Local News
"According to the national rankings, seven of the 10 largest county boards in the United States are in Wisconsin. "Wisconsin has always been real big on representative government," Thompson said. "We like a lot of real local representation.""
""It's very concerning because that's money right now that we can put toward our kids' college fund," said O'Donnell, 38, of Madison, who figures the benefits are worth about $5,000 a year to her family. "That will be four hundred or five hundred dollars a month that we can't put toward raising our children.""
"The research showed symptoms - such as a runny nose, red or irritated eyes, coughing first thing in the morning or during the rest of the day or night, and a sore or scratchy throat - decreased among nonsmoking workers in bars since July 1."
"Even viewers who muted the sound would have no trouble getting the point. Reports had on-screen titles like "Homeland Insecurity," "U.S. Security Sell-off" and "The Friends and Family Plan.""
"SMART chief executive officer Tim Needham said the amended order means the mill should be able to operate while the lawsuit continues. But the company is weighing its options with the facility in northwestern Wisconsin and whether it will continue to operate long-term."
Sen
R. Feingold"The terrorist organization al-Jamaah al-Islamiyah and associated groups in the region pose a serious threat to Indonesia and to the interests of the United States, our allies, and our friends."
"We should not end debate on this bill, and we should not pass this bill. Doing so will only help implement the deeply flawed deal that was struck with the White House to reauthorize the Patriot Act without enacting the core civil liberties protections for which so many of us have fought."
"Shifting to a two-year cycle would allow lawmakers to spend more of their time reviewing government programs, supporters say. The Domenici measure has 17 co-sponsors among senators, including Democrats Joe Lieberman (Conn.) and Russ Feingold (Wis.)."
Rep
D. Obey"Lots of players were outraged at the short-circuiting of the legislative process. "It is a travesty," said Thomas Mann of The Brookings Institution. Rep. David Obey, D-Wisconsin, who had specifically checked to make sure the language was not included, was enraged, calling Frist and Hastert "a couple of musclemen in Congress who think they have the right to tell everybody else that they have to do their bidding." Rep. Dan Burton said succinctly, "It sucks.""
"This is the largest and most elaborate growing operation I have seen in Iron County," Bruneau said. "Lt. Furyk, Sgt. Colassaco and Packmayer did an excellent job."
"In some school districts, when students ask for more food, they get only fruits and vegetables for the added portions. In Hurley, they are provided second helpings of the main courses."
"While these treatments are not known to cause any health problems in humans, according to the DATCP, the Wisconsin Cooperative Gypsy Moth program will hold public meetings in Dodgeville, Tomah, Ashland and Madison to talk to people about spraying."
Local
Wireless
"The Internal Revenue Service is hanging on to more than $$19 million owed to some people in Wisconsin. The tax refund money is due to 20,200 Wisconsinites who failed to file returns for 2002."
Sen
R. Feingold"On January 16, 2003, Senator Russ Feingold introduced legislation to put an end to TIA. In February of 2003, so we were told, Congress passed legislation closing down the Information Awareness Office, run out of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and supposedly halted all TIA activity, a highly unusual effort considering the fact Congress rarely messes with specific internal Department of Defense projects."
Sen
H. Kohl"The senator refused to sign the pledge, which was his right. But, after criticizing President Bush for misusing the authority given him by Congress to pressure Iraq and for mishandling the war itself, Kohl essentially echoed the administration's line on staying the course."
""He definitely is the most popular Democrat among the 'netroots,' " said liberal blogger Chris Bowers, referring to activists in the party who engage in online politics."
"When snowmobilers speed or ride drunk, the risks they take are their own. That argument carried the day in Minnesota until a drunken snowmobiler struck and killed a child ."
Sen
R. FeingoldRep
D. Obey"His likely opponent in November will be Rep. David Obey, a Democrat who is completing his 36th year in Congress. Reid, 26, worked for the Heritage Foundation and was press secretary to Kansas Congressman Jim Ryun before returning to his native state to run for Congress."
"Release of the 2006 funding, ($17,500 from an emergency management performance grant, for coordinator salary and benefits, and $3,000 in HazMat funds), is pending. "Iron County can have a full time director. But they cannot say they have three," she said. "
"Martin said two wells that would provide 160 gallons per minute each would be developed at the school site, where test wells have been pumped."
"Rennert said that in some cases, the system took as long as five minutes to pull up voter information, making it impossible to update addresses and confirm that voters were listed in the right wards."
"In an age of global competition and at a time when educators debate whether it's better to stress mathematical reasoning over raw computation skills, the Singapore math textbooks add a new element to the discussion."
"But persistent problems, including long delays in e-mail delivery and disappearing messages and calendar entries, prompted officials to pull the plug rather than reconfigure the more than 40,000 mailboxes in use throughout all state agencies and the offices of constitutional officers."
Sen
R. Feingold"On February 16, a filibuster attempt by Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) was unsuccessful when the Senate overwhelmingly voted for "cloture" to shut down debate, and the Senate has scheduled a floor vote for Tuesday."
"Russ is by no means an extremist. His positions are much more akin to those of former Senator Bill Proxmire than Howard Dean."
Sen
H. Kohl"Before Kohl even had a chance to speak, anti-war activists seized the podium, demanding the senator to sign a petition that would put a timeline on the war in Iraq. The crowd was agitated by the activists’ actions and chanted “Let Herb speak” over and over again. "
News Center
"For the first time in generations the economic outlook of our children is dimmer than that of their parents."
"In the past two days, the names of gubernatorial candidate Mark Green and two of his staffers have surfaced in the official misconduct trial of former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen, adding fuel to the already heated debate over ethics in the governor's race."
"No one filed to run for three open seats on the Black Earth Village Board while the Burke Town Board has one seat without a candidate. However, the four empty seats all have candidates who filed their intent to run as write-in candidates shortly after the Jan. 3 filing deadline to be placed on the ballot."
