Wisconsin News and Sports
There are new predictions that pump prices will continue to fall.
Unless there's a hurricane or new refinery problems, gas prices should continue to drop. Pam Moen of Wisconsin AAA Wisconsin says that's because supplies have gained strength recently because refinery output has increased and so have imports. Also, Moen says demand is down.
The US Energy Department is predicting the national average will drop to about $2.64 a gallon by December.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is calling for changes to the federal Farm Bill.
With Senate action on the Farm Bill expected in the coming weeks, Federation president Bill Bruins is urging lawmakers to steer away from propping up farmers with subsidies. Bruins says the system should move away from direct payments, instead focusing on risk management tools and providing farmers with a "safety net" for when commodity prices drop.
Bruins is calling on US Senator Herb Kohl to consider eliminating subsidies over time. The proposal is similar to one pushed for in the US House by Congressman Ron Kind. However, Bruins says he wants Senator Kohl to create a commission that would determine the best way to phase those out over time.
Also, Bruins says creating a commission will at least get the ball rolling on changes for the next time the farm bill is up for renewal, five years from now.
The Green Bay Packers kick off their 87th NFL season with a preseason trip to Pittsburgh.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy begins his second year at the helm and has stressed all offseason the importance of a quick start to the 2007 season. McCarthy is hoping to get his team off to a better start this season. After a slow preseason last year, the Packers started the regular season 1-4 before rebounding to finish 8-8. They ended up missing the NFC's final playoff spot by percentage points.
The Packers will be making their first ever appearance at Heinz Field. Their last trip to Pittsburgh was in 1998 at Three Rivers Stadium.
The Steelers will be playing their second game of the preseason. They defeated the Saints 20-7 in the Hall of Fame game Sunday night in Mike Tomlin's coaching debut.
Mike McCarthy expects to play his first unit for about a quarter (12 to 15 plays) before giving way to the reserves.
Listen / Download – Mike McCarthy on his plan for playing time. :17
Listen / Download – Mike McCarthy on winning in preseason. :27
Falling water levels in Lake Superior are not only threatening the ecology of the area but a Native American tradition as well.
For the first time ever, the tribal council of the Bad River Chippewa tribe has cancelled the wild rice harvesting season.
Leah Gibala, a Wetlands specialist with the tribe, says higher temperatures, lack of rain and low levels in Lake Superior are causing the twelve-thousand acre wetlands area to dry up.
By letting the rice beds lie fallow for a year, the tribe hopes it will allow them to expand to deeper waters.
Wild rice is more than just a food source. Gibala points out it is the heart of the tribe's culture and history. Anything that threatens the wild rice beds is of major concern to tribal members.
The tribe's Natural Resources Department is also encouraging non-tribal boaters and anglers to help keep the rice beds growing, especially in the spring, by honoring a voluntary no-wake zone in the wetlands area.
Wake from boats can destroy the natural seeding process in the spring, putting future harvests in jeopardy as well.
Milwaukee Brewers infielder Tony Graffanino will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Graffanino underwent an M-R-I examination in Milwaukee yesterday that revealed a torn A-C-L and medial meniscus tear in the right knee. Graffanino is expected to undergo surgery today.
Graffanino came down awkwardly after leaping to catch a line drive in the first inning of Wednesday's 19-4 loss to the Rockies in Colorado.
The Brewers are recalling second baseman Rickie Weeks from Triple-A Nashville to fill Graffanino's roster spot. Weeks had been hitting .455 in 22 at bats in his short stay at Nashville.
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