UW-Madison researchers will be part of a new effort to recycle nuclear waste. The project is controversial, as Chuck Quirmbach reports.…

A Madison-based human rights group hopes to use the heroic story of a rape survivor in Pakistan to promote equality for women all over South Asia. The inspiration for the campaign is Mukhtar Mai, a village woman who endured a horrific gang rape on the orders of her local village council, and then brought her attakers to trial. She spoke to an audience of more than 200 on the UW Madison Campus on Friday. Gil Halsted reports…

Some people won't touch the Internet with a ten foot pole. In fact, not everybody uses e-mail or cell phones, either. As the high-tech revolution spins off with something new seemingly all the time, a few people are rebelling against this upheaval. Mike Simonson talks to these people in the final segment of our series "Netted: Life Online"…

Starting next week, the state will send out letters to its top delinquent taxpayers asking them to pay up. Those who don't respond will have their names publicized. Shawn Johnson reports…

Cherry growers in the midwest are being warned not to overstate the fruit's health benefits. Shamane Mills reports…

Wisconsin taxpayers are footing the bill for millions of dollars in health insurance for employees at 18 of the state's largest companies. That's according to a new report released by Wisconsin Citizen Action this week. Wal-Mart tops the list with almost 5 thousand employees depending on state and federal programs for their insurance. Gil Halsted has more…

Wisconsin's four day special T-zone hunting season is underway. It started Thursday and ends Sunday. As Mike Simonson reports from Superior, this is a way to knock down the deer population in areas crowded with deer…

Once upon a time people had to talk to a bank teller to deposit a check, go to the library to research a school project, or meet people face to face to make new friends. Now they can do all those things from the comfort of home with the help of a keyboard and mouse.

The Internet is changing the way we communicate with one another, and for some, it's a welcome alternative. But there are those who think it's creating a community of users who are disconnected from their family and friends. In our continuing series, "Netted: Life Online", Shawn Johnson looks at the effects of spending more and more time in cyberspace. …

Over the course of less than a month... Milwaukee's US Attorney has announced he's investigating a controversial state travel deal... and two former lawmakers have pleaded guilty to felonies. Those who say they want to reform government are trying to use the events to drum up support for their ideas in the Legislature. Shawn Johnson reports…

School vouchers are again shaping up to be a political issue, after the state this week told private and parochial schools in Milwaukee to stop accepting new voucher students. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

The annual report card for children's health care in Wisconsin shows the number of kids in poor families without health insurance is on the rise. The "Kids Count" report from the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families calls on the state to do a better job of monitoring the quality of care provided by Medicaid and BadgerCare. Gil Halsted reports…

The usual concept of therapy is laying on a couch while a psychiatrist jots down your fears, hopes, and dreams. But now the telecommunications era has spawned a new form of psychological health care....where the speed of recovery may well be helped by the speed of your Internet Connection. In today's installment of our series, "Netted: Life Online", Micah Schweizer explains…

The UW Board of Regents recently voted to allow a group of students to handle more than $30 million of investments on behalf of the University. It's a hands-on experiment that they hope will be a good--and profitable--learning experience. Patty Murray reports…

A day after a former high-ranking lawmaker pleaded guilty to felony charges... the Legislature's budget panel voted to give two state boards more power to investigate public officials. Shawn Johnson reports…

Halloween revelers have rioted the last three years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Campus and city officials are saying "no more:" college dorms won't permit guests, some downtown streets will be closed, and stadium lighting will be used to put a damper on an event that national magazines like Maxim and Sports Illustrated have spotlighted. Shamane Mills reports…

Law officials say a growing number of people are taking part in identity theft, scams, fraud, and child porn distribution from PCs in their homes or offices. Much of this crime wave is spurred by the relative anonymity and speed of the Internet. Yet while “cyber-crooks” use deception and stealth to pull their schemes, “cyber-cops” can use the same tactics against them. In the latest installment of our series, “Netted: Life Online”, Brian Bull reports…

A national survey shows doctors believe the federal government is very unprepared to deal with an avian bird flu pandemic that has killed more than 60 people. A researcher at UW-Madison thinks the US is ready; but says no country may be able to cope if the outbreak is widespread and resists treatment. Shamane Mills reports…

Pheasant hunters are a little over a week into their season. Due to legislation, they’ll see more birds, but not without a cost. Erin Syth reports…

The state's largest forest would expand...but still limit the use of all-terrain vehicles...under a proposed master plan going before the DNR Board today. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

The mayor of La Crosse says he's brokered a deal to end a long dispute over the naming of the University's sports complex--but not veryone agrees. Sandra Harris reports…

