May 16, 2012

You are here: Home / 2009 / November / Archives for 9th

Novelist gives the world glimpse of Northwoods

November 9, 2009 By

It took a Wisconsinite a decade to finish his first novel but evidently it was worth the wait. “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” was the most successful debut novel of 2008 and spent 39 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list. The author David Wroblewski says the tale is set on a small farm in the northwoods near where he grew up.

AUDIO: Wroblewski on story (MP3 :16)

A review claimed “the dogs function like spirits in Shakespeare, or the chorus in Greek tragedy.” That was from O Magazine published by Oprah Winfrey who also chose it for her book club. Wroblewski remembers the day he heard the news.

AUDIO: Wroblewski about Oprah club (MP3 :22)

He was a computer programmer who wrote creative fiction in his spare time. Wroblewski says he feels he’s under no pressure to write another book. The Colorado resident says he enjoys writing and has already started on his second novel, but says it may take him four or five years before it’s ready to publish.

Audio courtesy of Radio Iowa

Filed Under: Human Interest

Warnings of phishing scams

November 9, 2009 By

You might be familiar with the word, but lots of people have not heard of phishing scams.

Wisconsin’s top cop is trying to get the word out, reminding people to be aware of phishing (fishing) scams. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen explains, cyber criminals send potential victims emails hoping to convince the recipients to click on a link, where the unsuspecting consumer will be redirected to a fake website.

“Basically what they’re asking for is for people to give up their social security number or other information — credit card numbers — that is going to permit them (scammer) to adopt their (consumer) identity and somehow fraudulently deprive them of some of their resources.”

Van Hollen warns, Internet scammers disguise their emails as legitimate memos from well-known retailers, banks, credit card companies and government agencies, making it difficult to tell the difference from the real thing. Van Hollen says there are many folks who are not even aware of phishing scams.

“And as we make them more aware, and more aware of what they can do to protect themselves we can not only protect them but prevent criminality and save resources down the road as well.”

Legitimate businesses, banks and government agencies will never ask consumers to send personal, account and financial information via e-mail.

Jackie Johnson report (1:22 mp3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Doyle to sign education bills

November 9, 2009 By

Several education reforms seen as key to Wisconsin’s application for federal stimulus funding under the “Race to the Top” program cleared the Legislature before the end of the fall session, and Governor Jim Doyle will sign them today. The most controversial measure lifts a state prohibition on using test scores to evaluate teacher performance. “This isn’t about just being punative, this is about actually having the data to understand what’s going on,” said Doyle, calling the change “a step forward for Wisconsin.”

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (1:10 MP3)

Governor Doyle, married to elementary school teacher Jessica Doyle, said he knows a set of test scores is hardly the only way to evaluate teachers. “Having said that though, it seems to me really equally ubsurd to say that that can’t be a factor at all,” he said. Doyle saidelimination of this so-called firewall on test scores, will be a key part Wisconsin’s application for part of $4.3 billion available through “Race to the Top.” Doyle will sign the bills at Madison’s J.C. Wright Middle School, the site of last week’s education address by President Obama.

Filed Under: Education, Politics & Government
« Previous Page