Local News

Date... Source.... Click on orange title to see complete item.
30 Apr Mailings inform at taxpayer expense
"Wisconsin's eight House lawmakers spent nearly $1.7 million on "franked mail" from 2003 through 2005, a review by the Journal Sentinel found."
Boomers made America better by challenging the status quo
"So why don't boomers get credit? Perhaps it's because we take these social gains for granted as if America has always been this way. Or perhaps it's because there's nothing epic about effecting equality at home, protecting the environment, or ending the shame minorities feel for sounding or looking different."
WMTV
Madison
Students Take on Budget Shortfalls in Schools
"The group is holding a summit this weekend. It will address issues such as large class sizes, high student fees, poor facilities and a lack of course options. The students say they are most affected by the recent budget cuts in school districts across the state."
Blastomycosis fears ease in Merrill
"Twenty-seven human cases have been reported in Lincoln County since Jan. 1, and the death of 16-year-old Tristan Muenchow was attributed to the disease."
Highway 51 program aims to boost tourism
"We are encouraging people to travel the original route of Highway 51," said Darien Schafer, executive director of the Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention and Visitor's Bureau. "A lot of culture and stories are missed when you travel around the communities instead of through them, like (Highway) 51 originally did."
Sen R. Feingold The Senate sells out to lobbyists - Topeka Capital Journal (subscription) - Topeka,KS
"But this ban is about as effective as a jello doorstep. As one of the senate's real reformers, Russ Feingold, points out, the bill leaves a "huge loophole," for it lets lobbyists wine and dine lawmakers as usual -- and put the bill on the tab of the lobbyist's corporate client, rather than their own. Sneaky, huh?"
Feingold introduces amendment to redeploy troops by end of year - Raw Story - Cambridge,MA
"While this amendment recognizes the need for certain U.S. forces to be engaged in counter-terrorism activities, the training of Iraqi security services, and the protection of essential U.S. infrastructure," Feingold explained, "it also recognizes that the President's current strategy in Iraq is undermining our nation's national security."
29 Apr Dane DA will sort out judges' set-to
"McCann declined to take the criminal case because his office tries cases before Kessler, so he punted the matter to the state Department of Justice, which also took a pass on the politically sensitive matter for the same reason. It finally landed with Blanchard, who knows neither Kessler nor Schudson."
Prices of some goods may rise to keep pace with fuel costs
"Transportation-intensive companies, many of which instituted fuel surcharges during previous increases in fuel costs, are again introducing them."
UW prof takes neoliberalism fight to streets
"Peck said conservative think tanks like the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute guard the philosophy of neoliberalism: low-taxation, low-spending, anti-welfare, anti-union, and minimal government intervention. That "laissez-faire" approach to economic markets began in the 1970s and has grown to become both the Republican and, lately, Democratic governing economic philosophy, he said."
The Daily Cardinal Feingold urges Iraq withdrawal
“What this does for him is further strengthen his position as the leading progressive Democrat who is thinking about 2008,” Franklin said. “It really has helped distinguish him from the rest of the crowd.”
Sen R. Feingold Democrats must act now - Des Moines Register
"At the right moment, just when the Democrats start feeling their oats, they say something about 'The Democrats don't support the troops' or 'They're not patriotic,' and all of a sudden the Democrats go back in their foxholes."
Sen H. Kohl Failure to defend an inalienable right - Hamilton Spectator - Ontario, Canada
"The Democrats are bashing Big Oil with predictable relish. Herb Kohl, a senator from Wisconsin, has introduced a bill to prevent petroleum firms from colluding to keep prices high. Big Oil has unquestionably enriched itself, he says."
Rep D. Obey Mark Green: Stop Being Mean to Big Oil! - Democratic Party of Wisconsin
"Last night, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives offered a motion that would have rolled back $5 billion in tax breaks to the big oil companies. With prices at the gas pump sky high, it was the right thing to do.  And 190 Democrats and Republicans – including Wisconsin Representatives David Obey, Ron Kind, Tammy Baldwin, and Gwen Moore – voted for the measure.  But Mark Green wasn’t one of them.  Instead, he stood with the big oil companies, and voted to let them keep their billion dollar federal hand out."
28 Apr Fisher Lake dead in the water
"Following a near two-hour closed session, the committee unanimously agreed to recommend that the county board withdraw its application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to remove a six-acre parcel of land on Fisher Lake from forest crop."
Law firms retained in lieu of Bednar-Clemens
"Ms. Bednar-Clemens was hospitalized for one week with what was described by a physician as a work-induced condition requiring significant medical treatment,"
Assembly passes state spending measure
"The Assembly voted, 50-48, to limit growth of state government's general fund - its single biggest account, which will spend more than $19 billion this year - to 90% of the average growth in personal income over the previous three years."
