A mother's work is never done…..and according to Salary-dot-com, that kind of job values out to 130-thousand dollars’ annually…right up there with many corporate attorneys and U-S senators. Anneli Radestad reviews the price tag to parenthood, with several stay-at-home moms, in today’s feature...

50-thousand people in Wisconsin are due for a pay raise Wednesday (June 1). That's when Wisconsin's new minimum wage takes effect. Terry Bell reports...

Environmentalists continue to criticize a proposal that would make it easier for companies to obtain air emissions permits in Wisconsin. But supporters... including the state's own air quality office... say those concerns are unfounded. Shawn Johnson reports...

There’s a trial this week in Madison over the Gilson adjustable pipette. That’s the syringe-like tool you used in high school science class to dispense precise amounts of liquids --- the case will decide precisely who reaps millions of dollars in pipette profits. Brian Bull reports...

A Madison legislator wants the state to penalize companies that ship jobs overseas. Democrat Therese Berceau says her Job Retention Act would create an on-line list of what she calls "Benedict Arnold" businesses. Gil Halsted reports...

A Fox Valley group is launching a summer-long campaign to raise money for the Fox Locks. The “Friends of the Fox” need 6-million dollars to open the 150-year old navigational system on the Fox River. Patty Murray reports...

It's now up to state lawmakers to consider a proposal that would let Wisconsin landfills expand. As Shawn Johnson reports... the idea is on hold for the time being...

A central Wisconsin city has quickly replaced a speed limit sign the courts ruled was too small...with one that's regulation size. A motorist caught speeding convinced the court of appeals that he shouldn't be ticketed because highway rules say traffic signs should be a standard size. Shamane Mills reports...

Wisconsin’s Ethanol-makers are using a big travel weekend to point out the benefits of the corn based fuel. They say ethanol is cheaper than regular gasoline…and gives farmers a market to sell corn. But others say ethanol isn’t all it’s cracked out to be. Patty Murray reports...

The E-P-A has given its first ''rain garden" grant in Wisconsin... while the agency says it remains hopeful billions more gallons of polluted water won't flow into Lake Michigan. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

Supporters of CAFTA, the new free trade pact with Central America plan an intensive lobbying effort while Congress members are home for the Memorial Day Holiday. The Wisconsin delegation is split along party lines with Democrats opposing it. But some Republicans haven't locked in their votes yet. Gil Halsted has more...

In Waukesha county, officials are still contending with one of the largest recorded cases of animal neglect. Roughly 250 cats, with more than five dozen dead, were taken from an Ottawa home recently. The case is a textbook example of an increasingly troubling behaviour known as "animal hoarding". Brian Bull reports...

Two UW-Eau Claire staff members not only talk about finding peaceful solutions to conflict but they’re putting their philosophy to work in Sri Lanka. Mary Jo Wagner reports...

Democrats in the state legislature are offering a new property tax relief plan. But Republicans say they won't support it becuase it raises corporate taxes and will lead to job losses. Gil Halsted reports...

Critics says there will be more unplanned pregnancies if campus health services in the UW system are prevented from advertising or dispensing emergency contraception. But supporters of such a law say the UW should be focusing on education, not family planning. Shamane Mills reports...

Kids who are 12 years old and younger would have to wear a lifejacket on most boats under a measure being considered by a State Senate panel. Shawn Johnson reports...

Governor Doyle says he wants to expand a faith-based program that helps ex-prisoners find work. He toured the Word of Hope Ministries center in Milwaukee yesterday calling it a model for rehabilitating former offenders. Gil Halsted reports...

The Army ROTC may yet be able to establish a program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie. UW officials re-opened the issue this week, after the campus' top leader turned the program away. Terry Bell reports...

Despite brand piracy in China and heavy competition from Canada, a representative of Wisconsin's gingseng industry says growers have much to look forward to. Brian Bull reports...

Researchers are always looking for creative ways to help young people quit smoking. Mary Jo Wagner reports on a new project in Eau Claire...

A proposal to extend state health care benefits to foster kids until they're 21 is off the table for now. Shawn Johnson reports...

