County clerk official and family members charged in drug investigation (MILWAUKEE)
A Milwaukee County court official and two family members are charged in a drug investigation. Fox 6 Milwaukee reports that 54-year-old Samotria Matthews is charged with one count of maintaining a drug trafficking place – as party to a crime. A spokesperson confirming Matthews is suspended from her role as senior administrator in the county clerk’s office. Also charged are 54-year-old Rodney Matthews and 26-year-old Terrion Matthews. Prosecutors say the three ran a basement drug operation out of a home owned by Samotria Matthews on Milwaukee’s north side. Police report finding drugs that tested positive for fentanyl and cocaine, as well as hydraulic presses, scales, and a gun.
Child struck and killed while checking mailbox (MEDFORD)
An eight-year-old child was fatally struck by a car in Taylor County on Monday. Investigators say the child had run across a county road to check the mailbox and was struck by a vehicle as they turned to go back across the road. The impact threw the child into the ditch, and they died at the scene. No one in the vehicle was hurt, and no further information has been released including the names of those involved. Officials from Taylor County and the Wisconsin State Patrol are investigating.
Sheriff defends use of Flock cameras (JANESVILLE)
Rock County Sheriff Curtis Fells is defending his office’s use of Flock Safety cameras amid mounting public scrutiny of the technology. Fell says they were helpful during a weekend shooting where officers were able to track a suspect by their license plate and make an arrest. Fell says the sheriff’s office maintains an audit system that gets checked every 30 days to ensure no one is mishandling or misusing the information that they have access to. According to Atlas of Surveillance dot org, the Rock County Sheriff’s Office has operated 18 Flock Safety cameras since September of 2025. Local agencies in Dane County, the Fox Valley and elsewhere in Wisconsin have cancelled or not renewed Flock contracts following resident complaints over privacy, but their use remains widespread.
Man charged in supermarket hostage standoff (WAUKESHA)
Bond is set at a million dollars for a Waukesha man involved in a hostage standoff last month. Anthony J. Lehman remains in the Waukesha County Jail following a Tuesday court appearance. He’s due back in court August 27th. The 21-year-old faces six felony charges in the July 30 hostage situation at a Waukesha Meijer supermarket that ended with police shooting him. A criminal complaint states Lehman called 911, telling dispatchers he had a hostage inside a restroom, with a knife and what he called a “dead man switch” that was later determined to be a spring clamp with two razor blades. The 59-year-old hostage fought back with his belt and followed Lehman out of the restroom, warning other shoppers. Investigators say Lehman threatened an employee and two customers, raised a knife toward the hostage and refused commands to drop his weapons. An officer fired three shots, hitting him.
More measles cases in SW Wisconsin (GRANT COUNTY)
More measles cases confirmed in Southwestern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports two cases in Grant County are related to confirmed measles cases in Lafayette and Iowa Counties – and part of an outbreak in Southwestern Wisconsin where cases now stand at 36 confirmed and 3 probable. During a media briefing last week, Dr. Ryan Westergaard with DHS stressed the importance of the measles vaccine. What you need to know and what you can do to protect yourself and your family can be found on the DHS website.
Wisconsin part of court win protecting some gender-affirming care coverage (UNDATED)
Wisconsin joins a court win protecting some gender-affirming care coverage. The Wisconsin Department of Justice says it’s part of a multistate coalition that won a court challenge against a Trump administration rule. A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled the administration improperly changed what counts as an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act. Attorney General Josh Kaul says health coverage decisions should be based on medical expertise, not politics. The rule would have removed some types of gender-affirming care from protections that limit patients’ out-of-pocket costs.
Keep wild animals wild (UNDATED)
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is reminding people to keep young wildlife wild. DNR Captive Wildlife Health Specialist Jenna Fastner says it’s common for young animals to be alone while parents are nearby, so seeing one by itself doesn’t mean it’s orphaned. Fastner says people should avoid touching or approaching young wildlife, since human interaction can harm the animal and even attract predators. If you’re concerned, observe from a distance and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for advice.
Scammers placing fake items on online retail sites, says BBB (UNDATED)
Watch out for fake products on websites like Walmart and Amazon. Lisa Schiller with the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin says items listed on those sites can be from third parties, who simply pay to get an item listed. “Always look out for the too good to be true prices.” Poorly worded or misspelled item listings could be a sign of a scammer, as can AI generated pictures and text. If you hit purchase on that item, the fake company or item might simply vanish a few days later and you’ll never get a delivery. Be sure to dispute the purchase with the retailer, so you’re not out the money you spent.
Iowa woman killed in UTV rollover (LAFAYETTE COUNTY)
A fatal UTV crash in southwestern Wisconsin. Lafayette County Sheriff Reg Gill said that a UTV passenger from Bellevue, Iowa died Tuesday morning from injuries after being airlifted to a hospital Monday night. Deputies reported that the operator, a 22-year-old woman from Dubuque lost control, causing the UTV to roll. She and the 23-year-old passenger were thrown from the vehicle. The driver and two boys who were reportedly not wearing helmets, were taken by ambulance to a Monroe hospital for their injuries. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, failure to use seatbelts or wear helmets are the primary causes of Wisconsin’s 29 ATV/UTV crash fatalities so far this year. Of those, 15 were rollovers.