Good morning, Eau Claire.

Due to high heat & poor air quality, Eau Claire’s Parks, Recreation & Forestry cancelled outdoor youth programs on Thursday, moving swimming lessons indoors while cancelling other activities.

Officials expect outdoor events to resume Friday as conditions improve.

Bloomer School District is asking voters to approve a $77 million referendum this November to build a new high school and update school facilities (which will raise annual taxes by about $230 per $100k) over 23 years.

High school students experienced a behind the scenes look at police work during the Advanced Junior Police Academy at the Eau Claire Police Department this week.

They learned about SWAT team operations, hands-on forensics, and traffic stops to explore career opportunities in law enforcement.

Jaden Lin, a Memorial High School graduate, earned a full-ride scholarship for computer science at Carnegie Mellon — he benefited from the UW-Eau Claire Upward Bound program and is now visiting China with his family while preparing for a first-generation program in Pittsburgh.

Local nonprofits learned ways to help people with disabilities at a Pablo Center workshop in July led by board member Katherine Schneider and nonprofit coach Ann Kaiser.

A follow-up group discussion is set for Aug. 11 to build on these ideas.

Residents in Eau Claire are reassured as the city confirms its water system meets demand by supplying safe drinking water and fire protection; there are no watering restrictions now.

The city advises off-peak watering and postponing vehicle washing to support long-term sustainability.

Menomonie local Emily Blosberg, diagnosed with pediatric-onset MS in her teens, now leads Oscar’s Teen MS Camp in River Falls that helps teens learn self-advocacy and find community support plus raises awareness about MS through her nonprofit's MRI-friendly sock monkeys.

This weekend, thousands will gather at Country Jam and Rock Fest in Chippewa Valley while health officials advise everyone to drink water and wear sunscreen to avoid heat exhaustion amid high temperatures and an air quality advisory extended statewide until noon Friday (with improved conditions expected later).

Floy Dorgan celebrated her 104th birthday with a happy hour featuring martinis and music at Heatherwood Assisted Living on Thursday in Eau Claire.

The celebration reflected her lifelong spirit and love for travel and golf.

Country Jam USA - Day 3

12:00 PM – 11:59 PM — Country Jam USA Festival Grounds — Check event site for ticket details — Experience a day with the Texan country sound of Braxton Keith at this lively festival.

Sunday Funday: Late-Night Board Games

9 p.m. — The Plus — Free entry — Dive into a diverse board game library with demos, competitions, and prizes for all ages.

Intaglio Collagraph Print Making Workshop

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM — Decadent Gifts & Gallery — $27.38 — Explore textures and patterns in this hands-on printmaking workshop with all materials provided.

Sunday Funday: Late-Night Board Games

9 p.m. — The Plus — Free entry — Gather for an evening of fun with a vast library of board games and interactive gameplay.

Zak Toscani Live Comedy Show

7:00 PM — The Plus — $15 adv, $20 door — Experience the unique voice and wit of Zak Toscani in an intimate comedy setting.

37th Annual Charity Golf Outing

8:30 a.m. — Hickory Hills Golf Course — $100 — Enjoy a fun day of golfing, games, food, and networking while supporting a good cause.

Sunday Funday – Late-Night Board Games

9 p.m. — The Plus — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of board games with a vast library and fun prizes for all ages.