"According to Second Harvest surveys of people using the food programs it supplies, 43 percent of households receiving food have at least one employed adult; 95 percent are U.S. citizens; 69 percent have incomes below the official federal poverty level."
"Almost 75 percent of the respondents noted they were unable to afford to send a child to UW without the help of scholarships, loans or grants."
"A 2005 study of sexually active adolescent girls found that only 35 percent used condoms consistently and only 16 percent used them consistently and correctly."
Sen
R. Feingold"Feingold's visit to Indonesia this week also included meetings with Indonesian civil society leaders, members of parliament, and the Secretary General of ASEAN. In addition to counter-terrorism and human rights issues, Feingold discussed regional security issues, the investment climate, social reforms, and the perception of U.S. policies."
“They have now been separated from their families for almost 2 months and I urge both sides to resolve this situation as quickly as possible so these families can be reunited.”
"Mike Lahti will be running for Rich Brown's open seat. He will announce this friday at 1:30 at the gogebic county courthouse in Bessemer"
"Laguna termed the home a "total loss." He said the "electrical fire" began in the basement in an electrical panel. A main fuse burned and started the fire, he said."
"Assembly Republican Caucus workers took elaborate steps to avoid being caught producing campaign materials on state time, witnesses in the criminal trial of former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen (R-Town of Brookfield) testified Thursday."
"Department officials have warned that implementing the new rules could cause long lines at Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers."
"But, "I'm surprised that they included this bonding proposition," said Berry, whose group hasn't taken a position on the amendment. "It doesn't seem to be in keeping with basic accounting and economics.""
"Calling themselves members of the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, seven anti-war protesters interrupted Kohl as he was about to speak to supporters at the Orpheum Theatre Wednesday evening."
"Wal-Mart's attitude toward building stores has changed, said John Bisio regional manager for Midwest public affairs for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Bisio said the company responds to "reasonable" local concerns."
"The special meeting, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., was set after corporation counsel Jodie Bednar-Clemens, who is also one of three emergency government directors, walked out of last week's finance committee meeting before giving the board an update on emergency government."
"Prospero overwhelmingly netted 78 votes, while current supervisor Gene Cisewski tallied 19."
"Current school board president Joseph Simonich will face a challenge from Gile resident Louis Zanella in the April 4 Hurley School Board race."
"From 1997 to 2001, Jensen turned workers for the Assembly Republican Caucus into a "secret state-funded campaign organization" run from Jensen's office, Korte said."
"The event included the debut of an 11-minute DVD that hits the themes of the Democratic senator's campaign this year. In what may be a first in Wisconsin politics, the campaign plans to distribute as many as 100,000 copies of the DVD before the November election."
"Monday, Kerr and two other inspectors issued 70 citations totaling more than $7,245. About half came from complaints. The rest were part of the Downtown "pedestrian corridor," where inspectors don't wait for complaints."
""We printed this cartoon because other people weren't" VerStandig said. "Free speech, when not used, does run the risk of atrophying.""
"If you think your heating costs have risen far too quickly, consider this: the Dairyland Power Cooperative in La Crosse is spending $80 million to ship $35 million worth of coal by rail."
“I believe a newspaper, when possible, should give people the information they need to conduct intelligent, well-informed debate,” Mac VerStandig, editor in chief of The Badger Herald, said at Tuesday’s forum.
"DNR biologist Bruce Bacon said the Natural Resources Board was unlikely to modify its proposals for the 2006 hunting season to reach an agreement with the state legislature, meaning that the upcoming hunting season will have essentially the same rules as last year."
Sen
R. Feingold"Feingold also stressed the need for the Thai government to respect human rights and the rule of law as it addresses unrest in the country's southern provinces, as well as narcotics issues."
"The three courageous Senators were Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, Robert Byrd of West Virginia, and Jim Jeffords of Vermont. Feingold was the most outspoken. “What we are witnessing is quite simply a capitulation to the intransigent and misleading rhetoric of a White House that sees any effort to protect civil liberties as a sign of weakness,” Feingold said on the Senate floor February 15.
Rep
D. Obey“Right now, this is going to come down to who’s got the tighter limits on trips, or who’s got the tighter limits on meals. With all due respect, I don’t care what happens with either one of those,” he says. “In general elections, there should not be a dime of private money.”
"Eight Hurley School District staff members were laid off or had working schedules reduced on a black Monday as the school board began cutting $715,000 from the budget for the 2006-07 school year."
"During the discussion, it was mentioned if the routes are reduced to 10, some students may be riding buses longer."
"An Iron County Board of Supervisors primary election in district 3 and Hurley School Board election were sending voters to the polls today."
"Sen. Robert Jauch (D-Poplar) was among those who thought the previous bill's limits were too low. He said the new proposal is a "substantial improvement" that he was likely to support."
"I think that too many Americans are making voting decisions based on too little information and a too-narrow view of the world."
"There are serious graffiti artists who do the big murals and then there are the scribblers who are quite young or don't really have any talent and are just really interested in putting down a lot of markers that just kind of prove they exist," said former Madison Detective Steve Koecke.
“I think that it is absolutely shameful that anyone would intentionally disgrace the funeral services of one of these fallen heroes,” Doyle said. “It’s unfortunate that a bill like this one is even necessary.”
Sen
R. Feingold“Four years after No Child Left Behind became the law of the land, teachers, administrators, and parents are still struggling through the law’s complicated maze of rules and regulations and continue to be frustrated with the lack of flexibility allowed by the law,”
"Thailand and Indonesia are both critical partners in fighting terrorism and represent two valuable relationships the U.S. must continue to strengthen."
"Voters in Iron County's district 3 will go to the polls on Tuesday to eliminate one of three candidates seeking election to the district 3 seat on the county board in April."
"Louis Zanella of Gile, the school district's transportation provider, said Sunday he did not submit a bid for student transportation and his contract will expire after the 2006-07 school year."
