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Add Chippewa County to the list of places in Wisconsin with wildfire damage. Firefighters dealt with a number of fires yesterday, including two in the Town of Wheaton. They are not alone as Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources says there have been hundreds of wildfires across the state already this spring. Governor Evers yesterday declared a state of emergency and called-up the National Guard to help fight the fires.   What that means is help. Wisconsin’s latest emergency will have National Guard troops

It is the end of an era at the University of Wisconsin. Barry Alvarez will announce his retirement later today. Alvarez has been at the school, either as football coach or athletic director, since 1990. He says it’s time to move on to something else. Alvarez is expected to leave the school sometime before the beginning of the next school year.

It is day two of full time, in-person classes for all kids in Chippewa Falls. The city’s schools returned to a normal schedule yesterday. It is the first time that all kids are in class, in-person in nearly a year. Superintendent Jeff Holmes says they are doing everything as safely as they can. He said it’s nice to have a sense of normalcy.

Aaron Rodgers’ stint as Jeopardy guest host will live online forever. One of the contestants used his Final Jeopardy answer to ask Rodgers ‘Who wanted to kick that field goal?’ during yesterday’s episode. Rodgers said ‘That’s a good question.’ Rodgers has made it clear that he didn’t want to kick the field goal at the end of the NFC Championship game.  Rodgers will continue his guest hosting duties today. Aaron Rodgers’ two-week stint as guest host of Jeopardy! started yesterday.

The second week of witness testimony is underway in the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin, who’s accused of killing George Floyd.  The doctor who pronounced Floyd as dead and Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo are to take the stand this week.  In a pre-trial motion hearing, Judge Peter Cahill issued a split-ruling allowing another part of Chauvin’s body worn camera to be shown to the jury.  Defense attorney Eric Nelson argued for all footage to be shown

Severe thunderstorms are headed for the central U.S. this week.  To start the week and going into mid week there are thunderstorms predicted for most of Minnesota, Wisconsin and  a portion of Iowa.  The National Weather Service also says late Tuesday and into Wednesday strong storms will bring heavy rains and damaging hail to parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. Locally we will keep you posted on any weather that could turn severe.

President Biden would welcome a congressional bill canceling ten-thousand dollars in student debt. So said Press Secretary Jen Psaki during her daily White House briefing.  Some Democrats have called for a much larger government cancellation of student loan debts. 

A high threat of fire is prompting Governor Tony Evers to declare a State of Emergency.  The Department of Natural Resources says there have been over 300 wildfires in the state this year.  Warm temperatures, low humidity and dry conditions are a dangerous combination and have put Wisconsin in a very high fire danger range.  Officials are asking people to avoid outdoor burning of any kind including campfires. 

The number of COVID-19 cases confirmed statewide now tops 580-thousand.   Wisconsin health officials reported 307 cases over the last 24 hours.  One additional death raises that toll to 66-hundred-and-40. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM WI DHS.

The Wausau Chamber of Commerce announces the closure of the Wausau Center Mall.  The closure is effective immediately.  The mall is scheduled to be demolished in May.  A development plan includes over 400 residential units, retail and office space.