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An Eau Claire man is accused of exposing his children to methamphetamine.  A criminal complaint says 33-year-old Thaopao  [[  THOW-POW  ]]  Vang was arrested last Friday after a December 7th search of his house turned up meth and a pipe and his children’s hair follicles tested positive for the drug.  Vang was charged with multiple drug-related crimes in Eau Claire County Court this week.  He’s facing up to eight years in prison. 

La Crosse residents got an early visit from newly inaugurated Governor Tony Evers yesterday.  Evers toured the Gunderson Health Center where he talked about health care being his top priority while in office.  Yesterday Evers signed two executive orders increasing access and affordability to healthcare and insurance.  He also says he plans to try to get Wisconsin to withdraw from a lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act. 

A preliminary hearing is set for the man charged in the deaths of three Chippewa Falls Girl Scouts and a troop mother.  Colton Treu appeared in court yesterday and is due back January 30th for a review hearing prior to the preliminary hearing February 12th.  Treu faces four counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle along with other charges in connection with the November crash in Rusk County. 

Preston Kraft is being deemed not competent to stand trial in Chippewa County.  Kraft was already found not competent to face charges in Rusk County in connection with the death of Robert Petit.  In Chippewa County, Kraft faced multiple charges including second degree recklessly endangering safety for reportedly firing a gun toward Petit in a previous incident.   

Two executive orders are being issued by Governor Tony Evers.  Evers signed the orders on health care yesterday on his first full day in office.  One directs a state agency to put together a plan to expand Medicaid.  The other instructs state agencies to implement plans to ensure people with pre-existing conditions can get health insurance. 

Eau Claire community members are struggling to understand after the suicide of a 12-year-old boy.  Gage Wright committed suicide Sunday afternoon.  The Northstar Middle School seventh grader was a baseball standout and straight-A student who had received the Presidential Award for Academics.  The school’s principal sent a letter to parents that included signs they should watch for in their children and encourage the conversation in our communities.

The Eau Claire City Council is moving forward with updates at a local park.  The council approved active aging updates in McDonough Neighborhood Park.  New pickle ball courts are already planned and improvements could include new walking trails, a better view of Dells pond, a plaza area, and bocce ball.  The city and the Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club plan to work on fundraising and grant writing for the improvements. 

The Chippewa County Board is sending a message to lawmakers saying that more money is needed for child protective services statewide.  The board unanimously approved a resolution at their meeting last night to request an additional 30 million dollars from the legislature.  The money would be divided among the state’s 72 counties and be used to hire more social workers. 

Officials with the Packers say Matt LaFleur is the 15th head coach in team history.  President Mark Murphy officially announced the hire yesterday, saying LaFleur has the background and experience to get the team playing winning football.  LaFleur arrived at Lambeau Field with his family last night after spending last season as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.        

Josh Kaul says additional gun legislation is needed if protecting kids in school is to be a priority.  The new Wisconsin Attorney General addressed the gun issue during his inaugural speech yesterday.  He wants what is called a red-flag law that will allow police or family members to go before a judge and ensure that somebody who is a threat to themselves or others is temporarily disarmed.  Kaul also called for universal background checks for gun purchases.