Wisconsin

UW System Pays $325K to Settle sex Harassment Suit

Beitz Resigned in May but did not say why

(photo courtesy: Fox 11) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The University of Wisconsin System will pay a former student $325,000 to settle claims that a professor sexually harassed her. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the former student, identified as A.R. in court documents, sued in October alleging UW-Oshkosh failed to take action against former art professor Michael Beitz. A.R. alleged she…

Power Station Fires Knock out Service to Thousands

Power has Been Knocked out for 11,000 Customers

(WKOW-TV via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Fires at two Madison Gas and Electric substations have knocked about power to more than 11,000 customers on what is promising to be a sweltering day of heat and humidity. An explosion and fire at the utility’s main power center sent a plume of thick, black smoke over Madison’s east side about 7:40…

New Program Makes $75 Million Available for Local Roads

The Evers Administration Shifted the Money to Make it a Grant Program

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Republican leader of the Wisconsin state Senate is calling for a veto override after Gov. Tony Evers’ administration said Milwaukee’s street car could compete for $75 million in grant money. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald called for the veto override on Thursday. His call came shortly after Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson outlined how the new…

National Guard Drone Crashes Near Volk Field

The Incident is Under Investigation

(photo: WI National Guard) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin National Guard is trying to determine how a drone crashed near Volk Field. The Guard issued a news release Thursday saying a RQ-7 Shadow drone lost its link to its operator at Volk Field on Wednesday afternoon about two miles northwest of the base during a training exercise. The drone…

Spooner Police Investigating Suspicious Death

Multiple Law Enforecement Agencies are Investigating the Death

SPOONER, Wis. – The Spooner Police Department says they are investigating the suspicious death of a 52-year-old male. Authorities say officers were dispatched to a residence around 11:12 a.m. on Tuesday for a medical call. Upon arrival they found a 52-year-old male deceased at the residence. Investigators found evidence at the scene which they deemed suspicious in nature. The Spooner…

Two Juveniles Arrested After Fight at Head of the Lakes Fairgrounds, One Injured

The Victim was Treated at a Local Hospital

SUPERIOR, Wis. – According to the Superior Police Department, officers responded to the Douglas County Fairgrounds Tuesday evening on reports of a fight. When officers arrived on scene they determined the fight involved a 15-year-old male and a 16-year-old male. Authorities say one of the males had a knife and cut the other male on the shoulder during the fight….

Head of the Lakes Fair Kicks off Tonight in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Head of the Lakes Fair kicks off tonight in Superior with the WISSOTA Stock Car Races starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Gondik Law Speedway. The fairgrounds, located at 4700 Tower Avenue, will feature rides, games, and plenty of food through Sunday, July 21. Gate Admission is: 18 – 64: $8.00 65+: $5.00 Military (ID Required):…

Wisconsin Democrats set to Promote new Redistricting Plan

Sen. Dave Hansen and Rep. Robyn Vining Held a News Conference Tuesday to Promote the Bill

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Democratic lawmakers are planning to tout a new bill that would dramatically rework how Wisconsin draws its legislative district boundaries. Republicans redrew the lines in 2011 to consolidate supporters, helping them maintain control of both houses since then. Democratic voters filed a federal lawsuit in 2015 alleging the boundaries were unconstitutional but the U.S. Supreme Court…

Authorities ask for Public’s Help Locating Missing Camper in Ashland County

Dilabio was Last Seen on July 10

TOWNSHIP OF GORDON, Wis. – The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 66-year-old man from Bonduel, Wisconsin. Authorities say they received a call from a U.S. Forest Park Ranger around 9:30 a.m. Friday reporting a camper was unaccounted for at the East Twin Lake campground in the Township of Gordon. The camper,…

Walker to Take new job, Won’t run for Office in 2022

Walker is Also Considering Running for Governor

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says he won’t run for office in 2022 after he accepted a full-time job running a national conservative youth organization. Walker tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in a story published Monday that the job as president of the Young America’s Foundation will prevent him from running for his old job as…

Former Home of Jayme Closs Going up for Sale

(photo: Fox 9) BARRON, Wis. (FOX 9) – According to Fox 9, it appears the former Barron, Wisconsin home of Jayme Closs and her parents will soon be up for sale. The address is currently listed as “Coming Soon” on HomePath.com, a real estate website for Fannie Mae-owned properties. “Conveniently located just outside Barron on Highway 8,” read the property…

