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House Speaker Paul Ryan decides not to run for reelection

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Wisconsin Congressman and House Speaker Paul Ryan says he won’t be running for re-election this fall.

At a press conference in Washington on Wednesday, Ryan said he wants to step down from his nearly 20 year tenure in Washington and spend more time with his family. “What I realize is if I am here for one more term, my kids will only have ever known me as a weekend dad. I just can’t let that happen.”

Ryan told reporters that he’s very proud of the time he’s spent in office, and that he’s happy to have passed tax reform and enact Republican priority policies with the help of President Donald Trump.

In questions after his announcement, Ryan told reporters today he’s still confident with Republican chances in the 2018 elections.  “I really don’t think a person’s race for Congress is going to hinge on whether Paul Ryan’s Speaker or not. Look, if we do our jobs, which we are, we’re going to be fine as a majority.” He says he’ll be keeping his role as the Speaker through January and that he’s expecting to hand off the gavel to another Republican.

Ryan also said that he’s confident that special counsel Robert Mueller and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein won’t be fired. “I think they should be allowed to do their jobs, we have a rule of law in this country and it’s a principle we all uphold. I have no reason to believe that’s going to happen, I have assurances that it’s not because I’ve been talking with people in the White House about it.”

In response to today’s announcement, Democrat Randy Bryce’s office released the following statement. “Paul Ryan decided to quit today rather than face Randy Bryce and the voters,” said campaign Communications Director Lauren Hitt. “Randy Bryce is incredibly well positioned to be the next representative for the First District. Electorates far more conservative than Wisconsin’s First have already elected Democrats in special elections in Wisconsin and across the country.” His office says Bryce has already raised $5 million dollars to campaign in the 1st District.

Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says men like Paul Ryan don’t come around often. “When I met Paul Ryan in 1998 during his first run for Congress, it was obvious he was someone of incredible talent and amazing ability. Now 20 years later, his record and accomplishments speak for themselves. Paul has been perhaps the best congressman Wisconsin has ever sent to Washington and also one of the best speakers to have gaveled Congress into session. His commitment to serving the people of Wisconsin and the United States is unparalleled.”

Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin said Ryan’s making a very difficult decision. “Before I was elected to the Senate I served with Paul Ryan in the House and have spent many years working with him on behalf of the people of Wisconsin. We know each other well and while we have different views on policy, I consider him a friend and have a lot of respect for him as a person and a public servant.”

Bucks fire Jason Kidd after 23-22 start

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Jason Kidd

Milwaukee Bucks fans have been calling for Jason Kidd’s job for some time now.  Today (Monday), the Bucks ownership group finally agreed, relieving Kidd of his coaching duties.

“We appreciate everything that Jason has done for the Bucks organization, but we have decided to make a coaching change,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst.  “We believe that a fresh approach and a chance in leadership are needed to continue elevating our talented team towards the next level, bringing us closer to our goal of competing for championships.  Jason led a historic turnaround during his first season and would guide our team to two playoff appearances.  He also played meaningful role in helping to keep the Bucks in Milwaukee.  We thank him for all of his contributions and wish him the best.”

The Bucks are 23-22 and currently the 8-seed in the Eastern Conference.  They’ve dropped four of their last five games entering tonight’s home game against the Phoenix Suns.

Bucks assistant coach Joe Prunty will serve as head coach for tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

In Kidd’s three and a half seasons as head coach, the Bucks had a regular season record of 139-152 and reached the first round of the NBA Playoffs in the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons.

 

 

Wisconsin Senate passes Foxconn incentive package

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The state Senate has approved a $3 billion incentive package designed to pave the way for Taiwanese electronic components maker Foxconn to build a plant in Wisconsin. Tuesday’s Senate vote on the measure was 20-13, with Green Bay Republican Rob Cowles a no, and Kenosha Democrat Bob Wirch a yes.

Majority Leader, Senator Scott Fitzgerald, said he was glad lawmakers “pumped the brakes” on the process. “There was a lot of pressure early on . . . but I think we’ve improved this bill significantly, with the changes we have made.”

