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UW-Eau Claire will be offering contraceptive resources to students this school year. Student Health Services Medical Director Doctor Kim Frodl says they have always offered a wide variety of contraceptives, focusing on prevention of both sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies. She added that anecdotally, she’s had more interest in long-acting contraceptives, like IUDs, than in previous years.

Demolition is underway at UW-Eau Claire’s Putnam Hall. It marks the first step in a plan to build a new Health and Sciences Building on campus. After Putnam is demolished, the crew will move on to the Katharine Thomas Hall in the coming weeks. Construction of the new science building is set to begin in winter 2024 and is slated to open in fall 2026.

A historic bridge in Chippewa County is coming down. Crews began dismantling the part of the Cobban Bridge between Jim Falls and Cornell yesterday. The eastern truss was taken down first, followed by clean-up. Then the west side will be taken down. The new bridge, expected to be completed in October 2023, will have an increased width and stability.

A seagull is now free of a fishing lure, thanks to a school custodian. Students at a playground in the Luck School District found an injured seagull yesterday. The school’s janitor, “Custodian Pete,” was called upon to help remove a fishing lure that was caught in its beak and wing. He used a wire cutter to remove the lure.

 Governor Tony Evers wants to increase public school funding in Wisconsin by two-billion dollars.  Today Evers said the money would come from the state’s five-billion dollar budget surplus.  The plan can’t be worked on until the next legislative session, which won’t take place until after the November election.  Evers’ opponent, Republican Tim Michels, has criticized his track record on education and is pushing expanded private school vouchers.

Madison is one of the top 25 places in the country to retire.  That’s according to WalletHub, which ranks Madison the 22nd best place to retire.  Madison also ranks eleventh in the health care category and fifth for quality of life.  WalletHub says the top city to retire in is Charleston, South Carolina.

The Eau Claire Fire Department responded to a structure fire today in the 1000 block of Birch St. Engine 2, the first arriving fire company, found fire showing from a first floor window and heavy smoke throughout the residence. Upon entering the front of the residence, the crew advanced under zero visibility conditions and extinguished fire in several rooms on the 1st floor. A search for victims was conducted on all levels of the structure. All occupants were found to

A survey by a local marketing firm finds Wisconsin residents believe gun violence is the most pressing issue facing their city.  The survey comes from CMRignite.  It found three-fourths of Milwaukee residents surveyed say gun violence has grown worse over the last three years.  The firm believes a multi-layered approach to the problem — with residents who are positive influencers in their communities — can be a solution to the problem.  It says people from the communities who face the problem of

State health officials say they’re hopeful the newest COVID-19 booster shots will improve Wisconsin’s vaccination numbers.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM DHS. Almost 62 percent of Wisconsin residents have received the vaccine series but only 35 percent have received a booster shot.  The newest shots are designed to be effective against the latest omicron variants of the virus.  The latest shot will become available soon across Wisconsin. 

University of Wisconsin Health nurses are calling for better staffing, quality care and a union.  The nurses voted last month to go on strike for three days next week.  Yesterday, at a news conference to highlight their demands, nurse leaders said they’re suffering burnout from the pandemic and high turnover.  Wisconsin’s Attorney General has said UW Health can recognize the nurses’ union.  UW nurses say they’ve been threatened with loss of their jobs for their union activities.