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Eau Claire is a step closer to its new library. The city council last night approved the plans and the budget for the expansion at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library. The idea is to renovate the library and add a third floor. The project will cost 18-and-a-half million-dollars, but the city will pay for most of it. Once work begins, there will be some closures and delays on Eau Claire Street. City leaders hope to open the new library

After a slow start, Wisconsin’s vaccination effort continues to pick-up speed. The state’s Department of Health Services is reporting that it administered nearly 270-thousand vaccine doses last week. That’s the most since Wisconsin began offering the shots in January. In fact, since the end of January, Wisconsin has been steadily increasing the number of vaccine doses it’s offered. The state has given out more than 200-thousand doses every week since the final week of that month. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM WI DHS.

It’s a sign of the times. Chippewa Falls is showing off its new machine to help clean police cars and fire trucks. The new Clorox Total 360 cleaning machine can sanitize surfaces in about two minutes, which is much faster than the old way of using a rag and some spray. The state’s Department of Health Services sent the machine to Chippewa Falls as part of a coronavirus safety grant.

There’s now legislation to limit how Governor Evers and the Department of Health Services can use their emergency powers, but it is likely doomed. Republican state Rep. Joe Sanfelippo and Republican Senator Eric Wimberger yesterday unveiled their plan that would limit emergency orders to just 30 days and impose a wave of other restrictions in response to Republican complaints of Governor Evers’ use of his emergency powers during the coronavirus outbreak. The legislation may pass the statehouse, but it will

 The managers at Kohl’s are not giving-in to a bid to take over the company’s board and change directions. Kohl’s yesterday issued a new investor presentation aimed at stopping the move from activist investors. The new plan looks to boost operating margins by seven percent, and makes the case that the current board is the best to take the company into the future. Kohl’s sales were down 20 percent last year, some blame that on the coronavirus. The activist investors

Packer season ticket holders are not going to have to dig any deeper into their pockets for next season. Unless, of course, the NFL adds an extra game. The team yesterday said it is not raising ticket prices. Green Bay did say that Gold package holders will get a chance to add an extra game if the NFL moves to a 17- week schedule. This is the first time in 12 years that the Packers have not raised season ticket

A bipartisan group of senators plans to introduce a bill in Washington to make daylight saving time permanent for most of the U.S.  Daylight saving time is currently observed from March through November in most of the U.S. except for Hawaii and Arizona.  Under this bill, Arizona would be in Pacific Time all year, and Hawaii would permanently be six hours behind the Eastern Time zone.  The bill would eliminate the need to change clocks twice a year.  Five Republicans

The House is expected to vote on final passage of the massive stimulus bill tomorrow.  It’s also known as the American Rescue Plan.  Terry Moore reports.

State health officials are confirming 463 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours.  That boosts the total number of cases statewide to over 567-thousand-300 over the last year.  There were 29 deaths reported today, which raises the toll of Wisconsinites to die from COVID-19 to over six-thousand-500. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM WI DHS.

The Department of Natural Resources wants bird hunters’ input about the upcoming hunting season.  The DNR will hold virtual public meetings next week on the 16th, 17th and 18th and they would like feedback posted on their website on March 19th.  Because of COVID-19 restrictions last year the 2021 waterfowl season will be based on 2019 waterfowl population estimates.  Officials say they expect hunters to find good opportunities during the waterfowl season this fall. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.