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Looking Local: Recent UW-Stout Graphic Design Graduate Helps Alumni Business Rebrand, Prepare for Expansion

By Morgan McCarthy | April 23, 2026

University of Wisconsin-Stout’s polytechnic approach gave industrial and product design alum Trevor James the skills to create his own business and carve out a niche in large-scale graphic installations. It’s also what prompted him to connect with his alma mater when he wanted to rebrand and expand that business. Now, with the help of recent graphic design and interactive media graduate Opal Lawrence, James’ Minnesota-based business, Amplify Graphic Installations, has undergone a relaunch. James, a 2002 graduate, said his UW-Stout industrial and product design education

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Local Drop Off Information for Drug Take Back Day

By Morgan McCarthy | April 23, 2026

Chippewa County Healthy Communities (CCHC) is partnering with the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department and Lake Hallie Police Department for National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026. This event offers a safe, free, and easy way to dispose of unused medications at Walmart in Lake Hallie. Everyone is welcome. No questions asked. Cleaning out your medicine cabinet is a simple step that helps prevent medication misuse and protects our environment. “Events like this, and collaborative efforts between law

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Once Upon a Time in the Chippewa Valley…

By Morgan McCarthy | April 23, 2026

The Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild and WEAU 13 News invite you to the 15th Annual Fairytale Ball supporting Arts for kids. The event begins at 6pm, Friday, May 15th at The Florian Gardens!  It’s an evening of great entertainment, games, photo booth, Paint Me First Face Painting, real horse-drawn carriage rides, silent auction, Bippidy Boppidy Boutique and live Disney characters, including Snow White and her prince, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Belle, Elsa and Anna and Kristoff, Mirabel and Luisa, Tiana, Rapunzel

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Bond Set for Robbery Suspect

By Morgan McCarthy | April 23, 2026

In Chippewa County, bond has been set at 50-thousand dollars for a man accused of trying to rob a Cornell bank.  The incident happened last Thursday morning at the Citizens State Bank branch on Bridge Street.  Police say 40-year-old Kevin Rasmussen handed a teller a note that read ‘ten-thousand dollars or I will kill this man and his family.’  No money was given to Rasmussen who police say fled the scene only to later be arrested at his home in

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Man Sentenced in Retail Theft Case

By Morgan McCarthy | April 23, 2026

Sentencing is being ordered for a Minneapolis man who prosecutors say took part in the theft of merchandise in Wisconsin and Minnesota.  Investigators say that Kenneth Machen and two others stole more than 150-thousand dollars in merchandise in all.  In Eau Claire County, Machen was charged with thefts from Ulta Beauty and Scheel’s sporting goods.  Machen pleaded guilty to a charge of misdemeanor retail theft and has been sentenced to six months in jail.

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Grants Headed to Local Farmers Markets

By Morgan McCarthy | April 23, 2026

Compeer Financial is awarding grant funding to support 27 farmers markets across Wisconsin including a number of markets in the Western part of the state.  Among those grants are awards of more than 25-thousands dollars each to the Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market, the La Crosse Farmers Market Association and the Jackson County Farmers Market.  Compeer says those markets represent opportunities to build community between consumers and area farmers.

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UWEC Welcomes New Chancellor

By Morgan McCarthy | April 22, 2026

The University of Wisconsin’s Eau Claire campus has a new leader.  Edwin Martini becomes the school’s new chancellor with approval today from the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents.  He will assume the leadership post on July 1st.  He succeeds James Schmidt, who served as U-W Eau Claire chancellor from 2013 until last year.

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WI High Court Hears Arguments On Voter Data

By Morgan McCarthy | April 22, 2026

Oral arguments have begun at the Wisconsin Supreme Court over access on sensitive voter data. Conservative group Wisconsin Voter Alliance wants notices of voting eligibility to be made publicly accessible, with voting rights advocacy groups saying that’s a violation of privacy. Liberal justices on the WSC pushed back on some of the WVA’s arguments, with Justice Rebecca Dallet saying “everything about this statute is geared toward making sure that people have that information protected.” A decision from the state’s highest

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New EC City Council President Sworn In

By Morgan McCarthy | April 22, 2026

Jeremy Gragert was sworn in Tuesday evening as the new Eau Claire City Council president.  Gragert prevailed in the spring election with sixty percent of the vote in his contest versus Scott Rogers.  Gragert previously served on council from 2018 to 2024.

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Crews On Scene of Grain Bin Fire

By Morgan McCarthy | April 22, 2026

Emergency crews were dispatched to tackle a fire yesterday at the La Crosse Milling Company in Buffalo County.  The fire appears to have been contained to a grain bin silo that contained nearly 100 tons of oats.  No injuries were reported.

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