|
WPR HOME | IDEAS NETWORK | NPR NEWS & CLASSICAL NETWORK | WPR NEWS | ABOUT WPR | MEMBERSHIP
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS | INDEX | LIVE WEBCASTING | AUDIO ARCHIVES | WPR NATIONAL | STORE
FEBRUARY 2002 NEWS ARCHIVES 2/28/02 - UW Campuses Look to Arm Their Police(Madison) University of Wisconsin campuses in La Crosse and Platteville are considering giving guns to their security officers. Whether or not to arm campus cops has been a long-running debate throughout Wisconsin for years. Terry Bell reports. running time 1:15 2/28/02 - High Court Curbs Questions About Victims' Past(Madison) The state Supreme Court has overturned rulings in two cases involving the sexual assault of young children. In both cases, defendants sought wider latitude in discussing the past sexual behavior of victims. Benson Gardner reports. running time 1:45 2/27/02 - State Takes a Closer Look at Lead Paint(Madison) State health inspectors are getting trained to spot lead paint problems under new rules which go into effect in March. Shamane Mills reports. running time 1:55 2/27/02 - Western Wisconsin Bluffs To Be Saved(La Crosse) A unique project to save bluffs in western Wisconsin has made its first major purchase. The blufflands protection program pairs a nonprofit land trust and the city of La Crosse. Sandra Harris reports. running time 1:39 2/27/02 - Lawmaker Wants to End Free Housing for Top U-W Officials(Madison) A Central Wisconsin lawmaker says there are too many perks for some high ranking University of Wisconsin officials. Critics counter that the benefits are required for the job. Melba Lara reports. running time 1:33 2/26/02 - Superior Area Citizen-Lobbists Head for Madison(Superior) The largest ever contingent of citizen-lobbyists will be in Madison this week as part of the 17th annual "Superior days". But they won't be arriving with hat in hand. As Mike Simonson reports, this delegation has a plan that it'll take to every state legislator. running time 1:32 2/26/02 - Holocaust Payouts Can Continue(Green Bay) Holocaust survivors or their heirs will have more time to collect un-paid insurance. An International Commission that was set up to administer the money says a new list of potential claimants has surfaced...so beneficiaries will now have until the end of September to review the information. Patty Murray reports. running time 1:33 2/26/02 - Lawmaker Denounces Housing, Cars for UW Officials(Madison) A central Wisconsin lawmaker plans to step up his attacks on what he says are too many perks for some high ranking University of Wisconsin officials. Melba Lara reports. running time 1:31 2/26/02 - Ten Commandments Supporters Dealt a Setback(La Crosse) A U.S. Supreme Court decision to ignore a separation of church and state issue could have repercussions in Wisconsin. Sandra Harris reports. running time 1:39 2/26/02 - Crime Wave Tied to Prescription Drug(Madison) Addicts have robbed a number of Wisconsin drugstores this year looking to steal a powerful prescription painkiller which produces a heroin-like high. Law enforcement officials warn abuse of the drug is spreading. Melba Lara reports. running time 1:55 2/25/02 - Job Report Portends More Hires(Statewide) Jobs may be slightly easier to find in Wisconsin over the next three months. That's according to a hiring survey being released today. Chuck Quirmbach reports. running time 1:40 2/25/02 - Home Mortgage Program Could Help Menominee Tribe(Green Bay) Members of the Menominee Indian tribe are eligible for a new federal program that makes buying a house more affordable. People living on reservations have had trouble getting loans from traditional lenders because the land is held in trust and can't be used as collateral. The Menominee say the new program will mean more affordable housing on tribal lands. Patty Murray reports. running time 1:50 2/25/02 - Workers Fired For Computer Usage at Work(Ashland) Two Ashland County employees have been fired for allegedly doing personal work on county computers. The county is among many in Wisconsin that doesn't allow personal business on computers. Mike Simonson has the story. running time 1:37 2/25/02 - Anti-Porn Campaign Begins in Central WI(Marshfield) Pornography opponents in Marshfield have launched a billboard campign aimed at discouraging young