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Evers awards grants to help veterans’ mental health

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Governor Tony Evers was at a Thursday night event spotlighting veterans’ mental health issues.

The gathering at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center announced the distribution of $650,000 in grants from the American Rescue Plan Act to 16 different organizations.

The grants for the groups provide mental healthcare services ranging from psychiatry to horse therapy, and are a part of the governor’s $10 million investment in veterans’ programs across Wisconsin.

Veterans are more susceptible to such ailments as suicidal ideation, PTSD, and depression than the general public is.

Milwaukee hosts first GOP presidential debate of 2024 campaign

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Milwaukee hosted the first Republican presidential debate Wednesday night. Eight candidates vying to become the party’s nominee for president in 2024 participated in the event, discussing topics ranging from the economy, China, abortion, violence and energy.

But much of the focus of the candidates onstage at the Fiserv Forum seemed to be on businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, who was characterized as inexperienced and unaware of the job of the presidency.

“The last person in one of these debates . . . who stood in the middle of the stage and said ‘What’s a skinny guy with an odd last name doing up here?’ was Barack Obama, and I’m afraid we’re dealing with the same type of amateur standing on the stage tonight,” said former New Jersey governor Chris Christie:

On the topic of abortion, when asked about Wisconsin’s near-total abortion ban, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that he would stand on the side of life. “Look, I understand Wisconsin is going to do it differently than Texas. I understand Iowa and New Hampshire going to do it different, but I will support the cause of life as governor and as president.” Earlier this year, DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban into law in Florida.

Former president Donald Trump chose not to participate in the Fox News sponsored debate, citing his large lead in polls as one reason not to be there. Trump instead appeared in a pre-recorded interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, via the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

 

Wisconsin driver’s licenses getting an update

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Your next driver’s license will have a new look. Wisconsin driver’s licenses are getting an update to provide increased security.

According to the state Division of Motor Vehicles, new licenses will feature hard to replicate artistic designs featuring images representing Wisconsin and make them harder to counterfeit.

Your current driver’s license or ID card will remain valid until it expires. The new versions will be issued to anyone renewing, replacing or getting their license for the first time.

Wisconsin DNR warns of elevated fire danger this week

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Current fire danger is High across most of Wisconsin after an extended period of dry weather. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, contributing factors include warm temperatures, very low relative humidity and wind. Much of the state has not had any rain in the past 10 days. In addition, the rain that was received prior was minimal. The WisBurn Fire Map provides updated fire risks for all 72 counties.  

The DNR and local fire departments responded to over 90 wildfires in the last week, burning an estimated 30 acres. Fortunately, annual green-up progressed across most of the state, and the winds have been light. Suppression crews have been successful with attacking fires quickly, minimizing fire growth.    

Moisture levels in vegetation are declining and becoming more prone to wildfire starts. This week’s weather conditions will continue to elevate fire danger. The DNR will suspend burn permits in critical areas where the DNR regulates outdoor burning.

The public should also be reminded to:

  • Keep an eye on the changing fire danger this week.
  • Avoid burning, especially debris piles, until we get a good soaking rain.
  • Conduct activities that cause sparks early in the morning or later in the day to avoid peak burn times (e.g., wood cutting, lawn mowing, farming, recreational vehicles, parking hot exhaust systems on dry grass, etc.).

A weather system moving in from the west may bring some relief to the northwest part of the state. There will be brief chances of light precipitation for the next few days, but that system will struggle to move east across Wisconsin and is unlikely to generate meaningful, widespread rainfall.

Watch for buckling pavement as temps rise this week

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Watch for buckling pavement as temperatures rise this week. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is advising motorists to be alert and cautious, with hot temperatures forecast throughout the state creating conditions for pavement buckling to occur.

 

It’s difficult to predict if, or where, pavement buckling may occur, but drivers can check 511wi.gov for the latest incidents or delays. Live video feeds are now available via the 511 Wisconsin traffic cameras.​

County board rejects tax levy for AmFam Field upkeep

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The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors has rejected a tax levy for ballpark repairs. In a rare unanimous vote Thursday, supervisors rejected using a long-term tax levy to fund American Family Field repairs and renovations.

The Milwaukee Brewers current lease of the 22-year-old ballpark expires in 2030. Thursday’s resolution called for the renovation-focused tax levy to help secure a lease extension. In separate action on Thursday, the stadium district board approved $6.4 million for a new main scoreboard at the ballpark.

Master Lock to close MKE plant

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A gut punch for Milwaukee’s economy. Master Lock will close its plant in the city by March of next year. Mike Bink is a UAW union representative. He spoke with Fox 6 News on Thursday.

“Those higher paying jobs now pay $28 to $30 an hour. I don’t know how people are going to replace those jobs. A lot of them have skills. . .where they can pick up jobs at other places. But not everybody does.”

A Master Lock statement says the company will transition work from Milwaukee to other North American and global locations. The closure will impact some 300 workers. Mayor Cavalier Johnson called that “a slap in the face” to those employees. Master Lock has operated in the city since 1921.

Illegal dumping plagues senior center scrap metal drive

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Chippewa Falls police are asking for an end to illegal dumping at the city’s senior center. In a Facebook post, the police department implores people to stop illegal dumping during the annual Chippewa Falls Area Senior Center scrap metal drive.

The event raises between $7,000 and $9,000, but part of the funds will be used this year to install security cameras and haul away old furniture, appliances and garbage that have been left at the drop-off site.

The post noted that the drive is intended to take items that are all metal — not TVs, computers or household appliances.

DNR recommends getting passes online

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Get your vehicle or trail pass before visiting one of Wisconsin’s many outdoor recreation areas. Wisconsin has 50 state parks, 15 state forests and 44 state bike trails. If you’re headed to one this weekend, you’ll need a daily or annual admission sticker for your vehicle.

The annual pass is $28 for Wisconsin residents. If you’re headed to a state trail, make sure you have a state trail pass, as wardens will be out checking passes this weekend. Annual passes are $25, and daily passes are $5.

The Department of Natural Resources says you can save time by buying these stickers and passes online.

WJMC

Shooter in Janesville workplace killing pleads guilty to lesser charge

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A man accused of fatally shooting a co-worker at a Janesville workplace has taken a plea deal. Judge Barbara McCrory laid out the terms for 24-year-old Kevin Todd Tuesday in Rock County Court, reducing the original charge of first degree intentional homicide to second degree intentional homicide and dismissing related counts.  

Todd was charged in the gun death of 30-year-old Devon Hills at Precision Drawn Metals in April 2022. He clamed Hills bullied him in the week they worked together. 

Todd faces a minimum of 30 years in prison at his sentencing in August.

WCLO