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Wisconsin Lags Neighbors, Nation In Job Growth

March 29, 2013 - 12:08pm

New numbers released by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics show Wisconsin continues to lag its Midwest neighbors and the rest of the nation in job growth. Economists say industries that are booming elsewhere are stagnant here.

The employer census numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show...

One In Custody After Protest Over Lack Of Charges In Williams Case

March 29, 2013 - 11:57am

A street protest stemming from the Derek Williams case in Milwaukee has led to at least one person being taken into police custody.

About fifty members of the group Occupy the Hood marched in downtown Milwaukee late this afternoon, after a special state prosecutor issued a report saying he won't pursue...

Old Medications Overwhelmingly Wind Up In Trash, Water

March 29, 2013 - 7:00am

DNR officials say they're working on ways to boost the percentage of state residents who properly dispose of old pharmaceuticals.

A UW-Extension study released this year found that as of 2011, only two percent of unused prescription and over-the counter medications were safely taken in collection sites, whether one-day,...

Auditors Discover $4.5 Mil. Of Federal Money Missing From Childcare Program

March 29, 2013 - 6:00am

Wisconsin's Legislative Audit Bureau has discovered that the state has been "shorted" millions of dollars by the federal government.

The chair of the committee that oversees the bureau says the auditors look out for the best interests of taxpayers.

The audit bureau discovered the federal government has under-paid Wisconsin by $4.5...

Wisconsin Groups Put Heat On Washington To Pass Gun Control Legislation

March 28, 2013 - 6:35pm

Mayors Against Illegal Guns and other groups are demanding that Congress act on legislation they say could lessen gun violence.

Congress is on break, but supporters of gun legislation are hoping members will get lots of email and phone calls when they return. In Milwaukee, Mayor Tom Barrett took part...

BLS Numbers Show Sluggish Job Creation In Wisconsin

March 28, 2013 - 6:09pm

Wisconsin trailed 40 other states in private-sector job growth, according to new numbers released today by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Wisconsin saw private-sector job growth of 0.9 percent between September 2011 and September 2012, according to the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. The census, as its name...

Walker-Barrett Relationship Yields Some Cooperation, But Also Contention

March 28, 2013 - 5:43pm

Milwaukee's Mayor is reminding Governor Scott Walker of the political differences between the two men.

Mayor Tom Barrett and Governor Scott Walker were rivals in two races for governor over the last three years. Recently, they worked together on a lakefront road deal in Milwaukee, and Thursday, they sat together...

Supreme Court Candidates Disagree On Relevancy Of Ethics Charge

March 28, 2013 - 4:52pm

This story is Part One in a two-part series by Gilman Halsted about the upcoming state Supreme Court election. Part Two will broadcast and be made available online tomorrow.

Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday to either re-elect Supreme Court Justice Pat Roggensack to another 10-year term, or...

DNR Says Phosphorus Seriously Affecting Wisconsin Waters

March 28, 2013 - 1:39pm

DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp says the state is taking seriously the issue of phosphorus pollution in rivers and streams.

The EPA released a study this week that concludes 55 percent of the river and stream miles in the U.S. are in poor condition for aquatic life. The figure for...

Impassioned Dentist Proposes Soda Tax To Gov

March 28, 2013 - 1:20pm

Governor Scott Walker heard an impassioned plea from a dentist yesterday to increase the sales tax on soda to fund dental care for the poor.

Walker had just wrapped up his remarks to the Wisconsin Dental Association in Madison when Dr. Tom Dowling from Omro sprung to a microphone in the...

Runoff, Climate Change Big Topics At Driftless Area Symposium

March 28, 2013 - 7:00am

Climate change and land use are some of the top concerns for environmental groups and government agencies in an area that runs along the Mississippi River.

Officials from four states converged in La Crosse for the Driftless Area Symposium, to learn about land and water issues in the unique geographical...

State Senator Wants New Criminal Penalties To Come With Price Tag

March 28, 2013 - 7:00am

A new bill would require legislation about crimes to calculate the potential difference in impact on racial minorities.

State Sen. Nikiya Harris is co-sponsoring legislation calling for the minority impact statement. The Milwaukee Democrat says she's tired of Wisconsin being number one in the percentage of working age African-American men behind...

