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Safety advocates and drunk driving victims’ families are urging state lawmakers to strengthen Wisconsin’s ignition interlock device laws.  Supporters gathered at the Capitol as the Assembly Judiciary Committee is hearing arguments on the bill.  The legislation aims to prevent repeat drunk driving offenses.  It could legally allow offenders to drive soon, but only if an interlock device is installed to ensure sober driving.  Advocates say the bill would allow faster installation of the devices for repeat and first-time high blood

A Madison-based hospital is celebrating a record year as its birthing center delivers more babies than ever before.  UnityPoint Health-Meriter reports 52-hundred-and-five births in 2025, an increase of 167 babies compared to 2024.  Hospital leaders say the total includes 112 multiple births.  They credit the milestone to the work of doctors, nurses, pediatricians, and the broader care team.  The hospital has been named a Top Hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News and World Report for three straight years.

The warm, sweet, earthy smell of fresh sawdust, the roaring sound of bandsaws and ventilation hoses, and the shush-shush-shush rhythm of sandpaper on wood grain greet you as you walk down the long ramp tucked away on the first floor of the Applied Arts Building. Tie your hair back and put on your safety glasses, because you’re about to enter UW-Stout’s Process Lab. Each year, one thousand School of Art & Design students visit the Process Lab – a space for them

Staff and volunteers from local homeless shelters and community organizations will be conducting a biannual count of unsheltered individuals in Eau Claire, Buffalo, Trempealeau, and Jackson counties starting on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Known nationally as the Point-In-Time Count, the activity is intended to provide a statistically reliable, unduplicated count of people experiencing homelessness during a designated period twice each year. The data collected during the count is included in the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) that is provided to

A defendant charged following a stabbing incident in Lake Hallie is pleading not guilty.  Police responding to a 41st Avenue home on July 11th of last year found a man who was stabbed five times.  Eighteen-year-old Orestes Kouris of Eau Claire was later located near the Lake Hallie Golf Course and arrested.  Charges against Kouris include attempted 1st-degree intentional homicide.  He entered his plea on Tuesday and remains in custody at the Chippewa County Jail on a 300-thousand dollar bond.

Authorities are sharing the name of the person found dead after a New Year’s Eve fire in Trempealeau County.  Crews responded that night to a garage fire in Independence.  Thirty-nine-year-old Kyle Klimek was found dead at the scene.  Foul play is not suspected in Klimek’s death.

A man charged in connection with a shooting incident in downtown La Crosse pleaded not guilty on Tuesday.  Twenty-two-year-old Westby resident Dominic Janzen is accused of shooting at someone’s feet and their vehicle in a December incident.  He faces charges that include reckless endangerment. 

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is planning to visit La Crosse, Wisconsin for a town hall. The event is scheduled for January 16th and Buttigieg is expected to discuss the cost of housing, child care, health care and “the need for leadership that actually listens.” The former transportation secretary said he’s “looking forward to hitting the road next week.” Buttigieg ran for the Democratic nomination in 2020 and has left the door open for a second attempt at the presidency.

A former YMCA daycare worker accused of giving a sleep aid to young children without permission is pleading not guilty to child neglect.  Prosecutors accuse 50-year-old Annalee Nitz of giving melatonin to children under her care.  Nitz has denied the allegations and claims she was giving the children raisins or craisins.  She is barred from child care work and the YMCA while on bond and faces a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to nine months in jail.  Trial is scheduled

The man accused of stalking state Supreme Court Justice Jill Karofsky is sentenced to two years of probation.  Court records show 37-year-old Ryan Thornton admitted to intimidating a victim and disorderly conduct in Dane County Court.  Thornton pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges, which dismissed a felony stalking charge.  As probation, Thornton must have no contact with Justice Karofsky, wear GPS monitoring for 30 days, and stay out of Dane County without approval.