Good morning, Wausau.

The United Way Turkey Trot returns downtown on Nov.

26 at 8:30 a.m. to raise funds for food access, supporting Marathon County farmers + local food pantries.

Bidding is open on a former welcome sign as Public Surplus Auctions sells the 10 x 6 sign in Wausau; the auction began Oct.

6 and will run until Nov. 5 at 11:30 p.m. The winning bidder must pick up the sign + re-affix its panels.

Fire crews arrived at Charlie’s Smokehouse early Thursday morning after a fire destroyed the closed restaurant northeast of town off Highway 52; no injuries were reported as officials work to determine the cause.

A century-old Pepsi mural was uncovered beneath the siding of a building on North 3rd Street during a renovation; owner Nancy Bornheimer of 1st Place Trophy+Engraving said she will preserve the find dating from the 1930s for local community enjoyment.

Marathon County libraries are hosting public book discussions throughout November & covering bestsellers, classics, and memoirs.

Sessions are scheduled at branches in Wausau, Marathon City, Edgar, Hatley, Athens, Spencer, Mosinee, Stratford, and Rothschild for residents to share their love of reading.

Today, the Children’s Imaginarium hired Kit Kronberger as STEM Outreach Coordinator to build new STEM programs for local families + strengthen ties with schools and community groups across central Wisconsin.

Past records show Halloween in Wausau tends to be cool with highs in the upper 40s and lows near freezing (in some years, highs reached 78 and up to 2.6 inches of snow fell).

Local forecasts say cool conditions are expected this year with no snow.

Officials from the Department of Natural Resources warn drivers that deer are active during the fall rut and caution slowing down when spotted near roadways.

They advise using headlights at dawn and dusk and braking firmly if a collision is unavoidable + calling authorities if a dead deer blocks traffic.

JJ Watt, former Badgers star, has signed a multi-year deal to serve as NFL on CBS’s lead game analyst with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson.

He retired in 2022 after a 12-year career that brought him five First-Team All-Pro selections (he served as a studio analyst last season).