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Wisconsin’s unemployment rate fell to a record low of 2.8 percent in December. A bipartisan bill would authorize borrowing $42 million to build a new juvenile prison near Milwaukee. And Minocqua celebrates Kevin Bolger’s Olympic debut.

The League of Women Voters of the Northwoods releases its 411 voter guides for local races in the April 5 election. Then, Enbridge’s Line 5 relocation plan could involve a drilling method likely to release toxic chemicals into surrounding waters. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul sues Johnson Controls and Tyco Fire Products over PFAS pollution in northeastern Wisconsin. Finally, it’s equal pay day, the date that symbolizes how far into the year women need to work to earn what men earned the previous year.

Governor Tony Evers announced a $50 million investment in the state’s criminal justice system yesterday, including about $270 thousand for Wausau and Marathon County. Then, the Oneida County Board passed a resolution during yesterday’s meeting to express support for maintaining the state’s wolf population at 350 animals. Next, Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is meeting with advocates for decertifying President Joe Biden’s win in Wisconsin. Finally, a Ukrainian in Ironwood is making jewelry to support the people fleeing her hometown.

As spring elections approach, Wausau’s mayor reminds voters drop boxes will not be available due to a recent court order. Students and staff at the Wabeno Area School District raise resources and awareness for Ukraine, in support of a family with loved ones in the country. Wisconsin cities move to provide bottled water and filters for residents impacted by PFAS-contaminated wells. Finally, snowmobile trails across the area close for the season.

A candidate for Oneida County board has requested a recount, after the tie race was decided by a coin toss. Another Republican from the Wisconsin Assembly has decided to retire, bringing the total number of Republicans leaving the body to 11. The Salvation Army is hosting an open house to teach people how to prepare for disasters. And the DNR is hosting a “Be Bear Aware” webinar to teach people how to avoid conflicts with bears.

Hundreds of geographic features and landmarks in the United States will soon have new names, including 28 sites in Wisconsin, because they currently hold the name of a derogatory term for indigenous women. Local women react to that change. Then, with the toss of a coin, Collette Sorgel wins Oneida County District 13 seat. And after a court order, Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos handed over more than 10,000 emails related to the partisan review of the state’s 2020 elections to the independent watchdog group American Oversight.

Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff now offers urgent care. It’s one of the first major changes to the hospital since it was acquired by Aspirus last year. Next, some education leaders and medical experts are urging parents to take a more active role in monitoring their kids' mental well-being, which includes their use of social media. Finally, air travel is slowly recovering since the pandemic. Of the eight passenger airports that offer commercial air service in Wisconsin, the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport has seen passenger numbers rebound most since 2020.

About 150 people demonstrated in support of abortion in Minocqua yesterday. Their voices joined a chorus of protesters nationwide for a day of action dubbed Bans Off Our Bodies. Then, COVID cases are on the rise again. This week, most counties in the region moved from the low to medium community level. Finally, a proposed reroute of Enbridge, Inc.'s Line 5 gas pipeline in northern Wisconsin was designed to circumnavigate tribal territory. But critics believe the reroute still poses risks to traditional Ojibwe agriculture.

The Hodag Heritage Festival is underway with events including a trivia scavenger hunt, history tour and celebration at Pioneer Park. Then, COVID cases are once again rising in Wisconsin. More than 1 million people have died from the virus in the U.S. Finally, tribal and environmental advocates are calling on the Army Corps of Engineers to reject permits to expand the Line 5 pipeline, a year after the timeline Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered it shut down.

In this week’s All Things Outdoors, WXPR’s Katie Thoresen talks with Wisconsin DNR Conservation Warden Heath Hampton about sticking to the appropriate trails.