A Republican amendment tightens job creation requirements for Foxconn to collect tax credits — Democrat Jon Erpenbach said that’s not enough. “All this legislation essentially says is three billion dollars going to a foreign owned corporation that is promising a certain number of jobs, maybe,” Erpenbach said. He noted that it will be up to the Wisconsin Economic Development Authority to negotiate terms of an actual contract with the Taiwanese firm.

“I think the last thing we should be doing, given their track record, is to be giving WEDC $3 billion and saying ‘have at it.'” Erpenbach also termed environmental protection provisions in the bill “a piece of crap.”

Republican proponents of the deal, most notably Governor Scott Walker, have touted Foxconn’s potential to create up to 13,000 jobs, with salaries starting at about $54,000.

“There are no specific numbers of jobs, anywhere in any of the pieces of paper that are about to become law,” said Alma Democrat Kathleen Vinehout. “And the threshold for the amount that a person gets paid is $30,000 . . . not $54,000.”

“It’s a good investment,” argued River Hills Republican Alberta Darling. “It has the transparencies and accountabilities it needs.”

Another GOP amendment altered a controversial provision inserted by the Republican controlled Joint Finance Committee just last week. It would maintain the appeals court role in any lawsuits filed over decisions related to the economic development zone where the project is located.

The JFC provision would have kicked all such appeals directly to the state Supreme Court. Cowles joined Democrats in voting against the amendment, which still streamlines the appeals process.

“There’s nothing sinister,” said Racine Republican Van Wanggaard. “The idea here is to get this project moving forward. We have people here who don’t want this project slowed down, because they want the jobs.”

The Assembly approved an earlier version of the bill, and members will have to take up the latest changes. That’s expected to happen on Thursday.

 

 

Late rally pushes Badgers into “Sweet 16” (AUDIO)

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Greg Gard

The 8th-seeded Wisconsin Badgers are headed back to the “Sweet 16”, coming from behind to knock off Villanova 65-62 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Buffalo.

The Badgers trailed 57-50 with just over five minutes left.  Villanova would score just one field goal and five total points the rest of the way as the Badgers tightened up their defense down the stretch.

AUDIO: Greg Gard on his team’s defense down the stretch :13

AUDIO: Villanova’s Jay Wright on scoring just five points in final 5+ minutes :19

The Badgers pulled out the win despite guard Bronson Koenig’s second half foul trouble.  He returned with more than five minutes left and helped lead the comeback.  Koenig finished hitting 3 of 6 three-pointers and scored 17 points.  Two of his three-pointers tied the game at 57-all and gave the Badgers a 62-59 lead with 1:58 to play.

Nigel Hayes hit the game winner on a baseline drive and left-handed reverse layup.  He led the Badgers in scoring with 19 points and pulled down eight rebounds. [Read more…]

Ryan inducted into College Basketball Hall of Fame

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Bo Ryan

Former Wisconsin head men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan will take his place among the legends of college basketball this fall when he is inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Ryan is one of eight individuals that make up the Class of 2017, joining Wake Forest’s Tim Duncan, Winston-Salem State’s Cleo Hill, Indiana’s Scott May, Purdue’s Rick Mount, Creighton’s Paul Silas, Gonzaga’s John Stockton and Duke’s Jay Williams.

The 2017 Hall of Fame Induction Celebration will take place on Sunday, Nov. 19 at the Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland in Kansas City, Missouri.  The Wisconsin men’s basketball team will then participate in the Hall of Fame Classic over the next two days, along with Baylor, Creighton and UCLA.

With a remarkable 27 postseason appearances on his resume, Ryan took basketball to new heights in the state of Wisconsin.  Ryan’s head coaching career began at UW-Platteville, where he won 353 games from 1984 through 1999 and guided the program to four NCAA Division III national titles. [Read more…]

Former Badger hockey coach Jeff Sauer dies

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Jeff Sauer

Former Wisconsin men’s hockey coach, Jeff Sauer, passed away this morning at the age of 73.  Sauer had been suffering from Pancreatic Cancer.

