Wisconsin
Plainfield residents mourn college gymnast killed in Wisconsin
Friends and family are remembering a suburban college student who was shot and killed near the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Friday.
According to authorities, 21-year-old Kara Welsh, who was also a decorated gymnast after a remarkable career in suburban Plainfield, was killed following an altercation at an apartment on Friday night.
As the investigation continues, a vigil was held honoring her in Plainfield.
“I just miss her already, and can’t believe that she’s gone,” childhood friend Nicole Conrad said.
Friends and neighbors tied ribbons on trees, and dropped off flowers and balloons at the house where Welsh grew up.
“She was always just the light in the room,” Conrad said. “She always knew how to make people laugh.”
Tessani Foster, a former gymnastics teammate of Welsh’s, described her friend as a “constant” in her life.
“She’s been a constant in my life. We did gymnastics together for a long time and she was just one of those people that you knew you could always count on,” she said.
Foster said that Welsh earned All-American honors at UW-Whitewater.
“She was just such a role model in and out of the gym for me,” she said. “She would give me rides to and from school and to and from practice and never asked for anything in return. She was just that kind of person.”
That portrayal was shared by those who knew Welsh best in her community.
“She helped me through my toughest times, and she’s just been there,” Conrad said. “She’s been a good friend.”
As the investigation continues, flags will fly at half-staff on campus Tuesday as students return for classes after the Labor Day holiday.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin man arrested in Colorado in connection with deadly hit-and-run in north suburbs
A Wisconsin man has been arrested in Colorado in connection with a fatal north suburban hit-and-run earlier this year that left a 50-year-old woman killed.
According to the Winthrop Harbor Police Department, Travis Kern, 35, of Pleasant Prairie, turned himself into police in Lakewood Colorado on an arrest warrant. Kern was charged with two felonies, police said, and remains in custody in Colorado pending extradition proceedings.
About 11:10 p.m. on February 26, a pedestrian was struck in the 1400 block of Sheridan Road in Winthrop Harbor by a driver of a vehicle heading northbound. The vehicle then fled the scene, police said.
The pedestrian, later identified as Shanna White, 50, of Waukegan, was transported to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.
According to court documents, Kern’s next scheduled court date is set for July 22.
Wisconsin
TOUR KICKS OFF: Kids from Wisconsin begins 56th annual tour Thursday in Whitewater
WHITEWATER, Wis. (WMTV) – The Kids from Wisconsin troupe is kicking off its 56th annual tour this week.
Kids from Wisconsin is a traveling show with 22 singer-dancers and 14 band members. The troupe performs across Wisconsin, hosting workshops for kids and helping fundraise for youth arts programs.
This year’s theme is “America’s Soundtrack: The Pulse of a Nation.” The theme honors the 250th anniversary of America and features music by all-American composers, bands and performers.
Kids from Wisconsin bassist and student leader Alex Coller said that range is what makes this year’s tour stand out.
“The theme is really just celebrating American music. And I think it’s definitely one of the most cohesive and like diverse shows I have played with this organization,” Coller said. “Even though its just American music it’s really cool to see. Anyone no matter who you are, or what your musical background is, or whether you like music or not, there is something here for everyone to enjoy.”
Kids from Wisconsin’s artistic and choral director, Taras Nahirniak, said audiences won’t want to miss it.
“Find a show near you, you are not going to want to miss this show. It’s just spectacular, the kids are so talented,” Nahirniak said. “We are just finishing up our camp right now, and they are just working their tails off. To really go around the state and show the state what they have.”
The tour premieres Thursday night at Young Auditorium in Whitewater. For tickets, tour dates or to find a show, visit kidsfromwi.org.
Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2026 WMTV. All rights reserved.
Wisconsin
Democrat Missy Hughes drops out of Wisconsin governor race
Marquette poll shows Wisconsin voters unfocused on governor race
A Marquette University Law School poll reveals Wisconsin voters lack focus on the governor’s race, with most undecided 5 months before the primary.
MADISON – Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO Missy Hughes is dropping out of the Democratic primary race for governor and endorsing Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez.
Hughes, who was the most moderate candidate in the Democratic field for governor, suspended her campaign days after placing last in a straw poll of party delegates at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin state convention in Madison.
Her endorsement of Rodriguez comes as some Democrats are eyeing an alternative to state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who leans further left than current Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Hong and Barnes are considered frontrunners in the primary race.
In a statement, Hughes flicked at the approach of Hong and other candidates to her left who have proposed significant changes to state government.
“I believe there is great hope in these small efforts to find common ground. I wanted to make sure that Wisconsinites understand we have created something valuable and that investing in ourselves and our communities is well-deserved,” Hughes said. “We do not need to tear it all down, and there is real and important work to do to improve what we already have.”
Hughes suggested Rodriguez would make more reasonable decisions as governor than her primary opponents.
“This job is about running the state, and getting things done. As you consider what is important to you, I urge you to look beyond the talking points, social media posts, and gilded promises and consider what you think is essential to do the job,” she said. “Stop asking, ‘Who will win?’ and start asking who you trust to make big decisions that impact our families and the wellbeing of our loved ones, neighbors and communities.”
This developing story will be updated.
Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.
-
Austin, TX4 minutes agoNational Hockey League seeking expansion in Houston and Austin as potential targets
-
Alabama6 minutes agoAlabama hits home with plans for Tuscaloosa 2027 Edge on official visit
-
Alaska12 minutes agoAir Force’s Fightertown Alaska Plan Takes Shape
-
Arizona19 minutes agoArizona man convicted for role in bringing cocaine to Cincinnati, other US locations for over 5 years
-
Arkansas22 minutes agoRegistration opens for Arkansas urban deer hunts
-
California27 minutes agoOpinion: California is about to get a windfall. Let’s not blow it.
-
Colorado34 minutes ago1up Arcade Bar in LoDo pulls the plug as owners prep Lakewood location
-
Connecticut37 minutes agoMerrill Recruits Morgan Stanley Branch Manager for Connecticut Market

