Local News
"In July, Clemens was cited for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, first offense, refusal to take a breath test, and non-registration after witnesses reported "a crazy driver" on U.S. 51-Fifth Avenue in Hurley."
"Toraason's visit ends the summer series of artist appearances at the gallery on U.S. 51 south of Mercer. Mitch Myers, owner of Odonata with his wife Laureen, said it had been a "fantastic, gang-busters" summer for the gallery."
"Organizers are hoping for results similar to what they saw in the spring election when anti-war questions were passed in 24 of the 32 communities where they were on the ballot, including several communities that had voted Republican in the last presidential election. They say that despite recent poll numbers indicating that opposition to the war has hit 65% nationally, decision-makers haven't gotten the message."
"Gas prices are plummeting because of a combination of factors: lower crude oil prices; a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon; an Illinois refinery that shut down this month coming back on line; and less fuel demand as the summer travel season winds down."
Return
cash, Green told"On several 5-2 votes, the board upheld a complaint from the non-profit Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, which said Green's transfer of cash from his federal fund to a state fund violated a rule the board adopted last year."
Green
campaign won't comply with order to return $468,000"State Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D- Middleton, said Green's transfer of federal PAC money "was wrong when he did it, it's wrong today, and it would be wrong under any meaningful reforms we are able to implement in the future."
"The only people who didn't want to improve the Elections Board were the ever-so-partisan leaders of the state Assembly -- Speaker John Gard, R-Peshtigo, who is now running for Congress, and his sidekick Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem. Spouting lame excuses, these guys killed SB 1 despite broad, bipartisan support. And that left the Elections Board as partisan as ever."
Elections
Board ruling puts Green in a pickle"The board's action stems from Green's transfer of $1.3 million last year from his congressional campaign fund to his gubernatorial war chest. The non-profit Wisconsin Democracy Campaign filed a complaint with the board claiming that Green should not be allowed to spend nearly $468,000 in money received from political action committees, or PACs, not registered in Wisconsin."
John
Nichols: Kohl may be key to Internet neutrality"The three-term senator is running for re-election against a Democrat primary challenger best known as the organizer of the Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival and Weedstock, a Republican who couldn't muster 5 percent of the vote in his own party's Senate primary two years ago, a Libertarian who couldn't get enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, and a Green who is mounting an impressive campaign but will never be able to match the campaign spending of the wealthy Kohl."
"And here's one bit of news that should make you happy: We have no idea how tall you are, but newspaper research has shown that readers of the Opinion page tend to be better educated and wealthier than those who don't read editorials."
"A structural engineering study has revealed dangerous conditions on the abandoned Soo Line Oredock superstructure, including spalling concrete and deteriorating steel ore chutes, which could collapse at any time."
Wal-Mart
bids accepted"As part of the deal to expand Wal-Mart on U.S. Highway 2, the company agreed to pay for the street's reconstruction because large amounts of traffic are expected to enter and exit the store along this street."
Journal
""I think once we get the word out, people will come to our Web site and see it is a good idea and will invest in their community," he said. Roppe said Nova M Radio would buy part of the station and the rest would be purchased through fundraising and people investing in the station, in a Green Bay Packers-type model of community ownership."
Sen
R. Feingold“The American people don’t buy the President’s attempt to repackage a failed policy. New slogans are no replacement for correcting a devastating Iraq policy."
Sen
H. Kohl"There is a primary vote on September 12, 2006 and we need to know if we can trust Kohl to do the right thing. So what is it Senator? Pro-Wisconsin small business or Pro-Big Business? Pro-constituent made media or Pro-Hollywood only made media? Pro-Chad Vader or Pro-Darth Vader?"
Gov.
Doyle“Three and a half years ago our state had a $3.2 billion budget deficit and an economy that was headed in the wrong direction. Since then, we’ve balanced the budget, created over 170,000 new jobs, and invested in manufacturing, job training and marketing Wisconsin products for export."
