Local Wausau News

Another reason for you to smile -- researchers at the University of Illinois suggest optimism may help you keep your ticker in tip top shape.

Several Milwaukee-based media organizations are launching an initiative to humanize the local issue of gun violence.

The board that oversees Wisconsin elections is poised to ask lawmakers to overhaul the state's campaign finance laws.

The state board that oversees elections and ethics compliance is set to select new officers.

SEATTLE (AP) -- A black Labrador named Eclipse just wants to get to the dog park. So if her owner takes too long finishing his cigarette, and their bus arrives, she climbs aboard solo and rides to her Seattle stop.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Madison's police chief is venting his frustrations at black protesters accusing his department of bias and contributing to racial disparity in the criminal justice system.

The Wausau School Board has a final budget plan.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy will give his team a head start out West to prepare for the NFC title game against the Seattle Seahawks .Green Bay plans to leave for Seattle on Friday, one day ahead of when the team would usually fly out for Sunday road games.

Wisconsin's Traevon Jackson will have surgery on his injured right foot this week, depriving the seventh-ranked Badgers of their veteran point guard in Big Ten play.

The Wausau Police Department is asking for your help to track down a man wanted for sexual assault.

Republican congressman Paul Ryan says he will not run for president in 2016.

MERRILL (WAOW) - The Lincoln County Sheriff's Department says a 26-year-old rural Tomahawk man fired a pistol following an early-morning argument and refused to talk to investigators until SWAT officers surrounded the home.

Newsline 9 was the first to tell you about a friendly wager at a Wausau bowling alley. 

A fire that broke out Monday morning at a Portage County hotel has been put out, according to the Plover fire chief.  

WESTON (WAOW) - Everest Metro Police say a "suspected explosive device" was found during a search of a home in a burglary investigation that led to the arrests of four people on drug-related charges.

Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan says he is awaiting test results to determine the severity of the right foot injury to point guard Traevon Jackson. Jackson was hurt in the second half of the fourth-ranked Badgers' 67-62 loss Sunday night at Rutgers. 

Newsline 9 has a crew on the way to apparent fire in Portage County. Smoke can be seen billowing from the Elizabeth Inn on Harding Avenue in Plover.

One person was taken to the hospital after her car crashed into the Marathon County Courthouse.

Crews are on the scene of a house fire in Weston. A reporter on scene says she can see smoke and flames coming from the home on the 4800 block of Mesker Street.

January is National Blood Donation month.