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Is The Northwoods Loon Population In Danger? One Researcher Says Yes

A biologist's research on area lakes has questioned the future of loon populations if current trends continue. Dr. Walter Piper, a professor of biology at Chapman University in California has studied loons on 120 lakes here for more than 25 years. Ken Krall spoke with Dr. Piper about his research.... Dr. Walter Piper speaking with Ken Krall. Not everyone following loons agrees with Dr. Piper's results. In a Milaukee Journal Sentinel story, other researchers say the loon populations are stable...

Task Force On Violence Against Native Women Stalled In Madison

One Dead In Snowmobile Crash Near Hurley

WXPR News: Monday, January 20, 2020

By John Burton • 4 hours ago

Researcher Concerned About Future Of Loon Populations
Bills For Task Force On Missing And Murdered Tribal Women Stuck In Committee
Senator Wants State To Do Blood Testing For PFAS compounds
Woman Killed In Snowmobile Crash Near Hurley

Absentee Voters Could See Two Ballots In The 7th Congressional District

By WAOW Television Amanda Lojewski • 10 hours ago

2020 will be a busy election year in the Badger State and things could be different for absentee voters for the 7th Congressional District.

Voters who request an absentee ballot for the 7th Congressional District before January 27 could potentially receive two ballots: ballot 'A' and ballot 'B'. If an absentee voter makes a request after that date they will only receive ballot 'B'.

The difference: Ballot 'A' only has the 7th congressional race on it. Ballot 'B' has all contests for the 2020 Spring Primary including the 7th Congressional District race.

One Dead In Snowmobile Crash Near Hurley

By john Burton • 10 hours ago

A woman died after a snowmobile crash near Hurley over the weekend.

The Iron County Sheriff’s Office says a call came in at 1:52 a.m. Sunday morning that a snowmobile had gone off the trail and the rider was unresponsive. It happened on Trail 17 just outside of Hurley.

Life saving measures were begun when emergency responders got to the scene several hundred yards south of Silver Street in Hurley.

The patient was brought to an ambulance using a rescue sled, and then taken to a hospital in Ironwood. The woman was later pronounced dead at age 47.

Task Force On Violence Against Native Women Stalled In Madison

By Ken Krall • 14 hours ago

Last October, bills were introduced in the legislature to create a task force on missing and murdered tribal women and girls, to be comprised of a majority of tribal individuals close to the issue.

Democratic State Senator Janet Bewley, and Assembly Democrats Beth Meyers and Amanda Stuck were joined by Republican Representative Jeff Mursau in sponsoring the bills.

Is The Northwoods Loon Population In Danger? One Researcher Says Yes

By Ken Krall • 14 hours ago

A biologist's research on area lakes has questioned the future of loon populations if current trends continue.

Dr. Walter Piper, a professor of biology at Chapman University in California has studied loons on 120 lakes here for more than 25 years. Ken Krall spoke with Dr. Piper about his research....

Dr. Walter Piper speaking with Ken Krall.

Not everyone following loons agrees with Dr. Piper's results. In a Milaukee Journal Sentinel story, other researchers say the loon populations are stable. One researcher said it could be a local issue. Others blamed predators.

WXPR News: Friday, January 17, 2020

By Ken Krall • Jan 17, 2020

An incident in Eagle River Friday morning brings police to ask the public to stay away,
One person is dead in Wausau after an officer-involved shooting,
The annual Woman's March happens in Minocqua Saturday regardless of weather,
The snow and ice could cause big problems for people with natural gas meters.

Three Arrests In Eagle River Meth Bust

By Ken Krall • Jan 17, 2020

Three persons are in custody after a drug bust Friday morning in Eagle River.

Eagle River Police, Vilas County Sheriff's Department, the regional drug task force NORDEG and a state drug lab unit executed a search warrant at 916 East Pine St about 9:00 a.m.

The unidentified persons were arrested for alleged manufacture of methamphetamine.

Because of the volitility of the chemicals used to make meth, safety precautions were put in place to protect the public.

Clean-Water Advocates Encouraged by State-Level Activity

By Mike Moen Wisconsin News Connection • Jan 17, 2020

MADISON, Wis. -- More states might make clean water a priority in 2020, and Wisconsin is among them as lawmakers seek to protect residents from harmful chemicals and other contaminants.

A group of state lawmakers say they plan to seek approval of legislation that would invest millions of dollars in programs to help ensure Wisconsin has clean drinking water. The bipartisan panel made the announcement after gathering information in 2019.

Women's March Set For Saturday Regardless Of Weather

By Ken Krall • Jan 17, 2020

Saturday is the fourth-annual Women's March at various locations across the country. In the Northwoods, organizers say they will join the march regardless of weather.

The march began after the election of Donald Trump to the presidency, to protest what they feel is Trump's poor treatment of women. Tara Woolpy of the group Northwoods Progressives is a local march organizer...