Shout
out to the folks at the Hurley Coffee CompanyThe Current site stats show an average of 219 distinct visitors per day, but that is based on only 43 people this morning. One more day like yesterday and the monthly average will be a new high of about 225. I'm counting on you folks at the coffee shop to ask your friends how many of the "big things" in the new collage they can identify, please.
"When board chairman Dennis DeRosso took over in April, he emphasized, "TEAM --Together Each Achieves More. If we all try, we can make this a smooth running machine. I want team effort.""
"Policies for everything from acceptable clothing to visitors and sexual harassment are included in the handbook. There's a discipline policy, although what school officials refer to as consequences for unacceptable actions are spelled out throughout the handbook."
"Wisconsin had the fourth-lowest rate of uninsured in the country, around one in 10 people, or 10.3%. The number of uninsured in the state actually declined, from 580,000 to 550,000, according to the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families. Minnesota had the lowest rate, 8.7%, and Texas had the highest, 24.6%."
""My hunch is (wages) have been pretty stagnant," he said. "We have not seen major swings." Others, though, seized on the data as significant."
"The combined drop in reading and math scores on the nation's most widely used college entrance exam was 7 points, from 1028 out of a possible 1600 last year to 1021 this year. Officials of the College Board in the past have said increases of similar size were significant good news. This time, they said little should be read into the downturn."
"Crackdowns on drunken driving or other traffic violations are common on holiday weekends. This one is different, however, because it targets the roads where officers have found drunken driving most frequent, at the times motorists are most likely to drive drunk,..."
"Attorneys for both said they had no idea where their clients have gone and said they have not talked to them. Rea's attorney, Ed Krueger, withdrew from the case last week after writing to Circuit Judge Robert DeChambeau, "that because of Mr. Rea's failure to fulfill his obligation to maintain communication with me, my continued representation of Mr. Rea is no longer in the interests of Mr. Rea, myself or the court.""
Board
orders Green to get rid of funds from out-of-state PACs"The board took the move on 5-2 vote after a lengthy discussion, including testimony from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a nonpartisan group that had filed the complaint challenging the transfer of money from his congressional campaign and spending it on his gubernatorial bid."
"‘‘It has made things a lot more difficult for us,’’ Wydeven said. ‘‘A lot of farmers are concerned and disappointed and fearful that wolf attacks are not going to be slowed down.’’ Eighteen wolves were killed with the permit before the judge issued her ruling, he said. "
"The new 157,000-square foot store, which is three times larger than the existing Wal-Mart, will be on a site behind the existing store and will include a grocery market and tire shop."
Times - CA
"... and Jamie Wall, a 34-year-old Green Bay business consultant and Rhodes scholar who has been endorsed by the dean of the state's congressional delegation - U.S. Rep. Dave Obey."
[Actually an interesting run down of the entire WI election picture. - Bob]
Sen
R. Feingold“I’m pleased to hear that the administration may be reevaluating its emergency housing policies, which have left thousands of hurricane survivors without long-term housing a year after Katrina."
"I am honored to be recognized for my efforts on this crucial issue," Feingold said. "Unfortunately, there is still more work ahead. I will continue to work with my Senate colleagues to bring an end to the crisis in Sudan."
Gov.
Doyle
Big
Things in the North WoodsFrom the invention of the federal highway till the invention of the Interstate system, America was in love with those otherwise almost inexplicable large things along the highways attracting our attention. These items are on or near US 51.
"More than 35 people attended the meeting, including many of the 10 district residents listed as contacts on an Aug. 17 letter from Concerned Citizens for Mercer School that complained that the board was not dealing adequately with harassment at school."
"But the three education advocates interviewed Monday - who come from varying places on the political spectrum - said the national testing program known as the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, gives a much less rosy picture of the performance of Wisconsin students and finds that Wisconsin has some of the largest gaps in the U.S. between children from higher-income homes and those from lower-income homes, and between white students and African-American and Hispanic students."
