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‘Puppy mill’ bill advances

October 14, 2009 By

A bill to create licensing requirements for commercial dog breeders passes a legislative committee. A state Senate committee approved the measure on a 5-0 vote Wednesday. Under the bill anyone selling more than 25 dogs in a year will need to be licensed through the state Department of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection. The legislation also establishes minimum standards of care for licensed facilities.

The bill’s Senate author, Chippewa Falls Democrat Pat Kreitlow, noted that it’s the product of years of work to build consensus on the need to shut down puppy mills while protecting responsible, caring breeders. Assembly author, Eau Claire Democrat Jeff Smith, noted during a public hearing on the bill that criminal charges have been largely ineffective in combating irresponsible breeders.

The legislation has 51 cosponsors in the Assembly and 21 cosponsors in the Senate.

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Shawano Co. marijuana operation may be linked to Mexico

October 14, 2009 By
Marijuana plants, Shawano County (IMAGE: Shawano Co. Sheriff)

Marijuana plants, Shawano County (IMAGE: Shawano Co. Sheriff)

Shawano County Sheriff Randy Wright says a big marijuana growing operation discovered in his county may have links to organized crime.

AUDIO: Sheriff Randy Wright (:15 MP3)

A tip led law enforcement to marijuana within the 17,000 acre Navarino State Wildlife Area, where they destroyed approximately 8,000 plants, making it the largest such exercise in state history. Chris Hackbarth with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency says there’s a simple reason for this kind of criminal activity: “it’s a very lucrative business.”

AUDIO: Chris Hackbarth (:14 MP3)

In addition to the thousands of plants, investigators found four separate camps and work sites. Wright says the operation appears to have been abandoned for about two and a half weeks – but that some marijuana does appear to have been harvested. Wright, Hackbarth and other officials who participated in the operation held a press conference Wednesday.

WTCH’s Doug Erdman contributed to this report

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

Allowing felons on supervision to vote

October 14, 2009 By

A bill to allow felons, on parole and probation, to cast a ballot received discussion at a public hearing Tuesday. The bill’s sponsor Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) said even during that window of supervision, there is no reason to deny “a constitutional right.” She claimed Wisconsin has lengthy parole and probationary periods making the span of disenfranchisement “significant.” 

Alicia Boehme of Disability Rights Wisconsin also supports the legislation. The group is concerned with people in and out of corrections as 31-percent of Wisconsin’s prison population has some type of mental health condition.

Boehme testified when she talks to people around the state there is a misconception that all felons are not allowed to vote, not just those being supervised. The legislation requires agencies, including the Corrections Department, to notify officials and the public about the change to voter eligibility if it is approved.

AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (MP3 :62)

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Legislature

Voicing support for mixed martial arts regulation

October 14, 2009 By

A bill that would rewrite many of Wisconsin boxing’s medical and licensing rules and apply them to Mixed Martial Arts received a public hearing Tuesday before the Senate Committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs. MMA promoters, athletes, physicians and officials backed the measure which is sponsored by Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) and Representative Pedro Colon (D-Milwaukee).

Senator Bob Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie) raised concerns on how dangerous the fast growing sport is. He’s heard of former NFL players who have brain damage despite all their protective helmets where as MMA competitors don’t even wear headgear. Dr. Tim Westlake, an Oconomowoc EMS physician explained that brain injury is the result of more than just impact.

AUDIO: Tim Westlake (MP3 :32)

Westlake, a Brazilian Jiujitsu blackbelt, also cited a 2006 Johns Hopkins study that claims MMA is safer than boxing in regards to brain injury.

Cheryl Clancy, a former Milwaukee Public School principal, spoke of the positive benefits to children who’ve participated in a Brazilian Jiujitsu program administered by MPS and the Duke Roufus Gym. Clancy has seen her own benefits as well, losing 100 pounds from boxing and kickboxing training with Roufus.

Despite Wisconsin having no regulation of MMA, the co-owner of a popular fight promotion in Madison said he’s already been implementing some of the legislation provisions. Pat O’Malley of Madtown Throwdown told lawmakers he has always provided ringside physicians and insurance for athletes who get injured. He said requiring it statewide it would “even the playing field.”

AUDIO: Pat O’Malley (MP3 :43)

About dozen people testified in favor of the bi-partisan legislation, no one spoke out against it.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Labor, Legislature

Bucks fall to Bulls in NBA exhibition

October 14, 2009 By

The Milwaukee Bucks fell to 2-3 in exhibition play, losing to the Bulls in Chicago 87-86. Joakim Noah has 20 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Bulls, while Hakim Warrick had 25 points for the Bucks. Milwaukee trailed by eight midway through the fourth quarter before forcing a tie at 86 with 29 seconds left on a 3-pointer by Jodie Meeks.  The Bucks are now 2-3 in exhibition play.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With:
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