9/30/03 – Oppositon to Expanded State Forests

(Undated) A plan to expand state forest lands is running into opposition from county officials in northern Wisconsin. But some in the area say county leaders are on the wrong side of the debate. Gil Halsted has more.

9/30/03 – EPA Boss Vote Pending

(Milwaukee) A U-S Senate committee may vote this week on whether to confirm Utah Governor Mike Leavitt as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Wisconsin Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold are officially still neutral on Leavitt's nomination. But some people who know Leavitt well have strong opinions of him. Chuck Quirmbach reports.

9/30/03 – Flying "Ace" Widow Laid to Rest

(Superior) The widow of America's "Ace of Aces" Richard Bong of Poplar will be put to rest today. Marjorie Bong Drucker lived long enough to see a legacy for her and her husband come to reality in Superior. Mike Simonson has the story.

9/30/03 – Lower Drunk Driving Limit

(Madison) As of the stroke of midnight Monday, Wisconsin has a new LOWER drunk driving limit. The point-oh-eight limit law is now in effect. But we're told no special enforcements are planned. Frederica Freyberg reports.

9/30/03 – More Money for New Companies

(Madison) Last year, only two states had fewer new companies than Wisconsin; we ranked third from the BOTTOM in emerging businesses. Some blame lack of startup funds; lawmakers and the governor are working on ways to increase venture capital. Shamane Mills reports. .

9/27/03 – Preserving Small Town Culture

(Port Wing) You may or may not have heard of Port Wing. It's a small town like many other small towns in Wisconsin. Mike Simonson has the first part of a weekly series about efforts to preserve cultures in Wisconsin, with a look at Port Wing's 45th annual Fish Boil, an event that typifies this way of life.

9/27/03 – California Computer Recycling Criticized

(Eau Claire) Wisconsin is one of many states trying to make computer manufacturers responsible for recycling their obsolete machines. Many have been watching to see what California lawmakers did. Mary Jo Wagner has more.

9/27/03 – Outlaw Fish

(Superior) The feds want to make the Bighead Carp an outlaw fish. The U-S Fish and Wildlife Service is looking into putting the four-foot flying fish -- that is threatening the Great Lakes -- on the list of "injurious species". Mike Simonson reports from Superior.

9/27/03 – Bush Camp Confident

(Brookfield) President George W. Bush will hold a fundraiser in Milwaukee next Friday. The chairperson of Mister Bush's Wisconsin campaign predicts the President will carry Wisconsin in next year's election. Chuck Quirmbach reports.

9/27/03 – Wage War?

(Madison) New developments in efforts to make Madison the first city in the state to raise the minimum wage. Shamane Mills reports.

9/26/03 – Factory Farm Feud

(Undated) Air pollution from so-called factory farms is the focus of a fight between environmentalists, agri-business and the Bush administration. Chuck Quirmbach reports.

9/26/03 – Restricting Sex Offenders

(Madison) Fewer sex offenders would be released after their criminal sentences are served under changes sought to the so-called predator law. And there would be more scrutiny of where to place those who do get out. Shamane Mills reports.

9/26/03 – Gays Unite

(Statewide) Same sex couples and their supporters will be in Madison Tuesday to tell legislators they should consider their civil rights as they do those of other constituents. Sandra Harris reports.

9/25/03 – Court Strikes Down 'No Call' List

(Statewide) A court has struck down the federal "No Call" list, but officials in Wisconsin say its unlikely to hurt residents here. Sandra Harris has more.

9/25/03 – Battle Brewing Over Bottled Water Plan

(Statewide) There's a battle over another water bottling plant brewing in northern Wisconsin. Gil Halsted has more.

9/25/03 – Long Time Part-Timers Want Full Time Jobs

(Madison) Some stop-gap workers at the University of Wisconsin in Madison say they'd prefer full-time jobs. They also want the pay, benefits, and rights that go with them. They held a rally last night.

9/25/03 – Handheld Technology Keeps Patients Safe

(Madison) A new use of technology is helping Wisconsin patients avoid serious problems when they take more than one prescription drug. A growing number of doctors are taking up handheld P-D-A's to reduce medication errors. Melba Lara reports.

