Be it candy, gum or soda, UW brought in almost $500,000 in profit through vending last year, but where that money goes is a little more complicated. Who gets the vending commissions, and what they go toward, is part of a little-known contract that distributes the money between the Wisconsin… Read more »

When an anonymous University of Wisconsin junior was a senior in high school, she was an honor student who volunteered and played sports. Like so many other bright students in the state, she set her sights on attending UW, where she was accepted. But as enrollment and her eventual attendance… Read more »

If you found yourself at the top of Bascom Hill this week, you probably heard a new sound among the usual cacophony of the University of Wisconsin campus: The chants of thousands of people rallying against the budget repair bill at the state Capitol. At the heart of the drama… Read more »

When University of Wisconsin junior Erica Winters voted in the midterm election, she did not have a Wisconsin driver’s license or state identification to show poll workers. She did not have to show them any form of photo ID at all. Winters registered at the Madison Fire Department Nov. 2.… Read more »

In an apparent rejection of Gov.-elect Scott Walker’s request to stop activity on the state’s labor contracts, the state’s largest employee union approved the contract that includes increased pension and health care payments. Officials for the Wisconsin State Employees Union issued a statement Friday saying the contracts were “overwhelmingly” approved… Read more »

With the snow finally beginning to settle, Wisconsin officials and residents are working to recover from this weekend’s blizzard. Despite treacherous road conditions, there were no serious injuries or deaths reported from traffic accidents even though there were multiple cars in ditches and trucks snowed into rest areas, according to Tod Pritchard,… Read more »

Wisconsin officially lost its high-speed rail money following an announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation Thursday. Both Wisconsin’s and Ohio’s high-speed rail funds, collectively $1.195 billion, will now be re-allocated to existing rail projects in 13 other states, according to the DOT. Wisconsin will keep up to $2 million… Read more »

An incoming senator has set his sights on repealing a law that would require police officers to collect racial data at traffic stops to analyze racial profiling. A new law effective Jan. 1 will require police officers to collect certain information at traffic stops, including the race or ethnicity of… Read more »

With union leaders speaking out against Gov.-elect Scott Walker’s potential plans to decertify unions, Walker’s head-butting with organized labor in Wisconsin has intensified. Walker said in a statement Wednesday that he still plans to push for bigger concessions from the unions to combat budget woes once he takes office. “[Walker]… Read more »

After investigating emissions at multiple Wisconsin facilities, the Environmental Protection Agency filed Wednesday to postpone issuing new regulations to air pollution in order to gather more information. The new regulations are intended to reduce smog, soot and mercury emitted from boilers and solid waste incinerators. The EPA had sent a… Read more »

Two Milwaukee police officers are entered a suit Monday against Badger Guns for selling the gun used to shoot officers in the face in a 2009 incident. Milwaukee Police Department officers Bryan Norberg and Graham Kunisch were shot in June 2009 by 18-year-old Julius Burton, both sustaining lifelong disabilities. Burton… Read more »

Wisconsin GOP Chairman Reince Priebus officially threw his hat into the ring for chairman of the national Republican Party Monday. Priebus’s decision to run was driven by a desire to defeat Barack Obama and his administration in the 2012 election, according to a statement. “Our country cannot afford a second… Read more »

Adding to his job creation plans, Gov.-elect Scott Walker said Monday he supports replacing the state’s Department of Commerce with a private sector agency focused solely on job creation. Walker made his announcement after being briefed on a strategy to improve Wisconsin’s economy by a group of state business, education… Read more »

The legal troubles of embattled Rep. Jeff Wood, I-Chippewa Falls, continue after Wood pled not guilty to a felony Operating While Intoxicated charge last week. Wood, 41, pleaded not guilty in Sparta Thursday and according to court documents represented himself after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing. The lawmaker… Read more »

Gov. Jim Doyle has replaced the former Calumet County District Attorney who stepped down amid a flurry of controversy after allegedly “sexting” an abuse victim. Doyle announced Friday Jerilyn Dietz, who is herself a survivor of sexual assault, will fill the position of Ken Kratz, who resigned in September after… Read more »