"The formula isn't giving schools enough revenue to meet increases," Patritto said. Costs affiliated with the school (fuel, supplies, salaries, etc.) continue to rise, he said.
The Department of Natural Resources annual winter deer herd status meeting set for 8 tonight has been moved from the Mercer Town Hall to the Mercer Community Center, between the school and the public library on Margaret Street.
"Casino investor Dennis Troha and his associates have spent more than $300,000 since 2002 to help Doyle. Meanwhile, the Forest County Potawatomi - who fear their Milwaukee casino could lose customers to one in Kenosha - spent an estimated $450,000 on efforts to get Doyle and other Democrats elected in 2002."
"Wisconsin's voluntary certification includes an application and self-evaluation checklist containing basic principles and minimum requirements in nine categories including energy efficiency, waste reduction, air quality, water conservation, transportation, purchasing, wildlife landscape management, local community benefits and employee training."
WMTVMadison
"Ashley says revenue caps and rising overhead costs are to blame. "Health costs, energy costs, all those things came together like a perfect storm and now the districts really have no choice but to go to referendum.""
"The science now is, we aren't worried about teeth being hard or soft," Hayes said. "The issue more is the bacteria living in your mouth and how happy they are there."
Sen
R. Feingold"We will stand up to them on their attack on clean water, we will stand up to them on their attack on the wilderness areas, we will challenge the White House and the President when he says we're the country with an oil addiction when in fact he has been part of the oil addiciton."
video at website, Crooks and Liars
"Mr. Feingold expressed his support for Thailand's role in ASEAN and the country's policy toward Myanmar," he told journalists after the meeting.
Sen
H. Kohl"A handful of Democrats were expected to vote "yes," including Tom Carper of Delaware, who announced his intentions at mid-afternoon. Together with three Democratic co-sponsors of the bill and Wisconsin's Herb Kohl, who supported the measure in committee, that would make at least five potential Democratic supporters."
Rep
D. Obey"But I have to say that I am persuaded that setting a timetable, even if it's a flexible one ... is likely to remove one of the main arguments that the insurgents try to use ... that we're going to be there forever."
"Taste of America With Mark DeCarlo TRAV Feb 18 04:30pm
"Cobb Salad; Pastries; Birch Beer"
Cobb salads in Beverly Hills, Calif.; pastries in Mackinaw, Mich.; birch beer in Willimantic, Conn. Original Airdate: December 20, 2005."
(The program talks about PASTIES, misspelled above, associating it with the lower peninsula and an area with NO MINES.)
"Speth said St. Coletta, which owns property in both the city and Town of Jefferson, is not taking a position on whether Jefferson should welcome Wal-Mart to town but is against the direct legislation effort spawned to block Wal-Mart."
"Anastacio Rangel-Chavez told Bardon that he and his brother make the cards, which they sell for $30, so that people can work and because it is an easy way to make money."
"They have been without a contract for nearly three years, not one new officer has been added to their ranks since 2002, and, they say, their families are hurting financially."
Sen
R. Feingold"While expanding the deficit with fiscally irresponsible tax cuts, he has singled out dairy farmers for an unwarranted new tax,"
"Unlike your colleagues, Senator Mark Pryor, Senator Russ Feingold, and Senate candidate Ben Cardin, Congressman Ford refuses to acknowledge the appearance of impropriety by accepting contributions from those who were a part of Jack Abramoff’s lobbying team."
"This week's guests include Senator Russ Feingold, actor Eddie Griffin, reporter Helen Thomas, and Iraq advisor Dan Senor."
"Among the donors are Madison, Wisconsin, native Bradley Whitford of "The West Wing," and his wife, Jane Kaczmarek of "Malcolm in the Middle."
She's from Milwaukee."
Rep
D. Obey""Let me simply express my deep and profound reservations about what's happening in Iraq and my deep skepticism that this administration has a clue about what to do about it," Mr. Obey said."
"The program, "The Trail Less Traveled -- ATVing in Wisconsin," will air statewide next Saturday, at 10 a.m. on Fox Sports North."
""It appears the amendment may simply reduce the amount of sales tax the district receives each year - meaning the taxpayers will pay a little less each year, but may result in a little longer collection time for the sales tax," Duckett wrote."
"The national group organizes dozens of bikers, many of them veterans of Vietnam, the first Gulf War and other conflicts, to stand between protesters and the mourners, MacDonald said. Group members wave flags and occasionally rev their engines if mourners want them to drown out the shouts of the protesters."
"The compromise calls for increased accountability for private schools participating in the choice program. Key to the deal is also a pledge to boost state funding by $25 million beginning in 2008 for a program that reduces elementary class sizes."
WMTVMadison
"In addition to the regular property tax relief we get from the sales from the tickets, there would be some money going into the state's general fund,"
"If a qualified and capable job candidate lives on a trout stream in Gleason or the family farm in Pine River, should he or she have to uproot the family and leave hearth and home, just to get a job as a municipal clerk or cop?"
Fighting Bob.Com"While the neocon plan seems insane on its face, its purpose is to bankrupt government so that corporations can dominate more completely."
"The Daily Globe incorrectly reported Wednesday that Iron Belt resident John Wiita spoke of a relationship involving corporation counsel Jodie Bednar-Clemens, her late father, and Dr. Barry and Maria Edelstein during Tuesday's Iron County Finance Committee meeting."
"County board supervisors and department heads think Iron County Corporation Counsel Jodie Bednar-Clemens is doing a better job now than she did six months ago, while she was also wearing the county coordinator's hat."
"Starting May 6, the government will no longer require reformulated gas to contain 2% oxygen, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday."
"The gray wolf is on a roll. Its population is booming. Lone wolves have turned up in every corner of the state. And increasingly, residents are reporting a growing number of close encounters with this elusive predator."
"It's as if they're declaring: "Stop us before we tax you again." Why don't they stop themselves? If they can't, why don't they step down from public office and let someone else do the tough job of setting priorities and sometimes telling people no."
