ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ)- Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and Democratic former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold are meeting in a debate at WLUK's studios tonight.

The debate starts at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on WTAQ.

Johnson defeated Feingold for the Senate seat in 2010. Feingold was first elected to the seat in 1992 and was re-elected in 1998 and 2004.

The race for Wisconsin's U.S. Senate seat is tightening up, with the gap between the two lead candidates shrinking to just two points in a new poll.

The latest Marquette University Law School Poll shows Russ Feingold leading incumbent Senator Ron Johnson 46-44 among likely voters, with Libertarian candidate Phil Anderson polling at four percent.

Feingold led by five-points in a poll released last month.

Tonight's debate is sponsored by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. It will be the first of two debates the candidates plan to participate in during this election.

STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A woman will be sentenced December 2 for stealing money from the Door County Humane Society.

Online court records indicate that Carrie Counihan, the former director of the business, pled no contest Thursday to five counts of theft of a business setting of less than $2,500. In the plea deal, 7 other counts were dismissed. They can be considered by the judge at sentencing.

Counihan was allowed to make purchases under $1,000 without board approval for the shelter's operational needs, according to the criminal complaint. After board members became suspicious of the finances, a review was done. Among the questionable expenses were clothing, food and hair appointments.

Over a five-year period, the questionable charges, "is estimated to be in the tens of thousands of dollars," per the complaint. 

Counihan admitted to using the shelter credit card on 86 transactions totaling $13,197.12. 

According to the sheriff's report attached to the complaint, there may be another $9,605.90 in personal expenses Counihan charged to the shelter.

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - State officials said on Friday that emerald ash borer has been found on a tree in Manitowoc County for the first time.

The invasive insect was found on a private woodlot in the Town of Schleswig.

Despite the discovery, the county had been under quarantine for EAB since 2014. That was due to infestations found in neighboring Calumet and Outagamie counties. 

"This will not change anything from a regulatory standpoint," Brian Kuhn, Plant Industry Bureau Director with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), said in a statement. "The quarantine will remain in place. The insects will continue to spread naturally, but the quarantine can help prevent EAB from leapfrogging to entirely new areas with the help of humans."

The property owner noticed woodpecker damage to ash trees throughout a six-acre woodlot and reported it to the state EAB hotline. On October 6, DATCP staff visited the site and collected EAB larvae, or immature insects, from two heavily infested trees.

Samples went to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for official confirmation, which was received October 12.

For private citizens, the quarantine means that they cannot take firewood from Manitowoc County to non-quarantine counties. For businesses handling wood products that could carry EAB, it means that they must work with DATCP to assure that their products are pest-free before shipping.

Contact a professional arborist for expert advice, and visit emeraldashborer.wi.gov for detailed information. 

Emerald ash borer is native to China and probably entered the United States on packing material, showing up first in Michigan in 2002. It was first found in Wisconsin in 2008 in Washington County. Manitowoc County joins 39 other Wisconsin counties where EAB has been found: Adams, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sawyer, Sheboygan, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Winnebago and Wood. Iowa and Kewaunee counties are also under quarantine because of the proximity of infestations in neighboring counties. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The man believed to be linked to a string of burglaries across the city of Green Bay has been taken into custody.

Green Bay Police announced Friday that while it is an ongoing investigation, they are confident this is the person responsible.

"What really put this case together for us was a lot of hard work from our detective and patrol officers," says Capt. Jeremy Muraski, Green Bay Police Department. "We're really happy with the results of that investigation. That they were able to link a person of interest to a whole string of burglaries is a pretty significant investigative win for us."

Muraski says this appears to be connected to a string of residential burglaries, not so much from autos. Charges are expected to follow soon, likely by early next week.

Despite the arrest, the police department continues to urge residents to take proactive measures to help keep valuable property safe.

ONEIDA, WI (WTAQ) - A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a double murder in Oneida.

The Outagamie County Sheriff's Office has called a news conference for late Friday afternoon on the investigation.

Police found 77-year-old Harry Brown Bear and his 67-year-old wife Lorraine Brown Bear dead inside their Beechtree Lane duplex back on September 14.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A man accused of arson and child abuse will stand trial.

Court records indicate that Jesus Castilloveitia-Quinton will enter a plea to 5 charges, including arson and two counts of child abuse on October 31.