Lawmakers last night (5/25) largely sided with Governor Jim Doyle's plan to move more people out of nursing homes and into community settings. Meanwhile, they chopped several new economic development projects Doyle had proposed in his budget. Shawn Johnson reports...

The fire that burned near Big Flats this month left thousands of acres of dead and damaged trees. Wildlife officials are urging landowners to clean up their property, to head off additional problems. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

The man accused of letting mink loose in Wisconsin and two other states entered innocent pleas during his first court appearance yesterday (5/24) in Federal court in Madison. Animal activists turned out to support Peter Daniel Young, who was on the lam for seven years before being caught shoplifting CD's in California. Shamane Mills reports...

A record number of Wisconsin gamblers are reaching out for help. The Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling says monthly calls to its helpline have broken the one-thousand mark for the first time in its nine year history. Patty Murray reports...

Wisconsin's 11 Indian tribes have signed a historic partnership agreement with the State Department of Transportation. Department secretary Frank Bussalacchi calls it a model for future agreements between tribes and other state agencies. Gil Halsted reports...

Energy companies and business groups told lawmakers yesterday (5/24) that the state should have the final call when it comes to siting major power lines. The idea stems from a proposed high-voltage line in northern Wisconsin that would connect to the national power grid. Shawn Johnson reports...

Milwaukee's police chief has fired eight more white officers, for their conduct at a party where a bi-racial Fox Valley man was severely beaten. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

Development along Wisconsin lakes and rivers is expected to rise sharply over the next few years. So, the DNR says it's time to update state standards for shoreland zoning ordinances. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

Certain Internet purchases would remain tax free under a measure approved by the legislature's budget committee last night (5/24). Shawn Johnson reports...

Computerized medication systems for hospitals are designed to increase patient safety and reduce medical malpratice claims. However a study at one of the most technically-advanced hospitals shows there still can be a high number of medical errors. Shamane Mills reports...

The legislature's budget committee yesterday (5/23) vote 13 to 3 to reject the governor's plan to spend one million dollars to provide domestic partner benefits for UW-system emplyees. Gil Halsted reports...

Two state lawmakers want the DNR to go after a bird they say is hurting the supply of yellow perch in Lake Michigan. They say the Double-crested Cormorant is chowing down on the fish that’s a staple of Friday night Fish Fries. But at least one wildlife expert says if yellow perch are declining it’s not the bird’s fault. Patty Murray reports...

Managers of Culvers fast food restaurants have found a way to kick the fossil fuel habit. With the help of a state bio-fuels grant many of them may soon begin piping the used oil from their French fry vats directly into their cars. Gil Halsted reports...

Democrats are touring early childhood centers and criticizing last week's Republican vote to curtail spending on the W-2 program. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

A decade ago former Governor Tommy Thompson signed into law a cap on malpractice lawsuits in Wisconsin. Critics of the limit say it's done nothing to stem the rising cost of health care in that time. Shawn Johnson reports...

A benefit concert (5/29)is being organized for the victims and families of Minnesota's Red Lake High School shootings. The Memorial Day weekend event will take place in Minneapolis, and will feature many prominent Native American musicians, including one from Wisconsin. Brian Bull reports...

The National Wildlife Federation is criticizing Congress for not extending the ban on Great Lakes drilling for oil and gas. But one petroleum geologist thinks some drilling is needed. Mike Simonson reports...

If you see a member of the local fire department standing on the side of the highway today (5/20), they are not lost but they are looking for something. Nick Pelletier reports...

Efforts to build a new casino/resort/marina/hotel complex by one of the state's poorest tribes have apparently collapsed. Mike Simonson reports...

Charities sometimes come under fire for how they spend their money. And they occasionally get criticized for where they spend donations. National charities say not every community may get money but all have access to services paid for by donors. Shamane Mills reports...

President Bush's Social Security overhaul tour made its first stop in Wisconsin yesterday (5/19). The president met with an invited group of people at an event in Milwaukee. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

As high schools and colleges hand out diplomas this month a unique group of students and their teachers are also getting recognition for their accomplishments. Gil Halsted reports...