The State Assembly last night passed new caps on how much people can sue for in pain and suffering lawsuits. But Republicans and Democrats disagree on whether the limits are any better than the ones the State Supreme Court struck down earlier this year. Shawn Johnson reports…

The former leader of the Wisconsin State Senate pleaded guilty yesterday to two felonies under an agreement that calls for him to serve up to six months in jail. Shawn Johnson reports…

Peace activisits across the country will mark a morbid milestone this week. The number of soldiers killed in Iraq has just reached 2,000. Gil Halsted reports on some of the ceremonies planned in Wisconsin…

More US casualties in Iraq and the Harriet Miers controversy may have President Bush sinking in the polls. But at a Republican fundraiser in Milwaukee last night, some members of the GOP said they remain firmly behind the President. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

The Internet has unearthed much "underground" culture…. Users can access web pages dedicated to "Fritz the Cat" as readily as sites for "Hello Kitty". The same goes for news media. News junkies can find everything from the serious to the satirical. In our continuing series, "Netted: Life Online", Gil Halsted reports on the many faces of alternative Internet news sources…

What's in a name? Well, the designations the federal government gives to local communities mean quite a lot when it comes to reimbursements and grants. That's why local government leaders are meeting in Madison next week...to find out what their new classificatoins mean for them. Terry Bell reports…

The full Wisconsin Assembly and Senate return to Madison today. Among the items they'll discuss are new rules for lawsuits against doctors in Wisconsin. Shawn Johnson reports…

The one-time leader of the Wisconsin State Senate has reached a plea deal with prosecutors who were investigating him on charges of corruption. As Shawn Johnson reports...the details of Chuck Chvala's plea will be announced in a Dane County Courtroom later this morning…

The UW Madison Business school ranks among the world's top schools for offering classes on social and environmental issues. The newly developed classes teach students about the human costs of doing business. Patty Murray reports…

The fight in Wisconsin over possible voter fraud was played out before a Congressional committee today. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

The State Senate votes this week on legislation that would abolish local smoking bans. That has some with local ordinances worried they’ll lose control - supporters say the law eliminates a hodgepodge of other laws. Mary Jo Wagner has more from Eau Claire…

Some state lawmakers want to do something that Congress could not--reduce the amount of SPAM that junks up peoples' e-mail accounts. Shawn Johnson reports.…

The Internet has changed the way people communicate--and not always for the best. While emails, usenet groups, adn chatrooms offer a fast exchange of ideas and opinions, their lack of face-to-face contact may compel people to say things they might not normally say in polite company. In today's installment of our series, "Netted: Life Online," Sandra Harris reports on the perilous miscommunications that come with the Internet…

Two communities on Lake Superior's south shore have designated themselves as "eco-communities". They are pledging to be friendly to the environment, but at the same time, save money for taxpayers. Mike Simonson reports from Superior…

A conservation group and an industry coalition have come to an agreement on one of the stickiest issues hanging up a regional water use agreement. The question is whether bottled water exports are considered a diversion of Great Lakes water. Sarah Hulett reports for the Great Lakes Radio Consortium…

Some Democratic lawmakers are pushing a plan that would use state taxes to pay for all residents' health care expenses. Shawn Johnson reports…

The trial of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein resumes in November. Wisconsin's senior member of Congress says this could have been an opportunity to highlight human rights, but he thinks now that Saddam may point to recent U.S. actions in his defense. Mike Simonson reports from Superior…

For decades, international shippers have wanted bigger locks and channels in the St. Lawrence Seaway. Earlier this month, the Seaway's chief in Canada said expansion is off the table, at least for a generation. David Sommerstein reports for the Great Lakes Radio Consortium…

A study tracking the movement of deer in south central Wisconsin suggests Chronic Wasting Disease may not spread to other parts of the state as fast as some wild life managers feared. Gil Halsted reports…

Fears over chronic wasting disease are looming over the coming deer-hunting season. Now Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources is launching a media campaign cautioning sportsmen about transporting their kills into their state. Brian Bull reports…

During this year's deer hunting season state wildlife officials are again asking hunters to donate deer heads to be tested for Chronic Wasting disease. So far this year more than a thousand brain samples have been submitted for testing. Gil Halsted reports…

If you have an opinion to share -- you could start a weblog on the Internet. Because it’s so easy to do, blogging is one of the fastest growing tools for people to share what they’re up to with anyone who cares to know. In today’s installment of our series, “Netted: Life Online”, Mary Jo Wagner examines the “blogosphere”…

UW Madison students appear to be drinking more, at a younger age. Shamane Mills reports…