UW Regents set Hearing on Protest Punishment Policy

The Regents Voted Friday

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The University of Wisconsin System regents have scheduled a public hearing on regulations enacting a policy that calls for suspending and expelling students who disrupt campus speeches and presentations. The regents adopted a policy in October 2017 that mandates chancellors suspend students who disrupt others’ free speech twice and expel students who disrupt others’ free speech…

Trump to Tout Trade, Economy in Formerly Blue Wisconsin

Trump Will Make two Stops in Milwaukee

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump will visit Wisconsin on Friday, one of two Midwest stops as he warms up his re-election engine. Wisconsin has emerged as a vital testing ground for the president’s hopes to take credit for the strong economy and push for his trade policy. In 2016, Trump became the first Republican to win the state since…

UW Regents Approve Student fee, Room-and-Board Increases

Increases Will Range From $20 to $258

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The University of Wisconsin System regents have voted to increase student fees and room-and-board costs for the upcoming school year. The regents approved the increases unanimously as part of the system’s 2019-20 operational budget Thursday. Under the plan, student fees will increase an average of $36 across the system. UW-Madison students will face a $170 increase,…

Madison High School to Offer Free Condoms

The Condoms Will be Provided Upon Request

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A high school in Madison plans to offer students free condoms as part of a pilot program this year. The Wisconsin State Journal reports Madison West High School will provide condoms for free to students upon request. The Madison Metropolitan School District’s health services coordinator, Sally Zirbel-Donish, says students will be told about reproductive health, proper…

Evers: Foxconn Will Hire 1,500 Workers

The Company Failed to Meet job Targets Last Year

(AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers says he believes Foxconn Technology Group will hire 1,500 people by the time production begins next spring at its new display panel plant in southeastern Wisconsin. Evers told CNBC during a June 27 interview posted online Tuesday that he believes the plant will have about 1,500 employees in place when production begins…

Evers set to Sign Drug Step Therapy Bill

Evers Plans to Sign the Bill Tuesday Morning

JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers is expected to sign a bill designed to make it easier for patients to get needed prescription drugs even when insurance companies force them to try cheaper alternatives first. The measure address the process known as step therapy, where insurance companies can force a patient to try cheaper treatment options before more expensive…

Superior Police: Community Meeting to be Held Regarding Release of Registered sex Offenders

Three Registered Sex Offenders to be Released in July

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Police Department announced Monday that a community meeting will be held on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. regarding the release of three registered sex offenders in Superior. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the Douglas County Government Center. All members of the public are welcome to attend. Authorities…

Authorities say Virginia man Likely Drowned on Chippewa Flowage

Official Autopsy Results are Pending

SAWYER COUNTY, Wis. – According to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office, an adult male reported missing on July 4 was found deceased near Big Timber Island. Officials say 20-year-old Gage James Backstrom of Arlington, Virginia was found around 9:00 a.m. Friday deceased, floating in the water without a personal flotation device. The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office says they received a…

UW Regents Ready to Increase Student Fees

Regents Willk Vote on the Changes Thursday

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The University of Wisconsin System regents are set to increase student fees as well as room-and-board costs for the upcoming academic year. The regents are scheduled to vote Thursday on a 2019-20 operation budget that calls for raising student fees an average of $36 across the system. UW-Madison students would see a $170 increase, the largest…

Wisconsin to Consider Lowering Workers’ Comp Insurance Rates

The new Rates Could go Into Effect Oct 1

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin insurance officials will soon consider a proposal to lower insurance rates for workers’ compensation. The Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau has proposed decreasing workers’ compensation insurance rates by more than 8.8%, continuing a three-year trend in falling premiums. Wisconsin Public Radio reports that the new rates could go into effect Oct. 1, upon approval from the…

Four Democratic Presidential Candidates Coming to Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Four Democratic presidential candidates are planning to attend a town hall event on July 11 in Milwaukee. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former U.S. Housing Secretary Julian Castro and former Texas Rep. Beto O’ Rourke are slated to appear at the two-hour event. It is organized by the League of United Latin American Citizens….

Evers Signs Wisconsin Budget With 78 Partial Vetoes

Evers Signed the Budget Wednesday

(AP Photo)MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has made 78 partial vetoes to the state budget passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature. Evers signed the budget Wednesday, ignoring pleas from some liberals who wanted the new Democratic governor to reject the entire two-year spending plan. Evers says he considered doing that, but decided it would be petty and divisive…