What just happened to Channel 9? | The Weekly Wausonian

Wausau news for the week of Dec. 5, 2024

As work began on the Weekly Wausonian Wednesday, a major story emerged: sources are saying WAOW has made some drastic cuts to its staff.

Fewer than half the news staff listed on WAOW’s page in October are listed now. And that includes a pretty important name: Melissa Langbehn.

Langbehn on her Facebook page posted a goodbye and thank you for her viewers after 34 years on the air. She didn’t comment in her post on the situation at WAOW and didn’t characterize her departure.

According to its own website, WAOW is down to five news staff, three meteorologists and one sports director. An archive search of their staff page from September showed 12 news staff and two sports staff. (The same number of meteorologists.)

They also removed a memorial listing for Neena Pacholke, who had been listed with 1995-2022 on the site back in September.

Quincy Media Group owned WAOW from 2001 to 2021, when the station was sold to Allen Media Broadcasting, according to WAOW’s timeline. AMG made headlines this year for announcing a series of layoffs which included The Weather Channel.

WAOW is an affiliate of the Madison station, but sources tell The Wausonian that more of its operations are being run out of the Madison station now.

Commenters online have said they are now switching stations because they’re seeing less local news.

Subscribers had plenty to read this week:

What else in Wausau?

Turkey Trot sees record numbers: Runners joining the United Way’s Turkey Trot raised a record amount of money. The event saw 2,202 runners for the event which typically is capped at 2,000 runners, and they raised $86,000 for the United Way’s causes.

Beating conviction: A Rothschild man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role as one of three young men to beat a 61-year-old man to death in Stevens Point. Arlin Sangster will also serve five years on supervision for his role in the beating. Christian Emerson and Brandon Boehm, also of Wausau are accused of beating the man to death. A trial is set for January for Emerson, and Boehm’s case is still in the pre-trial phase.

More of a guide, really: The city’s Economic Development Committee approved a guide for the north riverfront area after attempts to develop a full-fledged plan for the area were thwarted by a mayoral veto. The guide helps give staff guidelines for staff when developers approach the city with development ideas. Staff recommended the area, north of Bridge Street, largely be focused on commercial uses, with the possibility of some residential elements. They recommended no more than three stories for any building.

Around the metro

A boiling problem: Edgar residents last week were advised to boil their water after the village dealt with a water main break. The village was able to fix the two breaks, and once the water towers were full, residents were able to use the water again. But the breaks occurred right before Thanksgiving, likely making turkey dinner a challenge for some of those residents.

Business

The Story Cellar: The Story Cellar opened this fall in the building that once housed River District Antiques. The business combines books and coffee (is there a better combination?) at its 205 Callon Street location. And, according to their social media, they buy used books as well.

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

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Entertainment

Friday, Dec. 6: The Jorgensens, from the name, sound like they would be a neighborhood church couple, but this is one rockin’ group. The music is a heavy blues-driven rock with a sweet-sounding slide guitar to really give it that bluesy-rock grit that jumps up and bites you. They’re headed to Malarkey’s Pub this weekend, one of the original Wausau hotspots for music. 8 pm. See the event page for more.

Sat-Sun, Dec. 7-8: The Nutcracker, performed by the Central Wisconsin School of Ballet, is a yearly tradition, and it ought to be. Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is a timeless classic in the canon of Christmas music. I can hear the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy right now as I’m typing this. The Central Wisconsin School of Ballet brings this wonderful creation to life every year, and it’s a part of many central Wisconsin folk’s annual Christmas traditions. 1:30 pm and 7 pm Saturday.; 1 pm Sunday. $22-$42. Check out the event page for more.

Sunday, Dec. 8: I love that makers markets are a thing in Wausau. They’re so great for unique gifts! Head downtown Sunday and browse the Holiday Makers Market at the Third Street Lifestyle Center (which us old timers still remember as the Washington Square building). You can purchase from local vendors featuring clothing, artwork, woodwork, food, drinks and more. 10-3 pm. wausauriverdistrict.org.

Looking for kids/family events? Check out the family-oriented listing from The Wausonian’s partner Wausau Mama, who puts together a weekly listing of children/family activities.

Sports

Junior hockey: The Wausau Cyclones defeated the St. Louis Jr. Blues Saturday, pushing the team to a 15-4-2 record. That puts them at the top of the NAHL Central Division ahead of West Bend Power.

Arena soccer: The central Wisconsin Conquerors pre-season match against the Milwaukee Wave had to be rescheduled, according to the team’s Facebook page. The new indoor arena soccer team kicks off its first regular season game Dec. 14 against the Minnesota Blizzard.

Girls hockey: The Central Wisconsin Storm is off to a blistering start this year, winning all three games including the two Thanksgiving weekend Gobbler Cup matchups. The Storm beat Wisconsin Valley Union 5-1 on Tuesday, the USM Wildcats 6-2 Friday and Hayward Coop 3-0 Saturday. The Storm heads to Arrowhead on Friday.

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