There are more cases of viral meningitis in Marathon County this year than in the last two years. The county has already recorded 18 cases so far this year – more than the five cases in all of 2006 and the 17 cases in all of 2005. Viral meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain or spinal cord. Epidemiologist Ruth Marx says this form is spread through viruses in fecal matter or respiratory secretions. Marx says symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, and include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and fatigue. Marx says viral meningitis is less life-threatening than bacterial meningitis, and you can prevent getting or spreading the disease by thoroughly washing your hands after using the bathroom and blowing your nose.
Doyle still pushing for autism coverage
Governor Doyle wants autism covered by health insurance. The governor included language requiring such coverage in his state budget , a move opposed by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, and some Republicans in the state legislature, alleging that would drive up premiums. Doyle says there's no evidence for that, and says he'll continue to push for the provision, as the budget works its way through the conference committee process. He insists the insurance coverage could make a difference, noting that Wisconsin already spends more on autism treatment than any other state, but still fails to get help to every family that needs it. The governor attended a rally in Milwaukee Tuesday, attended by autistic kids, their families, teachers and caregivers.
Reilly: we're working on tuition issue
UW Regents are studying new ideas for tuition and financial aid. Nothing in the pipeline will alter the tuition increase at all four year UW System campuses, which Board of Regents approved Tuesday. However UW System President Kevin Reilly said there is a study group looking at possible changes to tuition and financial aid. Options being studied include the University of Minnesota model, which would tie the rate of tuition increase to family income, and cohort tuition, which would guarantee freshman the same tuition rate for four years. Another possibility, said Reilly, would be charging families with more than one student in the UW System a lower tuition rate. Reilly said a new direction in tuition and financial aid policies could help to improve access to the UW System. While the Regents did vote Tuesday to increase tuition at all 13 four year UW campuses, they also voted to freeze tuition at the system's two year campuses. Effective this fall, in-state tuition will increase $330 at UW-Madison, $323 at UW-Milwaukee, and $251 at all other four-year campuses.
Proposal would protect consumer privacy
Technology in the retail world is threatening our privacy, according to state Representative Marlin Schneider.
The Wisconsin Rapids Democrat is worried about radio frequency ID tags that are sometimes implanted in products. He says there's a concern those products could be used to track a person's movements, which would infringe on a person's right to privacy.
Schneider is introducing legislation that would require retailers to disable tags before a buyer leaves the store.
State will begin monitoring bridges
The Department of Transportation will soon begin 24-hour monitoring of several Wisconsin bridges that are similar to the one that collapsed in Minneapolis last week.
The DOT will soon begin installing electronic monitoring devices on 15 deck-truss bridges across the state. Chief bridge engineer Finn Hubbard says the devices allow them to track how the bridges move, even if it's only fractions of an inch. He says the sensors will help spot any problems well in advance, so a tragedy similar to the one in Minnesota can be prevented.
The sensors can be monitored remotely, so Finn says the DOT can watch them 24-hours a day.
The devices are expected to cost up to $10,000 per bridge.