9/24/03 – Regents Reconsider Higher Pay Rates

(Madison) The UW Board of Regents will reconsider a controversial vote raising pay scales for executives. Shamane Mills reports.

9/24/03 – Family Planning Funding in Jeopardy

(Madison) Opponents of two bills that could put a new family planning program in jeopardy are pleased this afternoon that the full legislature sent the measures back to committee. The bills would prevent women under the age of 18 from participating in the federally-funded program. Frederica Freyberg reports.

9/24/03 – Artists Say Art is Good Business

(Madison) The arts aren't only enjoyable, but profitable for Wisconsin. That's the message artists are trying to get across at a summit held in Madison today. Shamane Mills reports.

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9/23/03 – Students Skip Testing

(Madison) The state's tallied up which schools are in danger of falling short under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Shamane Mills reports.

9/23/03 – Legislature Back to Work

(Madison) The state legislature comes back to the floor. One primary aim of the Republican majority: to cut bureaucratic red tape for Wisconsin businesses. But it couldn't be that easy. The Democratic minority thinks some of the pro-business bills go too far. Frederica Freyberg reports.

9/23/03 – Minimum Wage Hike for Madison?

(Madison) Voters in Madison may get a chance to boost the pay of minimum wage earners in the city. Only three other cities in the country have tried to set a municipal minimum wage and legal challenges are possible. Gil Halsted has more.

9/23/03 – "Conscience Clause" Gets Debate

(Undated) The Assembly is poised to pass the second of two bills that would give some healthcare workers the ability to refuse to provide services on moral grounds. An assembly member says it's likely both will pass the state senate as well. Sandra Harris reports.

9/22/03 – Patriot Act Gets Boost from Ashcroft

(Milwaukee) Attorney General John Ashcroft is defending the Patriot Act and promoting another measure called Patriot Two. But Ashcroft's appearance in Milwaukee yesterday left some people questioning Ashcroft's patriotism. Chuck Quirmbach reports.

9/22/03 – Ashcroft to Speak in Milwaukee

(Milwaukee) Attorney General John Ashcroft is scheduled to speak in Milwaukee claiming that the U.S. has made progress in the war against terror. But civil libertarians continue to criticize Ashcroft and the patriot act, a law congress passed shortly after the 9-11 terrorist attacks. Chuck Quirmbach reports.

9/22/03 – High Tech Help for Heart Failure Patients

(Madison) Thousands of Wisconsin residents have a health condition known as Congestive Heart failure. Patients often suffer a dramatic decline in their quality of life. Now, a simple, new technology is helping some patients feel better by giving them more control over their health. Melba Lara reports.

9/22/03 – 'Poison' Chalk Recall Possible

(Superior) State investigators are trying to figure out what company manufactured children's sidewalk chalk that contains dangerous amounts of lead. It's already caused one Superior toddler to get lead poisoning. Mike Simonson reports.

9/22/03 – Bears Under Seige by Poachers

(Superior) The legend of the Spanish fly for use as an aphrodisiac has competition that worries Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource Wardens. Poachers in northern Wisconsin are killing bears for their gallbladders. Mike Simonson reports on an effort to keep people from selling animal parts.

9/20/03 – Republicans say No Dice on Gaming Suit

(Madison)The state's most lucrative Indian gaming casino may have to slow down plans to get bigger. The Pottawatomi tribe blame a lawsuit against indian gaming which has been filed by top Republicans. Shamane Mills explains.

9/20/03 – New Life for Old Computers

(Eau Claire) Old computers are filling up landfills across the state. In Eau Claire, a new company is tearing them apart for recycling. Mary Jo Wagner reports.

9/19/03 – Clergy Abuse Bill Controversy

(Madison) No consensus, but lots of contention, during a public hearing Thursday on a clergy sexual abuse bill. It would give victims of any religion longer to sue; and give justice officials more time to prosecute. Shamane mills reports on a hearing that one lawmaker characterized as a "witch hunt".

9/19/03 – Program Helps Farmers Buy Land

(Undated) One way to keep young farmers in agriculture is to help them buy land;but some don't qualify for large loans. Wisconsin is one of six states to pilot a program to help. Mary Jo Wagner has more.