Green
aims to be 'chief jobs officer'"He noted that Doyle pushed for a tax credit program for so-called "angel investors," who provide critical funds for start-up companies. That program was proposed as part of Doyle's "Grow Wisconsin" initiative at $10 million a year. The Republican-controlled Legislature scaled it back to $6.5 million a year. Green said Monday that it should be increased to $20 million a year."
""I don't know where Mark Green has been, but this kind of public-private business partnership has been going on for many years in this state" through several business boards that advise the department and the state, said former Commerce Secretary Cory Nettles."
"A scenic railroad line starting near the city's industrial park and traveling along the lakeshore could draw as many as 20,000 passengers a year, according to a business plan developed by an organization that operates a similar railroad line in Duluth."
In
Minocqua, Doyle touches on fond memories, serious issues “It is so important to me that the school [children] go to is a good school,” he said. “The key to Wisconsin is that we have a good education system.” Doyle said education cuts, like the $400 million reduction the state Legislature passed and he vetoed last summer, won’t happen as long as he is in office."
Wall Street
Journal
Poll
shows Kohl LeadingThe new Zogby/WSJ poll shows Democratic Senator Herb Kohl leading by 17.8% and Democrats leading in 14 of 18 polled states.
(A Yahoo Group)
"Too many times we forget about the people behind the politics. We need to start remembering our local leaders are fellow citizens and humans too. We need to put humanity back into politics."
Sen
R. Feingold"A statement released by the office of Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) states that Specter’s bill “gives him even more power than he has asserted under his illegal NSA wiretapping program.”
Sen
H. Kohl"The discussion featured Phil Karsting, Agriculture Legislative Assistant from the Washington, D.C. office of U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, Mike Schmidt, Agriculture Legislative Assistant from the Washington, D.C. office of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, and Brad Pfaff, representing the office of U.S. Representative Ron Kind."
Gov.
Doyle“This is a great day for Franklin and one more step in the effort to grow Wisconsin’s economy. We’ve created 170,000 jobs in the last three years and we must continue that effort.”
"So far, 59 senators have denied placing a "secret hold" on legislation to create a public, user-friendly database of all government spending."
""We're not having a downtown Hurley event this year because of the ongoing road construction on Silver Street," said Hurley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ricky Kelly. With Hurley's newly reconstructed Silver Street scheduled for completion in September, Kelly said an Oct. 14 Silver Street Block Party is being planned."
"There will be a $2,500 limit on each card, except for the highway and forestry departments, Saari said, noting a $5,000 limit on those cards. The new policy will also increase meal reimbursements from $5.50 for breakfast, $7.50 lunch, and $15, dinner to $10, $15, and $25, respectively, Saari said."
"With more than 300 varieties grown in Wisconsin, "there's an apple out there for whatever desire you have:" baking, sauce, salads or eating fresh, said Anna Maenner, executive director of the Wisconsin Apple Growers Association."
"The revisions aren't necessarily about preservation issues, although the rampant destruction in the 1950s and 1960s of what would almost certainly now be considered historic and valuable properties would have been prevented had a better ordinance been in place then, said Kitty Rankin, city preservation specialist."
"A group of nine men dressed in pink bunny suits paraded past another group of men dressed as Nazi brown-shirts on the Capitol Square Saturday, drawing a flurry of attention."
"For developers and assisted-living providers, it often is a case of striking when the iron is hot. For now, it appears the market is just warming up. "The peak of the baby boomers looking to get into this kind of housing is 10 years off," Nikolai said."
"or the casual visitor, the Bad River Manomin Powwow is a spectacle of colorful regalia, a pageant of elaborate and exquisite dance. It is all that, but for the members of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, it is much more. It is a time of giving thanks for the blessing of Manomin, the wild rice that Native Americans regard as a gift from the Great Spirit."
Sen
R. Feingold"Looking back over the past year, we see how far we’ve come but also how far we have to go. One year after Katrina, we must rededicate ourselves to helping the people of the Gulf Coast make it home again."
"The challenge of rebuilding is enormous. But what's even tougher is trying to rebuild in a way that helps everyone come back, not just people with access to lots of resources and lots of different options."
