Wisconsin

Council Bypasses ‘Travel Superior’ For Commission to Handle Future Tourism Tax Distribution

An amendment was also approved stating that anything requiring $25,000 or more of tourism revenue would have to go out for bid to other entities, then approved by council.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior City Council decided to shake up the way they allocate tourism tax dollars, voting in favor of establishing a commission put forward by Mayor Jim Paine to handle the city’s tourism revenue, a role currently held by Travel Superior. According to the Mayor, this does not cut out Travel Superior from the equation but opens the…

Authorities: 4 Found Slain in SUV in Wisconsin Cornfield

MENOMONIE, Wis. (AP) — Four people found slain in an abandoned SUV in a western Wisconsin cornfield had been shot and were all from Minnesota, authorities said Tuesday. Preliminary results of autopsies performed Monday by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office showed the two men and two women all died of gunshot wounds, the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office said. The…

Evers Announces COVID Testing Requirement for State Workers

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers’ administration issued an order Tuesday requiring all executive branch workers who haven’t submitted their COVID-19 vaccination status to their supervisors or aren’t fully vaccinated to undergo weekly testing. The mandate will go into effect on Oct. 18 and apply to all executive branch employees, interns, and contractors. Nearly 70% of the executive branch’s…

Wisconsin Governor Wants To Intervene in Redistricting Case

(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, file) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is asking a federal court to allow him to intervene in a lawsuit filed by fellow Democrats that seeks to have federal courts draw new boundary lines if the governor and Republican-controlled Legislature can’t reach an agreement. The court has already allowed the Legislature to intervene. Republicans…

Earth Rider Brewery Celebrates 4th Anniversary

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– Earth Rider Brewery in Superior celebrated its 4th anniversary on Saturday with their annual Earth Rider Fest. Earth Riders outdoor space had a lineup full of artists performing on stage, joined by local vendors, games, and some rare beer releases. The day full of celebration honored the businesses anniversary, but the Director of Brands at the brewery says…

Mayor Paine Proposes 2022 Budget, No Tax Increase for Superior Citizens

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– Superior Mayor Jim Paine is touting his 2022 budget proposal as one that won’t increase taxes or fees. He says it eliminates $3 million in debt, improves areas of public transit, invests nearly a million dollars into public art and community grants, and fully funds the street maintenance program in 2022, and for the next 5 years. “Citizens…

Barkers Island Beach Closes due to Presence of Blue-Green Algae Bloom

This beach is closed for swimming and no longer being monitored for the season and the city is unsure of how long the bloom will stay there.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The City of Superior has closed the swimming beach at Barkers Island, due to the discovery of a blue-green algae bloom at the beach area. Blue-green algae blooms can produce toxins that can make people and animals sick after they swallow, breathe in, or have contact with the water. This beach is closed for swimming and no longer…

New Superior Museum Crawl Event

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A variety of museums in Superior kicked off their first-ever Superior Museum Crawl today, and the event will continue through Sunday. Eight museums and the Superior Public Library are participating in the museum crawl. Whether you like local history, music, or aviation, each museum has something different to offer. “I think by having that experience and allowing people…

Update: Woman Who Admitted to Slender Man Attack To Be Freed Monday

(Michael Sears/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin woman who admitted to helping stab a classmate to please the horror character Slender Man will be freed Monday from a mental health institution. A judge ruled Friday that 19-year-old Anissa Weier will be released after spending almost four years at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute. Weier and…

Republican Kleefisch Enters Wisconsin Governor’s Race

(courtesy: Twitter/Rebecca Kleefisch) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Republican Rebecca Kleefisch, who spent eight years as lieutenant governor under Scott Walker, has launched her campaign for governor. Kleefisch contrasts herself with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in her campaign launch video, casting him as weak and her as ready to back police and fight special interests. The 46-year-old Kleefisch becomes the best-known…

UWS Hosts Welcome Back Concert, Bayside Sounds with GB Leighton

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– UWS put on a welcome concert outside of the Yellowjacket Union with “Bayside Sounds” featuring GB Leighton. GB Leighton is an American artist and rock band, and listed among Billboard.com’s Top 10 Artists to Watch. Close to 250 students and people in the neighborhood showed up for the concert, along with food trucks and an inflatable obstacle course….