9/18/03 – Clergy Abuse Victims Meet

(Milwaukee) People who say they were sexually abused by clergy members have been holding group support meetings. They are preparing for an upcoming legislative hearing on a clergy abuse bill. Chuck Quirmbach attended one of those meetings this summer and has this report.

9/18/03 – More $ for Special Needs Kids

(Madison) The state's top educator says local districts will get a more financial help for needy students. It's an issue that has divided parents over whether special education is taking money away from regular classrooms. Shamane Mills reports.

9/18/03 – Digging for Tourist Dollars

(Undated) A new poll shows opening a zinc and copper mine in northern Wisconsin could mean a 23 percent drop in tourism business for the region. But mine supporters say the results can be read another way. Gil Halsted reports.

9/18/03 – Contraceptive Controversy

(La Crosse) Heath and human services boards around the state are urging the legislature not to mess with a federal program that provides reproductive health care for low income women. Sandra Harris reports.

9/17/03 – Campaign Reform Stalled

(Madison) The immediate crisis of a state budget deficit has been solved. But no solution yet on campaign finance reform. The fall legislative session is only a week away and many are wondering what the hold up is. Frederica Freyberg reports.

9/17/03 – Lawmakers Told to Fight Fat

(Madison) Wisconsin has managed to lose its title as the fattest state without shedding any weight: the rest of the nation just got heavier, faster. Wisconsin now ranks in the middle of the pack, nevertheless 59-percent of us are overweight or obese. State health officials are calling on policy makers to do something. Shamane Mills reports.

9/17/03 – Battle of the Eyes

(Undated) Alternative providers of contact lenses say optometrists do everything they can to prevent patients from buying contact lenses from anyone but them. Sandra Harris reports.

9/17/03 – Swimmers a Security Threat

(Superior) The nation's ports are being advised by the Department of Homeland Security to watch out for suspicious looking swimmers and scuba divers. The warning comes as ports are identified as key sites for Al Qaeda terrorists to strike to disrupt the nation's economy and cause mass casualties. Mike Simonson reports from Superior.

9/16/03 – Manpower Survey Finds Mixed Outlook

(Undated) A new survey says slightly more Wisconsin employers plan to add workers over the next few months than lay people off. The report also says Wisconsin job seekers won't do as well as those in other states. Chuck Quirmbach reports.

9/16/03 – Report Calls for Minimum Wage Hike

(Undated) A Wisconsin think tank is out with a report which lends support for boosting the minimum wage, something Governor Doyle calls for in an overall plan to jumpstart the state economy. But opponents say the arguments for a higher wage are flawed and that the timing is all wrong. Shamane Mills reports.

9/16/03 – Public Hearings on Powerline

(Undated) Many sides are lining up to let the Public Service Commission know what kind of high voltage power line is needed in Wisconsin. Technical hearings on the proposed Wausau to Duluth line begin Tuesday and public hearings begin October 1. Mary Jo Wagner has more.

9/16/03 – Forecast Predicts Economic Recovery for WI

(Undated) A national economic forecast predicts a rebound is on the way. Wisconsin is also poised for sustained recovery and growth in the next year and beyond. Frederica Freyberg reports.

9/16/03 – Doyle Wants More Ethanol Plants

(Undated) Governor Jim Doyle says boosting the state's farm economy is one of his top priorities. He says one way to do it is to build more ethanol plants in the state. Gil Halsted reports.

9/15/03 – 'Blindfold' Rule for Jurors Questioned

(Undated) Justice is supposed to be blind, but some think the civil court system needs to open its eyes and change the so-called blindfold rule. Keeping jurors "in the dark" about certain court rules often prevents them from knowing the outcome of a case they're deciding. Some think this is the way it should be; others say a change is long overdue. Shamane Mills reports.

9/15/03 – Businesses Worry About Lake Bacteria

(Undated) The new monitoring program testing Great Lakes beaches is wrapping up this month. This was the first year for Lake Superior testing. Although most of those beaches were fine all summer, there were a few that registered high levels of bacteria, so advisories were posted and some beaches were closed. Mike Simonson reports that those alerts concern people who depend on the business of tourists.

9/13/03 – GOP Leaders Gathering in Door County

(Egg Harbor) State Republicans officially kick off the 2004 presidential campaign at a Leadership conference in Door County this weekend. Party leaders say the goal is to energize G-O-P grass roots and promote the successes of the Bush Administration. Gil Halsted reports.

