Home

Taking a walk in more than three-dozen state parks is now off-limits in Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers yesterday ordered 40 state parks and recreation areas closed because of the coronavirus outbreak. The state’s Department of Natural Resources says thousands of people were out in the parks. DNR says social distancing requires people not to gather in large groups, and that the groups also left too much trash behind.  CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF THE AREAS AFFECTED

UW Eau Claire and the Mayo Clinic Health System are the latest to join the effort to make protective gear for healthcare workers. The university yesterday said it is teaming-up with Mayo to print face shields. The brackets are printed with a 3D printer, then workers can attach the mask. The university’s Dr. Doug Dunham says there is potential to use the same technology and equipment to make even more protective gear in the future.

There’s now an official proposal to move Wisconsin to vote-by-mail only for the rest of the year. A group of Democratic lawmakers yesterday introduced legislation to have May’s special election and the November general election be held with absentee ballots only. State Rep. Gordon Hintz said this week’s election forced people to choose between voting and exposing themselves to the coronavirus. He calls that a tragedy. There is little chance the proposal will become law.

One Republican lawmaker wants the state’s Election Commission to look into voter fraud related to absentee ballots. State Rep. Ron Tusler yesterday said a local alderman in Appleton encouraged people to send-in their absentee ballots after Election Day had passed. Tusler says that’s aiding voter fraud. He wants the Wisconsin Election Commission to look into that case, and to see if there are other problems with absentee voting in other parts of the state as well.

As we get creative during these times of being safer at home, the latest scavenger hunt in Eau Claire is something you can do from the couch. The folks at Downtown Eau Claire Inc are offering a digital scavenger hunt. Each day, DECI posts a clue about a downtown landmark. Anyone who guesses that landmark is entered to win a 25 dollar gift card to a downtown business. If you do venture out, a picture of that landmark could double

Sometimes, big challenges require big hearts. We hear ya, Eau Claire….and we are here. We’ll get through this. Together.

The Army Corps of Engineers is mobilizing in Wisconsin.  The Corps is tasked with converting the state fairgrounds into an alternative care facility to deal with COVID-19 patients.  Governor Evers says the alternative facility will be critical in making sure the healthcare systems in the southeastern part of the state are not overwhelmed by the coronavirus crisis.

Police in Stevens Point have recovered a body believed to be a missing elderly woman. Authorities say the woman’s body was recovered in the water near the Clark Street Bridge late this morning.  An autopsy will confirm her identity and cause of death.  The police believe she is a 76-year-old who went missing late last month.

Governor Tony Evers is giving the okay for churches to hold drive-up services this weekend.  The governor denied a request last week to lift his stay-at-home order which limits social and church gatherings to ten people.  Today, drive-up services were approved and officials say they are looking for a balance between public health safety and the right to worship.

The governor is closing dozens of state parks forests and recreational areas.  Tony Evers says he’s taking the action out of the an abundance of caution to protect public health.  He has called on the Department of Natural Resources to close the parks because of large crowds, litter and vandalism.  Evers says it was growing more difficult for park rangers and staff to ensure social distancing compliance in the parks.