This is your WCQM Daily News Roundup for 98Q Country 98.3 FM and Trail Mix 103.1 FM and 980 AM WPFP in Park Falls.
Now a look at Northwoods News, I'm Maddie Schaefer.
Drought conditions have reached their most severe level in parts of northern Wisconsin.
As of Thursday, parts of Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron and Sawyer counties are experiencing exceptional drought, the most severe category according to the U.S.
Drought Monitor.
Much of the surrounding area is also an extreme drought, the second highest category.
James Yock, Secretary's Director for the West Central Region with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, says the main reason is a lack of
rain.
it has not had significant rainfall events for several weeks at the minimum, probably eight to 10 weeks, which is the driver for these.
low water levels and you that we're seeing.
Altho fall aren't unusual in W what's different this the more serious drought and how long they've last levels noticeably lower of northern Wisconsin.
Yoke reservoirs like flowag in water levels during pr however, some of the bigg rivers and streams
and prob
impacted bodies.
Water are rivers and streams, you know, because with these reduced flow, sometimes in some areas it's been really significant and there has been.
pretty significant reports of stranding of muscles and fish and those type of things.
He says significant rainfall could improve conditions, but average fall rainfall likely wouldn't be enough to make up the current deficit.
Going over the winter, we're going to be monitoring it closely too because we do have what's gearing up to be a fairly strong El Nino winter.
which could strain the conditions even more come spring.
The DNR is also reminding people to use caution around low water levels, which can expose new hazards for boaters.
The agency is also reminding people to stay off exposed lake and stream beds.
Driving motor vehicles on them is illegal and can damage habitat.
For Northwood's News, I'm Maddie Schaefer.
For Civic Media News, I'm Connie Feldman.
A 29-year-old Wisconsin state trooper has died after trying to stop a high-speed chase on I-94.
Authorities say trooper Bradley Rittger fell from a bridge near the Dunn County and Eau Claire County line last month.
Rittger had just put out stop sticks and was moving to a safe vantage point when he fell several feet onto the road below.
Rittger suffered critical injuries and later died despite life-saving efforts and critical medical care.
Trooper Rittger served with the Wisconsin State Patrol for nearly five years, primarily in the
Dunn County area.
A 16-year-old is facing a first-degree intentional homicide charge in connection with a deadly summer shooting in Green Bay.
Authorities accuse Aurelius Cornelius of fatally shooting 18-year-old Emerald Metoxin during a gathering in June.
A 17-year-old boy was also shot but survived.
Cornelius was 15 at the time and was arrested in Milwaukee on an unrelated matter weeks later.
He was charged this week in Brown County Adult Court and faces life in prison if convicted.
New education data shows Wisconsin students are showing minor progress, but a significant disparity still remains between black and white students.
Statewide, nearly half of public school students met or exceeded proficiency standards in English language arts and math on the latest state assessments.
Reading proficiency increased across all tested grades compared to last year in the proficiency gap between black and white students also narrowed slightly, but is still one of the largest education gaps in the country.
State Superintendent Dr. Jill Ireland praised the steady progress while noting, more work remains to support students and educators statewide.
UW-Madison's annual Fill the Hill Flamingo fundraiser is celebrating a record year.
University officials say the homecoming fundraiser, which puts a pink flamingo on Bascom Hill for every donation, has totaled more than $845,000.
It's a Victory Monday all across Wisconsin, with the Packers coming out on top in Tampa Bay yesterday and the Brewers besting the San Diego Padres for a 2-0 NL Division Series lead.
That puts Milwaukee just one win away from a second straight NL Championship Series appearance as the Brew Crew chases their first World Series title.
And now Wisconsin-based Bucks fans will have a new way to watch the team this season through a subscription service called Bucks Plus.
The service costs just under $20 a month or about $100 for the full season and is available through the NBA app and the Bucks website.
It'll show locally televised games, although nationally exclusive games will not be included.
Bucks Plus starts tonight with Milwaukee's preseason game against Minnesota.
Drivers throughout northeast Wisconsin should prepare for upcoming road work beginning today.
The State Department of Transportation is planning multiple maintenance projects this week, featuring bridge inspections along interstates 41 and 43 in Manitowoc and Brown counties.
Crews will also conduct pavement repairs in Marinette and Door counties, while Highway 67 faces a complete closure within Fond du Lac County.
UW-Madison's annual Fill the Hill Flamingo fundraiser is celebrating a record year.
Fill the Hill began as a prank in 1979 and has since become one of the university's most recognized fundraising traditions.
University officials say the homecoming fundraiser, which puts a pink flamingo on Bascom Hill for every donation, has totaled more than $845,000.
And tomorrow's your last day to vote for the coolest thing made in Wisconsin.
The annual manufacturing madness competition is down to its top 16 finalists, featuring everything from heavy machinery to local sweets and our iconic lip balm, Carmix.
Public balloting continues through tomorrow, October 6th, with the winner to be announced later this month.
And that's your state news update.
I'm Connie Feldman for Civic Media News.
Another devastating injury.
I am Mike Clemens with sports from Tampa with the Packers held on to beat the Buccaneers 17 to 14, but midway through the third quarter linebacker Edger and Cooper carted off the field with an Achilles injury.
What's the outlook?
Not good.
Head coach Matt LaForest if it's season ending, that would suspect that.
Yes, safety Evan Williams on Cooper.
No, he's somebody that just sets the tone, you know, in every game.
You know, he's somebody that yeah, just get us all jumpstarted.
That's going to be definitely a tough hole to fill college
football.
the Badgers with a convincing 31-3 win over Michigan State on Saturday.
They'll face number 21 ranked UCLA.
Baseball, the Brewers were down a run.
Two outs, Jackson Churio dries in the winning two runs as Milwaukee beats San Diego 4-3.
Is that one of the best games ever?
Yeah, that's up there for sure.
Just passing it to the next guy, picking each other up.
Yeah, that's definitely up there.
That's the Brewers Bryce Terrang, the crew up two games to nothing.
Game three, 8-30 tomorrow night with sports on Mike Clemens.
It is going to be a nice sunny fall day today with a high in the low to mid sixties this afternoon tonight.
Partly cloudy.
We're going to drop down into the mid to upper forties tomorrow, sunny and warmer with a high in the upper sixties to low seventies.
I'm meteorologist Sean Cable.
That's your WCQM and WPFP Daily News Roundup from Civic Media.
Subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple or wherever you find your podcasts.
Find more news at 98qcountry.com or trailmix.fm.