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2012 promises to be a politically-busy year in Wisconsin

January 2, 2012 - 12:00am

In 2011 the state capitol was marked by one contentious debate after another as Republicans pushed through major changes to the way Wisconsinites organize and vote. In 2012, those fights will play out in the courtroom as Wisconsin Public Radio's Shawn Johnson reports.

Wisconsin farmers urged to watch finances more closely in 2012

January 2, 2012 - 12:00am

The head of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer protection says farmers will need to pay close attention to their bottom line in 2012. Steve Roisum reports.

Wisconsin-Minnesota power project could become clearer in 2012

January 2, 2012 - 12:00am

Large-scale energy transmission projects are picking up steam in southwest Wisconsin, and some major decisions will be finalized next year. Maureen McCollum has more.

Wisconsin public libraries adding Kindle e-books

January 2, 2012 - 12:00am

One Wisconsin libary director calls it a "watershed moment": users of the best-selling e-book reader --the Kindle--have recently stared being able to get reading material from their libraries. Until now, library titles weren't compatabile with that device. Shamane Mills reports.

Sears announces two Wisconsin closings

December 30, 2011 - 12:00am

A Sears in West Baraboo and a Kmart in Rice Lake will be closing next year. The announcement was made Thursday, as Sears announced that it's closing at least 79 stores nationally in 2012. Maureen McCollum has more on what the closures mean for the communities.

Great Lakes shipping companies to invest $75 million this winter

December 30, 2011 - 12:00am

The off-season is the "on-season" for Wisconsin shipyards as Great Lakes vessels prepare to tie-up for the winter. That's when 800 people will get to work on maintaining and modernizing lakers. Mike Simonson reports.

BadgerCare receives $24 million bonus from feds

December 30, 2011 - 12:00am

The success of Wisconsin's BadgerCare program earned the state a 24 million dollar bonus from the federal goverment this year. But advocates for helping poor families get health insurance say cuts to the program in next year's budget will mean a much smaller bonus next year. Gilman Halsted reports.

2011 big year for La Crosse area Democrats

December 30, 2011 - 12:00am

Democrats in the La Crosse area had a successful year politically. Maureen McCollum has more on the legislative shift.

Wisconsin politics year in review 2011

December 30, 2011 - 12:00am

As 2011 draws to a close, It is hard to sum up the-year-that-was in state politics. But it's easy to find ways the state was changed by everything that happened. Wisconsin Public Radio's Shawn Johnson has this report on just a couple examples.

Northeastern Wisconsin's US Representative looks back on his first year in Congress

December 30, 2011 - 12:00am

2011 had its ups and downs for a first-year Congressman representing Northeastern Wisconsin. For the coming year Reid Ribble says he'd like to see the country get its fiscal house in order once and for all. But he's been criticized for his own house. Patty Murray reports.

Governor Walker supports Dem bill to extend unemployment benefits

December 30, 2011 - 12:00am

Governor Scott Walker says he supports a Democratic bill that would extend unemployment benefits to workers at Manitowoc Crane who were laid off because other workers are striking. Shawn Johnson reports.

Wisconsin lawmaker recalls 2011 tackling at the Capitol

December 30, 2011 - 12:00am

The state legislator who was tackled while trying to enter the Capitol building last March at the height of protests there says the situation was unfortunate. But State Representative Nick Milroy says the video of the incident showed the world the tension of the situation. Mike Simonson reports.

Proposed St. Croix River bridge gained momentum in 2011

December 30, 2011 - 12:00am

It was a big year for supporters of a $700 million bridge project that would link western Wisconsin to the Twin Cities Metro area. As Rich Kremer reports the St. Croix River Crossing is closer to reality than it's ever been but still needs approval from Congress.

Wisconsin couple remembers Cairo as anti-government demonstrations began

December 29, 2011 - 12:00am

Eleven months after demonstrators streamed into Cairo's Tahrir Square, a northern Wisconsin couple can look back on the time when they witnessed the beginning of the end for Egypt's dictator. Mike Simonson reports.

Land donation protects thousands of acres near Minoqua

December 29, 2011 - 12:00am

More than three-thousand acres of land near Minocqua will be permanently preserved for winter recreation, following a private gift that's being called the largest of its kind in Wisconsin history. Glen Moberg reports.

Gov Walker to lift enrollment cap on Family Care program

December 29, 2011 - 12:00am

Governor Scott Walker says he will lift the enrollment cap on the state's Family Care program that helps elderly and disabled people get health care at home instead of in costly nursing homes. Gilman Halsted reports.

Some new Wisconsin student ID's comply with voting laws

December 29, 2011 - 12:00am

Some Wisconsin colleges and universities are making their student IDs match the requirements of the new Voter ID law, including campuses in Ashland and Superior.
Kristen Vake has the story.

Another challenging year for Wisconsin non-profits

December 29, 2011 - 12:00am

Many Wisconsin non-profits have had another challenging year. Kristen Durst reports.

Sounds like 2011: WPR News' year in sound

December 29, 2011 - 12:00am

2011 began with the inauguration of a Wisconsin governor, and is ending with an attempt to throw him out of office. Along the way there were recalls of State Senators, conflicts over collective bargaining, and battles on the football field--as well as within the State Supreme Court. All that and...

Former state Senator Dan Kapanke reflects on 2011

December 29, 2011 - 12:00am

Former state Senator Dan Kapanke of La Crosse was one of two casualties of this summer's recall elections. The other was Randy Hopper of Fond du Lac. Maureen McCollum recently caught up with Kapanke to get his reflections on the past year, and plans for the future.

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2012 promises to be a politically-busy year in Wisconsin

Wisconsin farmers urged to watch finances more closely in 2012

Wisconsin-Minnesota power project could become clearer in 2012

Wisconsin public libraries adding Kindle e-books

Sears announces two Wisconsin closings

Great Lakes shipping companies to invest $75 million this winter

BadgerCare receives $24 million bonus from feds

2011 big year for La Crosse area Democrats

Wisconsin politics year in review 2011

Northeastern Wisconsin's US Representative looks back on his first year in Congress

Governor Walker supports Dem bill to extend unemployment benefits

Wisconsin lawmaker recalls 2011 tackling at the Capitol

Proposed St. Croix River bridge gained momentum in 2011

Wisconsin couple remembers Cairo as anti-government demonstrations began

Land donation protects thousands of acres near Minoqua

Gov Walker to lift enrollment cap on Family Care program

Some new Wisconsin student ID's comply with voting laws

Another challenging year for Wisconsin non-profits

Sounds like 2011: WPR News' year in sound

Former state Senator Dan Kapanke reflects on 2011

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