Blame gas prices on shortsightedness
"Which country had the more effective response to rising gasoline prices?  If you answered Brazil, fill 'er up and move ahead. If you answered the United States, you're in for more of the same tired demagoguery that has driven us in costly circles for more than 30 years."
John Oncken- Old barns need tender loving care, too
"Most of the dairy barns along rural roads, however, are 50 to 100 years old. They are mostly two-story structures - cows on the first floor, hayloft up above. At one time they were painted red but are now colorless after years of weathering."
Books on tape have become books on demand
"They use books on tape, compact discs and now downloadable MP3 files for iPods and other players to open up the world of literature while they participate in other daily activities."
Buckthorn be-gone at Northland College
"Armed with hacksaws, herbicide and a chainsaw, the five-member Exotic Plant Management Team made fast work of the prickly, spindly invasive species."
Sen R. Feingold On the National Call for Action in Darfur
"Over two million people have been driven away from their homes and remain displaced, many in camps that offer little refuge from routine and targeted violence."
Editorial: Put senators to the test - The Capital Times
"Our country desperately needs a new vision for strengthening our national security, and it starts by redeploying U.S. forces from Iraq,"
Letters: Illegal wiretaps show willingness to ignore law - Oshkosh Northwestern - Oshkosh,Wisconsin
"Why is this Republican-controlled Congress abetting the President in breaking the law when they have the power to hold him accountable? I am grateful Senator (Russ) Feingold stands strong to protect our rights. He truly understands the principles that make our nation great!"
Rep D. Obey By Charles Hurt and Christina Bellantoni - Washington Times - Washington,DC
"When Mr. Dreier was done, Rep. David R. Obey, Wisconsin Democrat and ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, responded: "I want to congratulate the gentleman from California for giving that speech with a straight face."
27 Apr Zaleski found guilty
"Zaleski was convicted of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and homicide by use of a vehicle with an alcohol concentration more than .08.  The counts carry a combined penalty of up to 25 years in prison."
Smart Growth hearing set
"A Smart Growth plan that will help guide decisions in Iron County through 2025 will be reviewed at a public hearing at 6 p.m. on May 30 in the Iron County Courthouse here."
Zoners kept busy
"The five-member committee acted on 36 items this week, including requests to rezone property from forestry to residential, paving the way for building projects."
Carp barrier may prove vulnerable
"An electrified swath of canal is the federal government's last chance to stop an invasion of Asian carp, which have been migrating north up the Mississippi River basin since they escaped their southern fish farms more than a decade ago."
Deer disease work backslides
"Since Wisconsin began its aggressive campaign to kill deer after the discovery in 2002 of chronic wasting disease, the number of deer per square mile in the zone dropped from 35 in 2003 to 28 in 2004, and 23 in 2005 - and then increased to 33."
'Free-for-all' over tax limits
"The latest three proposed constitutional amendments followed at least three others that were floated in recent weeks as Republicans struggle to amass a majority for an Assembly vote today that could write limits on government taxes and fees into the state's charter."
Death penalty step closer to referendum
"The question now states: "Should the death penalty be enacted in the state of Wisconsin for cases involving a person who is convicted of first-degree intentional homicide, if the conviction is supported by DNA evidence?""
Bills target gas gouging
"Both bills have languished in committee for months, but skyrocketing gas prices -- a gallon of regular unleaded averaged $2.94 in the state Wednesday, according to AAA Wisconsin ..."
Feingold would require Dec. 31 troop withdrawal
"Feingold, D-Wis., had proposed last year a target date of Dec. 31, 2006 for the troops to return. His latest amendment takes that concept a step further by requiring the troops to leave by that date."
Everest group honors Obey in D.C.
"Obey also received the 2006 National History Day Congressional Service Award."
Special Wal-Mart meeting set
"The May 2 meeting at 6:30 p.m. will provide commissioners their first opportunity to examine the site plan for the proposed 193,000-square-foot Supercenter."
Sen R. Feingold the Oil and Gas Industry Antitrust Act of 2006
"Our citizens are way ahead of us on this -- they know that we must move forward with a variety of alternative fuels. And my constituents have given me every indication that they aren't waiting around while the federal government keeps talking about strategies that belong in the history books."
the President's Domestic Wiretapping Program
“I completely agree with Chairman Specter that Congress is entitled to full details on the President’s illegal wiretapping program, and I’m glad the Chairman is pressuring the Administration to come clean."
