Republican Derrick Van Orden currently represents Wisconsin's Third District.

La Crosse Democrat William Garcia announced that he will run to be the head of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin. Garcia co-chairs the democratic party in La Crosse along with leading the 3rd Congressional District Democrats of Wisconsin. Current leader Ben Wickler announced that he will not be running for re-election and leaving in June. State democrats will vote at their state convention on June 14th and 15th.

All of Western Wisconsin is at high risk of wildfires. The Department of Natural Resources fire map shows West and Central Wisconsin is at high risk. There have been numerous wildfires in Western Wisconsin so far this year. Right now, there are a dozen prescribed fires, which are controlled burns across the state. Some may be pushed back due to the high risk.

There are real concerns about how President Donald Trump’s tariffs will impact Wisconsin manufacturing Republican congressman Scott Fitzgearld says tariffs will make it more difficult for Wisconsin manufacturers to get raw materials like steel and timber. Trump announced last week that broader tariffs against dozens of countries will stay at a ten percent baseline for 90 days to allow time for negotiations.

Proposed legislation would require Wisconsin Medicaid recipients verify eligibility twice a year. The bill’s author, Republican Representative William Penterman of Columbus, claims that will help to “streamline the process” of allocating Medicaid services. During a public hearing last week, Penterman said the measure "makes sure that we're truly helping the most vulnerable individuals and really restore the integrity of the program." But Tamara Jackson, legislative policy representative for the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, said state Medicaid staff rigorously monitors recipients’ eligibility, and that the state has "an almost zero error rate in terms of eligibility.” The current federal standard to review Medicaid eligibility is once a year. Penterman’s bill would cut eligibility for six months for those who don’t report a change, such as higher income, that would make them ineligible.

The turkey hunting season will open in tomorrow in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources says spring turkey seasons will open periodically in all seven turkey management zones. Each zone will have a week-long hunting season, starting this Wednesday, April 16th. The season will wrap up on May 27th. The youth season took place over the weekend. More information about each zone's open season is available on DNR-dot-WISCONSIN-dot-gov.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly calls for an increase in special education reimbursement. Underly, reelected to a second four-year term earlier this month, also asking for expansion of mental health training available to Wisconsin schools as part of Governor Tony Evers' 2025-27 biennial budget. The current special education reimbursement rate is around 30%, and Evers has proposed increasing that to 60%. Underly says an increase would allow schools to invest more in hiring specialized staff, creating more inclusive learning environments, and provide more professional development for staff. Underly is also requesting $760,000 over the biennium to increase and improve support for existing mental health training programs.

Minnesota is joining several other states, including Wisconsin, in suing the Trump administration over canceled student visas. The White House has now canceled the visas of close to 530 students, faculty, and researchers from 88 colleges and universities. A University of Minnesota student detained by ICE is expected back in court tomorrow. A judge has yet to rule whether Dogukan Gunaydin can post bond. He is also suing President Trump and other officials, arguing his continued detainment is unlawful.

The Wisconsin Natural Resource Foundation's Great Wisconsin Bird-a-thon gets underway starting Tuesday. Donor Relations Coordinator Naomi Hadley says it's the state's largest fundraiser for bird conservation. Hadley says teams will log how many bird species they see and then they can collect donations and pledges from their community, either per bird species or in one lump sum. The foundation's goals this year is to raise $125,000. More information can be found on the Natural Resources Foundation website at https://www.wisconservation.org/.