Wisconsin

Budget Talks Break Down in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis.-Budget talks between Wisconsin state Assembly and Senate Republicans have broken down. Leaders from both sides on Tuesday called each other’s position on how to pay for road construction projects “laughable.” A meeting with Republican leaders abruptly ended after 40 minutes. Both sides are scheduled to meet separately and privately on Wednesday. Leaders also have a meeting with Gov….

FBI: Bones Are Not Those of Missing Wisconsin Boy

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) – The FBI has determined that bone fragments dug up from a yard 27 years ago are not those of a 5-year-old Wisconsin boy who vanished in 1983. (Photo: Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department files) Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Departing Inspector Jim Resseeuw tells USA Today Network-Wisconsin the bones were determined to have come from animals. That…

Not Guilty Pleas for Man Accused of Killing Deputy

Doug Nitek LADYSMITH, Wis. (AP) – Not guilty pleas have been entered on behalf of a man accused of killing a Rusk County sheriff’s deputy. Dan Glaze Forty-four-year-old Doug Nitek is facing 31 charges, including first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Deputy Dan Glaze. Nitek appeared in Rusk County Circuit Court Monday where his attorneys entered the pleas on…

Three-Week Blatnik Bridge Inspection to begin July 10

Project is expected to run July 10-27 - weather permitting

DULUTH, Minn. – Beginning on Monday July 10, a three-week long bridge inspection project will begin on the Blatnik Bridge, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Superior-bound traffic will be restricted to one lane from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily July 10 to approximately Tuesday, July 18. Duluth-bound traffic will be restricted to one lane from 9 a.m….

NSTB Report says Fabric Tears Caused Blimp Crash at US Open

Source: Twitter / Adam JohnsonERIN, Wis. (AP) – Officials say tears in the fabric envelope of a hot-air blimp caused it to crash their the U.S. Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin. The preliminary report form the National Transportation Safety Board on Monday says the airship was returning to the Erin airport on June 15 because winds were too strong….

Wisconsin Lawmakers Consider Introducing Highway Tolling

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin lawmakers are considering introducing highway tolling in the state as part of the next state budget. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that the tolls would help pay for road construction and repairs. The state’s business lobby and members of the tourism, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors say tolls could deter tourists, increase the cost of transporting…

Carbon Monoxide Suspected in Woman’s Death on Boat in St. Croix River

FOX 9 - KMSP

Photo Courtesy: FOX 9 ST. CROIX COUNTY, Wisc. (KMSP) – The St. Croix Sheriff’s Office says a 24-year-old woman died from possible carbon monoxide poisoning while aboard a boat over the weekend. The victim, Ashley Speer, was out on the St. Croix River with Justin Roskos and Hayden Johnson. They were supposed to camp at a beach, but never made…

Craft Brewers Fear Last-Minute Regulations In Budget

MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin’s craft brewers and wineries are trying to head off a plan they fear legislators will tuck into the state budget that would prevent them from selling their products on-site and force them into contracts with distributors. The Wisconsin Tavern League and the Wisconsin Beer Distributors Association have been trying to convince lawmakers to adopt legislation clearly…

Belknap St. Closes as Construction Continues

Belknap Closed Between Hill and Catlin for Six Days

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The next phase in the Belknap Street construction project started Saturday. Belknap St. closed for six days at 6:00 a.m. Saturday between Hill Ave. and Catlin Ave. to allow workers to install new water lines and storm sewers. Officials say crews will work day and night to get Belknap open by 6:00 a.m. on June 30th. As…

Man Stabbed to Death in Madison

Victim was Pronounced Dead at the Scene

MADISON, Wis. (AP) Madison police say a 52-year-old man is dead after a stabbing in an apartment. Officers were called to a four-unit building on West Badger Road about 5:30 a.m. Saturday. The victim was dead at the scene. Police say he was stabbed multiple times. Madison Police Chief Mike Koval says authorities have detained a 27-year-old man described as…

Former Teacher Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Student

Joel Janke Will Serve Six Years in Prison

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (AP)  A former Chippewa Falls science teacher has been sentenced to six years in prison for the sexual assault of a student. Joel Jahnke had pleaded no contest to three felony counts, including second degree sexual assault of a child. The victim was 13 years old when she was assaulted. Jahnke admitted to touching the girl inappropriately…