Rep
D. Obey"San Diego VA Medical Center has delayed filling 131 vacancies on it staff. The VA medical center in Portland, Ore., is delaying nonemergency surgery for at least six months. "Right now, medical facilities are literally falling down around their patients," said Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin. (Navy Times, 7/18/05)"
Gov.
Doyle"Today’s announcement is part of $2 million in Workforce Advancement Training grants set aside by Governor Doyle in his budget for the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) that will be used to train 11,900 workers throughout Wisconsin."
"Here in Wisconsin, we’re leading the nation in the drive toward energy independence, but we also need stronger action at the federal level,”
“I am pleased that we could work with the Village of Belmont on a project that will enhance local job opportunities and generate new investments for the area.”
"Friends of the Gile Flowage volunteers, assisted by Department of Natural Resources conservation warden John Windt, are distributing boater welcome kits as part of a "Be A Friend of the Flowage" campaign."
"Janice Silanpa remains in the intensive care unit, with no reports on her condition available, according to hospital officials. Alcohol was a factor in the Silanpa vehicle's involvement in the crash, according to Starkey."
"A passerby said the 9:52 p.m. accident took place during a storm and on a newly paved section of road that lacked a center line."
"Lambie first planted the biodynamic tomato seeds in 2005. A single cherry tomato plant grew 11 feet tall and produced more than 300 tomatoes."
"After neighbors complained about the rats and urged the county to condemn and tear down the house, the county sold the property to the City of Hurley for action. The city, in turn, sold the property to the Ofstads."
"Jeff Schoep, a member of the Minnesota-based National Socialist Movement, said he was pleased to be in Madison to share his group's beliefs, but he wished those behind the counterdemonstration had been more open to the Nazis' remarks. "We didn't come here to be screamed at," he said."
"How should the governor determine the right balance between taxes and ensuring adequate funding for schools and local services, many of which have been mandated by the state?"
"The AutoMark is nothing more than a big, fancy computerized pen," explained Jim Longley, an ES&S representative who is teaching municipal clerks how to use the machines."
Sen
R. Feingold"I find it jarring that we spend so much time on the floor of the Senate and throughout the Congress talking almost incessantly about the situation in Iraq as if on 9/11 the situation involved Iraq, as if the attack had come from Iraq."
"A censure resolution sponsored by Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), which galvanized opposition to the NSA surveillance program but isn't likely to gather enough support to pass under the current majority. Republican senators tend to openly support the Bush administration's policy on this issue, and even those who don't generally don't want to challenge a sitting president in a midterm election year."
Sen
H. Kohl"The 19 million dollars to build the new facility were secured by Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl. Many area dairy farmers believe this is one of the many steps to ensure a stronger future for farming."
“Employers should be penalized heavily for employing illegals,” Kohl told an audience attending the AFL-CIO Wisconsin Building Trades Conference at the Holiday Inn. His stance drew loud applause from the union officials."
Rep
D. Obey"The group immediately released a report on what it called wasteful procurement spending in response to Hurricane Katrina. Other members of the Truth Squad are David R. Obey of Wisconsin, John Tanner of Tennessee, D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, and John F. Tierney of Massachusetts."
Gov.
Doyle“Today we will make another significant investment that will ensure a bright future for the dairy industry in Wisconsin.”
Mark
Green"I am extremely pleased that Secretary Johanns decided to act on the appeals from me and the entire delegation to give much-needed federal disaster relief to the hard-working farmers of Wisconsin."
"It was the second time this week that Lautenschlager was cleared of wrongdoing in an ethics complaint brought by her Republican opponents in this fall's election for attorney general."
Doyle
announces mercury guidelines"Bruce Nilles, attorney for the Sierra Club, applauded Doyle's announcement. "It's a very significant step forward," Nilles said. He said he thought Doyle took a tougher stand on mercury because of concerns from sporting groups who worry about the effects of mercury in fish."
