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Newly-elected Governor Tony Evers says pulling out of a lawsuit challenging ObamaCare is a major priority in his new administration.  Evers delivered his first State of the State address yesterday, saying he has directed state Attorney General Josh Kaul to withdraw from the lawsuit, a move Republicans say defies a lame-duck law meant to prevent him from doing so.  He said in a hand-delivered letter to the legislature that he was “immediately withdrawing the authority” given to former Attorney General

A proposed funds transfer is being approved that will keep portable toilets in Eau Claire parks.  The city council voted in favor last night of transferring funds from the city equipment rental to pay for service of the portable toilets.  Budget cuts had previously led city leaders to make plans to remove the toilets, causing some to raise a stink. 

A Chippewa Falls student is being granted a special wish thanks to a the high school’s DECA organization.  The organization teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to sponsor fellow student, 14-year-old Meghan Griffith, during Wish Week fundraisers.  Griffith has congenital anomalies and has decided to take a Caribbean cruise with her family.  Students presented a check to Meghan’s family yesterday during a school celebration. 

United Cerebral Palsy’s new Youth Ambassador will emphasize a different disorder than in previous years.  Trevor Sommer was born with a genetic deficiency that causes toxic levels of ammonia to build up in his blood.  His mother says he will be able to show everyone he meets that being different can be wonderful as this year’s Youth Ambassador.  Trevor plays baseball for the Chippewa Valley Miracle League and has participated in the Eau Claire marathon and Special Olympics.  

The Pablo Center at the Confluence continues to impress. Not only is the facility the new center of a prospering arts scene in Eau Claire, it is also an example of energy efficiency in performing spaces. Energy-efficient features in the building earned the Pablo Center checks totaling more than $25,000 Tuesday from Focus on Energy and Xcel Energy. The money is a financial incentive to help offset the greater cost of the more efficient equipment. “It isn’t just about showcasing

A report by USA Today Network-Wisconsin says the man charged with kidnapping Jayme Closs and killing her parents hosted a Christmas gathering while the girl was hidden in the house.  Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald did not confirm the information today, but sources told the newspaper the visitors included two members of Jake Patterson’s immediate family.  Patterson allegedly told the teenager if she made noise or tried to escape he would kill her. 

Milwaukee Brewers fans can say goodbye to Miller Park.  The home of the Brewers has a new stadium rights sponsor in American Family Insurance.  MillerCoors says the insurance company pitched the Brewers an incredibly rich offer last year for future naming rights.  The stadium will be renamed for the 2020-2021 season. 

Senator Tammy Baldwin says she stands with transgender service members who fight to protect our democracy and freedoms.  The Wisconsin Democrat spoke out today against the Supreme Court decision upholding President Trump’s ban on transgender Americans to serve in the armed forces.  Baldwin called the ban wrong and said the High Court’s decision shows how far the country has to go to achieve equality for everyone. 

The Eau Claire Police Department has been notified that Sex Offender 36 year old Gerald J. Glasel will be released from prison TODAY (January 22, 2019.) Glasel will be under supervision by the DOC. He has been released from prison several times on additional other convictions and rules violations after being released from his original conviction in 2005. He will be residing at a DOC monitored residence in the 100 block of Randall Street in the City of Eau Claire.

An arrest in Dunn County leads to a Minnesota man receiving his 5th OWI. It happened just before 3:30 Tuesday morning when a WI State Patrol Trooper stopped a vehicle for speeding at 86 miles per hour.  The driver was identified as Patrick M. Grovum of Woodbury, who had 4 previous convictions for OWI on his Minnesota driver’s record. A subsequent investigation showed that Grovum was intoxicated. He is being charged with operating while intoxicated 5th offense possession of marijuana,