Home

Friday Feel Good: Polar Temps, Warm Hearts

By Morgan McCarthy | January 9, 2026

The Winter months have us bundling up to keep warm. But for this week’s Friday Feel Good we head to even colder temps for a story that is sure to warm your heart.  A polar bear in northern Canada adopted another bear’s cub, which is apparently very rare.  Researchers spotted her with one cub this spring, and now she’s got a second one.  Here is Alysa McCall, of Polar Bears International, talks about the mother polar bear and her cubs.  A

Read More

Shredded Cheese Recall Affects WI

By Morgan McCarthy | January 9, 2026

A large importer and distributor of specialty cheese from Italy has issued several recalls.  The Food and Drug Administration said the recalled products tested positive for listeria.  The recall affects several types of shredded cheese.  The recalled products were distributed to Wisconsin, Washington, Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Ohio, New York and many other states.  The FDA said no illnesses have been reported in association with the cheese recall.

Read More

New Year, New Plates

By Morgan McCarthy | January 9, 2026

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced new specialty license plates.  The specialty plates include a blackout design and a retro butter yellow designs.  WisDOT estimates over half a million Blackout plates could be on the road within three years.  The slogan “America’s Dairyland” will display under the numbers and letters on the retro plate.  Both plates come with a one-time 15 dollar issuance fee, plus a 25 dollar annual registration fee.

Read More

Ten Contested Races in the April Dunn County Board Election 

By Morgan McCarthy | January 9, 2026

There will be 10 contested Dunn County Board contests, including one primary contest races in the April 2026 election.   Here are the contested districts and candidates:  District 1: Timothy A. Lauffer, Colfax, and Jeff Foster, Colfax; District 2: Heather Seburn, Prairie Farm, and John Wurtzler, Boyceville; District 6: Dustin Shackleton, Menomonie, and Jim Zons, Colfax; District 9: Stephanie May, Downing, and Samuel S. Thompson, Knapp; District 11: Michelle Bachand, Menomonie, and Dave Lindquist, Menomonie; District 22: Andrew Hagen,  Menomonie, and

Read More

Looking Local: Doctoral Student’s AI-enhanced Artwork Featured on Chancellor’s Seasonal Greeting Card

By Morgan McCarthy | January 9, 2026

 For more than 125 years, University of Wisconsin-Stout’s stately Bowman Hall and its distinctive clock tower have served as landmarks for the campus and the community. This holiday season, they provided artistic inspiration for a doctoral student who designed an annual greeting card sent by UW-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank to hundreds of recipients. The image — created with a combination of digital tools, including an artificial intelligence assistant — shows the familiar campus building reimagined as a glowing 3D blueprint. “I wanted

Read More

Man Arrested After Accidental Shooting

By Morgan McCarthy | January 9, 2026

Charges are being filed against a La Crosse man who reportedly injured his girlfriend in an accidental shooting.  Investigators say that 27-year-old Anthony Stagman was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the Wednesday night incident.  The woman drove herself to the hospital for treatment after being shot, and the facility was placed on lockdown for a short time out of concerns that Stagman might follow her.  Stagman was arrested early Thursday on charges including negligent handling of

Read More

Woman Facing Multiple Animal Abuse Charges

By Morgan McCarthy | January 9, 2026

A Chippewa Falls woman is facing allegations that she mistreated animals.  Last month, authorities investigating a report of animal maltreatment went to the home of 22-year-old Hannah Swanson and seized 14 dogs out of concern for the conditions in which they were being kept.  Charges filed against Swanson include multiple counts of intentionally mistreating animals. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE WITH WEAU 13 NEWS.

Read More

Van Orden Reports Violence at His Local Office

By Morgan McCarthy | January 9, 2026

Staff at the Eau Claire office of Congressman Derrick Van Orden say someone tried force their way inside in the hours after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman in Minnesota.  Van Orden says the man was shouting slurs, spouting anti-ICE rhetoric and pounding on the doors.  The Congressman says the incident was a direct result of Democrats’ violent rhetoric. CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE COVERAGE WITH WEAU 13.

Read More

La Crosse City Council Votes To Discontinue Meeting Invocations

By Morgan McCarthy | January 9, 2026

Members of La Crosse City Council are moving to end the delivery of invocations at the start of council meetings.  Members voted nine to four last night to end the practice.  A moment of silence will continue to be held at the start of each meeting. If you are wondering exactly what an invocation is, I got you. An invocation is the act of calling upon a deity, spirit, or higher power for help, inspiration, or presence, often through prayer, ritual,

Read More

MKE Prosecutor to Take Over Open Bench Spot

By Morgan McCarthy | January 9, 2026

A Milwaukee County prosecutor is taking over a spot on the bench vacated by former Judge Hannah Dugan.  Governor Tony Evers announced Owen Piotrowski will take the spot in Branch 31, less than a week after Dugan resigned from her post.  Piotrowski was expected to take over in Branch 38 for the retiring Judge Jeffrey Wagner in March, but he agreed to start earlier because of a more urgent need.  Dugan resigned from her post January 3rd after being convicted

Read More