97.5 W F H R and 105.5 W I R I. Your Wisconsin Rapids Home for locally grown radio.
Here's your Daily News Roundup.
From the Wisconsin Rapids Local Newsroom, I'm Melissa K.
Kids in your life may have received new toys with AI this holiday,
and now a child advocacy group is warning families to beware.
Savannah Tomay Olsen reports.
A growing number of action figures, dolls and stuffed animals are embedded
with chatbots using artificial intelligence technology to communicate with kids
like their trusted friend.
Earlier this year, open AI, the company behind chat GPT,
announced a partnership with Mattel, one of the world's largest toy makers.
Rachel Frans, with the nonprofit Fairplace, says AI toys are marketed
with a promise of safety and learning, despite mounting evidence showing they could be harmful.
Right now there is no research and no regulations that are in place to protect kids
from the multitude of potential harms that can come from AI toys.
A recent report finds that some AI toys will talk with kids about topics that may not be appropriate.
They could even offer advice on where to find matches or knives.
Many of them have no parental controls.
Child advocates warn the AI toys use the same technology that's created unsafe
and even dangerous experiences for teens online, including urging them to harm themselves.
Frans warns AI toys can prey on a kid's trust and record and analyze sensitive conversations
even when the toy looks like it's off.
Most of the AI toys that we've looked at are collecting a lot of different types of data
and most of their privacy policies outline that they will sell them to third parties.
Frans says AI toys often urge kids not to stop playing with them and can crowd a child's imagination.
Researchers say child-led play is vital for emotional regulation, social skills, and real learning.
If you think your child's toy may be using AI technology, you can find some helpful information
at fairplayforkids.org.
I'm Savannah Tomay Olson. This is Civic Media News.
There's a new online resource to help Wisconsinites understand the lab test results
of their drinking water from private wells.
The Wisconsin DNR launched the Be Well-Informed Online Tool
where people can upload test results from a certified lab.
The program generates a report that explains the test results and provides additional education resources.
DNR officials say their goal is to help private well owners make more informed decisions
to address any issues with their drinking water.
There are over 800,000 private wells in the state providing drinking water
for about 25% of residents. The DNR has been working to address PFAS and nitrate contamination
in private wells in recent years to ensure access to safe drinking water for everyone.
Officials also encourage you to test your private well at least once a year
or if there's any changes in taste, odor, or color of the water.
Cryptocurrency kiosks are under scrutiny because of criminal activity by scammers,
often targeting seniors. Wisconsin AARP officials are calling on state lawmakers
to pass legislation limiting the use of these kiosks.
According to a WXPR report, agency officials say there are around 700 of these cryptocurrency kiosks around the state.
These terminals work similar to an ATM, but instead of receiving cash, the money deposited is converted into cryptocurrency.
The agency is working to reduce the use of these kiosks and scams.
Scammers often use the machines to target older residents who may not understand how the machines work.
The agency is also pushing for legislation that would allow the victims of scams to receive refunds from the kiosk operators.
17 other states have passed similar legislation.
Run-off from landfills in the state contain the highest level of PFAS.
That's according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Madison, Wisconsin.
The study began in 2023 when researchers first began collecting samples.
According to a WPR report, they were seeking to identify the largest potential sources of the forever chemicals in groundwater.
Around two-thirds of Wisconsinites get their drinking water from groundwater sources.
If that groundwater is contaminated with PFAS, they could suffer negative health effects like an increased risk of certain kinds of cancer.
Researchers collected samples from 16 landfill sites across the state, which showed the highest concentrations of PFAS.
Researchers hope the findings can help state lawmakers better regulate PFAS contamination.
There's a new invasive species making its way towards the state.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection are looking for signs of the hemlock woolly adulgid.
This tiny insect could threaten millions of hemlock trees in the state.
While the past hasn't been found in Wisconsin's forests yet, it has spread next door in Michigan and found in tree nurseries a few times over the past few years.
As part of their efforts to identify and halt the insects spread, state officials are setting 3D printed traps coated in petroleum jelly across the state.
The petroleum jelly across roughly 30 sites, combating the spread of invasive species has been a major focus for Wisconsin over the past few years.
The emerald ash borer is now being found in all counties in the state.
DNR officials saying 99% of the state's ash trees could eventually be killed by this invasive species.
Local news at the top and bottom of every hour throughout the day or on demand any time at WFHR.com and WIRI.FM.
From the Wisconsin Rapids Local Newsroom, I'm Melissa K.
A reset for the Packers. Hi, I'm Mike Clemens with sports. The Packers in meetings today reviewing what went wrong in their 41 to 24 laws to the Ravens and Lambo field.
I talked to Packers running back Josh Jacobs.
I think we all got to look in the mirror. I mean, from the top down coaches included, I think we got to look in the mirror and have a reality check on what we need to do to even give more or to do more for this team.
The things that we need to fix and go ahead and correct them.
The Packers Advikes game has been moved to a noon start this Sunday at US Bank Stadium.
NBA, the Bucks in Charlotte tonight to take on the Hornets, Milwaukee with a 112 to 103 win over the Bulls Saturday.
He was Yanis' first game back from a calf injury playing limited minutes.
We wanted to save minutes in the first half so we can have them three rotations in a second half.
I mean, he obviously hated that. I think the second time we took the money, I thought it was income nuts, but it is what it is.
As Bucks head coach, Doc Rivers, with sports on Mike Clemens.
Wendy was some blowing snow this morning. Conditions will gradually improve and we'll even see a little sunshine by later this afternoon.
Our high today 16 tonight partly cloudy to above tomorrow. A little more light snow with a high right around 25.
I'm meteorologist Sean Cable.