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A new study is exploring replacing gas powered cars with electric vehicles.  Xcel Energyis partnering with Eau Claire and several other communities to look at eco-friendly alternatives to gas powered vehicles.  The company is collecting data through a FleetCarma device in certain community members’vehicles to test if replacing them with electric vehicles would save money and time in the long run.

The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is focusing on business and government through an event led by their Governmental Affairs staff.  The information session was held yesterday to help local business leaders understand the impact of government policies.  The workshop was part of the chamber’s Business Advocacy Initiative partnering with Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley. 

A group of seventh graders from DeLong Middle School in Eau Claire is learning about psychology with rats.  The students traveled to UW-Eau Claire Wednesday where a psychology professor showed them how they could use treats to encourage new behaviors in rats.  The demonstration showed the students how most animals and humans can learn based on motivation.  The students also learned about social psychology, cognitive psychology, and developmental psychology.     

The deadline is fast approaching for state residents to register for federal disaster assistance.  Nine counties were approved for individual assistance with renters, homeowners and businesses eligible to apply if they were affected by storms and flooding between mid-August and mid-September.  The deadline is December 17th to apply for assistance and more information is available either at FEMA or at disaster assistance-dot-gov-CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION. 

An Appleton man is under arrest after being accused of posing as a doctor.  Kyle Larson faces multiple charges including practicing medicine without a license.  Police received a tip and learned that Larson was going by the name Doctor Kyle Ellis and offering medical treatments and medications.  Larson was taken into custody yesterday and Appleton authorities ask anyone who may have received treatment from a Doctor Kyle Ellisto contact them. 

Officials at UW Hospital believe the flushing and disinfecting of its water treatment system will stop an outbreak of Legionnaires disease.  Four patients have tested positive for the illness and hospital officials believe they contracted it while taking a shower.  All four patients are being treated and recovering.  The hospital water system was flushed yesterday.  

 Three people in Eau Claire are facing multiple drug and child neglect charges.  Amanda Hays and Leah Kramer were both arrested in October after police say they found marijuana and meth in their home.  Hays’ husband Dale Stevens has been issued an arrest warrant, but hasn’t been taken into custody.  Police say the three lived with three children who’s hair samples tested positive for meth.  Hays appeared in court yesterday and Kramer will appear early next month. 

 University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow is being reprimanded for allegedly inviting a porn star to speak on campus.  The Chippewa Herald says the University of Wisconsin System president signed a letter on November 6th that said Gow exercised poor judgment and put it in his personal file.  Gow is accused of inviting Nina Hartley to speak to students on November 1st about consent and female empowerment.  Gow says he doesn’t regret inviting Hartley to speak and defended his actions by claiming

A new gym coming to Menomonie is hoping to have a big impact on people with autism and anxiety disorders.  Jesse’s Jym calls itself a sensory-based learning center that focuses on fulfilling specific sensory needs.  It will feature swings and jumping and climbing structures and have specialized play groups that do yoga, American Sign Language, and work on social skills.  The grand opening is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday. 

–  A new speed dating event in La Crosse is helping seniors who are looking for love.  Last night, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse hosted this first-of-its-kind event where about 20 people over the age of 65 had five minutes to get to connect with each person in the room.  The professor in charge of the event said one of his main goals was to create inter-generational contact between the participants and his students.