Roadside Delivery Made in Western Wisconsin

FOX 9 - KMSP

Janelle Peterson and her son TJ pose with one of the paramedics who helped her during her roadside birth. Photo Courtesy: Amanda Gustafson ST. CROIX COUNTY, Wis. (KMSP) – A little baby boy made quite an entrance into the world with a roadside delivery in western Wisconsin. Mom and baby are doing well, all thanks to the cool response from…

Judges Affirm ‘Making a Murderer’ Confession was Coerced

CHICAGO (AP) — The confession of a Wisconsin inmate featured in the Netflix series “Making a Murderer” was improperly obtained and he should be released from prison, a three-judge federal appeals panel ruled Thursday. Brendan Dassey was sentenced to life in prison in 2007 in photographer Teresa Halbach’s death on Halloween two years earlier. Dassey told detectives he helped his…

SWL&P Employees Pitch In For Harbor House

Volunteers Took Part in United Way Day of Caring

SUPERIOR, Wis. – About 20 volunteers from Superior Water, Light and Power worked in the sunshine Wednesday to make the Harbor House Crisis Shelter a little homier. “The whole idea is to make it hospitable, more like a home,” said Rev. Barbara Certa-Werner, Executive Director of Harbor House, which is Douglas Co.’s only crisis shelter for homeless single women and…

Wisconsin Police Department Gets Therapy Dog for the Force and Community

(WLUK/Alexa Santos) APPLETON, Wis. (WLUK) – A new addition to the Appleton Police Department will have a very important job to do. Patrolling the halls of the Appleton Police Department is Blue, the newest rookie officer in town. His main duty? Lifting the spirits of everyone in the department. Chief Todd Thomas got Blue, a 12-week-old golden doodle, to be…

Assembly Passes Ban on Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Republican-controlled state Assembly has passed a bill designed to prohibit people with pre-existing health conditions from being excluded from health insurance coverage. Republicans brought the issue up after midnight on Thursday. It was not scheduled for debate and there was no notice that the Assembly planned to take up the issue. It passed on a…

Wisconsin Attorney General Visits Superior

Visit was Part of AG's Tour of the State

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel’s 72 county tour of the state stopped in Douglas County Wednesday.  His message to local leaders: we know you exist, and we want to help. The A.G. held a round-table discussion where officials told him about Douglas County’s serious drug problem.  Douglas Co. is Wisconsin’s only county ranked in the top ten…

Fire Burns Railroad Tracks Near Osaugie Trail

Area Affected is Little Used Stretch of BNSF Track

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Fire crews needed about 10 hours to battle an overnight fire by the Osaugie Trail. The fire started around 1:30 Wednesday morning on a little used stretch of track operated by the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad. Superior’s Battalion Chief Steve Edwards, says figuring out how the fire started won’t be easy. “Our fire investigator now will go…

Walker Approves Ending Work Permits for 16-17 Year Olds

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill into law that eliminates requirements that 16 and 17 year olds get parental permission to work. Walker signed the bill Wednesday. Republicans in the Legislature who supported the measure argued it would make it easier for children without parents to work. Democratic opponents countered that doing away with the…

Milwaukee Jury Finds Officer Not Guilty in Shooting Death of Sylville Smith

Dominique Heaggan-Brown listens to the statement he made to investigators after the shooting is read back to him in court on Friday, June 16, 2017 (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)     MILWAUKEE (AP) – Sylville Smith (Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office via AP) A Milwaukee jury has acquitted a former police officer of first-degree reckless homicide in the shooting of a black…

Assembly GOP Leaders say Budget Still Stalled over Roads

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Budget talks among Republicans who control the state Legislature remain stalled over how to pay for roads. Budget committee co-chair Rep. John Nygren said Wednesday that Senate Republicans want to increase the level of borrowing to pay for roads beyond the nearly half billion dollars that Gov. Scott Walker proposed. Nygren says transportation funding is the…

