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In La Crosse County, the trial of an Onalaska woman charged in the death of her young son is expected to resume today.  Josie Dikeman is charged with intentional homicide in the 2023 death of six-year-old Alex Pedrin.  Proceedings were called off for the day yesterday with word that Dikeman was suffering some sort of medical issues.

Colfax resident Jeff Foster is announcing his candidacy for the State Senate.  Foster is running in District 23, a district that includes Barron, Clark, Price, Rusk, and Taylor Counties plus portions of Chippewa, Dunn County and Marathon Counties.  Foster describes himself as a former social worker, dairy farmer and business leader.

A Dane County judge has ruled that Wisconsin’s Department of Justice must release the names of all law enforcement officers in the state. The decision rejects an effort by state officials to keep the list private. The case focused on whether public access could help identify officers who move between agencies after misconduct. State officials argued releasing the information could pose safety risks, including concerns for undercover officers. But attorneys for news organizations behind the lawsuit said those concerns were

Another Wisconsin state senator is stepping down. Republican André Jacque says he will not seek another term, ending his time in the Senate after serving since 2018. He previously spent four terms in the State Assembly. His decision brings the number of Republican Senate retirements this year to six.

The search is underway for the next chancellor at UW–Madison. University officials have appointed a 23-member committee to lead the process. The group will review candidates and narrow the field before finalists are sent to the Board of Regents. Leaders say they’re looking for someone to build on the university’s strengths in research, teaching and public service. The final selection will require approval from the full Board of Regents.

Hundreds of beagles are set to leave a Dane County breeding facility and begin the process of finding new homes. Animal welfare groups say about 15 hundred dogs from Ridglan Farms will be transferred to rescue organizations across Wisconsin and the country. The Wisconsin Humane Society is expected to take in about 150 of those dogs, which will be made available for adoption after medical and behavioral evaluations. Ridglan Farms says the animals have been well cared for and hopes

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Thursday in Chippewa Falls for a new behavioral health hospital.  Rogers Behavioral Health is developing the facility near Highway 178.  Plans call for the hospital to be fully operational next spring. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

Wisconsin’s U.S. Senators have reached agreement on nominees for two key federal prosecutor positions. Democrat Tammy Baldwin and Republican Ron Johnson are recommending Peter Smyczek for the Eastern District and Chadwick Elgersma for the Western District. The candidates were selected through a bipartisan nominating commission focused on identifying qualified applicants. Both senators say the nominees bring strong experience and are expected to enforce the law fairly. The final decision now goes to the White House.

New data shows more single-family homes are being approved across Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Builders Association says permits rose nearly six percent in the first quarter. Builders say the increase points to continued demand, even with high construction costs and interest rates. But they say the bigger challenge remains affordability—making sure enough homes are within reach for buyers.

The verdict is in for a man facing charges after a 2024 fatal shooting in Trempealeau County.  Investigators say that Todd Gieck shot and killed the victim — Ettrick resident Kyle Dahl.  Dahl was found wounded in his vehicle along Highway 53 in the Town of Gale and later died at a local hospital.  Gieck has said the shooting was accidental.  He found guilty yesterday on charges including reckless homicide.