"Mercury, and some others in the marine industry, have an "anti-ethanol agenda," said Stockman, the group's director. "It has been generated by self interests, whether someone is selling another type of fuel or wants to blame an engine component problem on our fuel," he said.
"As beneficial as each tax break would be to middle-class pocketbooks, neither is worth the cost to the state's effort to close its long-term budget gap. Wisconsin confronts a long-term budget deficit that could amount to as much as $2.5 billion."
"The white supremacists' mostly inaudible speeches were punctuated by calls of "Sieg Heil" and the Hitler salute, raising a chorus of "Boos" and raised middle fingers from the crowd below."
"Since pharmacists in Wisconsin and elsewhere have, based on their personal beliefs, refused to stock and/or dispense emergency contraception as a prescribed medication, Boyce said she anticipates that there will be similar issues related to over-the-counter access to emergency contraception."
"The event's layout is similar to a rock ’n’ roll festival's, with attendees setting up camp along Waverly Beach in clusters of family and friends. It's easy for folks to visit their neighbors to trade food and conversation, but they're also there to attend and present grassroots workshops on topics like harvesting wild edibles, knife and rope making, wild rice processing, basket weaving and pelt tanning."
"Railroads are among the most efficient forms of transportation for bulk items. As the price of fuel increases, trucking may become less economical, and hence a desire for more rail service."
"Obey said getting approval of such funding is increasingly difficult because all the funds that had been tentatively earmarked for those and other expenditures have gone to the war in Iraq, and the federal government is both cutting programs and borrowing increasingly to meet federal program obligations."
"Northwest Wisconsin Long-Term Care Options is seeking people to participate in the planning process for long-term care reform in a nine-county region, including Iron County."
"The Hamilton Club was built in 1918 by Oglebay-Norton Mining Co. as a recreational center for Montreal Co. miners and their families. Special events and Christmas parties sponsored by the mining company were held in the center."
"The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development reports the unemployment rate for July in the county was 6.5 percent, compared to 7.9 percent in July of 2005."
"The Harmels purchased the former Star Lite motel-tavern but couldn't use that name, since the former owners, the Jack Brown family, continue to use Star Lite for the pizzas they produce."
"Survey data from Wisconsin mirrors the national trend. Approximately 21 percent of Wisconsin high school youth smoke, according to data. Nationally, approximately 23 percent of high school students smoke."
"When the federal government does find a way to reform immigration policies, Lautenschlager said, she hopes "it doesn't do so in a way that creates racial divisiveness or divisiveness between rich and poor or any of the things we're seeing in this election year."
New
questions on role of Doyle's office in sale of nuclear plant"The Feb. 10, 2004, meeting between Goodwin and representatives of Dominion Resources of Richmond, Va., came 10 days after Doyle received $2,000 in donations from executives at the utility, which was seeking regulators' approval to buy the Kewaunee plant."
Cut
mercury at coal plants, Doyle orders""Every year thousands of pounds of mercury are released in the air and are then deposited in soil and bodies of water," Doyle said. He said such emissions endanger Wisconsin's fishing and hunting tradition and the health of state residents."
"The Web site allows people to apply online for Medicaid, BadgerCare and other programs, such as the Family Planning Waiver program that helps low-income women avoid unintended pregnancy, and FoodShare, which replaced the state's food stamp program in 2004."
"Truth
Squad" Introduced by House Democrats to Identify Government Waste"Reps. Henry Waxman and Dennis Cardoza announced the creation of a "Truth Squad" to expose waste, fraud, and abuse under the watch of the Republican-controlled Congress and the Bush Administration. The group additionally includes Reps. David Obey, John Tanner, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and John Tierney."
"Agreeing that the southern part of the county needs additional law enforcement coverage, Bruneau and Samardich, both Democrats, have said they'll appoint an undersheriff from the Mercer area."
"Four Iron County officials are up for re-election, and although they are running unopposed, they must get elected in the primary before their names can appear on the Nov. 7 general election ballot, according to county clerk Mike Saari."
