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Investigators are working to confirm the cause of a Monday fire in the Village of Bangor.  A farm structure on State Road 162 that housed hay and other materials went up in flames yesterday afternoon.  No injuries were reported though the structure was left in ruins.

The interim U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin now has the job for good.  Chadwick Elgersma has served in the role on an acting-basis since June of last year.  U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has now appointed Elgersma to the role outright. 

The City of Eau Claire is recruiting applicants to serve on its Sustainability Advisory Committee.  The committee’s role is to provide guidance to city council on policy and practices related to the environment, natural resources and other connected topics.  More details can be found WITH AN EASY CLICK HERE.

Another member of the Leinenkugel family is taking over the Wisconsin-based company.  A social media post last week announced Katie Leinenkugel would be the next president of the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company.  She takes over for her cousin Tony Bugher, and is just the second woman to hold the position in the company’s history.  The new leadership comes after Molson Coors recently moved brewing operations of Leinenkugel’s to Milwaukee, but maintains a presence in Chippewa Falls.

A groundhog in Dane County is predicting an early spring.  Sun Prairie Jimmy’s annual ceremony in Cannery Square yesterday finished with the animal not seeing his shadow.  Jimmy’s prediction was similar to one made by a rhino at Milwaukee County Zoo, who chose a poster calling for an early spring forecast.  However, Jimmy’s prediction is not in line with his counterpart in Pennsylvania.  Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow, and tradition holds that six more weeks of winter are coming.

Wisconsin health officials are confirming a case of the measles in Dane County. Health officials said the person became exposed to the illness during international travel. This marks the state’s second case of the illness this year. Symptoms of the measles include a runny nose, a fever greater than 104 degrees and a red rash with raised bumps.

Family Support Center (FSC) has partnered with local law enforcement agencies since 2020 to implement the Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) across Chippewa County. When officers from the Chippewa Falls Police Department (CFPD), Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and Lake Hallie Police Department (LHPD) respond to incidents of domestic violence, they administer a lethality screener. If the victim is at a high risk of being killed by their intimate partner, they are connected to FSC.  In 2025:  Jeni H., Domestic Violence Program Director at FSC, says, “This program literally saves lives, and we are proud to operate it here in

Nominations are now being accepted for the Second Annual Friend of Human Services Award, an honor recognizing individuals, organizations, or businesses that have made a meaningful impact in support of the mission, vision, and values of the Eau Claire County Department of Human Services (ECCDHS). Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, the Friend of Human Services Award continues to highlight those who demonstrate exceptional commitment, advocacy, and support for programs and initiatives that improve the lives of others.

If you picture working with artificial intelligence involving sitting in front of a computer at a desk in an office, Brandt Berghuis, a University of Wisconsin-River Falls assistant professor of crop science, can introduce you to a whole new world.   “AI is really transforming agriculture,” Berghuis said. “Things are changing really fast, especially in the field. We have drones now that fly over fields and use AI to do plant health ratings.”   That’s just one example. Another is self-driving, solar-powered robots that cruise through fields and use AI to identify weeds and spray them.   “It can optimize spray