This is your WFHR Daily News Roundup, for locally grown radio 97.5 FM and 1320 AM, and
WISC country 105.5 FM WIRI in Wisconsin Rapids.
For WFHR and WIRI News, I'm Melissa Kaye.
In many school districts, seniors who aren't able to pay off lunch debt or other debt
they've accrued throughout their education aren't allowed to cross the stage on graduation
day. They can even be taken to small claims court over these debts.
According to the Education Data Initiative, Wisconsin has more than 200,000 children who
are considered food insecure and meal debt in the state is over $112 million. Grace held
a trivia night on October 5th to help pay off school debt in Southwood County.
The Greater Rapids area churches for ecumenism or Grace currently has five churches who participate.
Reverend Kate West is the current president of the Grace Group.
We're just very thankful for the community who has so graciously helped whether it's
through like these tap house donating space to different groups have donated silent auction
baskets.
West is also the minister of the first congregational united church of Christ in Wisconsin Rapids.
I think most of us can agree that you know it's pretty clear whatever faith should and that
people should be fed.
Last year, Grace paid off close to $3,000 in school debt in Nekusa and Wisconsin Rapids.
Reverend Beth Roan-Habhagger is the pastor at the Moravian Church. She and her husband
Seth hosted the trivia night at Beast Tap House. They opened for this event on a Sunday
when they're normally closed and donated their cash tips. A total of $1339 was raised
between the trivia silent auction and free will donation. Roan-Habhagger said the event
was well attended and well received.
We are so grateful to the community for their support of this and they're wanting to help
us help our community that are struggling.
The Grace Group hopes to hold these trivia nights twice yearly, one in spring and one in
the fall.
Medicare Open Enrollment begins Wednesday, October 15th, Joanne Croulas reports.
When taking part in Open Enrollment, consumers should be aware of scammers. Michelle Reinen
is with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Enrollees or their family members may want help navigating the Open Enrollment process
and choosing the right plan for their circumstances.
There are unsolicited requests that should be avoided when dealing with Medicare Open Enrollment.
Gamers and dishonest actors often try to take advantage of older consumers during the
same period by impersonating Medicare and asking for their Medicare account information
and selling unnecessary or fraudulent health products or services.
Michelle Reinen says that there are trusted resources to utilize to avoid any issues caused
by suspected scammers.
Instead of clicking links and emails, texts or online ads and pop-ups, consumers always
need to visit Medicare's website by typing in the address directly themselves or calling
the phone number on the back of their Medicare cards.
If you are a victim of a Medicare Enrollment scam or any scam, you can contact ATCAP's
Consumer Protection Hotline by phone at 1-800-422-7128 or by email at datcphotline at
www.wi.gov.
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue is warning residents about a tax refund tax scam.
Residents have reported receiving a text claiming that their tax refund request has been processed
and approved in recent weeks.
It asks that you provide your bank account information to receive the refund or it will
be forfeited.
Officials say the Department of Revenue does not send unsolicited text messages requesting
personal information.
Cash gas prices have fallen 8.6 cents per gallon over the last week.
The average price at the pumps in Wisconsin landed at 268 on Monday.
This is over 21 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 35 cents lower than this
time last year.
Officials at gas buddies say the national average could drop below $3 per gallon for the
first time in years.
Over 40 states are seeing gas prices decline and oil prices drop below $60 per barrel
at the end of last week.
In the weeks ahead it's possible a handful of stations in some states including Wisconsin
could drop below $2 per gallon.
That hasn't happened since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is encouraging electric and natural gas utility
customers with outstanding bills to take action.
The moratorium period begins November 1st and runs through April 15th.
During that time utilities are prohibited from disconnecting utility service for non-payment
when it's used for home heating.
If you're currently disconnected however you must make arrangements to restore service
before the moratorium begins.
Utilities are not required to reconnect service until payment arrangements have been made.
You can make arrangements directly with your provider or apply for financial assistance.
You can find more information and links at energyandhousing.wi.gov.
The Portage County Veteran Service Office will be closed all of next week.
From October 20th through the 24th Veteran Service Officers will be attending annual training
in Eau Claire.
They'll have limited access to email and voicemails during that time but will return
all calls and emails promptly when they reopen on Monday October 27th at 7.30am.
I'm Melissa K for WFHR and WIRI News.
The Brewers Reload.
Hi I'm my Clemens with Sports, Baseball.
The Brewers host the Dodgers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series tonight.
The crew losing last night 2-1 in a tight ball game.
The Dodgers Freddie Freeman had a high flying home run to right field off of Milwaukee's
Chad Patrick top of the sixth and talked about winning game 1 of the series.
Moving on the road in an environment and taking the first one it's huge.
You can't understate that at all.
Just kind of how we did in Philly and to get the first one and we obviously feeling pretty
good so hopefully we can score some more runs tomorrow.
Brewers Manager Pat Murphy.
Freddie Freeman is about a brewer killer for a while so hopefully he'll oversleep tomorrow
or something.
First pitch tonight is 708.
NBA.
The Bucks host the Oklahoma City Thunder at 5 serve form tip off time tonight 7 o'clock.
Bucks are 3 and 0 so far in the preseason NFL former Packers linebackers Adaria Smith
now with the Eagles has announced his retirement with sports on Mike Clemens.