Brittany Dobbins
Multimedia Journalist
Wausau, WI
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Brittany Dobbins came to WSAW as a Multimedia Journalist in June 2021. She is an alum of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She majored in journalism and telecommunications. Brittany is originally from Oak Lawn, Illinois, which is a suburb on the south side of Chicago.
Updated: Jul. 21, 2022 at 10:31 AM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
According to a study done by The Mayo Clinic in 2016, less than 3% of Americans live a healthy lifestyle. More recently, studies are showing how the pandemic has taken a toll on the overall well-being of Americans.
Updated: Jul. 18, 2022 at 10:00 AM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
The city of Wisconsin Rapids has confirmed heavy rainfall on July 15 is to blame for causing wastewater to flow into the Wisconsin River.
Updated: Jun. 10, 2022 at 11:26 AM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
The Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo will return to Lincoln County Friday night. Gates open up at 5 p.m. Friday.
Updated: Jun. 3, 2022 at 8:49 AM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
According to the Child Mind Institute, the average American child spends about four to seven minutes a day outside. Over the last two years, getting outside and socializing decreased, while screen time increased.
Updated: Jun. 1, 2022 at 7:48 AM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
Memorial Day weekend marked the unofficial start of summer and the Wisconsin DNR said many boaters, new and experienced hit the water for the weekend. However, the DNR said there are some lessons that can be learned from the holiday weekend.
Updated: May. 31, 2022 at 10:27 AM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
Planting season is ramping up in Wisconsin and one farmer in Marshfield is urging drivers to use caution when approaching farm vehicles on roads and highways.
Updated: May. 23, 2022 at 8:54 AM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
People are feeling the pinch of inflation everywhere, from groceries to the gas pump. But, financial advisors say not to panic, and instead, use the time to reevaluate budgets and spending habits.
Updated: May. 11, 2022 at 9:29 AM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
Two local organic farms are partnering with New Beginnings for Refugees. The new partnership will bring access to high-quality produce to Afghan refugee families. Cattail Organics and Red Door Family Farm are the two farms participating in the partnership.
Updated: May. 3, 2022 at 9:01 AM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded UW-Madison Extension a $200,000 grant that will be used to study six different farmers’ markets in north-central Wisconsin.
Updated: Apr. 19, 2022 at 8:17 AM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
It may not feel like spring, but the spring months are on us and this time of year is the busiest time for wildfires in Wisconsin. The DNR said that’s because fires can spread quickly after the snow melts and before plants, trees and grass turn green.
Updated: Apr. 4, 2022 at 8:20 AM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
April 4 through April 8 is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Wisconsin. It’s a week people can use as a reminder to review plans in the event severe weather strikes.
Updated: Mar. 23, 2022 at 8:18 AM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
The month of March is known as National Kidney Month. Its purpose is to bring awareness to kidney health and encourage people to learn about kidney disease. 37 million Americans have kidney disease, and one in three adults in the U.S. are at risk for developing the condition.
Updated: Feb. 14, 2022 at 7:49 AM CST
|By Brittany Dobbins
Monday, Feb. 14, or Valentine’s Day is all about love, but for some, it can be stressful. That’s why doctors at Aspirus Health are raising awareness about ‘broken heart syndrome.’
Updated: Feb. 10, 2022 at 12:30 PM CST
|By Brittany Dobbins
An Oneida Nation woman of Stevens Point is being nationally recognized for her creative skills. Karen Ann Hoffman is a Haudenosaunee Raised Beadworker and has been recently recognized by United States Artists as a 2022 fellow of traditional arts.
Updated: Jan. 31, 2022 at 7:06 AM CST
|By Brittany Dobbins
Esports is rising in popularity each year and growing faster than ever before throughout high schools. It’s a sport that doesn’t require physical exertion, but still teaches students essential life skills.
Updated: Jan. 10, 2022 at 6:39 AM CST
|By Brittany Dobbins
It’s the middle of winter in northcentral Wisconsin, and that means more layers for us. But what about our four-legged friends?
Updated: Jan. 7, 2022 at 5:12 PM CST
|By Brittany Dobbins
2022 marks Wausau’s 150 anniversary of becoming a city. ‘Celebrate Wausau’ is a year-long celebration recognizing all of the things that have shaped and grown Wausau into the city it is today.
Updated: Jan. 2, 2022 at 3:27 PM CST
|By Brittany Dobbins
While some prefer to be inside during the cold temperatures, others are preferring to be outside. One Tomahawk couple is spending roughly 40 hours total to build a rainbow igloo.
