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Here’s one more piece of evidence that shows just how crucial of a swing state Wisconsin was in the November election. A new report says Milwaukee had the largest voter turnout of any big city in the country. Researchers at the University of California-San Diego say more than 85 percent of voters in Milwaukee cast a ballot in November. The four largest cities in America all saw 70-something percent turnouts. Milwaukee County saw an even larger, 89 percent voter turnout.

Madison will have a new police chief in about a month. Chief Shon Barnes yesterday said his last day will be February 1st. Barnes is leaving to become the new chief in Seattle. Barnes yesterday said Assistant Chief John Patterson be named interim chief. Madison’s mayor has said she wants to take some time to find Barnes’ replacement, though she’s not saying how long that will take. Barnes has been Madison’s chief since 2021.

The latest multi-billion-dollar ask from state lawmakers comes from child care advocates in Wisconsin. The group Wisconsin Early Childhood Action Needed yesterday joined with a number of other advocacy groups to ask Governor Evers for two billion-dollars for child care in the next state budget. Evers has said for years that he wants to pump more money into Wisconsin’s child car system. He says without it, many child care centers will close. The advocate said essentially the same thing yesterday.

Wisconsin State Troopers along with Dunn County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 12/29 at county highway E in Dunn county near Menomonie. Upon arriving on scene officers found a deceased male driver from an overturned vehicle and four injured occupants from another vehicle. As officers continued the crash investigation, the surviving driver, 40 year old Mark Sokolowski, was subsequently arrested for homicide by intoxicated use of vehicle. The name of the deceased is being withheld

There aren’t a lot of details about a deadly weekend stabbing in Hudson. Police yesterday say the stabbing happened Sunday at a house on Orange Street. There’s no word about who was stabbed, or why. Hudson Police simply said the suspect, Jimmy Harriman Jr. was taken into custody and is now facing homicide charges. Hudson Police say the investigation remains on-going.

While many on Christmas Eve may warm up with a hot cup of cocoa NASA has other plans.  NASA’s Parker Solar probe will be making the closest ever known contact with the Sun for a  human-made object.  The spacecraft will approach within three-point-nine million miles of the Sun’s surface early this morning.  Mission control will have no contact with the probe until about three days later when NASA hopes to receive a signal confirming the mission’s success.  If all goes

Public health managers in Eau Claire say most of the people in the county continue to skip the flu shot. The city/county health department yesterday said just 28 percent of people have gotten the flu vaccine so far this year. That’s down from last year’s mark, which was 34 percent. The health department’s Kristy Polden says people might just be putting off getting the shot. She says some people wait til the flu season is in full effect. Flu season

There’s a new DNR secretary after a year-long search. Governor Tony Evers chose Dr. Karen Hyun to fill the position. Not everyone is on board with the pick, though. Showing you different sides so you can decide, the top Republican in the Wisconsin Senate is not happy with Governor Evers’ latest pick to head the Department of Natural Resources. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu yesterday said he’s looking forward to meeting with Karen Hyun, who Evers nominated as DNR secretary.

The Packers are headed to the playoffs. Green Bay walloped New Orleans last night, beating the Saints 34-0. The win guarantees the Packers and wild card spot. The victory also moves the Packers to 11 wins on the season. Unfortunately, this year that’s good enough only for third place in the NFC North. The Packers travel to Minnesota next week for a game against the Vikings.

One victim of the Abundant Life Christian School shooting is laid to rest today. Erin West was a teacher at the school, and had worked there for four years. She is survived by her husband and three daughters, and those who knew her describe her as kind and generous. West was shot and killed one week ago today when teenage student Natalie Rupnow entered the school and opened fire. One other person, a student, was killed in the shooting before