Following a U.S. Congress vote against extending unemployment insurance benefits, the White House officials said more than 11,000 Wisconsin jobs now hang in the balance. A report from the White House Council of Economic Advisors estimated 11,165 jobs in Wisconsin are threatened if Congress does not approve a measure to… Read more »

The details of several labor contracts causing no small amount of conflict between Gov. Jim Doyle and Gov.-elect Scott Walker became available for state legislators to review, although some have said they still want more information. A brief summary of the contracts distributed by the Wisconsin State Employees Union to… Read more »

Gov.-elect Scott Walker continues to flesh out his future team as governor after appointing his campaign manager Keith Gilkes as chief of staff Tuesday. Gilkes said in a statement he looked forward to helping Walker “put Wisconsin back to work.”“I’m honored to serve in the administration as well as help… Read more »

Adding to Wisconsin’s already considerable budget woes, several programs face potential shortfalls this fiscal year totaling $100 million. The shortfall estimates are separate from the projected deficit itself, since the shortfall is part of yearly expenditures while the budget deficit encompasses two full years. A budget report released by the… Read more »

Wisconsin drivers who choose to text while driving will be breaking the law starting Dec. 1. First-time offenders could be fined between $20 and $400 dollars if they are pulled over for texting and will also have four points added to their license. Second-time offenders could rack up fines from… Read more »

Although it has been 15 years since a governor has commuted the sentence of an incarcerated inmate in Wisconsin, Gov. Jim Doyle could potentially shorten two sentences in his final weeks as governor.Doyle, six weeks left in office before Gov-elect Scott Walker takes the wheel, has applications for executive clemency… Read more »

Homeless sex offenders do not have to supply the state with an address upon their release from prison, a state appeals court ruled Thursday. The 4th District Court of Appeals ruled William Dinkins, Sr., did not have to provide the state with an address when he was released from prison… Read more »

The U.S. Congress is officially cracking down on the pesky Asian carp after the U.S. Senate approved an Asian carp prevention bill Thursday. The bill, introduced by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., would add the bighead Asian carp to a list of injurious species that are illegal to ship or… Read more »

Four student loan lenders are paying more than $57 million to settle complaints they have been cheating the government out of millions of dollars by abusing the loan subsidy system, the Department of Justice said Wednesday. Former U.S. Department of Education researcher Jon Oberg filed a complaint in 2007 alleging… Read more »

While initial reactions to the state Department of Public Instruction’s budget proposal to increase state funding to public schools appeared positive, critics are beginning to surface, including Gov.-elect Scott Walker. The DPI announced plans Monday to revamp the formula that determines state funding for public schools, including increasing the funding… Read more »

Gov. Jim Doyle’s administration reached a tentative agreement with six labor unions this weekend, despite requests from Governor-Elect Scott Walker that Doyle stop pursuing certain policy initiatives including labor contracts. The administration agreed to labor union contracts with no pay increases Saturday that apply to thousands of state workers. The… Read more »

A Republican legislator is aiming to ban synthetic marijuana in the next legislative session. Rep. Gary Bies, R-Sister Bay, plans to introduce a bill banning synthetic marijuana products during the legislative session that starts in January. “Synthetic marijuana is becoming a real problem drug, and like the real stuff that… Read more »

Only a week out of the election, Governor-Elect Scott Walker is looking to tackle another foe of the Republican Party: health care reform. Walker announced Tuesday he will authorize Attorney General J. B. Van Hollen to enter a federal lawsuit against the landmark health care legislation alongside other states. Van… Read more »

An ex-Wisconsin National Guard spokesperson filed a complaint Monday claiming the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs discriminated against him because he was an older white male. Retired career army officer and Iraq veteran Lt. Col. Tim Donovan, 59, is alleging the DVA passed him over for a job in favor… Read more »

