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Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame in college football? Could happen!

May 27, 2009 By

Barry Alvarez UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez, on the Mike Heller show on WTSO Radio in Madison on Tuesday that the Badgers were in talks with officials at Notre Dame.

Alvarez said the two sides are discussing a time period between 2012 and 2015.  Alvarez said Wisconsin might take one of Purdue's spots on future Fighting Irish schedules after speaking recently with new Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick.

UW and Notre Dame have met in football 16 times with the most recent meeting in 1964.  Notre Dame won that game 31-7 and leads the all-time series 8-6-2.

Listen / Download – Barry Alvarez on the discussions about a game vs. Notre Dame. :17

Filed Under: Badgers, Top Story

Feingold: Single-payer health care doubtful

May 27, 2009 By

If you think Pres. Barack Obama wants to move the country toward a single-payer health care system , you're wrong.

That was the message from Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Middleton) in Loyal Tuesday.

He fielded a number of questions on the topic of health care, and heard comments both for and against a single-payer health care system.

Feingold said he'd support a 'single-payer' system over our current system, which he called a "mess", but doesn't believe such a system has support.

"I don't think a single-payer system could possibly pass in the Congress at this time," Feingold said, "I don't even know if it would be my first choice. I think a little better approach would be to pass a law guaranteeing every American has to be covered."

Feingold says health care doesn't need to be a "one-size fits all" proposition.

Instead of a nationwide system, Feingold would prefer offering incentives to state's—like Wisconsin—to craft their own plans.

"I think you get better efficiency. A state like Wisconsin would do well. The Federal Government should give incentives to states that help people stay healthy," Feingold stated.

Not only doesn't he think there's enough votes to pass a single-payer health care system in Congress, Feingold says Pres. Obama has never expressed support for such a plan.

AUDIO: Paul Knoff report (1:06 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Free days down yesteryear

May 27, 2009 By

A chance to take a glimpse into the past just got easier. The Wisconsin Historical Society is offering free admission to their historic sites during Mondays in June to deal with down economic times. The society's Alicia Goehring says "we know times are tough" but people are interested in learning about Wisconsin history.

Goehring says one reason history is important is to learn from our mistakes so we don't learn repeat them. She says its "not so much learning about the past but really learning ourselves, the present and things ought to be in the future."

With nearly ten historic sites statewide Goehring says there is something for every Wisconsinite within a day's trip.

AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (MP3 :60)

Filed Under: Human Interest

Smokers may head elsewhere

May 27, 2009 By

A prediction today, with legislators poised to act on Governor Doyle's proposed 75 cent increase in the cigarette tax. The increase being considered by legislative budget writers won't raise as much revenue as the governor's office claims. That according to a study by the Wisconsin Association of Convenience Stores

Pam Christienson of the association says New Jersey actually LOST revenue last year after raising its tobacco tax. "This increase represents a forty two percent increase to the state excise tax, but it's really only going to result in a six point-eight percent increase to the tax revenue that's going to come in," Christienson asserts. "People are going to be buying their cigarettes . . . in other ways, and the state will not see the revenue."

Christienson says smokers will turn to the Internet and black market to avoid the tax increase, which the Doyle Administration estimates would raise nearly 300 million dollars over the next two years.

AUDIO: John Colbert reports (:35 MP3)

Filed Under: Budget, Politics & Government, Taxes

Police union on JFC’s anti racial profiling move

May 27, 2009 By

If you’re stopped for a traffic violation the officer will take note of your race and send it off to Madison, under a provision approved 12-4 by the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee on Tuesday. 

Jim Palmer, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, says although local budgets are stretched thin, WPPA believes the state is doing everything it can to properly implement the measure which he says will allow Wisconsin to receive additional federal funds. He adds Governor Doyle has federal stimulus dollars allotted to the program.

The measure, designed to curb racial profiling, would take effect in 2011. Palmer says this means enforcement will have ample time to give input to legislators on the most efficient way to enact the program.

All four Republicans on the panel voted no saying law enforcement have better things to do, especially in smaller towns.

The state Office of Justice Assistance will decide how the racial data is used. Doyle’s budget called for data collection to be done in 11 largest counties but the JFC is requiring it statewide.

The governor proposed it to get Milwaukee legislators to agree to let law enforcement stop drivers just for not wearing seat-belts. Until now, opponents of the “primary enforcement” had feared racial profiling. The finance panel endorsed the seat belt measure a few weeks ago.

AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (MP3 :64)

Filed Under: Transportation
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