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…]
Archives for September 2010
Murphy to update pollution controls at Superior refinery
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
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
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
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.”
Will the levee hold?
After reaching a record high the Wisconsin River is expected to begin dropping, meantime the state DNR says continues to monitor a weakened sand levee. There was a partial breach in the levee on Sunday near the Columbia County community of Portage.
Priebus weighs in on Obama visit
What’s Reince Priebus think of Barack Obama’s latest Wisconsin visit? With the President coming to Madison today to campaign for Democrats, we asked the chair of the Republican Party of Wisconsin to weigh in on the visit. “I think it’s a curious strategy, but as a Republican party leader, I welcome him in the state,” said Priebus. “I think he helps Scott Walker and Ron Johnson in November.”
Obama will be on Madison’s Library Mall, stumping for his party’s candidates for Governor and U.S. Senate, Tom Barrett and Russ Feingold. “The interesting thing here is that Russ Feingold isn’t even coming to the rally, and again is curiously far away from the president.” Feingold also did not appear with Obama in Milwaukee on Labor Day.
Kratz investigation will continue
Wisconsin’s Attorney General is pleased by news that Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz plans to resign. However, J.B. Van Hollen says his office will continue to investigate misconduct allegations.
Kratz’s attorney says the embattled DA will step down by October 8th, rather than force the state to continue efforts to remove him from office. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says it’s a good idea to save the taxpayers money, but it would also be in the best interest of the victims. [Read more…]
Counties Association meeting in Milwaukee
Leaders from the state’s 72 counties are meeting in Milwaukee. Wisconsin Counties Association Executive Director Mark O’Connell says members heard Monday from the candidates for governor, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker.
“Mr. Walker and Mr. Barrett were both received very well,” said O’Connell. “Our membership respects the office of governor no matter who is in it. There may be items on which we disagree on with whoever wins this office. The members of the counties association believe it’s our obligation, our duty to work with state government.” [Read more…]
Businesses hope new law leads to growth
Small business owners in Wisconsin are optimistic that legislation signed into law by President Obama on Monday will help them grow.
The bill signed by the President creates a $30 billion fund to help small businesses expand and hire more employees. Wisconsin Small Business Administration District Director Eric Ness says a lot of employers have been waiting for this to happen and he expects loan volume to increase significantly because of the bill. [Read more…]