With the fate of Wisconsin’s high-speed rail in flux, Gov. Jim Doyle announced Monday he is leaving the issue up to Governor-elect Scott Walker to decide. In a lengthy statement, Doyle said while he still believes the project is worthwhile, he will not move forward with construction following last Tuesday’s… Read more »

Voters in more than 50 Wisconsin counties approved a referendum to prevent government officials from taking money from the transportation fund for use in other projects. Vehicle registration and fuel taxes make up the bulk of the transportation fund, which the proposed amendment would safeguard from the reallocation efforts of… Read more »

Governor-elect Scott Walker is getting a head start stopping one of his pet peeve projects: The high-speed rail. Walker said he is “exploring all legal options” to combat efforts to lock in construction of the high-speed rail project as of Thursday. “We are continuing to work with members of congress… Read more »

OSHKOSH — Standing on stage in a hangar filled with historic airplanes and flying machines, Republican Ron Johnson gave his victory speech after winning a hardly-fought race for U.S. Senate Tuesday night. The Eagle Hangar at the EAA AirVenture museum was filled with Johnson supporters as well as airplanes on… Read more »

From Madison to Milwaukee, voters were given one last chance Monday to meet the candidates who will appear on their election ballots today as candidates crisscrossed the state in final campaign efforts. On the University of Wisconsin campus, incumbent Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold spent time shaking hands and meeting students… Read more »

A woman filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Republican candidate for secretary of state alleging he impregnated her while she was drunk and unconscious. Charlette Harris, 31, filed a civil suit in Milwaukee Circuit Court claiming David King took her to lunch and then to his home, where she was… Read more »

The saga of embattled Rep. Jeff Wood, I-Chippewa Falls, continues after the lawmaker was charged with a felony in Monroe County Tuesday. The Monroe County judge dropped a fourth offense Operating While Intoxicating charge against Wood, 41, and upped the charge to a felony based on two OWI convictions earlier… Read more »

In the race for Wisconsin State Treasurer, a strange paradox is emerging: Only one of the candidates believes the office should exist in the first place. While incumbent Democrat Dawn Marie Sass has touted her office’s ability to act as a responsible custodian of state money and return assets to… Read more »

In the 2nd District, most residents are familiar with their representative of 12 years, Democrat Tammy Baldwin. At 27 years of age, Chad Lee is almost half Baldwin’s age, and he’s looking to give her a run for her money this election season based on his business sense and belief… Read more »

A poll released Monday shows the gubernatorial candidates are virtually neck and neck, contrasting sharply with recent polls showing Republican Scott Walker leading Democratic Tom Barrett by up to nine points. Some experts, however, do not think anyone should get carried away by the new polling results. The poll conducted… Read more »

Whether calling it a boondoggle or an economic boon, Wisconsin political candidates have gotten plenty of verbal mileage out of discussing the proposed state high-speed rail project this election cycle. However, new poll results show the majority of Wisconsin residents do not even plan to use the rail once it… Read more »

Approximately half of the Wisconsin voting-age population is predicted to turn out to vote Nov. 2, according to the Government Accountability Board. The GAB released estimates Thursday that 2.18 million Wisconsinites, about 50 percent, will be voting in the general election. There are 4,372,347 Wisconsin residents of voting age eligible… Read more »

A federal appeals court ruled to temporarily suspend a judge’s ban overturning the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that prohibits openly gay and lesbian individuals from serving in the military. The U.S. Justice Department filed an emergency motion with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to stay the decision, arguing… Read more »

Most students at the University of Wisconsin can remember a night where they came back from the bar with less money than they thought they would. The state Legislative Fiscal Bureau had a similar experience when tallying up the gross budget balance at the end of this fiscal year, except… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., squared off against Republican opponent Chad Lee in a debate on foreign policy at the University of Wisconsin Sunday. Baldwin emphasized the importance of her constituency, while Lee pointed to the need for a well-defined game plan on military strategy. During the debate at Granger… Read more »

The Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into the conduct of an embattled Calumet County district attorney accused of “sexting” a domestic abuse victim, a DOJ official confirmed Friday. DA Ken Kratz, 50, has admitted to sending a series of inappropriate text messages to Stephanie Van Groll, 26,… Read more »

Any good Wisconsinite loves to hear the phrase, “Wisconsin is No.1!” Except possibly in this case, when it is for the number of Senate political ads running throughout the state leading up to the election. Wisconsin was ranked first in the country for political advertising for the increasingly competitive Senate… Read more »

The saga of a new political ad rule in Wisconsin continues after a federal judge declined to sign off on an agreement between the Government Accountability Board and several political interest groups Thursday. U.S. District Court Judge William Conley refused to sign off on a settlement between the GAB and… Read more »

A Marathon County judge sentenced Rep. Jeff Wood, I-Chippewa Falls, to 60 days in jail and two years probation Wednesday for his fourth offense Operating While Intoxicated conviction. Along with the maximum jail sentence, Wood’s driving license was also suspended for 30 months, and Circuit Judge Jill Falstead ordered Wood… Read more »

In the midst of National Coming Out day events on the University of Wisconsin campus this week, a federal judge appealed the 17-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy Tuesday that prohibits openly gay individuals from serving in the U.S. military. U.S. District Judge Virginia Philips issued a permanent, worldwide ban… Read more »

Gov. Jim Doyle announced Tuesday Wisconsin has officially filed to join a lawsuit challenging the injunction banning federal funding for stem cell research. “Families around the world are depending on the stem cell research conducted in Wisconsin to provide life saving medical breakthroughs,” Doyle said in a statement. “Today the… Read more »

In true fashion, Vice President Joe Biden spoke feisty words at a private fundraiser for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett in Madison Thursday. According to Biden, Republican candidate Scott Walker’s plan for Wisconsin is the same as the GOP party line, while Barrett’s approach is more nuanced. “Tom’s opponent is… Read more »

As Wisconsin foreclosures reach record levels, the White House announced Tuesday the state will be receiving over $51 million for unemployed Wisconsinites to avoid a similar fate. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is shelling out $51,540,638 to Wisconsin citizens at risk for foreclosure as part of an… Read more »

A former election official was convicted of voter fraud after pleading guilty to submitting more than 50 false voter registration forms in the 2008 election, according to the Department of Justice. Frank Walton, a former Special Registration Deputy in Milwaukee, plead guilty Thursday to falsifying voter registration forms in June… Read more »

The Milwaukee Public School District and the district’s teachers union reached a contact deal Friday intended to save up to $50 million in the next two years. The 5,600 teachers represented by the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association are currently working under a contract that expired in July 2009, despite previous… Read more »

A federal appeals court ruled federal funding for embryonic stem cell research at the University of Wisconsin and research centers around the country can resume while an injunction goes through the appeals process. The appeals court ruled Tuesday that President Barack Obama’s emergency motion to stop the ban met all… Read more »

Income in Dane County fell in 2009 and Milwaukee is now the fourth poorest city in the country, according to United States Census data released Tuesday. The new data is part of the 2009 American Community Survey, which is part of the information gathered in the last census. The income… Read more »

The Calumet County district attorney accused of “sexting” a domestic abuse victim will resign before his trial for removal begins, his attorney said Monday. The announcement came shortly after a preliminary hearing began to schedule proceedings to remove DA Ken Kratz from office. The first hearing with testimony to begin… Read more »

Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker said he will work for every student’s vote in the November election at Memorial Union for a College Republicans event Sunday. Walker answered questions from students and focused largely on a range of economic issues, from losing venture capitalism investments to others states to investing… Read more »

The Office of Lawyer Regulation reopened the case of the Calumet County district attorney accused of “sexting” an abuse victim Friday after the Department of Justice asked the office to reconsider their decision last week. The OLR originally closed the case in March without finding DA Ken Kratz guilty of… Read more »

