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Wisconsin continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.   Wisconsin Workforce Development reports first-time claims are up in the latest week.  Ongoing claims, which more accurately reflect the unemployment rate, went down.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Wisconsin is ranked 9th for its unemployment rate at three-point-eight-percent.

Wisconsin is investing three-million-dollars in early childhood education in part of Governor Tony Evers Badger Bounceback plan.  The governor says 140-million dollars will go to address childcare quality, affordability, access and equity.  On Facebook, Evers says bouncing back from the pandemic starts with Wisconsin’s kids.

A new list of the best cities for first time home buyers puts Eau Claire near the top of the list. It’s ranked the fifth best city in the United States for first-time home buyers. The list put out by Realtor dot com ranks cities by home prices, availability of homes, and jobs.  Bloomington, Illinois is at the top of the list, followed by Iowa City, Iowa; Kalamazoo, Michigan; Great Falls, Montana; and Eau Claire.

A Polk County sheriff’s deputy is getting a national award for creating a video that solved a seven-year-cold case.  Deputy Andrew Vitalis led a video project that helped authorities get a tip in a double hit and run that killed two people in 2014.  Vitalis will receive the Deputy Sheriff of the Year Award of Merit from the National Sheriff’s Association.

Camping World Holdings, America’s Recreation Dealer, announced the opening of its RV and outdoor dealership in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The SuperCenter located just off I-94 at 6440 Scully Drive in Eau Claire is now open for business and will operate under the Camping World brand. The company now has a total of five locations in Wisconsin. The grand opening celebration begins on Friday, April 16th and will run through Sunday, April 18th, featuring special deals on new 2021 RVs and

A key medical expert will take the witness stand today in the Derek Chauvin trial.  Chauvin is the former Minneapolis police officer accused of murdering George Floyd last summer.  Today, Hennepin County Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Baker will be called on to testify.  It was Baker who ruled Floyd’s death a homicide.  Baker’s autopsy said Floyd’s heart and lungs stopped during “law enforcement subdual, restraint and neck compression.” The city of Minneapolis is doing what it can to ease tensions

Flags in Britain are being lowered to begin a period of national mourning over the death of Prince Philip.  Queen Elizabeth referred to him as her “strength and stay” for 73 years.  Michael Castner reports. Her husband’s health had been deteriorating for some time.  He stepped down from his public role in 2017 and just got out of the hospital last month where he was treated for an infection and preexisting heart condition.  The Duke of Edinburgh was 99-years-old.

Eau Claire Police think the drive-by shooting on Sessions Street yesterday had a target in mind. No one was hurt in the shooting yesterday afternoon. Police say they are now looking for suspects in the case. The shooting happened close enough to South Middle School and Meadowview Elementary School that students were kept inside yesterday out of precaution.

Managers at the Black Bear Supper Club in Augusta say the building is likely a total loss after a fire late Wednesday night. Firefighters battled flames at the club but were unable to save the building. They were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the owners’ home next door. No one is saying what started the fire.

 Investigators in Waukesha County say they still have no idea why a co-worker shot two people at the Roundy’s warehouse in Oconomowoc last month. Authorities yesterday asked the public for help in finding a motive in the case. Both the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office and the Oconomowoc Police Department say anyone who ‘saw something or knows something’ should come forward. Investigators say Fraron Cornelius shot and killed two co-workers back on St. Patrick’s Day, then later killed himself.