WCFW Wednesday News Roundup

Transcript

WCFW Wednesday News Roundup

WCFW News · Wed Jun 17, 2026

Kathryn Lake

This is your WCFW Daily News Roundup for 105-7 CFW in Chippewa Falls and 93-5 The Tap in Eau Claire.

James Kelly

For 105-7 CFW News, I'm James Kelly.

Congressman Derek Van Orden continued to host a string of high-profile Republican visitors to the Chippewa Valley this week.

According to a WEAU report, Congressman Van Orden visited Chippewa Valley Technical College, Loopy's Grill and Saloon in Chippewa Falls, and McDonough Manufacturing in Eau Claire on Monday with U.S.

Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler and Acting Secretary for the U.S.

Department of Labor Keith Sonderling.

The visits focused on the no tax on tips and no tax on overtime provisions of the one big beautiful bill.

The competitive third congressional district has also seen recent visits from President Donald Trump, U.S.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

and U.S.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins ahead of the midterm elections.

Last week, Congressman Van Orden also spoke with employees at the Menards Distribution Center with fellow Republican Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio.

Democratic challengers Rebecca Cook and Emily Berge will face off in the August primary with the winner challenging the incumbent Congressman Van Orden in November.

One person was killed and another taken into custody in connection to a house fire in Altoona this week.

According to the Altoona Police Department, crews responded to the fire on Skyview Drive in Altoona at around 9.30 AM on Monday.

They spent over 10 hours at the scene of the fire and recovered a deceased individual from the home.

The exact cause of death has not yet been officially announced, pending an autopsy.

Another individual was taken into custody on an arson-related charge.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the individuals involved.

Attorney General Josh Call and the Wisconsin Department of Justice have announced Wisconsin will join another multi-state lawsuit against actions taken by the Trump administration.

According to a press release, the coalition is challenging an executive order signed in March that directed federal agencies to adopt new contract terms prohibiting federal contractors from engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion activities.

The lawsuit argues the executive order violated the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to provide adequate notice to the public or accept public comments.

At 1057 CFW News, I'm James Kelly.

For Civic Media News, I'm Connie Feldman.

A new report is suggesting use of force by Madison police led to a man's death in 2024.

The department's interim independent police monitor released findings from the encounter this week after the man's mother had filed the complaint.

The report found 32-year-old Richard Johnson's death was caused by, quote, restraint, cardiac arrest, and not an overdose of drugs as reported by the medical examiner.

The report noted details being left out of the police report by officers who were involved with the incustody death.

Three men connected to Donald Trump's 2020 campaign are now pleading not guilty in the Wisconsin fake elector case.

Attorney Jim Trupas, along with Kenneth Cheesebro and Michael Roman, entered those pleas yesterday to 11 felony counts.

The judge also laid out the timetable for motions that could shift the trial out of Dane County and challenge one of the charges.

Fewer students, but more staff, could mean higher costs for Wisconsin schools and possibly more local referendums.

A Wisconsin State Journal report shows statewide student enrollment is down more than 9 percent, while overall staffing is up about 7 percent.

Much of that growth is in support roles like aides and paraprofessionals.

That's said to be driven by rising mental health needs, more students with disabilities, and more English learners.

Analysts say the trend could put pressure on school budgets as enrollment keeps falling.

More support is on the way for Wisconsin's meat processors with new state grants aimed at helping local businesses grow and modernize.

The Department of Agriculture says 18 processors will share $700,000 through the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Program.

The funding will help companies upgrade equipment, expand facilities, and increase production.

State leaders say the goal is to strengthen the food supply chain and support farmers across Wisconsin.

Three men connected to Donald Trump's 2020 campaign are now pleading not guilty in the Wisconsin fake-elector case.

Attorney Jim Trupas, along with Kenneth Cheesebro and Michael Roman, entered those pleas yesterday to 11 felony counts.

The judge also laid out the timetable for motions that could shift the trial out of Dane County and challenge one of the charges.

Trupas says the county's politics and heavy publicity make a fair trial unlikely, while prosecutors have not agreed with that view.

A legal battle over voter information in Wisconsin could move fast as federal officials ask for an expedited appeal.

The Justice Department wants access to detailed voter records, saying it's needed to ensure election security.

A federal judge previously blocked that request, siding with concerns about privacy and state control.

Advocacy groups are also opposing the move.

The appeals court is now weighing whether to fast-track the case ahead of the state's primary.

A new statewide housing plan aims to make it easier to build affordable homes in Wisconsin.

Governor Tony Evers and housing officials say the update boosts tax credit amounts, adjusts funding rules, and encourages projects across more areas.

The program helps developers by offering tax breaks in exchange for setting aside units for lower income renters.

Leaders say more than 61,000 units have been built or improved through similar efforts over the years.

They say the changes are meant to keep up with rising costs and growing demand.

Strawberry season has begun amid another year of challenging weather.

Farmers say late spring frosts and recent rainfall threatened crops statewide, with some reporting damage from winter injury and other related issues.

Despite the challenges, farms are welcoming customers for strawberry picking and fresh berry sales.

Growers are also encouraging residents to support local farms, as they hope for a harvest season lasting closer to the typical two to three weeks.

And that's your state update.

I'm Connie Feldman for Civic Media News.

Yeah.

Mike Clemens

Cooper Pratt makes his debut.

Hi, I'm Mike Clemens with Sports Baseball.

21-year-old Cooper Pratt got his first start last night at shortstop as the Brewers beat the Guardians 2 to 1 at Amfam Field.

He made contact but went 0 for 3.

Made a couple of plays in the field.

I asked him what was his first game in the big leagues like.

It was exciting.

I mean obviously I didn't get my first knock or anything like that but we won.

Vibes were fantastic.

Hart was rushing the first at bat and the first time I ran out there but it was it was surreal and especially when McGill came in.

all the lights

flicked off.

That was pretty cool.

Brewers pitcher Robert Gasser on Pratt.

He's my locker mate in Nashville so got to know him very well there and I'm just really excited for him.

He's a great player and a great person so and I was going to contribute to this team.

Mike Clemens

NFL in Green Bay rookie defensive lineman denied Dennis Sutton on what's the Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon like.

Yeah I'm a big fan

of

Mike Clemens

JG.

I like his energy when it comes to this like he's purposeful and everything he does.

That's the Packers denied Dennis Sutton with sports on Mike Clemens.

Hi,

Kory Hartman

I'm Peter Rollins.

Just Brandon Bormins.

You'd be wise to keep an umbrella on you today as showers will be persistent, perhaps a thunderstorm or two as well.

Cool, too, highs only in the mid-sixties.

Showers to gradually taper off as night goes on tonight, lows in the lower fifties.

Currently, it's 55 degrees.

Kathryn Lake

That's your WCFW and the TAP Daily News Roundup from Civic Media.

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Find more news at wcfw.fm or thetap.fm.