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Looking Local: CVTC Grad Named State RT Student of the Year

By Morgan McCarthy | May 27, 2026

 At 41 years old, Chukwunonso Offiah (known as Chuk) knows firsthand what perseverance looks like. A recent respiratory therapy student at Chippewa Valley Technical College’s River Falls campus, Offiah graduated on May 22, marking the culmination of a journey that began long before he entered the classroom. Originally from Nigeria, he moved to the United States in 2016 with a goal of building a future in health care. “I have always wanted to be in the medical field,” Offiah said.

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Deadly Crash Under Investigation

By Morgan McCarthy | May 27, 2026

On Monday, May 25, 2026, at approximately 10:45 p.m., the Wisconsin State Patrol responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-94 at milepost 129 westbound. Preliminary evidence indicates a 2018 Kia Optima, driven by 21 year old Lacey Georgeson, was traveling westbound and rear ended a 2017 GMC Sierra. This caused both vehicles to leave the roadway and roll several times. Gerogeson sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. The 68-year-old male operator

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Looking Local: UW-Stout Inspiring Students Begin Careers with Milwaukee Tool, Pest Badger, Hometown School and More

By Morgan McCarthy | May 27, 2026
Students receive diplomas and celebrate with friends and family.

Among the class of 849 undergraduate students who crossed the commencement stage at University of Wisconsin-Stout’s most recent ceremony on May 16, five College of Arts and Human Sciences students were recognized by faculty and staff as inspiring graduates whose stories represent what it is to be Stout Proud.  These graduates shared their university experiences, setbacks and successes in UW-Stout’s Inspiring Graduate Q&A series:  Of this year’s UW-Stout graduates, 77.4% were hired prior to graduation, while 99% of recent graduates were employed or furthering their education within

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Crews Respond to Rice Lake Apartment Fire

By Morgan McCarthy | May 27, 2026

At approximately 15:36 on May 26, 2026, the Rice Lake Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment fire at The King Edward Inn Apartments, 6 E Eau Claire Street, in the City of Rice Lake, with the caller reporting that smoke was coming from anapartment. Upon arrival of the first fire department units at 15:38, tenants had begun self evacuating from the building. Firefighters assisted three tenants on safely evacuating the building. Once the fire was located, firefighters utilized a

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Charges Filed Against Son in Fatal Stabbing

By Morgan McCarthy | May 27, 2026

 Charges are being filed against a Menomonie man who police say fatally stabbed his mother this past Friday night in Eau Claire.  Investigators say that 27-year-old Michael Hurlburt stabbed his mother — 56-year-old Lisa Bragg-Hurlburt — with a kitchen knife at Half Moon Lake Apartments near Carson Park.  The victim was found dead at the scene.  Michael Hurlburt was taken into custody and has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide.

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Man Arrested After School Threats, Livestream

By Morgan McCarthy | May 27, 2026

A man who police say made threats targeting a Barron County school has been arrested.  According to reports, 36-year-old Dustin Rudd livestreamed video of himself on May 15th approaching Prairie Farm School on foot — saying that his own children had been eaten and that he was going to shoot students.  Rudd — who was armed with a rifle — was arrested before turning in to the school’s driveway.  Rudd faces charges including attempted homicide. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE

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Deadly Chase Under Investigation

By Morgan McCarthy | May 27, 2026

A teen driver who had been the subject of a police pursuit in Wood County has died.  Grand Rapids Police say they had attempted to pull the 17-year-old over for a traffic stop Monday night but that boy sped way instead of complying.  A pursuit of the suspect vehicle was later terminated — though the boy later crashed on Church Avenue and died at the scene.  The accident remains under investigation.

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Man Pleads No Contest in Shooting

By Morgan McCarthy | May 27, 2026

A La Crosse man charged following a 2025 shooting is pleading no contest.  Three teens were arrested after the shooting of a man at a location on Logan Street.   Jaysen Moran — now age 20 — was charged with attempted 1st-degree intentional homicide.  He has now pleaded no contest to charges of battery and disorderly conduct and been sentence to a year of probation.

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New Poll Asks Voters About WI Budget Deal

By Morgan McCarthy | May 27, 2026

Wisconsinites disagree with the state senate’s decision to vote against a one-point-eight-billion-dollar tax deal. A new Marquette University poll found 80 percent of those surveyed believe the package should’ve been passed earlier this month, and the support was strong across party lines. The deal, which was made possible by Governor Tony Evers and Republican leaders, would’ve provided funding to schools and property tax relief. Another item would’ve given direct payments to income taxpayers, including 300-dollars for individual filers and 600-dollars

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Looking Local: Applied Learning Accelerates UW-Stout M.S. Graduates’ Skills

By Morgan McCarthy | May 26, 2026

Among the class of 218 Graduate Studies students who crossed the commencement stage at University of Wisconsin-Stout’s May 16 ceremony, five were recognized by faculty and staff as inspiring graduates whose stories represent what it is to be Stout Proud.  The graduates shared their university experiences, setbacks and successes in UW-Stout’s Inspiring Graduate Q&A series:  Of this year’s UW-Stout graduates, 77.4% were hired prior to graduation, while 99% of recent graduates were employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation. Inspiring Graduate: Bex

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