US Senate Republicans have blocked the president’s nomination of Louis Butler for a federal judgeship in the western half of Wisconsin. Butler, a former State Supreme Court justice, was one of seven federal nominees who failed to win Senate approval before the end of the year. The GOP minority pulled a procedural maneuver and sent the appointments back to President Obama.
Archives for 2009
Badger defense is impressive in Bowl victory
Wisconsin’s kickoff coverage unit was burned for a long return on the opening kickoff. It led to a touchdown on the next play and Badger fans had to have that sinking feeling against the much quicker Miami Hurricanes. But the Badgers didn’t panic.
After failing to keep their first drive alive, punter Brad Nortman pinned Miami deep, the Badger defense got a stop and Wisconsin went on to even the score. From that point forward, the Badgers appeared to be in control and went on to beat the Hurricanes 20-14. [Read more…]
“Mark of the beast” livestock case continues moving
A hotly contested court case centered on farmers’ religious beliefs is now in the hands of a judge. Last week, Clark County District Attorney Darwin Zwieg filed his final brief in a case that pits the Old Order Amish against the government.
Safe sleep for infants
Health officials in Milwaukee are trying to make sure infants are sleeping safe and sound.
Dozens of infants have died in Milwaukee in recent years, while sleeping in the same bed as a parent. Most recently, a mother woke up Christmas Day to find her six-week-old daughter dead, after she put the infant in bed with her for the night. [Read more…]
State road site needs upgrade
Weary travelers wondering about road conditions last week had a tough time checking the state’s 511 website. Kelly Langer is the system operations chief in charge of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s winter travel site. She says the combination of a major winter storm and a holiday travel day led to major demand on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. “We had over 2,000 simultaneous hits on the site, and it ended up giving many people an error message,” says Langer, adding that people who refreshed their browser were able to access it. Langer says additional data lines will allow the site to handle more Internet traffic. She says that should prevent similar problems in the future.
Rick Schuh, WHBY
Bill gives DOT snow removal authority in Madison
As a result of a major snowstorm followed by nearly impassable roads, West Bend Republican Glenn Grothman is introducing legislation that would have the state Department of Transportation set the standards on salt usage, and snow removal from Madison’s main arterials.
“The state has to step in. The city of Madison has proven itself incapable of determining policies to keep its own roads clear.”
A blizzard dumped around a foot and a half of snow on the Madison area December 8th and 9th, and streets were in poor driving condition for the next several days. [Read more…]
Packers place three on NFC Pro Bowl team
Three Green Bay Packers were named to the 2009 NFC Pro Bowl team. Safety Nick Collins, cornerback Charles Woodson and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (pictured) were all named to the team, Woodson as a starter on the NFC defense.
Linebacker Clay Matthews was named a first alternate. [Read more…]
Shots fired in Walworth Co. standoff
Police expect a standoff with a Walworth County man to continue into the night. Janesville Gazette reporter Pedro Oliveira, at the scene, says deputies responded to a 911 call Tuesday morning in the Town of Richmond. Officers were able to get two young children out of the house. Sheriff David Graves also says that the man fired two shots, and nearly hit a sheriff’s deputy. Graves says he’s not in a position to compromise personnel and so they will keep negotiating with the man. Roads in the area of Turtle Lake Road are closed as emergency responders and SWAT teams from Walworth, Rock and Dane counties work to end the standoff. A neighbor says the man has a good relationship with his family and is recently divorced.
Pedre Oliveira (1:30) AUDIO: Pedro Oliveira (1:30 MP3)
UPDATE: After a nearly ten hour standoff the suspect, 49-year-old Richard Sallman, surrendered to police.
State Capitol evacuated
The State Capitol building in Madison has been evacuated, after a bomb threat was called in to Dane County 911.
A spokeswoman with the Department of Administration says the Capitol was evacuated shortly after 3:00 pm Tuesday afternoon, as the investigation was underway. [Read more…]
Red Arrow Brigade wrapping up in Iraq
Soldiers with the Wisconsin National Guard are preparing to come home, after serving a year-long deployment to Iraq. Lieutenant Colonel Jackie Guthrie says members of the Red Arrow 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team are starting to leave the country. “The majority of the soldiers are still in Iraq at this point, but some have already started moving into Kuwait to start the demobilization process, kind of the reverse process that they did when they went overseas” says Guthrie. “They’ll leave Iraq and they’ll go into Kuwait and they’ll do some processing there, and then they’ll continue back to the United States.” [Read more…]