The Auburndale school district is starting the process of changing its “Apaches” nickname. Two dozen district residents attended an informational session held by district officials on Monday. Also attending were Harvey and Carol Gunderson, who led the fight against the “chieftains” nickname and logo in the Osseo-Fairchild school district. The Gundersons are the co-founders of Religious Americans against Indian Nicknames & Logos, and Carol is a member of the Oneida Nation. The Gundersons also actively lecture on Native American issues at UW-Stout in Menomonie. And they presented research data showing the psychological affects indian-based nicknames and logos have on Native Americans. [Read more...]
Murphy to update pollution controls at Superior refinery
September 28, 2010 By
Arkansas-based Murphy Oil has reached an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on a consent decree covering the company’s refineries in Superior and Louisiana. According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice (PDF), Murphy will also pay a $1.25 million civil settlement, with Wisconsin receiving $229,687. The new air pollution control technologies and other measures to be implemented at both refineries will reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide by nearly 1,400 tons per year once all controls are installed. The company did not disclose details of the consent decree. Murphy announced in July that it was putting the Wisconsin and Louisiana refineries up for sale, along with another in the United Kingdom. The Superior facility is the only oil refinery in Wisconsin and one of the smallest in the U.S., capable of processing 35,000 barrels a day.
UW awaits Obama
September 28, 2010 By
Prepping Library Mall PHOTO: Jackie Johnson, WRN
There’s excitement on the UW-Madison campus today, with President Barack Obama due at Library Mall for a late-afternoon rally. Students we talked with today seemed anxious to attend. “I think it’s just something everyone should come out and see,” said one student. “It’s going to be something that goes down in the books. It’s pretty legendary, especially for this campus.” It’s the first visit to the Madison campus by a sitting president in sixty years. Harry Truman made a UW stop in 1950. “I’m excited, but I have a test the same exact time that he’s coming, so it’s annoying,” said another student. [Read more...]
Portage County assessing flood damage
September 28, 2010 By
A central Wisconsin county hard hit from flooding and record rains has begun began formally assessing the damage Monday as residents continued to clean up water-logged basements. County Executive Patty Dreier says officials are doing site assessments at 220 homes in the hardest hit areas.
Lawmaker ‘relieved’ by Kratz resignation
September 28, 2010 By
A lawmaker who was among the first to call on Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz to resign when his “sexting scandal” broke two weeks ago is relieved by his decision to step down. State Representative Terese Berceau says Kratz’s decision to step down will “save a lot of time and trouble.”