"Religious conservatives around the country are up in arms over a Wisconsin bill that would ban the teaching of intelligent design as science in the state's public schools."
"A Madeline Island business has become the latest Ashland County victim in the Nigerian 419-advance fee fraud that has netted criminal elements in Nigeria and elsewhere well over a billion dollars worldwide. "
Sen
R. Feingold"I spent the entire day on the Senate floor on Feb. 15, filibustering the first procedural step in this process -- which was proceeding to the bill that includes the minor changes agreed to by the White House."
"As Chairman Specter noted, the deal makes only "cosmetic" changes to the Patriot Act. No amount of cosmetics can disguise the fact that it fails to protect the rights and freedoms of law-abiding Americans."
"Back in December, 46 Senators voted against cloture on the conference report. I think it’s clear by now that the deal makes only minor changes to that conference report."
"The President has broken the law and Congress needs to hold him accountable.”
"When the board created the position, it agreed the position should pay for itself, and that the assistant forester would be required to write and administer all recreation grants for the county and mark at least 300 acres in timber sales each year."
"The Iron County Board of Supervisors' finance committee placed a letter of reprimand in corporation counsel Jodie Bednar-Clemens' file for a name-calling incident at the board's Jan. 31 meeting."
"The council also approved an amendment to the zoning code that restricts adult-oriented businesses and taverns to the city's lower block."
"Sewer, water, storm sewer, sidewalk and street lighting would be included in the project from the Montreal River to Sixth Avenue, at an estimated cost of $2,226,788."
"As a Transitions Lifestyle coach, Scheels will be able to coach others to effectively lose weight through both a scientific and psychological approach."
"The measure, sponsored by Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend), would narrow that age range to 18 to 45.
Because their individual incomes are below the program's standards, almost any girl 15 to 17 is able to enroll in the program and gain access to birth control."
"Nursing homes are projected to cost the state's Medicaid program $887 million this year - the most expensive component of that program."
"It's true. If you begin to rein in the increase in government spending at the rate of 1 or 2 percent a year over 20 years, it has a big impact. That's the power of compound interest," Grothman said.
WMTVMadison
"Police say eight people collected more than $10,000,000 in contributions from out of state donors. A criminal complaint says the accused worked for telemarketing businesses that were set up as fronts and got about a half million people to give money."
"Harley-Davidson Motor Company announced Wednesday that it is paying to replace the Tomahawk High School Fieldhouse laminate floor with a hardwood floor."
"Do not sacrifice the future of this community on the altar of special interests. Open up the process to all the people, and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish."
Sen
R. Feingold"The White House would agree to only a few minor changes to the same Patriot Act conference report that could not get through the Senate back in December."
“This bill will help restore credibility to a federal agency, the Army Corps of Engineers, which provides valuable services but has also been a vehicle for a lot of congressional pork,”
"What was slated as a non-renewal hearing for Bessen soon turned into what appeared to be a job interview for the not yet drafted K-12 principal position."
"Grothman questioned how meaningful those often-long hearings are, when speaker after speaker might say the same thing. "Realistically, I don't think a lot gets accomplished at those hearings," Grothman said."
"The Madison Democrat was convicted in October, the second of four former lawmakers who have been convicted in the probe into legislators using taxpayer-paid caucus staff to run political campaigns."
"You are invited to a Mardi Gras Breakfast with Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner Jr., Charlie Palmer, 101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. "$500 Personal $1,000 PAC."
"The state's Medicaid Family Planning Demonstration project has two related goals: to reduce unintended pregnancies by increasing access to contraception, and to cut birth-related costs that would otherwise be paid for by Medicaid."
WMTVMadison
"When the Democrats showed up for the 10 am special session called by Governor Doyle they had the Assembly to the themselves... But by 10 am the special session was actually closed. The Republicans opened and closed a skeleton special session at 8 am."
"They get paid by the tax dollars of the city, and there are some of them who do not live in the area. It would be nice if they would shop in the city, send their kids to the schools and go to church or be involved in the community."
"Knapp noted that over the next 30 years, the city faced liabilities in city infrastructure amounting to $60 million. He said the city needed to spend at a rate of two to three million dollars a year to catch up and additional spending thereafter to maintain that investment."
Sen
R. Feingold"As we mourn the passing of these heroic figures of the civil rights movement, we must ensure that the cause of justice – for which they worked so hard, and sacrificed so much – marches on."
"Americans should be listening to Russ Feingold in these defining days for the republic, because what the Democratic senator from Wisconsin is saying goes to the heart of the question of whether a nation founded in revolt against monarchy will be defined by laws or by the crude whims of an intemperate sovereign and his out-of-control administration."
"Smelling a rat, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.) objected, and insisted that Gonzales should be sworn, because there were serious questions about statements he made during his confirmation hearing last year."
"Two prominent Democratic senators who are also outspoken critics of the NSA's domestic wiretapping program have asked three major telecommunications companies to explain their involvement in the effort."
Rep
D. Obey"On federal budget matters, Wisconsinites who care about the future of this state and its citizens have turned for the better part of four decades to U.S. Rep. David Obey, D-Wausau, for insights regarding the relative merits of spending plans developed by Democratic and Republican administrations."
"Results of the performance evaluation for Iron County Corporation Counsel Jodie Bednar-Clemens will be released after review by the finance committee on Tuesday."
"Administrative Law Judge Jeffrey Boldt called the technology "extremely promising" but ruled state regulators still did not have grounds to require its use at the coal-fired plant proposed by the Wisconsin Public Service Corp."
"Crosby and Manzke were involved in two of the 34 hunting-related shootings the state Department of Natural Resources investigated last year. Three deer hunters died from the wounds they received."
"If you own a dog and some cross-country skis, then skijoring might have crossed your mind, even if you don't know how to pronounce it."
