Two Wisconsin residents will leave for Iraq tomorrow/ today to join an ongoing peace mission. They plan to meet with both Iraqi citizen groups and members of the U-S military. Gil Halsted has more...

The Oneida tribe plans to open the first casino off-track betting parlor in the state. It's one of several new gambling options tribes can offer now, thanks to new gaming compacts signed last year. But pending court cases place the future of those compacts in some doubt. Gil Halsted reports...

President George W. Bush brought a positive economic message to Appleton on Tuesday. He spoke before an invited audience of business owners and state Republicans. The President said there are signs the economy is turning around. But protestors lining the streets of Appleton weren't buying the "good news." Patty Murray has more…

Some community leaders near the Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant want to see the federal government approve a re-licensing plan for the facility. Tonight (W), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a meeting on a re-licensing application. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

People with disabilities will soon have on-demand access to taxicabs in Madison. Union Cab volunteered to provide the service and the City Council will vote tonight on a proposal to formalize this new step. Mathilde Riffault has more…

The legality of Indian casinos in Wisconsin is still up in the air. The State Supreme Court has deadlocked on a lawsuit brought by Dairyland Greyhound Park. The Court of Appeals now has the case and plaintiffs plan to proceed. Shamane Mills reports…

The Wisconsin Hospital Association has launched a new website that gives information on the quality and safety that hospitals feel they provide to their patients. Steve Roisum reports…

The Fox Valley is gearing up for a visit today (T) from the Commander-in-Chief. President George W. Bush is expected to deliver a speech on the economy during a visit to Appleton. His message is expected to be that the economy is getting better. Patty Murray has more…

Milwaukee Mayor Marvin Pratt says he'll pay a fine to cover allegations of election law violations. He says he now hopes to get voters focused on other issues...and defeat challenger Tom Barrett in next Tuesday's mayoral election. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

A team of students at UW-Oshkosh have spent much of the last year studying a polio outbreak that happened in the Fox River Valley in the 19-50's. Two of the students will present their findings at the U-S Capitol next month (April). As Patty Murray reports, the trip is meant to point out the value of research that's done at the undergraduate level…

The state natural resources department has some preliminary numbers from its new call line. Calls are averaging three a day; most pertain to chronic wasting disease and deer baiting . Shamane Mills reports…

There's a move in Congress to limit the amount of casino revenues Indian tribes can give to state governments. The goal is to prevent states from transforming casino fees into a tax on tribal governments. Most tribal leaders support the proposal. But it's not likely to have much of an impact on Wisconsin. Gil Halsted reports…

Outsourcing has been blamed for lost jobs across the nation and also in Wisconsin. But a UW business professor says the practice of moving operations where labor is cheap is not as prevalent or harmful as many believe. Shamane Mills reports…

Wisconsin's trade delegation is in the middle of its tour through China. Governor Doyle and two business officials checked in with state reporters this morning. They're reporting more deals between Wisconsin businesses and the Chinese. Patty Murray reports…

The U.S. Supreme Court has made a ruling that could limit phone and high speed internet choices for rural residents. The case involves a Missouri law, which prohibits municipalities from offering telecommunication services. Wisconsin lawmakers have passed a similar, but less restrictive bill. It's up to Governor Jim Doyle as to whether or not it will become law. Shamane Mills reports…

The German Ambassador to the U.S. is in Wisconsin today, (F) saying relations between the two countries are improving. But he says Spain and other European nations are not running away from terrorism. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says people who live in the woods should learn how to protect their property from forest fires. The DNR is sponsoring a workshop that teaches homeowners simple ways to reduce the risk of causing and spreading forest fires. Patty Murray reports…

A bus tour that includes people who’ve lost their jobs in the past couple of years is called a political stunt by some. But for those involved---it’s a statement. Sandra Harris reports…

A Latvian professor from UW-Eau Claire is on center state in New York for tonight's opening of the first-ever traveling exhibition at the United Nations. Mary Jo Wagner has more…

Opponents of nuclear power in Wisconsin are observing the 25th anniversary of the worst nuclear power plant accident in the country. At a rally on the U-W Madison campus on Thursday speakers linked the Three Mile Island disaster of 1979 to their goal of replacing Wisconsin's two nuclear plants with safer renewable energy. Gil Halsted prepared this report…

A group of sexual abuse victims has changed its request for the release of names of known clergy sex offenders. The change is part of a plan to re-start negotiations with the Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

