Good afternoon, everyone.
For WRCO News, I'm Todd Copernall.
The Richland Center Police Department processed a total of 29 charges during the month of June, documenting a variety of enforcement actions across the community.
Traffic-related violations comprised the largest portion of the monthly activity, with 14 citations issued.
These included multiple instances of speeding, operating without a valid license or proof of insurance, in a tent of driving,
reckless driving and operating while intoxicated.
Theft related offenses also factored into the monthly data with six charges filed for retail theft and shoplifting incidents at local businesses.
Beyond traffic and property crime, officers process five charges related to controlled substances.
These cases involved the possession of marijuana with intent to deliver as well as the possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
The remaining four charges filed throughout the month were attributed to general conduct violations, including disorderly conduct, truancy, and bail jumping.
The department's reporting period shows that enforcement was concentrated on specific dates, June 4 and June 14, were particularly active days with each date accounting for five individual charges processed by officers.
These spikes in activity were largely driven by significant traffic stops and
investigations into retail and drug-related incidents.
The City Auditorium Board of Directors, Richland County Performing Arts Council, are proud to announce the Betty Hayes Baxter Legacy Theater Dedication Ceremony, Sunday, August 23rd at 2 p.m.
at the City Auditorium in Richland Center.
More details will be available in the coming weeks.
The Boscobel Firemen's 2026 July 4th Celebration will be held Friday and Saturday at Cron Save Park in Boscobel.
The annual event gets underway Friday with co-ed sand volleyball starting at 3 o'clock.
There will be music in the park featuring Nate Gallagher acoustic set from 5 to 6, local talent Dakota Bedward from 6.30 to 7.30, and Super Tuesday from 8 o'clock until midnight.
During the evening, steak sandwiches and meals will be available for purchase until sold out.
Saturday the day begins with the firecracker run at 8 o'clock.
Registration will be at 7.30.
The Giant Street Parade steps off at 1 o'clock.
This year's theme is Stars, Stripes and 250 Years of Freedom.
Parade registration will be from 11 o'clock to 12.30.
After the parade, kids' rides will be held from 1.30 until 7.
Country-fied band will perform from three until seven.
William Hank Kidd's firefighting challenge will be from six-thirty till eight.
And the largest fireworks show in the area will be at dusk.
Concessions and food will be available during all events.
Absolutely no carry-ins or fireworks.
Have fun and be entertained during the Boscobel Firemen's 2026 July 4th celebration, Friday and Saturday across Hague Park in Boscobel.
The Vernon County Department of Human Services has announced a public hearing to discuss the development and draft of its 2027 budget.
Scheduled for Friday, July 10th at 11 a.m., the meeting serves to fulfill statutory requirements under Wisconsin Statutes 46.0313.
This session is a critical component of the department's planning process, allowing for an open discussion on available funding across various service areas,
such as the family and children's unit, mental health services, and specialized groups, including the ADRC and transportation services.
Members of the community are encouraged to attend and provide input on the department's operational plans and the assessment of needs for the upcoming fiscal year.
The hearing will be conducted in a hybrid format to ensure broad accessibility.
Participants can attend in person at 318 Fair Lane Drive in Verroqua, or join virtually via a Teams meeting.
Detailed information, including the meeting link and agenda, is available on the official county website at VernonCountyWI.gov.
For those requiring additional assistance or information regarding participation, the department can be reached directly at 608-637-
521-0.
In observance of the United States of America's 250th birthday this year, many towns and cities throughout the nation will be celebrating this special occasion with various activities and fireworks shows during the 4th of July weekend.
If you're looking for a fireworks show to attend, the following area communities will be shooting them off this weekend.
The city of Boston will be holding their fireworks show Friday, July 3rd at dusk.
Area community shows
at holding shows on Saturday, July 1st, include July 4th, include Tomah at 9.45, Boscobel, Eastman, Gays Mills, Lafarge, Lone Rock, Mauston, Maisamany, Mineral Point, Platteville, Verroqua, and Westby.
