Wisconsin

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…

Crews Finishing Fairlawn Mansion Roof Makeover

SUPERIOR, WI – Crews began replacing the roof of the mansion in Mid-June. They are now putting the finishing touches on the tower, along with doing other maintenance. It’s been 30 years since major work was last done on the roof. Along with fixing the wear and tear, the new look will better represent the past look of the mansion….

Johnson Controls Sets Aside $140m To Clean Up PFAS

The Company Will set Money Aside to Clean-up Pollution From PFAS in Marinette

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Johnson Controls International is devoting $140 million to address pollutants from firefighting foam in northeastern Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the company’s third-quarter earnings report indicates it will set the money aside to clean-up pollution from PFAS in Marinette, where its Tyco Fire Products unit is based. PFAS are man-made chemicals found in products such…

YOHO! Lumberjacks & Lumberjills Competing In Lumberjack World Championships

Swing, Chop and Axe Your Way Into Hayward Wisconsin This Weekend

HAYWARD, Wis.-The smell of fresh cut lumber is taking over in Hayward at the second day of the 60th Annual Lumberjack World Championships. Lumberjacks and Lumberjills are swinging, axing, chopping, sawing, log rolling, climbing and boom running into 24 different events in Hayward, Wisconsin this weekend. Today was the semifinals, marking who will be competing in tomorrow’s World Championship rounds….

Hayward Wilderness Zoo for Sale

HAYWARD, Wis.-The 35 acre Wild Wilderness Zoo located south of Hayward is celebrating 50 years in business. Now, however, the owners are ready to move on. With the future of the zoo, its animals and all of its attractions up in the air- the current owners are hoping that whoever purchases the land will keep the zoo going. “If we…

YOHO! Boom Running in the Lumberjack World Championships

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Last Year Brittney Merlot Log Rolled, Now She Attempts Boom Running For The First Time!

HAYWARD, Wisc. — In this weeks Active Adventures, Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot is boom running at the Lumberjack World Championships semifinals. She’s never done it before and will make her first attempt this morning on LIVE TV! Ellie Davenport, offers her words of wisdom as she has been a pro log roller and boom runner since she was 15 years…

11 Hospitalizations Linked to Vaping in Wisconsin

Officials are Trying to Determine What Vaping Products Were Used

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Wisconsin health officials say they’ve linked vaping to 11 recent cases where teenagers and young adults developed “severe lung disease” that required hospitalizations. Officials said Friday they’re investigating another seven cases that may also be linked to vaping. The health department says all the patients they interviewed reported vaping in the weeks and months prior to being…

Blueberry Bread Pudding Sweet Treat

COOKING CONNECTION: Bridgeman's Bakes Tasty Treats

DULUTH, Minn. — In this week’s Cooking Connection, the last standing Bridgeman’s is baking us a Blueberry Bread Pudding. Using one day old cinnamon rolls, pudding, melted white chocolate, blueberries and topped with their signature vanilla ice cram. Enjoy the video above for the full recipe details, remember this goes well for breakfast, lunch, snacks, desserts and more. Categories: Cooking…

Learn to Make Stained Glass at Shannon’s Stained Glassery Kids Camp

Kids get a chance to handmake different glass crafts.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Kids in Superior are getting a hands on look at making different kinds of glassware. Starting Wednesday, Shannon’s Stained Glassery is hosting a kids’ camp. On the first day they painted and glazed pottery, and for the next two days they’ll work on mosaic and fuse tile. Store owner Shannon Johnson said kids lobe the chance to work…

Remains Found in Missing Wisconsin Brothers Case

The Remains Have not Been Officially Identified

SHAWANO, Wis. (AP) -Authorities say human remains have been found on a northwest Missouri farm that has been the focus of a search for two missing Wisconsin brothers. Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish announced Wednesday the remains were found on a farm near Braymer. He says the remains have not been officially identified. No cause of death has been determined….