Renewal of the Voting Rights Act
"Without a meaningful chance to vote, there can be no equality before the law, no equal access to justice, no equal opportunity in the workplace or to share in the benefits and burdens of citizenship."
Feingold gets how vital Constitution is - Wassau Daily Herald
"Imagine a country without civil liberties. Imagine a country without checks and balances. Imagine a place where the president was free to do whatever he pleased without oversight by a Congress or courts"
Sen H. Kohl KOHL'S BILL TO CRACK DOWN ON OIL & GAS INDUSTRIES PASSED BY SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
"While it is true that the world price of crude oil has substantially increased, the fact that the oil companies can so easily pass along all of these price increases to consumers - and compound their profits along the way - demonstrates that there is a failure of competition in our oil and gas markets, and a failure of antitrust enforcement,"
Editorial: How to stop gas gouging - The Capital Times
"Wisconsinites should give Kohl high marks for signing onto this aggressive legislation. The Milwaukee Democrat has a history of being open to the use of antitrust measures to increase competition, and he's certainly on the right side of this issue."
Lawmakers talk gas, drive away in SUVs - Seattle Times
"A surreptitious look at cars in the senators-only spots inside and outside the Senate office buildings found an Escort and a Sentra (super-rich Wisconsin Democrat Herb Kohl's spot had a Chevy Lumina), but far more Jaguars, Cadillacs and Lexuses and a fleet of SUVs made by Ford, Honda, BMW and Lexus."
Rep D. Obey US House takes up lobbying, ethics bill - News 8 Austin - Austin,TX
"The bill does not include such tougher proposals as creation of a special office of public integrity. And in the words of Wisconsin
Democrat David Obey, it "does nothing whatsoever to stop the fleecing of the taxpayer.""
For those who have never noticed the thumbnail collages at the right or the "Collage" item in the banner menu, Please take time to check them over.  I posted one of range rail road bridges today.
26 Apr Homicide trial begins
"Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources conservation warden John Windt said speed, alcohol and failure to yield "on the part of both vehicles" contributed to the Jan. 8, 2005 death of a 27-year-old snowmobiler on Island Lake."
Land buy falls through
"Former county corporation counsel Dave Morzenti, now retired, spoke at length at the Tuesday meeting. He said that while the state has made it as difficult as possible to take someone's property for back taxes, "the county violated every procedure possible.""
Youth agent honored
"Her youth work in Iron County focuses on building community youth development programs that engage young people in experiential learning, exercising citizenship, giving service and practicing leadership."
Time to visit the Twins?
"The show choir is on tour this week and will sing at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., Saturday."
Downtown clean-up set
"The clean-up is organized by the Downtown Development Group, a committee of the Mercer Chamber of Commerce. Workers are asked to bring their own garden tools."
Mercer: School hears manual pitch
"The company provides templates covering every possible policy, he said. The policies comply with state and federal law, Wisconsin school code and attorney general's opinions."
Bill aims for deeper jury pool
"State law allows for a master list of potential voters to be created from voter registration lists, among other sources, but inclusion of voters is not mandatory."
Officials: Ensure you had mumps or vaccine
"People who didn't have the disease as children should make sure they have received two doses of the mumps vaccine, the officials say. But most of those sickened throughout the Midwest this year in an Iowa-centered outbreak of more than 1,700 cases - the United States typically sees just 265 cases a year - had received both shots."
Staying afloat: Boaters say fuel prices won't sink summer fun
"At some point the cost of gas is going to have an effect, but I don't think we've reached that point yet. Most people who have boats have the disposable income to run them,"
Mumps confirmed in Marathon, Lincoln counties
"Health officials say they are on the lookout for additional cases of mumps after lab results confirmed one person in Lincoln County and one person in Marathon County contracted the infectious disease."
Sen R. Feingold

 

Feingold Works To Help Native American Tribes Battle Meth
“We must ensure that all Wisconsin communities, including Native American tribes, have access to vital programs that seek to prevent the spread of the terrible effects of meth.”
Sen H. Kohl

 

Protest for peace at Kohl’s office - Daily Cardinal - Madison,WI
“We’ve actually been trying to get a meeting with the senator for four months to talk about the war and he hasn’t been able to meet with us in four months, so it’s frustrating,”
Rep D. Obey Bush wants grip on oil cost - Appleton Post Crescent - WI
"Speeches never count; actions count," said Rep. David Obey, D-Wausau. He pointed out that during his first year in the White House, Bush cut funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs by more than 25 percent and watered down proposed energy efficiency standards for new air conditioners.