Castilloveitia-Quinton allegedly set fire to the Ten-O-One Club on Green Bay's east side on August 21, which caused about $100,000 in damage. He's also accused of luring children to a vacant apartment in the building and punching them.

A judge found him competent to stand trial earlier this month.

MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - Federal law enforcement officials have announced that two Milwaukee men have been arrested and charged with trying to provide material support to ISIS.

On Friday, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced that 35-year-old Jason Ludke has been charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization. 30-year-old Yosvany Padilla-Conde was charged in the same criminal complaint with aiding and abetting Ludke's attempt.

FOX 11 reports that Ludke applied to the Green Bay Sex Offender Registry Board in 2015 to live with his wife, son and step-daughters. The move was approved, however, it wasn't immediately clear how long he may have lived in Green Bay.

Ludke had been convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a child in Brown County back in 2002. He was sentenced to 4 years in prison. The Wisconsin sex offender registry lists Ludke as non-compliant.

Officials say both men were arrested by the FBI and local law enforcement near San Angelo, Texas. The complaint alleges the pair traveled from Wisconsin to Mexico where they intended to acquire aid and documents necessary to travel to Syria and/or Iraq.

"Terrorism remains the FBI's top priority in keeping Americans safe. The arrest of these two individuals from Wisconsin, underscores how the real threat of terrorism can occur anywhere, at any time. I would like to commend the efforts of the JTTF which includes a wide range of our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly for the safety of our citizens. We encourage all citizens to remain vigilant in reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement," Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Justin Tolomeo, said in a news release.

If convicted of these charges, both men face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - It won't be too much longer until we start turning up the heat in our homes as cooler temperatures arrive in Northeast Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Public Service's winter moratorium starts November 15 and during this period, the utility company cannot shut off power to a customer.

WPS Spokeswoman, Lisa Prunty, encourages people who will utilize this program, to contact their office.

"Customers should call WPS and set up a payment plan or work with an agency that assists low income families to apply for the dollars that are available to them."

If you're still trying to pay off last year's bill, give the company a call and they will find a payment plan that works for you.

Prunty says they help everyone who reaches out and ultimately they want to be sure everyone is safe.

"We don't want people to use other forms to heat in their homes, such as a grill or oven. It's very dangerous. It could cause CO2 poisoning."

There are some simple tips to keep your home warmer in the winter. Be sure to clean out your furnace filter at least a couple time a year, get a programmable thermostat so you can turn down the heat when you're away from home, and if you're not using a room, shut the door.

Find out more information on the winter protection plan at www.wisconsinpublicservice.com.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has changed his plans to campaign in Green Bay on Monday.

According to his website, Trump's appearance at the KI Convention Center is now set for 6 p.m. Doors will now open at 3 p.m.  

Trump canceled a previously announced appearance at the state fairgrounds in West Allis, citing a scheduling conflict.

The appearance will be Trump's first in Wisconsin since his scheduled visit to an event in Walworth County was canceled just a day after a recording was released featuring the billionaire making vulgar comments about grabbing women's genitals.

After that, GOP leaders from the Badger State like House Speaker Paul Ryan and Gov. Scott Walker have distanced themselves from Trump. In fact, his last visit to Green Bay was when Trump finally endorsed Ryan.

Local officials feel Trump will try to win over undecided voters -- and he needs to after last week's Marquette University Law School poll show him trailing Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton by 7 points.

GREEN BAY, WI (Wisconsin Radio Network) - Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate candidates debated for the first time Friday night in Green Bay.

Incumbent Republican Ron Johnson and Democrat Russ Feingold answered questions from a media panel in a one hour debate sponsored by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.

The very first question – where they stand on their parties’ presidential candidates. Johnson said he’s had his differences with Donald Trump.

“Certainly I’m not going to defend the indefensible, which truthfully is kind of a marked difference between myself and Senator Feingold, who must the last person in America who thinks Hillary Clinton is trustworthy,” he said, adding that he’s “supporting the areas of agreement” with the Republican presidential nominee.

“This is no person to be a role model for the people of our country, and frankly I think it will be very frightening for the rest of the world if we elected Donald Trump,” said Feingold, who said supporting Trump “is completely irresponsible.”

The candidates also responded to questions about terrorism, Social Security, student debt, gun control, health care costs and more during the Green Bay debate, the first time the two have debated since the 2010 campaign.

