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Wisconsin Department of Corrections Misses Body Camera Goal

The Report was due on July 1

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Department of Corrections acknowledges it has missed a goal for providing body cameras to officers. The Legislature gave the department $591,400 to buy 200 body-worn cameras for officers in solitary confinement units at six maximum security adult prisons. But Corrections Secretary Cathy Jess acknowledged in a letter to legislative leaders Monday her department has…

UPDATE on Missing Hurley man

Tilton had Been Missing since Saturday

IRON COUNTY, Wis. – On Tuesday the Iron County Sheriff’s Office released a statement saying missing person Richard Tilton, 63, of Hurley was located in the Oma area. Authorities say Tilton was located when he was able to make his way out of the woods. According to the Sheriff’s Office Tilton had been missing since Saturday June 30, with extensive…

Minnesota Supreme Court OKs Limited Cameras in Courtrooms

Ther Permanent Rules Represent Progress

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota Supreme Court has made permanent a pilot project that allows limited use of cameras in the state’s courtrooms. The high court gave its formal stamp of approval to the rules Monday. Media outlets and independent journalists still can’t provide full photo, video and audio coverage of trials. But the rules allow audio, video…

Ruling Deals Setback to Proposed Power Plant in Superior

MN Power Says it Will Review the Judge's Recommendations

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – An administrative law judge in Minnesota has dealt a setback to a proposed gas-fired power plant in Superior, Wisconsin. Minnesota Power wants to join with Dairyland Power Cooperative to build the plant, saying it would provide backup for wind energy that the Minnesota utility is adding to its system. But Judge Jeanne Cochran on Monday…

Duluth School Board Approves ‘Resignation and Release’ Agreement With CFO

Hasler Joined the District in Fall 2016

DULUTH, Minn. – On Monday the Duluth School Board voted to approve a resignation and release agreement for the CFO/Businesses Services Director, Doug Hasler. The agreement would provide Hasler with $63,817 in financial compensation and another $12,220.92 in non-salary benefits. Hasler has 21 days to review and accept the agreement. Hasler was placed on paid administrative leave in June of…

Wiconsin Court OKs Unconscious Drunk Drivers’ Blood Draws

Mitchell Argued it Violates his Constitutional Rights

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin state Supreme Court says police can legally draw blood from unconscious drunken drivers. The court ruled 5-2 Tuesday that drivers automatically consent to a blood draw when they drive on Wisconsin roads. The court found that drivers who drink themselves into unconsciousness forfeit any opportunity to withdraw that consent. The ruling stems from a…

Ditched Semi Blocks Traffic, Highway 33 now Open

Lanes Reopened Around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning

photo: Cloquet Police Department FB CLOQUET, Minn. – The Cloquet Police Department issued a traffic advisory Tuesday morning on Highway 33 due to a ditched semi that was blocking both north and south bound lanes. The truck was hauling a windmill turbine blade and attempted make a U turn on Highway 33. The truck became partially ditched just north of…

One Remains in Hospital After Lightning Strike Injuries on Madeline Island

Two Other Victims Have Been Medically Cleared

LA POINTE, Wis. – Three people were injured from a lightning strike at the Big Bay Town Park on Madeline Island early Saturday morning. According to authorities an officer responded to the call and found three victims at a tent camping site. The female victim told the officer she was struck while trying to get into her vehicle and thrown…

Minnesota County’s Cabin Rentals Face tax Debate

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The rental market for vacation cabins in northern Minnesota is so popular that one county may change how such dwellings are classified to ensure the tax burden is fairly distributed. The Star Tribune reports that Minnesota properties fall into one of dozens of classifications for tax purposes, but some assessors say there’s no clear category for rented-out…

Authorities Searching for Missing Hurley man

IRON COUNTY, Wis. – The Iron County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a Hurley Wisconsin man who has been missing since Saturday, June 30. Rich Tilton, 63, was last seen driving in the Hurley area near Rangeview Drive with his German shepherd dog. Authorities say Tilton drives a 2002 white Toyota Forerunner with Wisconsin license…

St. Paul Police Arrest two Suspects in Fatal Festival Shooting

Police Have not Released the Name or age of the Victim

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – St. Paul police have arrested two people suspected of fatally shooting a man at a festival at Como Regional Park. The police department said on its official Twitter account Monday morning they arrested 27-year-old Nougai Xiong of St. Paul and 28-year-old Yang Houa Xiong of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Police say Nougai Xiong is being investigated…

Minnesota DNR Blames Illegal Goldfish Release for Dead Carp

The Virus Cannot be Transferred to Humans

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota conservation officials are blaming the illegal introduction of nonnative ornamental goldfish for large numbers of dead carp washing up on a lakeshore south of the Minneapolis area. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says a virus from the koi goldfish also has been found in at least eight other southern Minnesota lakes in the past year….