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Free lunches are hot on Mondays

September 29, 2009 By

The free lunch program in Wisconsin public schools is a priority as more kids depend on that food.

The food kids eat at school is often times the best meal of the day for some students.

“Oh, absolutely. There are many stories that I’ve heard over the years, especially this year, where the hot lunch and breakfast, if they have breakfast, programs the highest enrollment is on Mondays because clearly the families are not able to afford food even on weekends.”

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Tony Evers says schools and libraries are safe places for children, and that includes meal time. The number of kids eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches has increased to nearly 40% compared to about 30%  in 2000.

Evers says, considering the recession and job loss, it could get worse before it gets better.

Despite having to cut corners to save money, Evers is not willing to skimp on school lunches. He hopes to work with legislators to make a renewed commitment on funding for public schools and the free lunch program.

Jackie Johnson report (1:28 mp3)

Filed Under: Children & Families, Education

Republicans want nuclear ban lifted

September 29, 2009 By

Several Republican lawmakers want to lift restrictions on building nuclear power plants in Wisconsin.

Current state law blocks the development of nuclear power plants unless they are cost effective and until a national repository for radioactive waste is created. State Representative Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem) says that’s stopping the exploration of a viable energy source and the so-called moratorium should be lifted.

Huebsch says the restrictions on new construction are no longer as big of an issue. He says developers should be able to at least explore the option of nuclear power.

The West Salem Republican says current nuclear technology produces much less waste as well, so there doesn’t need to be as strong of a focus on the creation of a national dumping site for spent radioactive fuel.

The proposal has faced strong opposition in the past from Democrats, along with Governor Jim Doyle. State Representative Spencer Black (D-Madison), who chairs the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, says there’s very little chance of the proposal being taken up this session.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:15)

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation

Giving state exports a lift

September 28, 2009 By

There’s a new effort to pump up the state’s exports, at a time when exports of manufactured goods in Wisconsin are down.

Mike Klonsinski with the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership says WMEP is launching a new, cooperative effort with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, to have more Wisconsin manufacturers exporting their products. “It’s critical for manufacturing these days, because the biggest source of success and wealth creation back to the state, comes when we ship our goods to Mexico, Canada, overseas,” says Klonsinski.

And with a recent WMEP survey finding hundreds of state manufacturers giving themselves a poor ranking on exporting, Klonsinski says there’s a real sense of urgency. “These isn’t something that we can wait . . . five to ten years,” he says. “If we don’t step in and take advantage of those markets, there are plenty of other countries in plenty of other state and countries that are going to do it instead of us.”

The U.S. Census Bureau said Wisconsin’s exports dropped 21.5 percent in the first six months of the year. That’s a short term trend, but Klonsinski wants a rebound of the state’s exports to go beyond where they were six months ago. “Our goal is to have more Wisconsin manufacturers exporting more Wisconsin good than we ever have before.”

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:65 MP3)

Filed Under: Business

Dems waiting on Barrett

September 28, 2009 By

Last week’s announcement from U.S. Representative Ron Kind, that he won’t seek the Democratic nomination to succeed Jim Doyle as Wisconsin’s governor, leaves Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton as the party’s only declared candidate. But most observers expect that to change.

“You need a competitive race on the Democratic side . . . for the nominee to get well known in the state, to actually be vetted in a campaign,” said UW Madison political scientist Charles Franklin.

AUDIO: Charles Franklin (:16 MP3)

Speculation now turns on whether Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will enter the race. “The number of potentially high profile Democrats who are sort of waiting in the wings is getting smaller, certainly,” said UW political scientist Dave Canon. “I think that there will be some people putting pressure on Tom Barrett.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With:

Badgers kickoff at Ohio State set

September 28, 2009 By

Wisconsin’s football game at Ohio State on Saturday, Oct. 10 will kickoff at 2:30pm CT and be televised by ABC.  The Big Ten Conference also announced that the Badgers 11am kickoff against Minnesota on Saturday will be broadcast by ESPN.

Saturday’s game at Minnesota will be the 119th edition of the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe.  The Golden Gophers lead the all-time series 59-51-8 but the Badgers have won 11 of the last 13 games between the two teams, including the last five.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: ,
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