Tensions are mounting as more groups and lawmakers are demanding to know why it took so long for information to come to light in the “sexting” scandal involving a Calumet County District Attorney accused of sending sexual text messages to a domestic abuse victim. DA Ken Kratz, 50, admitted to… Read more »

Michelle Obama is coming to Milwaukee Oct. 13, hot on the heels of her husband’s upcoming visit to Madison, the White House announced this week. The news comes as the University of Wisconsin gears up to welcome President Barack Obama on campus Tuesday. The First Lady is coming to… Read more »

Many special interest groups are apparently minimizing their risk with campaign donations by donating to both gubernatorial candidates, a recent report said. According to a report released by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, 311 lawyers, builders, bankers and other special interest donors gave $450,000 to both Democrat Tom Barrett and Republican… Read more »

A third woman has come forward claiming the Calumet County district attorney accused of “sexting” an abuse victim also sent her inappropriate text messages while helping her seek a pardon for a drug conviction, the Associated Press reported Tuesday. Maria Ruskiewicz, 31, said DA Ken Kratz sent her racy text… Read more »

Gov. Jim Doyle will start the process of removing the Calumet County District Attorney accused of sending sexual text messages to a domestic abuse victim as soon as possible, Doyle said at a press conference Monday. Doyle said he has the power to remove a DA from office for misconduct… Read more »

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett and Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., called on student voters to defy expectations and actually vote in the midterm elections at the College Democrats of Madison kick-off meeting Sunday night. “[Republicans] are so over-confident…because they are assuming young people in this country are not going to… Read more »

The Department of Health Services wants $675 million for health care from the state, potentially through increased taxes, according to a budget projection submitted to the Department of Administration last week. The majority of the 2011-2013 budget request addressed funding needs for Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus, programs that received a… Read more »

Before any debates have taken place, Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and Republican nominee Ron Johnson are already sparring — over the debates themselves. Following his primary victory, Johnson accepted three debates against Feingold, even though Feingold originally wanted six. “Ron Johnson has failed to meet the challenge to have an… Read more »

Despite predictions of record-breaking voter turnout, attendance at Tuesday’s primary election fell far short of Government Accountability Board forecasts. Although the GAB predicted a robust 28 percent turnout rate, unofficial election results show only 19 percent of Wisconsin residents showed up to cast their votes, according to numbers from the… Read more »

Wisconsin military personnel and citizens overseas will receive absentee ballots earlier this election season after a federal judge approved a new agreement between the Government Accountability Board and the U.S. Department of Justice Wednesday. The GAB and the DOJ filed the agreement in court Friday establishing how the state would… Read more »

Senate hopeful Ron Johnson will face off against incumbent Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., after winning the Republican nomination during the primary elections Tuesday. Johnson and Feingold will meet for the general election Nov. 2. “I congratulate Ron Johnson and look forward to having an honest debate of the issues with… Read more »

Governor’s race Tom Barrett (Democrat) Current mayor of Milwaukee Advocates spending cuts through his “Put Madison on a Diet” program to reduce budget deficit Will increase funding for K-12 education by using income levels to determine state funding, not just property values Supports the high-speed rail project as a way… Read more »

As Wisconsin seeks to join the legal battle over the injunction halting federal funding for stem cell research, it seems Attorney General J. B. Van Hollen will be sitting this decision out. Van Hollen will not be representing Wisconsin in its attempts to overturn the federal injunction, Adam Collins, spokesperson… Read more »

The battle over the stem cell funding ban rages on following an Court of Appeals decision to temporarily lift the injunction Thursday while President Barack Obama’s emergency motion goes through appeal. The three-person appeals panel agreed to stay the injunction in order to review details of the motion, but also… Read more »

Wisconsin reached an agreement with the United States Department of Justice Thursday over a new law protecting absentee voting rights of military members and citizens living overseas. The Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act requires states to deliver absentee ballots to military members, family of military members and citizens living… Read more »

