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.
For civic media news, I'm Melissa K. A Northern Wisconsin tribe is addressing growing concerns
over immigration enforcement and tribal sovereignty. Maddie Schaefer reports.
The Bad River Band of Lake Superior, Chippewa held a community forum Monday night after recent
reports of immigration and customs enforcement activity on the reservation. According to
the Wisconsin Examiner, tribal leaders have raised alarms after reports that Native Americans
were picked up or questioned by ICE during enforcement operations in the Twin Cities.
Tribal chairwoman Liz Arbuckle spoke about the stress the community is facing.
It's unnerving. We've seen Native people picked up in Minneapolis. We've heard those
stories. We've seen those stories. So we are unnerved. So a little extra preparedness,
thoughtfulness, kindness, it won't go amiss. That's for sure.
Leaders urged members to carry tribal enrollment ID along with a photo ID.
Arbuckle says that tribal IDs are free for enrolled bad river members and can be updated
if needed. Other tribes may also offer similar services. They also highlighted statewide
resources such as the Native American Rights Fund, the ACLU of Wisconsin and legal action
Wisconsin, which can help tribal members understand their rights and create personal
safety plans. State representative Angela Stroud of the 73rd Assembly District spoke
about ICE activity across the region.
You know, it's targeting urban areas, but it's not limited to urban areas. Real areas
are also being affected. And so it's not that we know they're going to come, but we need
to be prepared because it's happening throughout our region, even if it's focused on Minnesota
right now.
All tribes, including bad river, Lakota Rae, Onida and Ho Chunk, are notifying members
that agents cannot enter a home without a judicially signed warrant. Wisconsin tribes are
issuing guidance on documenting encounters, accessing legal help and creating personal
safety plans. I'm Maddie Schaefer.
Democratic state lawmakers are proposing a constitutional amendment to solidify the
right to privacy for Wisconsin residents. Lisa Hale reports,
if it's adopted, the amendment to the state constitution would shift the legal burden
of proof in privacy violation cases from the individual to the government. Under that
adjustment, government agencies would be responsible for justifying how it had the authority
to violate an individual's privacy rights, rather than the individual being required to
prove that a government agency violated those privacy rights.
Democratic state lawmakers have also introduced separate legislation that would allow residents
to file a lawsuit over privacy violations in state court, regardless of whether the subject
of that lawsuit is a state or federal government agency. That proposed bill is currently
being reviewed in committee. Democratic state lawmakers are hoping the proposed constitutional
amendment will gain bipartisan support. It must pass in both the state assembly and
Senate in two consecutive sessions before it appears on a statewide ballot for voters
to approve.
Former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan is asking a federal judge to grant her an
acquittal or a new trial following her felony conviction. Dugan's defense team filed
the request last week claiming she acted within the law and that jurors received inconsistent
guidance during deliberations. A jury convicted Dugan of felony obstruction in December for
helping a man in her courtroom evade an immigration arrest. jurors cleared her of a separate
misdemeanor charge tied to concealing someone from discovery and arrest. Dugan resigned
from the bench earlier this year as the case continues through post trial motions.
Emily Sahale
With a 2026 election less than a year away, fundraising efforts and Wisconsin's third
congressional district race are kicking up. James Kelly reports,
according to campaign finance reports incumbent Republican Congressman Derek Van Orden led
2025 and campaign fundraising with over $4.3 million, Rebecca Cook pursuing a rematch
of 2024 with Congressman Van Orden raised over $4 million last year.
O'Claire City Council President Emily Berge will challenge Cook for the Democratic nomination
in August and raise nearly $400,000 last year. While Congressman Van Orden led the total
fundraising battle in 2025, Cook raised nearly double his fundraising total in last reporting
period of the year. From October through December, Congressman Van Orden raised a little
less than $670,000 while Cook brought in about $1.1 million. This is Cook's third run for
the third congressional district after falling short in the Democratic primary in 2022 and
narrowly losing to Congressman Van Orden in the 2024 election. Berge raised about $115,000
over that period.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is encouraging residents to learn more about
flood risks in their area and explore their flood insurance options in honor of flood
insurance awareness week. According to a press release, flood insurance awareness week
will run through Saturday, giving the agency a good opportunity to highlight the importance
of getting flood insurance. The DNR is also sharing tips on when residents could qualify
for federal flood insurance and what it means to own property in a federally designated
flood zone or special flood hazard area. Agency officials say typical homeowner and
renter insurance policies usually don't cover flood damage. Federal flood insurance
is available for properties both inside and outside special flood hazard areas but is
only in communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. The DNR's
floodplain program tracks community enrollment in the National Flood Insurance Program,
residents who own property in a special flood hazard area and have a mortgage from a federally
regulated lender are also required to have flood insurance.
I'm James Kelly and I'm Melissa K for Civic Media News. For news anytime, visit our website
at civicmedia.us going for gold. Hi, I'm Mike Clemens with sports from the Winter Olympics
on NBC team USA Jordan Stolls, winning his first gold medal, the 21 year old from Qoscom
sitting a record time of one minute 6.28 seconds, a new Olympic record in the 1,000 meter
event. It's really nice to get the first one out. I mean, get an experience of what it's
like with the crowd and kind of the pressure and the build up. Well, would you tell folks
back in Wisconsin? Yeah, well, I'm glad that some people believe in me back in Wisconsin.
Now I'm a finally here in the world stage and I didn't disappoint them. I'm really thankful.
NFL, the Packers are promoted Luke Getsey to quarterback coach replacing Sean Manion hired by
the Eagles to become offensive coordinator. NBA, the box with a win in Orlando over the magic.
116 to 108, Cam Thomas who just signed with the team Sunday led with 34 points after getting
off to a slow start. I mean, I was just missing shots really. Um, a couple of shots I always make.
So it wasn't really a defense necessarily. No, it was great from there. That's the bucks new guard
Cam Thomas was sports on my Clemens mostly sunny today with a high in the mid to upper 30s here
as we make our way through the afternoon. Tonight, Bartley Cloudy, we're going to drop down to 21 for
an overnight load tomorrow. More sunshine with a high in the low 40s or talking low to mid 40s
by the weekend. I'm your neurologist Sean Cable. That's your Wisconsin Rapids news roundup
from WRI and WFHR locally grown radio. Find more news anytime at WFHR.com and WRI.FM.
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