Dove Foundation Transitioning and More Local and State News

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – There will be changes coming to the Alex C. Dove Foundation. This is the non-profit that supports the Dove’s Nest, a lake-side cabin near Nekoosa that offers respite retreat to families struggling with cancer. The family has announced the Dove’s Nest will close at the end of 2024. They are thankful for the community support, donors, and volunteers that enabled them to host 65 families at the Dove’s Nest since 2019. 

The demands and challenges in managing this nonprofit are unsustainable for the family. They will transition the Alex C. Dove Foundation into a scholarship fund to honor and memorialize Alex. It will be designated to help those who need financial assistance to pursue educational opportunities consistent with Alex’s interests. The scholarship program will be managed by Incourage Community Foundation. They will continue to host families at Dove’s Nest until the end of this year.

Us, Them – Reader’s Theatre

There’s a free show in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday. A new one-act play written by Mike Edgren will be performed in the Lois Cantin Studio Theatre inside the Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre. Mike Edgren and Ken Pelo will present Us, Them as a staged reader’s theatre. This is a short play about 2 old geezers in their twilight years who spend their time sitting on a porch drinking beer, passing the time, and chatting. You can swing by and join them in the Lois Cantin Studio Theatre at 7 PM on Saturday, November 9th.

Free Jazz Concert

There’s a free concert this Sunday in Stevens Point. You can attend the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble at the Noel Fine Arts Center on November 10th at 3PM. The Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble performs a variety of styles, ranging from traditional big band jazz to bebop, swing, and modern jazz. At one of their concerts you are just as likely to hear the music of contemporary composers as you would the classic sounds of Count Basie or Glenn Miller. You will need a ticket for entrance, but tickets are free.

All You Can Eat Spaghetti

The Veterans Day Spaghetti Dinner is on Sunday at VFW Post 2534. It’s $12-dollars for an all you can eat spaghetti dinner with all the fixings. They have spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce, Italian bread with garlic butter, salad, and assorted desserts. They’ll also have milk and coffee and a cash bar with soda, beer, and wine available. It’s from 4:30 to 7:00 PM on Sunday, November 10th.

STATE NEWS

Drought Conditions are Improving

Just last week, the entire state was in a drought. Things are changing with the recent rain. Improvements have been made, mainly stretching from Richland Center and LaCrosse, northeast through central Wisconsin, into the Fox Valley and up north towards Rhinelander. 47% of the state was soaked out of drought conditions over the past week and now these areas sit abnormally dry. Areas of concern are still focused far north, where 14% of the state is in a severe drought condition. And that’s also starting to creep in from the south, towards Beloit and Janesville. But 41% of Wisconsin still remains in a moderate drought.

So we need the rain rolling in this weekend. Even though it’s expected to be light. Every drop counts. A heavier hitting system takes aim mid-week next week, which should help. Plus, election Tuesday’s rainfall wasn’t taken into count for this update. -By: Meteorologist Brittney Merlot

Flags at Half-Staff for Former Rep. Brostoff

Flags are flying at half-staff today in honor of Milwaukee Alderman and former Wisconsin State Representative Jonathan Brostoff who died on Monday, November 4th. Governor Evers said, “Jonathan’s passing is a tragedy to all who knew him and for the many whose lives have been bettered because of his service and advocacy. As a legislator, Jonathan was always eager to seek the good in others, always working in earnest to bridge divides and bring people together of different backgrounds and perspectives.” Jonathan is survived by his wife Diana and their four young children. Services will be held today in Milwaukee.

Possible School Shooting Prevented

A 13-year-old student was arrested in Kenosha yesterday after attempting to bring a rifle into Roosevelt Elementary School.  Police are crediting school staff for preventing a potential tragedy. Kenosha Unified School District Superintendent Jeffrey Weiss talked about the kid dressed in black, carrying a black bag. 

Weiss stated in a press conference, “This individual came around to the front door. Buzzed the office to be let in and there are two doors, when I talk about a secured entrance. Our staff were able to see that this individual looked nervous and suspicious. They confronted that individual. The individual got nervous and fled the building.”

The suspect was arrested later in the afternoon following a community-wide search and holds at all county schools. State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly released a statement saying she’s thankful for school staff in Kenosha for preventing a young person with a firearm from entering the building. -By: Stuart J. Wattles

Two Leinenkugel Operations to Close

Molson Coors is hopping out of Chippewa Falls. 56 workers will be laid off starting in mid-January. The company yesterday announced the closure of two Leinenkugel brewery operations, including the historic Chippewa Falls facility and the 10th street brewery in Milwaukee. They’ll be consolidating that work at their state street brewery in Milwaukee and 34 workers will be laid off. The company is assuring that the change, set to take effect in January, will not impact the beer supply. The company does say they’ll continue to operate the Leines Lodge and the tourist elements of Chippewa Falls operation. -By: Stuart J. Wattles

Wisconsin’s New Maps Effect Election

The new legislative maps allowed Wisconsin Democrats to gain some ground in the state legislature. They flipped at least 10 seats in the Assembly. Although Republicans still have the upper hand, this quashes their supermajority. Democrats believe this puts them in a better position to gain chamber control in 2026.

UW-Green Bay political scientist David Helpap says this lays the groundwork for changes in future policy proposals. Helpap states, “As districts become more competitive, it makes it more difficult for those who are elected officials in those districts to really propose policies that are too far left or right of center, simply because they know they’re going to have to answer to voters that are more ‘center’ than they used to be.”

Helpap says the new legislative maps leveled the playing field for legislators in a way that Wisconsin hasn’t seen in more than a decade. That made it possible for Democrats to pick up key seats in districts covering the northern Milwaukee suburbs, the north side of Madison, as well as Richland and Sauk counties, the Green Bay area and much of the Fox Cities. -By: Savanna Tomei-Olson

Tammy Baldwin Wins Re-election

Tammy Baldwin delivered her victory speech in Madison, pledging to work with President-elect Donald Trump during her third term in the Senate. 

Baldwin stated, “We deserve a politics with less vitriol, less division, less hatred and fewer lies. Actually, no lies. Because it’s time that we come together and tackle the problems that are actually facing working people and communities across our state, it’s time that we put the politics of division behind us.” 

Baldwin defeated bank owner and Republican Eric Hovde in her re-election bid for US Senator by just under 29 thousand votes or a margin of 0.9 percent. -By: Lisa Hale