Wisconsin

DOJ: 11 Cases Worth Millions in Limbo due to Lame-Duck law

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Nearly a dozen lawsuits with potentially millions of dollars at stake are in limbo thanks to a dispute between Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul and Republicans who passed a lame-duck law giving themselves the final say over settlements. Kaul and Republican committee members can’t agree on how to discuss the cases. Kaul wants the committee to…

Duluth YMCA to “Light Up With Pride” Starting Thursday

Officials with the City of Duluth and YMCA will help Kick off Duluth-Superior Pride Weekend Thursday Evening

DULUTH, Minn. – Tis’ the season to celebrate the history of the LGBTAQI community in the Northland. The Duluth Area Family YMCA, in collaboration with the Duluth Superior PRIDE committee is proud to host the inaugural Light Up With Pride event Thursday, August 29 at 9:00 p.m. at the Downtown branch of the YMCA. From 9:00 – 9:30 p.m., participants…

Number of Immunized Students Down Slightly

Wisconsin Allows Parents to get Waivers Based on Personal Convictions

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The number of Wisconsin students who are fully immunized declined slightly in the last school year. New data from state health officials show 91.9 % of students met immunization requirements, a decrease of 0.4% from the previous school year. Wisconsin Public Radio News reports that for diseases like measles, the immunization rate needs to be closer…

Evers: Feds OK Disaster Declaration for Wisconsin Storms

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers says Wisconsin has received a federal disaster declaration for 17 counties and two tribes that sustained damage during severe storms in July. Evers made the request to President Donald Trump’s administration last week. The governor also had requested Marinette County be included, but Evers’ office says the Federal Emergency Management Agency is still…

Wis. Rep. Milroy Considers Running for Duffy’s Congressional Seat

Democratic State Representative says he's still talking with friends and family.

On Monday, Congressman Sean Duffy, a Republican Wisconsin representative, shocked the political world as he announced he is resigning next month to prepare for the birth of his daughter who is suffering from heart complications. Just hours after Duffy’s announcement, Democratic State Rep. Nick Milroy of South Range announced he’s considering running for the soon-to-be-vacant 7th district seat. Just as…

Construction Zone Flagger Struck by Car, Sustains Serious Injuries

ASHLAND, Wis. – A 43-year-old woman suffered suspected serious injuries Monday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle at a construction site. According to the Ashland Police Department, Vickie Williams, of Odanah, was working as a construction zone flagger at a construction site on Highway 112 when a driver passed a line of stopped cars and struck Williams with his…

Wisconsin Lawmakers Propose Minimum age for Vaping

The Bill Would Prohibit Sales to Anyone Under 21

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A bipartisan group of Wisconsin lawmakers wants to set a minimum age for purchasing vaping products and raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco and nicotine. The group led by Republican state Sen. Howard Marklein has introduced a bill that would prohibit the sale of vaping products to anyone under 21. The bill also would move…

Wells Fargo Presents Check, Volunteers to Habitat for Humanity

Over 60 volunteers donate over 300 hours of their time to Habitat.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Wells Fargo Stagecoach returned to the Twin Ports for the second year in a row to support Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity home-building in our region. A $20,000 check was presented by Wells Fargo to the Habitat for Humanity at their new center in Superior. The bank is also donating time to the cause, as about…

Poe Lock Closes for Emergency Repairs

Closure causes concerns, stops two thousand-footer ships.

Emergency repairs forced the closure of the largest of the Soo Locks on Monday, causing some concern for the Duluth-Superior Port. The Poe Lock was closed for repairs for 12 hours. This cased delays in port shipping, including two thousand-footers waiting to get through at Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. According to Jayson Hron of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, this…

Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy Resigns, Special Election will Decide 7th District Seat

Congressman Duffy resigns to spend more time with his family, as his soon-to-be born child will suffer from complications.

WISCONSIN,- Republican Congressman Sean Duffy of Wisconsin’s 7th District has abruptly announced he’s resigning from office. Duffy said he needs to spend more time with his family as the baby he and his wife are expecting in Late October is having heart complications. 47-year-old Duffy, a former cast member of MTV’s “The Real World: Boston” landed the 7th district seat…

U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin Says He’s Resigning

Cites Wife's Pending Childbirth

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, who represents northern Wisconsin in Congress, is resigning next month. Duffy posted on his Facebook page Monday that he is resigning on Sept. 23 to spend more time with his family. Duffy says that he recently learned that his ninth child due in October has a heart condition and “will need…

Wisconsin’s Next for man Behind Minnesota’s Hands-Free law

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A man who pushed for Minnesota’s hands-free driving law says he wants to take his fight to Wisconsin. Thomas Goetz lost his pregnant daughter to an alleged distracted driver in February 2016 near Stillwater. Goetz spent the next three years lobbying Minnesota lawmakers to make it illegal for drivers to use a cellphone or other…

