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Sheboygan police search for vandal who burned Hmong Veterans Memorial

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Sheboygan Police want to find the person responsible for starting a fire on the Hmong Veterans Memorial over the 4th of July Holiday.

Lieutenant Bill Adams says the damage is already repaired, but they still want to know who did it. 

“Well any time somebody defaces any property, but especially something that has a lot of meaning to a community, it’s something that people care about. So we’re very interested to know who could have attempted to do damage to it, but fortunately it seems the damage is very minor.”

Adams says the damage appears to have been done with a lighter and fluid.

If you have any information, contact Sheboygan CrimeStoppers at 877-283-8436.

Democratic presidential candidates to make town hall appearance in Milwaukee next week

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Four Democrats running for president have scheduled an appearance next Thursday at a Milwaukee town hall event.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, former U-S Housing Secretary Julian Castro and former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke will appear at the July 11th event organized by the League of United Latin American Citizens. 

Wisconsin is considered an important “swing state” in the 2020 presidential election.

Speaker Robin Vos wants to start work on lottery privacy bill

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Legislators want to get to work to allow privacy for lottery winners.

Republicans introduced a bill to that effect this spring after a Wisconsin man won 768 million dollars in the Powerball lottery.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says requiring the names of lottery winners to be public opens them up for fraud and abuse. Lottery officials say these rules ensure transparency and trust in the lottery.

The bill comes up for a hearing next Wednesday.

Evers signs state budget, increases education funding through line item vetoes

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Governor Tony Evers has issued a partial veto of the state budget. At Wednesday’s signing, Evers said he’s excited to be able to return some of the things he promised to bring to Wisconsin residents when he was elected, including more school funding.

“And through the veto promise, I am adding nearly 100 million dollars more in per pupil aid for our schools compared to the budget that was passed by the legislature.”

Evers’ version of the budget restores funding for state youth prisons, allows the state prosecutor’s office to decide where new staff positions will be filled across the state, and cuts back on work requirements for food and health assistance programs.

Evers said his veto power couldn’t bring one of his biggest promises to fruition: the expansion of federal Medicaid funding for the state. “That’s why I’ll continue to fight for Medicaid expansion through separate legislation, future budget bills, and otherwise through every executive power I am afforded.

“Vetoing this budget in its entirety would have been more of the same divisiveness and petty political theatrics that the people of Wisconsin have had to put up with for far too long.”

Legislative Republicans say the relatively low number of vetoes shows that this was a good budget with lots of potential.

Keep an eye out for algae blooms on the lake this summer, says the DNR

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Summer heat and calm conditions on many lakes across the state is causing lake scum and algae blooms.

Gina LaLiberte with the DNR says those ‘blue-green’ algae that cause the blooms can sicken people and cause skin irritation. 

“Any time you see discolored water that can be green or other colors, or you see foamy scums or mats, be suspicious that’s blue-green algae. And look for better water conditions elsewhere for swimming.”

The algae forms any time there’s high temperatures, plenty of sunlight, and little wind.

LaLiberte says it’s very important to keep pets out of the water if there’s blooms

“Dogs really don’t care what the water looks like. If they’re thirsty they’ll drink even scummy green water that we would not even want to put our feet into.”

Many strains of those algae can cause stomach discomfort and skin irritation, and the symptoms can be even more severe if you ingest the algae. If there’s lake warnings posted about algae, find another lake or stream to swim in.

Sen. Majority Leader Fitzgerald opposes outside involvement in suggested line item veto

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State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is voicing his displeasure about comments from the state association of school boards in regards to the state budget.

The group laid out a method on Monday for Governor Evers to use the line item veto to increase school funding by 17 million dollars. Fitzgerald says the group is encouraging the governor to skirt legislative intent by offering up that suggestion.

Evers has until Friday to sign the budget, apply the line item veto, or veto it in its entirety. 

State sends out $1.9 billion to schools for high cost programs

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The Department of Public Instruction is delivering $1.9 billion in funding and grants to school districts this month.

That funding helps offset the costs of a number of important programs. Assistant state superintendent Bob Soldner says one part of that funding is going to schools who have special issues with transportation.

“Very rural, very widespread districts with few numbers of kids on a per square mile basis.”

Another major program that’s getting special funding is a push for more mental health services in school districts. Policy and budget director Erin Fath says that schools are often the first line of contact for many students with mental health needs. 

“Provide resources to support school districts as they try to get kids screened or assessed to help identify kids in need of mental health services and also get them connected. Lack of access can be a huge barrier to some families. That could be a result of living in a more rural area that just doesn’t have as many providers.”

Special education funding and grants for school technology programs are also part of the package.

Wisconsin secures settlement funds for victims of ITT Tech loan fraud scheme

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Nearly 650 former students of ITT tech will be getting reimbursement of their student loans thanks to a settlement.

Attorney General Josh Kaul says ITT and a loan company conspired to defraud both students and the federal student aid program before it was shut down in 2016.

“They were misled, there were deceptive practices. And they shouldn’t have to pay the debts that they owe since they didn’t get the education that they should have. So this settlement helps bring the kind of relief to those students that they deserve.”

He says students who are just looking for a better future for themselves shouldn’t have to worry about being fleeced.

“They should have the confidence that the representations being made to them are accurate and that they can conduct business without being worried that they’re being deceived by the company they’re working with.”

Wisconsin will be getting $5.8 million in relief for students. Any student who needs help getting those funds should contact the Department of Justice.

Two dead in fiery crash that closed I-94 in Racine County

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A series of crashes on I-94 in Racine County killed two people and closed down the interstate for several hours.

Sheriff Christopher Schmaling says the chain reaction crash was started by a semi in a construction zone.

“A semi tractor trailer travelling southbound on I-94 near 50th Road, made a lane change, and ultimately hit a construction barrier.”

That started a crash that shoved the median divider into northbound traffic and into oncoming cars, and forced a second semi to veer off the road where it burst into flames.

Schmaling says the actions of the semi driver in veering off the road might have saved dozens of other people at the cost of their own life. He’s calling that driver a hero.

The State Patrol is handling the overall investigation.

Mother and daughter missing from Outagamie County

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Outagamie County deputies are asking for help in finding a missing mother and daughter.

Deputies say 55-year-old Jill Rousseau and her daughter 21-year-old Jordan have not been seen or heard from since Sunday. Both live in the Town of Dale.

Their husband and father is cooperating with deputies and they do not believe his is involved in their disappearance.

The two may be driving a 2011 maroon and tan Ford Expedition King Ranch with Wisconsin license plate number 650-PPM.

If you have any information, contact police at (920) 832 5000.