For just the fourth time in state history, a species is coming off a list of threatened and endangered wildlife. The department of natural resources board has recommended to state lawmakers that the Grey wolf is no longer a threatened species in Wisconsin. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

In spite of many gains over the years, the state of Black America is on "shaky ground". That's according to a new report by the Urban League. Leaders say that conditions for African-Americans in Wisconsin are even worse. Terry Bell reports…

State political parties across the nation raised more than 800-million in the elections two years ago. That's even more than what they collected during the presidential race in 2000. The figures come from the Center for Public Integrity, which has released a report called "Who Pulls the Policial Strings in the 50 states". Shamane Mills reports…

The state ethics board has made a decision about the attorney general's use of a state vehicle. But board officials are being tight lipped about whether or not Peg Lautenschager violated any rules. Shamane Mills reports…

Renewed fighting in the mountainous jungles of Laos has prompted Wisconsin's two U-S Senators to urge the United Nations to get involved. That call for intervention is also coming from Hmong immigrant groups in the Midwest. Gil Halsted has more…

A controversial state law called the Job Creation Act flows into the natural resource arena today (W). The DNR Board wlll discuss a proposed emergency order that tries to speed waterway construction permits, but also aims to protect lakes and rivers. Chuck Quirmbach reports …

U-W Madison earns a million dollars a year from licensing agreements with companies that make clothing that carry the U-W logo. Improving working conditions for the people who make the official Badger apparel is the focus of a conference that begins Wednesday in Madison. Gil Halsted reports…

Wisconsin ranks 16th in exports to China. But more goods are coming into the United States from China than going out from states like Wisconsin. Governor Doyle is trying to narrow that trade imbalance by leading the biggest foreign trade delegation in Wisconsin's history. Shamane Mills reports…

The head of the state's natural resources department says more money will be needed to fight a fatal brain disease in whitetail deer. But at least one lawmaker says too much is being spent now and he doesn't like the fact that most of its coming from sporting fees. Shamane Mills reports…

The DNR Board may vote Wednesday on taking the grey wolf off the list of threatened species. But the wolf would still have SOME special protections. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

The top official with the U-S Small Business Administration met with executives in Green Bay yesterday (M), to find out what they think are the biggest issues facing their companies. The politically hot issue of "outsourcing" American jobs overseas was the first thing to be brought up. Patty Murray reports…

The federal Food and Drug Administration is asking the makers of ten anti-depressant drugs to warn patients and their caregivers that such medication could possibly be linked to suicide. The F-D-A's public health advisory also says that depressed patients on medication should be closely monitored, especially during dose changes or the start of treatment. Shamane Mills reports…

Opponents of a power line project between Duluth and Wausau may have found a new way to slow the construction process. The tactic involves adding many more landowners to the powerline's potential right-of-way. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

The Milwaukee Hunger Task Force says the federal government is wasting surplus dry milk by refusing to approve a plan to make the milk into cheese to feed the hungry. But a U-W milk marketing expert says despite its good intentions, the plan could do more harm than good. Gil Halsted reports …

The Army wants to burn some buildings at a former ammunition plant near Baraboo. But this week, more than sixty groups and citizens have asked the Environmental Protection Agency to reject the Army's proposal. Chuck Quirmbach reports this may be a precedent-setting case in the release of harmful compounds known as P-C-B'S…

Some are hoping to clean up a blight on landscape and remove a thorn in the side of retailers side with drastically increased fines for shopping cart theft. Critics say changing the law is unnecessary; and that retailers should protect their property better. Supporters of the new 500-dollar fine hope it will curb organized cart theft, which they say is occurring in larger cities. Shamane Mills reports…

It's no secret that declining enrollment is hurting many rural school districts. What's not so obvious is what to do about it. Mary Jo Wagner has more…

Bankruptcies in Wisconsin are more numerous than ever. This trend mirrors a national increase. Creditors are alarmed, saying that people are becoming more inclined to test the limits of their finances. Mathilde Riffault talked to several people who are feeling that financial pinch. She prepared this report…

Leaders of a suburban Milwaukee church are working to bring home the bodies of two former Wisconsin missionaries. Warren and Donna Pett were shot to death in Uganda last week. Chuck Quirmbach reports that the church doesn't plan to change its policy of sending people overseas…

Biologists from the Department of Natural Resources are alarmed by reports of people feeding wolves. They warn that can be dangerous. Mary Jo Wagner has more…