men from becoming sex addicts. Organizers of the campaign also hope the new signs will help build public support for new zoning restrictions for adult book stores. Gil Halsted has more. running time 1:39 2/23/02 - Public Hearing Draws More Opposition to Budget Plan(La Crosse) Educators and students led off testimony at a final public hearing held by senate Democrats on the Governor's budget repair plan. While the governor says he's sparing education, they say planned cuts and a levy freeze are a threat. The hearing in La Crosse was sponsored by senate budget committee members in response to proposed budget cuts for state and local government. Sandra Harris has more. running time 1:39 2/23/02 - Increased Deaths Alarm WI Gulf War Vets(Undated) Gulf War Veterans from Wisconsin are alarmed by new death rates just released by the government. Terry Bell reports. running time 1:15 2/23/02 - Birkie Race Is On After Storm Brings Snow(Superior) Skiers from around the world will be competing Saturday in the American Birkebeiner nordic cross-country ski race. Mike Simonson reports that for awhile this week, they weren't sure they'd be able to get the race in. running time 1:19 2/22/02 - Online Charter School Draws Home Schoolers(Madison) Right now there are around 21-thousand home-schooled children in Wisconsin. Organizers of an new "on-line" charter school hope to draw some of them with free teaching materials and computer equipment. Under the state's "open enrollment" option - parents around the state have until Friday, February 22, to sign up their children up for the Lake Mills-based school. Mary Jo Wagner reports. running time 5:21 2/22/02 - Controversial Milwaukee County Official Steps Down(Milwaukee) Milwaukee County Executive Tom Ament ended weeks of rumors and has announced he's stepping down. Leaders of a recall effort against Ament say they'll now focus their attention on recalling some county supervisors and downsizing county government. Chuck Quirmbach reports. running time 2:07 2/22/02 - Student Radio On the Air After Years of Legal Battles(Madison) As of today, UW-Madison will no longer be the nation's largest university without a student radio station. Shamane Mills reports. running time 4:40 2/22/02 - Mayors Speak Out Against Proposed Budget Cuts(Madison) Wisconsin mayors have proposed their own solution to the state budget deficit, and accuse Governor Scott McCallum of betraying them and their constituents. John Powell has more. running time 1:31 2/21/02 - WI Oneida Nix Multi-Million Dollar Offer(Undated) The Wisconsin Oneida tribe have rejected a $500 million settlement for thousands of acres of the tribes' ancestral land in New York state. Tribal attorneys in Wisconsin say the deal struck last week by the New York branch of the tribe is unacceptable because it includes only money and no land. Gil Halsted has more. running time 1:39 2/21/02 - Sports Agents Get Legislative Scrutiny(Madison) The Assembly may soon consider a bill to regulate sports agents. John Powell has more. running time 1:34 2/21/02 - Clinic Closings Draw Criticism(La Crosse) A Democratic candidate for governor is critical of Governor Scott McCallum’s plan to end all state funding for 14 community health centers. Sandra Harris reports. running time 1:15 2/21/02 - Lawmaker's Fundraising Raises Eye Brows(Milwaukee) One of the candidates running for Wisconsin's top law enforcement job is facing speculation he may be raising campaign money illegally. Terry Bell reports. running time 1:30 2/20/02 - School Voucher Battle Focuses on Washington(Milwaukee) The Wisconsin Supreme Court has decided not to revisit its 1998 decision upholding school vouchers in Milwaukee. In fact, the Court has voted five-to-nothing that a motion asking the justices to vacate the earlier school choice ruling was "frivolous" and "untimely." Now, the focus on the voucher issue shifts to Washington. School voucher supporters and critics from Wisconsin are paying close attention to a U-S Supreme Court case on the constitutionality of a school choice program in Cleveland, Ohio. Chuck Quirmbach reports. running time 2:04 2/19/02 - Anti-Porn Campaign Begins in Central WI(Marshfield) Pornography opponents in Marshfield have launched a billboard campign aimed at discouraging young men from becoming sex addicts. Organizers