News

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin's jobless rate sits at 12% in the economic fallout caused by COVID-19. Health insurance gaps are expected, including for families with young children, and some worry they're not seeking enough help.

Analysts say Wisconsin has a higher than average reliance on employer-sponsored health coverage, but an estimated 260,000 people have lost theirs.

The importance of wearing a mask during the COVID-19 has been a topic of debate, but some area health officials say it is necessary.

"We do have cases of COVID-19 where people do not have symptoms, so if we are able to contain those respiratory droplets and not have the asymptomatic person spread the disease, that can help slow the curve, " said Judy Burrows with the Marathon County Health Department.

A few months ago experts left the responsibility of mask wearing to certain people, like health care workers, now Burrows said it is a different story.

A surge in ATV/UTV activity in Vilas County starting last May also saw a surge in complaints to the Vilas County Sheriff's office according to a report this week from deputy Jason Molle, recreation resource officer, to the county law enforcement committee.

“There's been a drastic uptick in ATV complaints and I believe this shows a heavy increase in ATV traffic,” Molle said. “In all of 2019 we had 43 ATV complaints and so far this year we've had 50. I did 101 hours of ATV patrol and gave out 11 citations and 27 written warnings.”

Victims have lost more than $46 million from coronavirus-related scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Often, the scams take the form of phishing emails, texts, or robocalls.

“One thing that we are seeing a lot is that they are offering these fake offers for cures and home testing kits,” said Courtney Anclam, a Senior Program Specialist for AARP. “They will send text messages [and] emails. They’ll call and say, ‘you can have this testing kit or cure, and all you have to do is send them a ton of money.”

The DNR has reversed course and will allow In-person hunter and recreational vehicle education classes to resume July 13 under a set of guidelines and safety protocols.

Those guidelines were released Friday by DNR under Phase II of the state Bounce Back Plan.

MADISON, Wis. -- Parents and educators face uncertainty over the potential reopening of school buildings closed because of the pandemic. Wisconsin officials provided some clarity Monday, but one group wonders if districts are equipped to welcome students back.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction released guidelines that include several scenarios. One is a four-day week so buildings can undergo deep cleaning on the fifth day. There are also two-day rotations, with more distance learning mixed in.

The COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 4th Annual Northwoods Pride Festival at Nicolet College in Rhinelander, which was to be held (Saturday).

But the Rainbow Hodags, a Nicolet student group, now plan to host a virtual event on July 18.

The webinar will be called “Transgender Talk.”

Specific times and the webinar link will be released soon on the Rainbow Hodags Facebook page.

A Vilas County woman is dong her part to make her community - and the Badger State - a more welcoming place.

Chelsea Romaker is selling yard signs at-cost (and giving them away to people who can't afford the small fee), which say 'Hate has no home here.'

Romaker says she wanted to support nation-wide protests against racism and police brutality.

She says she wants to use what's going on across the country as a call to action for her kids.