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Exits Health Care Exchange

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is pulling out of the federal health care exchange in Wisconsin. Anthem blames a volatile market for its exit from the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Anthem spokesman Jeff Blunt says making pricing plans is increasingly difficult because of a shrinking and deteriorating individual market. The Associated Press says Anthem also cites…

Safety Updates Coming to Barker’s Island Marina

Electrical Feed Upgrades and New Life Rings Will Be Added to the Docks

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Safety improvements are in the works at the popular Barker’s Island Marina. The Superior City Council voted to approve electrical feed upgrades to the docks and new life rings within the marina. “This is on the water. Safety is one of our biggest concerns down there and, again, this is one of several projects that we’ve done…

Disease Forces Wisconsin State Park to Cancel Bat Program

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin state park has canceled its summer bat watch program due to a fungal disease decimating the park’s bat population. The Baraboo News Republic reports that a disease known as white-nose syndrome has spread among the brown bat population in Devil’s Lake State Park. The disease causes white fungus to form on the muzzle, wings,…

Supreme Court to Hear Wisconsin Gerrymandering Case

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker remains confident that GOP-drawn legislative district maps will survive a Supreme Court review. The nation’s highest court on Monday said it will hear arguments in the case. Justices also put on hold an earlier ruling requiring that new maps be drawn by November. Walker spokesman Tom Evenson says the Republican governor “is confident Wisconsin’s redistricting…

Juneteenth Celebrated in Superior

Event Celebrates African-American Freedom from Slavery

DULUTH, Minn. – Juneteenth has been celebrated across the country every year since 1865 to recognize African-American freedom from slavery. In Superior, people celebrated the holiday by enjoying a barbecue, listening to spoken work and music performances, and playing games. Organizers hope the event will help educate the community about African-American history. “It’s an opportunity for our community to come…

E. coli Bacteria Found in Drinking Water at US Open

ERIN, Wis. (AP) – Health officials say E. coli bacteria have been found in a drinking water station at Erin Hills golf course where the U.S. Open is underway, but there have been no reports of illness. The Washington Ozaukee Public HEalth Department identified the bacteria in a water sample taken from a hydration station connected to a well near…

Roads Closed in Sawyer County After Severe Storms

5SAWYER COUNTY, Wis. – Due to severe storms on Sunday, June 11, the following highways and roads are closed in Sawyer County, according to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office. Ashegon Fire Lane in the Town of Radisson Larsen Road between CTH N and Devils Lake Road At this time there are no established detours, as crews work to repair damage…

Blimp Crashes at US Open at Erin Hills

Source: Twitter / Adam Johnson ERIN HILLS, Wis. (KMSP) – A blimp has crashed at the U.S. Open golf tournament at Erin Hill outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Video from spectators posted on social media shows a cloud of smoke and someone in a parachute descending to the course.   Pretty sure I just watched the blimp crash at the #USOPEN!…

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Gableman Stepping Down

Michael Gableman MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman will not seek a second term next year. Two individuals have announced their candidacy for the seat. A person with direct knowledge of his decision, but who was not authorized to speak publicly about it told The Associated Press of Gableman’s decision Thursday. Gableman released a statement late…

Bong Museum Dedicates New Exhibit

M60A3 Tank in Museum's Latest Permanent Display

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center unveiled a new exhibit Wednesday more than a decade in the making. Officials dedicated a U.S. Army M60–A3 tank, displayed in front of the museum.  Mayor Jim Paine proclaimed Wednesday as M60 Tank Day in Superior. Members of Superior’s American Legion Post 435 lobbied for nearly a dozen years to bring…

Superior Farmers’ Market Open in New Location

Market had to Move Because of Belknap Rd. Construction

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Belknap Rd. construction project forced the local farmers’ market to find a new home. The market moved to the 1200 block of Banks Ave., near the World of Wheels roller rink. Shoppers can browse a wide variety of vendors from produce to meats to crafts; and everything is made or grown in Douglas County. Organizers wanted…

Trump Discusses Health Insurance in Wisconsin

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is again highlighting the stories of people whose healthcare premiums have skyrocketed as he tries to push a GOP replacement plan. Trump met with what the White House has been referring to as “victims” of former President Barack Obama’s health care law after landing in Milwaukee Tuesday afternoon. Trump says too many people have…