Nine People Charged So Far From Wisconsin Rape Kit Backlog

Only 101 Kits Have yet to be Tested

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Charges have been filed against nine people so far as a result of the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s work to test thousands of kits containing evidence collected from sexual assault victims. Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul said in an interview Wednesday he expects that number to increase as more tests are completed and prosecutors review evidence….

Lumberjacks, Jills Arriving in Hayward for World Championships

The 60th Annual Lumberjack World Championships are Happening August 1 - 3 in Hayward

HAYWARD, Wis. – Preparations are underway at the Lumberjack Bowl for the 60th annual Lumberjack World Championships taking place August 1 – 3 in Hayward, Wisconsin. The international competition showcases the best in sawing, chopping, speed climbing, log rolling, boom running and much more. This family fun event attracts athletes and fans from around the world. Executive Director of the…

GOP Lawsuit Challenges Wisconsin Governor’s Veto Powers

The Move Could Reverse More Than Four Decades of Precedent

(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, file) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A conservative law firm is asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to dramatically scale back the ability of governors to change the intent of lawmakers through partial budget vetoes. If successful, the move would reverse more than four decades of precedent. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty filed the lawsuit Wednesday…

Black Super New Moon Coming Tonight

North America Only - Rest Of World Waits Until August 30th

NORTHLAND — A first since 2016, an astronomical event called the ‘Black Moon’ occurs tonight. What exactly is it? Well, you’ve heard of a ‘Blue Moon’ – right? It’s the second full moon within one month. And a ‘Black Moon’ is the second new moon of the month. This is something that rarely happens and is just as uncommon as a…

Douglas Co. Dist. Atty. Reviewing Auto Theft Case Against Ashland Police Officer

ASHLAND, Wis. – The case against a longtime Ashland police officer accused of auto theft is now in the hands of Douglas County District Attorney Mark Fruehauf for possible charges. The 18-year veteran of the Ashland Police Department retired in May – the same month Ashland Police Chief Jim Gregoire sent out a press release about the allegations against the…

Wisconsin Sheriff Draws Parallel With Closs Case

German Killed Three of his Family Members and a 24-Year-old Woman

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (AP) – Authorities in Wisconsin say a man suspected of killing four people may have been imitating the abduction last year of teenager Jayme Closs. Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk said Tuesday that investigators may never know exactly what led to the Sunday attacks. He says Ritchie German Jr. killed three of his family members and later killed a…

Three Adults, Three Children Rescued in Iron County

There Were no Reported Injuries

IRON COUNTY, Wis. – Three adults, three children and a dog were rescued by the US Coast Guard early Tuesday morning after becoming stranded on the shore of Lake Superior in Iron County. The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Iron County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 5:45 a.m. Tuesday on reports that the six individuals were stranded on Marble Point….

Wisconsin Conservatives Back Away From Redistricting Rumors

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A leading conservative attorney says he has never heard anyone in the Legislature say there were plans to circumvent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to enact redistricting without his approval. The comment Tuesday from Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty leader Rick Esenberg comes a day after he was quoted in a story by the liberal online…

Superior Police: Two Squad Cars Involved in Crash, Severely Damaged

No Other Vehicles Were Involved in the Crash

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Two Superior Police Department squad cars were severely damaged after crashing into each other while responding to a possible drug overdose on Sunday evening. According to the Superior Police Department, three officers in separate squad cars were responding to the East End neighborhood around 10:10 p.m. when two of the squad cars crashed into each other. Authorities…

Five Dead, Two Injured in Residential Shootings in Wisconsin

The Suspect in Both Shooting is Among the Dead

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (AP) – Authorities in northwestern Wisconsin say shootings at two homes have left five people dead, including the suspected shooter, and two others injured. Chippewa County sheriff’s officials say deputies responded to a 911 call about a shooting at a residence in Lake Hallie about 10:30 p.m. Sunday and found a man and woman dead. Two other…