Republicans on the legislature's budget committee last night (5/19) cut 24 million dollars in new programs the governor had proposed for Wisconsin's welfare to work program. Shawn Johnson reports...

An anti-terrorism bill now headed for the floor of the state assembly would require anyone applying for a drivers license to prove they're in the country legally. If it's passed it will bring Wisconsin in compliance with a new federal driver's license mandate. But opponents say it will do more harm than good. Gil Halsted reports...

Cremation is becoming more common. That's why a Wisconsin lawmaker wants regulation. But the proposed law concerns an organization for gays and lesbians. They worry they'll be shut out of final decisions for a loved one who has passed away. Shamane Mills reports...

A national program on southeast Asian cultures says its Hmong language courses are growing in popularity. While the Upper Midwest has seen thousands of new immigrants from Laos and Thailand pour in during the last year, a program coordinator says most participants are actually first-generation Hmong-Americans. Brian Bull reports...

Wisconsin prison guards say medical privacy laws are making their jobs more dangerous. During a hearing yesterday a group of guards called on the legislature to pass a bill requiring that they be informed about any infectious diseases inmates may have. Gil Halsted reports...

The company developing a statewide voter registration database wants some changes in its state contract. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

A plan in the works at the state capitol would take local governments out of the picture when it comes to choosing sites for high-voltage power lines. Shawn Johnson reports...

Wisconsin’s first lighthouse is one step closer to being fully renovated. The Friends of Rock Island State Park adopted the Pottawatomie Lighthouse about ten years ago and have been restoring it ever since. Last week the group gave the lighthouse its light back…by installing a reproduction lens in the tower. Patty Murray reports...

Opponents are trying to kill a bill touted by anti-abortion groups as a way to protect life. The proposal would allow pharmacists not to dispense birth control based on personal beliefs. They could also refuse pills used for the currently illegal practice of assisted suicide and euthanasia. Shamane Mills reports...

The legislature's budget committee has rejected Governor Jim Doyle's plan to use money from a fund for injured patients to pay the state's bills. Shawn Johnson reports...

A Republican state legislator is expanding his effort to bar progams that offer low interest home loans to undocumented workers. But supporters of the loans say they only go to immigrants with solid work records who are already paying taxes. Gil Halsted reports...

Environmental groups and the State Realtors Association aren't often on the same side in state funding battles. But they're allies in the fight to save the state's Smart Growth Law. Gil Halsted reports...

Another lawsuit charges the Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese with fraud for the way the church allegedly moved around an abusive priest. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

State officials are reviewing allegations that a Milwaukee pharmacist working at Walgreens refused to give a woman emergency contraception. Today (5/17) a senate commitee will consider legal protections for pharmacists who don't want to fill birth control prescriptions. Planned Parenthood says that's wrong and is taking out full page newspaper ads to convince Walgreens and the public to do something to stop the practice. Shamane Mills reports...

A state Assembly measure would require all motorists to carry some form of auto insurance. History suggests the plan faces an uphill battle at the Capitol. Shawn Johnson reports...

As Wisconsin and other states consider whether to raise the tax on cigarettes, a medical journal is asking countries around the world to go one step further, with hefty increases on a regular basis. The suggestion comes as state lawmakers get ready to formally unveil a proposal this week which would raise the cigarette tax by a buck a pack. Shamane Mills reports...

Graduation fever is hitting schools across the land, often with so-called "Senior Skip Days" where seniors skip classes for beer parties and similar events. One state school district is trying to avoid the pitfalls of seniors partying and drinking and driving, by sponsoring an official "Senior Skip Day". Mike Simonson reports...

A dispute between those who drive all terrain vehicles and those who don’t want to share the same space with them is “revved’ up in Polk County. Mary Jo Wagner reports...

Several hundred executives will meet in Milwaukee Tuesday to learn ways to develop more innovative products. A national author and expert says the best way to combat overseas competition is for American factory owners to find niche markets. Patty Murray reports...

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress has dropped a controversial proposal that would have let hunters shoot feral cats. The decision comes after a month of heated debate between supporters and animal rights advocates. Brian Bull reports...

