Local Rhinelander Headlines

MADISON - An effort to limit local control of mining gets pushed back. Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says his chamber won't take up a bill that would scale back local governments' ability to regulate mining this fall. Full Story: WJFW

WISCONSIN - Teens can struggle with traffic rules and driving safety. But you can bet most know their way around a smartphone. Full Story: WJFW

NORTHWOODS - You can keep your home safe, and help the environment in an easy way this Saturday. Locations across the Northwoods will join in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Full Story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - The moment many performing arts lovers in the Northwoods waited for has finally arrived. The newly renovated Hext Theatre in Rhinelander just opened. Jim Hext and his wife, Lori, started the Hext Theatre two years ago. Full Story: WJFW

GREEN BAY - State transportation officials want to reopen the Leo Frigo bridge by the middle of January. The bridge, that carries interstate 43 over the fox river on green bay's north side, has been closed since september 25. Full Story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Hodag Country Fest brings thousands to Rhinelander for music, food and the atmosphere. Keeping thousands of people safe while they're at Country Fest can be a challenge. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office works with Per Mar Security to keep the grounds safe. They have several ways to measure how safe the event was. Full Story: WJFW

MINOCQUA - You may think of orange and black - Halloween colors - when you think about the month of October. But more and more people think pink in October. Pink is the color of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Full Story: WJFW

MERRILL - Merrill fifth-graders will not be moved from elementary school to middle school. The district's motion to move fifth-graders into middle school failed at Monday night's school board meeting. Full Story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Maybe you can stand the thought of winter. But your car will need a little help. Preparing your car for snow is the best way to do that. Full Story: WJFW

MADISON - A Madison judge has found Wisconsin labor relations officials in contempt of court for continuing to enforce portions of Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining restrictions despite a ruling they're unconstitutional. Full Story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Congress finally ended the federal shutdown last week. For more than two weeks before that, national parks were closed, IRS call centers were unavailable, and hundreds of thousands of workers were told to stay home. Some of those changes might have impacted you directly. Full Story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Some football fans paint their faces to support their team. But Pat Moore doesn’t wear her Hodag pride on her face. Instead, "Grandma Pat" mixes up batch after batch of cookies. Full Story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Most of us won't make it all the way to Alaska and Canada. And if we do, it probably won't be by canoe. But tonight, two local men will share their experiences paddling through Alaska and Canada. Full Story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Culvers and the Northwoods YMCA will host a special fundraiser for cancer survivors this Thursday. Culvers will donate ten percent of the money it makes from the evening. The money will support a twelve week fitness program at the YMCA. Full Story: WJFW