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On This Day…

By Morgan McCarthy | December 27, 2025

Hello! Welcome to your weekend. Whew. Just like that we are on the other side of another Christmas. We hope yours was wonderful…and maybe now things will slow down a bit? (Famous last words, eh?) As we navigate the part of the year between Christmas and New Years where everything seems a little fluid, one thing is always a factor this time of year: Mother Nature. To see what’s is in store for our out doors, CLICK HERE and get

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WI Man Facing Attempted Murder, Arson Charges

By Morgan McCarthy | December 27, 2025

A man is facing several charges, including attempted murder, after allegedly setting fire to a Wisconsin Rapids home.  Authorities say Michael Vandenbergh was seen on surveillance video near the residence shortly before the fire.  The blaze spread rapidly due to the use of an accelerant.  Officials say an adult and two children escaped safely, and investigators have ruled out an electrical cause.  Vandenbergh is charged with three counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and arson, and has until January 2nd

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WI Joins Multi-State Lawsuit

By Morgan McCarthy | December 27, 2025

Attorney General Josh Kaul says Wisconsin is joining a multistate lawsuit over federal limits on gender-affirming care for young people.  The suit targets an HHS declaration that labels some care unsafe and aims to exclude providers from Medicare and Medicaid.  Kaul and the coalition argue the declaration breaks federal law by bypassing notice and comment.  They also claim the decision undermines states’ authority to regulate medicine.  The group is asking the court to block the HHS declaration nationwide.

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WI Property Owners Prepare for Hike

By Morgan McCarthy | December 27, 2025

State property owners are facing the highest school property tax increase in more than 30 years.  The Wisconsin Policy Forum notes that gross K-through-12 school property taxes jumped nearly eight-percent this December.  The month also saw the biggest jump in tax levies for all local governments since 2018.  This increase stems from voter-approved referendums and the last two state budgets.  Local officials are concerned that rising taxes may affect residents’ ability to stay in or move to communities.

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Friday Feel Good: Extending the Magic of the Season

By Morgan McCarthy | December 26, 2025

It’s officially the day after Christmas, but sometimes you just want to squeeze a little more magic out of the season With many of us many saying “How did this year go so fast?!”” For this week’s Friday Feel Good we try to slow it down a bit and revisit the magic that comes along with the season when you see it through the eyes of some of the littlest elves. Click, click, click HERE to listen to more with

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WI Set for Settlement Cash

By Morgan McCarthy | December 26, 2025

Wisconsin will receive part of a 149 million settlement with Mercedes-Benz Group AG. The state will get over 630 thousand dollars to resolve claims that the automaker sold vehicles equipped with illegal emissions defeat devices. The Wisconsin Attorney General said the state had joined a coalition of 48 states and Puerto Rico that sued Mercedes. The coalition accused the company of using the devices to falsify emissions. Mercedes allegedly sold over 211-thousand diesel vehicles from 2008 to 2016 that contained

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New Jobs Numbers Reflect Retirements

By Morgan McCarthy | December 26, 2025

The latest Wisconsin jobs data for 2025 is from September due to the government shutdown. It’s expected that the state’s job numbers for October and November will be released in early January. In September, employment was down by nearly 52-thousand jobs. A representative for Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development said the decline is due to older workers retiring.

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Crews Respond to Fire, Cause Under Investigation

By Morgan McCarthy | December 26, 2025

A family escaped without injury after a fire broke out at their home early Wednesday morning, according to a release from local officials.  The Sparta Area Fire District was dispatched to the 9000 block of Alpine Avenue for a fully engulfed garage fire that was spreading to the house and nearby vehicles in the driveway. The occupants were awakened by the fire and were able to get out safely.  The garage was declared a total loss, and the home sustained

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Longtime Barron Co. Farmer Passes Away

By Morgan McCarthy | December 26, 2025

Memorial services are being planned for Barron County resident Ellis Amdall.  Amdall — one of the Badger State’s oldest residents — died recently at the age of 109.  A farmer of more than 50 years, he leaves behind his wife of 37 years.

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La Crosse Man Facing Drug Charges

By Morgan McCarthy | December 25, 2025

Charges are being filed against a La Crosse man accused of dealing illegal drugs.  Police say that Jerome Sinclair sold fentanyl and methamphetamine out of his Main Street apartment.  He was recently busted after reportedly selling drugs to an undercover agent.  Sinclair is being held on a 500-thousand-dollar bond.

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