February 23, 2012

Tracking the timing of accidents

If you're looking to stay out of a wreck, Friday is the day to be especially careful.

Dennis Hughes with the State Patrol says the DOT has been tracking when crashes occur. Hughes says Friday's are the day of the week when about 17-percent of all vehicle crashes occur. Officials believe that's largely due to more people being out and about than most other days of the week.

About 20-percent of all fatal crashes occur on Saturday. Hughes says many are in the early morning or late night hours, and alcohol often is a factor.

AUDIO: John Colbert reports (MP3 :35)

Friday Night means Wrestling semifinals at the Kohl Center

Kohl Center Day two of wrestling action at the WIAA State Individual Wrestling Championships at the Kohl Center will wrap with the semi-finals tonight.  The winners will advance to championship Saturday where winners will be crowned in 14 different weight classes in three divisions.

WRN Wrestling reporter Joe Miller previews tonight's action in Madison.

Listen / Download – Joe Miller previews tonight's semifinals. :50
Listen / Download – Joe Miller previews tonight's semifinals :47

Obama plans big $ for Great Lakes

Nearly half a billion dollars is set aside in the President's budget plan for Great Lakes. Congress still needs to approve President Obama's request. Chris Grubb, Grassroots Director with the Healing Our Waters, Great Lakes Coalition, says leaders in Wisconsin like Dave Obey, House Appropriations Committee Chairman, need to step up and to help pass Obama's $475 million plan.

If that happens there is already a blueprint in place called the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration strategy, says Grubb. Part of the plan would be to target invasive species, clean up pollution and restore habitat for wildlife. He says the funding would provide a “shot in the arm” for the strategy's recommendations.

AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (MP3 :53)

State Wrestling Tournament wraps up first day of competition

The 66th WIAA Individual State Wrestling tournament wrapped up it's first day of competition at the Kohl Center in Madison.  Our wrestling reporter Joe Miller is on hand all weekend and provides us two separate recaps from day 1 action.

 

Listen / Download – Joe Miller recaps Day 1 at the Kohl Center. :51
Listen / Download – Joe Miller looks back at day 1 at the Kohl Center :54

Another go at insurance mandate?

A state lawmaker plans once again to push for mandatory auto insurance. The Wisconsin Association for Justice , a trial lawyers' group, is calling on the governor and legislature to require that all Wisconsin motorists carry auto insurance. "They are correct, there's only two states left," that don't require insurance, says state Senator John Lehman. The Racine Democrat says up to fifteen percent of Wisconsin drivers are driving without insurance, and his constituents routinely ask why the state allows that to continue.

Lehman says drivers involved in accidents with uninsured motorists do have recourse – but it's one which can be costly and time consuming. "You can go to court and sue the folks" to recover damages, he says. "It goes a lot more smoothly, usually, if you've got an insurance company going to bagt for you, and there's another insurance company involved on the other side."

Lehman plans to reintroduce legislation later this year which would mandate insurance. He's got his work cut out for him: this would be the fourth time Lehman has sponsored such a bill, and the fourteenth time overall that insurance mandate legislation has been attempted.

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:55 MP3)