of the campaign also hope the new signs will help build public support for new zoning restrictions for adult book stores. Gil Halsted has more. running time 1:39 2/19/02 - Republican Enters A.G. Race(Green Bay) Another candidate is joining the race for Wisconsin Attorney General. The Outagamie County District Attorney officially announced his candidacy Monday. So far he is the only Republican in the running. Two Democrats are vying for the position as well. Patty Murray reports. running time 1:15 2/19/02 - W2 Under Fire for Not Serving Disabled(Madison) Two civil rights groups have filed a federal complaint against the W-2, Welfare-to-Work program. The A-C-L-U and N-double-A-C-P say W-2 doesn't serve the disabled... and may discriminate on the basis of race. Chuck Quirmbach reports. running time 1:53 2/18/02 - Hmong Marriage Raises Questions(Madison) A lawsuit headed for the state Supreme Court could invalidate thousands of traditional Hmong marriages. The case involves an auto insurance claim by the children of a Hmong woman killed in a car accident in Manitowoc. Gil Halsted has the details. running time 1:20 2/15/02 - At Risk Boarding School Under Consideration(Madison) A new study recommends creating a special residential school in Milwaukee for students who are most at risk of dropping out. John Powell has more. running time 1:20 2/15/02 - Survey Finds Public Questions Money to Judicial Campaigns(Madison) A survey released by a new good-government campaign says the public is very skeptical about the supposed impartial nature of courts around the country...and is ready for reforms. And the campaign, launched yesterday by many legal and political groups, has some ideas handy. Benson Gardner has more. running time 1:33 2/15/02 - Condemnation Action Makes Some Homeless(La Crosse) Officials recently condemned unsafe buildings here but that action left dozens of people homeless and with nowhere to go. City leaders say they want to help. Sandra Harris reports. running time 1:30 2/14/02 - Local Officials Give Guv Cold Shoulder(Superior) Governor Scott McCallum took his message of revolutionizing the state budget by ending shared revenue with local governments on the road this week. Mike Simonson reports on the chilly reception he received from local government officials in Superior. running time 1:33 2/14/02 - Green Bay Mayor Considers Running for Governor(Green Bay) Scott McCallum's plan to end state aid to local governments may lead another politican to challenge him for the governor's job. Green Bay Mayor Paul Jadin says the idea to fix the budget deficit by phasing out shared revenue is making him take a serious look at challenging the Republican incumbent. Patty Murray reports. running time 1:33 2/14/02 - Raw Milk Buyers Worry State Officials(Undated) The state is trying to shut down the opportunity for people to get raw milk from two dairy farms. Mary Jo Wagner has more. running time 1:43 2/14/02 - Study Says Tribes Should Give More Money(Milwaukee) A new study says Wisconsin Indian tribes aren't giving the state a fair share of their casino revenues. The study sponsored by a Milwaukee-based think tank says tribes should more than triple the current 24 million dollars they pay the state. But tribes say the study ignores the millions of dollars the casinos pay to local governments and charities. Gil Halsted reports. running time 1:46 2/14/02 - Proposed Abortion Limits Draw Fire(Madison) The Assembly is considering a bill that would prevent tax money from going to organizations providing or promotion abortion. John Powell reports. running time 1:35 2/13/02 - WI Unemployed Get Extra State Help(Madison) Governor Scott McCallum has signed an extension of unemployment benefits for Wisconsin workers. McCallum says the extension comes as the state economy is rebounding. John Powell has more. running time 1:15 2/13/02 - Trial of War Criminal Could Affect Milwaukee Community(Milwaukee) A Wisconsin lawyer of Serbian descent worries that a war crimes trial in Europe could affect the thousands of Serbians who live here. Chuck Quirmbach reports. running time 1:50 2/13/02 - Groups Push for Women's Rights(Madison) Women's groups are organizing a telephone campaign for Valentine's Day in support of the International Women's Convention. John Powell has