Environmentalists are suing a Green Bay utility. They say Wisconsin Public Service's coal-fired plant in Green Bay is pumping out illegal amounts of pollution and is endangering human health. Patty Murray reports…

A new poll shows a tight contest shaping up in the race for State Attorney General. It also gives the early nod to someone who's not even a formal candidate. Shawn Johnson reports…

Earlier this year, the state Supreme Court decided a lawsuit against lead paint manufacturers could move forward. The decision angered the state's largest business group... which is pushing lawmakers to prevent similar lawsuits in the future. Shawn Johnson reports…

As the annual deer season nears, the Department of Natural Resources is asking many hunters to line up their sights on snouts and tusks, as well as antlers. Brian Bull explains…

The University of Wisconsin-Madison may strengthen its anti-sweatshop rules for factories that make UW-logo clothing. The Madison campus is considering joining 55 other univerisites in requiring the factories to use union labor, to guarantee workers better working conditions and a living wage. Gil Halsted reports…

A Green Bay publisher wants to launch a bilingual newspaper. The free monthly publication would be printed in both English and Spanish. Patty Murray reports…

A state Assembly panel has approved new caps on medical malpractice lawsuits. But Governor Jim Doyle says it's hard to see how the proposal is constitutional. Shawn Johnson reports…

Internet dating was the hot new trend a couple years ago. Users hooked up in chat rooms and on romantic websites, finding dates just down the street and across the continent. The popularity has since cooled off, but couples continue to find love cyber-style. In today's installment of our series,"Netted: Life Online", Shamane Mills reports on the perils and pleasures of e-romance…

In the days before email accounts, junk mail was usually a stack of grocery flyers and a coupon in your mailbox. But today, unsolicited e-advertising – more commonly known as SPAM – can bombard users like never before. Spammers can blast out millions of offers for wrinkle cream, pornography, timeshares, and college diplomas in the blink of an eye. In the second part of our series, `Netted: Life Online, Brian Bull reports on how the SPAM problem isn’t only here to stay, but it’s going to get much worse:

By Veteran's Day, there could an indication of how Madison people feel about US involvement in Iraq. That's when an anti-war coalition hopes to have all the signatures required for a spring referendum on withdrawing US troops from the conflict. Shamane Mills reports…

Some environmental groups are trying to team up with conservationists from Wisconsin's Native American tribes. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

Any one with an e-mail account knows what Nigerian spam is. And most people know to hit the delete key when one pops up in their inbox. But as Gil Halsted reports, there are new variations on this scam spam with links to Saddam Hussein.…

A State Assembly panel will vote this morning on a plan that would reestablish caps on medical malpractice lawsuits. Shawn Johnson reports…

Seniors filled the Wisconsin capitol building Tuesday to protest a plan to remove a property tax break on some retirement homes. Shawn Johnson reports…

The internet is possibly the most revolutionary development to hit the business world in the last decade. Online sales and promotion have moved from the realm of curiosity to an essential part of doing business today. This morning we kick off "Netted: :Life Online," a series on the internet with a look at e-commerce. Patty Murray reports…

A racial discrimination complaint has been settled against a Dane County landlord. It's the largest settlement ever reached by a individual client of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council. Brian Bull reports…

The National Transportation Safety Board arrived in the Eau Claire area to investigate Sunday’s crash of a bus and semi that left 5 dead. Mary Jo Wagner was at a news conference Monday.…

The state is looking for more volunteers to count wildlife and check for water pollution. The DNR says data gathered by citizen monitors is becoming a more essential part of rules and regulations. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

The Department of Natural Resources is taking to the air waves to encourage hunters to avoid confrontations over trespassing on private hunting land. Gil Halsted reports…

Young African Americans in Wisconsin are four times more likely to get sentenced to life without parole than their white counterparts. That's the finding of a new report from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Gil Halsted reports…

There are no signs of the Asian bird flu in the United States. However, there are plenty of questions. And the Centers for Disease Control is trying to answer them all. The federal government's health web site is getting more than 400 thousand hits a day, along with phone calls. Shamane Mills reports…

Wisconsin Indian tribes are reaching centuries back into their history to find a new way of settling disputes. Several Western tribes including the Navajo have been using traditional "peace making" courts for decades. Now Wisconsin tribes are finding ways to use tobacco, eagle feathers and ancient legends in THEIR court rooms. Gil Halsted reports…

Public documents are generally easier to get in Wisconsin than other states. Wisconsin and Florida are known for having liberal open records laws. Not only are most documents available, but convenient to access. Some think TOO convenient. Shamane Mills reports.…

Land trusts are private, non-profit efforts that protect thousands of acres in Wisconsin and elsewhere each year. But this year, the trusts are under extra financial scrutiny. Chuck Quirmbach reports.…