9/13/03 – Cong. Kind: Huge Deficits Ahead

(La Crosse) A member of Wisconsin's congressional delegation says the country is again headed toward huge deficit spending. Sandra Harris reports.

9/13/03 – Wilderness Protection for Apostle Islands

(Madison) State officials are urging Congress to designate the Apostle Islands as a federally protected wilderness. Governor Jim Doyle who joined former Governor Gaylord Nelson in supporting the move. Melba Lara has more.

9/12/03 – Report Questions Increasing School Fees

(Undated) A new analysis shows the recent trend for Wisconsin schools is to charge more fees and tax more for community service activities. The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance reports school districts in the state last year spent more than $60 million from those sources. Money outside revenue limit laws. Frederica Freyberg reports.

9/12/03 – Businesses Push for Liability Limits

(Undated) Businesses say they need to prevent financial injury to themselves by changing a law designed to compensate people hurt by bad products. But consumer groups say there's no lawsuit frenzy in Wisconsin and that proposed legislation will unfairly tip the scales of justice against victims of bad products. Shamane Mills reports.

9/12/03 – Air Pollution Woes in WI

(Undated) An air pollution haze is hanging over the midwestern United States, causing an unusually large air pollution advisory across Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. Mike Simonson reports that a rare combination of weather and emissions are to blame.

9/12/03 – Innocent Man Freed After 18 Years

(Undated) A Manitowoc man is back home after spending almost 18 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Stephen Avery is the first prisoner to win freedom under Wisconsin's new D-N-A testing law. Gil Halsted has more.

9/12/03 – Soldiers Families Get Support

(La Crosse) Some Wisconsin reservists and National Guard members are seeing their tours of duty in Iraq and surrounding countries lengthened. But a support group for soldiers and their families says they’re taking the news in stride. Sandra Harris reports.

9/11/03 – Problems for Controversial Crandon Mine

(Undated) The war of words over the proposed Crandon copper mine is heating up again. The mine's owner wants to re-start the permit process. But environmental groups want the company disqualified for lack of mining experience. Gil Halsted has more.

9/11/03 – Governor Wants Higher Minimum Wage

(Madison) Governor Doyle outlined plans to "Grow Wisconsin"; that's the name of his jobs and wages initiative. The economic plan was unveiled during a 3-city tour. Shamane Mills reports on his stop in Madison.

9/11/03 – GOP Unveils Job Growth Plan

(Madison) Governor Jim Doyle announced his "Grow Wisconsin" plan Wednesday. With that, Republicans took the opportunity to talk up their own economic growth agenda also called GROW. Frederica Freyberg has details.

9/10/03 – UW Pay Plan Proposal Riles Some Staff

(Madison) Wisconsin Public Radio has learned there's a new proposal to fund pay increases for University of Wisconsin faculty and staff. It involves doubling the soon-to-be increased employee health-care premiums to pay for the raises. Frederica Freyberg reports.

9/10/03 – Critics Denounce Energy Conservation Cuts

(Milwaukee) A state task force will look at energy conservation and renewable energy supplies in Wisconsin. Governor Doyle named the panel even as critics hope Doyle reverses some planned cuts in energy conservation funding. Chuck quirmbach reports.

9/10/03 – Longer Duty in Iraq for WI Reservists

(Madison) Many part-time soldiers will see their stay in Iraq extended. They include men and women from Wisconsin. Terry Bell reports.

9/10/03 – Laid Off Workers Get Help

(La Crosse) There’s hope for hundreds of laid-off workers at a western Wisconsin food distribution center. Employees of the Fleming’s company are getting a hand in finding replacement work. Officials say some workers will have the leg up in any new job search. Sandra Harris reports.

9/10/03 – Blue Wall Blocks Theft Investigation

(Madison) Jackson County’s sheriff says he’s perplexed over the lack of cooperation from employees in the investigation of a jail theft. Sandra Harris reports.

9/09/03 – Regent: No Appolgies for Salary Increases

(Madison) The fall-out over the U-W Board of Regents vote to allow salary increases for top administrators is gaining angry steam. Lawmakers are calling for an investigation and an immediate reversal of the vote. But the board president says he has no apologies. Frederica Freyberg reports.