more. running time 1:15 2/13/02 - State High Court Looks at Potential Jurors(Madison) The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear a case that could broaden the definition of who can serve on a jury. Benson Gardner has more. running time 1:32 2/13/02 - Study Investigates Crash Injuries(La Crosse) La Crosse County is one of 14 in the state to receive a 25-thousand dollar state Department of Transportation Safe Community grant. The grants are designed to reduce accident injuries. Sandra Harris reports. running time 1:40 2/12/02 - Listening Sessions Begin Over Governor's Budget Cutting Plan(Undated) Governor Scott McCallum's plan to phase out shared revenue continues to draw fire. State Democrats are sponsoring a series of "listening sessions" to gague support for the Governor's proposal to plug a budget deficit. Patty Murray attended a session in Kaukauna and has this report. running time 1:41 2/12/02 - Health Insurance Appeals At Risk(Undated) People might lose a new tool to question their health insurance companies, depending on the outcome of a case before the United States Supreme Court. When insurance companies refuse to cover treatments, Wisconsin is ready to have independent experts review those decisions to see if they're ethical. But that program could get nipped in the bud. Benson Gardner has more. running time 1:41 2/12/02 - Nude Club Patrons Get a Break(Janesville) Videotaping of patrons at a nude club in Janesville has stopped. But the action is still generating controversy. Terry Bell reports. running time 1:22 2/12/02 - New Guidelines Protect WI Waters(Statewide) A new set of regulations to protect rivers and and lakes from agricultural run off will get a final vote by the state Ag Board. The new rules are winning praise from environmental groups. Gil Halsted reports. running time 1:39 2/11/02 - Freshman Classes Filling Up Fast(Statewide) Freshman enrollment at two of Wisconsin’s more popular campuses has already ended for students wanting to attend school this Fall. An admissions official says the dates are among the earliest in recent years and a trend that’s expected to continue. Sandra Harris reports. running time 1:37 2/11/02 - Closer Look at a Controversial Milwaukee Charter School Applicant(Milwaukee) A controversial school is trying for at least the third time to be in Milwaukee's taxpayer-funded school voucher program. The leader of the school has changed his name but not some of his ideas. Chuck Quirmbach reports. running time 1:39 2/11/02 - Push For Domestic Partner Benefits Stalled(Madison) Teaching Assistants at U-W say they are being stonewalled by the state as they try to become the first university employee union to provide health benefits for domestic partners. However, state officials argue the budget deficit means the state can't afford to increase benefits for anyone right now. Melba Lara reports. running time 1:37 2/11/02 - President Bush Launches Health Care Initiative Here(Milwaukee) President Bush wants to increase health care access for the more Americans. Wisconsin Public Radio's Chuck Quirmbach talks with Melba Lara about the proposed initiative. running time 5:20 2/9/02 - Weather Radios Help Tornado Stricken Areas(Superior) Four more national weather service weather radio transmitters have gone on line in Wisconsin and one community will get free weather radios as part of the deal. Mike Simonson has the story from Superior. running time 1:37 2/9/02 - Construction of Major Door County Interchange Could be In Doubt(Door County) The State Department of Transportation plans to build a two-and-a-half million dollar interchange on Highway 57, leading to Door County. Highway officials say the improvements will make the road safer. But some people in Door County worry that the long-term plan to extend a four lane road further North will change the flavor of the popular vacation spot. Patty Murray has more. running time 1:35 2/9/02 - UW Doctors May Have Found Transplant Treatment Breakthrough(Madison) Patients who receive organ transplants may soon need fewer of the powerful -- yet sometimes harmful -- drugs which prevent rejection. As Melba Lara reports, new research at the University of Wisconsin could revolutionize treatments for people who get transplants. . running time 1:35 2/8/02 - WI Peace Corp Alum