Report: COVID-19 Pandemic Driving Alcohol Sales in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A new report suggests people are buying dramatically more alcohol as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on. Revenue from state excise taxes on alcohol during the fiscal year that ended June 30 totaled $73.8 million, up almost 17% from $63.3 million the previous year, according to preliminary data from the state Department of Revenue cited in the…

Superior Council Delays Vote on Future Handling of Tourism Tax Revenue

Paine is calling for the creation of a tourism commission made up of six members to delegate the money as they see fit as long as it falls within state statutes.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- At Tuesday night’s council meeting, Superior Mayor Jim Paine’s proposal to create a tourism commission to handle how the city spends its tourism tax revenue — a role currently held by Travel Superior — was referred to a special Committee of the Whole Meeting for more discussion. The decision was made after more than an hour of public…

One Dead in Sawyer County Single Vehicle Crash

SAWYER COUNTY, Wis. – One person is dead following a single-vehicle crash in Sawyer County early Sunday morning. According to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of a crash on County Highway NN in the Town of Couderay around 2:26 a.m. Sunday. Upon arrival at the scene, authorities located a black 2000 Dodge Dakota pickup truck in…

UWS Welcomes New Yellowjackets to Campus

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– Across the bridge, the newest generation of Yellowjackets were welcomed to campus for the last day of move in at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. After a difficult year and a half of online or hybrid learning, getting to see classmates in person again is what most say they’re looking forward to this year which starts this Wednesday the…

35th Annual Pride Fest Takes to Bayfront Festival Park, Record Breaking Crowds

DULUTH, Minn.– The 35th annual Duluth-Superior Pride Festival is in full swing here in the Twin Ports and a little bit of rain didn’t prevent crowds from coming out and enjoying live music and celebration here in Bayfront Festival Park. After hosting the events virtually last year, the chance to gather and celebrate in-person again, meant that much more to…

Twin Ports Coastal Cleanup Aims to Keep Northland Shores Spotless

The event was part of a worldwide project called the International Coastal Cleanup.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — 5th Graders at Lake Superior Elementary School got together to pick up trash at the Arrowhead Boat Landing in Superior. The “Twin Ports Coastal Cleanup” brought the students together with Mayor Emily Larson and Superior Mayor Jim Paine in an effort help clean up our northland waterways. Organizers say you’re never too young to take care of…

Evers Extends $100 Incentive for COVID-19 Vaccinations

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s $100 reward program for those receiving the COVID-19 vaccine will be extended two weeks until Sept. 19, Gov. Tony Evers announced Friday. Extending the incentive, which began Aug. 20 and was originally scheduled to end on Monday, will give an opportunity for even more people to get vaccinated, Evers said. Between Aug. 20 and Sept….

Bayfield County Health Department Issues Mask Advisory

BAYFIELD COUNTY, Wis. – The Bayfield County Health Department has issued an advisory to residents and visitors recommending face mask use in indoor public settings. Health officials say the advisory is being issued due to an increase in COVID cases in the community. The Bayfield County Health Department says it is also strongly advising Bayfield County schools to require the…

‘Travel Superior’ CEO Speaks Out Against Mayor Paine’s Tourism Commission Proposal

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The president and CEO of Superior’s visitor’s bureau, known as Travel Superior, is speaking out against Mayor Jim Paine’s proposal to create a tourism commission to handle 100 percent of the city’s tourism tax revenue. Taylor Pedersen believes the process to potentially do away with Travel Superior has been rushed and he doesn’t believe a six-person commission…

Duluth-Superior Pride Weekend Kicks Off In The Twin Ports

DULUTH, Minn.– The 35th annual Duluth-Superior Pride weekend kicked off Thursday at The Duluth Depot for the Mayor’s Opening Reception. Mayor Emily Larson and other political leaders were on hand for the event celebrating the LGBTQ-plus community. “How amazing it is that Duluth and Superior have an event where all of the area leaders come to help start the event…

Pumpkin Season is Approaching

SUPERIOR, Wis.- DC’s Best Produce Farm’s stand in Superior made a new addition to their summer produce options. Pumpkin season is approaching fast, and the dry summer conditions we’ve been experiencing are helping the harvest season for pumpkin patches across the state of Minnesota. “They get watered a little bit sooner than before the drought even started, so they’re like—they’re…

Superior Fire Gives Expert Advice on Fire Safety

SUPERIOR, Wis.- With severe dry conditions, practicing fire safety is more crucial now than ever to prevent indoor fires. As of now, there have been 13 indoor/outdoor structure fires in Superior this year. Kitchen fires are the most common indoor fire incidents, but leaving open flames and heat sources unattended is a big reason why fires are going up. “The…

Another Republican Says Don’t Sue UW Over COVID Policies

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A second Republican legislator says he doesn’t support suing the University of Wisconsin System over its COVID-19 protocols. Sen. Steve Nass, the co-chair of the Legislature’s rules committee, has threatened to sue system officials if they don’t submit their COVID-19 plans to the committee for approval by Thursday. System President Tommy Thompson has refused to capitulate,…