"There's really nothing to do for couples. You can go downtown, but that gets old very soon," said Skinner, who went to East High School and has lived in Madison on and off for 20 years. "I'm not sure why they put Madison into this."
"When a party wields all that power, its members become arrogant and out of control," he said. "And the country suffers."
WMTVMadison
"Employees of the other five companies gave Doyle some
16-thousand dollars. The contracts won by the firms were worth more
than 36 (M) million dollars."
"Manitowoc offered Wisconsin's first kindergarten classes for 5- and 4-year-olds in 1873, but 4-year-old kindergarten in the state virtually disappeared after the Great Depression,"
"Candidate byways must be locally nominated and supported — a grass-roots approach that ensures a strong local commitment to the promotion and long-term preservation of a highway corridor."
Sen
R. Feingold"The Nation -- Americans ought be listening to Russ Feingold in these defining days for the Republic, because what the Democratic senator from Wisconsin is saying goes to the heart of the question of whether a nation founded in revolt against monarchy will be ruled by laws or by the crude whims of an intemperate sovereign and his out-of-control administration."
"He's great in these small group sessions (even the hostile questioner thanked him for showing up in Clark County) and people respect him because he's willing to say he disagrees with them and call it even rather than trying to talk down, equivocate or try to get them on his side."
Sen
H. Kohl"Notable politicians, including Gov. Jim Doyle and Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl, both D-Wis., were in attendance to pay tribute to the late Wisconsin maverick."
Rep
D. Obey"There will be a major shift in tax burden to state and local governments," said Rep. David Obey, D-Wausau. "There is going to be a major property tax impact to this budget."
"Just last year, appropriators stood on the Senate floor and threatened revenge on senators who supported anti-earmark amendments that Coburn was offering on spending bills. If senators supported Coburn, the appropriators warned, their own projects could be in jeopardy. The appropriators said they would take names. Such threats amount to "internal bribery," said Rep. David Obey..."
"The Midgettes took it to South Shore right from the start, dominating matters with a very balanced attack. That set up a 76-33 win over the Cardinals and an unshared IC girls title."
"If we're handing out awards for screwing this thing up, well, this is the Special Olympics - everybody gets a medal," says Nixon, who now incorporates the episode in a class he teaches on public policy at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay."
"When company officials are asked for money, the requests typically don't originate with the governor or his administration, or even with his campaign. They start with the company's lobbyist, the common - and usually unseen - thread that unites state contracting, gubernatorial campaigns and political donors."
WMTVMadison
"Sunday was National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Day and the hospital's Chief of Voluntary Service, Scott Krueger, tells us the Valentines time of year is the perfect time to make sure veterans know they are remembered."
"Marlenga said the relatively low attendance -- about a dozen snowmobiles -- might have been the result of a postponement. The event had been scheduled for January, but there wasn't enough snow."
"Former U.S. Sen. William Proxmire was remembered Friday as a Democratic Party pioneer, an everyman who tirelessly shook hands at sporting events and plant gates and who spent only $145 on his last re-election campaign in 1982."
"Assembly Speaker John Gard (R-Peshtigo) told voucher advocates in Milwaukee Friday morning that if Doyle agreed to the 10,000 figure, Gard would drop his insistence that the cap on vouchers be eliminated altogether."
"Schultz used words like "scandalous" and "stunning" to describe a U.S. Commerce Department report last week that our savings rate has dipped to a negative (minus 0.5 percent), the first time since the Great Depression in the 1930s."
"This makes today's body of evolutionary science even more impressive. And, Numbers adds, the evolution/creationism schism can overshadow the fact that most creationists accept much of the science that has elucidated Darwin's ideas of common ancestry and natural selection."
"The Ashland County Sheriff's Department arrested Mark J. Krieg on Feb. 1. He is charged in Ashland County Circuit Court with using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime. If convicted, he could be sentenced to 15 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision."
Sen
R. Feingold"A dedicated hearing to these issues will help to develop ideas about ending this practice and assuring radio listeners that they no longer have to wonder whether what they are hearing on the radio is based on merit or thinly veiled bribes."
Sen
H. Kohl"A program providing nutritious foods for poor seniors may be heading to the chopping block, but Senator Herb Kohl (D-Wisconsin) is fighting it all the way."
Rep
D. Obey"But the truly bold leaders on this issue are names you rarely hear: Tierney. Obey. Frank. Rep. David Obey is a congressman from Wisconsin who, with Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, has proposed a system that would take private campaign contributions completely out of races for the House."
"Paris-based Arjo Wiggins Appleton spent more than $570,100 last year in its failed bid to push through a bill that would have forced insurance companies to pick up a big share of the cost of cleaning up the Fox River."
"Local government officials instantly denounced the proposal, saying that it would cripple their ability to provide services at current levels and cope with health care costs that are increasing much faster than inflation."
"While Norsman has 15 drunken driving convictions, a 1989 change in state law wiped most pre-1989 convictions off the booksafter 1999. "You are very fortunate in some ways," Martin told Norsman, "that you haven't killed yourself or that you haven't killed somebody else.""
"Now the scammers send bogus checks and ask targets to cash them and wire the the money. By the time the local bank discovers that the check is phony, the money has already been wired overseas. "
"An Ashland man was recently sentenced to a total of 110 days in Ashland County Jail for running over a female acquaintance while driving under the influence of alcohol."
Sen
R. FeingoldSen
H. KohlRep
D. Obey"The folks from Ironwood came to us and really gave us a great option, but by the time we were able to nail everything down, a lot of racers had opted to race elsewhere,"
"Auditors also discovered a $541,604 overpayment to the private agency that handles foster care services. All of the agencies in the audit provide services under contract with the state-run Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare."
"In a 14-page letter, Sensenbrenner asked Gonzales what kind of communications are being monitored by the government, how the government decides whom to monitor, and what the government is doing to make sure that "the civil liberties and privacy of ordinary Americans are adequately protected.""