Bee-lieve it: Rare bee Spotted in Wisconsin

The bee was Thought to Have Gone Extinct

(courtesy: USDA Forest Service) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A rare bee not seen in Wisconsin in more than a century has turned up in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. U.S. Forest Service scientists found the bee in July while surveying pollinators as part of an inventory of native bees in the Great Lakes region. It’s known commonly as a cuckoo bee,…

Public Input On Transportation Plan

The public got their second and final opportunity to pitch their thoughts on the long range transportation plan

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The second and final open house meeting was Thursday afternoon for the public to pitch their input on the long range transportation plan. Sustainable Choices 2045, the newly released draft plan by the Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council serves as a blueprint for these investments that will happen over the next 25 years, which is why the public input…

Eau Claire man Accused of Threatening Workplace Shooting

Pinkham Admitted to Texting That he was Going to Kill Everyone

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) – An Eau Claire man is charged with threatening to shoot up his workplace. A criminal complaint filed in Eau Claire County Circuit Court says 31-year-old Kevin Pinkham told a co-worker at Menards Distribution Center on August 15 that he planned to “shoot up the place.” The complaint says Pinkham admitted to texting his girlfriend that…

School Staff Member Accused of Sexually Assaulting Student

Roznowski is due Back in Court September 5

Courtney Roznowski GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) – A staff member at a Green Bay high school is accused of sexually assaulting a male student. Thirty-one-year-old Courtney Roznowski, a paraprofessional at Southwest High School, appeared in court Wednesday on sexual assault charges. A police report says Roznowski and the 16-year-old boy denied having a sexual relationship when confronted earlier this week….

Superior Summer Readers Blast Off with Handmade Rockets

Kids built rockets out of straw, learned about astronomy.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Kids at Superior Public Library got a chance to build and fly their own rockets on Tuesday. Kids built rockets out of paper and straw that they launched by blowing into the straw. It was the final activity of the “Universe of Stories” summer reading program, which had over 200 kids participating. But according to Library staff, what’s…

Superior Council Unanimously Passes Ban on Conversion Therapy in City

Over 20 members of the community spoke in support of the ban, while Councilor shares emotional personal story.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior City Council has voted unanimously to enact a city-wide ban on Conversion Therapy for anyone under 18. “I want people of all genders and sexualities to believe that they have a place in Superior.” These proclamations echoed throughout the packed city council meeting Tuesday as dozens of members of the community came to speak, seemingly all…

Great Outdoors: University Of Wisconsin-Superior Ballast Water Treatment Facility

This facility is one of just two in the United States

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Aquatic invasive species are caused from ballast water which is discharged from commercial vessels when cargo is unloaded. Thousands of ships come and go in the Great Lakes, which means ballast water is high in these areas causing concerns for some. Ballast water is one of the largest vectors that spreads aquatic invasive species around the world and…

Evers Seeks Federal Disaster Declaration for 18 Counties

Federal Agencies Verified $19.5 Million in Damage

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers is seeking a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties and two tribes that suffered damage during severe storms in July. Evers said on Monday that he made the request to President Donald Trump’s administration after state and federal agencies verified more than $19.5 million in damage from thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding from the…

Paddling Practice for 18th Annual Dragonboat Festival

Teams practice techniques and strokes at Barkers Island Marina.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Teams competing in this weekend’s 18th Annual Lake Superior Dragonboat Festival got together this evening to practice before the big race on Barker’s Island. Teams of 20 people practiced different strokes with their ores and what to do in situations like falling in the water. According to instructors it’s not that hard to learn, but learning how to…

Wisconsin School Bus Companies Scramble To Find Drivers

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin school bus companies are struggling to find enough drivers before the start of the school year next month. Most of the school buses used the state are privately contracted. Steve Roekle, who owns the Manitowoc-based Brandt Buses, told Wisconsin Public Radio that there’s a high bar to becoming a school bus driver. The job requires…

Life Expectancy Drops In Wisconsin Due To Alcohol, Drugs

Drug and Alcohol Deaths in Wisconsin Have Tripled Since 1999

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A new report says life expectancy in Wisconsin has dropped for two years in a row fueled by increased deaths from alcohol abuse and opioids. The Wisconsin Policy Forum report released Monday finds that while Wisconsin is mirroring a national trend in shorter life expectancies overall, the state loses ground due to alcohol and opioid deaths…

Chess Champs Battle at Twin Ports Open

8th Annual Chess tournament brings players from other countries.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- It was a meeting of the minds at University of Wisconsin Superior’s Yellowjacket Union for the 8th Annual Twin Ports Open Chess Tournament. Players were in town from as far as Canada. They’re as young as six and as old as 75. Some are even Mayors, like Superior Mayor Jim Paine, who was also hunched over a chess…

100 Years of YMCA Camp Lake Nebagamon

YMCA holds event for old campers to reminisce about their days in summer camp.

