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Barron County Officers mourn the loss of one of their own. Below is the statement released by the Police Department: The Barron Police Department is saddened to announce the unexpected off duty death of Officer Ben Smith. Officer Smith served with the Barron Police Department since January of 2024, and had prior experience in 2023 with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, 2019-2020 with the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office, and several firearm distributors in sales and as an instructor. Due to

An employee with the Wausau Fire Department is set to appear in court today for misconduct charges.  Jared Thompson is accused of ordering fentanyl and other controlled substances on behalf of the Fire Department.  The crimes are alleged to have happened between January 2024 and June 2025.  The Department of Justice said Thursday he’s being charged with misconduct in public office and theft.  Thompson is the division chief in charge of the Wausau Fire Department’s emergency medical program.

County Board members are approving the hiring of a new staff member for the Eau Claire Department of Human Services’ 180 Program.  The effort operates inside the Juvenile Detention Center and provides treatment services for teenagers.  The cost of the additional staffer is being covered by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Wisconsin’s GOP legislators are pushing a bill that would end the state’s income tax on tips.  A bill authored by Representative Ron Tusler would allow up to 25 thousand dollars in tips to be deducted from state income tax returns.  This would affect individuals earning less than 150 thousand dollars.  The Wisconsin Department of Revenue says the state would lose more than 33 million dollars in annual tax revenue if the bill is enacted.  No Democrats have signed onto the

Alcohol sales at Camp Randall Stadium are producing big bucks.  In its first year of selling alcohol, the venue brought in more than three million dollars worth of sales.  University officials say the initiative to sell alcohol was aimed at improving fan experience and safety.  The Morgan Wallen Concert last June is credited with setting a sales record.  That concert was the first one Camp Randall Stadium hosted since The Rolling Stones performed in 1997. 

Outagamie County Public Health is warning residents about a positive rabies test.  Officials say a bat tested positive for rabies, making it the 19th case in Wisconsin.  For Outagamie County it’s the first positive yest in several years.  Pet owners are asked to keep an eye on their companions.  Rabies is a deadly disease spread through a bite or a scratch from an infected animal. 

A number of the world’s top professional fishermen are gathered this weekend in La Crosse.  Thursday marked the opening of the Bassmaster Elite tournament on the Mississippi River.  The event runs through Sunday with the winner laying claim to a 100-thousand dollar prize. CLICK HERE TO REEL IN MORE DETAILS.

GoFundMe is making it easier to access fundraisers supporting flood victims.  The fundraising platform has launched a centralized hub with all verified fundraisers related to the flooding.  In order to be a verified fundraiser, it must undergo a human and technological review process.  Heavy rains on August 9th dropped a significant amount of rain on southeast Wisconsin communities.  Milwaukee reported getting 14 inches of rain that weekend. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

Wisconsin lottery players are picking up their tickets for tomorrow night’s 700-million dollar Powerball drawing.  The game has gone almost three months without a top prize winner.  Numbers will be announced just before 10 p.m.

More than eight-point-seven-million-dollars is being distributed to 31-hundred child care providers across Wisconsin.  The funding is expected to help retain more than 25-thousand-500 child care worker and support the care of more than 126-thousand children.  The Governor’s Office says the money comes from the Child Care Bridge Payments Program, part of the 2025-2027 state budget.