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To The Chagrin Of Democrats, WEDC Leader Gets A Pay Raise

July 18, 2013 - 5:34pm

Democrats are criticizing a pay raise given to the leader of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the state's job-creating agency.

Reed Hall got a 50 percent pay raise a few months ago and now makes $185,000 per year. Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate says the jobs agency is a...

New Venture Capital Law Will Invest $25 Million Into Startups

July 18, 2013 - 5:08pm

More state money will go into helping startups in Wisconsin under a venture capital bill now signed into law.

The bill sets up a $25 million program run by the state Department of Administration (DOA). The DOA will form a committee to choose an investment manager that will pair...

New Study Triggers Debate About Point Beach's Nuclear Future

July 18, 2013 - 3:55pm

A new study says the Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant along Lake Michigan is at risk of shutting down early due to economics.

The Kewaunee nuclear power plant shut down a couple months ago, due to a tougher financial climate for one-reactor nuclear plants. Many think the twin-reactor nuclear plant at...

DOT Considers Double-Decker Freeway Near Miller Park In Milwaukee

July 18, 2013 - 6:00am

Governor Scott Walker says there may be a way to double-deck Interstate 94 near Miller Park in Milwaukee.

The state Department of Transportation (DOT) is getting ready to replace the I-94/US-45 zoo interchange in western Milwaukee County. The DOT also has studies underway as to how to try later to...

For Heroin Users Who Overdose, Access To Lifesaving Drug Is Limited

July 18, 2013 - 6:00am

A drug called naloxone can bring heroin users who overdose back from the brink of death.

But naloxone is not always available, especially in rural areas. One nonprofit - the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) - is working to change that.

If you're an injection drug user in south-central Wisconsin,...

Injunction Against New Abortion Law Extended By Two Weeks

July 18, 2013 - 12:11am

A federal judge in Madison has extended by two weeks a restraining order blocking a new law that restricts some doctors from performing abortions.

The new law requires doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the clinic in case there are complications. Judge William...

Did GTAC Commit A Felony By Hiring Bulletproof? One Attorney Thinks So

July 17, 2013 - 7:40pm

An attorney who has been critical of mining company GTAC says the company might have committed a felony when it hired an unlicensed security firm to guard its test drills.

Hurley lawyer Anthony Stella had already asked the Iron County district attorney and state regulators to deny a license...

Local Governments Have Less Say In Cell Phone Tower Placement Due To Budget

July 17, 2013 - 7:01pm

Local governments now have less of a say where cell phone towers are built because of provisions tucked in the state's biennial budget.

Cell tower placement has been controversial in parts of the state. Some communities have passed moratoriums to ban them or regulations that limit where they can be built.

But...

Deaths From Heroin Overdoses Are Increasing In Wisconsin

July 17, 2013 - 6:00pm

WPR News is halfway through its six-part series on heroin use in Wisconsin. Be sure to check out part one, part two, and part three.

Heroin use is on the rise in Wisconsin, as are deaths from overdoses. Check out the chart below of...

Rhythm And Booms Will Be Relocated In 2014

July 17, 2013 - 4:34pm

Madison is moving its signature Fourth of July fireworks event Rhythm and Booms to a central city location along Lake Monona in 2014.

City officials say the location will be easier to get to and will have lower police costs. Last year's Rhythm and Booms lost money at its longtime...

Heat Advisory In Southern Wisconsin Will Last Until Friday Evening

July 17, 2013 - 3:36pm

A heat advisory remains in effect for much of southern Wisconsin until Friday evening.

Highs are expected in the upper 80s to low 90s although it will feel more like 95 or hotter with the humidity. Sarah Marquardt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sullivan, says the overnight...

Security Firm From Drill Site Has Its Wisconsin License Application Contested

July 17, 2013 - 6:00am

The state's licensing agency has been sent two complaints asking it not to permit Bulletproof Securities from operating in the state.

The Arizona-based security firm had until recently been guarding a potential northern Wisconsin mining site.

Both complaints cite a state law that says anyone who operates a security agent...

La Crosse Woman's Heroin Addiction Cost Her Family Dearly

July 17, 2013 - 6:00am

Today is a bad day for Gina.