Heavy Rain Causes Flooding in Sawyer County

Emergency Severe Weather Shelter Set Up

An emergency severe weather shelter is now set up on the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation, as people deal with flooded roadways and downed power lines. A massive storm caused flash flooding in the Northland, and rose water levels while dampening many people’s lives in Northwest Wisconsin. “It never quit, it was relentless it came on and it rained and it…

Ex-Worker Accused of Rigging Lottery Pleads Guilty to Theft

Eddie Tipton was security director for the Multi-State Lottery Association

Eddie Tipton, Sept. 2015 (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A former lottery computer worker at the center of a multi-state scandal has pleaded guilty in Wisconsin. The plea is Eddie Tipton’s first admission of guilt since his arrest in 2015. Prosecutors in Madison charged Eddie Tipton, who now resides in Texas, with racketeering, theft, and computer crime in…

Court Fight Over Legal Restriction on Large-Scale Wisconsin Farms

BAYFIELD, Wis. (AP) – A northwestern Wisconsin county and a state agency will go to court over a local ordinance that would place more restrictions on large-scale farms to protect water quality. Wisconsin Public Radio reports that Bayfield County will argue its case against the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in court next month. The county passed an ordinance last…

Sawyer County Deputies Respond to Explosion in Winter

VILLAGE OF WINTER, Wis. – A residence in the Village of Winter experienced an explosion on the afternoon of Thursday, June 8, according to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies and the Winter Fire Department responded to the call, assisted by several other agencies, including the DNR. Authorities report that the residence sustained extensive damage and two occupants were injured….

Wisconsin Struggles to Find New Homes for Sex Offenders

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – An Associated Press review of state data reveals that 36 violent sex offenders who have completed treatment are still waiting in prison for Wisconsin officials to find them somewhere to live. Wisconsin policymakers, like those in many states, have struggled for years to find homes for sex offenders in the face of opposition form local communities…

AMBER Alert Issued in Wisconsin

Authorities Looking for 8 Year Old Jaiden Hunt

UPDATE: Jaiden was found safe! (KQDS FOX 21) – An AMBER Alert was issued Saturday afternoon in Wisconsin, looking for a missing 8 year old boy. Jaiden Hunt was last seen in Knowlton with his father, Jamie Hunt.   Jaiden is 4 feet talL, weighs 45 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.  He was wearing a white tank top and…

Wisconsin Governor’s sales Tax Holiday Looks to be in Trouble

MADISON, Wis.-Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed sales tax holiday for back-to-school shopping appears to be doomed. Republican members of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee said Friday they want to divert the $17 million cost of the sales tax holiday and instead use it to reduce or potentially eliminate the personal property tax. The sales tax holiday would apply to certain purchases…

Voter Postcards Coming to Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis.-The Wisconsin Elections Commission wants to reassure 380,000 voters that a post card coming their way is not a scam. The mailing is going to registered voters who have not cast ballots in the past four years. It asks the voters if they want to remain active on the state’s voter list. Those who do not respond within a…

New Trial Wanted in ‘Making a Murderer’ case

APPLETON, Wis. (AP) – A lawyer is asking for a new trial for a Wisconsin man convicted in a case profiled in the “Making a Murderer” Netflix series. Attorney Kathleen Zellner filed a 1,272-page document Wednesday claiming Steven Avery’s conviction was based on planted evidence and false testimony. USA Today Network-Wisconsin reports Zellner contends Avery deserves a new trial “in…

Minnesota Power Announces Plans for Natural Gas Plant in Superior

The $700 million plant would be built along the Nemadji River in Superior's industrial corridor

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Minnesota Power announced some big plans that would bring a $700 million natural gas power plant to Superior. If approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center would start construction as early as 2020 and come online in 2025. The project would bring hundreds of construction and industry jobs, 26 full0time plant…

UWS Upward Bound Program Receives Funding for Next Five Years

Program Got $1.28 Million Grant to Continue Helping Superior Kids Get Education

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The UW-Superior Upward Bound program has been re-funded for the next five years. The program recently got a federal grant of more than $1 million. They’ll use that to continue to help high-schoolers from the Superior School District. who are low income or first generation college students, continue their education. “It’s important for these students to have…