Midwest
Wisconsin Gov. Evers signs deer hunt license price hike into law
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Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill Thursday that raises the cost for bow and crossbow deer hunting licenses for out-of-state residents.
WISCONSIN DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR ASKS REPUBLICANS TO RELEASE $125M TO COMBAT ‘FOREVER CHEMICALS’ POLLUTION
The Republican-authored measure raises the cost of the licenses by an additional $35 to $200. The state Department of Natural Resources estimates the increase will generate an additional $543,200 annually for the state’s fish and wildlife account.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers speaks Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Superior, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The DNR has projected that dwindling license sale revenue will leave the account with a nearly $16 million deficit heading into the next state budget.
The Senate and Assembly both passed the bill unanimously earlier this month.
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Indiana
Madam Walker Legacy Fest block party celebrates Black excellence with food, music, and community
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A big weekend is on the books for the annual Madam Walker Legacy Center as they host their annual Legacy Fest.
Festivities kicked off Friday night with a performance by Teddy Riley, Guy 2.0 & Friends. Saturday celebrations continue with a free block party along Indiana Avenue.
Vendors will pack the avenue during the block party, along with live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities.
The block party runs from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Legacy Fest shines a spotlight on music, culture, community, and the enduring legacy of Black entrepreneurship and artistry.
This year’s Fest also highlights the 99th anniversary of the iconic Walker Theatre, a symbol of the city’s rich cultural heritage.
I asked Kristian Little Stricklen, the president and CEO of the Madam Walker Legacy Center, about why they’ve continued to grow Legacy Fest. She credits the community for the festival’s expansion.
“The community support and feedback that we got, it’s why we continue to do it – year over year over year,” she said. “We want to make sure that we’re doing what we’re supposed to, right? To uplift Madam Walker’s legacy.”
Indiana Avenue will be closed between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Blackford streets to accommodate community festivities.
The Madam Walker Theatre anticipates a big year next year as it prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
Iowa
Blocked Iowa HHS director resigns but is appointed deputy director
Watch as Gov. Kim Reynolds reveals Iowa Office of Outdoor Recreation
Gov. Kim Reynolds signs an executive order June 8 creating an Iowa Office of Outdoor Recreation within the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Iowa’s director of Health and Human Services has resigned after the Iowa Senate blocked his confirmation in April, but he will stay in leadership as deputy director.
Larry Johnson was appointed to succeed Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia in September 2025. Johnson took over the department in October.
Johnson’s confirmation in April, however, was blocked by Iowa Senate Democrats. Johnson received the support of 28 senators, six votes short of the 34 needed.
“Hundreds of thousands of Iowans rely on the Department of Health & Human Services, but under Mr. Johnson’s leadership, those Iowans have been met with diminished care and services and a disrespectful lack of transparency and communication,” Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner said in a statement at the time of Johnson’s confirmation block. “Senate Democrats believe Iowans deserve more responsible leadership for such an important executive department.”
Under state law, 60 days after the Iowa Senate disapproves a person’s appointment, the nominee must step down. Johnson’s resignation came June 19, 58 days after his confirmation was blocked.
In a news release Friday, Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Kraig Paulsen, the director of the Iowa Department of Management, to also serve as the director of Iowa Health and Human Services.
“This is not the first time I’ve called upon Director Paulsen to help lead executive branch departments during times of transition,” Reynolds said in a statement. “His experience across state government is unmatched, and I have full confidence in his ability to ensure our state’s largest agency has the leadership team required, not only to serve Iowans most in need of assistance, but also to advance strategic initiatives such as rural health transformation, cancer research, and child welfare technology improvements.”
Paulsen named Johnson as principal deputy director of the department to “ensure efficient and effective operations,” according to the release.
“Iowa HHS requires strong and experienced leadership at every level to ensure continuity of critical services such as Medicaid, SNAP, and child protection, and Larry Johnson is exactly that leader,” Paulsen said in the release. “I look forward to working closely with Principal Deputy Director Johnson to ensure Iowa’s strong commitment to our most vulnerable citizens continues as usual.”
Weiner, in a statement issued June 19, said Reynolds “has decided to blatantly disregard and circumvent the Senate in re-establishing Larry Johnson as the de facto head” of Health and Human Services.“This is partisan politics of the worst kind,” Weiner said in the statement. “Under Larry Johnson, the hundreds of thousands of Iowans who rely on HHS for critical services have received a diminished standard of care, a disrespectful lack of responsiveness, and a department more concerned with fealty to the governor than transparency to the public. And yet, this governor simply cannot handle a world in which she doesn’t get her way, so she has invented a title that allows Johnson to resume his work.”
Weiner said the decision to not confirm John was “not made lightly,” and “We did what was right for Iowans.”
“Our goal has been and remains to work within the bounds of the Senate for the benefit of all Iowans,” Weiner said. “Unfortunately, Gov. Reynolds would rather play politics than give Iowans the respect of a more diligent search for a qualified candidate.”
Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com.
Kansas
1 man dies after being shot June 9 in Kansas City, Missouri; police working to identify person of interest
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is working to identify a person(s) of interest in a June 9 shooting that led to the death of one victim.
Police were called around 6 a.m. on June 9 to the area of Independence and Monroe avenues in Kansas City, Missouri.
Responding officers found an unresponsive man behind a residence in that area. He was transported to the hospital for life-threatening injuries, per KCPD.
Police were notified Friday night that the shooting victim died.
KCPD said Saturday “detectives have made headway identifying subject(s) of interest.”
Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to call KCPD Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline at 816-474-8477.
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If you have any information about a crime, you may contact your local police department directly. But if you want or need to remain anonymous, you should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com. Depending on your tip, Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward.
Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.
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Indiana18 seconds agoMadam Walker Legacy Fest block party celebrates Black excellence with food, music, and community
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Iowa3 minutes agoBlocked Iowa HHS director resigns but is appointed deputy director
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Kansas8 minutes ago1 man dies after being shot June 9 in Kansas City, Missouri; police working to identify person of interest
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