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett has over $1 million more on hand to spend on his campaign than his Republican rivals at the end of the pre-primary reporting period, according to finance reports released by the Government Accountability Board. Although all candidates have relatively similar amounts of funds raised and… Read more »

Gov. Jim Doyle came out in support of embryonic stem cell research at the University of Wisconsin Tuesday, vowing to fight a recent injunction halting federal funding for facilities across the country that perform stem cell research. Doyle said the new injunction against stem cell funding could hurt Wisconsin especially,… Read more »

A Wisconsin appeals court ruled viewing child pornography online is the same as possession, marking the end of a two-year battle for a former Fond du Lac human resources worker. Circuit Court Judge Dale English ordered Benjamin Mercer, 60, to report to county jail within 30 days Friday. Mercer had… Read more »

The first day of expert testimonies in the ongoing five-state Asian carp lawsuit began Tuesday and will continue into Wednesday and Friday in northern Illinois. The question of the reliability of genetic testing in detecting the presence of Asian carp was the subject of the first day of testimony. Judge… Read more »

Rep. Jeff Wood, I-Chippewa Falls, continues to face legal troubles after the defense attorney in his drunken driving case quit and the charge itself was amended to a higher offense Friday. Attorney Tracey Wood, who is not related to the representative, moved to withdraw as counsel from the Marathon County… Read more »

Students driving home this semester may notice a difference in gas prices in Wisconsin versus other states: up to 30 cents worth, an amount some argue makes the difference in safeguarding jobs in the state. Wisconsin gas stations can once again fix gas prices above cost following a ruling by… Read more »

A federal judge issued an injunction halting President Barack Obama’s expansion on stem cell research funding Aug. 23, impacting how research is performed at the University of Wisconsin as well as facilities across the nation. In his ruling, Chief Judge Royce C. Lamberth of Federal District Court for the District… Read more »

Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker may be pulling ahead of Democratic opponent Tom Barrett, while the race for U.S. Senate remains mostly a dead heat as the primary election approaches Sept. 14. Preliminary Rasmussen polling in August showed Walker creeping ahead with a tentative eight-point lead over Barrett, leading the… Read more »

Wisconsin will be receiving $365 million to offset the state health care deficit and forestall teacher layoffs following the passage of federal legislation last month. The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act provides $10 billion to states to save or create primary and secondary education jobs for the 2010-2011 school… Read more »

Lobbyists in Wisconsin have been busy this legislative session, spending 12 percent more in the first six months of 2010 than this time last legislative session, according to a Government Accountability Board lobbying report released last month. Lobbying groups spent $17.7 million dollars in the first half of this year,… Read more »

The Wisconsin Supreme Court called a temporary halt to a new political advertising rule last month in a move confirming an agreement already reached by the state’s Government Accountability Board. The injunction was issued following a 4-3 decision, with multiple conservative special interest groups teaming up to submit the request… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin System received more than $32 million in grant money Wednesday to put toward broadband expansion, out of $38 million in federal stimulus money the state received as a whole. The investments in Wisconsin are meant to expand high-speed broadband internet access to regions of the state… Read more »

President Barack Obama visited Wisconsin Monday to endorse Wisconsin democratic gubernatorial candidate and current Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett during a five-state, three-day fundraising tour. Obama attended a $250-a-plate fundraising luncheon at U.S. Cellular Field for the Wisconsin Democratic Party and its gubernatorial candidate Barrett. In his endorsement, Obama pointed to… Read more »

Gay marriage will remain banned in Wisconsin following a state Supreme Court decision June 30 upholding a referendum prohibiting the practice. An appeal was previously filed claiming the referendum was incorrectly formatted because it addressed both civil unions and gay marriage as the same issue when they are actually separate… Read more »

Gov. Jim Doyle’s announcement of the future high speed rail station location marks a significant step towards fully realizing the major project, but opponents remain unconvinced of the merit of the project. Doyle announced July 1 the station will be located at the Wisconsin Department of Administration building at 101… Read more »