Updated: Dec. 22, 2021 at 7:31 AM CST
|By Brittany Dobbins
Cows are nothing new in America’s Dairyland, but for the Stevens Point community, something so little can make a big impact.
Updated: Dec. 1, 2021 at 5:46 PM CST
|By Brittany Dobbins
In the last few months, Wisconsin has lost two officers to COVID-19.
Updated: Nov. 20, 2021 at 5:54 PM CST
|By Brittany Dobbins
Gun deer season officially started Saturday morning. Many restaurants and bars are offering specials for hunters all weekend, and Charlie’s Bar in Marathon City is one of them.
Updated: Nov. 19, 2021 at 5:40 PM CST
|By Brittany Dobbins
A young red-tailed hawk spent three months in rehabilitation at Reptor Education Group, Inc. (REGI) in Antigo, after he was found in Marshfield by a familiar couple.
Updated: Oct. 30, 2021 at 4:11 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
Alison Snortheim is a mother who’s been looking for a kidney. We’ve been following up with Ali and her hunt to find the match.
Updated: Oct. 27, 2021 at 7:59 PM CDT
|By Wyatt Heller, Heather Poltrock and Brittany Dobbins
The Everest Metro Police Department says a man was hit by a vehicle on Grand Avenue in Schofield around 6 p.m. Wednesday evening.
Updated: Oct. 14, 2021 at 9:51 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
According to the 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention annual report, there were 399 fewer suicides in 2019 than in 2018.
Updated: Oct. 7, 2021 at 9:17 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
Pfizer wants the FDA to give emergency use authorization (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11. The filing for approval is coming after Pfizer’s booster shot was just approved in September.
Updated: Oct. 1, 2021 at 7:51 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
Hundreds of deer and other wildlife could be killed at the Sandhill Wildlife Area in Pittsville. The Wisconsin DNR and other wildlife officials said the chance of spreading CWD inside the 9,000-acre area is just too risky.
Updated: Sep. 27, 2021 at 9:51 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
Indigenous leaders, Native Americans and allies spoke at a press conference and at the Wausau School Board meeting Monday about the recent incident at Wausau West High School.
Updated: Sep. 26, 2021 at 9:19 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
State Sen. Patrick Testin officially announced his political future for Wisconsin at the Portage County Republican Party’s annual Fall Rally.
Updated: Sep. 25, 2021 at 7:09 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
Navy Fireman First class Kenneth Doernenburg returned home Saturday to be laid to rest. Gov. Tony Evers ordered flags to be flown at half staff in honor of Doernenburg’s return.
Updated: Sep. 24, 2021 at 9:32 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
The Haunted Sawmill in Merrill had its opening night Friday. But the founder said he puts it together, along with his team, for a purpose.
Updated: Sep. 17, 2021 at 9:26 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
The 40th annual Fall Ride is back this year in Tomahawk. Last year’s ride was cancelled but, many people were eager to come back this year to ride.
Updated: Sep. 14, 2021 at 7:51 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
Breakthrough cases are on the rise among those who are vaccinated against covid-19. But UW Health Physician for adult and pediatrics infectious disease, Dr. Joseph McBride said the vaccine is still doing its job.
Updated: Aug. 28, 2021 at 8:17 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
The Tomahawk Post Office on Wisconsin Ave. got a new name Saturday to honor a Korean War hero.
Updated: Aug. 9, 2021 at 5:51 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
4th grade teacher from Maine Elementary arrested on Monday.
Updated: Aug. 1, 2021 at 5:18 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
Four WWII veterans got the opportunity of a lifetime at the Stevens Point Municipal Airport Sunday. It was the first day of Operation September Freedom where Dream Flights will visit 300 cities in the U.S. by the end of September.
Updated: Jul. 24, 2021 at 6:04 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
Gina White started the two hearts project to raise awareness about heart disease after her brother passed away. Her husband, Joshua is adding a project of his own to help her reach more people.
Updated: Jul. 2, 2021 at 5:55 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
Barbeques and fireworks, things people use to celebrate the Fourth of July, but officials are warning people of the possible injuries that lead most to the ER.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2021 at 6:31 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
The pandemic has left many businesses scrambling for workers, but Miltrim Farms in Athens found a way to help the shortage it was seeing.
Updated: Jun. 14, 2021 at 5:18 PM CDT
|By Brittany Dobbins
Marshfield Area Pet Shelter recently adopted a new program called trap-neuter-release (TNR) to help reduce the amount of feral cats in its community.