"Soglin [former mayor] said this assessment, made during the kickoff luncheon Wednesday of the group called Civitas, was based on his belief that most elected officials do not accurately understand how property taxes are levied and local government is funded."
WMTVMadison
"We got a call a little bit later from West Town Mall, saying that Z104 doesn't have the power to take back rules, that this rule is ours, it's for the safety and comfort of our shoppers,"
"Kreibich’s “Wisconsin Families First” initiative calls to guarantee Wisconsin high school graduates admission to the UW campus of their choice, provided they complete three years of math and science, graduate in the top 10 percent of their class and score a 25 or higher on the ACT."
"Once they arrived on Madigan Road, Thimm said emergency personnel found the location where the vehicle went into the ravine, which is approximately 92 feet deep with a 75 to 80 percent grade."
Sen
R. Feingold"Those “must pass” bills become larded up with all sorts of unauthorized proposals, and then Congress is faced with the choice of voting for the entire bill, including the earmarks, or opposing the bill and potentially shutting down essential programs. It’s a game of chicken in which the special interests almost always win."
"I will continue to strongly oppose, and use every option at my disposal to stop, any reauthorization of the Patriot Act that does not protect the rights and freedoms of law-abiding Americans with no connection to terrorism.”
"Feingold, in his calling the President of the United States accountable to the laws of this land has shown me that there still are people in this government that are not afraid to do the right thing, even when it’s not popular."
"Sens. Tom Coburn (R-OK), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Evan Bayh (D-IN), John Ensign (R-NV), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Sununu (R-NH), and Jim DeMint (R-SC) are also co-sponsors of the bill. "
Sen
H. Kohl"Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wisc., asked whether it was within the bounds of presidential power to order purely domestic spying without warrants. "Sir, it is beyond the bound of the program which I'm testifying about today," Gonzales said, leaving the possibility that other government programs might engage in such behavior."
Rep
D. Obey"Obey, the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, blasted the president's proposal as "wrongheaded and embarrassing" and called the Bush administration "the most fiscally irresponsible people to ever occupy the White House.""
"Lundgren's dismissal as deacon follows an allegation of improper conduct filed against him with the Hurley Police Department by a Hurley Head Start employee on Jan. 12."
"The NRB Tuesday approved creation of a four-day antlerless-deer hunt in early December north of U.S. Highway 8 -- but only in management units where deer populations are estimated at 20 percent or more above the goal set by the Department of Natural Resources."
"The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau warns consumers about a new phone scam that is aimed at stealing their bank account numbers."
"A reduction in state aid because of declining enrollment, rising equalized value of properties and a reduced revenue limit have led to the dire budget deficit projections."
"The Democratic governor said Tuesday that his proposal would give $200 to $300 in one-time aid to families, based on their income and federal poverty guidelines."
"If the council passes a resolution, "that is just the opinion of nine people on the council. If we have a referendum, it is a chance for the population to speak," said Penny Eiler, a coalition organizer."
"There is not sufficient review in the system to ensure that we have something that is ready to go before it is implemented."
"It's really gotten worse over the years," said Mike Ales, 51, a self-described Madison "lifer" and a sales representative. "People drive too fast, cut you off. They act like it's all them and nobody else."
"Backers of the bill would have us believe that they represent the mainstream -- that normal folks walking Wisconsin streets, shopping in malls or sitting in theaters would feel safer if more people around them had loaded pistols in their pockets."
Sen
R. Feingold"Mr. Chairman, enough. If Members of Congress can’t justify spending taxpayer money to do a fact-finding trip, they shouldn’t go and neither should their staffs."
"But, almost in the same breath, the President openly acknowledged that he has ordered the government to spy on Americans, on American soil, without the warrants required by law."
"FEINGOLD: Let me first ask, do you know of any other President who has authorized warrantless wiretaps outside of FISA, since 1978, when FISA was passed?
GONZALES: Um, none come to mind, Senator. But maybe — I would be happy to look to see whether or not that’s the case.
FEINGOLD: I can take it as a no unless you submit something? "
Sen
H. Kohl“It’ll be hard because there are a many people in Washington who don’t believe in farm assistance.”
"Hurley Post Office invites its customers to a special celebration of National Consumer Protection Week on Friday."
"Parent-teacher associations nationwide will introduce "Take Your Family to School Week," starting Sunday, and Mercer School plans to be part of the program."
"Before moving income-producing assets such as loans and bonds to Nevada, where there isn't a corporate income tax, many banks asked for and received letters from the department that they believed served as approval. But in 2003, the revenue department began cracking down on banks that used Nevada subsidiaries to shield some of their income from Wisconsin's 7.9% corporate income tax."
"The city is not proposing the sale of city land behind the former school closer to Lake Mendota that the public now uses for picnics and shoreline walks. Yet the sale of city land under the Lincoln School building, along with its conversion to condos, would increase the city's tax rolls."
"Millions upon millions have already been spent in the production and distribution of materials, to say nothing of all of the hours professionals and volunteers have spent in training to help people through this maze;..."
"Downtown Madison took a big step toward citywide wireless access Monday with the implementation of its first wireless transmitter near the Capitol Square."
"President Bush's budget proposes a new tax on dairy farmers, along with reductions to two dairy price support programs. The budget proposal, released Monday, calls for a 3 cent tax per hundredweight of milk, which translates to about $720 a year for an average-sized dairy farm."
Sen
R. Feingold"The President was blunt, so I will be blunt: This program is breaking the law, and this President is breaking the law. Not only that, he is misleading the American people in his efforts to justify this program."
"Per diems (payments for meetings) totaled $40,420 and reimbursements for mileage, meals, registration and lodging was $11,425."
"When Brenda Peterson's 17-year-old son, Matthew, comes home and asks for more lunch money, she's able to log into an online system at Hartford Union High School that shows just how many cheese fries, Little Debbie snacks and cookies he's downed lately."
