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President Biden is making his final trip to Milwaukee this year to promote small businesses.  Theapdnemic took its toll on small businesses nationwide — and in Wisconsin, about three percent of all small businesses shut down between 2021 and last year.  The number still increased and added a net 66-thousand jobs.  The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce helped keep other small businesses afloat with about 36-million dollars distributed to four-thousand small businesses.         

No charges are coming for the Watertown police officer who shot and killed a suspect in October.  The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office is not pursuing criminal prosecution against Officer James Simon.  The officer claims he shot 30-year-old Justin Whitten after the suspect raised and cocked a pistol while trying to get away from police on a skateboard.  Witnesses told investigators they saw police personnel provide first aid to Whitten, but, he was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The U.S. Department of Labor is fining Florence Hardwoods close to one-point-four-million dollars for various violations following the death of a teen worker.  OSHA began an investigation at the sawmill in late June after 16-year-old Michael Schuls was killed by a wood stacking machine.  Labor officials say the company had nine children between ages of 14 and 17 working for them and they were illegally using hazardous machinery.  OSHA investigators noted 29 serious violations while inspecting the property.

A local school leader is asking his school board for an operational referendum.  Jeff Holmes, Superintendent of the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District, discussed the matter at a board meeting last night.  Holmes asked board members to consider a 3-year operational referendum that would total more than two-million-dollars each year. 

Residents in the Village of Baldwin will see higher water bills in 2024.  The average customer will see an increase of eight-percent on their bill starting January 8th.  Officials say the price hike was made to help lower the current deficiency in present rates.  You can reach out to the Baldwin Municipal Water Utility with any questions.

The Augusta Area School District is adjusting its pool hours for the holidays.  The Augusta Aquatic Center will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Christmas Day.  In addition, the facility is closed on December 31st and January 1st.  You can find an updated pool schedule online.

The City of Eau Claire will host a Transit Commission Meeting this evening.  They’ll be discussing any new complaints, route reviews and talk about parking issues that impact transit services.  Today’s meeting is at City Hall and it starts at 6 o’clock.

 Chippewa County Department of Public Health announced the unveiling of its new visual identity. This change is part of the department’s ongoing commitment to better portray its values. Although the department’s logo is changing, the name and services offered will remain the same. After working with digital marketing specialists, the Chippewa County Department of Public Health has selected a new logo that modernizes the department’s appearance and seamlessly aligns with their core values. This refreshed design symbolizes dedication to adaptability,

The cinnamon applesauce pouches with lead contamination that sickened many children had lead levels more than two-thousand times higher than the proposed standards. That’s according to the FDA. The agency is continuing to investigate the Ecuador facility linked with the puree pouches sold under the WanaBana, Weis and Schnucks brands. An FDA official told Politico last week that the contamination seemed to be an “intentional act.” CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.

Theodore and Charlotte are the most popular baby names in Minnesota this year. That’s according to M Health Fairview. Over 12-thousand-400 babies were born within the health system in 2023. Theodore was the most popular boy name, followed by Henry, Liam, and Jack. Charlotte was the forerunner for girls, followed by Evelyn, Olivia, and Lucy.