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A group of eight people are filing a complaint with the city of Wausau Ethics Board after the removal of the city’s absentee ballot drop box.  In September, Wausau Mayor Doug Diny removed the city’s drop box without agreement from Wausau City Clerk Kaitlyn Bernrade.  While the drop box was returned, a letter to the Ethics Board says the group believed Mayor Diny violated a section of the ethics code.  They say they’re concerned that Diny’s actions violate federal voting rights, intimidate voters from using secure drop boxes, and undermine the security of those same drop boxes.  A ruling in

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The City of Eau Claire is asking the public to help identify unsafe sidewalks in need of repair as part of its sidewalk removal and replacement program.  The City Engineering Department collects sidewalk submissions every year to ensure walkways in need of repairs are fixed.  The City has about 75 repairs that need to be made in 2025, so the submissions will be for projects in 2026.  Anyone interested in submitting a request can do so online or by calling the city engineering office. 

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The American Red Cross in Wisconsin is sending a crew of people to California to help those in need in the wake of the wildfires in Los Angeles.  Red Cross workers say they’re operating shelters for anyone impacted and are offering food, water, and other necessities.  They’re also helping people deal with the trauma from the destruction of the areas around L.A.  Audrey Erdmann is working with the American Red Cross shelter in Pasadena and she says sometimes people are able to start working towards recovery after a disaster happens, but in this case they’re still at a point where

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Wisconsin’s Democratic governor is creating a new program dedicated to preventing gun violence.  This comes a month after the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.  Governor Tony Evers has signed an executive order creating an office of violence prevention.  The statewide office will work with local law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, school districts and gun shop owners to reduce gun violence.  Evers said ten-million-dollars in state funding will go towards the office and more will be requested next month to continue the office over the next two years.  He also plans on proposing a sweeping package of gun violence and public

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Wisconsin has a new Office of Violence Prevention. Governor Tony Evers signed an Executive Order creating the office today and directed ten-million dollars of funding to get it started. He says the office will focus on prevent violence and gun violence statewide, a response to the Abundant Life Christian School shooting from almost a month ago. Evers says his 2025-2027 budget will include funding that aims to support the Office of Violence Prevention as a permanent fixture in Wisconsin.

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“The Neighbors is an absolute gem and will help many of our older citizens stay close to home when they need a skilled nursing facility.” -County Board Chair Kelly McCullough A change in Medicaid reimbursement rates by the state of Wisconsin has significantly improved the financial picture for The Neighbors of Dunn County, the county-operated nursing home in Menomonie.  Administrator Carmen Meyer told the County Board of Supervisors recently that the facility would have an operating budget surplus of $1.2 million for 2024, after two years of budget shortfalls.  Additionally, Meyer said, “the next five years are all projected to be in the black.”  County Board

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 The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trad​e and Consumer Protection (DATCP) invites Wisconsin meat processors to apply for the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant through February 24, 2025. The meat processor grant program aims to grow Wisconsin’s meat industry and improve the long-term viability of the state’s livestock industry. “Since Governor Evers and the legislature created the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant program, the program has supported meat processors in modernizing, expanding, and enhancing their capacity,” said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “We encourage meat processors to apply for this opportunity and grow their business.” Eligible applicants must operate or intend to operate a

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Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) has released two new open educational resources developed as part of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s open press, WisTech Open. titled “Using Computers in Healthcare.” The textbooks, titled “Using Computers in Healthcare” and “Innovative Business Mindset,” are available at no cost online through WisTech Open. “Using Computers in Healthcare,” developed by CVTC medical assistant instructor Brigitte Niedzwiecki, aims to equip healthcare students and lifelong learners with essential digital skills. The text covers topics such as online privacy, cybersecurity, digital communication, and critical thinking in the digital landscape.  Vince Mussehl, WisTech Open Project director, said the

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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Salt Wise are inviting the public to learn more about the impact of road salt in drinking water and freshwater ecosystems.  Winter Salt Awareness Week is happening from January 27th through the 31st and there will be a series of YouTube live streams with speakers and topics on the impact of salt and ways to be an advocate of freshwater.  Anyone interested in watching the livestream can register through WinterSaltWeek.org, or watch it afterwards on the Wisconsin Salt Wise Youtube Channel. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

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It looks like the Wisconsin Court of Appeals is planning to issue a decision related to the Steven Avery case this week.  Avery’s latest appeal filing is on a list of rulings that are scheduled for release tomorrow.  He and his nephew, Brendan Dassey, have been sentenced to life in prison in connection with the killing of Teresa Halbach.  The case drew nationwide attention as the subject of the Netflix documentary series “Making a Murderer”.

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