9/09/03 – Baiting, Feeding Ban Hits Bow Hunters First

(Undated) A new ban on baiting and feeding deer takes affect on Thursday. The Natural Resources Board approved the emergency rule to prevent the spread of Tuberculosis and Chronic Wasting Disease in the state's deer herd. Gil Halsted has more.

9/09/03 – WI Residents Can Get Cheaper Prescription Drugs

(Undated) Wisconsin how has a store where you can order prescrition drugs from Canada. It's the latest option for consumers who are part of a pricing battle with big drug makers and the Bush Administration. Chuck Quirmbach reports.

9/09/03 – Virtual Schools Opening Up

(Undated) A second virtual charter school is now operating in Wisconsin despite efforts by the state's largest teachers union to stop it. Mary Jo Wagner has more.

9/08/03 – Thousands Attend "Fighting Bob" Fest

(Undated) More than 2,000 people turned out for a festival of progressive politics this weekend in Baraboo. Orgainizers say the large turnout is a sign of the growing public opposition to the policies of the Bush adminsintration. Gil Halsted reports.

9/08/03 – Threats Don't Deter Music File Swapping

(Undated) As school kicks off, campus officials in the UW system are warning students against illegal file sharing of music and movies. Some colleges in Wisconsin are making it harder for students by limiting bandwidth; other colleges around the country are thumbing their nose at a recording industry which wants people to pay for their entertainment. Shamane Mills reports.

9/08/03 – Federal Contracts for Small Biz

(Undated) Business owners who want to get Federal contracts are invited to free training sessions. The classes will help them navigate what can be a confusing process of applying to supply the government with goods and services. As Patty Murray reports, the contracts can translate into profits and jobs in tight economic times.

9/08/03 – WI GOP Reaches Out to Hispanics

(Statewide) A plan by the state Republican party to reach out to Hispanic voters is being called laughable by Democrats. They say the GOP has targeted Hispanics, but witih budget cuts and anti-immigration efforts. Melba Lara reports.

9/06/03 – Big Farms vs. Small Ones

(Undated) A group of farmers from Europe and South America are in Wisconsin this week. They're meeting with family farm groups that oppose the growth of large factory farms. Gil Halsted reports. .

9/06/03 – Counties Crack Down on Deer Feeding

(Manitowoc) Now that there isn't a state ban on baiting and feeding deer, more Wisconsin counties are taking action of their own. Shamane Mills reports.

9/05/03 – Bill Would Protect More Personal Information

(Madison) Using a city of Madison police department web site as an example, a state legislator today, introduced a bill to restrict use of personal information on such internet sites. Frederica Freyberg has details.

9/05/03 – No Air Conditioning for Boscobel Prisoners

(Boscobel) The warden at Wisconsin's toughest prison says the state will not install air conditioning to comply with an inmate law suit. An attorney for the prisoner's says the state is not living up to an agreement it signed almost two years ago to improve conditions at the Boscobel prison. Gil Halsted has more.

9/05/03 – Fire Danger High in WI

(Superior) The Department of Natural Resources has a burning ban in place for much of west-central Wisconsin and a high danger of fire in parts of the rest of Wisconsin. Mike Simonson reports that this drought could have long lasting effects.

9/05/03 – Senate Committee Limits Media Consolidation

(Washington, DC) Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl voted to limit federal rules that would have allowed giant TV station conglomerates.

The senate committee vote comes after Wednesday night's ruling by a federal appeals court to delay new rules allowing a single company to own TV stations reaching 45% of the nation's viewers.

Herb Kohl's vote supported reverting that to 35% as under current rules. Media access advocates applaud the latest developments. Frederica Freyberg reports.

9/05/03 – Worker Overtime in Jeopardy

(Washington, DC) The U-S Labor Department is writing new overtime work regulations that could cut overtime for millions of Americans. But the rules might never go into action. That's because the Senate is debating a measure that would deny the money the Labor Department would need to implement the changes. Patty Murray reports.

9/05/03 – Wider Use of "Bloodless" Medicine

9/05/03 – Report: U.S. Infrastructure Gets a D- Grade

(Undated) The men and women who design roads, airports and bridges say the country's infrastructure is crumbling and Americans are going to have to cough up some cash for repairs and upgrades. Shamane Mills reports.

