97.5 W F H R and 105.5 W I R I. Your Wisconsin Rapids Home or locally grown radio. Here's
your Daily News Roundup.
From the Wisconsin Rapids Local Newsroom, I'm Melissa K. Two Wisconsin kids have now died
of preventable illnesses this season. Savannah Tome Olsen reports.
The State Department of Health Services says over the last few weeks, one child has died
of COVID-19 in Western Wisconsin and another has died of the flu in the northeastern part
of the state.
Tom Hought is a respiratory disease epidemiologist from the state health department.
Nobody wants to lose a child, let alone have a child died during the holiday season.
We got to feel so sorry for the families.
You know, we certainly offer our sympathy to all that families and friends of these two
children that died, but unfortunately, these things do happen.
The best way to prevent it is to get the vaccination.
It's hard for scientists to determine how severe of a cold flu RSV COVID season will
have.
There is that particularly mutant strain that's going on with the H3 virus influenza that
maybe does not give as much protection, which means a lot of people are thinking it's
going to be more severe season.
Just in what we've seen in the southern hemisphere, Australia, New Zealand, they have had severe
years, but also very prolonged years.
From the time it starts through the activity, higher activity till the time it peaks, it
was much longer this year than it has been in the past.
Across Wisconsin, only 28% of eligible people have gotten the flu shot, and only 10.6% have
gotten an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
To be honest with you, these kind of disappointing aren't the numbers that have come in.
So many people are about to be traveling and gathering for the holidays.
It's the perfect opportunity for viruses to spread.
Health experts say it's never too late to get vaccinated.
You can start by checking with your doctor's office, your pharmacy, and your local health
department.
For civic media news, I'm Savannah Tomay Olsen.
Legislators in Madison say community solar projects could help protect Wisconsin utility
customers against future rate hikes, especially with an influx of data centers expected to increase
the demand for power.
Senator Patrick Teston, 24th Senate District.
Obviously, we need to have an all the above approach.
As more and more data centers are being proposed here in the state of Wisconsin, it's going
to obviously have an increased demand on our energy grid.
A bill in the state capital would allow competitive service providers to build smaller-scale solar
projects.
Senate Bill 559 is working through the legislative process.
Wisconsin says the legislation would enhance local control.
One of the reasons why I decided to have on this legislation just mostly out of pure frustration
from locals who really feel as though they don't have a say in the process.
Groups like Renew Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty are for the bill.
Those opposed include business and labor groups along with existing utility groups.
Teston says.
The argument that this is going to open the door for out-of-state workers to flood the
state is it's not accurate, it's not true, it's fear-mongering and quite frankly, disingenuous.
He adds it's a step in the right direction for consumers.
We obviously face some significant headwinds with the major utilities here in the state,
but at the same time, I think we have to be innovative given the fact that we have the
highest rates in the Midwest.
Wisconsin electricity rates have exceeded Midwest averages each year for the past two
decades.
Reports Wisconsin watch.
Snowmobile trails are opening up in the state and the DNR is reminding snowmobiles to
stay sober and safe on the trails this season.
Two of the most common recreational crashes around the holidays are weak ice and impaired
operation.
When alcohol is involved, officials say crashes can lead to tragedy.
These types of crashes are entirely preventable and operating under the influence is illegal.
Plan to get home safely by riding sober.
You should also make sure to monitor ice conditions before venturing out.
Check with local experts such as outfitters, bait shops and fishing clubs.
Additionally, the DNR asks that you respect snowmobile club work by staying on marked trails.
Remember, operation on closed snowmobile trails is illegal.
There's bluff winter recreation area opened on Saturday for the season.
When weather allows, the downhill skiing, tubing and snowboarding hill will be open on
weekends through mid-March.
Private parties can be scheduled during weekdays and the hill is open December 29th through
January 2nd during the school break.
Tickets can be purchased same day but are limited in number.
You can purchase tickets online for the weekend, the Wednesday and Thursday before.
People in Port Edwards should have their new trash and recycling cans from Harder's
disposal but they shouldn't be used until 2026.
The last day to put out the old bins is December 31st.
You should have them out the night before or by 6am on that Wednesday.
Place both recycling and trash cans in your usual place and they'll be hauled away.
There's a Red Cross blood drive on December 31st at McMillan Library.
You can sign up to donate between 10am and 3pm.
Appointments are available on their website redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800 Red Cross.
Comedicans are also welcome.
Romeo dobs on the onside kick.
Hi, I'm Mike Clemens with Sports NFL.
The Chicago Bears able to recover an onside kick Saturday night and help them beat the
Packers 22-16 and overtime.
Green Bay's Romeo dobs admits it was his mistake.
Dobs suffered a wrist injury on the play.
Jordan Love with a concussion.
Malik Willis a shoulder injury.
Matlow Flora asked who's the team's emergency backup at quarterback.
Josh Jacobs is one and then Jane Reed is the other NBA the Bucks losing by 3-103-100
to the Timberwolves in Minnesota Doc Rivers.
I tell you we're a great student team and we could make a shot tonight and 14-45-23-40
up more wide open.
We'll take those all night.
I looked how we played.
I just didn't like that we missed shots.
Badgers basketball tonight they owe Central Michigan.
With sports on my clements.
A little light snow this morning then it'll be mostly cloudy here through the rest of
the day are high 33 this afternoon with wind out of the South at only around 5-10.
Tonight mostly cloudy are low in the mid to upper 20s tomorrow mostly sunny with a high
of 36.
I'm your neurologist Sean Cable.
That's your Wisconsin Rapids News Roundup from WIRI and WFHR locally grown radio.
Find more news anytime at WFHR.com and WIRI.fm.
Subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple or wherever you find your podcasts.