0Wisconsinites will no longer be able to indulge in a smoke in any public building following a statewide ban that went into effect July 5. The law prohibits smoking in all public workplaces, including bars, restaurants, hotels and other businesses. Bars and restaurants are allowed to create outside smoking areas… Read more »

The Wisconsin Supreme Court deadlocked June 30 on the issue of whether Justice Michael Gableman violated judicial ethics by using a potentially misleading campaign ad in reference to another justice. The court needed a majority vote to sanction Gableman. The deadlock means the court could not definitively reach a decision… Read more »

As July draws to a close, the candidates for Wisconsin elections, both federal and state, are being finalized and many races are shaping up to be competitive. Election dates for Wisconsin’s gubernatorial election as well as federal representative and Senate races fall on Nov. 2. Candidates had until July 20… Read more »

Settling months of debate Gov. Jim Doyle announced Thursday that Madison’s new high speed rail station connecting Madison and Milwaukee will be located at the Wisconsin Department of Administration building, down the street from Monona Terrace at 101 E. Wilson St. The project will be paid for almost entirely… Read more »

President Barack Obama visited Racine Wednesday, holding a town hall meeting to discuss economic recovery efforts as well as financial reform and the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The trip was part of Obama’s “Recovery Summer” public relations campaign to draw attention to the administration’s attempts to… Read more »

United States Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wis., announced Wednesday he will not be seeking re-election in November, which could indicate the potential fragility of Democratic hopes for a continued majority in Congress come fall. “…There is a time to stay and a time to go. And this is my time to… Read more »

A state legislator said Friday he plans to call for an audit of the state’s early inmate release program to ensure the safety of Wisconsinites. To cut Wisconsin’s budget deficit, Gov. Jim Doyle proposed a set of corrections reforms in the 2009-2011 budget that would expand the number of inmates… Read more »

A GOP delegate filed a complaint Tuesday alleging Mark Neumann’s gubernatorial campaign made calls to herself and other GOP delegates that were misleading and threatening, an incident the Scott Walker campaign is condemning as an attempt to smother delegate support for Walker. Kathy Kiernan, a GOP delegate from Richfield and… Read more »

State Rep. Jeff Wood, I-Chippewa Falls, reported to the Colombia County jail Monday night to begin his 45-day sentence for his third-offense conviction of operating while intoxicated. Wood was convicted last week for a December 2008 incident where he crashed his car into a highway sign along I-39/90/94 and then… Read more »

The Great Lakes states seeking to force Illinois to contain the spread of Asian Carp received little support from the United States Supreme Court, which rejected a request to solve the dispute Monday. Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox led the charge joined by six other states, including Wisconsin, and Great… Read more »

The Assembly failed to pass a resolution to expel Rep. Jeff Wood, I-Chippewa Falls, for his multiple Operating While Intoxicated charges Wednesday morning, opting instead to issue a censure. A censure acts as a stern warning but will not prevent Wood from holding his seat in the Assembly or being… Read more »

State Rep. Jeff Wood, I-Chippewa Falls, was convicted of drunken driving and possession of drug paraphernalia Monday and sentenced to 45 days in jail and a $1,615.50 fine after pleading no contest to a 2008 Operating While Intoxicated charge. Wood was also sentenced to attend drug and alcohol treatment, his… Read more »

Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., announced plans Wednesday to introduce legislation calling for a flexible timetable of withdrawal from Afghanistan. The legislation, to be proposed by Feingold along with Reps. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., and Walter Jones, R-NC, would require President Barack Obama to set a plan and timetable for removing forces… Read more »

Business leaders and politicians called for the renovation of the I-39-90 corridor between Beloit and Madison at a rally in Janesville Monday to improve traffic and increase business in southern Wisconsin. While the I-39-90 corridor is a gateway for commerce and travel, when six lanes in the northern Illinois portion… Read more »

