State

With a huge state surplus and a new budget plan coming soon from Gov. Tony Evers, education advocates are hoping for money and programs to stem teacher shortages around the state. Already, some concrete proposals are in the mix.

Tamara Loertscher arrived at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire on Aug. 1, 2014, despondent. The 29-year-old had suffered depression all her life, but in recent months, her mental health grew especially desperate. She struggled to eat and get out of bed, thinking of harming herself.

State, national and international organizations have teamed up to warn adults about the dangers of giving lottery tickets to minors.

Studies have shown that children who are exposed to gambling from an early age are more likely to struggle with it as an adult.

The top Capitol players post-election remain the same, with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers vs. a GOP-dominated Legislature.

Also remaining the same is the legislative calendar for the beginning of the new two-year session.

Come the holiday season, perhaps no tradition evokes the warm and fuzzy “feels” more than a family outing to pick a Christmas tree.

Mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Wisconsin will conclude as of Dec. 14.

The state Department of Health Services and AMI Expeditionary Healthcare made the decision.

Winter weather is a regular part of life in Wisconsin and it can lead to dangerous conditions on the roads. It’s harder to control or stop a vehicle in snow, sleet and ice. Last season, winter weather contributed to more than 15,000 crashes that killed 38 people in Wisconsin.

Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc, will continue to serve on the Joint Committee on Finance.

The announcement was made by Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester. Kurtz was re-elected to his seat in November.

An invasive moth is proving to be an even bigger nuisance in Wisconsin.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announced that the spongy moth population has increased for the third consecutive year.

Thanksgiving has come and gone but perhaps this can be the year that we turn a day of thankfulness into a holiday season of gratitude.