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Wisconsin Lawmakers Introduce Police Reform Package

January 20, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Three Wisconsin lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at reforming police use-of-force policies and investigations. Republican Sens. Van Wanggaard and Alberta Darling along with Democratic Sen. Lena Taylor unveiled the package on Wednesday. The legislation would create a board that could investigate officer-involved deaths, require annual reports tallying use-of-force incidents, prohibit training on the use of chokehold,…

Pharmacist Charged in Attempt to Ruin COVID-19 Vaccine

January 20, 2021

The Associated Press,

(Ozaukee County Sheriff via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin pharmacist accused of trying to spoil dozens of vials of COVID-19 vaccine has been charged with attempted misdemeanor property damage. Online court records indicate Steven Brandenburg was charged Tuesday in Ozaukee County Circuit Court. He pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors have warned more serious charges could follow if tests show…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, January 20

January 20, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 1,237 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Wednesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 449,492 in the state. Health officials also reported 34 news deaths bringing the death total to 5,979 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 6,206,196 tests have been completed to date. There…

Wisconsin Begins Distributing, Receiving At-Home COVID-19 Tests

January 20, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state has started distributing and receiving at-home test kits for COVID-19. Wisconsin Department of Health Services spokeswoman Traci DeSalvo says more than 12,000 kits have been ordered and more than 1,600 have been returned as of last week. “People are ordering a kit and having it on hand for when they’re ready,” she said. “It’s…

DNR Board to Consider Mining Fee Increases Next Week

January 19, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Department of Natural Resources’ policy board is expected to reconsider a plan to dramatically increase mining fees in Wisconsin. The new rules would increase fees and costs for nonferrous mining operations by about $502,000 per project. They also would require companies to supply more detailed feasibility and construction plans to the department and establish…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, January 19

January 19, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 922 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Tuesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 448,268 in the state. Health officials also reported 6 news deaths bringing the death total to 5,945 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 6,188,091 tests have been completed to date. There…

Everyone Over 65 Next in Line for Vaccine in Wisconsin

January 19, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Everyone over age 65 in Wisconsin will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting on Monday. The state Department of Health Services said Tuesday that prioritizing that population will help save lives. However, the department cautioned that how quickly they will be vaccinated depends on how much vaccine the state receives from the federal government. There…

Superior Police Looks To Add Liaison Position To Work With LGBTQ And Minority Communities

The goal is to have the liaison working with minority and LGBTQ groups by the summer.

January 18, 2021

Nachai Taylor,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Police Department is taking a step closer to becoming more inclusive. The department is now looking to add a position to work with people in the minority and LGBTQ communities. Nearly a decade ago, the Superior Police department had a liaison to work specifically with the LGBTQ community and now discussions are in the works…

Mobile Vaccine Units Coming Soon To Counties In Wisconsin

The mobile units will assist local health departments in the next phase of the state's rollout, which includes police officers and firefighters.

January 18, 2021

Nachai Taylor,

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wis. – The National Guard and Wisconsin health officials are teaming up… to test a program that offers mobile vaccination clinics across the state. National Guard members and pharmacy volunteers will be deployed, starting on Tuesday, to counties in Wisconsin that have requested to be a part of this pilot program. The mobile units will assist local health…

Superior School Board Gives School Nurses A Pay Raise

The pay will increase by about $2 an hour for LPN's and $5 an hour for RN's.

January 18, 2021

Nachai Taylor,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior School board recently approved a pay increase for school nurses in an effort to attract more to work in Superior schools. School nurses have been in high demand for the School District of Superior. The Coronavirus pandemic has only caused the need for school nurses to grow. The district administrator says the pay increase allows…

Wisconsin Reports 19 New Deaths Due to the Coronavirus

January 18, 2021

The Associated Press,

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Wisconsin health officials on Monday confirmed 19 new deaths due to the coronavirus, all but two of which were in Milwaukee County. The update lifted the number of fatalities since the start of the pandemic to 5,470. The death count is the 23rd highest in the country overall and the 32nd highest per capita at nearly 102…

Wisconsin’s Top Health Official Departing for Federal Job

January 18, 2021

The Associated Press,

(AP Photo/Scott Bauer, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s top health official, who has led the state throughout the coronavirus pandemic, is leaving for a job with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President-elect Joe Biden. Andrea Palm, secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, has been nominated as deputy secretary of the federal agency. Palm…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, January 18

January 18, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 980 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Monday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 447,349 in the state. Health officials also reported 12 news deaths bringing the death total to 5,939 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 6,173,664 tests have been completed to date. There…