State Senator Wants New Criminal Penalties To Come With Price Tag

March 28, 2013 - 7:00am

Legislation that adds a price tag to new criminal penalties has passed a legislative committee.

Currently, new laws that either impose new penalties or increase existing ones do not have to include an estimate of the cost to taxpayers that result from imposing the penalties. Senate Joint Resolution 5 sponsored...

Does Scott Walker's Planned Memoir Signal Presidential Ambition?

March 28, 2013 - 12:35am

Governor Scott Walker is downplaying talk that his decision to write a memoir means he is running for President.

Speaking to reporters in Madison today, Walker said his focus is on his current job.

" I'm completely satisfied being governor. What I've said in the past is, "Who knows?" My option
...

Dane County, Milwaukee Will Vote On Same-Day Registration

March 27, 2013 - 11:52pm

People going to the polls Tuesday will get to voice their opinion on same-day registration in the city of Milwaukee and Dane County.

The two areas of the state holding referendums supporting same day registration at the polls are Democratic strongholds, but if the practice were prohibited, voters in Republican...

No Elk Hunt In Wisconsin This Year

March 27, 2013 - 7:15pm

Hunters will have to wait at least another year before they can put a northern Wisconsin elk in their sights.

DNR big-game ecologist Kevin Wallenfang says the Clam Lake elk herd is not big enough. He says there will be about 175 elk after calving season this summer, short of...

Whether It Likes Mine Or Not, DNR Board's Role In Permit Review Process Limited

March 27, 2013 - 6:27pm

A Department of Natural Resources (DNR) board member is concerned about a possible mine in northern Wisconsin, but the board may not be able to do much about an expected review of a mining permit.

DNR board member Dave Clausen was a Jim Doyle appointee; he says even though the bill...

Acting Labor Secretary Visits Milwaukee, Argues For Minimum Wage Hike

March 27, 2013 - 4:10pm

Acting Labor Secretary Seth Harris was in Milwaukee today, pushing for a national hike in the minimum wage. He says a higher base wage will help the economy.

Harris hosted a roundtable made up of people who earn the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

Harris says 60 percent of...

Holding Company Buys Port Edwards Paper Mill

March 27, 2013 - 3:16pm

The Canadian-based Domtar Corporation has found a buyer for the shuttered Port Edwards paper mill. Village officials are hoping for a quick turnaround from the new owner.

The mill closed down almost five years ago, causing a lot of economic hardship in the Wisconsin River town of Port Edwards. Village...

State GOP Questions Costs Of Land Stewardship Program

March 27, 2013 - 12:56pm

Republican lawmakers questioned the Deparment of Natural Resources yesterday about whether the state could afford the ongoing costs of Wisconsin's Stewardship program. Governor Walker's DNR Secrerary took a pass on answering them.

Wisconsin created the Stewardship program to buy up and preserve natural areas and wildlife habitat. Since the...

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Wisconsin Lags Neighbors, Nation In Job Growth

One In Custody After Protest Over Lack Of Charges In Williams Case

Old Medications Overwhelmingly Wind Up In Trash, Water

Auditors Discover $4.5 Mil. Of Federal Money Missing From Childcare Program

Wisconsin Groups Put Heat On Washington To Pass Gun Control Legislation

BLS Numbers Show Sluggish Job Creation In Wisconsin

Walker-Barrett Relationship Yields Some Cooperation, But Also Contention

Supreme Court Candidates Disagree On Relevancy Of Ethics Charge

DNR Says Phosphorus Seriously Affecting Wisconsin Waters

Impassioned Dentist Proposes Soda Tax To Gov

Runoff, Climate Change Big Topics At Driftless Area Symposium

State Senator Wants New Criminal Penalties To Come With Price Tag

State Senator Wants New Criminal Penalties To Come With Price Tag

Does Scott Walker's Planned Memoir Signal Presidential Ambition?

Dane County, Milwaukee Will Vote On Same-Day Registration

No Elk Hunt In Wisconsin This Year

Whether It Likes Mine Or Not, DNR Board's Role In Permit Review Process Limited

Acting Labor Secretary Visits Milwaukee, Argues For Minimum Wage Hike

Holding Company Buys Port Edwards Paper Mill

State GOP Questions Costs Of Land Stewardship Program

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