""It became very apparent over the years that the snowmobile and ATV clubs were having the same problems with trail maintenance and all trail issues," said Iron County Off-Road Vehicle Council Treasurer Don Richards."
"One of the objectives of the grant is to monitor academic progress of students who attend STARS for 20 days or more,"
"Cleon Borseth of Hematite Street was released from the Iron County Jail after posting a $5,000 cash bond set Monday by Judge Patrick Madden."
"A 52-year-old Fond du Lac, Wis., man will be jailed in the Fond du Lac County Jail for the first three months of his three-year probation sentence set Monday in Iron County Circuit Court."
"I'm satisfied we've been following proper procedure throughout all these incidents," school administrator Ron Vaughn said Wednesday. "Some of the investigations that happened showed that the allegations weren't true."
"As a political matter, the groups can be a wild-card factor in close elections. They have a well-documented penchant for attack (history shows group ads are much more likely to be "negative" than candidate ads). Critics say the groups do the candidates' "dirty work." But groups and candidates by law can't coordinate with each other, and independent ads occasionally backfire if they're too strident."
Kohl
gets challenger in primary"But if you have a taste for the offbeat in politics, what's not to like in a match between Herb Kohl, an 18-year Senate veteran and a powerhouse in state politics, and Ben Masel, who lists "good hash" as one of his four interests on his MySpace page on the Internet. (And, yes, he's referring to hashish and not potatoes.)"
Green
team taps Giuliani"When asked by reporters if he'd commit to more police officers for the city, where there are 200-plus vacancies on the force, Green said: "I'll make sure we have enough cops and they have enough resources. Whatever the number is, we'll do.""
"All of the children of the immigrants were born in the United States and are American citizens, but their futures here are uncertain, Abarca said, adding that the problem becomes how to return them to their mothers after the women are deported. Because the children's families belong to several churches, the exact number of youngsters in need of assistance could not be confirmed."
"But rather than the Democrats debating each other and the Republican candidates differentiating themselves, as one would expect in primary campaigns, the election has turned into a gloves-off free-for-all, with Bucher and Lautenschlager engaged in the political version of a caged death match."
"Nelson proposed Family Care, a pilot program currently implemented in Fond du Lac, Richland, Milwaukee, La Crosse and Portage counties, as an alternative that funds home care and assisted living on an "equal footing" with nursing home care."
"Eight of the ten northwest counties had higher unemployment rates compared with the previous year, but in Ashland County the unemployment rate dropped from 7.1 percent in July 2005 to 6.4 percent in July 2006 and in Iron County the rate declined from 7.9 percent to 6.5 percent over the twelve-month period."
Sen
R. Feingold“Over the past year, in my listening sessions in Wisconsin, I have heard from many people upset with the federal government’s response to Katrina and their emotional pleas to not forget about the people who lost their homes, their communities and their way of life,”
Gov.
Doyle“These grants enable businesses to take advantage of the world-class training opportunities provided by Wisconsin’s great technical colleges and help ensure that Wisconsin continues to have a highly-trained, highly-skilled workforce that’s producing the best quality products.”
“The Youth Apprenticeship Program is a critical part of our overall strategy to ensure Wisconsin has a workforce that is second to none,” Governor Doyle said. “That’s why I proposed that we double the state’s investment in the Youth Apprenticeship Program and put more young people on the path to success.”
Mark
Green"Created in the early 20th century, the exemption gave railroad companies an unfair advantage over freight shippers, and created a monopolistic environment that continues to hurt Wisconsin businesses and the economy."
"The half-hour television show, titled "Kayak Plunge" on the "Stunt Junkies" series, will air for the first time tonight at 9:30 p.m. on the Discovery Channel. It airs four additional times later this week."
"Renovations to the park were funded through 50-50 grants from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Recreational Boating Facilities and Wisconsin Stewardship Acquisition and Development of Local Parks programs."
"We will just need to have our engineers sign off after their final inspection and the roof matters can be put behind us,"
"Iron County Sheriff Bob Bruneau announced that if he is re-elected to another four-year term, he will name 22-year-old Joy Kohegyi from Mercer as his undersheriff."
