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In La Crosse County, the defense has rested its case in the trial of Josie Dikeman.  Dikeman faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide, chronic neglect of a child resulting in death and repeated physical abuse of a child in connection in the 2023 death of her boyfriend’s six-year-old son A.J.  Jurors heard continuing testimony from the defendant as she returned to stand on Wednesday.  Prosecutors will have the opportunity to presents rebuttal arguments today.

Sentencing is being ordered in Eau Claire County Court for a man who was the subject of a manhunt in May of last year.  Authorities say that Leo Lacey pulled a firearm on another individual at the Smokeclaire Tobacco shop.  The incident was reported to police and a search for the suspect began.  Lacey was arrested a day later.  Lacey pleaded no contest this week to charges including recklessly endangering safety and possession with intent to deliver cocaine.  He was

In Chippewa County, a Cadott Community School District staffer is pleading guilty to theft charges.   The case against Danielle Mittermeyer dates back to her time facing legal troubles stemming from her time working for the Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan School District.  Danielle Mittermeyer had been indicted that she mishandled nearly 195-thousand dollars in district funds between March of 2021 and August of 2025.  She will be sentenced at a later date.

A bipartisan deal on taxes and spending in Wisconsin has stalled after failing in the senate. The proposal passed the assembly but did not have the votes in the senate, where it was defeated 15 to 18 before the special session ended last night. It included tax breaks for workers, more money for k-12 schools, and help with property taxes. Governor Tony Evers criticized lawmakers from both parties, saying they put politics ahead of people. He warned the failure means

The race for Wisconsin’s 3rd congressional district is narrowing after one democrat dropped out and backed another candidate. Rodney rave says he’s ending his campaign and endorsing Emily Berge, arguing she’s a stronger choice than Rebecca Cooke. That leaves Berge and Cooke competing in the primary to take on republican congressman derrick van Orden.

The Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating another successful year of its Schools2Skills™ program, connecting students with real-world career opportunities across the Chippewa Valley. Schools2Skills™ provides students with the chance to explore and better understand the wide range of careers available in the community, helping to align local talent with the workforce needs of area employers. Students gain insight into career paths, salaries, and the education required to succeed in today’s workforce. Throughout the 2025–2026 school year, students participated in a

A vehicle was recovered from our local waters. Below is the information from Sheriff Hakes: Recently Anthony Janicki contacted me to inform me while he was out fishing on Lake Wissota (Chippewa River) he discovered what he believed to be a submerged vehicle while using his side imaging. Anthony sent me the information, and I began to coordinate with the local Department of Natural Resource wardens, the Chippewa Fire District, and personnel from our Office. A plan was made with

At 20 years old, Destany Pedersen is wiser than her years let on. Since the age of 14, she has honed her law enforcement skills through the Hudson Police Department’s Police Explorers, a hands-on program for young people interested in law enforcement. That experience changed everything. Through the program, now called cadets, Pedersen trained alongside officers, learning to respond to real-world scenarios such as traffic stops, burglaries, and even hostage situations. She didn’t just observe; she practiced, competed, and built

In La Crosse County, jurors hearing the trial of Josie Dikeman on Tuesday heard directly from the defendant.  Dikeman is the Onalaska woman facing charges of first-degree intentional homicide, chronic neglect of a child resulting in death and repeated physical abuse of a child in connection with the 2023 death of her boyfriend’s six-year-old son A.J.  Dikeman took the stand in her own defense yesterday saying that earlier testimony in the trial from other children describing abuse of A.J. had

The daughter of Wisconsin State Senator Jesse James is taking a plea deal.  James’ 31-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Johnson, had been accused of stealing more than 30-thousand dollars from the senator’s campaign.  She was charged earlier this year but has now pleaded no contest to charges of theft in a business setting and filing false campaign finance reports.  She will now enter a 36-month diversion program.  Senator James represents the state’s 23rd Senate district — a district that includes Barron, Clark,