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THE WHEELS NOT MOVING FORWARD

By Morgan McCarthy | February 14, 2020

No one knows when crews will start work on Eau Claire’s new bus transfer station, but they know it won’t be this spring. Eau Claire Transit Manager Tom Wagener said work was supposed to start this spring, but that has been delayed because of a number of permitting and reporting issues that deal with the housing part of the transfer hub. Wagener says once those are resolved, the 23-million-dollar project can roll forward.

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CAPITOL TAKES ON EPI-PENS

By Morgan McCarthy | February 14, 2020

The latest plan at the Wisconsin Capitol would manage prices for epi-pens in the state. Democratic state Rep. Robyn Vining is pushing legislation that would allow pharmacists to substitute generic epinephrine pens for patients. She says that could help neutralize cost swings for name brand epi-pens. Vining’s proposal would also have the state buy epi-pens for every ambulance in the state. She says right now, some ambulances don’t carry the drug because it is too expensive.

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NEW GRAIN EXPORT HUBS PLANTS HOPE FOR FARMERS

By Morgan McCarthy | February 14, 2020

Farmers in Wisconsin hope a new grain export hub at the Port of Milwaukee will help their bottom lines. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett yesterday said the 31 million-dollar project is the largest single investment at the port since it opened its modern facilities 60 years ago. About half of the money is coming from the federal government, and private investors will also put up some money. Barrett says if things go well, the new export facility should be open in two or

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PEDESTRIAN STRUCK IN BARRON CO.

By Morgan McCarthy | February 13, 2020

On Thursday morning just before 5:30 the Barron County 911 Center received a call of a car vs pedestrian accident on Hwy P near the Holiday Gas Station. Deputies from the Barron County Sheriffs arrived on scene and were able to determine that 71-year-old Lolita Kohler of Cumberland was outside of her vehicle after getting stuck in a drift on Hwy P just north of Almena, when she was struck by a vehicle driven by 20-year-old Mataya Fogelberg, of Turtle

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FLU DEATHS TICK UP

By Morgan McCarthy | February 13, 2020

The Wisconsin Department of Health confirms the state’s second pediatric flu death.  The young victim was from southern Wisconsin.  UW Health in Madison is seeing about 20-percent more flu cases than at this time last year.  Over 30 people have died from the flu in Wisconsin this season. 

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4 A.M. BAR TIME FOR DNC POURS FORWARD

By Morgan McCarthy | February 13, 2020

The effort to allow for expanded bar hours during the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee takes another step forward.  A State Assembly committee approved a bill today that would allow bars to stay open until 4 a.m. during the July 13th through 16th convention.  The temporary change would apply to bars across Wisconsin not just those in Milwaukee. 

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BRRRRRR!

By Morgan McCarthy | February 13, 2020

It’s dangerously cold in west-central Wisconsin today.  According to the National Weather Service, it got as cold as negative eight degrees in Eau Claire this morning, with a wind chill around negative 20.  It should barely get above zero this afternoon before low temperatures get down into the negative double-digits tonight.

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CLARK CO. MAN HEADING TO INSTITUTION

By Morgan McCarthy | February 13, 2020

A Clark County man accused of vandalizing a church in Neillsville is going to a mental institution.  Police say Seth Meier appeared to be on drugs when he confessed to damaging statues and wall hangings at Saint Mary’s last March.  Meier was found guilty of burglary Wednesday, but not guilty by reason of mental disease.

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CITY MANAGER SEARCH GOES NATIONWIDE

By Morgan McCarthy | February 13, 2020

Eau Claire is taking the search for its next city manager nationwide.  The city council decided earlier this week to hire a search firm, which will likely cost between about 20 and 35-thousand dollars.  The city is trying to replace Dale Peters who’s retiring in May.

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MORE PEOPLE “CHECKING OUT” LIBRARIES

By Morgan McCarthy | February 13, 2020

People in rural Wisconsin are visiting the library more than usual.  According to a report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum, rural library visits went up 40 percent from 2008 to 2018.  This comes around the same time a Department of Public Instruction report says 28 percent of the rural population in the state doesn’t have access to the Internet.

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