Sen R. Jauch Senate OKs rural broadband service Providers Bill - Ashland Press
“This bill becomes the state version of the Rural Electrification Act, in which we recognize that we have a responsibility to provide financial stimulation in order to receive a benefit for rural areas.”
25 Apr Counsel may file claim
"It is extremely important that she not have any unnecessary stress, and under no circumstances should she return to work at the present time."
Moth spraying to begin
"This will be a one-time treatment and the state will inform the sheriff's department the day before they plan to spray,"
Weight restrictions to be lifted
"Iron County Highway Department will remove all seasonal weight limit restrictions on the county trunk highway system on Monday at 7 a.m."
Mercer: Board joins pilot study
"The goal is to have a K-12 school in each community continue into the future. If we don't do something different ... it will be very difficult for these very small districts to survive over the next five to 10 years,"
An ethical dilemma
"Here in Wisconsin - the cradle of human embryonic stem cell research, with no laws promoting or restricting it - the political and ethical conflicts on this issue are moving into the spotlight."
Tax-limit gimmick deserves a burial
"It's time this week for the Legislature to finally put the carcass on the cart and roll it out of town.  The Taxpayer Protection Amendment is an effort by Republicans to change the state constitution to limit how much counties, municipalities, public schools, technical colleges and the state can collect in taxes and fees."
Health care for all in Wis. bill
"Employers would be required to pay a monthly premium and employees would be responsible for deductibles and co-pay costs. Self-employed people, early retirees and others not covered could buy into the plan at cost."
Images: The FDA's reefer madness
"There is more than anecdotal evidence that marijuana is therapeutic in many instances where FDA-approved drugs have either failed to bring the relief or where the side effects are so serious as to render the drug ineffective."
Doyle to launch stem cell iniative
“Wisconsin has been a national stem-cell leader, and the governor will make an announcement that will help to cement Wisconsin’s status as a leader in the stem-cell industry,”
County releases pandemic flu plan
"The county’s pandemic influenza response plan outlines steps the local officials and medical facilities will need to take to respond. It also outlines who will be in charge and how vaccination clinics would be set up, if or when a flu vaccine becomes available, Willems Van Dijk said."
Ashland considers giving preference to local...
"The Hurley-based contractor Angelo Luppino Inc. submitted the low bid, but a nearly $27,000 contract to supply the city with gravel is likely to go to Ashland Construction for the simple reason that it's local."
Sen R. Feingold 30th Anniversary of the Church Committee Report
"Yet, for over four years, the Bush Administration has ignored this law, hiding its illegal warrantless surveillance program from the full committees, and continuing to deny the committees critical information."
the Need for Real Energy Solutions
"We have to get at the root cause of these high gas prices – what the President has called our nation’s addiction to oil. It poses a significant threat to our economy, our national security, and our environment and it is past time that we came to grips with it and rid ourselves of that addiction by developing an energy policy that brings us into the 21st century."
Sen H. Kohl ILLEGAL PRICE MANIPULATION BY OIL COMPANIES
"We are writing to enlist your support in enacting strong antitrust measures to allow the Department of Justice to crack down on illegal price manipulation by oil cartels. Those tough provisions would immediately serve to deter the illegal actions of members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, (OPEC), and provide quick relief to millions of American families."
Dr. Peter Rost: Winners and Losers in the Medicare Drug Lottery* - Yahoo! News
"Perhaps that shouldn't be surprising, considering that, according to U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, "those with drug costs below $810 a year will actually pay more than they do today if they sign up for the drug benefit. Seniors with drug costs of $5,000 will still pay almost $4000 themselves - almost 80% of the bill."
Rep D. Obey History in the Making: Students Showcase History Scholarship - AScribe
"Scheduled speakers include: Allen Weinstein, archivist of the Untied States; Rep. David Obey; and Dr. Libby O'Connell, chief historian and senior vice president for corporate outreach at The History Channel."
Wal-Mart Fight Turns More Political - Yahoo News
"Wal-Mart is giving capitalism a bad name," Holt explained. "It's lost touch with its small-town roots and has become a company that is depending on corporate welfare ... and an all-too-cozy relationship with China."
24 Apr WLUC
Marquette
UP Makes The Top Ten
"Let's see, there's Capri, Italy and the Greek Islands, and the Hamptons, and.....the Upper Peninsula.  That's right. The UP is in some pretty good company as one of the world's Top Ten Summer Destinations."
ShermansTravel.com Top Ten Summer Destinations Upper Peninsula, Michigan
"... pack up some marshmallows, hot dogs, and camping gear and head to the refreshing Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where majestic wildlife, unspoiled rivers, waterfalls, and dense forests abound. Blessed with some 1700 miles of shoreline along three of the Great Lakes – Superior, Michigan and Huron – it should come as no surprise that fishing, canoeing, and camping are prime activities here,"
Homicide trial begins
"The 25-year-old Kimball man is accused in the Jan. 8, 2005 death of a 27-year old snowmobiler on Island Lake."
