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Wildfires in Wisconsin prompt state of emergency
The Wisconsin DNR and additional crews are battling a 2,800-acre wildfire in Jackson County, which is 48% contained as of Thursday morning.
WISCONSIN, USA — The WI DNR said the agency has responded to nearly 80 wildfires in the past week, including 21 fires on Wednesday, April 12 that burned more than 2,500 acres.
Crews from the DNR fire and additional departments are currently battling a 2,800-acre wildfire in Jackson County, Wisconsin, which is 48% contained as of Thursday morning. The fire, called the Arcadia fire, began at the north end of Fort McCoy and prompted some voluntary evacuations, the Wisconsin DNR said.
The cause of the fire, which damaged at least three structures and destroyed one shed, is still under investigation.
According to 511WI.gov, US 12 is closed from County O to County EW near Fort McCoy.
Fire crews also worked a 100-acre fire in Juneau County Wednesday that resulted in the mobilization of a DNR incident management team.
The DNR said that blaze began in the Township of Necedah and destroyed multiple structures, prompting multiple evacuations before it was contained around 7:30 p.m.
Much of Wisconsin is under an “extreme” fire danger warning Thursday as warm temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds create prime conditions for potentially “catastrophic” fires.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued the warning for the southern two-thirds of the state, covering the following counties: Adams, Buffalo, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Washington, Winnebago and Wood.
Because of the extremely dangerous wildfire conditions, Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order declaring a State of Emergency Wednesday, which authorizes rapid support from the Wisconsin National Guard and Black Hawk helicopters to take down fires.
Fire conditions are also elevated in Minnesota Thursday. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for central, southwest and southeast Minnesota. Residents in the following counties should not burn anything due to the high risk that a fire could spread:
Red Flag from 11 a.m. through 8 p.m.
Anoka, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Cottonwood, Dakota, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Jackson, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Nobles, Ramsey, Rice, Rock, Scott, Sibley, Steele, Waseca, Washington, and Watonwan Counties
Red Flag from 12 p.m. through 8 p.m.
Dodge, Filmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona Counties.
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Enrollment moves upward in Universities of Wisconsin system
MADISON, Wis. — Overall enrollment in the Universities of Wisconsin system’s four-year schools ticked upward this fall compared with last year, data released Tuesday shows.
The system released enrollment numbers as of the 10th day of the 2024 fall semester. They show overall enrollment stood at 164,431 students, up 1.2% from the 10th day of the 2023 fall semester.
UW-Green Bay saw 975 new students for a 10.5% increase in enrollment, the largest percentage jump among the 13 four-year schools. Enrollment at UW-Madison, the system’s flagship university, increased nearly 3%. UW-Superior, the most remote campus, in Douglas County in far northwestern Wisconsin, saw a 3.6% increase.
Five schools saw their enrollment shrink, including Eau Claire, Oshkosh, Parkside, Platteville and Stout.
Overall enrollment at the system’s two-year branch campuses fell 22%. The most dramatic drop-off was at UW-Stevens Point’s Marshfield campus, where enrollment plunged nearly 45% compared with fall 2023.
UW officials have blamed declining numbers of high school graduates and more graduates eschewing college for the workforce for faltering enrollment.
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Student at Anoka Technical College stabbed with screwdriver
An adult male was arrested after the incident.
ANOKA, Minn. — A student was stabbed in the hand at Anoka Technical College Tuesday, authorities said.
A spokesperson with the Anoka Police Department told KARE 11 that officers were dispatched early in the afternoon. At the school, it was learned a student was stabbed in the hand with a screwdriver.
An adult male was taken into custody, officials said. The student was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Anoka Technical College said in a statement that safety and security is the top priority for everyone on campus:
Just before noon today, an incident occurred between two students at Anoka Technical College, in the automotive lab, resulting in one of the students receiving an injury to the hand. The Anoka Police Department responded and took the suspect into custody. The victim was treated by on-campus security officers before going to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
At Anoka Technical College, our top priority is the safety and security of everyone on campus. This incident is being investigated by the college and local law enforcement. Support services are available for students and employees impacted by this situation.
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BCA identifies man shot by police in St. Paul
The BCA said the 40-year-old man was still hospitalized at Regions Hospital on Tuesday.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Police have identified the man shot and injured by officers after pointing a gun at police on Monday evening.
According to a press release from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Earl Bennett, 40, was shot by police near Allianz Field.
Officials said Bennett does not have a permanent address but has been staying in the Twin Cities Metro area.
Bennett is hospitalized in critical but stable condition at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.
The incident started just before 7:45 p.m. Monday when police were called to the 400 block of Pierce Street for reports of shots fired. Officers found a man with a handgun when they responded to the scene.
St. Paul police spokesman Sgt. Mike Ernster told reporters on Monday night that when officers approached the man, he put the gun to his own head. Police began to negotiate with the man for a peaceful surrender, but he reportedly refused to drop the weapon, instead walking south on Snelling Avenue.
Police attempted to use “less lethal” means to subdue Bennett, but when he lifted his handgun and pointed it at police, multiple officers fired their weapons, striking the suspect.
The BCA said it is in the early stages of its investigation.
All the officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
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