"major harassment activity has occurred at the Mercer School within the last two years that has caused concerned citizens to question the safety of the learning environment at our school."
"The state Ethics Board on Wednesday cleared Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager of any wrongdoing in giving part of a legal settlement to a politically active group that advocates for increased access to health care."
"Leave it state Sen. Tom Reynolds to come up with a new one: Fear of cameras. Reynolds, of course, is the West Allis Republican known for having some outlandish views - like thinking it's OK to quiz job applicants about their sex lives - who also apparently has a fear of cameras, an unusual phobia for a politician."
"As testing of samples from birds in Alaska nears its peak at the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, the state Department of Natural Resources has started sampling shorebirds around Wisconsin for the deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus."
"U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Tuesday let stand a May ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit that ordered EchoStar Communications Corp., the parent company of Dish Network, to stop transmitting network programming to 800,000 subscribers - those who live in mostly rural areas too far to receive local stations with regular antennas."
"The city will drop a water surcharge to the school, the insurance rating for the K-12 school will improve and the city will plow snow, ..."
"Bruneau said it is believed the Schroeders were headed south when a northbound vehicle driven by Scott Silanpaa, 42, of Ironwood, collided with the Canadian vehicle."
"The family specifically asked that they not use his murder for political purposes, and it shows what kind of attorney generals each of them would be when they go ahead and use such a tragedy,"
Green
pledges to lower gas tax"In his statement Monday, Green said he would stand by a November 2005 pledge to eliminate a 2-cents-a-gallon gas tax used to clean up leaking underground fuel tanks and for other environmental programs. The remaining 30.9 cents a gallon goes toward transportation."
"Candidates who hope to win seats in Congress this fall should pledge now to support "pay-as-you-go" rules forbidding new spending or tax cuts that add to the deficit. The rules, which expired in 2002, desperately need to be revived."
Bill
Clinton to stump for Doyle"I am honored to have his support, and delighted that he is coming to our great state. His visit will be an exciting day for Wisconsin and for my campaign,"
Editorial:
Kohl stance is honorable"Joe lost. I don't feel very good about that because I don't know Mr. Lamont very well and I know Joe very well." But, added Wisconsin's senior senator at a Milwaukee luncheon: "I would support the person that they picked as their nominee ... I support Ned Lamont."
Green
asked to give back PAC money"Republican candidate for governor U.S. Rep. Mark Green should not be allowed to keep nearly $468,000 in donations he received from federal political action committees that are not registered in Wisconsin, a government watchdog group said today."
"It's a tremendous source of cold water to the White River main stem, and it's very important to the trout," he said. "But given predictions for climate change, it's a little scary ... These cold-water feeders are incredibly important."
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." Read the entirety of Senator Feingold's well-crafted speech here."
Sen
H. Kohl"Supporters say it's not pork... It should prevent the rodent from destroying cedar trees, trout habitats and from ruining roads. Wisconsin was the American for Prosperity Foundation's 30Th state."
Gov.
Doyle"The Hurley Police Department still has an open murder investigation, that of Lottie Morgan who was murdered with an ax in 1890 in Hurley."
"The Iron County Sheriff's Department is attempting to determine what caused an early Sunday morning two-car crash that resulted in a double fatality."
"Crystal Schutz, a member of the Iron County Fair Board, said attendance in Saxon was up quite a bit this year over last. "I would say so, especially Saturday and Sunday," she said."
"Designated trails and elimination of cross-country travel will help protect soil and water resources, control the spread of invasive species, provide for public safety and reduce conflicts with other multiple uses."
2
seek Obey's seat in Congress"Political handicappers generally consider Obey's re-election all but a certainty. But the contest for Wisconsin's largest congressional district is nevertheless worth watching."
Doyle
has gas tax pledge"Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle is promising not to raise the gas tax during the next four years, but his Republican opponent will not commit to keeping the tax at 32.9 cents a gallon if he is elected."
