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Wisconsin Congressman Derrick Van Orden took part in a roundtable discussion about veterans’ issues Thursday in Sparta.  Staffing at V.A. facilities was among the items talked about with local vets.  U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins was also on-hand for the event. 

Two men are facing charges with authorities saying they gained unlawful entry to the Eau Claire Children’s Museum.  According to reports, Shaun Craig and Ethan Guilhas got in after business hours on Tuesday and made a mess of things though no real damage was done.  The duo was arrested at the scene. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE WITH WEAU 13 NEWS.

An authorized agent of USCellular is shutting down more than a dozen stores in Wisconsin.  Cell Plus says it will be closing 18 retail stores in the Badger State, and 66 total employees will be out of a job.  The locations include Baraboo, Wisconsin Dells, Mauston, Spring Green, and more.  Baraboo’s location includes 13 employees being let go, while every other location is losing five or less.  Cell Plus has been in business since 1995.

  Madison is going to have its own IKEA store.  The Swedish furniture company announced plans to open the 54-thousand square foot building in the fall, which includes a planning area for customers to design rooms in their homes.  Thousands of items will be on display, while thousands of other items will be available for sale and immediate takeaway.  It will be located in the Prairie Town Center off Junction Road.

Twice on Tuesday, an attorney for Josie Dikeman asked the presiding judge in her trial to declare a mistrial.  Twice, that request was denied.  Dikeman is facing homicide charges in La Crosse County in connection with the 2023 death of her boyfriend’s six-year-old son A.J.  Jurors yesterday heard video testimony from other children who say they saw Dikeman abuse the victim.  Defense attorneys say they have evidence of witness coaching.

Authorities are investigating a fatal Tuesday afternoon crash in Barron County.  Cameron Police say commercial farm sprayer collided with another vehicle near 1st Street and US Highway 8.  The driver of that other vehicle died at the scene.

In Dunn County, the verdict is in for a man accused of sexually assaulting a juvenile.  Investigators say that Joshua Crouse assaulted the victim and then apologized to her the next day.  He was charged in 2024 and convicted yesterday of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a Child.  Crouse will be sentenced at a later date.

Sentencing is being ordered for a man convicted in a deadly Prairie du Chien stabbing.  Sixty-five-year-old Daniel Welsch was killed in 2024.  Forty-year-old defendant Jessie Slaughter pleaded no contest to a 1st Degree Reckless Homicide charge in February of this year.  He has now been sentenced to a term of 25 years behind bars.

A fourth grade Madison educator is one of this year’s Wisconsin Teacher of the Year.  Kristen Scott was surprised with the award during an assembly yesterday morning at Nuestro Mundo Community School.  Scott has been in education for more than three decades, focusing on supporting students and closing educational gaps.  Officials noted her efforts to increase family engagement at Nuestro Mundo and strengthen connections.  She is the second of five teachers who will be honored this school year.

Pierce County was the scene of an injury crash Tuesday morning.  A semi and an SUV collided at County Road C and 170th Ave in the Town of Trenton.  Two people from the SUV were hurt.  The accident remains under investigation.