BRAINERD, MN - Federal officials are weighing testimony from the only public hearing in the country on the government's latest attempt to take gray wolves off the endangered and threatened species list.
The proposal would return management of the predators to the states, potentially subjecting them to hunting and trapping. It most states it's illegal to kill a wolf unless it's threatening a human.
Minnesota Public Radio reports that officials explained at the hearing Tuesday night in the east-central Minnesota city of Brainerd that they no longer consider gray wolves endangered. They've made a dramatic recovery since they were protected in 1974.
But supporters of the protections said removal is premature. While wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and the northern Rockies have rebounded, they haven't fully recovered across their historic range.
RHINELANDER - People enjoyed 13 different chilies at First Supply and Gerhard's Kitchen and Bath Store in Rhinelander Friday afternoon. But they weren't there just for a meal.
"Every year we do this chili feed to give back to our community," said Gerhard's employee Aly Nehls. "This year we chose Pete because we felt that he needed it the most and we could help him out."
Three years ago, Pete Rondeau fell down a staircase and broke his neck. After getting treatment in Minneapolis for a couple of years, he made his return to Rhinelander.
"This is what I consider home. I really wanted to be back in Rhinelander," said Rondeau. "I couldn't see living any place else."
WAUSAU - As nearly eight inches of snow fell in Wausau last week, a local media outlet reported on a nearly 60-year-old law banning snowballs in public places around the city.
RHINELANDER - Salvation Army organizations across the country set out their red buckets and bells, including spots right in the Northwoods.
However, the local Mincoqua, Tomahawk and Rhinelander Salvation Armies are short of volunteers in the coming week.
Kettle Coordinator Kim Swisher said that last year, Rhinelander's Salvation Army surpassed their goal of $40,000 with help from volunteers. So this year, the organization is amping up the goal after raising $52,000 in 2018.
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