A UW expert says a number of factors led to Tuesday’s stunning election results in Massachusetts. How did Republican Scott Brown pull off his big upset in the Massachusetts Senate race? “It is a very blue state, especially for presidential voting, but while Democrats outnumber Republicans by three to one, Independents outnumber both of them, and so there was a big group of unaffiliated voters.” said UW political scientist Charles Franklin. “The other thing that happened is turnout.” [Read more...]
Teen arrested in father’s death
January 20, 2010 By
In Sauk County, a young teen admits to killing his father. The 13-year-old boy was found wandering around a Wal-Mart store, just after 9:00 Tuesday night. Lake Delton police were called to the store. A sheriff’s deputy then went to the home of the boy’s father, and found 55-year-old man Angelo Crisafulli dead, from an apparent gunshot wound to the back of the head. Police say the boy gave a confession. [Read more...]
Help for grieving families, or a favor to trial lawyers?
January 20, 2010 By
A bill to expand damages in medical malpractice cases draws Republican fire. The bill expands “loss of society and companionship” damages for adult children and their parents in medical malpractice cases.
During floor debate on Tuesday, state Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said while there are clearly tragic individual cases, the real beneficiaries may not be those families. “There’s a certain segment that’s definately going to benefit from this,” said Fitzgerald. “And it’s the trial attorneys.” Fitzgerald called the legislation “a feel good bill,” and one that should not have been a legislative priority. “There’s many other things that I think should be addressed, and a bill of this type is . . . taking care of a very small niche that are very politically active.” [Read more...]
Concerns about BPA
January 20, 2010 By
A legislative panel is set to act on a bill that would ban Bisphenol A from use in products used by kids five and younger. This coincides with the Food and Drug Administration doing an “about face” on previous finding regarding the chemical. On Friday the agency declared BPA, a “chemical of concern.”
“Nice Guy”? More like crumudgeon
January 20, 2010 By
I couldn’t believe the chatter around the water cooler this morning. My questions and comments are centered around the 2010 Red Smith Sports banquet in Appleton on Tuesday night.
This banquet celebrated it’s 45th year last night. Traditionally, some pretty big names come in and speak and entertain a crowd of around 2,000 local sports enthusiasts. The proceeds benefit youth sports in the Fox Valley.
Each year, the Red Smith committee hires a main speaker, which this year was ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas. And Bilas didn’t disappoint.
The Red Smith award was given to Packers wide receiver Donald Driver and the “Nice Guy” award was given to former Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog, who just happens to be going into the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer. [Read more...]