Gov. Jim Doyle announced Wednesday the creation of an Office of Health Care Reform that will be used to integrate national health care reforms into the Wisconsin health care system, ensuring all residents and businesses have access to reform benefits and information. The new office, which was created by executive… Read more »

The days that some legislators have termed the “Wild West” of unregulated payday lending in Wisconsin may be numbered, so long as the Senate and Assembly can reach a compromise on the issue before the end of legislative session. The Senate is expected to pass a bill next week… Read more »

President Barack Obama signed into law the final piece of his administration’s historic health care overhaul last Tuesday, containing both sweeping national health care reform as well as signficant revisions to federal student loan processes. The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 contains revisions to health care reforms… Read more »

Reactions to the passage of a significant health care reform bill Sunday remain divided in Wisconsin, with some heralding the bill as a long-awaited insurance solution while others claim it is a dangerous move away from American ideals. The $940 billion bill includes widespread reforms to United States health care,… Read more »

Legislators and church groups squared off Wednesday on a bill that would remove the exemption of parents who practice faith healing on their children from Wisconsin child abuse laws. Under current Wisconsin law, an individual is not guilty of child abuse if he or she chooses spiritual healing through prayer… Read more »

Amid a platform stance of cutting unnecessary government spending, the campaign of Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker spent more than $24,000 on meals since mid-2008, according to a recent Associated Press review. Campaign bills for meals for Walker, his campaign staff and other individuals and food and drinks for fundraising… Read more »

Legislators showed strong support for a bill that would require a majority of shareholders to approve the donations from corporations and cooperatives giving contributions to state and local political campaigns at a public hearing Wednesday. The bill will bring state law into compliance with a January Supreme Court decision and… Read more »

Former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson is “seriously considering” launching a campaign against incumbent Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., a former Thompson aid said Sunday in a TV interview. Bill McCoshen worked as Thompson’s chief of staff and later as his campaign manager before becoming senior vice president of a Washington D.C.… Read more »

The Senate unanimously passed a bill Tuesday mandating mental health information be included in background checks for firearm purchases in Wisconsin. The bill would bring Wisconsin into compliance with current federal law concerning handgun sales, as well as put Wisconsin in the company of many other states that have worked… Read more »

A bill that would restore benefit cuts under the Wisconsin G.I. Bill could send 447 veterans to technical colleges and universities over the next six years, according to a report by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. The fiscal bureau reported that restoring the cut benefits would cost $14.6 million. The… Read more »

The Obama administration unveiled a five-year $2.2 billion plan Sunday to clean up the Great Lakes, presenting goals to combat rising toxic contamination, pollution levels and exotic species invasion in the lakes. The Great Lakes contain one-fifth of the world’s fresh surface water, as well as 95 percent of the… Read more »

The Wisconsin Assembly approved a bill regulating payday lending Tuesday, which is the first bill to regulate the industry in the state. Payday loans are short-term, unsecured loans for small amounts borrowers promise to repay out of their next paycheck. The bill caps the loans at $600 and prevents a… Read more »

An Internet payday loan company agreed to pay $180,000 and not supply any Wisconsin resident with a payday loan for the next five years as a result of a class action settlement reached Friday with the state of Wisconsin. California-based Arrowhead Investments LLC also agreed to forgive all debts of… Read more »

The rumble of a 3.8 magnitude earthquake in Dekalb, Ill., startled many Wisconsin residents awake around 4 a.m. Wednesday morning. The quake was felt all the way in Madison, 134 miles away from the epicenter of the earthquake. The earthquake occurred at 3:59 a.m. and was initially recorded as a… Read more »

A childhood racial health gap has created broad disparities in the physical and mental wellbeing of Wisconsin children, according to a study released this month by the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families. The WCCF study examined race-based health disparities in an attempt to identify factors that cause the inequities… Read more »

The Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously upheld a conviction Tuesday that prohibits the use of preliminary breath test results as evidence in drunken driving cases. The ruling reaffirms a current Wisconsin statute that prohibits the use of PBT results as evidence other than to prove probable cause for arrest or successive… Read more »