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Jackson Gasoline Spill Riles Nearby Residents

August 1, 2012 - 3:03pm

The petroleum industry says underground pipelines are the safest way to transport fuels. But when a pipeline breaks, hundreds of people may be affected.

About 54,000 gallons of gas spilled in the town of Jackson two weeks ago, from a pipeline owned by West Shore Pipe Line Company. The fuel...

Commission Trying to Improve Legal Access for Low Income People

August 1, 2012 - 2:46pm

Advocates say low income people in Wisconsin are being denied access to justice. They made their case Tuesday in Eau Claire to a state commission looking for ways to improve legal options for those in poverty.

The state Supreme Court ordered the creation of a Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission...

Senate mining committee to move fast on new bill

August 1, 2012 - 2:44pm

A Senate committee on mining has been resurrected by the majority Democrats, four months after Republicans dismissed that same committee. Democrats intend to have a new iron ore mining bill proposed by the end of this year.

Sen. Tim Cullen of Janesville will chair the Senate Select Committee on Mining. ...

Wisconsin Lawmakers Hear from Panel on Alzheimer's

August 1, 2012 - 11:49am

A panel of Wisconsin experts in law, social services and medicine are advising state lawmakers on legal interventions for those with Alzheimer's.

In May the state Supreme Court ruled against officials who used mental health statutes to involuntary commit a Fond du Lac County woman with Alzheimer's. The 85-year old...

More Cameras to Watch State Fair-goers

July 31, 2012 - 1:18pm

More security cameras will be operating at Wisconsin State Fair Park later this week, when the annual fair gets underway.

Last year on the opening night of the fair, rampaging youths caused fights and injuries and about 30 people were arrested. Things calmed down after the fair took some additional...

Medicare's Anniversary Marked with Caution

July 31, 2012 - 1:15pm

Two groups used the 47th anniversary of Medicare Monday to alert the elderly in Wisconsin to proposed changes that would affect the government health care program. The lunchtime presentation at the Madison Senior Center was one of four statewide celebrations of Medicare's longevity.

About 25 seniors listened as Billy Feitlinger from...

Thompson, Neumann, Target Hovde at GOP Senate Debate

July 31, 2012 - 1:11pm

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson and former Congressman Mark Neumann formed an unlikely alliance Monday, as both men attacked hedge fund manager Eric Hovde at a Republican U.S. Senate candidate debate.

This race has featured negative TV ads for several weeks now. Monday, the candidates attacked in person, though Thompson and Neumann...

Help for Wisconsin Businesses and Homeowners Hit by Flooding

July 31, 2012 - 1:08pm

As northwestern Wisconsin waits to hear about a federal flood disaster designation, there is federal help for homeowners and businesses in five Wisconsin counties and three northeastern Minnesota counties.

Starting Tuesday, an office in the Superior Business Center will be open 8:00a.m.-4:30 p.m. until August 9. They will also be open...

Summer Drought Won't Necessarily Carry into Fall and Winter

July 31, 2012 - 1:05pm

Southern Wisconsin has seen some much needed rain in recent days. Even with the rainfall, the state is still officially in a drought. It’s unclear how long the dryer- than-normal conditions will last but climate experts say it is not necessarily a preview of what’s to come in the fall...

Grand Marsh Spill Triggers Debate

July 31, 2012 - 1:01pm

As clean-up of the central Wisconsin oil spill continues, environmental groups are raising concerns about pipeline safety.

The U.S. EPA is overseeing clean-up of the 50,000 gallons of oil that spilled from a pipeline near Grand Marsh last Friday afternoon. Clean-up supervisor Richard Karl says contaminated soil in a farm...

Minneapolis's Mississippi River locks might begin closing at night

July 31, 2012 - 12:57pm

As part of a nationwide cost-saving plan, the Army Corps of Engineers may close Minneapolis’s Mississippi River locks in the middle of the night.

Upper and Lower St. Anthony Falls Locks and Dams and Lock and Dam 1 may close from 2-7am next year.

Army Corps of Engineers officials say shutting down...