The Democratic National Committee is reaching out to Native Americans at a gathering in Minnesota this week. The party hopes to create a cadre of Native campaign workers and encourage tribal members to run for office. Gil Halsted reports…

The Ice Age Trail Foundation and Wisconsin ATV enthusiasts have a new agreement. They'll work together to figure out how motor sports and silent sports can co-exist. Patty Murray reports…

A gay rights group is making a statewide effort to fight the proposed state constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions. Mike Simonson reports from Superior that the fight is starting at the grassroots level…

In a state known best for dairy farming, several entrepreneurs are making a niche for themselves with a unique South American animal once revered in ancient Incan culture. Erin Syth reports…

Change is coming to the Green Bay Packers...but not on the field. The team's board of directors has chosen a new President. Patty Murray reports.…

Public health officials are trying to make sure an outbreak of polio virus in central Minnesota doesn't spread elsewhere in the country. Sandra Harris reports…

New penalties signed into law by Wisconsin Governor Jim doyle aim to crack down on people who "huff" the the toxic fumes in products like glue or spray paint. Shawn Johnson reports…

The state has begun talks on re-using a Milwaukee Air Force Reserve base that's been recommended for closure. Officials say the discussions need to begin now, even though Congress technically still could save the Wisconsin home of the 440th Airlift Wing. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

A semi trailer truck, outfitted inside to look like a rundown tenement, is touring the country to promote a new Habitat for Humanity project. It's part of a new 100 million dollar campaign to build two thousand new homes in the next four years. The mobile exhibit was parked in downtown Madison Wednesday. As Gil Halsted reports, it dramatizes what it's like to live in substandard housing…

The state of Wisconsin is still trying to get the federal government to rethink a decision not to provide emergency aid to Wisconsin counties damaged by tornadoes. In the meantime, the governor says the village of Viola will at least get a block grant. Sandra Harris reports…

One of computer software's biggest titans came to recruit potential workers on the UW-Madison campus. Bill Gates promised internet search engines will get better, digital entertainment more integrated and cell phones more complicated. Shamane Mills reports…

Random checks show illegal sales of tobacco to minors in Wisconsin are at their lowest level ever. Shamane Mills reports…

The Bush Administration is promoting its effort to crack down on human trafficking. That's when people are brought across state lines or international borders to work at forced labor or in the commercial sex trade. But a federal prosecutor in Wisconsin says trafficking cases can be difficult to pursue. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

The University of Wisconsin Madison is partnering with a local car-sharing company. The goal is to reduce the number of cars on campus by offering staff and students access to "community" cars. Gil Halsted reports…

A new study shows Wisconsin's manufacturing economy is generally healthy...but it needs to shift from an "old" economy model to a "new" one. The up's and down's of factory work became apparent this month. Paper giant Georgia Pacific announced layoffs at its Green Bay mill. But a new military contract is prompting Oshkosh Truck to hire 200 new workers. Patty Murray reports.…

Roughly 90,000 Wisconsin seniors will be able to stay on a state prescription drug program for at least the next couple years. Shawn Johnson report…

A Republican candidate for Governor says campaign money under scrutiny may be returned -- at least part of it. Shamane Mills reports…

A proposal to regulate toxins dumped into Lake Superior is being pushed by the Department of Natural Resources. It will bring Lake Superior closer to the lofty goal of "zero discharge." Mike Simonson reports that the proposal focuses on what's called the "Nasty Nine" toxic chemicals…

A group that's spearheaded recall elections in the Milwaukee area wants to get Madison's mayor out of office. Shawn Johnson reports…

Most think of swelling as something that happens after injury or illness. While it may be unsightly and painful, it does serve a purpose. Sometimes it is useful; other times unhealthy. Shamane Mills reports on a recent discovery pertaining to inflammation…

Recent reports that hundreds of birds were killed after colliding with a Madison television tower show just one of the threats to migrating birds. Some of the threats are far from Wisconsin, at the southern end of many migration routes. Chuck Quirmbach has details…

There’s an effort underway to repeal part of a federal law that punishes students for illegal drug use by denying them financial aid. Mary Jo Wagner has more…

A Wisconsin official says he hasn't given up hope of additional federal spending on clean-up of the Great Lakes. That's despite a draft report from the Bush Administration that recommends NO new money. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

A new report says Wisconsin's largest counties are not ready to handle a disaster like Hurricane Katrina. Shawn Johnson reports…

Five more lawsuits have been filed against the Catholic Church in Milwaukee and Madison, as sex abuse victims try to target more than priests and nuns. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

