Rep. Tiffany escapes Saturday night plane crash with minor injuries (WAUSAU)
Congressman Tom Tiffany says he is fortunate to be alive after surviving a plane crash on Lake Wausau Saturday night. The Republican candidate for governor was flying back to Wausau with Langlade County GOP chairman Leonard Boltz when his Beachcraft K-35 lost power while descending into the downtown Wausau airport. Tiffany and Boltz were able to crawl out of the plane and then swim to a shallow portion of the lake where they were rescued. Both men escaped with minor injuries.
New college students should keep close eye on credit, says BBB (UNDATED)
New college students need to keep a close eye on their credit. Wisconsin Better Business Bureau spokesperson Lisa Schiller says a good rule of thumb for young adults is to always check their credit card statements. If you see a number of small purchases you don’t recognize, report them immediately. Those small withdrawals could be a sign of someone trying to use your credit card to check if it works. Schiller says you should also get your annual credit report for free at Annual Credit Report dot Com.
Stevens Point mayor on covered Flock Safety cameras (STEVENS POINT)
A Central Wisconsin mayor says the decision to cover Flock Safety cameras was not easy, noting the benefits from their use. However Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza (WEE-za) says trust in the company has eroded on many levels after reports that the camera data and other information was either sold or packed into unrelated requests from outside agencies. Wiza says the city’s Flock cameras are covered under an executive order and further action to cut ties with the company would have to come from either the city council or police and fire commission. Many local governments had dropped Flock contracts even before Sheboygan announced that company representatives attempted to sell traffic data to the city’s development office.
Wisconsin is suing over new endangered species rules (UNDATED)
The Wisconsin Department of Justice has joined a coalition of states in two lawsuits challenging Trump administration changes to the Endangered Species Act. The suits target new federal rules that make it easier to alter or develop habitat used by threatened and endangered wildlife. State attorneys general argue the changes weaken long-standing protections and could speed the decline of vulnerable species. Wisconsin officials say habitat loss is already the leading cause of species decline and note the state is home to 233 endangered or threatened plants and animals.
Archery hunting seasons in Wisconsin underway (UNDATED)
Wisconsin archery deer hunters may want to focus on food sources as the season gets underway. DNR Interim Deer Specialist Derek Johnson says red oak acorn production looks strong across much of the state, making food sources a key factor in early season deer movement. Hunters are also encouraged to monitor local water conditions, especially in drier areas. Meanwhile, the DNR reminds hunters that baiting and feeding restrictions remain in place to help slow the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease. Reporting natural resource violations can be done confidentially through the state’s 24-hour TIP-WDNR hotline.