Conservation groups want the FCC to be more careful about allowing the building of communications towers. The groups say the fate of millions of migratory birds may be at stake. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

A UW-Madison researcher doing a study on the safety of Tasers says he knew an advisor he chose to help him had ties to the stun gun company. That advisor is no longer part of the research project. Shamane Mills reports...

A military base near Sparta is on the Pentagon's list for realignment, which means several hundred military jobs will be cut. But the jobloss at the base may not be as bad as it first seems. Steve Roisum reports...

Two Democratic congressmen are calling for an investigation into the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Wisconsin Congressman Dave Obey says new leadership may be breaking federal law by trying to bring more conservative programs on public television. Mike Simonson reports...

The military base closing list relased today would result in the loss of 35 jobs in Madison and several hundred elsewhere in the state. Gil Halsted reports...

An Air Force reserve base in Milwaukee that has about 2,000 members or workers is on the Pentagon's recommended list of base closings. But a slew of Wisconsin politicians is promising to try and save the 440th Airlift Wing. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

A member of the legislature's powerful Joint Finance Committee would like to see some consolidation of two year and four year campuses. But now, Representative Scott Jensen says combining four year institutions might also make sense - even if the campuses are in different states. Mike Simonson reports...

The state could save money, and treat prisoners more humanely if it coverted part of the former Supermax in Boscobel into a standard maximum security prison. That's the proposal of the federal monitor who ovsersees the terms of a lawsuit Bocobel inmates won 3 years ago against the state. Gil Halsted reports...

It's been decades since Wisconsin's drinking age was lower than the rest of the country. Some state lawmakers want to lower it again, but only for members of the military. Shawn Johnson reports...

State Senate Republicans have again revived a proposal that would have people show photo ID's when they vote. While it appears headed for a veto, Governor Jim Doyle hinted for the first time that he'd support the plan in another form. Shawn Johnson reports...

The French ambassador to the United States gave a public talk on the UW-Madison campus yesterday. He said relations between the two coutries are improving, despite past disagreements over the war in Iraq. Gil Halsted reports...

The list of U.S. military bases to be closed is slated to be released this morning. Sandra Harris reports...

The state Capitol belongs to everyone in Wisconsin. But people could never take home items they admired. Until now. Items replaced during the capitol restoration are being sold in a unique sale this weekend. Shamane Mills reports...

Today (5/12) the state Senate is expected to pass a bill preventing local wages which exceed the state's hourly minimum. This would wipe out recent hikes for workers in three Wisconsin cities, but may pave the way for a higher state minimum wage. Shamane Mills reports...

People in Wisconsin are in tune with the rest of the nation when it comes to how they view President Bush's job performance. Just over half gave the president a positive approval rating in the Wisconsin Public Radio & Saint Norbert College Survey released this week. Gil Halsted reports...

A recent poll finds most people in Wisconsin DON'T like the way President Bush is handling Social Security. But a little more than half DO like his proposal to allow private retirement accounts for younger workers. Gil Halsted has more results from the Wisconsin Public Radio Saint Norbert College Survey...

A new poll finds most people in Wisconsin think abortion is morally wrong. But a majority also want to it keep it legal in certain circumstances. Gil Halsted has more on results from the Wisconsin Public Radio Saint Norbert College survey...

Marquette University is probably again changing the nickname for its sports teams. But the school says it won't go back to the name Warriors. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

Republicans in the state Senate told the Governor yesterday (5/11) that they want him to replace one of his appointments to the Department of Natural Resources Board. Democrats say the dispute is over Jonathan Ela's history with a major environmental group. Shawn Johnson reports...

The legislature's budget committee has scrapped a state program that requires counties to develop plans for growth. Shawn Johnson reports...

Families who lost their homes in last week's forest fire in Adams County may get help from Wisconsin state government. Terry Bell reports...

Ask anyone who does their own taxes: government paperwork can be daunting. In the next couple of weeks, letters about the new Medicare drug benefit will arrive in the mailboxes of seniors who may be eligible for a subsidy. So Medicare experts want to be ready to help Wisconsin's elderly sort it all out. Shamane Mills reports...