Wisconsin’s Average Daily Virus Cases Remain Mostly Constant

January 17, 2021

Dan Hanger,

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Wisconsin health officials are confirming 1,606 new cases of the coronavirus, out of nearly 7,000 people tested in the last day. Nearly 522,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. The COVID Tracking Project reports that over the past two weeks, the rolling average number of daily new cases in the state…

Wisconsin GOP Official Who Made ‘War’ Post Resigns

January 15, 2021

The Associated Press,

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The chairman of the St. Croix County Republican Party, who had posted online that his members should “prepare for war,” stepped down on Friday. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that members of the St. Croix County Republican Party Executive Committee asked for John Kraft’s resignation. His post, made before the riot last week at the U.S. Capitol, garnered…

Wisconsin Teen Charged With Killing Infant Daughter in Woods

January 15, 2021

The Associated Press,

(Wisconsin Circuit Court Access/Wisconsin State Journal via AP) MONROE, Wis. (AP) — A 16-year-old boy has admitted fatally shooting his newborn daughter and leaving her body inside a fallen tree in the woods in southern Wisconsin, according to prosecutors. Logan Kruckenburg-Anderson, of Albany, is charged as an adult with first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse. He’s being held on…

Wisconsin Launching Mobile Vaccination Program

January 15, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin is launching a mobile coronavirus vaccination program next week. Gov. Tony Evers announced the effort Friday. Evers says nine mobile labs will be dispatched across the state starting Tuesday. They will be staffed by members of the Wisconsin National Guard as well as pharmacy and nursing student volunteers through a partnership with the University of…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, January 15

January 15, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 1,640 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Friday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 443,562 in the state. Health officials also reported 33 news deaths bringing the death total to 5,850 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 6,090,114 tests have been completed to date. There…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, January 14

January 14, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 1,598 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Thursday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 441,935 in the state. Health officials also reported 43 news deaths bringing the death total to 5,817 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 6,043,802 tests have been completed to date. There…

Pharmacist Accused of Spoiling Vaccine Has License Suspended

January 14, 2021

The Associated Press,

(Ozaukee County Sheriff via AP) MILWAUKEE (AP) — A state board has suspended the license of a Wisconsin pharmacist accused of ruining more than 500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine because he thought it was unsafe. Steven Brandenburg was working at Advocate Aurora Health in Grafton, about 20 miles north of Milwaukee when he was arrested last month. The arrested followed…

Prosecutors Seek Restrictions on Rittenhouse After Bar Stop

January 14, 2021

The Associated Press,

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Prosecutors in Wisconsin have asked a judge to order an Illinois teen charged with killing two people and wounding a third in a violent protest over a police shooting to stay out of bars and away from white supremacist groups. The request comes a week after 18-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse was seen drinking at a bar in…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, January 13

January 13, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 1,504 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Wednesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 440,354 in the state. Health officials also reported 50 news deaths bringing the death total to 5,774 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 6,006,711 tests have been completed to date. There…

Contagious COVID Variant Detected in Wisconsin

January 13, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin health officials said Wednesday a new, more contagious form of the COVID-19 virus has been detected in the state. The Department of Health Services announced the variant was detected through routine genome sequencing of specimens collected during testing. The department did not say where it was found or when it was confirmed. An agency spokeswoman…

State of State: Evers Targets Broadband, Fixing Unemployment

January 13, 2021

The Associated Press,

(Amber Arnold/Wisconsin State Journal via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers in his State of the State speech is calling on the Legislature to update Wisconsin’s antiquated unemployment payment system and spend nearly $200 million to expand broadband access. Those were both problem areas that the coronavirus pandemic laid bare last year. Evers pre-recorded the speech, which was…

Superior Councilor Raises Ethical Concerns Over Marriage of Mayor Paine, Councilor Van Sickle

In a letter to City Attorney Frog Prell, Sutherland worried votes by Van Sickle could inappropriately benefit Mayor Paine.

January 13, 2021

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Superior City Councilor Craig Sutherland is raising conflict-of-interest concerns with the City Attorney’s office over the recent marriage between Mayor Jim Paine and Councilor Jenny Van Sickle. Letter from Councilor Craig Sutherland to City Attorney Frog Prell “I strongly believe we need some guidance on what to do moving forward,” Councilor Sutherland said. In a letter to City…

Wis. Gov. Tony Evers Promises $200M for Broadband Access in State of the State Speech

After the pandemic was "unrelenting" in 2020 according to the Governor, he said to the people of Wisconsin "we aren't defeated."

