VIRUS OUTBREAK-WISCONSIN-BUDGET

Evers calls for $250 million in cuts from state agencies

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers has ordered $250 million in cuts to state agencies this year, the latest financial hit due to the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement of more cuts Wednesday was widely anticipated given a precipitous drop in state tax collections. Evers previously ordered agencies to cut $70 million in the budget year that ended June 30. Evers did not say which agencies would be cut by how much, leaving it for them to work out with his administration. Republican legislative leaders did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 

VIRUS OUTBREAK-WISCONSIN

Wisconsin opioid overdoses more than double during pandemic

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin health officials say there have been more than twice as many suspected opioid overdoses during the coronavirus pandemic than there were during the same period last year. Data from Wisconsin emergency departments show that there were 325 suspected overdoses from March through July 13 compared with 150 during that span in 2019. State Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm says financial pressures and isolation can exacerbate behavioral and substance abuse problems. DHS officials say calls to the state’s help line indicate requests for information on behavioral health have been increasing as well. 

VIRUS OUTBREAK-WISCONSIN-MASKS

3 cities enacts mask mandates; Evers resists statewide order

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Racine, Green Bay and Superior have joined Madison and Milwaukee as Wisconsin cities that passed mandates requiring people to wear masks in certain public settings. But Gov. Tony Evers has resisted issuing a statewide order like those in place in many nearby states. More than half of U.S. states now have statewide mask mandates. Minnesota was to become the latest to announce a mandate on Wednesday. Neighboring Illinois and Michigan also mandate the wearing of masks. The Racine, Green Bay and Superior requirements were approved at city council meetings Tuesday night. They all take effect on Monday.

TODDLER FATALLY SHOT

Woman arrested after 2-year-old is fatally shot in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee police have arrested a 24-year-old woman after a 2-year-old girl was fatally shot on the city’s northwest side. The victim was identified Wednesday as Zymeiia Stevens. Police say they are looking for several others as people of interest in Tuesday night’s shooting. Officials have not described the relationship, if any, between the victim and suspect. Authorities say the case is being investigated as a homicide, but they have not yet provided details on the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office says an autopsy will be done Wednesday.

SEVERE STORMS

Severe storms hit Chippewa County, trees, power lines down

CADOTT, Wis. (AP) — Storms left their mark in western Wisconsin overnight where there are reports of trees blocking roadways and power lines down. Firefighters and law enforcement officers from across Chippewa County are responding to calls about damage and debris, WQOW-TV reported. One community hard hit is Cadott where trees are blocking streets and power lines are down. So far, no injuries or missing people have been reported. To help with the cleanup, law enforcement is asking people to stay out of the area to give crews space to work. 

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