LAKE NEBAGAMON, Wis.- Summer camp, for many, is the highlight of the season, holding many fond memories. YMCA Camp Lake Nebagamon has been doing that for 100 years. “100 years is, it’s a huge amazing milestone, but it’s not our last,” said Camp Director Rachel Eisenmann. The one spot amid the trees by the lake carries with it a century…

Commemorative Air Force Museum Opens at Bong Airport

CAF Lake Superior Squadron holds car and plane show.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Planes and automobiles throughout history gathered at the Richard I. Bong Airport for the opening of the Commemorative Air Force museum. The Commemorative Air Force Lake Superior Squadron invited the public to a car show and plane show where they could even get a ride in one of the old flyers. The event honored veterans who piloted some…

Classic Car and Plane Show Taking Over the Bong Airport Saturday

The PBY Black Cats Classic Car and Plane Show is Happening Saturday, August 17

SUPERIOR, Wis. – On Saturday, August 17, the community is invited to an event featuring food, historic planes, and classic cars. The Commemorative Air Force Lake Superior Squadron 101 is hosting the first ever PBY Black Cats Classic Car and Plane Show. Rides on an authentic WWII plane are taking place Friday, August 16. On Saturday a pancake breakfast will…

GOP Twitter block will cost Wisconsin taxpayers $200,000

Taxpayers Will pay a Liberal Group's Attorneys $200,000

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin taxpayers will pay a liberal group’s attorneys $200,000 because Republican lawmakers blocked them on Twitter. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports state officials agreed Thursday to pay the legal bills for One Wisconsin Now’s attorneys. A federal judge ruled in January that Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Rep. John Nygren, both Republicans, had infringed on the…

Slow Cooked Carnitas Taco in the Twin Ports

COOKING CONNECTION: La Tequila Cooks Flavorful & Fall of the Bone Pork Tacos

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — In this weeks Cooking Connection the brand new La Tequila in the Twin Ports cook us up a delicious Carnitas Taco! The recipe is in the video above to make this at home, otherwise you can visit the restaurant at: LOCATION: 5802 Tower Ave, Superior, WI 54880 HOURS: 11am – 10pm Tuesday- Saturday; 11am – 8:30pm Sunday…

Evers, Democrats Offer gun Background Check Bill

The Bill was Unveiled Thursday

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Democratic lawmakers are proposing an expansion of background checks for gun sales in the state. Republicans who control the Legislature have said they are opposed to such efforts. But Evers and Democrats are pushing it in the wake of two mass shootings earlier this month, saying the public is behind the…

Helping Elderly Prevent Falls at Superior YMCA

Dove Home Health Professionals hosts Fall Prevention Classes.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Falling is the leading cause of death from injury in individuals 65 and older. If a senior citizen falls once, their chances of falling again are doubled. Senior citizens are invited to the Superior YMCA to help change that. Dove Home Health Professionals hosted the first part of their three-part Fall Prevention series, called “The Truth About Falling.”…

GOP Bill Would Allow Pharmacists to Prescribe Birth Control

10 Other States Have Laws Allowing Phamacists to Prescribe Birth Control

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Republican lawmakers find themselves in an unusual position, advocating for a bill they’ve introduced that broadens birth control access. Anti-abortion groups that are typically their allies are firmly against the measure, which would allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control pills. A public hearing on the bill was set for Wednesday in the Assembly Health Committee….

Man Arrested on 12th Drunken Driving Offense

Bondie had a BAC of 0.23

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) – Police say a man found passed out behind the wheel at an Eau Claire gas station is facing his 12th drunken driving charge. WQOW-TV reports Keith Bondie appeared in Eau Claire County Circuit Court Tuesday where bond was set at $10,000 cash. The 60-year-old Elk Mound man was arrested Saturday at the Kwik Trip. First…

Timbersports Take Over & Race Top Notch Handmade Saws

GREAT OUTDOORS: Lumberjack World Championships Brings The Best

HAYWARD, Wisc. — Lumberjacks in the Northland are common and the competition between them is said to be strong. In this week’s Great Outdoors, Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot takes us to Lumberjack Bowl where all of the best gathered there to show us what they are made of. “It’s kind of in my blood, I’m a four generation competitor.” said…

Wisconsin’s Evers to Trump: End Trade Wars to Save Farmers

(AP Photo) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers is urging President Donald Trump to end his trade wars with other countries because they’re hurting Wisconsin farmers. Evers, a Democrat, sent Trump a letter Monday asking him to end the disputes. He says Wisconsin farmers are suffering a “triple whammy” of trade uncertainty, low commodity prices and bad weather. The…