January 12, 2021

Arman Rahman,

MADISON, Wis.- In his virtual State of the State address Tuesday, Gov. Tony Evers called on an increased focus on expanding broadband access statewide in the next biennial budget. After the pandemic was “unrelenting” in 2020 according to the Governor, he said to the people of Wisconsin “we aren’t defeated.” However he did highlight how, for distance learning, doctor tele-health…

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Wisconsin Authorizes State National Guard, Boards Up Capitol Building

January 12, 2021

KQDS Staff,

MADISON, Wis. – Windows of the Wisconsin Capitol are now boarded up as the FBI continues its warning to lawmakers around the country about the threat of armed protests and violence directed at government buildings this week and next week. There’s also been more capitol police in the area since Wednesday’s violence in Washington, D.C. The Wisconsin National Guard has also…

Wisconsin Man Arrested After Being Part of Capitol Riot

January 12, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin man who posted on Facebook that he was among those wanted for illegally entering the U.S. Capitol during last week’s riot has been arrested in Eau Claire and charged with a pair of misdemeanors in federal court. Kevin Daniel Loftus is scheduled to make an initial appearance Tuesday after being arrested for illegally entering…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, January 12

January 12, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 1,335 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Tuesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 438,867 in the state. Health officials also reported 13 news deaths bringing the death total to 5,724 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 5,982,456 tests have been completed to date. There…

Wisconsin Senate Poised to Pass COVID-19 Relief Package

January 12, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Senate is set to pass a pared-down COVID-19 relief package. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders have been trying to hammer out a compromise package for weeks to no avail. Assembly Republicans passed a bill last week, but Evers opposes it. Senate Republicans scaled the measure back. They removed provisions that would…

Wisconsin National Guard Mobilizes to Support Capitol Police

January 11, 2021

Site Staff,

MADISON, Wis. – On Monday, Gov. Tony Evers authorized the Wisconsin National Guard to assist the Capitol Police in Madison with safety and security efforts at the State Capitol. “Once again, our state has asked our Citizen Soldiers in the Wisconsin National Guard to answer the call to keep our state, its citizens, and its institutions safe,” said Maj. Gen….

Police, Firefighters to get Vaccine Next in Wisconsin

January 11, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — State health officials say police and firefighters in Wisconsin will be eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine starting Jan. 18. Gov. Tony Evers estimates in a letter made public on Monday that members of the general public won’t be vaccinated until June. Evers renewed his call for faster distribution of the vaccine from the federal government…

Evers Estimates Public Won’t See Vaccine Until June

January 11, 2021

The Associated Press,

(Steve Apps/Wisconsin State Journal via AP, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Members of the general public in Wisconsin likely won’t be vaccinated for the coronavirus until June, Gov. Tony Evers said in a letter made public Monday as he renewed his call for faster distribution of the vaccine from the federal government and state Republicans introduced a new response bill….

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, January 11

January 11, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 980 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Monday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 437,552 in the state. Health officials also reported 4 news deaths bringing the death total to 5,711 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 5,953,863 tests have been completed to date. There…

Rapid Fire Hockey Holds Tryouts for Girls Team at Superior Ice Arena

The Rapid Fire Hockey Association held tryouts for what they call 10U and 12U girls

January 10, 2021

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Young girl hockey players in Superior got to try out Sunday for a local hockey organization at the Superior Ice Arena. The Rapid Fire Hockey Association held tryouts for what they call 10U and 12U girls, those born between the years of 2008 and 2011. Owners of the association said that pandemic or not, boys and girls that…

Aunt Gives Update On Jayme Closs On Two-Year Anniversary Of Teenager’s Escape From Kidnapper

January 10, 2021

Alexandra Burnley,

WISCONSIN – On the two-year anniversary of the day Jayme Closs escaped her kidnapper and her parents’ murderer, Jayme’s aunt is giving an update on how the courageous teenage girl is doing now. Jennifer Smith, who is also Jayme’s guardian, posted this update on the Healing For Jayme Facebook page, which also shares updates on other children who are missing:…

Ice Festival In Superior Goes On

The festival takes place on January 29 and 30 on Barker's Island.

January 8, 2021

Nachai Taylor,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Ice Festival in superior is still happening at the end of the month. This year, everything will be mostly outdoors. There will be two dozen ice carvings set up around town for people to check out and play some trivia for a chance to win cash. Families can also take a cruise down the superior snow…

Closed Wisconsin Capitol Deflates Security Concerns

January 8, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Security breaches at the U.S. Capitol and statehouses around the country haven’t led to any changes at the state Capitol building in Madison. Gov. Tony Evers closed the building in March to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Lawmakers have been allowed to continue working in the building and the public has been allowed inside to watch…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, January 8

January 8, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 2,387 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Friday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 431,944 in the state. Health officials also reported 48 news deaths bringing the death total to 5,620 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 5,852,830 tests have been completed to date. There…

