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The suspect in a New Lisbon triple homicide is pleading not guilty to all charges.  Court officials say 48-year-old Virgil Thew allegedly killed his girlfriend, Elizabeth Kolba, and two girls ages 12 and 13 in December 2024.  Authorities confirmed all three died from gunshot wounds.  Thew was arrested in January after a multi-day manhunt.  He faces multiple charges, including three counts of first-degree intentional homicide.  A nine-day jury trial is set for December 2026.

One of the state’s most wanted fugitives is in custody after being arrested in Mississippi.  Authorities say 56-year-old Wayne Minor is accused of sexually assaulting two women in 2018 and 2020 at a Milwaukee cemetery.  Minor allegedly pistol-whipped a victim in 2020 and tried to hire another inmate to kill both victims.  He bonded out after demanding a speedy trial and vanished, triggering a fugitive warrant.  Multiple tips led to his arrest in Greenville, Mississippi after he fled in 2023.

A self-proclaimed “pro-Trump conservative” is running for Congress in the state’s Seventh Congressional District.  Twenty-five-year-old Michael Alfonso, son-in-law of former U.S. Representative Sean Duffy, announced his GOP candidacy.  He is seeking the open seat after Tom Tiffany launched a run for governor.  Alfonso says he is inspired by his faith, community, and hard work.   He says his campaign focuses on families, farms, school choice, and defending the American Dream.

The state’s Department of Natural Resources is encouraging hunters to donate legally harvested Wisconsin deer to its Deer Donation Program.  The request comes as the department combats rising food-pantry demand.  Hunters must field-dress, register, and in some counties have the deer tested for chronic wasting disease before drop-off.  DNR officials emphasize minimizing lead exposure by using non-lead ammunition.  The program has provided over 100-thousand deer since it began in 2000.

There may be a new recipe for Green Eggs and Ham in our future. Fans of Dr. Seuss can expect the release of a newly discovered manuscript next year.  Tammy Trujillo has details.

Local food banks report a surge in demand only days after the USDA announced a suspension of the federal Food Share program beginning next month.  Officials with the Feed My People agency say on an average weekday, they help some 300 to 350 households.  Since the USDA announcement, they’ve already served up to 500 households a day.  They say when the end of the Food Share payments officially end, they expect the number to rise.    Wisconsin has joined a group

State and local leaders are hoping to resolve a loophole affecting tobacco sales in Wisconsin.  Federal law doesn’t allow people under 21 to purchase tobacco and nicotine products, but state law says anyone over 18 can buy the products.  In Milwaukee, Alderman Peter Burgelis has tried to change the local ordinance, but learned that nothing can change unless the law is changed at the state level.  More than half of the city’s common councilmembers have signed a letter advocating for

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has honored Xcel Energy with its Regents Business Partnership Award.  The award highlights businesses that show exceptional dedication to working with the university to benefit students and the region.  Xcel’s partnership with the university includes work in workforce development and major infrastructure projects.    

State Attorney General Josh Kaul is joining a federal lawsuit with 24 other states and D.C. over the suspension of SNAP benefits. The suit says the federal government has funds to continue the food assistance program during the shutdown. It says suspending the program would be the first in its history and violates the Administrative Procedure Act. Around 40-million Americans, including about 700-thousand in Wisconsin, rely on SNAP benefits.

On October 28th, 2025 at 10:38 A.M the Barron County Sheriff’s along with the Rice Lake Police Department and Washburn County Sheriff’s Department arrested Devon Bernstein for two sexual assaults that he allegedly committed over the last 48 hours. When confronted by law enforcement Bernstein attempted to evade arrest and a deputy used an Electronic Control Device (Taser) to apprehend him. Bernstein was taken to the Barron County Jail and is awaiting charges.  No other information will be released at