Ten years ago elk were re-introduced to Wisconsin in the forests around Ashland and Sawyer Counties. Now, for the first time, elk watchers are concerned about the growth of the herd. Mike Simonson reports...

A new poll shows Governor Doyle is getting high marks for his job performance from a large majority of state residents including many Republicans. The most recent Wisconsin Public Radio & St. Norbert College Survey also shows respondents see taxes and spending as the biggest problem facing the state. Gil Halsted reports...

Most people in Wisconsin think the goverment should stay out of medical end-of-life decisions like the recent Terry Schiavo case. Gil Halsted has more results from the Wisconsin Public Radio & St Norbert College survey...

Preliminary findings of a voter fraud task force indicate hundreds of potential violations during last November's election in Milwaukee. But the committee says it may never resolve a controversy over nearly $5,000 ballots. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

An investigation into a UW-Stout fraternity is recommending the maximum penalty after about 30 students trashed a northern Wisconsin resort in a weekend right out of the movie "Animal House". Mike Simonson reports...

A handful of Wisconsin communities are trying a new information sharing project designed to bolster the state's homeland security. Shawn Johnson reports...

Wisconsin Indian tribes are backing a bill that would grant property tax exemption to tribally owned land. Supporters of the proposal say Tribes deserve the same tax breaks that state and local governments get. Gil Halsted reports...

Governor Jim Doyle is campaigning for his state budget, and maybe for his re-election bid in some traditionally Republican venues. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

A Wisconsin mayor who used to head a statewide environmental group is welcoming more cars to the capitol square. Madison's mayor says he's lifted a 30-year ban on public street parking in hope of bringing "more life to the city's downtown." Shamane Mills reports...

UW-Madison teaching assistants who walked out of class last spring over stalled contract negotiations have filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the state of Wisconsin. Shamane Mills reports...

Hospitals patients all over the country are suing over medical bills. They argue charges should be lower for people without insurance. The first such lawsuit in Wisconsin was filed recently. A court battle was avoided in neighboring Minnesota, where the attorney general got the state's biggest hospitals to voluntarily reduce prices. Shamane Mills reports...

Some state legislators want to keep the "wild" in wild rice. A proposed law would require proper labeling to make sure people buying wild rice get the real thing. Mike Simonson reports...

Republican leaders hope to have a grass-roots political network as strong for state races next year, as it was for President Bush's campaign last year. That's a key message coming out of the State Republican Party Convention this past weekend. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

Earlier this week the United Nations began reviewing the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Mayors from around the world were there, calling for disarmament. Madison's mayor was one of them - the only city official from Wisconsin. Shamane Mills reports...

At least 15 families lost their homes in the massive forest fire that swept through Adams county yesterday (5/5). Today, Governor Doyle took an aerial tour of the 38 hundred acres charred by the fire, and declared it a disaster area. Gil Halsted reports...

Wisconsin's governor has made one more effort to keep state military bases off the base closure list. He talked with reporters in a conferance call yesterday (5/5) following a meeting in Washington D.C. Sandra Harris reports...

As many as 30 percent of people living in industrialized countries have high blood pressure. Often people don't know it, that's why it's called the silent killer. Doctors would like to diagnose the common, but complex, disease earlier so they could get a jump start on preventing its negative effects. Shamane Mills reports...

The Mole Lake Band of Chippewa is trying to raise 8 million dollars to pay off the mortgage on the controversial Crandon Copper mine site. The tribe borowed the money two years ago when it joined with the Potwatomi tribe to buy the land. The tribes felt the purchase was necessary to protect their reservations and the Wolf River from pollution the mine might cause. Gil Halsted reports...

If you like having an eight-hour work day, you might raise a glass, in your leisure time, to several people who died during a labor protest 119 years ago yesterday (5/5). Chuck Quirmbach reports...

Scott Walker says he's already been to 60 counties in Wisconsin, as part of his run for Governor next year. But the Milwaukee County Republican continues to face daunting financial problems in his job as Milwaukee County Executive. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

Two state Republicans are already in the race for Governor, even though the primary election is sixteen months away. Mark Green and Scott Walker will try to win over the GOP faithful at this weekend's State Republican Party Convention. Patty Murray reports...