VS officer post to be cut?
"I would hope the veterans and their dependents will be afforded the same right as any other citizen of Iron County by being able to access help and benefits full-time."
County committees appointed
"Newly-elected board chairman Dennis DeRosso of Oma said the finance committee chairman will no longer handle administrative coordinator duties."
"Iron County is in a unique situation -- without legal counsel."
Forensics team successful
"Fifteen students made it through the two preliminary rounds in play acting, group interpretation and solo acting to the state level."
Parent Power meeting set
"Their goals are to continue meeting to become better educated about the current financial crisis, understand how to help our school and build a strong union between our school district and community."
Bruneau calls for safe proms
"I will be trying to deter students from partying, using drugs, and drinking and then driving."
From UW-Madison labs to the marketplace
"What you have in Wisconsin is the top stem cell research in the world," said Robert Palay, an Illinois investor who is chairman of Madison-based Cellular Dynamics International, the state's first embryonic stem cell company. "The opportunity is to commercialize this in Wisconsin."
Marriage bill debate stirs fears
"Some gay-rights advocates fear upcoming debate on this fall's marriage referendum may spark an increase in hate crimes against gay and lesbian people."
Rumors panic many Latinos here
"First, he said, the rumors actually started about last Wednesday, when the federal government announced the arrests of nearly 1,200 illegal immigrants in 26 states at plants operated by IFCO Systems, a major producer of wooden pallets and crates."
[Refer to Rounding 'em up: Feds rustle up some aliens, sort of from The Union Leader, NH for more info on INS raids.]
WMTV
Madison
Facial Recognition Technology Helps DMV Prevent Identity Theft
"The DMV has cancelled 630 licenses since the program started last September. They've made quite a few arrests for things like identity theft, or trying to get a fake ID, but they've also arrested a child molester and a drug dealer-both caught trying to change their identity."
Sen R. Feingold Earth Day 2006
"It requires finally getting real about global warming. And it requires forward-looking energy policies that aren't about opening up pristine areas, such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, for oil drilling."
Americans opinion on censure differs depending on how wiretaps are ... - Raw Story - Cambridge,MA
"A second poll, conducted by American Research Group, Inc. in March, found that most Americans supported censuring Bush over the wiretaps. It asked -- without identifying the political affiliation of the senator who proposed the move -- whether the respondent supported censure over wiretaps obtained without "court orders.""

Kohl and
Obey

National Farm Medicine Center to Celebrate 25 Years - Wisconsin Ag Connection - Marshfield,WI
"The keynote speaker of the evening will be WGN Farm Broadcaster Orion Samuelson, who will deliver his comments via videotape. U.S. Senator Herb Kohl and Congressman Dave Obey will also have pre-taped remarks."
23 Apr On illegal migrants, consensus is elusive
"Among business groups, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and the Wisconsin Restaurant Association have lobbied for a guest worker program and against the House bill's stiff penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants."
Stem cell work crosses boundaries
"Meanwhile, UW-Madison has quietly built a critical mass of scientists across a wide range of disciplines, creating a tight-knit research hub unlike any other institution in the world. Those scientists have seized the opportunity to work with stem cells in unexpected ways."
Republicans look for a way to cap government spending
"Republicans will seek a balance between the needs of those who pay for government services and those who control and depend on them. The goal: Write limits on taxes or spending into the state's constitution - a step that would affect everyone from taxpayers to students, public workers and the poor."
Dave Zweifel: Remember those who reject reform
"Sadly, our legislative leadership would rather spend its time engineering ways to polarize the citizens of Wisconsin over God, gays and guns than address the root problems that have so degraded politics in our state."
Oil prices cause double whammy for farmers' pocketbooks
"You try to save as many passes as you can across the field, but you have to do what you can to get the field ready for crops,"
Sen R. Feingold Feingold gets big spike in PAC donations - San Jose Mercury News - CA
"I bet that really did stimulate contributions a lot," said Charles Franklin, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "The censure resolution, and lack of any other Democrat backing it, really put a lot of Bush-haters onto Feingold."
22 Apr Naterra request on agenda
"The Saxon Town Board will consider the rezoning at a meeting on Tuesday, May 9, following a public hearing on the matter at 7 p.m. on May 8 at the community center."
