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Following up on an earlier memo, UW-STOUT announced more cuts. Doug Mell, Director of Executive Communications and External Relations sent out a letter informing staff of a second set of furloughs that are intended to address the expenses incurred and revenue lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  STOUT issued forty-six notices for consecutive day furlough and sixty-seven notices for temporary workload reduction.  These are in addition to the sixty-nine notices for consecutive day furlough issued on April 27th.  The notices

Restrictions are being relaxed on some types of retail businesses as we continue to “turn the dial” versus “flip the switch” and work towards getting back to daily life here in Buckyland.  Governor Tony Evers said today that stand-alone stores and stores in strip malls can offer in-person shopping for up to five customers at a time.  Social distancing policies are still in place.  Drive-in theaters are also allowed to open but again safety guidelines must be followed.  The emergency

Department of Health Services says nearly 200 new cases of COVID-19 are reported today.  That pushes the state total of confirmed cases of the coronavirus to over ten-thousand-400.  There are nine new deaths from yesterday.  More than 400 Wisconsinites have been killed by the virus.

A new elder abuse hotline is now in operation statewide.  Attorney General Josh Kaul says the new hotline comes at a critical time when Wisconsinites are staying safe at home and scams targeting the vulnerable and elderly are rampant.  The Wisconsin Elder Abuse Hotline Program also established a website where reports can be made online.  You can see more on that website with an easy CLICK HERE. The toll-free elder abuse hotline number is 833 – 586 – 0107.

Another top Democrat is suggesting changes to Milwaukee’s Democratic National Convention. Nancy Pelosi on Friday suggested moving the convention to a large, outdoor stadium and wrapping it up in just one night. Pelosi says that way people could still attend and practice social distancing. Tom Perez, the head of the Democratic National Committee, says it would be tough to pull off Pelosi’s suggestion. As of right now, the Democratic National Convention is planned for August at Fiserv Forum.

You will notice our flags lowered this week and that will be in honor of those lives lost in the line of duty. Today, Governor Evers issued Executive Order #76, relating to a proclamation that the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Wisconsin be flown at Half-Staff on Friday, May 15th, 2020 as a mark of respect for Peace Officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. Attorney General Josh Kaul

Free COVID-19 testing is available for Western Wisconsin counties today and tomorrow. The health departments for both Eau Claire and Dunn counties are making free drive-thru testing available to all Wisconsin residents with symptoms at Chippewa Valley Technical College and Prevea Health Clinic from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tomorrow, testing is available for Clark, Taylor and Chippewa counties at Thorp High School from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. More testing sites can be found WITH AN EASY CLICK HERE. CLICK TO REFERENCE A

Western Wisconsin residents should turn their eyes to the sky. Eau Claire is on the list to see some F-16’s tonight. The Wisconsin Air National Guard is planning a statewide flyover to salute healthcare workers. The jets are due in Eau Claire about 6:50 tonight. They will be in the air for only about ten minutes and will fly in from the north. 

The 2020 season of American Legion Baseball is cancelled. The American Legion Department of Wisconsin announced the cancellation Saturday, noting 24-states have also cancelled their summer baseball programs for the 2020 season. Officials said they fully expect the program to return in 2021. 

Anyone in Eau Claire who wants a coronavirus test should be able to still get one. The National Guard started offering free testing to everyone yesterday. The plan is to continue testing today. Eau Claire City-County Health Department Lieske Giese says people don’t need a doctor’s note or to be at risk. She says they are trying to get a fuller picture of the coronavirus in Wisconsin. More than 10-thousand people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Wisconsin, and