All have their fireworks displays at dusk on the 4th.
You can find the full list of area fireworks shows on the Hidden Valleys of Southwestern Wisconsin Facebook page.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recently disclosed an incident involving the unintentional distribution of private data belonging to certain Medicaid supplemental security income members.
According to the department, letters containing sensitive personal information regarding benefit increases were inadvertently dispatched to outdated residential addresses.
This error was officially discovered on April 30, prompting DHS to immediately identify those impacted and suspend all subsequent mailings to the incorrect locations.
Following the internal investigation, DHS sent out formal notifications on June 3 to the 8,157 members whose information may have been
access by unauthorized parties.
In response to the potential risk, the state is providing these individuals with one year of complimentary credit monitoring services and access to a specialized call center for support.
Members seeking further clarification or assistance regarding this incident are encouraged to contact the department at 800-362-302.
Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.
to 8 p.m.
Central Time.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice, alongside the U.S.
Department of Justice and a broad coalition of 16 other states, has successfully secured a significant settlement with some of the nation's largest egg producers.
The agreement addresses allegations that Kale Main Foods, Versova, and Hickman's Egg Ranch
illegally coordinated for years to influence daily price indices, artificially inflating the cost of eggs for retailers and consumers across the country.
As a result of this enforcement action, the companies will provide more than 50 million eggs to food banks nationwide and pay a combined $3.3 million to the participating states.
The investigation revealed that between June 2022 and March 2025,
Executives from these companies secretly communicated to coordinate their bidding activities on electronic exchanges.
By submitting strategically timed and placed bids, they were able to manipulate the Erner-Berry benchmark.
a pricing service central to egg supply contracts.
In one instance, communication between executives urged, quote, strong bids early and often to push market quotes higher, ensuring that the market reporters would adjust prices to the company's advantage.
Beyond the immediate restitution of donated eggs and financial penalties, the settlement mandates strict future compliance.
Each company is required to appoint an antitrust compliance officer to monitor for potential violations and report directly to state and federal authorities.
Attorney General Call emphasized that such accountability is essential to ensure that companies do not make essential goods less affordable through improper market manipulation.
This settlement serves as a critical step in restoring fair competition and providing relief to families who were impacted
by these inflated prices.
Starting today, Gold Star family members in Wisconsin can obtain personalized Gold Star family license plates at no cost.
This initiative, made possible by Governor Tony Evers' signing of 2025 Wisconsin Act 50, honors the service and sacrifice of military heroes and their families.
Previously, while registration fees for these plates were already waived, the $15 annual personalization fee remained.
With this change, families can now personalize these plates without any additional cost.
This program is available exclusively to the immediate family of service members who lost their lives in the line of military duty.
According to Wisconsin DMV data, there are currently 483 active gold star license plates in the state.
with 296 of those currently personalized.
Wisconsinites interested in ordering or personalizing these plates can visit specialplates.wi.gov.
State Senator Sarah Kieski has been honored by the Wisconsin Counties Association with a WCA Outstanding Legislator Award for her dedicated work on behalf of county government during the 2025
26 legislative session.
Mark D. O'Connell, WCA President and CEO, praised Senator Kieske as a steady and influential presence in addressing the major challenges facing the 14th Senate District and the state of Wisconsin, noting that her thoughtful approach to policy strengthens the state's long-term outlook.
The Biennial Award recognizes a select group of legislators who effectively represent
county interests within the legislature and their local districts.
These individuals have demonstrated significant leadership on key issues, legislation, and the state budget.
The WCA continues to represent the interests of county governments at both the state and federal levels from its headquarters in Madison.
Starting today, Wisconsin has officially extended Medicaid healthcare coverage for new mothers from 60 days to a full 12 months postpartum.
This significant policy change, enacted through a bipartisan effort supported by Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, is expected to benefit more than 16,000 Medicaid members in its first year alone.
