Month: January 2015

ADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican leader of the Wisconsin state Senate is renewing his call for passage of a right-to-work bill.  Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald issued a statement Thursday saying debate of right-to-work needs to occur along with consideration of the state budget. Walker will release his budget plan on Tuesday.  Walker has repeatedly said he doesn't want the Legislature to act early in the session on right-to-work, […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin is asking that the lead investigator probing allegations of opiate over prescription and retaliatory practices at a VA hospital in Tomah take into account the testimony of whistleblowers.  In a letter Thursday, Baldwin asked that VA Under Secretary Carolyn Clancy consider concerns not addressed in an earlier report. Baldwin says an investigation published in March did not mention opiate prescribing practices or […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Members of the Menominee Tribe, southeastern Wisconsin union workers and a bipartisan group of state lawmakers are urging Gov. Scott Walker to reconsider his rejection of a new casino in Kenosha.  Walker rejected the tribe's proposal last week and reiterated on Wednesday that he would not change his mind.  But advocates for the project gathered at the Capitol Thursday to say Walker can still change his […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin appeals court says a state requirement that singers in the state Capitol obtain a permit was unconstitutional.  The case involves Michael Crute, who was cited for joining in a daily sing-along protest in the Capitol rotunda in July 2013. State rules then prohibited anyone from participating in or watching an unpermitted event in state buildings.  Crute argued the regulations violated his free speech rights. […]

. It's not enough to be called the Sturgeon Spearing Capital of the World. This February, Lake Winnebago will be teeming with activity below the surface and on the ice. Fisherman can expect a larger sturgeon harvest now that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has increased the cap for 2015, and on the ice, racers from around the world will be competing in the 2015 World Ice and Snow […]

BERLIN, Wis. (AP) — Berlin Area School District officials have decided the high school mascot will remain the same amid criticism that it's racially insensitive.  The school board voted Monday night to retain the Indian mascot at Berlin High School after survey results were announced. About 92 percent of more than 1,300 community members surveyed voted in favor of keeping the mascot.  One resident says the name honors a Native […]

The Fond du Lac Fire chief says he supports legislation that would ban the sale of so-called novelty lighters to children.  Fire chief Pete O’Leary made his feelings known this week in a letter to  Fond du Lac lawmakers.  O’Leary says the novelty lighters are dangerous because they often look like toys and can be mistaken by both kids and adults.  For several years students at Pittsville Elementary School in […]

The University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac has received a $10,000 grant through the UW System’s Undergraduate Research and Discovery Grant program.  Dean John Short says the funding will give UW-Fond du Lac students the opportunity to participate directly in one of  several research projects as a freshman or sophomore.  Short says students will have the opportunity to work in close collaboration with a faculty mentor and will present their findings […]

The Fond du Lac Public Works director says he believes it makes more sense to replace an historic bridge at Lakeside Park rather than spending more money to rehabilitate it.  Seventy-thousand dollars is earmarked in this year’s capital improvement plan to replace the bridge.  Jordan Skiff says a non profit  Iowa-based company that specializes in saving historic bridges estimates the cost to restore the bridge at $110,000. Skiff says the […]