She's curled up on a living room couch with the TV on mute. The petite 46 year-old, who doesn't want her last name used because of the stigma attached to addiction, looks calm and relaxed, but she's exhausted and in pain. It's only...

NRC Finds Safety Violation At Point Beach Nuclear Plant

July 16, 2013 - 6:41pm

Federal regulators say there has apparently been a substantial violation of a regulation at the Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant.

All sides say there's no immediate safety concern at the plant along Lake Michigan.

After the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has been...

Capitol Police Declare Today's Solidarity Sing Along Unlawful, Threaten Arrests

July 16, 2013 - 6:21pm

Police threatened to arrest people gathered for a daily noontime sing along at the Wisconsin State Capitol today.

They referenced a judge's recent ruling on the size of crowds allowed without a permit.

The preliminary injunction issued last week by U.S. District Judge William Conley temporarily blocked the Department...

FEMA Tours Flood-Damaged Counties To Assess Need For Federal Aid

July 16, 2013 - 6:02pm

Federal officials are touring flood-damaged areas in southern Wisconsin to determine whether they qualify for financial assistance.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) teams are on the ground in Ashland, Crawford, Dane, Grant, Iowa, Richland, Sauk, Saint Croix and Vernon counties - all of which were damaged by heavy rains...

Property Owners Win In Supreme Court Case, But Do Wetlands Lose?

July 16, 2013 - 5:52pm

The state Supreme Court has ruled in favor of property owners along Lake Koshkonong in a decision that some say will weaken wetlands protection.

The property owners wanted the Department of Natural Resources to allow water levels to be higher year-round on Lake Koshkonong, which is formed by a dam...

UW Hospital Workers With Expiring Contracts Look For Municipal Support

July 16, 2013 - 5:20pm

About 5,000 union workers at the University of Wisconsin Hospital with expiring contracts are seeking support from the Madison Common Council.

Tonight, the council takes up a measure backing union rights in the wake of Act 10, the 2011 law that restricts collective bargaining rights for nearly all public workers.

Act...

Green Energy Company Has Big Plans For City Of Adams

July 16, 2013 - 4:30pm

The city of Adams last night unveiled plans for becoming the American production headquarters for GEITS Global, an Australian green energy company.

Felicia Whitehouse, the executive vice president of projects for GEITS Global, plans to break ground this fall on a development that includes its American headquarters, a 500,000...

Unemployment Benefits Will Soon Be Distributed On Debit Cards

July 16, 2013 - 3:13pm

Newly unemployed Wisconsin residents will soon be able to receive their unemployment benefits with a bank-issued debit card.

The practice has been used in other states with mixed results.

Starting Thursday, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) will begin phasing out the practice of printing and mailing people checks for their unemployment...

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To The Chagrin Of Democrats, WEDC Leader Gets A Pay Raise

New Venture Capital Law Will Invest $25 Million Into Startups

New Study Triggers Debate About Point Beach's Nuclear Future

DOT Considers Double-Decker Freeway Near Miller Park In Milwaukee

For Heroin Users Who Overdose, Access To Lifesaving Drug Is Limited

Injunction Against New Abortion Law Extended By Two Weeks

Did GTAC Commit A Felony By Hiring Bulletproof? One Attorney Thinks So

Local Governments Have Less Say In Cell Phone Tower Placement Due To Budget

Deaths From Heroin Overdoses Are Increasing In Wisconsin

Rhythm And Booms Will Be Relocated In 2014

Heat Advisory In Southern Wisconsin Will Last Until Friday Evening

Security Firm From Drill Site Has Its Wisconsin License Application Contested

La Crosse Woman's Heroin Addiction Cost Her Family Dearly

NRC Finds Safety Violation At Point Beach Nuclear Plant

Capitol Police Declare Today's Solidarity Sing Along Unlawful, Threaten Arrests

FEMA Tours Flood-Damaged Counties To Assess Need For Federal Aid

Property Owners Win In Supreme Court Case, But Do Wetlands Lose?

UW Hospital Workers With Expiring Contracts Look For Municipal Support

Green Energy Company Has Big Plans For City Of Adams

Unemployment Benefits Will Soon Be Distributed On Debit Cards

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