Teen to be arraigned in Lily Peters murder (Chippewa Falls)
A teen suspected of killing Lily Peters in Chippewa Falls is scheduled to enter a plea on Tuesday. The 16-year-old, known so far by the initials C P B, is scheduled for arraignment at 11:30 AM for one count of intentional homicide and sexual assault against a child under the age of 13. The boy is accused of killing peters as he was escorting her home from her aunt’s house, then hiding her body along a river. Officers say he’s admitted to the crime, saying he wanted to know what it would feel like to take a life- adding that he tried to hide her body better after he learned police were looking for her. The case is being tried in adult court despite his legal team’s efforts to move the case to the juvenile system, meaning his name will eventually be released. It’s unclear if that will happen during today’s hearing.
US Supreme Court declines to hear parental challenge to Eau Claire school LGTBQ support policy (WASHINGTON, D.C.)
A challenge to a Wisconsin school district’s policy on transgender and gay students has been rejected by the US Supreme Court. Parents in Eau Claire objected to a new school policy allowing students to discuss and change their gender identity with teachers and staff without involving parents. District officials instituted the policy to help students discuss their worries about their identity without outting them to their parents or guardians. Parents claimed the policy violated their religious freedoms and parental rights, but multiple courts, including a federal appellate court, all rejected the complaints because no parent could prove any direct harm caused by the policy.
Wisconsin to receive $10 million in federal student mental health grants (UNDATED)
Wisconsin’s schools are receiving more federal aid for mental health support. The Department of Public Instruction announced Monday the state will get 10 million dollars over the next 5 years to improve counseling services for students. State superintendent Dr. Jill Underly says that money will go towards hiring and retaining counselors and social workers. D P I was one of just 22 agencies in the country to get funding under the new round of grants.
AT&T to phase out landline phone network (UNDATED)
A T and T is phasing out landline phones in Wisconsin. Over the next 5 years, the company will move all landlines to newer digital services. Specifically, landlines mean phones that still connect directly by wire to the phone network, not ones that run off wireless connections or from home internet routers. Company officials say it’s too expensive to maintain the copper network, and only 5 percent of homes and businesses in the country still use landlines.
Sierra Club critical of decision on coal fired power plant (COLUMBIA COUNTY)
Environmental advocates are critical of utilities’ decision to delay retirement of a coal fired power plant. In a statement, Sierra Club Wisconsin Senior Campaign Coordinator Cassie Steiner expressed outrage that Alliant Energy, Madison Gas and Electric and Wisconsin Public Service “have once again kicked the can” on shutting down the Columbia Energy Center located near Portage in Columbia County. She also expressed exasperation that the utilities are considering converting the plant to run on natural gas. After previously delaying its closure planned for this year, the utilities last week announced that retirement of the coal plant is being pushed back from 2026 to 2029. The utilities say doing so “provides the companies time to explore” converting one of the energy center’s units to natural gas before 2029.
Evers says he’ll veto budget that sends state worker back to office (MADISON)
Governor Tony Evers says he’ll veto any budget that requires state workers to return to office. Assembly Speaker Robin claimed on WISN’s ‘UpFront’ last month that “a lot of employees aren’t working, or they’re working only from home and not doing it very well with little supervision.” Also on ‘UpFront’ Evers said his administration wants the best people possible working for the state, and sometimes that will mean that they will work from home, part-time or full-time. Evers said it’s working fine, and that state employees can work from home or work from an office that’s remote from Madison.
Make sure you’re reducing waste this holiday season (UNDATED)
There’s plenty of ways to reduce waste this holiday season. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Waste Reduction Coordinator Jennifer Semrau says you need to take batteries and electronics such as tablets, laptops, computers and cell phones should never go in curbside recycling bins. Semrau says containers made of steel, aluminum, glass and plastics one and two, as well as cardboard newspaper magazines, office paper and other papers can be recycled in your bin. Semrau says string lights shouldn’t be recycled, as they can damage recycling equipment. A full list of what can and can’t be recycled can be found on the DNR’s website.