Sauer coached the Badgers from 1982 to 2002, winning a pair of NCAA titles in 1983 and 1990.

Sauer led the Badgers to three NCAA Frozen Four appearances, 12 NCAA Tournament berths, six WCHA playoff titles and two WCHA regular season titles.

Prior to his long successful stint with the Badgers, Sauer coached at Colorado College from 1971 to 1982.  He was named the WCHA Coach of the Year in both 1972 and 1975.

Sauer’s career record is 655-534-57.  The 655 victories is 7th on the all-time list.  At Wisconsin, he went 489-306-46.

Most recently, Sauer led the U.S. Sled Hockey team to a Paralympic World Championship in 2012 and an Olympic Gold Medal in Sochi, Russia in 2014.

NFL Flexes Packers-Lions to Sunday night

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The National Football League announced Sunday that Sunday’s winner-take-all matchup between the Packers and Lions in Detroit will be moved from a noon kick to a 7:30 kickoff at Ford Field.

The Lions (9-5) play at Dallas against the Cowboys and can clinch a wildcard playoff spot with a victory.  But win or lose. Sunday’s game against the Packers (9-6) is for the NFC North Division title.  The winner would also get a home playoff game.

The move is a break for the Lions, which will be given more time to recover from tonight’s Monday night game.

The Packers knocked off the Vikings 38-25 on Saturday for their fifth straight win.

AUDIO: Aaron Rodgers on the winner-take-all matchup with Detroit on Sunday night :22

 

 

Badgers collapse in second half, fall in Big Ten title game

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motion-wWisconsin used a powerful running game and their usual stellar defense to jump out to a 28-7 lead.  Penn State scored a touchdown just before halftime and added 24 additional points in the second half to pull out a come-from-behind 38-31 win over the Badgers in the Big Ten Championship game on Saturday night.

Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley completed 22 of 31 passes for 384 yards and four touchdowns, taking advantage of a Badger secondary that played not only their worst game of the season, but possibly of their career.

The big play Nittany Lions got to the Badgers with six big plays totaling 228 yards, five through the air and one on the ground.  It was characteristic of Penn State, but uncharacteristic of the Badgers, who were one of the better big play defenses in college football.

But even with a 14-point halftime lead, Badger fans went into halftime wondering what would come in the second half.  Penn State, which outscored the Badgers 24-3 in the second half, outscored their opponents in the second half on the season 280-105. [Read more…]

Big Ten Title Matchup is about the Big Play

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2016-big-ten-championship-logoPenn State has been the best big play offense in the country.  Wisconsin has been one of the best big play defenses in the nation.  The two teams will hook up Saturday night in the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The Nittany Lions boast the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year in running back Saquon Barkley to go along with big play quarterback Trace McSorley.

It’s McSorley that has been at the forefront of Penn State’s playmaking prowess.  Twenty of the 26 plays of 40 or more yards have come from McSorley finding Penn State receivers.  He’s willing to throw into coverage because his receivers make plays.

The Badgers are as well equipped defensively to contest McSorley and his band of playmaking threats. [Read more…]

Chryst named Big Ten Coach of the Year

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Paul Chryst

Paul Chryst

Wisconsin football coach Paul Chryst followed up the Big Ten West Division title with the league’s Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year Award on Tuesday, as voted on by his peers.

The award is named for legendary Big Ten Conference coaches Woody Hayes of Ohio State and Bo Schembechler of Michigan.

Chryst has a 20-5 record and a spot in the Big Ten title game in less than two seasons on the Badger sidelines.  His opponent, Penn State coach James Franklin was named the Big Ten’s Dave McClain Coach of the Year by the Big Ten media.

The Badgers and Nittany Lions will meet for the Big Ten Championship at 7:17 p.m. Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Chryst joins Barry Alvarez (1993 & 1998) and Bret Bielema (2006) as the UW coaches to earn Big Ten Coach of the Year honors, but did so as media selections.

Chryst is the first Wisconsin coach to win at least 10 games in his first two seasons.