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Former Governor Scott Walker says he will help chair President Trump’s re-election campaign in Wisconsin.  Walker announced his plans yesterday, also reiterating his interest in a possible 2022 bid for governor or U.S. Senate.  In November he lost a bid for a third term as Wisconsin governor, in part because of public backlash against his support of Trump. 

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson is backing President Trump’s proposal to build a border wall, while also supporting funding essential functions of the federal government.  The Wisconsin Senator is chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and says Democrats are hypocritical for opposing the wall.  Johnson also wants essential government functions funded and said he recently co-sponsored a bill that would ensure Coast Guard officials are paid.  A legislative panel is proposing a significant boost in public school funding.  The panel’s recommendations are

A Casey’s General store could soon be moving into Eau Claire’s west side.  The Eau Claire Plan Commission is deciding whether to approve a plan for the new business.  A proposal for an auto repair shop currently occupying the space is unclear.  The commission is set to discuss a site plan Monday. 

Passenger numbers are climbing at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport in Eau Claire.  Airport officials say the total number of airline passengers arriving and departing increased five-percent in 2018 over the same time in 2017.  More than 47-thousand airline passengers used the airport last year. 

The city of Eau Claire is still FLUSHING out the details, but is preparing to remove all portable toilets in city parks.  Officials say removing them will save nearly 20-thousand dollars a year in the city’s budget.  Crews plan to have all the removed by the end of the week. 

Two Outagamie County communities are banning vaping for young people.  Kimberly and Little Chute have passed new ordinances this week to make it illegal for people under the age of 18 to possess vaping devices, including those that don’t contain nicotine.  The ordinances cover several devices including e-cigarettes and digital vapor devices.  Kimberly and Little Chute join Neenah and several other Wisconsin communities in banning vaping by minors. 

Cancer death rates are dropping nationwide, with Wisconsin ranking near the national average.  A study published yesterday by the American Cancer Society shows a 27-percent decline in cancer death rates nationally over the last 25 years.  A recent report by the United Health Foundation says each year there are 191 cancer deaths in Wisconsin per 100-thousand people.  The national average is 190 deaths per 100-thousand people.  

As flu cases increase and peak season is underway, Wisconsin health officials are reminding people that vaccination is the best defense against the illness.  Even though most flu vaccine is administered by the end of October, the CDC says vaccinations continue through January and even later.  Nearly all of the state is seeing moderate levels of influenza-like illness and hospitalizations are increasing.  In the final week of 2018, there were 138 newly confirmed cases of flu in Wisconsin. 

Packers fans are celebrating the birthday of a legend.  Pro Football Hall of Famer Bart Starr turns 85-years-old today.  The Packers quarterback led Green Bay to five NFL championships and two Super Bowls during the Vince Lombardi era and also coached the Packers for nine seasons.  One of the top plays in his career came in 1967 during the infamous Ice Bowl NFL championship game against the Dallas Cowboys, when Starr bulled his way into the end zone with seconds

A La Crosse man is in custody in connection with a recent deadly stabbing.  The La Crosse Police Department says 39-year-old Anquin Saint Junious is charged with second-degree reckless homicide in the murder of 42-year-old Virgil Stewart last week.  Police found Stewart in the early morning hours on January 2nd with a stab wound to the chest.  He later died in the hospital.