UW students around the state are fighting efforts to restrict campus health services from promoting, or providing, emergency contraception. On the Madison campus yesterday (5/4), students were trying to mobilize opposition to a proposed bill which Wisconsin's attorney general says is probably unconstitutional. Shamane Mills reports...

Instead of Project ELF - the now shuttered Naval submarine communications base in Ashland County, several people are telling the Navy they'd like it to become Project Elk. Mike Simonson reports...

Fifty people will lose their jobs when the country's largest uniform and linen laundry service closes it's plant in Milwaukee later this month. ALSCO has operated the plant on the city's north side for more than 70 years. Workers say the layoffs stem from a discrimination suit. Gil Halsted reports...

A state Assembly panel may advance a proposal that would require immigrants to show their visas to get drivers licenses. Shawn Johnson reports...

Marquette University in Milwaukee won't go back to using Warriors as the nickname for its athletic teams. But the name the school has chosen, "Marquette Gold", is drawing only mixed reviews. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

A new study on acupuncture shows it can help ease the frequency of migraines. Researchers also found that "sham" acupunture has the same positive effect. Meanwhile, the ancient oriental healing practice continues to grow in popularity. Shamane Mills reports...

Young adults who've been raised in foster homes are lobbying the state for help in paying for their health insurance. Eventually it could cost the state two million dollars a year in medicaid funds. But advocates say the state has an obligation to help foster kids make the transition to adult hood. Gil Halsted reports...

People would have a tougher time suing retailers for defective products under a measure that's cleared the state Senate. Shawn Johnson reports...

GOP lawmakers tried and failed yesterday (5/3) to override Governor Jim Doyle's veto of a plan that would have required a photo ID to vote in Wisconsin. Shawn Johnson reports...

It's harder this season for some Milwaukee Brewers fans in central Wisconsin to follow their favorite team on the radio. Two state lawmakers are trying to pressure the team and its radio network to do something about it. Terry Bell reports...

A discovery at the UW-Madison may pave the way to more use of energy from sunlight. Chuck Quirmbach reports...

Most of us see courage as physical actions or taking a moral stand on an issue. But there's a third kind of courage which can be developed to help get people out of bad relationships or stop bad habits like gambling and smoking. A Wisconsin philosophy professor will share some insights into "psychological courage" during a discussion in Madison today (5/3). Shamane Mills reports...

While the tax-filing season is officially over, the spectre of a letter from the IRS can bring further worry and alarm for taxpayers. But a national tax organization based in Appleton says ignoring such correspondence will only make things worse. Brian Bull reports...

The scientist who used one of world's deadliest toxins to help people, has died. However, Botox researcher Ed Schantz lived long enough to see a treatment he devised for medical purposes, become one of the hottest cosmetic treatments around. A colleague who worked with Schantz at the UW-Madison's Food Research Institute says Botox is being misused. Shamane Mills reports...

Three democratic state legislators are calling for a tution freeze. It targets University of Wisconsin students whose familes make less than the state median income. Gil Halsted reports...

Governor Jim Doyle says a Democratic primary in the race for Attorney General wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for the party. Shawn Johnson reports...

Local governments faced with holding the line on spending are leaving no stone unturned, or in the case of the city of Superior, no lid unlifted. Mike Simonson reports...

Hundreds of events are taking place this week around the country to talk about health insurance. It's part of an effort to get coverage for the estimated 40 million Americans who don't have it. And research shows many who lack coverage have a job; just no benefits. Shamane Mills reports...

While motorists are supposed to buckle up in Wisconsin, the state's seatbelt laws are pretty easy to skirt and the fines are relatively cheap. A proposal in the state Assembly aims to change that. Shawn Johnson reports...

While Americans have the highest per capita consumption of water, ten million people worldwide die every year because of unsafe drinking water. Thirsty eyes, east and west, are becoming more interested in dipping into The Great Lakes that comprise one fifth of the world’s fresh surface water. Anneli Radestad reports...

U.S. Representative Mark Green officially declared himself a candidate for Governor. The 8th district Republican made his announcement yesterday. Patty Murray reports...