Feingold is trying to unseat Johnson, after the Oshkosh businessman knocked him out of the Senate six years ago.

A Marquette University Law School poll released this week showed Feingold ahead of Johnson by just two points among likely voters, well within the margin of error. Other recent polls also show the race is extremely close, with less than four weeks to go before the election.

Libertarian candidate Phil Anderson was not invited to the debate.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - Police have arrested two men after allegedly pouring gasoline on a man and threatening him with a gun and a knife.

According to Grand Chute police, the incident happened in the 3000 block of Green Meadow Drive just after 11 p.m. Friday. The 28-year-old victim, who was being held against his will inside an apartment, had no injuries.

Officials arrested the two men on charges of disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of narcotics and bail jumping. A search warrant for the apartment was obtained.

The incident remains under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Grand Chute Police Department at (920) 832-1575.

UNDATED (WTAQ) - The family of Wisconsin state Senator Rick Gudex, who died earlier this week, issued a public statement on Saturday:

"Our family appreciates the concern and support from so many people during this time of grieving Rick's unexpected passing. He was a beloved member of our family and a thoughtful leader in his community.

We now know Rick was feeling an overwhelming depression and hopelessness that he kept to himself. He is not suffering now, but we miss him terribly. He loved his family. We cherish many wonderful memories.

Rick cared deeply for the people of his district. He loved talking to his constituents. He took pride in improving his community, and the State of Wisconsin. He loved working with Republicans and Democrats alike in the Senate. His legacy in public service is a great honor for our family.

We welcome Rick's constituents and colleagues to join us for his funeral services on Monday. We ask for privacy from the media as our family celebrates Rick's life and sadly says goodbye.

We give our sincere thanks to the many people who are helping us during this difficult time."

Fond du Lac County officials say Gudex died by suicide early Wednesday. He was 48.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A send-off ceremony was held Saturday for a group of Fox Valley-based Army Reserve soldiers who are deploying to Afghanistan.

For some, like Joshua Dubois, this will be his third tour of duty.

"This one is going to be a little harder, my first two was just my wife...now I have a wife and kids," Dubois said.

Since his last deployment in 2007, Dubois got married and started a family. He will be leaving them behind for the first time.

Dubois' mother Laurie Karlarkolwski says it has been tough on the whole family.

"It's a little harder for him this time, it's harder for a lot of us to see him go this time, because he's a good dad, and we love him so much." said Karlarkolwski.

Their mission is to manage and assist ammunition handling. The company's commander says this group is more than ready to begin their mission.

"We've been through some excellent training, some rigorous training. I think at this point what they've been through is more than capable of preparing them for over seas," said David Strange of the U.S. Army 395th Ordnance Company.

For mothers like Karlarkolwski, she says putting all emotion aside, it's something that she is proud of, "They're giving up, and they're sacrificing for duty, for our country."

In the next few of weeks the group of soldiers will be heading on a 10-month deployment to Afghanistan.

UNDATED (WTAQ) - A new AAA survey shows parents aren't doing their part in preparing their teens to drive, as today marks the start of National Teen Driver Safety Week.

Nick Jarmusz with AAA Wisconsin says in a survey of 142 driving instructors across America, 65% said the decline in quality parental involvement has added to the challenges facing young drivers.

"The biggest issue that they cited is the amount of time and practice hours that parents are dedicated to working with their children."

The survey also revealed the top three mistakes teens make while learning to drive: speeding, distractions and poor visual scanning.

"They're being irresponsible with their speed. They are engaging in activities that are taking their attention off the wheel and they're not doing a good job of scanning for potential dangers and predictive clues to help them avoid crashes or avoid dangerous situations down the road," says Jarmusz.

Past research shows that teens with parents who impose stricter driving limits reported fewer crashes and traffic violations.

AAA recommends parents have conversations early and often with teens about the dangers of speeding and distraction.

Find more information on helping your teen behind the wheel at www.teendriving.aaa.com.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - 15 people were arrested by multiple Brown County agencies in a nationwide child sex trafficking operation.

The arrests include charges of Trafficking a Child, Child Enticement, Prostitution, Possession of Methamphetamine and Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime.

The agencies involved include the Brown County Sheriff's department,Green bay Police Department, Ashwaubenon Public Safety, De Pere Police department and FBI-Milwaukee.

The nationwide operation took place during the week of October 10th.

BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - A Brown County Deputy was injured in an early morning crash.