The appeals court considering a lawsuit brought against the state's first virtual school has taken a pass. The fourth district court of appeals believes the issue should be decided by the state Supreme Court instead. Shamane Mills reports…

On Saturday, peace activists will mark the one year anniversary of the war in Iraq with rallies around the country including several in Wisconsin. Organizers say their goal is to encourage people to question U-S policy in Iraq and seek a peaceful solution to the conflict. But some family members of soldiers serving there would like to see more focus on the positive aspects of the war. Gil Halsted reports…

Some of the three dozen migrating whooping cranes that winter in Florida have begun their spring flight to Wisconsin. More cranes are expected to fly north within the next few weeks. Wildlife officials put together that experimental migrating flock for the Eastern U-S. , in case something happens to the only other migrating flock of whoopers, which winters in Texas and spends summers in western Canada. Scientists say there are several potential threats to the western birds. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

Madison is on track to become the first midwestern city to enact its own minimum wage. A big hurdle was removed when Governor Doyle vetoed legislation which would have prevented that. Supporters say they are "thrilled". Critics are hoping to water down the Madison measure before a vote is taken by the Common Council at the end of the month. Shamane Mills reports…

A contingent of Wisconsin business owners and government officials is flying to China this week. The country is one of the state’s largest export markets. It’s the largest Wisconsin trade mission ever, and one of the biggest U-S business groups to go to China. Patty Murray reports…

A 150 pound black bear is hibernating in a tree around the Chippewa Flowage of northern Wisconsin. Mike Simonson reports that it's only the second time the Department of Natural Resources has had a report of a bear snoozing in the air. The DNR also reminds people that it is illegal…and probably not smart…to disturb a hibernating bear.…

A Menominee woman who couldn't get birth control she wanted because of the religious objections of her pharmacist, would be able to do so under a proposed change in law. Shamane Mills reports…

A bill aimed at improving financial accountability for the Milwaukee school voucher program is now law. But Governor Doyle has vetoed another measure about hiring at voucher schools. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

The third attempt in as many years to pass a state law that could soften what some consider harsh drug sentences, has failed. The program would offer non-violent inmates a chance for drug or alcohol treatment instead of prison. Shamane Mills reports…

A bill aimed at reducing Wisconsin's prison population could come up for a vote today (Tue). It would allow county courts to sentence nonviolent drug offenders to treatment instead of prison. Gil Halsted has more…

Some La Crosse county seniors say doctors are refusing to write them prescriptions when they tell them they’re planning to order drugs from Canada. Sandra Harris reports…

There's concern in Wisconsin about an education agreement with Minnesota. State lawmakers and education officials there want to hike tuition rates for Wisconsin students participating in the 35-year old reciprocity program. Shamane Mills reports…

A modest upswing in hiring is forecast for Wisconsin over the next three months. That's from the latest employer survey conducted by the Milwaukee based temporary services firm Manpower, Incorporated. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

Wisconsin's senior member of Congress will face a challenge from a young northern Wisconsin businessman. Mike Simonson reports from Superior…

A critic of Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Diane Sykes may not have given up on blocking her nomination to a federal appeals court. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

Following a long night debating a constitutional ban on gay marriage, short-tempered state senators got into a heated discussion about an issue they said they wanted to take up this session, but never did: campaign finance reform. Shamane Mills reports…

The state of Wisconsin is out of a nationwide information program almost as soon as it got involved. Sandra Harris reports…

The state senate approved a bill today that would require Wisconsin clergy to report suspected cases of sexual abuse to authorities. The senate approved the bill on a voice vote, after the assembly amended the measure to require clergy to report any suspected case of sexual abuse. As clergy abuse victims wait for the bill to be signed by the governor and become law, they say they'll push for more rights in a mediation process with Milwaukee's Catholic Archbishop. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

A Federal Commerce Department Official was handing out checks in Wisconsin today. Two communities--one in far Northern Wisconsin and one in the South--will split almost 2-and-a-half million dollars so they can build new business parks. Patty Murray has more…

Governor Jim Doyle is keeping his cards close to the vest on the minimum wage issue. The governor isn't saying if he will sign or veto a law that would prevent the city of Madison and other local governments from setting their own floor for worker pay. Shamane Mills reports…

The state Senate has approved a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage . After ten hours of debate, and 12 efforts to amend the measure, it passed 20 to 13. Gil Halsted reports…

Coming up a week from Saturday, Ripon is holding a celebration marking the 150th anniversay of the Republican Party. Ripon is recognized by many as the birthplace of the GOP. But not everyone holds that view. As Terry Bell reports, a handful of communities around the country claim that distinction…