By ensuring a full year of continuous care, the state aims to provide a critical safety net during the fourth trimester and beyond, a period where many parents previously faced the stress of losing insurance while still recovering from childbirth.
The extension is a cornerstone of the Healthy Moms Healthy Babies Initiative and addresses a sobering reality in maternal health.
Research indicates that nearly half of pregnancy-related deaths occur in the year following delivery, and in Wisconsin, a staggering 95% of these deaths are considered preventable.
This issue is particularly acute for families of color as black mothers in Wisconsin are approximately 2.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than their white peers.
by maintaining access to health care providers.
The state seeks to close these equity gaps and ensure that the joy of a new birth is not overshadowed by avoidable medical crises.
Comprehensive coverage for the full postpartum year provides essential support for a wide range of physical and mental health needs.
Beyond routine checkups, Medicaid members will now have sustained access to treatment for postpartum depression, psychiatric support, and substance use recovery programs during the high-risk period of 7 to 12 months after birth.
Additionally, the coverage includes management of chronic conditions, access to long-acting reversible contraceptives, and support for those navigating the difficult experience of a miscarriage or stillbirth.
This holistic approach to maternal wellness is designed to help Wisconsin families thrive from the birth of a child through their first birthday.
On Monday, United States Senator Ron Johnson, chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, wrote to the journal Toxicology Reports and its owner, Elsevier, requesting documents explaining their decision to remove a previously published article from their website.
The scientific community is currently embroiled in a significant controversy.
Following Toxicology Report's decision to retract a 2021 study by Neil Z. Miller, the article which analyzed the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System, or VAERS, database for potential links between vaccinations and sudden infant death syndrome was removed from the journal's website in April.
The editorial board cited serious methodological flaws as the primary reason for the retraction five years after the paper had successfully passed the initial peer review process.
Central to the debate is the influence of post-publication discussion platforms like PubPure.
Reports indicate that the journal's investigation was prompted by anonymous comments and external social media critiques rather than traditional internal audits.
This reliance on outside pressure has raised questions about the stability and integrity of the scientific review process with critics suggesting that such retractions could be driven by advocacy rather than purely objective scientific reassessment.
The broader implications of this decision extend to the field of vaccine injury research and the transparency of medical journals.
While the journal maintains its duty to correct the scientific record, proponents of the research argue that silencing such studies discourages necessary investigation.
into pediatric health outcomes.
As the dialogue continues, the case serves as a pivotal example of the tension between maintaining rigorous standards and ensuring that emerging albeit controversial research remains accessible for public and scientific scrutiny.
United States Senator Tammy Baldwin
has formally called for an investigation into significant delivery delays within the United States Postal Service that disrupted the recent Wisconsin spring election.
The call follows reports that hundreds of Wisconsin voters were disenfranchised when their absentee ballots failed to reach polling locations by the mandated 8 p.m.
Election Day deadline, despite being mailed well in advance.
Data from the Wisconsin Elections Commission underscores the severity of the issue, with two-thirds of local election officials reporting systemic mail problems and some ballots taking over a week to arrive.
In a letter addressed to the USPS Office of Inspector General, Senator Baldwin emphasized that these delays are unacceptable and threaten the foundational integrity of the state's electoral process.
She argued that the Postal Service's operational failures risk disenfranchising an even greater number of voters in the upcoming fall elections, if not addressed immediately.
Baldwin has urged the Inspector General to conduct a comprehensive review to identify and resolve these outstanding issues, noting that timely delivery of election mail is essential for maintaining public confidence.
Beyond the specific spring election incidents, Baldwin continues to challenge the broader trajectory of the Postal Service under current leadership.
She has pressed Postmaster General David Steiner to account for ongoing staffing shortages and long-term delays that are affecting Wisconsin businesses and families.
Her advocacy highlights a growing concern over the independence of the USPS, especially as it faces pressure to implement controversial directives
that could further restrict access to mail in voting.