Worry About Expansion(Madison) President Bush's plan to double the size of the Peace Corps is getting strong support from Wisconsin Peace Corps alumni. But the support is mixed with some skepticism about whether the current leadership of the forty year old agency can handle the growth. Gil Halsted reports. running time 2:33 2/8/02 - Milwaukee Exec Recall Could Land in Court(Milwaukee) There are more developments in the recall case involving Milwaukee County Executive Tom Ament. The developments involve the State Elections Board, a former Republican legislator, and a fundraising appeal. Chuck Quirmbach reports. running time 2:12 2/8/02 - Caucus Scandal Leads to Name Calling(Madison) Members of the state Assembly engaged in some name calling over investigations of the use of employees for campaigning on state time. John Powell has more. running time 1:42 2/8/02 - Some Worry Mad Cow Prevention Could Go Too Far(Eau Claire) The federal government is considering new rules to prevent mad cow disease in this country…but Wisconsin's state veterinarian says the proposed rules may be excessive. Mary Jo Wagner has more. running time 1:47 2/7/02 - Saving Sled Called "Pork" by President(Ashland) A northern Wisconsin rescue vehicle has been singled out as an example of pork barrel spending in the federal budget. But locals say the Bush administration is wrong. Mike Simonson reports from Superior. running time 1:37 2/7/02 - Choice Schools Under Scrutiny(Madison) The number of private schools that want in on the taxpayer-funded Milwaukee School Choice program is up about twenty percent. Some of the schools are controversial ...and voucher critics say the state should be more aggressive in reviewing the applications. Chuck Quirmbach reports. running time 1:51 2/7/02 - Tribes Want to Extend Gaming Agreements(Madison) Eight Wisconsin Indian tribes have joined forces to lobby the governor's office to expand the length of tribal gaming compacts. Gil Halsted has more. running time 1:38) Listen to this story now using RealPlayer2/7/02 - Olympic Curlers Have Strong WI Connection(Eau Claire) For only the second time in history, curling is an official medal sport at the U.S. Olympics this month. Wisconsin has more curlers than any other state, around four thousand. The state can also brag about being home to some members of both the women and men's U.S. Olympic teams. Mary Jo Wagner talked with the men's U.S. Olympic curling team at a tournament in Eau Claire. running time 5:11) 2/7/02 - Program to Help Disabled May Force Many to Wait for Help(Statewide) A new federal program is designed to help social security beneficiaries with disabilities get work. State officials supports the "Ticket to Work" program, but it may force waiting lists to start growing again. Sandra Harris reports. running time 1:55) 2/7/02 - WI Supreme Court Considers Law Banning Lewd Materials(Madison) The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments today on whether the state's law prohibiting people from showing lewd material to minors is constitutional. Benson Gardner reports. running time 1:40 2/6/02 - Interchange Construction Could Disrupt Business(Milwaukee) Finding enough money may be the biggest challenge to the state's plan to rebuild Milwaukee's Marquette interchange. But how to ease traffic during construction and not harm businesses will be another major task. Chuck Quirmbach reports. running time 1:59 2/6/02 - Critics Charge Taxes Will be Hiked to Pay for Milwaukee Highway(Milwaukee) Governor Scott McCallum says he doesn't expect to have to raise transportation taxes to pay for a major highway rebuilding in downtown Milwaukee. But critics say that's misleading. Chuck Quirmbach reports. running time 2:36 2/6/02 - Latest Hate Crime Highlights Anti-Gay Attacks in Madison(Madison) Madison police are investigating what they believe is a anti-gay hate crime at a church. Last year Madison led the state in the number of reported hate crimes, with 3-quarters of them against gays. Shamane Mills reports. running time 1:38 2/6/02 - Controversial Anti-Drug Ad Called Misleading(Undated) A new multi-million dollar White House anti-drug campaign linking the drug trade with terrorism is getting mixed reactions. Human rights activists say the ads are misleading and won't discourage teens from using