Obey makes Earth Day visit
""A lot of people in government are acting like this is only a scientific theory," Obey said.  Rapidly melting glaciers "are telling us something if we are willing to listen," Obey said. Shrinking polar ice shelves threaten to raise the ocean 20 feet. "
Board may have violated statute
"This woman, Jodie Bednar, knew from last year that we were trying to get this property and that Barb (Minier) was willing to sell it to us," Decker said. "I want to know how it went from everyone having to go to the auction to her having the board vote on giving back the property. We were never given that option."
Vietnam veterans serve others
"Gogebic-Iron Range Chapter 529 of the Vietnam Veterans of America will hold its annual steak feed fund-raiser on April 29."
Legislative trick may hinder campaigns
"But because the Legislature is slated to convene this December, lawmakers technically will be in session all year. That will prevent them from soliciting lobbyists, said Jonathan Becker, legal counsel for the Ethics Board."
Biodiesel use grows as energy prices rise
"Some Wisconsin residents are in the forefront of a movement away from petroleum- based fuels, opting instead for such fuels as 100 percent, or "neat," biodiesel. Others are fueling up with pure vegetable oil or by dipping into their neighborhood greasy spoons for some WVO, waste vegetable oil."
New tabloid here leans to the right
"The paper says it seeks to target those conservatives "with an opportunity for their voices to be heard once again," adding that "at the same time, we will not alienate the progressive majority of the community."
2 suspects in forest gun fight vanish
"A bizarre gun battle that injured a 52-year-old man and possibly two suspects left more than 30 shell casings in the Lincoln County woods where the men opened fire earlier this week."
Global warming huge threat to national security, Obey says
"The fact is, unless you have a sense of urgency emerge at the very top of the society, we're going to face catastrophic results down the line,"
Obey: more money for sidewalks highly unlikely
"I think people need to assume that's what they're going to have to operate with in terms of federal money," he said during an interview Thursday at the Northland College campus. "It's highly unlikely with this budget situation that you're going to be able to get another grant."
21 Apr Backers admit defeat on bill to reduce trash
"The bill, AB 798, would have raised the fee charged for every ton of garbage dumped in a landfill in Wisconsin from $3 a ton to $10 a ton. Raising the fee would have made Wisconsin's so-called tipping fee more in line with fees charged by neighboring states and reduced the financial incentive to truck garbage in from other states, advocates argued."
Drug law cuts off student aid
"The law prohibits people who have been convicted of selling or possessing drugs from receiving Pell Grants and other forms of federal financial aid. Since 2000, it has been used to refuse assistance to more than 189,000 needy students, including 2,897 in Wisconsin, according to a state-by-state breakdown released for the first time by the U.S. Department of Education."
Suit says religion, medicine mix at VA
"The suit alleges that the VA expects chaplains to be involved as part of the medical team for all patients, and conduct a "spiritual assessment" of each patient, including their belief about the nature of God, within 24 hours of their admission into the VA medical system."
WMTV
Madison
UW Expects Mumps To Hit Student Population
"There are now 17 confirmed cases of mumps in Wisconsin, and with two in Dane County Roberts knows it's coming. "At this point we're watching the situation and increasing our surveillance for mumps."
Used cooking oil powers cars
"With the price of crude oil soaring, the restaurant industry -- already the nation's largest single employer -- could make a serious contribution to the fuel supply if most of its waste cooking oil can be recycled as biodiesel, according to industry and renewable fuel experts."
Sen R. Feingold Feingold Says Call for Censure Wasn't for Political Gain - WEAU-TV 13 - Eau Claire,WI
"When I first introduced this, everyone said ‘look this is a crazy idea, nobody's for it,’” Feingold says. “But, now that a lot of people say it's a good idea and are contributing to my campaign they say it's for political reasons.... you can't have it both ways."
Rep D. Obey Rep. Obey calls for action on global warming - The Daily Press
"Unfortunately, the Bush administration denies the science that shows global warming is happening, Obey said. "The people who run our government are stuck in the benign belief that global warming is a theory and not a scientific fact," he said."
20 Apr Montreal: City retains attorney
"In an April 6 letter faxed to city hall, Carter noted Bednar-Clemens was hospitalized, and he offered to take over the city attorney's duties until she is able to return."
2 GOP senators won't support spending limit plan
"We don't need to change our constitution to do this," said Sen. Ron Brown (R-Eau Claire). "We need to change our laws."
Ellis says ethics bill is in jeopardy
"Ellis' bill would merge the state Ethics Board and Elections Board into a new Government Accountability Board, which would have an enforcement division to investigate and prosecute misconduct among state and local officials."