The American Red Cross and QuickTrip are entering their third consecutive year of partnership to bolster humanitarian aid through a regional fundraising initiative.
Throughout the entire month of July, patrons visiting QuickTrip and QuickStar locations across the Midwest will find coin collection canisters stationed at registers.
This simple donation method allows community members to contribute directly to the Red Cross' mission of providing relief and support.
where it is most urgently required.
This campaign builds on a robust history between the two organizations.
QuickTrip has long supported the Red Cross through diverse means, including financial contributions, the provision of essential supplies like food and water, and the sponsorship of local blood drives.
Their involvement has been instrumental in assisting families across Wisconsin and the broader Midwest during times of crisis.
The importance of these donations cannot be overstated as the frequency and severity of large-scale disasters continue to rise.
With the Red Cross responding to approximately 60,000 disasters annually, including hundreds of local incidents in the Wisconsin and Michigan regions, every contribution helps fund vital services.
from helping families recover after devastating home fires to coordinating responses for record-breaking floods and tornadoes.
These funds ensure that the Red Cross can maintain its life-saving blood services and emergency relief efforts for thousands of people each year.
Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld and the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy
have announced the release of the Emissions Reduction Roadmap Actions for Sustainability in Wisconsin.
This is the first statewide framework addressing major greenhouse gas emissions sources in Wisconsin.
The plan outlines policies, practices and technologies aimed at reducing emissions while creating jobs, driving economic growth, protecting natural resources, improving air quality and
promoting public health.
Secretary Blumenfeld emphasized the role of state policy, community action, and private partnership in securing a sustainable future.
The roadmap developed with input from local communities, industry, and tribal nations addresses seven key sectors, agriculture, commercial and residential buildings, energy generation, industrial processes and facilities, natural and working lands, transportation,
waste and materials management.
OSCE director Maria Redmond highlighted the blueprints focus on actionable steps moving away from business as usual to improve lives.
The roadmap aligns with previous efforts like the Governor's Task Force on Climate Change and the Clean Energy Plan.
The Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy was established by Governor Evers in 2019.
via Executive Order 38 to address climate change impacts.
Informational webinars are planned for later this summer with details to be announced.
For more information, visit osce.wi.gov.
The American Red Cross urges donors to give blood or platelets now to help hospitals and transfusion centers stay prepared to help all patients, blood drives being held today.
until 1.30 at the Juan Iwak Public Library and started at 11 until 3 o'clock at the Ridgeway Community Center.
Book a time to give blood or platelets by calling 800 Red Cross.
Walk-ins are welcome.
The U.S.
Department of Agriculture has officially launched the Strengthening Processing for U.S.
Ranchers or SPUR program, a major initiative designed to provide up to $500 million in temporary financial support to eligible beef processing establishments.
This funding is specifically targeted at independent and regional processors who are currently navigating extraordinary market pressures, including historically low cattle supplies and significant industry consolidation.
Providing these payments, the USDA aims to preserve the essential processing capacity that American ranchers rely on, thereby creating more stable and diverse market opportunities for cattle producers across the nation.
A primary goal of the SPUR program is to foster greater competition within the American beef supply chain.
Currently, the industry is heavily concentrated, with only four companies controlling nearly 85% of the market.
This initiative seeks to level the playing field by supporting domestically-owned, non-dominant processors, ensuring that ranchers have reliable alternatives to the largest meat-packing entities.
By bolstering these mid-size and small operations,
The program hopes to secure a more resilient food supply chain that is less vulnerable to foreign ownership and domestic monopolies.
Furthermore, the SPUR program is a key component of the broader movement to make America healthy again by ensuring that regional processes remain viable.
The USDA is protecting consumer access to high-quality nutritious American beef.
This effort aligns with the latest dietary guidelines for Americans and supports long
term food affordability.
Maintaining a robust network of independent processors ensures that high quality protein remains available at the grocery store, supporting the health of American families while simultaneously strengthening the economic vitality of rural communities.