drugs. Gil Halsted Reports. running time 2:20 2/6/02 - WI Supreme Court Gets Redistricting Request(Madison) The Wisconsin Supreme Court is trying to decide whether to solve the state's redistricting problem if politicians can't reach agreement. Benson Gardner reports. running time 1:40) Listen to this story now using RealPlayer2/5/02 - Survey Finds Many Pregnant Wisconsin Women Smoke(Undated) A new national report on children's health finds a significant decline in the number of women smoking during pregnancy. And nationally the teen preganancy rate is also dropping. But Wisconsin is lagging behind the national average especially in Mlwaukee. Gil Halsted Reports running time 2:00). 2/5/02 - Eating Disorder Leads to Housing Discrimination(Madison) The Wisconsin Supreme Court is considering whether an eating disorder qualified as a disability. Benson Gardner reports running time 1:39 2/5/02 - Clean Power Plants Sought for Wisconsin(Madison) Some lawmakers are introducing a bill to limit pollution from old, coal-burning power plants. John Powell has more. running time 1:41 2/4/02 - Tougher Consumer Protections Needed in Recalls(Green Bay) Fifteen-thousand products are recalled each year, but many of them are still being used. The former head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission says the recall system is riddled with loopholes. Patty Murray reports. running time 1:23 2/4/02 - Highway Naming Battle Heats Up in the Assembly(Superior) A battle over which civil rights activist's name should grace the Northern Wisconsin Highway that the Ku Klux Klan adopted has taken a turn in the state assembly. Mike Simonson reports. running time 1:42 2/2/02 - State Street Remodeling Could be on Hold(Madison) State Street in Madison may not get a makeover after all. At least that's what some Madison officials believe may be the result of the governor's proposed cuts in aid to cities. Shamane Mills reports. running time 1:12 2/2/02 - State High Court Looks Closer at Sex Predator Designation(Madison) The Wisconsin Supreme Court will look at Wisconsin's law to keep sexual predators out of the community after they have served their prison sentence. Benson Gardner reports. running time 1:39 2/1/02 - WI Gov Race Could Be Most Expensive Ever(Madison) The race for governor this year is likely to be the most expensive campaign in state history. John Powell has more running time 1:36)
2/1/02 - Gel Candle Warning Under Scrutiny(Madison) An email is circulating warning people not to buy gel candles. Benson Gardner has more. running time 1:40 2/1/02 - Fetus Name Change Creates Controversy(Madison) The Bush Administration says it will help states pay for more poor women's prenatal care, but the plan involves changing the legal name of a fetus to "unborn child". Shamane Mills reports. running time 1:50 The State Capitol Report Thursday, February 28, 2002 -- Campaign Finance Reform Wednesday, February 27, 2002 -- Budget & Joint Finance Monday, February 25, 2002 -- Education Reform Friday, February 22, 2002 -- Mayors Angry at the Governor Thursday, February 21, 2002 -- Ashley Furniture Wednesday, February 20, 2002 -- Capitol Security Tuesday, February 19, 2002 -- Mining Hearing Monday, February 18, 2002 -- Education Costs & Student Performance Friday, February 15, 2002 -- Banning Freebies for Doctors Thursday, February 14, 2002 -- Campaign Financing & Election Board Wednesday, February 13, 2002 -- Public Hearing on Budget Repair Bill Tuesday, February 12, 2002 -- Mental Health Insurance Coverage Monday, February 11, 2002 -- Campaign Finance Reform Friday, February 8, 2002 -- Teens, Smoking & State Dollars Thursday, February 7, 2002 -- Lawmakers Upset over UW Administrator Salaries Wednesday, February 6, 2002 -- County Officials Oppose Aid Cuts
Tuesday, February 5, 2002 -- Wage Lein Bill Would Favor Workers
Monday, February 4, 2002 -- National Anthem and Ritalin in Schools
Friday, February 1, 2002 -- Tobacco Money and the Budget here
For More, See Our News Story Archives For: If you have comments about Wisconsin Public Radio News,
HOME | ABOUT WPR | BECOME MEMBER | CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS
For questions or comments about our programming, call Audience Services Wisconsin Public Radio is a service of the ©2010 by Wisconsin Public Radio. |
