Does Harley-Davidson’s future hinge on leaving Wisconsin? