Local News (archives)
| 2007 Heritage Day Parade - category/winner | |||
| All School Reunion | Class of 1961, | ||
| Youth Division | Hurley Cheerleaders | ||
| Most Distinctive Vehicle | 1928 Ford | ||
| Most Impressive Rig | Iron County HW Dept Oshkosh Plow Truck | ||
| Heritage | Red Hat Society | ||
| Year of the Street | Nora's Bar | ||
| Horse and Pony | Frontier Horses | ||
| Chamber Member | Nora's Bar | ||
The 30 July 2007 teaser from the Globe about the geocaching contest had an incorrect URL... the correct link is http://www.ironcountywi.com/ . The list is part way down the Iron County website's front page, not the Development Zone page. I apologize for having diseminated this incorrect information. - Bob
Living
history tour part of county heritage festival "Iron County Historical Society President Gene Cisewski will once again lead the tour as part of the Heritage Festival at 6:30 p.m. today. Community members, dressed in period garb, will portray miners, lumberjacks, dance hall girls and other characters on a tour starting at the Iron Nugget all the way to the lower block."
"Fitzgerald cruised he property after logging took place during the winter of 2006-07 and estimated there was about $22,098 worth of wood delivered to the mill yard from the property and about $5,851 went unpaid in stumpage due the landowner."
"After the ruling, three companies were granted $34 million worth of annual property tax exemptions. Scores of other companies that recycle paper, plastics and metal applied for tax breaks worth an additional $135 million per year, according to the Department of Revenue."
Feingold
defends consumer rights"By getting consumers, employees and others who do business with them to sign these agreements before troubles arise -- at a point when the corporation usually has all the negotiating advantages -- it becomes possible to deny Americans their day in court. And, in so doing, the likelihood that irresponsible, negligent or lawless corporations will ever be held to account is reduced."
Protesters
rally, tell of hardship and demand universal coverage"The local chapter of the coalition demands that the state Assembly hold public hearings to discuss the crisis in Wisconsin's health care system and the merits of the Healthy Wisconsin plan passed by the Senate."
Bear-resistant
dumpsters to be placed at Day Lake"This is part of the Bear Trust Adopt-a-Dumpster Program, a joint effort of Bear Trust International, the National Wildlife Federation, and state and federal wildlife and land management agencies to protect bears, other wildlife, and people on public and private lands."
Public
offers stiff opposition to shoreland zoning changes"Gone is the old 50 percent rule for nonconforming structures - limiting repairs and reconstruction to 50 percent of the structure's current equalized value over its lifetime. Instead the agency will regulate the amount of impervious, or hard, surfaces on each property within 300 feet of the ordinary high water mark."
Sen
R. Feingold“The children’s health care legislation before the Senate right now, known as CHIP, is critical to the almost 100,000 Wisconsinites who depend on BadgerCare to provide health care for their families. As health care costs skyrocket and the number of uninsured rises, strengthening BadgerCare by increasing funding for CHIP is essential to ensuring that thousands of Wisconsin families stay healthy."
"The recent acceptance to expedite the transition of this mission to more robust UN-AU mission is a step in a the right direction, but we must bear in mind the number of agreements that have long since been overlooked, ignored, or flat-out rejected by the Sudanese government."
Development
zone sponsors contest"The Geocaching contest will list 10 sites on the Iron County Development Zone's website. Just surf over to www.ironcountywi.com/business.htm to get the coordinates of the sites. Contestants have until Aug. 13 to complete the contest, according to Kelly Klein, executive director at ICDZ."
"We want to put on an event not only for fun this year, but that will be so much fun that people want to come back in the coming years," said DeeGee Pawlicki from the WUPCVB. "We want to be on the road to becoming what Sturgis is to motorcycling."
Madison,
Wis.: Ecotourism conference set""Ecotourism and sustainable travel are important because as a responsible society we need to do everything we can to protect our natural resources, encourage and embrace diverse cultures, support sustainable ways in alleviating the social ills that face many developing nations," Bricker said."
"Gerald began - but was interrupted by a piercing whistle which cost him ten percent of his hearing permanently, as it did everyone else in a ten-mile radius of the eruption, not that it mattered much because for them "permanently" meant the next ten minutes or so until buried by searing lava or suffocated by choking ash - to pee," Gleeson wrote.
The
race to beat poverty "And tensions are rising, as the housing market stumbles and Wall Street performs a perilous tightrope act. If ever there was a year when, finally, issues of wealth and poverty can be placed on the agenda, it is this one. To their credit, Edwards and Obama recognize this for the opening it provides."
Feingold
hears support for censure"I come home every weekend and I do these meetings, and I talk to people and I go to the store, to the health club, and I get the feeling that I'm NOT completely crazy," Feingold said. "Unless we ALL are. And I don't think we are."
Sen
R. Feingold"We have compromised enough over the years. We can no longer afford a system that favors wasteful projects over the needs of the American people.”
Earmark
Reform“Congress must not let people who oppose reform change the subject. Right now, the simple question senators must ask themselves is whether we want to change the way Washington does business or not.”
"This lobbying and ethics reform bill is badly needed to help close the book on the Abramoff era. I plan to support it enthusiastically.”
Feingold:
Bush Admin. 'trying to gut FISA law' [VIDEO] - Raw Story"The only way it can be done fairly is through the request that four of us have made which is that a Special Counsel be appointed through the Bush Administration, through the Attorney General's office and that they look at it and determine whether something has happened here that I think has happened, which is, I think, perhaps a crime has been committed by the Attorney General on this matter."
Gov.
Doyle
Governor,
Chancellors Urge Legislature to Invest in Higher Education“Businesses in Wisconsin depend on our colleges and universities to meet the need for more engineers, teachers and nurses as well. It’s critical that the Legislature make a new investment into our local campuses so that we are growing every corner of the state."
For non-members of About Ironwood, you can gain access to the documents
"You got to have an enemy to fight. And when you have an enemy to fight, then you can unite the entire world behind you, and you seize power. That was Hitler's plan. His enemy: the Jew. Al Gore's enemy, the U.N.'s enemy: global warming...."
[Is it about time for reasonable, decent people to take politics back from the crazies? - Bob]
Heritage
Festival ParadeStarting with vets leading the parade with the colors, the "ad hoc" marching band, floats, fire trucks, costumes, cars, kids and candy marched east on the new Silver Street, which was lined by a large contingent of seniors and enough children to make sure no candy littered the street after the parade.
"Pulera is the author of "Sharing the Dream: White Males in Multicultural America" and "Visible Differences: Why Race Will Matter in the 21st Century." He is in town to establish a dialogue with Italian-Americans throughout the region. Besides giving the presentation, he talked and shot video of Italian-Americans and landmarks throughout the area."
Grant
to fund study of Mercer Lake's condition"The Mercer Lake Association has received a $257,000 lake protection grant. The grant will fund a two-year study by the U.S. Geological Surveyto assess the overall condition of Mercer Lake and its watershed. The study will recommend steps to improve the lake quality."
"In the debate over early intervention therapy for Wisconsin's growing population of children diagnosed with autism - and who should pay for it - one thing is clear: Hundreds of children with autism aren't getting the therapeutic aid many medical experts say represents their best hope of attaining a normal life."
"Goehring said the sites have added new events, more marketing and improvements to gift stores. And it's all paying off. Revenues at various sites are increasing too. At the state's largest historical site, Old World Wisconsin, attendance and revenue are up 8 percent from the same time last year, the Historical Society said."
Former
Thompson aide kept health report from public"A surgeon general's report in 2006 that called on Americans to help tackle global health problems has been kept from the public by a Bush political appointee, and former Gov. Tommy Thompson hire, without any background or expertise in medicine or public health, chiefly because the report did not promote the administration's policy accomplishments, according to current and former public health officials."
Cindy
Sheehan will headline Bob Fest"Sheehan is just one of the highlights at this year's event. Rep. David Obey of the 7th District, the powerful chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, will speak, along with ..."
"When the Signature Series dog food, pet beds and blankets hit shelves at Target this month, it marked the first time products marketed by the privately held Rhinelander company have appeared in a retail store."
Sen
R. Feingold
Senator
Feingold: History Will Judge Senate Democrats Harshly -
Huffington Post"When Senator Russ Feingold was on our show yesterday he made a devastating point -- history will not only judge President Bush harshly, but also the Democrats in Congress if they don't challenge him."
Mining
of Data Prompted Fight Over Spying - New York Times"“I’ve had the opportunity to review the classified matters at issue here, and I believe that his testimony was misleading at best,” said Senator Russ Feingold, Democrat of Wisconsin, joining three other Democrats in calling Thursday for a perjury investigation of Mr. Gonzales."
Rep
D. Obey"The House and the Wisconsin delegation divided along party lines Friday as lawmakers approved a five-year $286 billion farm policy bill today. The bill would renew the Milk Income Loss Contract program through 2012. The program, which issues payments only when market prices fall below a certain level, is popular with Wisconsin dairy farmers."
Changing
Lake Superior frustrates boaters, mystifies scientists -
Detroit News"Something seems amiss with mighty Superior, the deepest and coldest of the Great Lakes, which together hold nearly 20 percent of the world's fresh surface water."
Budget
writers attract donors"Eight legislative leaders who are searching for a compromise state budget raised more than $617,000 from special-interest groups and individuals in the first half of the year for themselves and the four political committees they control, records show."
"Excited over the high prices and the promise of turning crops into fuel, American farmers this spring planted an estimated 92.9 million acres of corn, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That's up nearly 20 percent over 2006 and the most acreage since 1944 when American farmers responded to huge demand in war-torn Europe."
Illinois
progressives start own Bob Fest"Last year and the year before, I had a rip-roaring good time at Bob Fest, and I wanted to share with my fellow flatlanders," Snyder said in a phone interview. "Sometimes we feel we are hanging on by our fingertips as Progressive Democrats of Illinois, so we wanted to kick back, share stories, organize and re-energize."
Company
on verge of solar breakthrough"The system is able to harness water heated by the sun at lower temperatures than other products on the market, said Baker, a mechanical engineer who owned a custom machining business in Rothschild for 13 years. In addition, it offers dispatchable energy, which means the system can be used when it's most needed, not just when the sun is shining."
Shoreline
restoration, native plants part of garden tour "The tour also includes established perennial beds, boulder landscaping, garden art, a rock garden, raised vegetable beds and exotic hens."
Gala
raises $7,500 for Mercer Education Foundation "In its inaugural year, the event raised $6,000 for the foundation, which awards scholarships to Mercer graduates and funds special classroom projects. During the gala, held July 7 at the Mercer Community Center, the first four inductees into the Mercer School Hall of Fame were announced."
"We decided to drop the commercial insurance when the insurance company closed the plan, made it a high-risk pool and then started rapidly raising the premiums," she said in the statement. "We were denied admission to their new 'regular' plan." "Anyone who has been without insurance knows how difficult it is to get insurance, once you've been without it," Vinehout said."
"Witnesses said one plane was behind the other, and when its propeller hit the tail of the other plane, it flipped up and over the other aircraft, landing upside down in a fireball. The other plane tipped up on its nose and the pilot was able to walk away."
ODD:
Prankster dentist wins in court"The oral surgery on Alberts was intended to replace two of her teeth with implants, which Woo did. First, though, he installed temporary bridges that he had shaped to look like boar tusks, and while Alberts was still under anesthesia, he took photos, some with her eyes propped open. Before she woke up, he removed the “tusks” and put in the proper replacement teeth."
Proposed
shoreland development..."But the newest version of regulations focusing on setbacks, shoreland cutting and impervious surfaces on waterfront properties is proving to be as unpopular as the previous 14 incarnations it has taken."
Gov.
Doyle"To prepare our agricultural industry and the farm families who support it for the future, we must invest and foster the growth of organic agriculture, and continue producing high quality, organic goods that Wisconsin makes famous.”
Hurley
Education Foundation to honor 3 "The Hurley Education Foundation will induct community leaders Paul Santini, Edward Gibbons Jr. and Dr. John Pierpont at the Hurley School Saturday at 11 a.m."
State
treasurer visits Iron County"Between our unclaimed property department, our college savings program and our local government investment pool, we have many services to provide to Wisconsinites.
"As shortages of drinkable water spread disease and economic jitters around the globe, some Milwaukee executives see this region's proximity to the Great Lakes - which hold 20% of the world's fresh surface water - as a ripe opportunity for a slow-growth region that is losing older industries."
Wis.
attorney general: Race can be considered in admissions"The policy adopted by the UW System Board of Regents in February requires a comprehensive review of each applicant seeking admission. Academic factors are the most important but other factors such as race, income and special talents must be considered to help achieve diversity."
"Williams and other corrections officials, when confronted with the allegations by The Capital Times, deny them all. They say their critics don't fully understand the complexities of their patients' medical conditions and the challenges of providing health care to difficult and often conniving inmates."
""With just one adult, things have taken a little longer, and the female parent had to work harder," Septon said. Parent falcons teach their chicks to hunt by dropping food in flight and encouraging the young to swoop down and catch it, he said."
Bear
activity prompts Hermit Island closure"Krumenaker said Hermit Island will be closed for at least several weeks to create more separation between humans and the bears. That means no docking on the beaches, nor camping or hiking anywhere on the island."
Sen
R. Feingold“Americans look to their Attorney General to be above reproach, independent, and free from political influence. They want a straight shooter, who will enforce the law no matter what. But Alberto Gonzales has turned this office on its head.”
"I thank Congressman Hinchey for his willingness to stand up to this administration for its misleading statements leading up to and during our military involvement in Iraq, as well as its attack on the rule of law."
“We need to make every effort to ensure our brave firefighters have the equipment and training they need to keep our communities safe,” Feingold said. “Wisconsin firefighters consistently tell me how critical these grants are."
"Even so, the list of public interest groups behind the Feingold-Johnson bill is surprising: Consumers Union, Public Citizen, American Association for Justice, Center for Responsible Lending, Consumer Federation of America, Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings, Home Owners for Better Building, National Association of Consumer Advocates, National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low income clients), National Consumer Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, the National Employment Lawyers Association and Public Justice all support the legislation."
Rep
D. ObeyHOUSE
APPROVES $2 MILLION FOR RESEARCH ON THE GREAT LAKES“The Great Lakes maritime industry contributes greatly to our economy and is a vital source of good-paying jobs for the region, so it’s important that we fully understand the forces affecting it, and are constantly searching for better ways to take care of it,”
Gov.
Doyle“It’s a fact: raising the cost of cigarettes will save lives,” Governor Doyle said. We can prevent kids from starting to smoke, motivate others to quit, save billions in health care costs, and ensure affordable health care coverage to more citizens if the Legislature acts now.”
Reunion
- Class of '71The Class of '71 will be having a reunion at Nora's on Silver Street on July 28th. Entertainment will be provided by Jimmy Lee on guitar.
Heritage
Festival begins Friday"We've been promoting the festival now since the last part of May," said Iron County Development Zone Executive Director Kelly Klein. "We've been sending out brochures, posting posters and advertising in certain publications."
[View collages of Heritage Parade 2005 and Heritage Parade 2004 - Bob]
Loon
Day to feature speakers"The Loon Day Speakers Forum hosted by the North Lakeland Discovery Center will be held Wednesday, Aug. 1 at the Mercer Community Center."
"Also under the measure, the amount of subsidy money that farmers receive annually would be limited to $250,000 a person, and the "counter-cyclical" system would be replaced by a safety net that protects farmers against drops in income rather than drops in crop prices."
Mayors
slam plan for Great Lakes dumping"The mayors of Milwaukee, Racine, Green Bay, Sheboygan and Superior are opposing a plan that will allow petroleum giant BP to boost the amount of pollution it's dumping into Lake Michigan from an Indiana refinery."
Legislator
takes aim at UW programs"Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, said he proposed cutting funding for a UW-Madison center that studies social change because it is "too far to the left. " He wants to eliminate a taxpayer subsidy for a UW-Extension program that trains union leaders because it has too narrow of an agenda."
Dems,
GOP square off in budget committee over health care"Underscoring a poll Democrats released only hours earlier that showed widespread support for the plan, Robson said the biggest issue facing Wisconsin on all levels -- including education, economic development, and even public protection -- was health care."
Sen
R. Feingold
Legislation
to Reaffirm Clean Water Act“The law Congress passed thirty-five years ago to protect our waters from pollution has been undermined by the U.S. Supreme Court,” Feingold said. “Now is not the time for Congress to stand by idly as the protections of the Clean Water Act are rolled back.”
Gov.
Doyle“By providing more emergency shelter and transitional housing services, we can help more Wisconsin families struggling to find a home, and put them on a path to a better life.”
Rare
Bipartisan Tag Team Takes On Wisconsin House Veteran“You’re going to see that campaigning you’ve always wanted and deserved. It’s going to be clean, it’s going to be substantive, it’s going to be free of big money influences,” Burkee said. “It’s going to be, I think, the kind of campaign our founders expected.”
Collage
of Bikes n Trikes 2007As I arrived in town Saturday evening, it was obvious that a crowd was forming up for a parade. In spite of the flap about helmets, the cars and bikes were beautiful and the parade enjoyed and appreciated.
Iron
County employees' union files grievance"On Wednesday, the committee agreed the trainee will be paid $12 per hour for two months. Committee members determined that, after the training period, she will receive $15.20 per hour, which is 80 percent of deputy's current hourly rate of $19."
"The Democratic lawmaker is to be remembered at the State Fair on Aug. 8, during a 1 p.m. ceremony featuring family and friends as they launch a $1.5 million fund drive to enhance and make more accessible the Proxmire archives at the Wisconsin Historical Society."
"Twenty-five illegal immigrants were arrested after federal immigration and local authorities raided Petrie's plant last August. The case drew widespread publicity because of the use of criminal identity theft as a basis for investigating illegal immigrant workers, especially when Petrie, a well-known Walworth County businessman, was also charged."
Health-care
plan critics give big"Nearly $2 out of every $3 contributed to Assembly Republicans from 1999 to 2006 has come from special interests that oppose the universal health-care care plan approved by the Senate earlier this month, a report released Monday by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign found."
"Zoey is a Chihuahua, but when a rattlesnake lunged at her owners’ 1-year-old grandson, she was a real bulldog."
Wal-Mart
site plan put on hold"Buescher Frankenberg Associates did submit a new site plan to the planning commission, which included the planting of two rows of linden and elm trees on the east and west sides of the parcel... The only problem is that, contrary to what was expected after that July 11 meeting, Feldman did not contact any of the neighbors to discuss what they would like to see as a replacement for the missing trees.
"The show begins with a wooden boat parade Friday evening at 6:45 p.m. and ends with awards presented on Sunday. Proceeds benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society. "
Sen
R. Feingold
Senator
calls for censure against Bush - Los Angeles Times"This administration has assaulted the Constitution," Feingold told NBC's "Meet the Press." "We need to have on the historical record some kind of indication that what has happened here is … disastrous."
Feingold
says Gonzales is 'misleading' about spying. - Think Progress
“And I believe that your testimony was misleading, at best. … It’s hard to see anything but a pattern of intentionally misleading Congress again and again.”
Rep
D. Obey“Yes,” Mr. Obey said, “this bill spends $10 billion more on our kids, on our workers, on our obligation to provide health care to people who don’t have it, than the president does. I plead fully double guilty. I would do twice as much if I could. I would do three times as much if I could.” The president, he said, would spend far more than $10 billion on tax cuts for millionaires and “that stupid war in Iraq.”
Gov.
DoyleGovernor
Doyle Encourages Students to Sign the Wisconsin Covenant“This is a promise between the state and our young people, that if they work hard, make the grade, and demonstrate a commitment to their own future, there is a path to a bright future waiting for them when they leave high school,”
"Corn prices and the cost to farmers of renting cropland, which is driven by corn prices and increasing demand by farmers for land in a stronger farm economy, play a role in a state formula used to calculate the use-value assessment of farmland. Corn prices are surging amid a boom in ethanol production. Under use value, farmland must be assessed for property tax purposes based on its agricultural value and not its development potential."
Feingold
seeks Bush censure"But Feingold's party leader in the Senate showed little interest in the idea. An attempt in 2006 by Feingold to censure Bush over the warrantless spying program attracted only three co-sponsors."
Report:
Donations flow from groups opposed to health care reform"Nearly $2 out of every $3 contributed to Republicans who control the state Assembly has come from special interests that oppose universal health care, a report released Monday by the government watchdog group the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign found."
Feingold
censure move is hot topic"Daily Kos readers again took up that "civil exchange," flooding Feingold's entry with comments. As of 10 a.m. today, the entry had generated more than 1,000 comments to the senator, more than any other entry from the same time period on the site."
DNR
to toughen shore rules""We've seen a decline in birds, frogs and tadpoles," Blake said. Plants that encourage aquatic life have been choked out, leaving algae in their place, he said. Blake said the water quality has deteriorated as more people build homes and businesses along the water, thus altering natural habitats."
Gov.
Doyle
Governor
Doyle Encourages Students to Sign the Wisconsin Covenant“This is a promise between the state and our young people, that if they work hard, make the grade, and demonstrate a commitment to their own future, there is a path to a bright future waiting for them when they leave high school,”
"“I applaud the efforts of Governor Blagojevich and the Illinois Legislature to protect the health of Illinois residents by passing a comprehensive statewide smoking ban. I urge Wisconsin’s Legislature to take a lesson from our neighbors to the south and act immediately to make Wisconsin smoke free.”"
Muddied
waters"But the picture doesn't tell the whole story of what's unfolding on the shores of Lake Michigan in the heart of America's Dairyland, where the swimming beach advisory rate because of potentially dangerous levels of bacteria was triple the state average last year and phosphorus-fueled algae blooms smother some shorelines like chronic oil slicks."
Is
Senate's health bill best for all?"Given its scope, the proposal is given scant chance of becoming law this year. But anyone interested in rising health care costs and in the number of people without health insurance will want to watch how the debate evolves."
Feingold
wants to censure Bush over war, constitutional conflicts"The second measure would seek to censure Bush for what the Democrat called a continuous assault against the rule of law through such efforts as the warrantless surveillance program against suspected terrorists, Feingold said. It would also ask for a reprimand of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and maybe others."
"The checks mailed to the elderly and businesses like Pocan 's offer small amounts like $3.25 but come with a catch tucked away in their small print -- cashing the checks signs unwary recipients up for costlier services like Web site hosting or other services that can run as high as $50 a month."
Sen
R. FeingoldFEINGOLD
CALLS FOR CENSURE OF PRESIDENT, ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS OVER IRAQ & ATTACK
ON RULE OF LAW"Censure is not a cure for the devastating toll this administration’s actions have taken on this country. But when future generations look back at the terrible misconduct of this administration, they need to see that a co-equal branch of government stood up and held to account those who violated the principles on which this nation was founded.”
Sen
H. Kohl
Kohl
Secures Funding for State Projects in Ag Spending Bill -
Wisconsin Ag Connection - Marshfield,WI"Our state leads the way when it comes to agriculture research, conservation and innovation," said Kohl. "By investing in these programs we are helping chart a new course in farming and we're making sure that the communities that drive our agricultural economy thrive."
Rep
D. ObeyHOUSE
APPROVES FUNDS TO HELP MEET GREAT LAKES NAVIGATION NEEDS"“Yet the Great Lakes have experienced decades of inadequate federal investment, which has reduced the efficiency and productivity of that industry and left us facing the growing likelihood of a disruption to our region’s economy.”
"We strengthen the country when we strengthen our families. We strengthen our country when we invest enough in workers to have the most competitive work force in the world."
There are notices of 4 additonal bills at Representative Obey's website newsroom.
Garden
tours hit peak of season"Two gardens on this year's 46th Parallel Planters Gardening Club summer tours show what can be done over 25 years. They also illustrate the camaraderie among gardeners, who are quick to snip a cutting or dig up a shoot to share."
"After learning that law enforcement officials would enforce the helmet law in Michigan, Bike and Trike members pulled out of Ironwood portion of the parade."
"Wisconsin State Fair Agriculture Director Brian Bolan confirmed last week he was part owner of two Simmental heifers that won champion and reserve champion ribbons in their breed at the 2005 and 2006 State Fairs."
New
book paints Feingold as voice of progressive movement"An admiring new biography on Russ Feingold portrays the Democratic Wisconsin senator as a leading voice of the progressive movement, highlighting his uphill political victories and his willingness to take unpopular votes."
"The chief barrier prohibits approval of another nuclear power plant until there is a facility with the capacity to store spent nuclear fuel from all nuclear plants in the state. (Spent fuel from Wisconsin's existing reactors is in temporary storage on site, the common, federally-regulated practice in the industry.)"
Feingold
bio: Idealism lives"Campaign finance reformer Russ Feingold put his Senate seat on the line in 1998 and ran for re-election without taking any soft money -- the unlimited, largely unregulated funds spent by organizations that are not contributed directly to candidate campaigns -- which he considered "legalized bribery.""
Hurley
students, Highline benefit from work program"Many Hurley School District residents are unaware of the unique relationship the K-12 school has with the Highline Corporation. "Programs like this don't exist in every school district," Highline president Gary Leino told the school board this week."
Cuts
in mercury sought"At issue are regulations that have moved sporadically for several years and were first pushed by conservation groups concerned about the link between smokestack emissions and mercury found in fish."
Kohl
bill aims at elder abuse"I want to stop the scourge of elder abuse and put in place a system that can be used across the country to prevent" mistreatment, Kohl said at a packed listening session Wednesday.
Doyle
raises more than $500,000 in first six months of year"Doyle reported to the state on Friday that his campaign fund had raised $527,683 the first six months of this year. The money isn't the only sign that Doyle may be toying with another run. At the state Democratic Party convention earlier this month, Doyle hinted that he might need another four years to finish his agenda."
Frank
replaces Hassett at DNR in Cabinet redo"Doyle praised Hassett for demonstrating that "protecting the environment and growing the economy can and must go hand in hand," noting that during Hassett's tenure, the state "embarked on the most aggressive regulatory reform package in the Midwest.""
"When Christopher Columbus "sailed the ocean blue in 1492," as the fable goes, his cluster of ships never made it to Chequamegon Bay. But interested locals have the chance this weekend to get a close-up look at one of the ships used by the explorer and his crew, as a full-scale replica of the Nińa will spend the weekend at the Ashland Marina."
Sen
R. Feingold"The good news, as Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold noted, is that "a majority of the Senate backed binding legislation with a firm end date to redeploy our troops from Iraq. This shows how far we've come since August 2005 when I became the first Senator to propose a deadline to bring the mistake in Iraq to an end.""
"Well, don't count him out yet,--at least as a provocative vice presidential candidate. That's because a new biography paints the coauthor of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law as one of the leaders of the progressive movement spreading in the nation as activists look for lawmakers who don't play politics safe."
Sen
H. KohlSenate
Panel Investigates How Insurers Sell to Elderly - New York
Times“I am particularly troubled by companies and individuals that hold themselves out as having an expertise in senior financial matters, when in reality they have no training or very little in this extremely complicated arena,”
"Sen. Kohl's support for the FDA's Critical Path Initiative is important to the industry's continuing maturation. It holds the promise for speeding access to safe and effective medical advances, improving the quality of health care and expanding opportunities for innovative biotechnology companies."
Gov.
DoyleGovernor
Doyle Names Two New Cabinet Secretaries“Matt Frank has a great love for this state and a passion for protecting its precious natural resources. His life long commitment to public service and his strong environmental enforcement experience will ensure that Wisconsin’s natural resources are protected for future generations."
Full-time
veterans service officer sought for Iron County "In his six-month report on Wednesday, Splonskowski said he's assisted 1,025 veterans during the past six months, bringing in more than $1.5 million in state and federal benefits. He noted 269 walk-ins during that time. "That averages out to 2.23 per day." Phone calls during that same period totaled 345, or 3.31 per day, he said."
Scouting
family tradition for Iron County judge "Madden, a life member of the Eagle Scout Association, is one of 3,000 staff members of the International Service Team. It includes 800 Americans. "I'll be camping with about 2,000 of my closest friends, and almost none are from America," Madden said."
"Pills, syringes and needles were seized in Monday's bust, Passuello said... The drug bust followed controlled buys by team members over the past three to four weeks, he said."
"The Bell's parking lot has been dug out and workers from Ero Nasi Construction are shown here preparing footings and the foundation blocks for a 70'x25' addition to the existing business."
Bush's
approval rating hits new low in state poll"In the Wisconsin poll of 800 likely voters taken July 13-15, some 19% approved and 73% disapproved of Bush's overall performance. Only 17% approved (and 77% disapproved) of Bush's handling of the Iraq war - the worst numbers on Iraq that Bush has received in this poll."
"I don't understand how they can keep taking this money from me," said Ives, who lives in Oshkosh. "I'm going to be 82 in October and to go through this is terrible."
Report:
Statewide property tax levies increased 4.6 percent"The levy cap law expired this year. The cap would be allowed to grow to 4 percent or the percentage of new construction, whichever is greater, under Gov. Jim Doyle's proposed budget that passed the Democratic Senate."
Dave
Zweifel: I told you so: Bush's damage staggering "Indeed, there are many Republicans joining the growing chorus that wants to impeach Bush and Dick Cheney and get rid of these two guys now before they do even more damage to this great country of ours. Frankly, it's remarkable how total the damage has been."
DNR
makes a rotten recovery "Acting on a tip from a boater, who called in to say that his downrigger became snarled in a net, DNR officials found a "ghost gill net" filled with white globs of fishy muck — along with one trout still alive. The net, which DNR fisheries team supervisor Steve Schram said was about 600 to 800 feet long, was found east of Madeline Island, after the boater who discovered it gave the DNR global positioning satellite (GPS) coordinates for its location."
Sen
R. FeingoldFeingold
Cautions Against Buying Into Overly Rosy Scenario in Al Anbar Province"When I was in al Anbar near Fallujah in 2005 there were promising signs, but when I returned to the same area a year later the situation had significantly worsened. Whether it is Fallujah, Ramadi, Basra, or other places in Iraq, our experiences show us we must not take anything for granted."
"The committee’s passage of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization included funding for the program. The President has proposed stopping the expansion of programs like BadgerCare despite their cost effectiveness and popularity."
Gov.
DoyleSteve Frank who posts at About_Ironwood has uploaded pictures of a house fire in Hurley.
"The Iron County Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 at 6:00 PM at the Iron County Courthouse, Hurley, Wisconsin. The meeting is open to the public per Chapter 19, sub Chapter V, Wisconsin Statutes. (Open Meeting Law)"
"The Iron County Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 at 3:00 PM at the Iron County Courthouse, Hurley, Wisconsin. The meeting is pen to the public per Chapter 19, Sub Chapter V, Wisconsin Statutes. (Open eeting Law)
Hurley
students compare well with area school districts in state testing"Hurley scored above state averages in all categories except third grade mathematics, where the district missed the state average by 0.7 percent, Luoma said. "We were in the top six of the 18 schools in nearly all categories. I thought we did very well," Luoma added."
Four-way
stop now in force in Town of Pence"The intersection of Maple and Whiteside streets in the Town of Pence is now a four-way stop. Town officials converted the original two-way stop (on Maple Street) into a four-way stop because of the number of children playing in the area, said town chairman Dan Swetkovich."
State
probe backs actions of Mercer officials"The board is pleased with the DPI report, board president John Pinzl said Tuesday, but disappointed that the lengthy investigation cost the district $15,000 in legal fees. "The DPI investigation exonerates the school district of any wrongdoing," Pinzl said."
"While her disease was not contagious at the time she was placed in jail, health officials feared that it could re-emerge if she stopped taking her medication and that it could be spread or spawn a drug resistant strain of the illness."
"The House Agriculture Committee voted Wednesday to ban federal subsidies to farmers with incomes averaging more than $1 million a year and stop farmers from collecting payments for multiple properties."
"The Whitewater plant that once employed 100 workers now has fewer than 10. Its founder, scheduled to go to trial Monday, faces some 30 years in prison if convicted, and Hispanic and Anglo neighbors are still trying to rebuild trust."
Editorial:
'Refinery issues' an old story"We don't have any shortages. There's an adequate supply of gasoline. But as inventories drop below the comfort level that the market has established, prices go up," Bill Holbrook, spokesman for the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, told a USA Today reporter."
Apostle
Islands develops action plan for climate change"Who knew ice could be so important? Without it, evaporation could cause Lake Superior to drop even lower (although the level could hit an 80-year low in September or October). And, since 1964, the number of days travelers can use the winter ice road between Bayfield and Madeline Island has nearly been cut in half."
Sen
R. Feingold"With their decision to filibuster, the Republicans have prevented the Senate from voting to bring the open-ended mission in Iraq to an end, and have once again ignored the calls of the American people.”
Rep
D. ObeyOBEY
& DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP RENEW EFFORT TO BRING AN END TO U.S. COMBAT
OPERATIONS IN IRAQ“It’s become clear that any expectation the White House has that the recent surge in Iraq will stabilize the situation is totally detached from reality,” Obey said. “It’s long past time for a new direction in Iraq, which is what this bill would provide.”
"I wouldn't be surprised if it's horrendous," said House Appropriations Committee Chairman David R. Obey, a Wisconsin Democrat who has helped lead the drive against the war. "The only hope for the Iraqis is their own damned government, and there's slim hope for that."
Gov.
Doyle“The Republicans just turn their backs on our young people and our veterans, who are looking to invest in themselves and in our economy, slashing funding for our campuses and financial aid for our students,”
Hurley
School Board approves spending for new dugouts "Board members agreed to spend the $4,000 for boys baseball and girls softball dugouts only if an equal amount of money is generated through fund-raising efforts first. District administrator Chris Patritto suggested the baseball and softball teams attempt to raise the money in a joint fund-raising effort."
Bognar introduced to
community as new Mercer School principal "Jody Bognar of Manitowish Waters, Wis., said she grew up in Manitowish Waters and moved back there 11 years ago. Bognar comes to Mercer from Nicolet College, where she worked as community representative for an area including northern Vilas and southern Iron counties."
U.P.
forest lands under threat"The findings indicate that Michigan's U.P. forestlands are undergoing a dramatic transformation in land ownership and economic makeup," he said. "More than 1 million acres of U.P. corporate forestland changed ownership from 2005 to 2006, primarily from landowners directly tied to forest products industries to large forestland investors."
Joint
legislative committee won't discuss budget differences this week"The conference committee will be made up of Robson and Democratic Sens. Russ Decker of Schofield and Bob Jauch of Poplar; Huebsch, Assembly Majority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon and Rep. Kitty Rhoades (R-Hudson); Assembly Democratic Leader Jim Kreuser of Kenosha and Senate Republican Leader Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau. The Fitzgeralds are brothers."
Streamline
tax in state budget"Wisconsin agreed in 2001 to pursue the uniform standards so that more out-of-state sellers would charge sales taxes on products sold over the Internet to state residents. But Wisconsin has so far failed to adjust its definitions because of unjustified worry about negative effects."
Sen
R. FeingoldJuly 17th National Intelligence Estimate“The NIE confirms that Al Qaeda is the most serious threat to the United States, and that key elements of that threat have been regenerated or even enhanced. While our attention and resources have been focused on what is largely a civil war in Iraq, Al Qaeda has protected its safe haven in Pakistan and increased cooperation with regional terrorist groups."
Sign
of season, area farmers market opens "The Iron County Farmers Market is open at 10 a.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. Wednesdays under the pavilion on U.S. 51 across from the Wisconsin visitors plaza."
This
policy is a real blessing"The policyholders get these and other benefits when they are going to and from any activity that is sponsored and scheduled by a church or other religious group for faith or worship purposes. "You'd be surprised how many fender benders you get in a church parking lot," said Jim Wallace, president of the West Des Moines company."
This
truck gets 16 miles per gallon. This car gets 46 miles per gallon. So which
one do some lawmakers want to give buyers a tax credit for? Both."The proposals are aimed in part at offering credits for E-85 vehicles made at the General Motors Corp. plant in Janesville in Sheridan's district, where the lawmaker is also the president of United Auto Workers Union Local 95. But the large SUVs with low gas mileage made at the plant -- the Chevy Suburban and Tahoe -- aren't a good deal for the environment, including the ones that can run on E-85, Deisinger said."
Senate
Democrats and Assembly Republicans
write budget with 2008 election in mind""In
one stroke the Assembly Republicans have put as many as a dozen of their
seats at risk," Joe Wineke, chairman of the state Democratic Party, said of
the GOP-led Assembly budget, which was approved last week. "Normally a
budget document isn't a big mover of votes, but I think this one is."
On the other hand, Republicans say the June vote by the Senate Democrats to
raise payroll taxes by more than $15 billion to pay for a universal
health-care proposal makes some Democrats, including Sen. Robert Wirch of
Pleasant Prairie near Kenosha, vulnerable in next year's campaign."Dave
Zweifel: GOP wrecking crew needs talking-to"Examples of the Republican wrecking crew's work were multimillion-dollar cuts in aid to local schools and municipalities and, to top that off, even more stringent caps on their ability to levy taxes. Anyone who knows how much Wisconsin school districts and local governments are struggling with even the current levy limits knows this is a recipe for financial disaster for many of our proud cities and school districts."
Jauch
on budget conference committee"Senate President Fred Risser Thursday announced that State Senator Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, will be a member of the budget writing panel meeting to negotiate differences between the Senate and Assembly versions of the state budget."
Sen
R. Feingold
"Arbitration can be a fair and efficient way to handle disputes, but only when it is entered into knowingly and voluntarily by both parties," Senator Feingold said in a release. "People from all walks of life ... often find themselves strong-armed into mandatory arbitration agreements. We need to make sure that all Americans can still have their day in court."
"Feingold, a Democrat, wants to see more oversight of the market. Feingold's staff is working with Agriculture Committee chair Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, to explore solutions and to make sure the Farm Bill calls on the USDA to improve communication with agencies such as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which monitors the market."
Rep
D. ObeyOBEY
& DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP RENEW EFFORT TO BRING AN END TO U.S. COMBAT OPERATIONS IN IRAQ
“It’s become clear that any expectation the White House has that the recent surge in Iraq will stabilize the situation is totally detached from reality,” Obey said. “It’s long past time for a new direction in Iraq, which is what this bill would provide.”
“This bill targets additional resources to areas where the nation is facing deficits, like the deficits in access to healthcare and education. We can’t erase those deficits in a single year, but we can begin. This bill rejects the arbitrary cuts called for by the President and invests a small portion of the resources that are needed to get us where we want to be, as a nation, in ten years.”
Gov.
DoyleA
change in climate: Global warming and Wisconsin"State officials began working on the problem as early as 1991, and the Department of Natural Resources assembled a committee of business and conservation groups to address it in the mid-1990s. That panel produced recommendations in 1998 designed to cut residential and commercial electricity use, an approach many experts applauded. But most of those recommendations were never put in place, and by 2003, the agency had stopped virtually all its work on global warming.
"Much of that can be attributed to the rising number of bikes on the road. In fact, in Wisconsin, the death rate dropped in 2005 to the lowest level since 1996, when factoring in the number of motorcycles registered, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration."
WEAUEau Claire
Chippewa
Valley Regional Airport"A new look could be on its way for the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport if right amount of money is approved. Senator Herb Kohl is trying to get 3.2 million dollars to the airport to make improvements to its terminal. The dollars would be used to put in a new boarding bridge as well as expand parts of the terminal."
Sen
R. Feingold
Feingold
Questions Radio's Commitment To Ending Payola - Radio Online
- Amarillo,TX"In conclusion, Feingold he "held off" on reintroduction of legislation this Congress because he was hopeful that the voluntary rules of engagement combined with the consent decree could be effective in eliminating payola and related abuses. "But it is very troubling that the voluntary rules seem to have been violated after just a few months," he concluded."
Rep
D. Obey"Instead, the potential defectors are lawmakers who at times have voiced moderate, cautious criticisms of Jerusalem's actions, but until now have voted in favor of funding for Israel. They include the chair of the appropriations committee, Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, and Reps. Betty McCollum of Minnesota and David Price of North Carolina."
Playground
adds to appeal of riverside park "A long slide curves to the ground from a tall staircase, a climbing tower offers hand and footholds as well as corkscrew climbing structures on each side and a sturdy horse canters atop a heavy-duty spring. A new swing provides a secure seat for handicapped swingers."
Work
on border bridge expected to continue until the end of August
"Traffic will move slowly across the Silver Street bridge between Ironwood and Hurley until the end of August as workers from Snowden, Inc., of Escanaba replace the bridge deck, according to Michigan Department of Transportation Delivery Engineer Dan Kari."
Impact
of Dobson purchase on Ironwood area unclear"Asked about AT&T providing enhanced 911 services to Ironwood and the surrounding rural areas, Butler said it's too early in the process to determine if the service will be upgraded. "We intend to comply with the law. Once the transaction is closed, we will look into the issue," she said. "
"The surge illustrates the upside of the U.S. dollar's sliding value against the world's other currencies. The Canadian dollar has soared to its highest level against the U.S. dollar in 30 years, meaning that anything made in America automatically costs less than it used to on the northern side of the border."
Health
care hits home for lawmaker""I need to do everything I can to make sure that every person in the state of Wisconsin has access to the same benefits that I have, as a legislator," she said. Vinehout, 49, and her family went without health insurance for 23 months - a situation she says is not uncommon in rural areas of the state."
UW
considering tuition increase"While the Regents do not know exactly how much money the state will kick in to fund the System's 26 campuses, Regent David Walsh said under the best-case scenario students would be looking at a 6 percent increase. That estimate counts on the state Legislature approving a budget proposal favored by Gov. Jim Doyle and others that would provide more than $180 million in aid to the System."
Soaring
triumph: DDT ban brought eagles back, and it started in Wisconsin"Which is hardly surprising considering that the 80-year-old McConnell, Wisconsin's first public intervenor, is regarded as one of the heroes in the highly publicized DDT hearings in Madison nearly four decades ago. Those hearings, which stretched on for six months, helped persuade the Wisconsin Legislature to ban the toxic pesticide in 1970."
Speedtest.Net"Speedtest.net is a free broadband speed test with servers located all over the world. Compare your results with others and easily share them."
[You will also be interested in http://www.speedmatters.org/ which shows how we stack up against other countries. - Bob]
The
Picture The GOP Wants To Hide"The resulting photo of Tancredo--standing on a stage of empty podiums sums up the Republican party's commitment to civil rights in America: the only Republican interested is the guy running to deny immigrant workers their rights. One has to wonder why this photo was not the lead on every morning show and on the front pages of every morning newspaper in America. "
Scheduled
hearing over land deal scrapped "At the request of Minocqua attorney John C. Houlihan, who represents Edelstein, the hearing was taken off the calendar on July 9, court officials said. Houlihan indicted he and Iron County Attorney Michael Pope are attempting to resolve the matter."
" According to the documentation, "The waste rock piles contain, upon information and belief and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, materials that are harmful to humans." Natural beauty and character of the sand quarry site were also taken into consideration by the council, the documentation noted."
"Kelly has accepted a position at the Iron County Miner in Hurley. "The newspaper is growing and I will be working in whatever capacity is necessary," Kelly said. "The hours match my family's hours. I will be able to be with my family more.""
GOP
budget said to weaken Amber Alert"The budget Assembly Republicans passed this week would all but eliminate taxpayer support for public broadcasting, a move that officials said Thursday would cripple the state's Amber Alert program. Wisconsin Public Radio is the backbone for the state's child abduction warning system,..."
Report
on Great Lakes says boats float $16 billion yearly"The Great Lakes Commission, which the Army Corps contracted to conduct the study, published its own version of the report this week that reveals the 4.3 million recreational vessels registered in the eight Great Lakes states drive almost $16 billion in yearly spending on boats and related activities."
Sick
over lack of health care, Wisconsinites seek action"The one that sticks out most for him was about a young man who was in jail and approved for early release when he went into cardiac arrest. After a number of days, he woke up in Trudell's unit, shackled and with two prison guards at his bedside. He and his family were given a choice: Go free and owe tens of thousands of dollars in hospital bills or serve out the rest of his sentence and have his health care paid for by the state."
Sen
R. Feingold"As part of that settlement, the companies agreed to make airtime available to the independent artists whose music arguably did not get a level playing field up against big record companies with deep pockets. Feingold says he is concerned about reports that Clear Channel, for one, is "requiring the grant of a royalty-free right and license to the music upon submission.""
Rep
D. Obey"The committee chairman, Rep. David Obey — a liberal Democrat representing a rural Wisconsin district — said the issue was only marginally related to gun rights. He opposed the efforts to ease the data restrictions."
Gov.
Doyle"The Iron County Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 at 6:00 PM at the Iron County Courthouse, Hurley, Wisconsin. The meeting is open to the public per Chapter 19, sub Chapter V, Wisconsin Statutes."
HurleyK-12School
District
AGENDA
- Regular School Board Meeting"Hurley School District
5503 W Range View Drive
Hurley, WI 54534
Monday, July 16, 2007, 5:30 p.m.
Held in the Hurley High School IMC"
"Iron County officials were also on the move on Tuesday afternoon. Fire fighters from the Saxon-Gurney and Kimball fire departments and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources from Ashland responded to a grass-forest fire that consumed about five acres in Gurney beginning just after noon on Tuesday. "
Camp
One Road reopened for traffic"Department of Natural Resources officials today announced Camp One Road, located in Iron County, has reopened to through traffic. The road was closed for several weeks during the construction of a new bridge that crosses Smith Creek in Mansfield Township. DNR officials said the new bridge was needed to replace defective culverts, correct soil erosion problems at the crossing and halt runoff that was occurring during high water periods."
"Damage to the truck's roof, front hood, front grill, passenger side door, and front bumper were observed by Hurley Police Officer Steve Glatczak, who investigated the incident, the complaint added."
Minorities
lagging in length, quality of life"The researchers used mortality rates to assign grades measuring longevity and health-related quality of life to infants, children, working-age and older adults. The study also measured health disparities by race, gender, educational attainment and geography. Mortality rates for African-American and American Indian residents were substantially higher - sometimes two to three times higher - than for non-Hispanic whites in every age category."
Tired
of lawyers, Wis. lawmaker wants to cut law school's funding"We don't need more ambulance chasers. We don't need frivolous lawsuits. And we don't need attorneys making people's lives miserable when they go to family court for divorces," said Rep. Frank Lasee, R-Green Bay. "And I think that having too many attorneys leads to all those bad results."
Assembly
budget cuts hit tech schools hard"The Assembly budget -- which a committee will have to reconcile with a Senate version -- would reduce state aid for technical colleges by $14 million over the two-year period. It also would prohibit any tech college district from increasing its property tax levy by more than a percentage determined through a formula, unless voters approve an additional amount."
In
debate on health care, Rep's comment called racist"I could stand in the line at Mayo Clinic today and watch somebody come in with a different color skin with a wad of cash and they'll get service before me," she said during debate Tuesday night on the state budget in the state Assembly. "And I'm covered by the state."
"Each package of 10,000-yen bills, some wrapped in traditional Japanese washi paper, was accompanied by handwritten letters that read “Please make use of this money for your self-enrichment,” and “One per person,” according to reports."
Downtown
fills with Maxwell Street bargain hunters""It's beautiful; it's not 137 degrees," gushed Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary McPhetridge. "The first year I was here it rained, but every year has been quite warm. But this year it's been gorgeous." McPhetridge said this year's event features not just downtown business people, but vendors from outlying areas selling from tents and stands, adding variety to the event."
Sen
R. Feingold“Arbitration can be a fair and efficient way to handle disputes, but only when it is entered into knowingly and voluntarily by both parties,” Feingold said. “People from all walks of life – employees, investors, homeowners, those enrolled in HMOs, credit card holders, and other consumers – often find themselves strong-armed into mandatory arbitration agreements. We need to make sure that all Americans can still have their day in court.”
Levin-Reed
Amendment to Redeploy U.S. Troops from Iraq by April 2008"As if that weren’t bad enough, our national security continues to suffer as the administration’s single-minded focus on Iraq prevents us from adequately confronting threats of extremism and terrorism around the globe."
Gov.
Doyle"With the committee planning the reunion since November 2005, all events, except for the tours, were held at the Iron Belt Community Building, adjacent to the school. "It was fantastic. We had a great turnout," said committee member MaryAnn Levra of Iron Belt, who graduated from Iron Belt in 1956."
Silver
Street paving should be done by next month"Before the blacktopping can be finished, 2.5 inches must be milled off. It has potholes and Northwoods Paving won't touch it unless that's taken off, council member Char Mussatti said."
"A wind gust was responsible for knocking a tree down on top of a transmission line, starting the fire, Saxon/Gurney Fire Chief Stacy Ofstad said. The fire was about a half-mile north of U.S. 2 near LaDucs and Wyszinski roads, he said."
Students
celebrate Family Fun Day"Family Fun Day was held at the Hurley K-12 School on June 6 for all elementary students and their families. Games were organized by Nichole Christoferson, Iron County AmeriCorps member, Shawn Zani and Mark Hagemann, UW-Extension Summer VISTA/AmeriCorps members, and school staff."
DEQ:
Ironwood case closed"Although non-documentation of every vacuum truck load disposed of at the wastewater treatment plant was the primary focus of Switzer's June 25 inspection, he said he tied that trip in with a secondary concern about illegal dumping -- TVs, refrigerators, sewer sludge. Checking into allegations of the city dumping from its vacuum truck into two pits, the Burma Road site near Hiawatha and the Penokee Road site near the city garage, Switzer said, "It was just back-up water, not sanitary sewer." "
Capitol
catching on to Web"The days of sending out press releases are just one vehicle to communicate to the press and constituents, and it's too limiting. We need to use the Internet now,"
Silver
carp restriction set"On Tuesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it will list the jumping silver carp as "injurious" under the Lacey Act. That means the fish cannot be shipped around the country without a federal permit. Such permits are typically granted only for research purposes."
New
coalition aligns in effort to squash controversial cable bill"TeleTruth Wisconsin, comprised of individuals and such diverse groups as the League of Women Voters, Center for Media and Democracy, WISPIRG, Wisconsin Association of PEG Channels and the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, held a news conference this morning to denounce video franchising legislation authored by Rep. Phil Montgomery, R-Green Bay."
"With instruments to measure his altitude and speed, a global positioning system device in his pocket, and about four plastic bags holding five gallons of water each to act as ballast — he could turn a spigot, release water and rise — Couch headed into the Oregon sky."
Changes
at Woodruff clinic create uncertainty about future"This new model involves a separation of specialities, with some physicians concentrating on caring for ambulatory patients in a clinic setting, and other physicians, called "hospitalists," focused on patients who have been admitted to a hospital for in-patient care."
Sen
R. Feingold
Feingold
Questions Big Radio's Commitment to Ending Payola Practices"However, recent reports indicate that some stations owned by one of the companies, Clear Channel, are requiring local, unsigned and independent musicians to grant a royalty-free right and license to the music upon submission to the radio programmers, which would appear to violate the voluntary agreement they entered into following the settlement."
Manitowish
Waters, Wis.: Camp day begins, ends with flag ceremony "Iron County Summer Youth Camp, held June 29 through July 1 at North Lakeland Discovery Center here, drew 85 campers in grades three, four and five; 25 high school camp counselors and 28 volunteers."
GOP
would expand choice"The no-tax-increase budget that the Republican Assembly is to take up today would eliminate school integration programs, expand the Milwaukee school choice program to Racine County and cut aid to the City of Milwaukee by $28.7 million a year."
"Although the manufacturer of OxyContin has agreed to hefty fines for lying about the drug's addictive properties, law enforcement officials in Wisconsin and elsewhere are left dealing with a rash of pharmacy robberies by people apparently desperate for the drug."
Republicans
defend budget proposal that cuts UW, state government"Republicans are hypocrites who stuffed their budget proposal with pork spending and policy issues that should be considered separately on their own merits, Democrats charged at the beginning of debate of the $56.5 billion plan Tuesday. "You give hypocrisy a bad name," said state Rep. Marlin Schneider, D-Wisconsin Rapids, after running down a list of budgeted projects he said would benefit areas represented by Republicans."
"Despite being the targets of an Independence Day rally calling for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney, Wisconsin's national representatives have remained relatively quiet on the issue in the past week."
"The Hell family says it may tell a Catholic school in Australia where to go after it objected to enrolling their son because of his name. Officials said the boy had been offered a place at St. Peter the Apostle school in the southern city of Melbourne after discussions between the principal, the parish priest and the family over his name."
Sen
R. FeingoldReacting
to the President's Remarks on Iraq“The President’s Iraq policy has been one failure after another. The President’s decision to escalate this mistake has led to more instability, more violence, and more needless deaths."
Gov.
Doyle“Republicans are protecting big tobacco companies, and denying health care to kids. They are turning their back on our young people and our veterans who are pursuing higher education – cutting our universities and slashing financial aid. And they are catering to the big oil companies – failing to invest in renewable energy, energy independence, and the jobs of tomorrow."
"Marie's cousin, Terri Tilton, bought a horse ring formerly used by Grandpa's Ponies of Mason, Wis. The ring has been set up near the Swartz' home, and the little donkeys and miniature horses, just 28 inches tall, are eager to please the youngsters."
"Michael Edward Walters, 57, was apparently trapped in his vehicle, as the Hurley Fire Department requested the Jaws of Life after arriving on the scene, the report said. Beacon Ambulance initially transported Walters to Grand View Hospital, a ICSD dispatcher said."
DNR
finds more mercury in walleyes, warns of health risk"In general, the DNR recommends that women of childbearing age and children younger than 15 should eat no more than one meal a month of walleyes, pike, bass or catfish. In addition, the agency issued a "do not eat" advisory for certain types of fish, including walleyes, caught from all of the counties along Wisconsin's northern border: Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Iron, Vilas, Forest, Florence and Marinette."
Schools
fuel tax increases"The statewide gross tax levy this year increased 4.6% over 2006. Both regionally and across the state, it was rising school levies that propelled the overall increase in property tax collections. While county and municipal levies are limited under a state formula that takes into account new growth in a community, school taxes are governed by different rules that often allow for larger increases."
Republican
budget relies on massive cuts to avoid tax increases"More a wish list than anything that likely will become law, the budget released Monday to be debated on Tuesday would cut the University of Wisconsin System by more than $100 million, reduce funding for public schools by at least $85 million and require state employees to pay more for health insurance."
Jack
Reardon: Oil firm mergers show government's negligence"Doyle is right, however, to argue that "the only reason oil companies increase prices is because they can." Of course they can! As a result of the merger activity, three of the world's four largest corporations are oil companies with combined annual revenue of $909 billion; and six of the world's 12 largest corporations are oil companies with combined revenue of $1.4 trillion dollars -- equal approximately to the goods and services produced by the United States in one year!"
Feingold
in Hazelhurst: Surge in Iraq not working"Feingold disputed reports about the situation in Iraq getting better following a "surge" in the number of U.S. forces sent to the area. "This thing is not getting better, and obviously anybody who tells you it is getting better is blowing smoke," he said. "I've been the most aggressive opponent of this war from the beginning, and I am going to continue to do whatever I can.""
House
must split fuel standards for trucks, cars - Janesville
Gazette"Unfortunately, the amendment was never offered. So Feingold voted for a bill that requires each automaker to boost its overall fleet average an extreme 40 percent, to 35 mpg by 2020. Wisconsin's other senator, Herb Kohl, also voted for the bill. Lumping trucks and autos into an overall fleet average is a problem for U.S. automakers in general, General Motors in particular and Janesville's plant specifically."
Sen
H. Kohl
Senator
Calls for Increased Generic Drug Use in Part D - FDA news -
Falls Church,VA"By promoting generic drug use, the government could help fix two key problems with the American healthcare system — quality and cost — according to a paper co-authored by Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging."
Gov.
Doyle"Cryptoflation is going to be a worldwide phenomenon, in Banzhaf's opinion, as labor costs in low-cost labor markets like China and India move up. Ridiculously low-priced products won't be as common, and the rich will carry more of the new, higher costs for products because they've got the money to spend and the desire for the products, Banzhaf said."
"Scientists hired by Century Foods concluded the ethanol plant's air emissions could change the flavor and color of the products. They conducted experiments in which they simulated the process called agglomeration, which involves allowing air in the plant through roof vents to ensure powders dry properly. "If the air that we bring in is contaminated, it's going to be an issue for our products," said Miskowski, 36. "We cannot manufacture tainted food products." But a retired University of Wisconsin-Madison professor hired by the investors concluded the ethanol plant posed little to no threat, particularly if Century Foods added equipment to clean the air."
Retired
farmer kills wolf"Monday's incident was the second civilian shooting since the wolf's de-listing, but damage by gray wolves has increased, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Total wolf damage used to average $60,000 to $70,000 a year, but has been climbing, said Adrian Wydeven, wolf program leader for the DNR. Last year, the department paid $115,000 to landowners for losses to wild animals."
Sen
R. Feingold"Those protocol changes also reversed the presumption against seeking the federal death penalty in a local jurisdiction that had already chosen to outlaw capital punishment, and instead stated that a lack of "appropriate punishment" in the local jurisdiction should be a factor in deciding whether to bring a federal capital case."
Sen
H. Kohl"Oversight of the system has been the responsibility of the USDA for the past six years and there are concerns that oversight is lacking. Last year, Wisconsin Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl, New York Senators Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Jim Jeffords of Vermont asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to look into the situation. The Senators asked the GAO to determine if the cheese trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange is susceptible to manipulation."
Rep
D. ObeyRevived
'Fairness Doctrine' would be anything but fair - First
Amendment Center - Nashville,TN"Yes, Sean and Rush have large and loyal audiences. They may vote just as Rush and Sean recommend. But most folks in our media-saturated world, with a multiplicity of sources of information, are uninfluenced by right-wing radio. As David Obey, the Democratic congressman from Wisconsin, said, “Rush and Sean are just about as important in the scheme of things as Paris Hilton.”"
"The appropriations bills will most likely total about $20 billion more than the president's budget, an increase George Bush says he won't tolerate. The president has threatened to veto most of the bills. That fight is several weeks away, but Obey says Bush is just "engaging in a giant diversion," trying to pin the nation's debt problems on "this little difference we have in discretionary spending.""
Hurley's
4th of July FireworksAgain this year, Hurley's fireworks lighted the skies above Lake Michelle at the northern end of the town. Everybody should find an organizer, volunteer, or financial donator and thank them for another safe and impressive display.
[Austin is here visiting... he will visit the Museum of Science and Industry tomorrow. - Bob]
Assembly
aims to limit taxes, as well as school funds""I don't think there's been a time in the past where the people of Wisconsin will have had the chance to see the differences between Republicans and Democrats than in this budget, and it really is all driven by taxes." The Assembly budget would provide less school funding and less tax support for the UW System than what Democrats want, Republicans said."
State
park campers adjust to firewood rule"The new rules are adding to the cost of bundled firewood and making life a bit more complicated for firewood dealers. At the same time, some state park friends groups are benefitting by selling more firewood at the parks and using the money to offset the costs of such tasks as fighting invasive species."
Enjoy
the show, then vote green"With more than 100 acts performing live before hundreds of thousands of people and via TV, radio and the Internet before as many as 2 billion, there is no doubt that awareness of environmental concerns will rise. But will it mean anything?"
"Fines in the state currently range from $150 to $300 for first offenders and between $350 and $1,100 for second-time drunken drivers, according to the state Department of Transportation. The bill would raise those fines as high as $1,200 for the first offense and $4,400 for a second. People convicted of drunken driving also have to pay a $355 surcharge. Jail sentences aren't used as a penalty in Wisconsin until the second offense."
Now
that's Hardball. - TPM"But exchanges like the one between Shuster and Ajami are so rare, that some of us see them and can barely contain our excitement. What should be routine has become extraordinary. Digby said the segment made her "almost feel like the world is setting itself back on its axis -- at least for today.""
[It is truly pleasant to see a talking head from Republican Hate Radio being faced with well established facts... Watch the video. - Bob]
- BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS -_5:45 P.M.
- POLICE, FIRE & LICENSE COMMITTEE
- FINANCE COMMITTEE
- CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 6:30 P.M.
Ken Nikula has again provided pictures for a collage ... the 4th of July parade in Wakefield, MI. The pictures and video of Hurley's firworks are still pending.
Mercer:
Tai Chi classes begin Tuesday"The classes are part of Step Right Up, the Tri-County Fall Prevention Project, according to Peter Wisla of Wellness Associates. Wisla and M.E. Norton have received teacher training this year at the Tai Chi Center in Madison in ways to instruct older adults."
Manitowish
Waters, Wis.: Lakeland-area wildlife to be explored"In July, the North Lakeland Discovery Center will be offering several programs encouraged to help participants better understand the unique wildlife of the Lakeland area. Two of the programs will focus on our regions largest mammals; the black bear and the wolf."
Gas
pumps not always accurate"A Journal Sentinel analysis of nearly 60,000 gas pump inspections shows that more than 2,000 pumps delivered a different amount of fuel than the meter registered in the past two years."
GAO
studies cheese market"There are few active cheese traders at the CME and the volume of cheese that changes hands is small, the GAO said, making it susceptible to price manipulation. Less than 2 percent of all Cheddar cheese made in the United States is traded at the CME, among only 30 participants, which range from dairy cooperatives to large companies."
"Deer and sheep tend to consume dirt as they graze and forage, and to consume soil as a source of minerals. Mineral licks are frequented by many animals, raising the prospect that the prions may become concentrated in the soil. The prions latched particularly well to a type of clay known as montmorillonite, the study found."
Wisconsin
River at lowest level of year"More than two inches of rain has fallen since the middle of June, but extremely dry soil conditions and high losses to evaporation and transpiration prevented the rain from producing any significant runoff into local rivers and streams, said Sam Morgan, vice president of operations for the company, which operates dams on the Wisconsin River."
"The federal Environmental Protection Agency designates as "Superfund" sites those with the worst contamination nationwide. Ashland's site includes contaminated groundwater in the area located between Chequamegon Bay and U.S. Highway 2 to the north and south, and Prentice and Ellis Avenues to the east and west. Sediment in Chequamegon Bay, in between the Ashland Marina and Kreher Park, is also contaminated from years of use by manufactured gas plants, wood treatment facilities and a host of other operations from Ashland's industrial past."
"Good Shepherd Apostolic Lutheran Church in Hurley will host "Above Rubies," a family seminar with Colin and Nancy Campbell, on Friday and Saturday."
Sisters
create lampwork beads"When two Wisconsin sisters couldn't find lampwork beads they liked to make jewelry, they decided to make their own beads. Three years later, they are Sisters Beads, selling their handmade artisan lampwork beads and bead jewelry at galleries and on e-Bay."
Ironwood:
Group cries wolf to legislators"Lahti confirmed 10 problem wolves have been killed in the U.P. in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources, including seven this spring at the Bessemer area farm of John Koski. He's been losing livestock to wolves for the past 10 years."
"I took a leaf and rubbed it on my arm on a bright, sunny day. Nothing happened. The next day, the spot was a little red, but I just kept putzing around in the field," Elliot said. "But the day after that, my arm looked like a piece of raw meat, all blistered."
High
court might take case"A decision on the legality of Northern Ozaukee's school could affect more than a dozen virtual schools throughout the state that provide instruction to students in remote locations largely through the use of computers and other technology. Students attending them through the state's public school open enrollment program also bring dollars from their home school districts."
"Changes under study include accountability measures that would require clearer goals for subsidies and holding companies to terms of deals, such as job creation, lawmakers said."
Doyle
should return money"How does anyone donate $100,000 to a candidate during the course of two election cycles when state law contains precise limits to prevent giving in such substantial amounts? That's easy. As Common Cause in Wisconsin explains, you do it by making "illegal contributions.""
"The suspect allegedly stole a wallet from a 72-year-old woman Friday evening at a store in this Detroit suburb. He was running down busy Nine Mile Road with a store employee in pursuit when, police Detective John Thull said, “an unknown woman jogger stuck her foot (out) and tripped him."
Sen
R. Feingold"A report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which Feingold requested along with several other senators, concluded that prices can still be manipulated despite an increase in oversight of the cheese trading market over the past ten years. The report also exposes a lack of oversight by the Department of Agriculture (USDA), as it has failed to ensure accurate cheese price reporting after being given the authority over six years ago."
Happy 4th of July.The fireworks down at Lake Michele have started... are you there yet?
"Taxpayers are definitely getting ripped off by the tribe on this," said Assistant Assembly Majority Leader Mark Gundrum (R-New Berlin). "That money is owed to the taxpayers. It should have been paid long ago. They should at this point pay it back in full with interest."
"In a positive development for the teen pregnancy rate in Wisconsin, teens in 40 states are more likely to have babies than teens here, according to a new Child Trends report. The report, which gives state-by-state rankings based on 2004 data, lists Texas as having the highest teen birth rate, 63 births for every 1,000 females ages 15 to 19, followed closely by Mississippi, New Mexico, Arkansas and Arizona."
""I've been in the Legislature a long time and I can't remember having this much misrepresentation presented in a matter," he said. "We just picked out three examples. We don't know how many more are in there." Two lawmakers who voted against the bill in the Assembly said they were included as supporters on lists TV4US gave them."
"Capping a year of dramatic increases, the price Wisconsin dairy farmers receive for their milk has reached an all-time high. Wisconsin farmers are projected to have received a record $20.80 per hundredweight (cwt.) for their milk in June, up from $18.50 in May, and edging the prior record of $20.70 in May 2004, the Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics Service reported this week."
"So many American farmers are working longer than ever before that one in four is at least 65 years old. Within the next decade those older farmers will be looking for someone to take over their operations and selling millions of acres of land."
"The Pardon Attorney, under the direction of the Deputy Attorney General, receives and reviews all petitions for executive clemency (which includes pardon after completion of sentence, commutation of sentence, remission of fine and reprieve), initiates and directs the necessary investigations, and prepares a report and recommendation for submission to the President in every case."
"We scoff at developing countries for allowing rampant corruption. We pride ourselves on having a cleaner more democratic system. But the only real difference is that American corruption is codified into law. Instead of envelopes of cash, we have bundled campaign checks and PACs. Instead of shadowy hustlers, we have professional lobbyists. We live in a system that pretends to be clean, while being utterly dirty."
Online
program to be discussed Monday "The on-line program the school district will offer for the 2007-08 school year is a pilot program that's open to all Hurley School District residents who are home-schooled or already in another educational program under Wisconsin's open enrollment arrangement."
"Fifty-one dairy cattle were destroyed in a fire at the Mark Johnson farm in the Town of Barksdale Thursday evening. The Ashland Fire Department responded around 11:46 p.m. The barn and an attached milking parlor were destroyed. Damages were estimated at $400,000."
DEQ:
City has corrected dumping issues 
"The
June 25 inspection revealed no records were available for inspection
regarding the disposal of liquid industrial waste by the city, according to
the letter from Leonard Switzer, DEQ environmental engineer."State's
dry spell sparks wildfire fears, watering restrictions"A fire last week that burned about 275 acres in the Peshtigo Harbor State Wildlife Area was extinguished on the surface, but it continues to smolder below ground in peat soil that accumulated from centuries of decaying vegetation, Folgert said. "We need some rain," he said. "And for our underground fire, we need several days of rain to soak the soil.""
"The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, the university's research arm, holds the patents covering the cells and research techniques used by many American scientists. Critics say its license fees have stifled the young field."
'Troops
home' measure pushed: Advisory would be on Feb. ballot"Travis said the referendum would give "the people of the state the opportunity to express themselves. This is the biggest issue facing the nation, and I think it could have an impact on national policy." Travis said the statewide vote would also draw more attention to Wisconsin's presidential primary by presenting candidates with an opportunity to express their opinions on the war."
DNR
warns of fire hazards"I know a lot of people out there are using fireworks, but you have to think things through," said DNR ranger Matt Slater. "People look at the area where they are lighting stuff off and it may be safe to light off, but it's not safe where it's landing."
Downtown
Ashland bear causes stir"While many in the curious crowd went home with a picture on their small digital cameras or cell phones, the bear spurred more commotion when its presence forced the closure of Highway 2 for about four hours."
Libby
to spend NO TIME in jail"The justices upheld a 33-month sentence given to Victor Rita for perjury and making false statements. Rita is a 25-year military veteran and former civilian federal employee."
[It seems that this Supreme Court precedent for the same offense for which Libby was convicted lasted only a month before the Bu$h veto of it... even if only for his friend's assistant. - Bob]
Bessmer
Hometown RunKen Nikula has again provided pictures for a collage of a western UP running event. Other readers are cordially invited to provide pictures of other local activities/events.
Fund-raising
gala set for Saturday"The Heart of the Community Gala, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Mercer Community Center, will feature wine and beer tasting, gourmet hors d'oeuvres and desserts by area chefs, live music, raffles and a silent auction."
"Tucked in a suburban-style industrial park sprouting from farm fields on Racine's western flank, the modern facility has housed three businesses in the last decade. They all benefited from generous state handouts. Two went belly-up, leaving the state high and dry on a $3 million loan. The second company even stiffed the workers, prompting state lawyers to sue for unpaid wages."
"Other states, mostly Illinois and Minnesota, sent a total of 1.9 million tons of their trash to Wisconsin landfills last year, according to a new report compiled by the state Department of Natural Resources."
"The survey looked at the cost of 20 basic foods at stores in 26 Wisconsin communities. The average total bill was $50.33, or $3.97 more than a year earlier. From just the first to second quarter of this year, the total bill rose $2.48, or about 5 percent."
Column:
Hightower highlights Bush abuses"In return, Halliburton has delivered gas price gouging, contaminated food and water, and a consistent pattern of overcharges," Hightower wrote. "It has been caught hiring Third World laborers to do its grunt work in Iraq, paying them as little as $5 a day, and then billing Uncle Sam more than $50 a day for each worker. In a February analysis of $10 billion in waste and overcharges by various contractors in Iraq, federal investigators found Halliburton responsible for $2.7 billion."
"The peacock, a male several years old, wandered into a Burger King parking lot in the New York borough of Staten Island and perched on a car hood Thursday morning. Charmed employees were feeding him bread when the man appeared. He seized the iridescent bird by the neck, hurled it to the ground and started kicking and stomping the creature,..."
Lower
Lake Superior impacts ec..."Lakehead Boat Basin is being forced to dredge its slips and channels for the first time in 20 years, Johnson said. He’s been forced to use motorboats to free several sailboats that got keels stuck in sediment. Great Lakes freighters are being forced to carry lighter loads in order to avoid grounding in spots like the St. Mary’s River between Lake Superior and Lake Huron."
[Seems to be same article as from WSJ yesterday. - Bob]
Sen
R. Feingold"Senator Russ Feingold agrees but warns democrats to be careful about republican spin. Feingold got a laugh from the crowd when he said if they're not careful the republicans will have you believing the democrats invaded Iraq and Hurricane Katrina happened during the Bill Clinton administration."
Rep
D. Obey"I would call it Operation Diversion," Rep. David R. Obey, the Wisconsin Democrat who heads the House Appropriations Committee, said in an interview... "If he wants to make a federal case out of that in order to divert attention from the war in Iraq and divert attention from his own fiscal irresponsibility, be my guest," Obey said."
Gov.
Doyle"Governor Jim Doyle today signed Senate Bill 133, which prohibits advertising or conducting a live musical performance using a false, deceptive, or misleading connection between the performing group and a group that released a recording under the same name."
"Behind the contradiction is a lesson in political power in Washington, where lobbyists and members of Congress have managed to hold off the enforcement of a five-year-old law that required country-of-origin labeling on meat and produce as well as fish."
Center
offers entertainment alternative to fireworks"The Independence Day fun doesn't have to end on the Fourth! The North Lakeland Discovery Center has other fun in store that week."
Part
1: Subsidies without scrutiny: Millions for jobs worth it?- "About 40% of the jobs companies agreed to create for their subsidies do not currently exist.
- The state spent nearly $17,000 per new job, 70% more than the state's own guideline for an acceptable subsidy."
"The newspaper said that, when companies do report lower job totals, the state often adjusts its requirements for job creation downward rather than canceling subsidies or seeking repayment."
Lower
Lake Superior level affects economy, recreation"Drought, warmer water and shorter periods of ice cover amid recent milder winters have combined to draw the lake down about 600 feet above sea level, according to official readings in June. That's about 13 inches lower than a year ago and only 4 inches higher than the lowest-ever recorded level for June, in 1926."
"The float carries a 7-foot tall, 20-foot long, two-sided billboard with this message printed in 12-inch letters: ‘‘For Children, for veterans, for mothers, for the planet, no more war.’’ Another sign in the back of the pickup that pulls the float says, ‘‘3,520 dead. How many more must die before we say enough?’’"
Sen
R. Feingold
How
Big a Setback for McCain-Feingold? - TIME"It seems to put a significant chink in the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, and advocates for limiting campaign spending say it will draw a flood of corporate cash to TV spots pushing one candidate or another. But the decision is also very narrow, meaning it may well preserve the overall impact of McCain-Feingold and doesn't necessarily justify predictions of the end to spending restraint."
Rep
D. Obey"Rep. David Obey, D-Wausau, expects things to get worse with after a Supreme Court decision this week that he says gives groups and their anonymous donors greater leeway to attack federal candidates under the guise of political issue ads."
Do you have something you would like to announce here?
Email us announcements of community events by
clicking
HERE.