"The athletes who represent Wisconsin on this year's U.S. Winter Olympics team are remarkable men and women whose dedication to achieve their dreams should inspire us all."
"Feingold continued the line of questioning, asking, "Finally, will you commit to notify Congress if the president makes this type of decision and not wait two years until a memo is leaked about it?" Gonzales answered: "I will commit to advise the Congress as soon as I reasonably can, yes, sir." In his letter to Gonzales, Feingold writes, "In light of recent revelations that the president specifically authorized wiretapping of Americans in violation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and did so years prior to your confirmation hearing at a time when you were White House counsel, I find this testimony misleading, and deeply troubling. I will expect a full explanation at the hearing.""
"As of this morning, 40 bars and restaurants were on the list. Most are in Middleton, Fitchburg and Monona, but a couple are in Madison, including the Angelic Brewing Company, 322 W. Johnson St., which has a heated outdoor patio that's proven to be very popular, said manager Ray Van Woelderen."
Business Journal
"Only 30 or so biotech cancer drugs have been developed worldwide, and chemotherapy remains the treatment norm. However, hope and genuine excitement exist among researchers and physicians."
"The lawsuit came in response to the complaints of four Wisconsin prisoners currently undergoing hormonal sex changes, who were temporarily forced to discontinue hormonal therapy after the passage of Assembly Bill 184."
"Saturday morning's weather bode well for the races, with the sky sending down sun for the participants' spirits and much-needed snowfall for the racetrack."
"Regenhard told officials he was traveling across the lake with a group of other snowmobiles, and after stopping his vehicle, it started to break through the ice. He was able to roll off the snowmobile before it became submerged, the report said."
Sen
H. Kohl"While the President's budget has some positive parts - foremost its emphasis on bolstering homeland security - most of the tradeoffs proposed have ominous implications for our children, our seniors, our veterans, our businesses, our farms, and our economy."
"A purchasing division supervisor, Thompson was indicted two weeks ago on charges that she caused misapplication of funds and participated in a scheme to defraud the State of Wisconsin of the right to honest services."
"Feingold and Clinton are running in two completely different manners, however. Feingold is trying to appeal to the far left base of the Democratic Party while Clinton has been running more toward the middle."
"Calls from prospective tenants have come from as far away as Chicago, Milwaukee and even Dallas, Stahl said. That's good news, said Kristen Fish, the city's business development director. "It benefits the entire community more if we're not just playing office musical chairs," she said. "
"The study shows that even students who get Cs and Ds in traditional math score higher than students in Core programs, he said."
"During the workshop, students will meet and interact with several natural resource professionals from fields such as forestry, law enforcement, wildlife management or water quality monitoring. Students will spend a half-day on the job with a specialist from their chosen field of interest to gain a real-life view of everyday work experiences."
Journal Times
"Rep. John Steinbrink, D-Pleasant Prairie, said his wife, Roberta, got two death threats via telephone shortly after the Assembly voted Tuesday afternoon to sustain Gov. Jim Doyle's veto."
Sen
H. Kohl"Earlier this week, I met with seniors, individuals with disabilities, pharmacists, and advocates in Milwaukee, who have been working around the clock to help people get the drugs they need. The Administration needs to show that same commitment, and they must look at what can be done to rectify the serious problems that exist with Medicare Part D."
Rep
D. Obey"The service is open to the public and will be held in the State Capitol rotunda. Ten individuals have been asked to speak, including Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, Reps. David Obey and Ron Kind, as well as former campaign workers of the senator who died in mid December at the age of 90."
"The woman told the complainant that a check of hers had come through their office and she needed to verify information on the check."
"The deal has been hung up since May of 2004. At that time Edelstein paid $90,000 toward the $151,900 purchase of the Haven by the Falls property off Lake of the Falls, with the understanding that he would trade with Iron County that parcel of land for the Fisher Lake parcel."
“I have called for this audit to bring more accountability to these computer projects as I think we need a comprehensive audit to review these cost overruns.”
"A claim that 'other guys were doing it' is a confession, not a defense,"
"The Department of Natural Resources wants to kill as many deer as possible in 19.5-square-mile area around a deer farm where 21 white-tailed deer have tested positive for chronic wasting disease."
"The 2006 Development Report Card for the States gave Wisconsin an A for economic performance and B's for business vitality and development capacity."
"Someone who leaves items on lakes without permission can be cited for littering, but Biersach said the individual she spoke with about Lake Mendota meant no malice."
"But complaints and fines alone aren't enough. Spammers wouldn't be in business and wouldn't go to such great lengths to avoid prosecution if there wasn't massive money to be made. Don't encourage them. If you want a college degree, go to school. If you want a mortgage, visit your bank or a legitimate Web site. "
"A decline in the federal government's contributions for road construction, along with rising petroleum prices, forced the DOT to push back the 2007 starting date,"
Sen
R. Feingold"In the five weeks since the Patriot Act was extended, the House and White House have refused to engage in serious bipartisan negotiations on fixing the problems with the Act."
“I congratulate the Wisconsin National Guard and commend the members of the 54th CST for meeting the tough requirements needed for this certification,”
"I've seen some strange things in my life, but I cannot describe the feeling I had, sitting on the House floor during Tuesday's State of the Union speech, listening to the President assert that his executive power is, basically, absolute, and watching several members of Congress stand up and cheer him on."
"At the hearing, Gonzales suggested that Feingold had described a "hypothetical situation," despite the fact that the warrantless surveillance program had been in place since 2001 and that President Bush had reauthorized it numerous times."
Sen
H. Kohl
"It appears to be set up as much for their profit and convenience as it is for the seniors. Many of the people complaining about the program say they enrolled only to find the insurance company they chose did not cover the drugs they are taking. "
"Though the region hasn't experienced the deep cold needed to freeze the trails, recent heavy snow, colder weather and an adapting trailing grooming force have improved conditions."
