Month: November 2019

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's Republican-controlled Assembly has passed a bill opposed by anti-abortion groups that would broaden birth control access.  The bill would allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptive patches and birth control pills to anyone 18 or older. Under current law, only doctors can prescribe them.  Anti-abortion groups oppose the measure, arguing that increasing access to birth control encourages premarital sex and the odds of unintended pregnancies and abortions.  Democrats have questioned […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Assembly has sent to Gov. Tony Evers a bill that would require developers to purchase wetland mitigation credits within the watershed they're changing.  The Department of Natural Resources requires creation or preservation of other wetlands as a condition of an individual permit allowing dredging or filling wetlands. Builders can satisfy those conditions by purchasing credits from a mitigation bank located anywhere in Wisconsin. Banks are […]

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota-based HealthPartners says it's closing 30 retail pharmacies as well as its mail-order pharmacy operation next year.  The nonprofit health insurer says about 300 jobs will be eliminated, including about 100 pharmacists.  A HealthPartners vice president, Scott Schnuckle, says consumer preferences and pharmacy economics have changed to favor large-scale organizations that can provide extended hours, drive-through pickup and other conveniences.    HealthPartners also runs clinics and hospitals in […]

A Fond du lac County Sheriff’s deputy is credited with saving the life of a hunter who suffered a life-threatening injury when he was struck in the arm by an arrow.  Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt says the hunter,  39 year old Jonathon Henninger,  of Brownsville  called 911 this morning to report he had tripped and fallen on an arrow, sustaining a deep laceration to his upper arm. The hunter reported he was […]

The Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer is warning residents to make sure ground beef is cooked thoroughly before eating following a recent outbreak of Salmonella.   The Salmonella outbreak found in raw beef has left eight people hospitalized and one dead in six states.   Fond du lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says so far there have been no reported cases in Wisconsin.  Mueller says with the holidays approaching its also […]

Wisconsin lawmakers are moving ahead with a bill that would limit the sale of vaping and other tobacco products to people over age 21.  Fond du Lac County Tobacco Control program coordinator Sandy Bernier says a proposed Tobacco 21 bill is part of an overall strategy to reduce tobacco use by young people.   The measure would increase the minimum age for buying products containing nicotine and tobacco from 18 to 21.    It would also […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican majority leader of the Wisconsin Assembly is leading the push to override three partial budget vetoes by Gov. Tony Evers.   Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke sent his colleagues a letter Wednesday urging for support of the overrides on Thursday. But Democratic Minority Leader Gordon Hintz says that no Democrats will support the votes. Republicans need Democratic backing to be successful.   The override attempt will […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin lawmakers are considering a bill that would require schools to teach cursive writing.  Rep. Jeremy Theisfeldt of Fond du Lac is the bill's chief Assembly sponsor. He told the Assembly's state affairs committee Wednesday that writing in cursive can help children read and create neurological connections.  The bill would require schools to incorporate cursive in elementary curriculums with the goal of having students write legibly in cursive […]

OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) — Oshkosh police are investigating after two explosive devices were found at a hospital.  Police were informed just after 2 p.m. Wednesday that an explosive device was found with a man's belongings at Ascension Mercy Hospital in Oshkosh.  As police investigated, they found a second explosive device. A bomb squad safely removed the devices, and no one was hurt.  Police have detained the 39-year-old man and say he is […]