Think (and act) green
"Saturday is Earth Day, and The Green Guide, a leading source of information on environmentally friendly living, is taking the opportunity to remind the public that there are lots of small things that anyone can do that will make a big impact on the planet."
DOT plan: 6 lanes to Illinois
"At a public meeting here Wednesday, the DOT revealed its preferred plan for improvements to the 45-mile Interstate 39-90 corridor from the Illinois state line north to the U.S. 12-18 interchange."
Rewarding taste: State brewers win 14 medals in World Beer Cup
"All told, Wisconsin brewers grabbed 14 medals in the World Beer Cup, second only to California's 25. The bi-annual competition is one of the three most respected beer contests in the world along with the Great American Beer Festival in Denver and the Beer Industry International Awards in England."
State helps pave road to Discovery
"In a 7-1 vote, the state Building Commission gave Gov. Jim Doyle permission Wednesday to go ahead with his plan to build the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, a research complex comprised of separate public and private centers aimed at furthering the state’s medical research."
Hydro power plunges on low river
"The spring rains that typically accompany the snowmelt never came. As a result, most of the runoff was absorbed by the soil, leaving the river and its reservoirs below normal levels."
Phillips - THE-BEE On track for a new wolf count
"The new estimate, expected at the end of this month, is expected to be higher than the 2005 estimate of approximately 450 animals. An open meeting on the 2006 estimate is scheduled for April 21 in Wausau."
Sen R. Feingold Feingold Gets Big Spike in PAC Donations - Washington Post
"Sen. Russ Feingold's call for censuring President Bush appears to have paid dividends for the senator's political action committee.  Feingold's leadership PAC, the Progressive Patriots Fund, pulled in $282,000 last month, according to a report filed Thursday with the Federal Election Commission. In February, the PAC raised $105,000."
19 Apr Lemon Ask your kids how they celebrated 420
Tomorrow at 4:20 (on 4/20/2006) many youngsters will smoke marijuana.  Check out Urban Legends Reference Pages: Language (420)
Mullard mayor pro-tempore
"Paul Mullard, the top vote-getter in the spring election, was named Hurley's mayor pro-tempore at Tuesday's reorganizational session."
Chairman DeRosso: unanimous
"We've got a lot of work to do for a lot of problems. I am asking each and every one, if you have any personal vendettas, put them aside and work for the betterment of the county."
No principal yet at Hurley
"District administrator Chris Patritto said the candidates were interviewed for more than three hours before the board voted 5-0 in open session to re-post the position."
Man charged with 10 counts in car chase
"Tyler K. Strebe is also charged with nine other counts -- improper parking in the roadway, endangering the safety of a person or property by reckless driving, speeding, failure to give signal, unsafe turn, improper left turn, improper right turn, operating left of the center line, and operating while suspended."
Public hearing on land development slated
"Naterra plans to develop the lots on Lake Superior for year-round or seasonal homes. It has requested a change in zoning from forestry to residential on the 115 acres the company is purchasing from Steiger Lumber Co."
$3 a gallon gas creeping back
"On Tuesday, state Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager added her voice to Gov. Jim Doyle's in urging the Legislature to pass a measure to outlaw price gouging. Both Lautenschlager and Doyle say prosecutors would target gas price gouging if the legislation is adopted."
Driftless Area preservation planned
"The effort by the governors of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota and Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns aims to conserve and restore a 24,000-square-mile area marked by limestone bluffs, caves, waterfalls, springs and streams. The area is sometimes called the Driftless Area because it was bypassed by the last glacier 12,000 years ago."
WMTV
Madison
Clean Energy Fair Has Money Saving Ideas For All
"Alice in Dairyland is usually promoting milk and cheese, but she was talking ethanol and gas milage. "I'm interested in promoting products that are going to help Wisconsin and help Wisconsin farmers.""
Hunters must be sportsmen to save sport
"In other cases there are people buying 400 or 500 acres and planting 300 acres of it into food plots. They build huge elevated blinds to hunt out of. The locals have no choice but to feed deer or not see any."
From college student to city council president
"One of Maiwald's supporters, Councilor Connie Anderson, said she thought Boys would do a good job.  "I give a kid that age a lot of respect because to do the things he's doing politically ... I think is excellent," she said. "
Sen R. Feingold Feingold, Brownback Call On President To Address Human Rights In Meeting With Chinese President
"As the State Department’s most recent Human Rights Report on China noted, in 2005 there was “a trend towards increased harassment, detention, and imprisonment by government and security authorities of those perceived as threatening to government authority.”"
A study in Democratic contrasts - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Warner and Feingold are unknown to most voters outside their own states. Both have created an early stir among activists."
