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Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate want to return to the Capitol next week to force the Wisconsin Elections Commission to act.  State Senator Steve Nass yesterday said Senate Republicans are ready to approve new rules for ballot drop boxes and absentee ballots in the state.  If lawmakers approve those new rules, the Elections Commission would be forced to act.  Nass says lawmakers have been talking about election reforms for two years.  He says it’s now time to do more than just talk.

It’s the coldest blast of the season for folks in Eau Claire and western Wisconsin.  The Chippewa Valley is just outside of the The National Weather Service’s Wind Chill Advisory-zone, but it will still be plenty cold.  Forecasters say the low tonight will be five-below, and the high tomorrow will only be five-above.  There’s no real chance for snow in the forecast, just a blast of arctic air.

They need volunteers to help take-down the Christmas Village in Chippewa Falls.  The city’s Parks and Recreation Department says crews will take down the lights and decorations starting Monday at 8 a.m..  Anyone 12-and-older can help.  Simply go to the Parks and Rec website to sign-up-CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.

The Badgers are Vegas Bowl champs.   Wisconsin beat Arizona State last night, 20-13.  Running back Braelon Allen ran for 159 yards, and quarterback Graham Mertz finished the night with 137 yards and a touchdown.  This is the second straight bowl victory for the Badgers.

Days after closing two urgent care facilities because of the coronavirus, Advocate Aurora is now banning visitors from its hospitals.  The hospital announced the change yesterday.  Advocate Aurora is dealing with both a spike in the number of patients coming-in the door, and a lack of doctors and nurses to treat them.  Earlier this week Advocate closed the urgent care centers in Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, and Milwaukee because of a staffing shortage. Hospitals aren’t the only ones dealing with the

Maybe this is the year. Packer legend LeRoy Butler is on the NFL’s Hall of Fame ballot for the third straight year.  Butler is one of 15 finalists this year.  He’s fallen short in the vote in the past.  The Hall of Fame Committee will vote on this year’s class just before the Super Bowl in February.

Eau Claire Parks, Recreation & Forestry is pleased to announce that a number of its outdoor ice-skating rinks and warming shelters are opening for the season! The following rinks and warming shelters will be opening for the season on Thursday, December 30, 2021. General skate and boarded hockey rinks are available at both of these parks. • Roosevelt Park rinks and warming shelter are located at 908 Folsom Street • Putnam Heights rinks and warming shelter located at 530 W.

An Iowa semi truck driver is facing several charges after a car chase in southern Wisconsin.  The Wisconsin State Patrol says troopers responded to Interstate-39/90/94 in Columbia County on December 17th where several callers reported a truck driver driving dangerously.  The State Patrol says troopers chased the driver for several miles until he stopped and was ordered out of the truck, blocking the northbound lanes.  Kyle Futrel of Cherokee, Iowa is facing several charges including second-degree recklessly endangering safety and eluding.

 Most of the homes affected by Wednesday’s gas leak near Juneau should have their gas service restored.  Alliant Energy says crews started reigniting pilot lights at homes in Burnett and Minnesota Junction around 2:30 this morning before moving on to Juneau.  A car crashed near the Dodge County Airport Wednesday afternoon, damaging a natural gas line and causing a gas leak.  Homes within a one-mile radius had to be evacuated.

Dane County is asking for approval from the state to reopen a public coronavirus testing site at the Alliant Energy Center.  Public Health Madison and Dane County says it could get state approval in the first few weeks of next year.  If the testing site reopens it will operate on an appointment-only basis.  Reports say operating the site would cost about 300-thousand dollars in taxpayer money per month.