Attempts to tighten up seat belt enforcement in Wisconsin have stalled. A bill allowing officers to pull over drivers solely on the basis of seat belt use has failed to pass the state assembly. Shamane Mills reports…

A proposed ethanol plan for a Juneau County community could mean more jobs and economic development. Sandra Harris reports…

The state senate has added its weight to a national debate about the cost of obesity. It, like the assembly, has passed a bill providing immunity to food manufacturers who might be sued for causing weight gain in consumers who buy their products or eat at their restaurants. Shamane Mills reports…

Wisconsin legislative leaders in the Republican controlled Assembly and Senate say negotiations should continue on campaign finance reform. And they're promising colleagues who crafted a recently rejected proposal that any new bipartisan bill could be considered yet this year. However critics question the timing and the sincerity of those promises. Shamane Mills reports…

As the price of a gallon of gas goes up...so do worries about people driving away from the pump without paying. Wisconsin has just increased its penalties for drive-off theft, but it may not be enough to deter some, as gas could reach two dollars a gallon this summer. Terry Bell reports…

The state senate has added its weight to a national debate about the cost of obesity. It, like the assembly, has passed a bill providing immunity to food manufacturers who might be sued for causing weight gain in consumers who buy their products or eat at their restaurants. Shamane Mills reports…

New figures from the Department of Transportation show drinking and driving is a pervasive problem in Wisconsin. Impaired drivers are responsible for more than one-third of fatal crashes. Patty Murray reports…

A former British diplomat on the lecture circuit says American expectations for Iraq are setting people up for a big disappointment, even if democracy takes hold there. Mike Simonson reports from Superior…

Wisconsin scientists and politicians are teaming up to call for a change in the Bush Administration's policy on stem cell research. At a news conference in Madison yesterday (M), U-W researcher James Thomson and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin both called for an end to the funding limits. Gil Halsted reports…

About seventy clergy abuse victims and the Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese have broken off mediation about abuse cases. The breakdown comes as state lawmakers are debating a clergy bill that victims say is too weak. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

New groundwater protections sought after a water bottling plant attempted to locate in Wisconsin will likely be voted on this week by the legislature. One of final steps for floor action was approval by the Joint Finance Committee. The senate natural resources committee also gave its okay, in a 5-0 vote. Shamane Mills reports…

Governor Doyle's new proposal for voucher and public schools may not get on the legislativ fast-track, and one analyst says he's not surprised. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

As state legislators try to enact a constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage---members of congress are trying to do the same at the federal level. But a western Wisconsin congressman and an expert on constitutional law doubt an amendment to the u.s. constitution will pass. Sandra Harris reports…

Jean Nicolet is an important figure from Wisconsin's distant past. Now a statue of the explorer is facing an uncertain future in Brown County. The Department of Transportation is closing the wayside where the statue overlooks the spot on Green Bay where Nicolet is supposed to have landed in 1634...possibly making him the first European to set foot in Wisconsin. As Patty Murray reports, the D-O-T says it wants the statue to stay put…

Thousands of customer service phone answering jobs have been shipped overseas. A bill pending in Congress is meant to highlight that fact. It would require operators in all call centers to tell customers where they're located. Gil Halsted Reports…

Some clergy abuse victims are trying to get G-O-P lawmakers to strengthen a sexual abuse bill that may be on its way to final legislative passage this week. Yesterday, (SUN) a victims group handed out fliers at Catholic churches in Republican neighborhoods across parts of the state. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

A proposal to amend the state constitution to ban same sex marriage in Wisconsin has cleared its first hurdle. After a marathon debate that lasted through the night the state assembly approved the amendment this morning. Now supporters and opponents are gearing for another debate when the state Senate takes it up next week. Gil Halsted reports…

Business is booming for many organic farmers in Wisconsin. But that's not the case for many small conventional family farms. A benefit planned for this weekend is aimed at sharing the wealth. Gil Halsted has more…

Before the state assembly approved a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage they got an earful of advice. Shamane Mills reports…

Wisconsin's Green Party members will hold caucuses this month to pick their Presidential candidate. News that Ralph Nader is running as an independent this year has overshadowed the fact that there are seven other candidates running for President on the third party ticket. Patty Murray reports…

Most of you who watch commercial television are seeing new political ads from President Bush and a left-of-center group called MoveOn-dot-org. A Wisconsin political scientist says there are many more commercials to come over the next eight months. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