Washington Post Article Exposes Growing Judicial Ethics Problems ... - Civilrights.org - Washington,DC
"There is reason for optimism that the new Chief Justice will take these problems seriously. Senator Russ Feingold asked John Roberts about the issue of judicial junkets at his confirmation hearing and Roberts committed to studying the issue if confirmed. He also stated, helpfully, that it is "clear that special interests should not be able to lobby federal judges.""
Rep D. Obey

 

Obey calls for action on global warming
“Gaylord believed that the three greatest moral and political challenges facing us were the ease with which our country could become mired in war, the growing chasm between rich and poor and the challenge of global warming and that in the long-term the most consequential of the three was global warming,”
Special Features Block New - TPMCafe - New York,NY
  • "I don’t object to polarization if it achieves an objective. —Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.)
  • I used to love this game, until Newt spoiled it. —Wisconsin Representative David Obey, top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee."
18 Apr School accepts resignations
"Following a closed session at the board's March meeting, the retirements of Donelle Bugarsky and John Nemetz were accepted."
Quiz bowl champs top 50 teams
"Hurley recently captured the Upper Peninsula High School Bowl championship, topping 50 schools in a test of knowledge."
Head Start learns fire safety
"Fire Chief Darrell Petrusha and firefighter Chris Voyer presented the program, giving each child a chance to try on firemen's gear, touch the fire-fighting equipment, and sit in the fire truck."
Doyle urges passage of price-gouging bill
"We need to send a message to the oil companies so they'll think twice before just running up the prices 40 or 50 cents a gallon overnight for no good reason that any of us can ever discern,"
Sex ed 'dangerous' in school, declares Savage
"When the left advocates for sex education it gets abstinence education "at best," Savage said.  And even when sex education is taught objectively, he said, it too often deals with zygotes and fallopian tubes "reproductive biology." "
Hearing set in spearfishing incident
"Deputies from Lincoln and Oneida counties' sheriff's departments and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wardens tracked Ruechel to his home, where he was arrested on charges of operating an ATV while intoxicated and disorderly conduct as a hate crime."
Deer yard seen as outdated, impractical
"Buying more deer from a farm, at the cost of up to $6,000 per deer, makes little sense to some city officials. The city wants hunters to kill more deer inside city limits, and last year the city council adopted new rules allowing hunters to obtain free tags for bow hunting."
Sen H. Kohl Will 'Smart' Pillbox Help Older Adults Stay at Home Longer? - AScribe
"Finding ways to help our elderly maintain their independence is critical," said Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl. "This important study will examine new ways that regular nursing visits and technology may help improve their health."
17 Apr A fresh look at airport issue
"Budget time comes up swiftly. This matter should be discussed," he said, noting he wanted to make sure the item would be discussed at future finance meetings."
Board reorganizes
"After the newly elected board chairman takes over the meeting, a vice-chairman will be elected, followed by the appointment of a purchasing agent, and the election of both highway and agriculture-extension committees."
Gambling charges dropped
"Lawrence A. Czerniak of Prizm Entertainment, Ironwood, and Henry Gilbertson, of Hurley, are the two owners of commercial gambling machines confiscated by Department of Justice officers in July 2004. They have forfeited the gambling machines and money from the machines, according to Iron County District Attorney Marty Lipske."
Saxon in the black
"The Town of Saxon ended 2005 with a $17,000 fund balance, while completing many road and culvert improvement projects."
Brazilian dancers return
"They'll perform the samba in authentic carnival costumes from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sequins, feathers and fringe form elaborate, colorful creations with wings and fanciful headdresses."
Exclusive 'public' beaches rile some
"Then last summer the state Supreme Court stepped in and sided with the beach walker, ruling that everyone had access to beach property up to the ordinary high water mark. The beachfront owner, backed by a property rights group called Save Our Shoreline, appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which in February opted not to hear the case."
The heterogeneous debate: Some say best students get short shrift
"Advocates of heterogeneous classes say students achieving at lower levels benefit from being in classes with their higher-achieving peers. But some parents of higher-achieving students are concerned their children won't be fully challenged in such classes - at a time when the amount of resources going to talented and gifted, or TAG, programs is also diminishing."
Connection between pollen counts, symptoms strong
"Although levels of tree pollen have been high, according to the clinic's pollen counts, there are too many factors to truly predict what the season will be like or to compare it to others, Huftel said."
Sen R. Feingold Depends What 'Is' Isn't - Bay Area Indymedia - San Francisco,CA
"That not a single senator, save Senator Russ Feingold, has the moral certitude or political courage of their convictions to so much as formally reprimand him, speaks volumes about American leadership."
16 Apr