Members of the Libertarian Party from throughout the Midwest are expected in St. Croix Falls Saturday for what’s being called a “mini-congress.” The national party’s executive director Wes Benedict will be among the speakers at a day of meetings to try to define the Libertarian Party agenda for 2012. Libertarian Party of Wisconsin political director Tim Krenz of Centuria hopes this spring’s chaos in Madison will get people thinking beyond Democratic and Republican candidates. [Read more…]
Archives for September 2011
Judges rules state mascot law unconstitutional
A judge in Waukesha County has ruled a controversial state law that allows for the removal of race-based mascots from school districts is unconstitutional. The law allows the Department of Public Instruction to order districts to change school team nicknames after someone has filed a challenge against their use. The judge determined the law is unconstitutional because the DPI would be biased in reviewing the claims. [Read more…]
Badger scalpers and buyers beware
Saturday’s Big 10 conference opener between the Badgers and the Nebraska Cornhuskers will almost certainly include a game day tradition that’s illegal but profitable — scalping tickets. UW Police Lieutenant Jason Whitney warns those buying from scalpers — they’ll see an increase in bogus tickets or people going into the game for a little while and then selling their ticket. That ticket will show that it’s already been scanned and you WILL NOT be allowed inside the stadium. As for scalpers — it’s illegal to sell tickets over face value. Not only will local police be enforcing the law, the NCAA will also be enforcing that law
Robin Colbert, WIBA
Woman spits in cop’s face
A Wausau woman gets physical with a cop. Angela Fredrick is accused of kicking Officer Matt Krembs in the knee as he arrested her on Wednesday. Krembs says the 25 year-old woman spit in his face when he reached into the back of his squad to control her as she banged her head against a divider. Fredrick told Krembs she has hepatitis C.
Police were investigating a report that Fredrick had gotten into a fight with her boyfriend and arrested her on a probation hold because they suspected she had been drinking. A preliminary hearing on battery to police and expelling bodily fluid charges will be held October 10th.
Matt Lehman, WSAU
Few details on Appleton soldier’s death
Flags should be at half-staff Saturday to honor the life of Army Sergeant Garrick Eppinger. The 25-year-old was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month.
It was first reported that the soldier from Appleton was killed in the line of duty but now his family is saying that Eppinger wasn’t in the line of duty and was working a desk job at the Bagram Airbase. Details surrounding the death haven’t been [Read more…]
DHS calls for Medicaid reforms
Major changes could soon be in store for Wisconsin’s medical assistance programs. The state Department of Health Services offered a long list of proposals Friday aimed at finding over $544 million in costs savings, many of which would alter the way programs such as BadgerCare operate.
Those changes could include more controls on reimbursement rates to providers, hiring auditors to monitor payments, and a medical home initiative that will help to better track the costs of coverage for certain at-risk groups. The proposal also includes a request for a federal waiver, which would allow the state to make major changes to eligibility requirements for BadgerCare programs. [Read more…]
Walker chief of staff resigns
A realignment in the administration of Governor Scott Walker. Walker chief of staff Keith Gilkes is leaving, in part to join the governor’s campaign for a possible recall election next year. Gilkes ran Walker’s campaign last year, led the new transition team and has served as chief of staff since January. Gilkes reportedly will return to his political consulting firm on October eighth. He said he would be the lead adviser to Walker’s campaign – but he’ll also do campaign work for other clients. Walker later announced that deputy chief of staff Eric Schutt would move up to the top spot with current policy director Ryan Murray becoming deputy chief of staff. Kimberly Liedl, Walker’s health care and education adviser, will become the new policy director. [Read more…]
Wisconsin vs. Nebraska: The last time (AUDIO)
The last time the Wisconsin Badgers and Nebraska Cornhuskers met was back in 1974. The Badgers prevailed 22-21 before 73,381 fans in Camp Randall Stadium.
Gregg Bohlig threw two touchdown passes for the Badgers on that day, including the 77-yard strike to Jeff Mack in the fourth quarter. Wisconsin scored 14 fourth quarter points to pull out the win.
I had a chance to talk with Gregg Bohlig about that game in 1974. Following is a portion of that interview.
7th ranked Badgers set for Nebraska
Wisconsin’s Barry Alvarez said tomorrow night’s Big Ten opener against the Nebraska Cornhuskers is the most anticipated game in Wisconsin football history. You can’t go anywhere and not see, hear or read something about this game.
Nebraska is playing its first game as a member of the Big Ten Conference and Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson is getting ready to play his first Big Ten game.
AUDIO: Russell Wilson says games like this is why he’s playing :11
The last time these two schools met was back in 1974. Wisconsin won that year, knocking off the highly ranked Cornhuskers 22-21 at Camp Randall. [Read more…]
Brewers await playoff opener
The Milwaukee Brewers work out today at Miller Park. They’ll face the West Division Champion Arizona Diamondbacks in game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday afternoon (1:07pm) at Miller Park.
17-game winner Yovani Gallardo gets the game 1 start for the Brewers, while Arizona counters with 21-game winner Ian Kennedy. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke hasn’t made a decision yet on who will pitch game 2 for the Brewers.
Milwaukee also plays host to game 2 on Sunday. That first pitch time is 3:37pm, shortly after the 3:15pm start time for the Packers and the Denver Broncos.
The Brewers, under rookie manager Ron Roenicke, won a franchise record 96 games this season.