Some Republican lawmakers want to scale back the power of Wisconsin's top lawyer. Shawn Johnson reports…

The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday in the dispute over where sexual predators can live once they're released from prison. Lawyers from both sides told Justices their case has become mired in politics. Shawn Johnson reports…

The state's two largest cities each want to be the base of operations for a school of public health. Both Madison and Milwaukee want it. The UW Board of Regents has not decided which university medical school it should be linked to. Shamane Mills reports…

Researchers at UW-Madison have come up with a way to extend the life of tiny lithium batteries used to repair faulty wiring in the human nervous system. Gil Halsted reports…

It's billed as La Crosse's first original motion picture--filmed mostly in the city with mainly local actors. The movie "Midian" pits local citizens in a bloody battle against the government of their "perfect" city. It makes its debut this month in a La Crosse theater. Sandra Harris prepared this report…

Former Milwaukee State Senator Brian Burke pleaded guilty Wednesday to using his office and state employees for his own political gain. As Shawn Johnson reports... the plea deal could mean jail time for Burke…

One computer maker that IS helping with recycling of computer parts is Texas-based Dell, Incorporated. Chuck Quirmbach went to a recycling center in Austin, Texas last weekend, and has this report…

A group of leading political scientists say Americans aren't doing as much as they should when it comes to political and civic participation. UW-Madison professor Katherine Cramer-Walsh is one of 19 authors of a new book called "Democracy at Risk." It lays out a blueprint for getting people more involved in making public policy. Gil Halsted reports…

The Potawatomi tribe has agreed to pay the state an estimated 750 million dollars in gaming fees over the next 25 years. Tuesday, after months of negotiating, Governor Doyle and the tribe signed an amended gaming compact. Gil Halsted reports…

Georgia Pacific is cutting 850 jobs nationwide...and Green Bay is expected to bear the brunt of the layoffs. More than 400 workers at the tissue mill stand to lose their jobs. And there are few prospects that offer the same level of pay and benefits. Patty Murray reports…

One of the lawmakers who sued Governor Jim Doyle over the state's last gaming compact calls this latest deal with the Potawatami "more of the same." Shawn Johnson reports…

The Bush administration is fighting Oregon's assisted suicide law. The US Supreme Court will hear arguments Wednesday. The court battle comes at a time when Wisconsin and other states are considering copying the one-of-a kind law. Shamane Mills reports…

A report says Wisconsin's law to make teens drive safer IS reducing crashes, but the good driving habits of young motorists are NOT the reason. Shamane Mills explains…

A Republican State Senator who holds a key swing seat in the Legislature won't run for re-election. Cathy Stepp says her job in politics is keeping her from her family. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

The number of drug treatment courts in Wisconsin is on the rise. Eight counties now offer some first-time drug offenders the chance to avoid jail time by enrolling in a treatment program. But budget cuts may force one of the newest drug courts to shut down. Gil Halsted reports…

Wisconsin is on track to produce a bumper crop of cranberries this year. And the state's growers have new markets to sell their fruits. Consumers in Europe and Asia are realizing the little red fruit's potential. Patty Murray reports…

One of several former state lawmakers charged in the high-profile Wisconsin Caucus Scandal has reached a plea deal with prosecutors. Shawn Johnson reports…

A Republican lawmaker is reintroducing a proposal that would legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin. Shawn Johnson reports…

There are currently 22 stem cell lines approved for federal funding. They're scattered in different locations. And the price researchers pay to experiment with the blank-slate cells varies. The price could go down and availability could go up with the development of a national stem cell bank in Madison. Shamane Mills reports…

Environmentalists hope Wisconsin Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl will help derail a controversial re-write of the Endangered Species Act. Chuck Quirmbach reports…

Most modern residents associate "Oshkosh" with the city on the shores of lake Winnebago. It's also the name of a pivotal Menominee Indian Chief, who preserved his traditional homeland while making inroads with top political leaders of the 19th century. Chief Oshkosh is the subject of a new book. Patty Murray has this report as we continue our year-long series on Wisconsin Authors…

A new study shows grazing dairy cows is economically competitive with large scale confinement facilities. The ten-year analysis compared the farm financial records of large and small farms in Wisconsin. Patty Murray reports…

Grocers and other merchants who take in large numbers of checks say they expect better prosecution of bad check writers--and they'd like district attorneys to follow the law. Sandra Harris reports…

People who use the Internet to harass someone could face prison time under a measure advancing through the state legislature. Shawn Johnson reports…

The federal government says new drivers shouldn't be talking on the phone while going down the highway. Some Wisconsin lawmakers agree. However those who would enforce the law aren't so sure if it could be done without creating more problems. Shamane Mills reports…