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Looking Local: UW-Stout Honors Chemistry Students Understand the World ‘at a deeper level’

By Morgan McCarthy | December 29, 2025

The first snowfall of the season blankets the grass and clings to pine boughs. Walking through campus, winter arrives early as the ground turns white. But inside a Jarvis Hall Science Wing chemistry lab, liquids turn vivid pinks and deep blues in beakers — a stark contrast to the scene outside. Clear flames ignite compounds and burn a sun-kissed orange hue. And the faint smells of ammonia, tropical-fruit-flavored antacids and roasted sugar waft through the air. “What’s burning?” a classmate

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$100,000 Winning Tickets Sold in Appleton and Omro

By Morgan McCarthy | December 29, 2025

For a few Wisconsin Lottery players, the holiday season provided a couple of big gifts. A winning $100,000 Powerball ticket was sold at Festival Foods on 1200 W. Northland Ave., Appleton for the December 27, 2025, drawing. The winning ticket included the $1 Power Play turning a $50,000 prize into a $100,000 win thanks to the 2X multiplier. The winning ticket matched four of five numbers (5-20-34-39-62) and the Powerball (1). A day earlier, a winning $100,000 All or Nothing ticket was purchased at Kwik Trip on 110 Brooke Dr., Omro for

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Dunn County Jail Residents Give Back by Creating Blankets for Nonprofits 

By Morgan McCarthy | December 29, 2025

The holidays were a little brighter for some Dunn County individuals and families this year after County Jail residents recently made 12 fleece-tie blankets to donate to Bridge to Hope, which provides services those affected by domestic violence.  The jail residents also made door decor for the nonprofits Arbor Place and Stepping Stones, and the Monarch House also received fleece-tie blankets, said Heather Pyka, Dunn County Jail Program Director.  “I started this project about eight or nine years ago to

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Mother Nature Dishes Out Winter Storm, Travel Difficult

By Morgan McCarthy | December 29, 2025

Well, hello Winter weather. Here we go again. Portions of northwest and west central Wisconsin are under a winter storm warning.  Heavy and blowing snow is in the forecast for many residents until 9 a.m.  Folks are advised to be aware that travel conditions in some areas could be very difficult. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST CONDITIONS, CLOSINGS, DELAYS AND YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST WITH WEAU 13.

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Cause of Onalaska Fire Still Under Investigation

By Morgan McCarthy | December 29, 2025

Investigators are working to determine the cause of a mobile home fire in Onalaska.  Crews dispatched to the scene at the Creekside Mobile Home Park shortly before 6 p.m. Saturday searched the home for occupants with reports that someone could be trapped inside.  It turned out that the owner had already left the scene though they later returned.  That individual refused a medical evaluation.

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Fire Destroys Semi

By Morgan McCarthy | December 29, 2025

A Sunday fire in Jackson County left a semi-truck destroyed.  Taylor Fire and Rescue responded to the scene at around 1:30 p.m. and found the burning vehicle.  The fire was determined to be electrical in nature.  No injuries were reported.

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Local Organizations Set for Grant Funding

By Morgan McCarthy | December 29, 2025

A number of Western Wisconsin organizations are on the receiving end of grant funding recently announced by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.  Two million dollars in funding is being awarded statewide to 59 applicants for the purposes of aiding with housing assistance.  Among those receiving grant awards are Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region, the Salvation Army of Barron County and Osseo Housing in Trempealeau County.

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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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