"That is fantastic," he said, noting the sheriff's department "has been over budget by $50,000 to $60,000 in the past four to five years."
"The pending application before the EPA involves only one issue -- whether the tribe has the legal authority to receive treatment-as-a-state status under the Clean Water Act."
"A 10-fish limit on panfish, a slot limit for smallmouth bass and no change in walleye regulations are three key recommendations in a Gile Flowage fishery management plan developed by the Department of Natural Resources."
"Pastor Uttech had been serving as vacancy pastor at Faith for the past two years. When the congregation extended the call to him, he accepted."
"Judith DeHut also faces a trio of charges by Michigan State Police, including driving while intoxicated, resisting and obstructing officers, and violation of a restricted license."
"But it's from these worn choppers that Thomas Stafford Jr., a research fellow in the department of geology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and president of Stafford Research Laboratories in Boulder, Colo., plans to learn about the origins, movement and lifestyle of this highly controversial, 9,000-year-old North American."
"Now, a new UW-Madison project is helping students from the state's tribal reservations understand that their ancestors also had a sophisticated and accurate understanding of the stars and the planets."
"The House initially proposed ending analog transmissions on Dec. 31, 2008; the Senate had backed April 7, 2009 - after that year's NCAA basketball tournament ended."
"Environmental issues are increasing as dairy farms get bigger and the number of cows increases. People also don't want to see dead fish in a rural stream or live in fear that their well may be polluted."
"The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have rated University of Wisconsin laboratories the worst offender of animal abuse among “some of the nation’s premier university laboratories.”"
Sen
R. Feingold"Mr. Ambassador, without getting into what the specific programs
might be, can you assure us today that there are not other
intelligence collection -- and I emphasize "collection" -- programs
that you are aware of and that you are keeping from the full
Intelligence Committee?
NEGROPONTE: Senator, I don't know if I can comment on that in an
open session."
"Sadly, we all know too well the most obvious signs that Bush and his crew are full of crap. The first thing that leaps to mind is the fact that on Friday bin Laden will be celebrating day 1,600 of freedom since our tough-talking president vowed to get him “dead or alive.” In addition, Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) has been touring the country pointing out the waste of money and lives on a pointless war in Iraq, while al Qaeda is still running free and gaining strength."
Sen
H. Kohl"U.S. Senator Herb Kohl announced today that Congress has given final approval to the Milk Loss Income Contract (MILC) program. The House of Representatives included the MILC program extension in the budget reconciliation conference report passed today; the Senate passed the conference report in December."
"U.S. Senator Herb Kohl today urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to issue subpoenas to compel oil industry Chief Executive Officers to appear before the Committee as it examines the driving forces behind high fuel prices"
"At one point, Clement told Bednar-Clemens, "You have to take care of this right now." "Don't tell me what to do," she responded, and then called Clement a "little worm." "
"Rep. John Steinbrink, D-Pleasant Prairie, and Rep. Terry Van Akkeren, D-Sheboygan, who both originally voted for the bill, said after the razor-thin vote that restrictions in the legislation aimed at protecting people wouldn't do the job and might be dropped later by Republicans."
"Tyler Brown was hit so hard during a high school hockey game last week that he lost his spleen. Now Madison police will decide whether they believe the hit was a two-minute minor or a crime."
"Parts of “North Country” were shot on the Iron Range last winter, with mining scenes filmed in New Mexico."
Sen
R. Feingold“I will not block another short extension of the Patriot Act. But make no mistake, I will strongly oppose any long-term reauthorization of the Patriot Act that does not include modest but critical safeguards to ensure that we can both fight terrorism and protect our American values.”
"It is time for the federal government to grab the reins back, conduct the necessary oversight over these energy markets, and adopt appropriate solutions. Our constituents are demanding action, and they deserve it."
Sen
H. Kohl"We need to ask the serious question as to whether our anti-trust laws are sufficient,"
"Spring-like temperatures have taken a toll on area lakes, including the Chequamegon Bay at Ashland, where four people escaped uninjured after two vehicles broke through thin ice over the weekend."
"In his December claim, Kerr sought $10 million in compensatory damages for each of his claims against the Bednar-Clemens and Judge Patrick Madden, and $30,000 in punitive damages from each."
"The state Assembly today came up short in its attempt to override Gov. Jim Doyle’s veto of a measure that would have allowed residents to carry concealed weapons."
"Meyer would not name the source that provided him the summaries of investigators’ interviews with Judge and former Assembly Democratic staff members Tanya M. Bjork, Raghu Devaguptapu and Scot Ross."
"The problems so far were caused by errors. After 30 days, the pharmacy benefit manager companies will be allowed to restrict medications."
"Help Wisconsin, or help send Wisconsin's money overseas? That's the question the state Senate confronts as it considers whether to give ethanol a boost or to favor gasoline by maintaining the status quo."
"A new state law, the Wisconsin Livestock Premises Registration Act, now requires anyone who keeps livestock, poultry, captive game birds and other animals to register their premises. Included in the law, in effect since Jan. 1, are farms, veterinarian clinics, exhibition grounds, slaughtering facilities and trucker and dealer locations"
Sen
R. Feingold"As we mourn the passing of Mrs. King, we must honor her life by ensuring that her message of peace and justice marches on."
“Today I am asking the Attorney General to explain his misleading testimony during his confirmation hearings when I asked him whether the President had the power to authorize warrantless wiretaps in violation of the criminal law."
“The Pell grant program has benefited millions of Americans and we must ensure that this widely successful program continues to help make higher education a reality for those who lack the means to pay for it.”
Sen
H. Kohl"I am proud the CED recognized what we all know about Wisconsin: It is a great place to start a business and raise a family,"
"These standards are the fruit of collaborative negotiations among a broad coalition of the agricultural community,"
| Archives | 2006 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2005 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| 2004 | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Do you have something you would like to announce here?
Email us announcements of community events by
clicking
HERE.
