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Governor Tony Evers says he absolutely supports the rights of protesters in Madison and Milwaukee, but says he has never supported law breaking. The governor yesterday defended his decision to send the Wisconsin National Guard to Madison and Milwaukee. Some protesters and activists have said the Guard’s presence sends the wrong message. The governor told reporters that it’s the people who are damaging stores and looting that have it wrong. Milwaukee Police are showing people what the worst of this week’s riots

The Reverend Al Sharpton is praising everyone who is protesting the death of George Floyd.  Sharpton told people at Floyd’s memorial service at North Central University in Minneapolis, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, it was important to stand for what is right.  He also criticized President Trump’s appearance outside St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC without mentioning his name.  Sharpton then compared Floyd’s death with the 2014 killing of Eric Gardner in New York because both told police officers they

Fewer people are in the hospital because of the coronavirus in Wisconsin. The state’s Department of Health Services yesterday said 355 people are hospitalized because of the virus. DHS says 117 of them are in intensive care. That’s a drop from earlier this week when more than 400 people were being treated for the virus. DHS yesterday also reported 492 new positive coronavirus tests, and well over 11-thousand negative tests.

The White House is declaring Eau Claire County a high-intensity drug trafficking area. The designation is as much about sending help as it is about identifying a problem. Local leaders say the decision to label the county means more federal money and federal resources will come to Eau Claire and the county’s other communities to fight drugs.

There will be no swimming at Fairfax Pool this summer. The city of Eau Claire yesterday said it is not going to open the pool because of the coronavirus. The fear is that there would be no way to socially distance swimmers and people along the poolside. Eau Claire says anyone who bought passes will get a refund.

The eyes of the dairy world will not be coming to Madison this year. Organizers of the World Dairy Expo yesterday pulled the plug on event. General Manager Scott Bentley says there is no way they can host the expo and abide by Dane County’s reopening rules. The hope is to return to Madison next fall.

There will be at least one tradition that continues this fall. The WIAA, the folks who run high school sports in the state, yesterday said they are planning to have high school football this fall. The season is set to start in early August. WIAA deputy director Wade Labecki says they are planning to keep coaches and players as safe as they can.  Wisconsin high schools haven’t played sports since late February or early March.

Hikers and campers are getting good news from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.  The DNR says state-owned campgrounds will begin reopening next week.  There are changes to address with coronavirus protocols including in making reservations.  Reservations are only being accepted by phone or online.

The annual music festival Summerfest is canceled this year.  There was an initial plan to move the festival to September, but organizers today say they explored countless options before making the announcement.  The uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus and large gatherings prompted the decision.  Information about ticket refunds CAN BE FOUND HERE.

Coronavirus testing in Chippewa County has yet to reach its goal. The Chippewa County health director said they’re working with the state to increase testing and test asymptomatic people, and many local hospitals and health systems have already increased their testing capacity. The Wisconsin National Guard was called in earlier this week to support testing at long-term care facilities, but a free testing event hasn’t been announced.