Wisconsin Home Explodes, Killing man who was Likely Asleep

Debris Spread at Least 500 Feet

MANAWA, Wis. (AP) – Authorities in Wisconsin say a man was killed when his home exploded. Waupaca County Sheriff Tim Wilz tells news outlets that the man killed in the Sunday morning explosion was likely asleep. He had not yet been identified. Wilz says the home was `”totally obliterated.” Manawa Rural Fire Chief Rob Rosenau says debris was `”scattered all…

Four New Superior Firefighters Sworn In

The Superior Fire Department swore in four new members Friday afternoon

SUPERIOR, Wis.- It’s something they have been waiting weeks for as four new firefighters were sworn in to the Superior Fire Department Friday. One of the newest firefighters sworn in has a long family connection. Charlee Edwards joins her father, brother, and cousin as fire officials. Edwards says this was something she was bound to do. “I’ve always grown up…

Throwing Axes & Tossing Back Ales Together

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Duluth Experience & Blacklist Artisan Ales Collaboration Tour

DULUTH, Minn. — In this weeks Active Adventures, Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot takes us AXE THROWING, the perfect Northland sport. Currently Blacklist Artisan Ales in Duluth hosts the axe throwing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. They have also paired with Duluth Experience to tie in local brewery tours and tastes as well. Become an axepert and learn all the…

Health Officials Confirm new Cases of Vaping Damage

Officials Have Confirmed 12 Cases

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says doctors in Wisconsin have confirmed new cases of lung disease tied to vaping. Health officials have confirmed a total of 12 cases and are investigating 13 other cases. The new cases include those who vaped marijuana oils, extracts or concentrates. Patients with confirmed cases range in age from teens…

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Visits UW-Superior

Baldwin got to check out a unique research hub that is protecting Lake Superior from invasive species

SUPERIOR, Wis.- U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin was in Superior today checking out how a unique research hub is working to protect Lake Superior from invasive species. Senator Baldwin told us that she has a strong bipartisan agreement just introduced in place to re-authorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative beginning in 2021 raising the funding from $300 million to…

DOC Releases Inmates’ Protected Health Information

The Data has Since Been Destroyed

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin prison officials say they illegally released information that could reveal whether inmates are in substance abuse treatment. The Department of Corrections said Thursday that officials responding to an open records request released records on June 24 that contained 1,041 inmates’ personal identification numbers and locations. No names were released but DOC officials say someone could…

Local Farmers Reflect on Slow Season

SUPERIOR, WI – On Wednesday afternoon, the Superior Business Improvement District hosted their weekly farmers market. It’s been a rough season for the farmers due to the wild spring and summer weather. One farmer says, his “catch” or production rate was hit pretty hard. “This year I think I only got a forty percent catch and I attribute that because…

Gun Violence Rally Held In Duluth

Duluth City Hall was packed with those honoring the lives lost in the past week, as well as pushing for action to prevent future gun violence.

DULUTH, Minn.- After a series of recent deadly shootings across the country, the topic of gun violence getting a lot of attention. That’s why people filled the steps of City Hall in Duluth Wednesday. Duluth City Hall was packed with those honoring the lives lost in the past week, as well as pushing for action to prevent future gun violence….

Additions, Improvements Planned for Sections of Road in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has several projects planned for the summer of 2020. One of them involves adding traffic lights to the intersection of tower avenue and north 61st street. Studies done by the Metropolitan Interstate Council, and analysis done by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, concluded that traffic lights were needed at this intersection due to…

DNR Investigating Western Wisconsin Frac Sand Mine Spill

(photo: twitter) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The state Department of Natural Resources is investigating a spill at a Jackson County frac sand mine. The Wisconsin State Journal reports the spill occurred Saturday at the 670-acre Wisconsin Proppants Hixton mine in the town of Curran northwest of Black River Falls. Town Chairman Dwight Swenson says he saw signs of a spill…

Closs Family Home Torn Down

The Home was Demolished on Tuesday

BARRON, Wis. (AP) – The house where Jayme Closs was kidnapped and her parents were fatally shot has been torn down in northwestern Wisconsin. The bank that owns the house near Barron had it demolished Tuesday after consulting with relatives about the property. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald tells the Star Tribune his department released the crime scene back to…

New Apartment Complex Opens In Superior

P&R Properties opened their third site in three years as 320 North is the newest housing building to open their doors

SUPERIOR, Wis.- P&R Properties cut the ribbon on their third apartment complex in Superior today, and during that ceremony we could see what those in the Northland will get if they move into 320 North Apartments. The 89-unit apartment complex is located on F Street right near Lake Superior. The price falls into the luxury category, with renting starting at…