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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. 

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.