UWS Awards 400 Students With About $150,000 In Grant Funding

January 7, 2021

Nachai Taylor,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – 400 students at the University of Wisconsin Superior are getting a little extra financial help to continue their education. UWS recently awarded nearly $150,000 in emergency grant funding to those students. The awards ranged from $200 to $500 per student. The funds were made possible by some fundraising and repurposing state and federal money. “We knew that…

Wisconsin Republicans Disagree on COVID-19 Bill

January 7, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature is divided on a coronavirus response bill that the state Assembly was passing on Thursday but that the Senate GOP leader said his chamber opposes. Even if the current bill were to somehow pass, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has signaled his opposition and would likely veto the measure. Evers and Assembly Democrats…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, January 7

January 7, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 2,004 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Thursday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 429,570 in the state. Health officials also reported 44 news deaths bringing the death total to 5,572 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 5,803,829 tests have been completed to date. There…

GOP Sen. Johnson Says No Decision on His Political Future

Johnson is Weighing Whether to Seek a Third Term

January 7, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson says he has not made a decision yet on his political future as the vocal backer of President Donald Trump faces two years in the minority and mounting calls for him to step aside. The update from the Republican comes a day after the U.S. Capitol was stormed by Trump supporters….

Wisconsin Surpasses 5,000 Deaths Due to COVID-19

January 6, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin surpassed 5,000 deaths from COVID-19, as the total number of cases neared half a million. The state Department of Health Services reported 60 additional deaths on Wednesday, bringing the total to 5,039. There have been nearly 495,000 positive cases to date. The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin peaked in mid-November and had been…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, January 6

January 6, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 2,346 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Wednesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 427,587 in the state. Health officials also reported 67 news deaths bringing the death total to 5,528 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 5,762,307 tests have been completed to date. There…

Two People Fatally Stabbed in Kenosha, One Arrested

January 6, 2021

The Associated Press,

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Two people were fatally stabbed in Kenosha early Wednesday and one person is in custody, according to police. About 4:20 a.m. officers responded to the stabbing scene, located about a mile north of where protests occurred hours earlier following a prosecutor’s decision against charging a white officer who shot a Black man in the back, partially…

Gov. Evers, Health Officials Ask for Patience During Wisconsin Vaccine Distribution

Health officials said the demand is going to exceed the supply for a while.

January 6, 2021

Arman Rahman,

MADISON, Wis.- The Wisconsin Governor and health leaders addressed obstacles and delays in the state’s vaccine distribution Tuesday. So far 85,609 vaccines have been administered and as of Monday 266,675 doses had been shipped to Wisconsin. According to health officials, the demand is going to exceed the supply for a while. Gov. Tony Evers emphasized that focus should not divert…

Lake Superior Research Institute Gets Matching Donation For Floating Classroom

The organization has been wanting to get a new boat to re-establish hands-on learning and research on Lake Superior.

January 5, 2021

Nachai Taylor,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Generous donors are helping the Lake Superior Research Institute and the University of Wisconsin Superior, inch closer to making a floating classroom a reality. The organization has been wanting to get a new boat to re-establish hands-on learning and research on Lake Superior. Alumni Bill and Lynne Rogers will be matching donations up to $100,000 to help…

No Charges Against Wisconsin Officer Who Shot Jacob Blake

January 5, 2021

The Associated Press,

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin prosecutor has declined to file criminal charges against a white police officer who shot a Black man in the back last summer. Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley said Tuesday that he had decided not to charge Officer Rusten Sheskey and other officers, saying he didn’t think he could prove Sheskey and other officers…

Illinois Teen Pleads Not Guilty in Kenosha Protest Slayings

January 5, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – An Illinois teenager who fatally shot two people and wounded a third amidst sometimes violent summer protests on the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin, has pleaded not guilty to charges including intentional homicide. Kyle Rittenhouse, 18, entered his plea Tuesday in a brief hearing conducted by teleconference. Prosecutors say Rittenhouse, who is white, left his home in…

Wisconsin

The goal is to have the liaison working with minority and LGBTQ groups by the summer.

The mobile units will assist local health departments in the next phase of the state's rollout, which includes police officers and firefighters.

The pay will increase by about $2 an hour for LPN's and $5 an hour for RN's.

In a letter to City Attorney Frog Prell, Sutherland worried votes by Van Sickle could inappropriately benefit Mayor Paine.

After the pandemic was "unrelenting" in 2020 according to the Governor, he said to the people of Wisconsin "we aren't defeated."

The Rapid Fire Hockey Association held tryouts for what they call 10U and 12U girls

The festival takes place on January 29 and 30 on Barker's Island.

Johnson is Weighing Whether to Seek a Third Term

Health officials said the demand is going to exceed the supply for a while.

The organization has been wanting to get a new boat to re-establish hands-on learning and research on Lake Superior.

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