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The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has identified a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) in a commercial poultry flock in Jefferson County. DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) animal health officials are working together in a joint incident response. The affected premises has been quarantined to restrict  movement of poultry and poultry products. Birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock

An Eau Claire man charged in connection with the death of a Dunn County corrections officer is pleading guilty.  Officer Jeff Reynolds was killed in a Christmas Eve 2024 vehicle collision on US 12 near Menomonie.  Defendant Mark Sokolowski faced charges including homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle in relation to the incident.  Sokolowski pleaded guilty Wednesday and will be sentenced at a later date.

A man who tried to evade Eau Claire Police Wednesday morning by jumping into a lake is in custody today.  Officers dispatched to the Do-Dodge-Inn on Menomonie Street were investigating a fight when they say 28-year-old Deaundray Houston ran from the scene and entered Half Moon Lake.  Police spotted Houston and took him into custody when he returned to shore.  He was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

Sentencing is being ordered for an Eau Claire man convicted on federal weapons charges.  Thirty-seven-year-old Dustin Cullins was on probation last year and prohibited from possessing a firearm when he was found hiding a handgun inside a clothes dryer.  Cullins pleaded guilty to charges and was sentenced yesterday to seven years in prison.

Republican Jessi Ebben is announcing another bid for Congress.  Ebben — who previously ran an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional district in 2022 — is running for the GOP nod in the state’s 7th district.  The 7th’s current Congressional Representative Tom Tiffany recently announced his candidacy for governor.  The 7th Congressional district includes all or part of 20 counties including St. Croix, Chippewa, Barron and Rusk.

Federal prosecutors have declared the Pewaukee native wanted for his daughters’ deaths as dead.  Last week, Chelan County authorities found human remains near Leavenworth.  They believed that they may have belonged to Travis Decker based on preliminary findings.  A week later and DNA results have not been announced, but a motion to dismiss the case against Decker cites the US Marshals Service as declaring him dead.  A spokesperson for the agency tells 12 News that the filing was premature.

The City of Eau Claire will open its new downtown bus transfer center on Monday.  Officials describe the center at Main Street and South Farwell as an inviting and accessible space with a sheltered waiting area, restrooms, and staff offices.  A new mixed-use development sits above the center complete with a parking garage and housing.

Another Democrat has emerged in Wisconsin’s race for governor.  Former state Representative Brett Hulsey announced on Wednesday that he was launching a campaign for governor.  Hulsey previously represented Madison in the Assembly, and also served on the Dane County Board for 14 years.  He also ran for governor in 2014 but lost against Mary Burke in the primary. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE WITH WEAU 13.

Transferring credits between schools in the University of Wisconsin system could be getting easier.  The UW Board of Regents will be reviewing a new policy that would ensure the transfer of all core general education credits between the 13-school system.  Officials say the new policy will reduce the amount of time it takes to finish a degree.  The board will review the policy this fall and if approved, would go into effect by fall 2026. 

The Wisconsin State Fair is offering tickets to those who were rained out this year’s fair.  State Fair officials say they’re offering exchanges to anyone who had tickets to the fair on August 10th.  The exchanges will take place at the ticket office starting November 10th through 15th.  The office will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Tickets received through a giveaway or a third party may not be elgible for exchange.