This is your WCQM Daily News Roundup for 98Q Country 98.3 FM and Trail Mix 103.1 FM and 980 AM WPFD and Dark Falls.
Now a look at Northwood's news, I'm Maddie Schaeffer. A bipartisan tax and school funding package in Wisconsin has
stalled after failing to pass the state senate. The proposal negotiated by Governor Tony Evers and Republican
legislative leaders had already passed the assembly but was voted down in the Senate Tuesday night on a 15-18 vote before the special session ended.
The plan included tax breaks for workers, property tax relief, and additional funding for K-12 schools.
Earlier this week, some Northern Wisconsin lawmakers raised concerns about the proposal.
State Representative Angela Stroud argued the package did not go far enough to help rural school districts and working families.
Saying many lower income residents and retirees would see little benefit from the rebate checks.
Following the Senate vote, Governor Evers criticized lawmakers from both parties, accusing them of putting politics ahead of people.
He also warned the failure of the bill means no new school funding will be approved this year.
It remains unclear what the next step will be as state leaders consider other options.
The Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation has launched a new public education initiative called Wisconsin Futures.
The effort includes a new website and statewide billboard campaign aimed at helping people better understand how policy decisions affect everyday life in rural communities and across Wisconsin.
The website, WisconsinFutures.com brings together issue explainers, data, and personal stories from Wisconsinites.
Organizers say the goal is to show how decisions made at the state and federal level can affect farm income, household budgets, local services, utility bills, and health care access.
The initiative comes as many farmers and rural communities are facing higher costs, uncertain markets, and tighter budgets.
Foundation President Darren Von Rudens says the project is meant to help residents connect challenges in their communities to broader policy decisions and encourage more public involvement in discussions about rural Wisconsin's future.
You can learn more at WisconsinFutures.com. For Northwoods News, I'm Maddie Schaefer.
With civic media news, I'm Terry Miller.
The top Democrat in the assembly says she's opposed to a $1.8 billion tax and school funding deal because she thinks it could create budget problems for Wisconsin.
Assembly Democratic leader Greta Newbauer said the plan would use too much of the state's tax player surplus and could lead to cuts to schools or health care later.
The proposal included tax rebates and breaks on tips and overtime pay.
Supporters, including Governor Tony Evers and some Democratic and Republican lawmakers, said it would have provided needed tax relief.
The plan passed the assembly but failed in the Senate.
A man whose job it was to guard prisoners in Wisconsin now heads to federal prison himself for sexually exploiting a child overseas.
44-year-old Bradley Hounsel from Oshkosh was sentenced to 13 years behind bars for paying to get child sexual abuse videos and images from the Philippines.
Evidence was found on his phone after investigators searched his home. He will also face seven years of supervised release.
Hounsel was employed as a correctional officer with the Department of Corrections prior to his arrest.
And the Badger State is not among the best places to be a nurse.
That's according to a recent study by WalletHub which ranked all 50 states for some of society's most unsung heroes.
The study compiled a list of the best places to be a nurse by looking at job openings, salaries, the quality of nursing homes and more.
Wisconsin was ranked 29th overall on the list and was ranked in the middle of the road for opportunity and work environment.
In case you are wondering, main top the list.
More news can be found at civicmedia.us
It's the Brewers and the Twins.
Hi, I'm Mike Clemens with Sports Baseball.
The twins host the Milwaukee Brewers tonight in Minnesota.
The Brewers coming off a series win over the Padres.
They beat San Diego yesterday, 7-1.
Thanks to five strong innings pitched by Kyle Harrison, Luis Renhefro, with three runs batted in for the crew.
I asked him how he's feeling batting sixth in the order.
Not first good, first good, you know.
Go there, stay in the process and see every piece and hit the ball.
So it feels good.
And Renhefro making big plays at third base, manager Pat Murphy.
Yeah, that defensive play was a huge play and then he's been swinging the bat.
Probably four or five games now.
He's really swinging the bat well.
So really pleased to him.
Vaughn is swinging a good.
Those two guys today made a huge difference.
Football, the NFL schedules are out.
The Packers kick off the season in Minnesota against the Vikings.
And they played the Bears in Chicago on Christmas Day with sports on Mike Clemens.
Sonny and a little breezy today with a high in the low to mid 80s this afternoon.
Tonight mostly clear will drop down into the low to mid 50s
tomorrow will be sunny with a high right around 81.
I'm meteorologist Sean Cable.