9/04/03 – Felons Could be Fired Under Proposed Bill

(Madison) Some lawmakers in Wisconsin want to give employers the right to refuse jobs to anyone ever convicted of a felony. The assembly bill under consideration would also allow employers to fire current employees with felony convictions without fear of discrimination lawsuits. Frederica Freyberg has details.

9/04/03 – UW-Madison to Curb Campus Drinking Parties

(Madison) An annual ranking of so-called "party schools" by the Princeton Review slots UW-Madison second. And a survey done on Wisconsin's largest campus showed 62% admit to binge drinking. While that's down from past years, police and campus officials want it much lower. They have a plan to control drinking at house parties, where they say most of the problems start. Shamane Mills reports.

9/04/03 – Study: CWD Spreads Easily

(Statewide) New research shows chronic wasting disease may spread easier than thought among deer and elk. Shamane Mills reports.

9/04/03 – Research Hints at Diabetes Breakthrough

(Madison) Researchers at the University of Wisconsin - Madison have stumbled upon a possible treatment for a common form of diabetes. More work needs to be done to make sure. Terry Bell reports.

9/02/03 – WI Farmer to Protest at W-T-O

(Richland Center) An organic farmer from Wisconsin is one of thousands of people heading to Mexico this week to protest at the meeting of the World Trade Organization. Jim Goodman says current world trade policies are hurting small farmers both here and in the developingg world. Gil Halsted reports.

9/02/03 – 1,200 Jobs to Wausau, Monona, Madison

(Statewide) Wisconsin is getting a little post-Labor Day boon. Three cities are now hiring over a thousand workers to fill two defense contracts landed by a Monona insurance company. Shamane Mills reports.

9/02/03 – Pre-Historic Humans in N-E WI

(Door County) There's new archaeological evidence that pre-historic humans lived in Wisconsin. A dig in Door County could shed light on when the ice age ended. Patty Murray has more.

9/02/03 – Cash Rewards for Student Tips

(Statewide) It's back to school time. In many Wisconsin communities, that means police will be exchanging 50 dollar rewards for tips from kids on drugs and weapons in schools. Some say it's helping keep schools safe. Others say it raises serious concerns. Terry Bell reports.

9/01/03 – Crumbling Dams Will be Torn Down

(Green Bay) Nine river dams in Wisconsin are scheduled to be removed this year. Many of the state’s dams haven’t been used for their intended purposes in years. And some are crumbling apart on their own. Patty Murray reports.

9/01/03 – Soft Economy Hurts B&B's

(Statewide) Americans squeezed by a tight economy and lack of time are shortening vacations or skipping getaways all together. Some bed and breakfasts are finding the economy is serving up lean times. In Wisconsin, many northern vacation venues are hoping to make up for a relatively snowless winter. Shamane Mills reports.

9/01/03 – Ladysmith Remembers Tornado

(Ladysmith) It was a year ago today a tornado struck the downtown in Ladysmith. It's been a somewhat stormy recovery period but the community is preparing for a big block party. Mary Jo Wagner has more.

9/01/03 – Expect Hot Air Over Gas Tax

(Statewide) Just in time for Labor Day, there's a new report showing the recession is hitting men and African Americans very hard. The Center on Wisconsin Stragegy is out with its "Working in Wisconsin" report. Patty Murray has more.

9/01/03 – Expect Hot Air Over Gas Tax

(Madison) A proposal to stop the automatic increase in Wisconsin's gas tax is expected to come up for an initial vote this month. The issue has come before lawmakers in the past, but they've never found the need -- or had the will -- to cut off money often used for road projects. Shamane Mills reports.

9/01/03 – We Love Our Gas Guzzlers

(Madison) Rising gas prices don't seem to be dousing America's love affair with gas-guzzling trucks and S-U-V's. In fact, some drivers say gas would have to reach three...or even four...dollars a gallon in order for them to consider buying more fuel-efficient cars. Experts in Wisconsin say they're not surprised. Terry Bell reports...

9/01/03 – Race and Bully Lessons

(Ashland) One Wisconsin college and two school districts are getting a lesson in handling bullies and race relations. Mike Simonson reports on a training effort by the Chicago-based Anti-Defamation League.