Wisconsin News and Sports
The Milwaukee Brewers announced Sunday that they’ve declined the mutual option on reliever Francisco Rodriguez as well as the club option on shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.
Rodriguez went 4-0 with a 1.86 ERA in 31 appearances with the Brewers. He’ll receive a $4-million buyout. Betancourt gets a $2-million buyout.
Without much of a market at shortstop, it’s possible that Betancourt could return to Milwaukee for another season at a reduced price.
Wisconsin’s 33-29 loss to Ohio State in Columbus on Saturday dropped the Badgers in the polls this week.
Wisconsin fell to 17th in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll. They dropped to 19th in the Associated Press Top 25 and to 20th in this week’s BCS standings.
For the second consecutive week, the Wisconsin Badgers suffered a Big Ten loss
Badger Halloween
with a touchdown pass in the final minute.
Braxton Miller connected on a 40-yard touchdown pass in the final minute on Saturday night as the Ohio State Buckeyes knocked off the Badgers 33-29 in Columbus.
AUDIO: Bret Bielema on another last-minute loss :15
Bret Bielema’s Badgers just couldn’t run the ball against Ohio State’s defense. Wisconsin finished with 89 yards and a touchdown on the ground. It got to the point in the second half where the Badgers just had to try to get their yards somewhere else. [Read more...]
About $310 million is spent on pet costumes this year. (PHOTO: Brian Moon)
Almost $7 billion is expected to be spent on Halloween this year, up from $5.8 billion last year, according to the National Retail Federation. Revenue for retailers is up well over 100 percent from a mere $3.3 billion spent in 2005.
Doug Johnson, Madison-based national and state retail analyst for more than 30 years, says the holiday is a great stress release for adults during the down economy. “Halloween has become more popular because of the relative low costs and the escape from daily worries and a chance to be a kid again.”
An average household will spend $72, an increase from last year’s average of 66 bucks. In addition to decorations, costumes, candy, and greeting cards, revelers will spend lots of money on pet costumes — $310 million.
Johnson says at a total of $7 billion, Halloween spending is still small when compared to $400 billion for Christmas, but it’s a quickly growing retail event. “Number one is Christmas, number two is back-to-school, number three is Thanksgiving, number four is Halloween, but Halloween is sneaking in.”
As a bonus, Johnson says Halloween is a major indicator of upcoming consumer spending for the end of year holidays. “This is not only good for state and local and national retailers for sales now, it’s a harbinger for what we are hoping are even stronger sales for the holidays.”
Average spending for Christmas last year per person was $700, while Mother’s day individual spending was just short of $130 and Halloween is expected to be $72. No mention of Father’s day.
Breakdown of the $7 billion in Halloween sales:
Adult Costumes: $1.21 billion
Candy: $2 billion
Decorations: $1.88 billion
Children’s costumes: $1 billion
Greeting cards: $470 million
Pet Costumes: $310 million
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:47
Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl is not seeking reelection to the U.S. Senate seat he’s held since 1988. Any advice for the presumed Democratic nominee? “I know Tammy Baldwin and she’s an outstanding person. She’s been a great representative for this part of Wisconsin,” said Kohl. “I believe she’ll be an outstanding candidate. If she’s our nominee what advice she asks more for I’ll be happy to provide.” Baldwin is so far the only Democrat to have announced for Kohl’s seat. The GOP field includes former congressman Mark Neumann and state Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald. Former Governor Tommy Thompson has all but officially entered the race, and state Senator Frank Lasee is also reportedly considering it. [Read more...]
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