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In a big election year, many of us voted and exercised our civic duty. Now, younger Americans can brush up on their Civic skills. The 2025 National Civics Bee, a competition designed to inspire young Americans to engage in civic education and community leadership will be in our area. This initiative is part of a nationwide effort to strengthen civic knowledge and encourage students to become active, responsible citizens. Students will participate in a multi-phase competition where they have the opportunity

The Eau Claire, Altoona, and Township Fire Departments are again placing five foot wreaths in front of fire stations. The wreaths will be decorated with green lights,  which represent a fire safe community. Each time a structure fire occurs within Eau  Claire, Altoona or Township Fire’s response areas, a red light will replace a green  light on the wreath. A fire may be a grease fire on a stove at home, a wastepaper  basket fire at work, or a mattress

Governor Tony Evers visited a home construction site Wednesday as part of Western Dairyland’s Fresh Start program. The initiative helps young adults, ages 18 to 25, overcome barriers to self-sufficiency by teaching job skills through building houses. Participants also receive educational support and career guidance, with the goal of full employment or postsecondary enrollment upon completion. Evers praised the program for providing valuable skills to youth while addressing affordable housing needs. The home under construction will be sold to an

State officials continue to see high numbers of pertussis, or whooping cough, cases this year.  The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has confirmed more than 17-hundred infections during this season so far.  Roughly half of those illnesses have been in teens and kids, according to DHS.  The Centers for Disease Control suggests limiting the spread of pertussis by keeping vaccines up to date and using good hygiene, including frequent handwashing, as with any other contagious respiratory infection.

Educators at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point are launching a new cannabis science program.  Those behind the course say it explores the plant’s usefulness beyond being taken as a recreational or therapeutic drug.  The current graduate-level certificate program covers cannabis history, growing environments, and the unique chemistry of the plant.  The course will be made available to undergrads next fall.

This year’s holiday tree is being set up at the Wisconsin State Capitol today.  The roughly 30-foot-tall Balsam Fir was brought into Madison yesterday after being donated by a family in Rhinelander.  It will be loaded with decorations that help celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin state parks system, this year’s holiday theme.  A tree lighting is happening at the capitol on December fifth.

Community organizations are preparing Thanksgiving meals for those in need, with events planned at the church on Jeffers Road, The Community Table, and Hope Gospel Mission. Feed My People Food Bank will also host a produce pop-up on Wednesday. Organizers say demand has risen significantly this year, with some events planning to serve over 1-thousand-100 meals. Additional resources include Stepping Stones of Dunn County’s turkey distribution.

The city of Eau Claire has extended the registration deadline for the 2024 Clearwater Winter Parade to Friday, November 22nd. The parade, themed “Cosmic Wonders,” will take place on Friday, December 6th, at 6:30 p.m. Children attending can hand letters for Santa to U.S. Postal Service workers participating in the parade. Organizers encourage local businesses and groups to sign up while spots remain available. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

Greta Neubauer is re-elected as Wisconsin Assembly Minority Leader.  Neubauer was unanimously voted to keep her position as minority leader yesterday.  She’s been leading Assembly Democrats since 2021, and was first elected to the Assembly in 2018.  Republicans will have a 54-seat majority when the state Legislature starts meeting again next year.

A man from Monroe County is under arrest and accused of having hundreds of images and videos of child pornography.  James Ossinger of Tomah is charged with multiple counts of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13. He was arrested after a months-long investigation. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children made an initial report to the County Sheriff’s Office.