Fight Over Well Water Near Lake Superior Could Land in Court

SUPERIOR, Wis. (AP) — A grassroots citizen group is pushing back against a Duluth company’s proposal to bottle and sell water from a well near Lake Superior. Opponents say allowing Kristle KLR to go forward would exploit a loophole in a landmark agreement barring water diversions from the Great Lakes and it could threaten water resources in the region. An…

University of Wisconsin Superior Staff Attend Inclusivity Training

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The first day of the semester is coming up for University of Wisconsin Superior students and teachers. Before Wednesday’s first day of classes, campus staff is doing their part in preparing with an all-day educational development conference. Instructors from all departments gathered for the 15th annual UWS Enhancement Day. Attendees met in the Yellow Jacket Union with the…

Parents Find Use for Kids’ Old Clothes at Swap in Superior  

People could bring their old baby clothes, toys, or big kid clothes to donate, and then pick out some new ones.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Over in Superior some parents and community members got together to make sure people’s kids’ old clothes could go to good use. A clothing swap was held at Earth Rider Brewery on Tower Avenue. People could bring their old baby clothes, toys, or big kid clothes to donate, and then pick out some new ones. Organizers hope it…

Great Northern Classic Rodeo Preps Begin

After having one of their biggest years in 2019, the rodeo was canceled last year due to Covid-19 concerns.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — The 30th annual Superior Great Northern Classic Rodeo will kick off this Friday. After having one of their biggest years in 2019, the rodeo was canceled last year due to Covid-19 concerns. This year, organizers are expecting another large crowd throughout the weekend with people coming to enjoy some of the western flair and something new this…

Wisconsin School Board Reverses on Opting Out of Free Meals

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin school district has reversed a decision to leave a federal free meals program following widespread criticism and loud protests from parents and others. Waukesha school board members said they received threats in the wake of national attention after voting to opt-out of the program that was providing free breakfast and lunch to all students in response…

Animal Rights Groups Plan Suit To Stop Wisconsin Wolf Hunt

(AP Photo/Dawn Villella, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A coalition of animal rights groups is planning to file a lawsuit Tuesday to stop Wisconsin’s wolf hunt this fall. The action comes after the state Department of Natural Resources board this month set the quota for the fall hunt at 300 animals, disregarding pleas from multiple groups to cancel the season after…

Bayfield Orchards Looking Forward to Apple Fest

Apple Fest will be the first weekend of October.

BAYFIELD, Wisc. — Orchards in Bayfield are already looking forward to Apple Fest for a variety of reasons. Despite losing the majority of their strawberry crops in the spring, Erickson Orchard just outside of Bayfield is banking on a healthy apple crop and a large turnout of people during the festival. “We lost 95-100%. The little bit that I got…

Tornado Watch Issued for East-Central Minnesota, Northwest Wisconsin

According to National Weather Service, large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes are all possible.

DULUTH, Minn.- The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 4 p.m. Saturday for much of east-central Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin. According to a post on their Facebook page, large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes are all possible. Categories: Environment, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Weather in the News, Wisconsin Tags: Hail, national weather service,…

12-State Human Trafficking Operation Nets Rescues 47 Victims

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt says a 12-state law enforcement operation rescued 47 victims of human trafficking and led to the arrest of more than 100 people. Schmitt said most of the arrests were made Thursday night into Friday morning. The effort, called Operation United Front, used undercover officers who arranged to meet potential human…

Mayor Paine Looks To Change How Superior’s Tourism Tax Dollars Are Allocated

SUPERIOR, Wis. – After Duluth had its own battle with changing the way tourism tax dollars are allocated for marketing purposes, Superior Mayor Jim Paine is proposing his own changes when it comes to using hotel-motel taxes. Paine is calling for the creation of a tourism commission made up of six members that would handle making all of the decisions…

Wisconsin Man Charged in Parents’ Killing and Dismemberment

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin man accused of killing and dismembering his father has been charged with committing the same crimes against his mother. The new charges brought Wednesday against 23-year-old Chandler Halderson means he now faces two counts each of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, hiding a corpse, and providing false information on kidnapped or missing persons…

Thompson Won’t Give Lawmakers Control of UW’S COVID Policies

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson is pushing back against Republican lawmakers who claim campuses need their permission to implement COVID-19 policies. System schools implemented a range of protocols this month heading into the fall semester, including mask and testing mandates. Republican lawmakers responded by voting to block the system from implementing any COVID-19 policies…

Authorities Find Body in Missing Fire Chief’s Truck

HAYWARD, Wis. (AP) – Authorities have discovered a body in a missing fire chief’s truck. The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram reports that Arcadia-Glencoe Fire Chief Jeff Halvorsen and his vehicle were reported missing on Friday. The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office found the truck on Sunday in a remote wooded area near Hayward. The sheriff’s office said a body was inside the…