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Democratic lawmakers in Wisconsin are working on a bill to make abortions legal again.  The bill was introduced today and Governor Tony Evers says it would restore Wisconsin’s abortion laws to what they were before Roe v. Wade was overturned.  Right now abortions are banned in Wisconsin except for when the mother’s life is at risk.  Republicans recently introduced their own bill that would continue restricting abortion access but allow exceptions in certain cases of rape and incest.  However Evers says he won’t pass legislation that

ABOVE PHOTO: Brooklyn Sommerfeld, left, a Chippewa Falls Fire & Emergency Services paramedic, and Joan Lawcewicz, an investigator with the Chippewa Falls Police Department, became fast friends after an emergency call pushed them together, literally. The women say having a friend in their high-stress field of emergency services is comforting.   Unique experiences bring people together.  Brooklyn Sommerfeld and Joan Lawcewicz are a perfect example.  Sommerfeld, a Chippewa Falls Fire & Emergency Services paramedic; and Lawcewicz, an investigator with the Chippewa Falls Police Department, were in a compromising situation together a couple of years ago

Voters in 12 municipalities in Dunn County will be checked in for the April 4 election by poll workers using new technology that Gov. Evers hopes will become even more prevalent across the state. “The Badger Book serves the same exact purpose as a regular poll book,” -Andrew Mercil, Dunn County Clerk The technology is Badger Books, which replaces the traditional paper poll book that voters are familiar with, with an electronic version of that very same poll book. The

United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley has partnered with Visit Eau Claire to combine all local volunteer opportunities onto one digital platform, ChippewaValleyVolunteer.com. ChippewaValleyVolunteer.com will be open to all organizations and events who are searching for volunteers. They’re making registration easy and allowing everyone who registers the opportunity to submit and update their own content. The goal is to work together because volunteers empower our communities, building a stronger Chippewa Valley. Volunteers from M3 Insurance help with grounds clean

The two people found dead in Winnebago County, who are now the center of a suspicious death investigation were well-known cheesemakers. Authorities yesterday identified the two as 72-year-old David Metzig and 71-year-old Jan Metzig. No one is saying how they died. The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office found them dead in the home Saturday morning. A person of interest is in custody, but hasn’t been formally charged yet. The Metzigs owned the Union Star Cheese Factory, and were known across the

The only debate for Wisconsin’s nationally-watched race for Supreme Court will come during the lunch hour today.  Liberal Judge Janet Protasiewicz will debate conservative former Justice Dan Kelly at 12:45 this afternoon.  The debate is sponsored by the State Bar of Wisconsin and a Madison TV station.  This is the only time Protasiewicz and Kelly will appear together.  Wisconsin’s race for the Supreme Court is being closely watched across the country, and has become the most expensive race for the court in US

Today is the first day for drive-through early voting in Eau Claire.  The city clerk’s office yesterday said people can drive up and cast a ballot in the parking lot at city hall.  The drive-thru voting is open from 9 a.m. til 4 p.m. on weekdays. You can register to vote if need be as well. Voters will be deciding the races on the April ballot.

Chippewa Falls is lifting its winter parking rules.  The city yesterday said on Facebook that ‘Winter Parking has ENDED!!’  The change means people can go back to parking on the street as usual.  Chippewa Falls Police say they made the decision after looking at the forecast and seeing warmer temperatures in the days to come.

UW-Eau Claire will need a new athletic director next year.  Dan Schumacher yesterday announced his retirement.  He has been with the university since 2014.  Schumacher’s legacy includes the upgrades to UW-Eau Claire’s sports facilities, including Simpson Field.  Schumacher is leaving at the end of this semester, the school will launch a search for his replacement later this spring.

The latest plans to get tougher on reckless driving in Wisconsin take their next step forward this week.  The Wisconsin Senate is set to vote on a couple of pieces of legislation aimed at repeat reckless drivers.  One would double the fines for reckless driving, while another will allow cities and towns to seize cars from reckless drivers who don’t pay their fines and tickets.  The plans are all written by Republicans, but there is hope at the Capitol that they will be signed