It happened shortly after 6 a.m. this morning (Monday) on Highway GV in Bellevue, near Highway 172.

Deputies say a woman driving an SUV made a turn and hit the squad car.

The deputy suffered non-life threatening injuries.

The woman wasn't injured.

No word yet on whether the woman would be charged and the investigation continues.

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - Manitowoc police have arrested a woman in connection with an overnight stabbing.

Police say it happened just before 3 a.m. Sunday. Officers were called to a residence for a report of a man who was stabbed.

The victim was allegedly stabbed by his girlfriend who was still at the residence when police arrived.

The 53-year-old Manitowoc woman was taken into custody. She's jailed on charges of injury by negligent use of a dangerous weapon, battery and a probation and parole violation.

The victim, a 40-year-old Manitowoc man suffered a laceration to his forearm and was treated on scene.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Manitowoc Police Department at (920) 686-6551.

NORTH FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - A student at North Fond du Lac High School has been arrested after police say he made threatening messages on Snapchat this weekend.

According to officials, the 15-year-old student used a fake account to send messages saying he was new at the school and warned others not to show up on Monday.

The teen stated, "There's just some kids and teachers that gotta get what they deserve."

Police identified the teen and arrested him before school started Monday.

"While the boy told us that the message was sent to his friend as a prank, his actions created a significant disturbance and a very real fear amongst parents and students," Police Chief Darren Pautsch told FOX 11.

School administrators notified parents of the incident and staffed extra police at the school as a precaution.

North Fond du Lac Police are recommending charges of making terrorist threats and unlawful use of computerized communication systems against the teen.

The teen is being held in secure detention.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Ahead of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's visit to Green Bay Monday, Democrats in Wisconsin are looking for members of Trump's party to denounce him and withdraw their endorsement. 

"We have seen over the last year how dark his soul is, now we're seeing just how dangerous he is as a man and certainly on the ballot as a potential president and commander-in-chief," says U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin). "Too many of our Republican leaders in this country are failing a moral test."

Baldwin, along with Outagamie County Executive and Democratic candidate in Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District Thomas Nelson and Nancy Nusbaum with Women for Hillary, stood together running down the list of comments Trump has made which they believe should disqualify him from being president.

Nelson specifically called out his GOP opponent, Mike Gallagher, for largely being silent on the issue of Trump. It's an issue, Nelson feels, that's the most important in the Northeast Wisconsin race aside from social security.

"His continued support for Trump shows that Mike Gallagher lacks the moral courage to do the right thing," Nelson says. "If he lacks the courage to put our country before politics, how will he ever have the courage to fight for the 8th Congressional District?"

"This election is being rigged by the media pushing false and unsubstantiated charges, and outright lies, in order to elect Crooked Hillary!" Trump said in one Twitter post. He reiterated similar claims at a later rally in Bangor, Maine.

"It looks to me like a rigged election," Trump said in New Hampshire. "The election is being rigged by corrupt media pushing completely false allegations and outright lies in an effort to elect her president."

Gallagher's campaign has refused several requests for an interview, but in a statement last week, the candidate said:

"I denounce Donald Trump’s offensive and reprehensible comments and he alone will have to bear the consequences of his actions. And like many ordinary Wisconsinites here in the 8^th District, I find myself disgusted with the state of American politics. But for me, Hillary Clinton failed the commander-in-chief test the night of September 11, 2012. That night I was on duty in the National Counterterrorism Center when the first reports started coming in from Benghazi, Libya. As an active duty Marine, all night I was tracking reports of my brothers 5,000 miles away fighting for their lives while no one came to their help. Secretary Clinton then lied to the American people and the families of the fallen. This eliminates her from consideration for President.

And unlike my opponent Thomas Nelson, I’m not running to serve the President or career politicians in Congress. I’m running to serve the people of the 8^th District and to honor the sacred oath I took to support and defend the Constitution ten years ago when I joined the U.S. Marine Corps. That means restoring what our Founders intended a key role of Congress to be: a check and balance on the power of the Presidency."

Meantime, Trump’s campaign announced Monday morning that several Wisconsin Republicans would appear at the rally. They include Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), and U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI). Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke is also scheduled to appear.

Trump will speak at the KI Convention Center at 6 p.m. The doors open at 3 p.m.

Brett Favre addressed the media just after being honored on field during Packers / Cowboys game.