Fitzgerald Keeping Out of Primary Bickering

July 31, 2012 - 12:51pm

As the Republican race for U.S. Senate grows more contentious, GOP Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald has decided to stay above the fray.

Hedge fund manager Eric Hovde, former Congressman Mark Neumann and former Gov. Tommy Thompson all mixed it up during a Republican U.S. Senate candidate debate Monday. Hovde and...

Northern Wisconsin Corn Crops Faring Better than in Southern

July 31, 2012 - 12:49pm

Corn crops in a few northern Wisconsin counties are faring better than in the parched southern and central parts of the state. Some farmers may actually benefit from this year's drought.

Most of Wisconsin's corn crop has been devastated by the hot, dry weather, but if you travel north, you'll...

Summer Heat Means Less Milk from Wisconsin Cows

July 30, 2012 - 4:37pm

It's not just crops suffering from this season’s drought in southern Wisconsin. Cows are feeling the heat too, and they're producing less milk.

At Amundson’s farm near Westby, milk is gently vacuumed from metal cylinders attached to the cows, and fed to a holding container. Nearby, Amundson checks a readout, which...

Fed Conservation Funding for Driftless Area Uncertain

July 30, 2012 - 4:23pm

Landowners in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area have one week to apply for federal conservation funding aimed at reducing soil erosion and protecting rare habitats in the unique region.

A cold water trout stream winds through a cow pasture on Don Schwartz’s farm in Wilton. It’s been in his family for more than...

Dunn County Extends Frac Sand Ban

July 30, 2012 - 4:15pm

Dunn County is extending a ban on new frac sand mining and processing operations. Officials say they need more time to study and craft regulations for this burgeoning industry.

Moratoriums let governments temporarily halt construction of new frac sand mines and processing centers. They’re meant to give governments time to study...

Native American Deaths in 1850 Remembered

July 30, 2012 - 4:14pm

More than 100 people gathered to remember a march that lead to the death of 400 Native Americans from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. Although it happened 162 years ago, they say this is relevant today with the suspected arson cases on the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation.

The ceremony is referred...

Panel Discusses Upcoming Health Care Reforms

July 30, 2012 - 4:07pm

To some extent, federal health reform is going to accelerate change already occurring in Wisconsin: how care is provided and how it's paid for. For example, a patient may see physician assistants and nurses practitioners more often. And hospitals will get Medicare payment based on the quality of care. Reforms...

Walker Seeks Federal Flood Disaster Aid

July 30, 2012 - 3:58pm

Governor Walker has asked President Obama to declare far northwestern Wisconsin a federal disaster. Damage assessment from last month’s flooding narrowly pushed the area over the threshold to qualify for federal help.

Walker also is asking the Small Business Administration for a disaster designation for Douglas County. If approved, that would...

Green Scum Found on Lake Superior

July 30, 2012 - 3:50pm

For what might be the first time, pond scum has been found on the pristine waters of Lake Superior. The discovery concerns state and federal officials.

This wasn’t the thick green scum found in many inland lakes in the heat of summer, more like a light coating of pollen on the...

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Jackson Gasoline Spill Riles Nearby Residents

Commission Trying to Improve Legal Access for Low Income People

Senate mining committee to move fast on new bill

Wisconsin Lawmakers Hear from Panel on Alzheimer's

More Cameras to Watch State Fair-goers

Medicare's Anniversary Marked with Caution

Thompson, Neumann, Target Hovde at GOP Senate Debate

Help for Wisconsin Businesses and Homeowners Hit by Flooding

Summer Drought Won't Necessarily Carry into Fall and Winter

Grand Marsh Spill Triggers Debate

Minneapolis's Mississippi River locks might begin closing at night

Fitzgerald Keeping Out of Primary Bickering

Northern Wisconsin Corn Crops Faring Better than in Southern

Summer Heat Means Less Milk from Wisconsin Cows

Fed Conservation Funding for Driftless Area Uncertain

Dunn County Extends Frac Sand Ban

Native American Deaths in 1850 Remembered

Panel Discusses Upcoming Health Care Reforms

Walker Seeks Federal Flood Disaster Aid

Green Scum Found on Lake Superior

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