A "breakthrough" on campaign finance reform has become a "breakdown". What started as a bi-partisan bill eventually broke apart along party lines. Shamane Mills reports…

The large American flagpole outside an adult entertainment business near Eau Claire is TOO high, according to county officials. The owners say they'll use the constitution to keep it up...and flying. Mary Jo Wagner has more…

A new report shows state and federal budget cuts have hurt Wisconsin's Job Centers. It shows services have been cut at a time when layoffs are causing more people to look for help finding a new job. Patty Murray has more…

A title can make all the difference in pay. And home care workers are worried about a bill that would label them "companions". That would prevent them from getting overtime pay. Lawmakers who want the change hope to rein in home health care costs and keep the elderly out of nursing homes. Home care workers say eliminating overtime is unfair. Shamane Mills reports…

Native American leaders meeting in Madison this week are praising Governor Doyle for signing an executive order that calls for more cooperation between the state and tribal governments. One area where the tribes would like to see improvement is in the way the state prison system deals with Native American inmates. Gil Halsted reports…

Usually when politicans talk about cutting fat from government it refers to programs they consider pork. But the emphasis at the capitol on Wednesday was on trimming the fat on PEOPLE so health care costs might go down. Shamane Mills reports…

One of Wisconsin's key agricultural products has been taking a real mashing lately. The Atkins Diet, and other popular high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets have given the potato a bad name. Now, potato growers are striking back. Terry Bell reports…

Assembly Democrats concerned over proposed restrictions on reproductive health care are trying to counter what they call extremist positions in the Republican-controlled legislature. Shamane Mills reports…

An Aldo Leopold Weekend has been created, under a bill Governor Doyle signed into on Tuesday. Some backers are hoping that people will honor Leopold's land preservation ethic for more than 48 hours. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

You won't find it on the "new release shelf" but the video of the Attorney General's arrest last week did make a brief appearance on the websites of several news organizations. The Dodge County Sheriff's Department sold 13 copies of the police video of Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager's arrest for drunk driving last week. It's one of several official documents about the arrest relased under the state's open records law. Gil Halsted reports…

Today (M), a gay rights group handed out "fidelity pledges" to state lawmakers opposed to gay unions. Members of Action Wisconsin hope to counter arguments of some conservative lawmakers who contend a Constitutional ban on gay marriage is needed to "protect" the institution from people they believe are not serious about committed relationships. Action Wisconsin also boycotted a public hearing on the proposed amendment. Members who say their views are being ignored taped their mouths shut to graphically illustrate their point. Shamane Mills reports…

The legislature could vote this session on a sweeping new law to regulate ground water use in the state. At a hearing today/ yesterday environmental groups said the bill doesn't protect all the streams and springs it needs to, and industry groups said the bill goes too far in restricting new high capacity wells. Gil Halsted has more…

A Midwest advocate for wind energy says Wisconsin needs to improve its transmission system for renewable electricity. But opponents of a plan to build the state's largest wind farm say the public must be kept informed about wind projects. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

Governor Jim Doyle promised to try and raise Wisconsin's minimum wage as part of his economic development plan. The advisory council he appointed is reccomending a two tier wage, with a top rate of 6-dollars, 50-cents. Shamane Mills reports…

A Wisconsin woman is one of more than 70 Peace Corps volunteers forced to flee Haiti last week. The 23-year old Tomahawk native had to drop her work on building a clean water supply system for a remote village when the political violence broke out. Gil Halsted reports…

The Ho Chunk tribe isn't happy with the latest plan for dividing up the land at the former Badger Army ammunition plant near Baraboo. The tribe has refused to sign a cooperative land management agreement until it's guaranteed a larger chunk of the seven-thousand-acre site. Gil Halsted has more…

Organics have long been considered the province of the small family farmer…but some think that must change. Sandra Harris reports…

The increased use of cell phones has boosted the number of complaints from customers angry over certain billing practices. Now, Wisconsin, like Illinois and some other states, is considering whether to impose new rules on cell phone providers. There haven't been many regulations on wireless companies since 1996 because of changes to the federal telecommunications law. Industry officials say that's a good thing for consumers, but a state lawmaker thinks consumers are getting ripped off. Shamane Mills reports…

A 1980’s regulation prohibiting motorized vehicles from coming within a quarter mile of the Apostle Islands is causing the fur to fly up north. Tom Mahlen reports that winter anglers are upset with the National Park Service…