"In
my 14 years of holding listening sessions across the state, Wisconsinites
have mentioned health care more than any other issue. With an American-style
approach to reform that gives flexibility to the states and fuels
innovation, real health care reform is within reach,""There could be some very teachable moments in showing up at the Square with your children to watch the spectacle. Yes, people should go. It would be a shame if the only protesters were the UW College Republicans, that small but brave band that comes out to defend American values whenever they're threatened by the likes of Michael Moore and George Galloway."
"Living with bedbugs at one apartment may make it harder to rent an apartment somewhere else in the Madison area... Both Madison City Attorney Michael May and Tenant Resource Center program director Megin McDonell say landlords are probably within their legal rights to reject an applicant for prior bedbugs."
"And Pam Moen of Wisconsin AAA says if events around the world stay stable, we could see prices drop to about $2.70 a gallon. "I think, if things with Iran remain stable and if nothing else goes wrong, I don't think it's unheard of that we could see prices at that level or even lower," says Moen."
Democrats
strive to hold on to governor's office""The Republican motto will be to divide and divert," Obey said at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. "They will look for every single issue they can to divide the American people.""
Sen
R. Feingold"But now the Wisconsin Democrat, who in March proposed that the Senate censure Bush for flagrantly disregarding the law, has a federal judge on his side. And the question becomes: When will Democratic and Republican members of the Senate join Feingold in demanding that the administration be held to account for its assaults on basic liberties and the rule of law?"
Sen
H. Kohl"Senator Herb Kohl, Democrat of Wisconsin, said the report shows that the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services needs to improve its oversight of nursing homes...``If a facility is not up to par, the penalties in place must be strictly enforced," Kohl said.
Gov.
Doyle“The single-sales factor tax reform provides significant relief for Wisconsin manufacturers including the wood products industry,” Governor Doyle said. “This report shows just how important this reform is to creating jobs and growing our economy.”
"The Nourse Sugarbush State Natural Area and the Pikes Creek Fishery Area are some of Wisconsin’s best places – pristine natural areas with beauty that’s second-to-none. Today’s purchase, with funding from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, will protect these great natural areas for generations to come."
"The orchard harvest at Leo Saari's town of Oma farm included this unusual apple growing out of another apple. "It looks like a bird," Saari said Tuesday morning."
Doyle
re-election coffers flow with tribal money"Federal records show three tribes - the Mohegans in Connecticut and the Potawatomi and Oneida in Wisconsin - have poured $50,000 into the state Democratic Party's federal account in the past year. That's on top of all the money that tribe members and others have given directly and indirectly to help ensure that the first-term Democrat wins a second term."
"The same kind of dynamic that's fueling growth in the Milwaukee-Kenosha-Racine area also is affecting the northwestern part of the state, around the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Ludeman sees it accelerating there."
"Their questions span the gamut from schools to highways, the cost of health care to the wages of corruption. But mostly they're looking for vision; a sense that the candidates are capable of looking beyond the next election to a brighter Wisconsin."
"The Balchunas family letter defended Lautenschlager and said it was "outrageous" to suggest that she or the department were somehow responsible for Balchunas' death. ... The letter also was posted on WisPolitics.com."
"We respectfully request that, in Jay's honor, attempts to use his murder for political purpose including any advertisement or 'news brief' stop immediately,"
"One year ago today 27 tornadoes thundered through Wisconsin - the highest number ever recorded in the state on a single day. One year ago tomorrow, Wisconsin's people responded with courage, with heart and with action. Today we should remember both nature's destruction and the healing power of the human spirit."
"The first debate in Waukesha will focus on taxes and the economy while the second meeting in La Crosse will examine quality of life issues including health care and education, the multimedia partnership said."
"As a 21-year-old college student attending Moody Bible Institute in Chicago with aspirations of becoming a youth minister, Van Kirk came up with a simple idea -- what if he could get $1 each from 20,000 people to help pay for his college expenses?"
"Earlier this month, Iron County Sheriff's Department officials were no