Panel will decide on DNA-collection question, 'double-dipping'; house explosion levels one- damages five near Eau Claire; more state news
Wisconsin News
A Sunday afternoon explosion decimated a town of Washington home and blew out windows and cracked walls at surrounding properties. Also, members of the Legislature's Joint Finance committee have several weighty decisions before them this week, including some which would curtail Gov. Scott Walker-budget initiatives. Also, stories of a police shooting, bicyclist's death and more.
Job situation: Back on track or derailed?; Wood-cutting accident caused wildfire that burned over 8,000 acres; more briefs
Wisconsin News
Wisconsin’s job picture is either exciting or lackluster, depending on which political party you believe. Smoke from logging equipment caused this week’s massive wildfire in far northwest Wisconsin.
Law to curb circuit judge's powers wins approval; poll says slight majority favor Walker's performance; more state briefs
Wisconsin News
State laws that are struck down by circuit judges could stay in effect while they’re appealed, under a bill that got preliminary approval in the Assembly Tuesday. Also, stories about legislation to curb Milwaukee County Board- and WDEC employee discretion, and a discount boffo that cost a wine retailer some credibility with customers.
Residents evacuated as crews battle massive blaze in Douglas, Bayfield counties
Crews from Wisconsin and Minnesota worked through the night battling a wildfire in Wisconsin’s Douglas and Bayfield counties that now has burned across 6,800 acres.
RELATED CONTENTStudies: Endocrine disruptors, cocaine common in Minnesota waters; former DNR secretary calls for more testing in Wisconsin
Minnesota researchers found 56 chemicals -- including cocaine-- in the state’s waters, according to two studies released Monday that raise questions about potential impacts on wildlife and human health. Former Wisconsin DNR secretary George Meyer said the tests show that Wisconsin, which has not conducted similar studies on this scale, needs to develop a plan to figure out what’s in its water.
RELATED CONTENTConservative Janesville area group alleges undue IRS scrutiny; Dalai Lama speaking to lawmakers, more state briefs
Wisconsin News
Between debates over stiffer rules for the unemployed, drunk drivers and underage drinkers who use fake ID's, Wisconsin lawmaker will hear from the Dalai Lama Tuesday afternoon. Also, stories about two fatal fires, a rally planned in support of unpasteurized milk and a farmer caught selling and news about Vice President Joe Biden's note to a Milwaukee youngster whimsically endorsing chocolate bullets.
High court considers Wisconsin-focused church-state case; Assembly mulls new landlord-tenant law; new 'Alice' crowned
Wisconsin News
New legislation would allow landlords to seize property left behind when a tenant has been evicted. Also, the U.S. Supreme Court may decide a Wisconsin church-state dispute that has national ramifications for churches that host school events, plus stories about the new "Alice", a grad speaker's conclusions on a Hillary Clinton presidency and more state briefs.
Joint Finance OKs one year's funding for embattled WEDC; panel would curb reciprocity; Gogebic files permit request, more state news
Wisconsin News
The state Legislature’s finance committee has endorsed only one year of funding for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Also, Gogebic Taconite has filed a request with the WDNR to being boring 1,400-foot deep exploratory probes near Ashland, plus stories about eliminating reciprocity tuition rates for Minnesotans wanting to attend UW-Madison and a bid to prevent any restrictions on big, sugary sodas in Wisconsin.
Blacks had higher voting percentage than whites in 2012; Study shows hospital prices for common procedures vary vastly; more state news
Wisconsin News
The Census Bureau found that 79% of black Wisconsin adults went to the polls in last fall’s presidential election, compared to 75% of non-Hispanic whites. There was a 10% margin of error in the Wisconsin survey due to the state’s relatively small numbers of black voters. According to numbers released by federal health officials, it pays to shop around before having common medical procedures.
UW brass caught in crosshairs
Rebecca Blank, incoming chancellor of the UW-Madison, will be stepping into a host of controversies, drawing flak from all directions. As one UW-Madison student quipped, “Blank is not starting off with a blank slate.”
RELATED CONTENTBill limiting junk-food purchases with food stamps passes Assembly; Heroin use spikes in mid-Wisconsin; more state news
Wisconsin News
The state Assembly has voted to make Wisconsin the first state to force food stamp recipients to spend most of their benefits on healthy food. Marathon County sheriff’s official Gary Schneck said heroin use in the Wausau area has jumped rapidly in the last three years, and it started when drug-makers added time-release coatings to painkillers like OxyContin to cut down on their abuse.
Despite first-ever hunt, state's wolf population drops only slightly
After Wisconsin’s inaugural season of wolf hunting and trapping last fall, the state’s wolf population has declined only slightly.
RELATED CONTENTJudge won't halt St. Croix bridge work; Senators split votes on internet sales tax; garlic-cheese bread chip nets woman $1 million prize
Wisconsin News
Wisconsin's U.S. senators split votes Monday on the issue of requiring on-line retailers to collect an estimated $95 million in sales tax for the state. Also, a federal judge says work on the new St. Croix River crossing should continue while a bidding dispute is resolved, plus stories about spring planting progress, an Assembly vote to protect waste truck drivers and a Facebook post that appears to ID the state's newest sheriff.
Officials aim to control Stillwater bridge lifts to avoid congestion; Passenger dog found after owner dies in semi crash; more briefs
Wisconsin News
Officials in Stillwater, Minn., hope to avoid traffic congestion in their downtown by putting new limits on the times a lift bridge to Wisconsin can go up and down to accommodate boats. A missing dog has been found safe after riding with its owner who died in the crash of two semi-trucks during last week’s snowstorm in western Wisconsin. More state news.
Story about missing canoeists was fabricated; new law would mean prison for 7-time drunks; more state news
Wisconsin News
After dozens of searchers spent two days using boats and a helicopter to canvass the swollen waters of the Chippewa River, a Manitowoc man admitted to Eau Claire police that he made up a story about two canoeists capsizing and disappearing in the river. Also, stories about May skiing up north, updates from the Legislature and the child molestation case against a former Ellsworth teacher.
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