Home

On March 19, 2026, at approximately 5:31PM, the Eau Claire Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 538 Spring Street. The call was initiated by a neighbor who reported visible flames coming from the residence. Fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke and fire conditions on the rear of a two-story, wood-frame duplex, with fire extending into the second floor. Crews quickly deployed hose lines and initiated an aggressive interior fire attack while simultaneously conducting a primary search

Spring arrives today.  The vernal equinox, as it is properly known, is the moment when the center of the apparent disc of the sun crosses the celestial equator and moves from the southern hemisphere into the northern hemisphere of the sky.  A lot of people refer to the annual vernal equinox as “equal night.”  This means an equal amount of daylight and darkness, due to the sun’s position above the equator.

 Two people have been arrested and are facing drug charges after a traffic stop this week in Tomah.  The vehicle was stopped for operating without headlights.  A subsequent search of that vehicle reportedly turned up more than 145 grams of cocaine.  The driver and passenger were both charged with Possessing Drug Paraphernalia and Possessing with Intent to Manufacture, Distribute or Deliver Cocaine.

A Galesville man is being identified as the person who died last Friday at a home in Jackson County.  Officers dispatched to a home in the Town of Irving due to the presence of a suspicious individual inside the residence arrived to find 48-year-old Brian Jaderston being restrained by other people.  Jaderston fell unresponsive at the scene and died.  Authorities believe Jaderston had been intending to burglarize the home.

The City of La Crosse was the scene of a Wednesday evening train derailment.  The accident happened near the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.  Reports say the derailment involved one rail car and a caboose.  No hazardous chemicals were involved and no one was hurt.

A measure passed by the Wisconsin Senate this week would ban the purchase of some items through the state’s FoodShare program.  The legislation would exclude things like soda and candy from the federally-back food assistance initiative.  The bill gained wider support in Madison after Republicans agreed to add 72-million dollars in funding to help offset some of the federal cuts made under President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”.  Governor Evers will now decide whether to sign the legislation into law.

Spring arrives today. The vernal equinox, as it is properly known, is the moment when the center of the apparent disc of the sun crosses the celestial equator and moves from the southern hemisphere into the northern hemisphere of the sky. A lot of people refer to the annual vernal equinox as “equal night.” This means an equal amount of daylight and darkness, due to the sun’s position above the equator.

Governor Tony Evers is expanding access to breast cancer screenings in Wisconsin.  He signed Gail’s Law Thursday morning, which requires insurance companies to cover secondary breast cancer screenings for women with dense breast tissue.  The law was inspired by Gail Zeamer, a Neenah woman who advocated for the legislation before her death from breast cancer in 2024.  The expanded access will apply to plans starting January 1st, 2027. 

One person is dead following a single-vehicle crash in Barron County.  BCSD received a report of the crash at the intersection of County Road SS and 21st Street Wednesday night.  The investigation shows that the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing for it to exit the roadway and hit some trees.  The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.  The crash is under investigation. 

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu is no longer seeking reelection.  LeMahieu said in a statement Thursday that it’s time for a new chapter in his life.  He says “serving in the State Senate has been the privilege of a lifetime, and I’m proud of our accomplishments.”  LeMahieu has served on the Wisconsin Senate since 2015 and as its majority leader since 2020.