Posted Thursday, June 14, 2012 --- 7:50 a.m.

Here is the latest Wisconsin news from The Associated Press:

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota and Wisconsin crews are heading out again today to search for a missing pilot in northeastern Minnesota. The Civil Air Patrol from both states has been searching from the ground and air for 67-year-old Michael Bratlie and his twin-engine Piper. He took off from a South St. Paul airport Friday for a roundtrip flight to the Duluth area.

NORWALK, Wis. (AP) -- A beef-processing plant in western Wisconsin is being cited for 11 safety violations after a maintenance worker was killed in December. VPP Group faces fines of up to $186,000 after federal workplace safety officials say there were unsafe conditions at the company's Norwalk plan that caused the worker's electrocution.

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A new study suggests cougars are once again spreading across the Midwest, a century after the generally reclusive predators were hunted to near extinction in much of the region. The new report shows that there were 178 cougar confirmations between 1990 and 2008. Two of the confirmed sightings were in Wisconsin.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin officials are hoping to get public feedback on a new report that examines outdoor recreation in the state. The Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan is designed to serve as a blueprint for state and local outdoor recreation planning. The draft identifies a number of activities that are growing in popularity, including adventure racing, camping with recreational vehicles and kayaking.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.