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. Gas prices jumped over 39 cents
per gallon over the last week. The average across the state on Monday landed at 315 per
gallon. This is 60.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and 24.8 cents higher than
this time last year. The price of diesel climbed almost 86 cents per gallon, the national
average, at 459 per gallon. Officials at gas buddies say gasoline prices surged at one
of the fastest rates in years. Oil prices have spiked following US strikes on Iran. Additional
attacks across the Middle East over the weekend pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel for
the first time in years. Officials say gas prices could climb another 20 to 50 cents per
gallon this week. Diesel prices may rise even more with projected increases of 35 to 75 cents per
gallon possible. Gas buddy officials say though the situation remains highly fluid, customers
are already feeling the impact as energy markets adjust. This week is Flood Safety Week in
Wisconsin. Warmer temperatures cause snow and ice to melt in creeks, rivers and lakes. This
increases the chance of flooding to occur. Ready Wisconsin recommends people review their flooding
risk and take proactive steps to project themselves and their properties before water's rise.
Know your flood risk. If you live in a floodplain near a body of water or if you have a basement,
make a plan with your family on what to do if flood waters begin to rise. Pay attention to
the forecast and have multiple ways to receive alerts about potential flooding. Never drive or
walk through flooded areas. You can find more information at WEM.wi.gov.
Local news at the top and bottom of every hour throughout the day or on demand anytime at
wfhr.com and wri.fm from the Wisconsin Rapids Local Newsroom. I'm Melissa Kay.
For Civic Media News, I'm Lisa Hale. The average price for a gallon of gas and
Wisconsin jumped almost a quarter in the past week. Prices are now averaging 276 a gallon
according to GasBuddy. That's 23.2 cents higher than last week and 26.5 cents higher than a
month ago. Meanwhile, the national price of gas rose 5.6 cents to 294 a gallon. GasBuddy's
head of petroleum analysis, Patrick DeHon, said markets will begin reacting to this weekend's
U.S. Iran attacks, which may cause immediate supply disruptions along with elevated geopolitical
risk premiums. He predicts the national price of a gallon of gas will rise above the $3
mark for the first time this year. According to the Wisconsin Examiner, three more Wisconsin
sheriffs from Dunn, Green Lake and Wallworth counties assign deals to help ice enforce immigration
laws. This brings the total to 19 of 72 counties working with federal agents through the 287G
immigrant rights groups warned that the program scares people from reporting crimes and pulls
local cops away from community needs. A bill proposing roadside drug testing in Wisconsin is sparking
a debate over public safety. The proposal would allow law enforcement officers to use roadside
oral fluid testing in suspected drug impaired driving cases. Dane County Sheriff Calvin Barrett
said deputies are encountering more cases involving drugs, including prescription medications
in addition to alcohol. Meanwhile, Milwaukee defense attorney Andrew Mishlove says expanding
roadside testing raises constitutional questions because bodily samples are considered searches.
The proposal is still in the early stages of the legislative process.
Farmers prepping to spread manure should check the runoff risk. Civic Media's James Kelly reports.
With warmer weather on the horizon, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture,
Trade and Consumer Protection is reminding farmers to check the runoff risk advisory forecast
before spreading manure on their fields. According to a press release, the tool is meant to help
farmers and anyone else applying manure to their fields with up-to-date information on whether
in soil conditions to reduce the risk of manure runoff ending up in nearby waterways.
It's updated multiple times each day and covers the state in roughly one and a half square
mile grids. A report released by the Alliance for the Great Lakes last year found that 90 percent
of the nitrate contamination in the state is caused by agricultural runoff with things
like manure, fertilizers, and other bio waste. Nitrate exposure is linked to a number of
negative health concerns including cancer and can contribute to toxic algae blooms in waterways.
Residents can access the runoff risk advisory forecast at runoffriskadvisory.wi.gov.
For civic media news, I'm James Kelly.
High school juniors interested in learning more about agriculture in the Badger state
now have a new opportunity. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture is taking applications for its
youth council through March 31st. The group meets monthly during the school year to speak with
ag leaders, explore careers, and share ideas. 15 students will be selected from across the state.
Interested students can apply online at agyouthcouncil.wi.gov.
Wisconsin goes up a notch on a list ranking the state and local tax burden for residents.
Wisconsin now ranks 34th in the nation, up one spot from last year's ranking of 35.
A new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum says taxes took up about 9.8 percent
of personal income. That's a little less than a year before.
The report also shows that the state's tax share is still about a percentage point below
the national average. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has released a Wisconsin
Food Waste Evaluation report. Civic Media's Melissa K breaks it down for us.
It includes recommendations to reduce food waste going to landfills as part of a statewide
goal to reduce per capita food waste disposal in landfills by 50 percent by 2030,
compared to 2020 levels. Key findings of the report show that 88 percent of food waste going to
Wisconsin landfills is from residential and food service sources, with residential
contributing the largest share at 47 percent. Infrastructure for hauling food waste to
destinations other than landfills will have to expand significantly to achieve the statewide
food waste production goal. Of the 286 facilities licensed for composting in Wisconsin,
just 30 or 10 percent are approved to accept food waste. You can find more information on the DNR
website. I'm Melissa K. Getting your degree in three years could be a possibility in the UW
system. The Board of Regents considered revisions to a policy last week that would allow campuses
to create bachelor's degrees that can be completed in three years. These degrees would typically
require 90 credits instead of the standard 120 credits. These three year programs are on the
rise nationwide. The State Journal reports that the Board of Regents will vote on the policy
at a future meeting. Only one four-year university in Wisconsin currently offers a reduced credit
degree program. For Civic Media News, I'm Lisa Hale. For news anytime, visit our website
at civicmedia.us.
Head to Chicago, with the big 10 tournament they'll play on Thursday.
The Badgers now ranked 23rd in the nation after beating number 15th ranked Purdue over the weekend.
NFL free agency Packers linebacker Kueh Walker headed to Las Vegas to sign a three-year contract
with the Raiders. $40 million, $28 million guaranteed. He talked to us after the Packers were
one and done in the playoffs against the Bears. We're going to execute and that's been a problem
for us. I'm just finishing game playing guys away. Even before I got half full,
that has always been a part of this organization.
That's Kueh Walker, with sports on my clements.
Mostly cloudy with a little rain likely by later this afternoon. Our high 47 today. Tonight,
mostly cloudy with rain changing to snow and freezing rain will drop to 31 tomorrow.
Little light snow, especially in the morning. Less than an inch of accumulation with a high
near 40. I'm meteorologist 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.
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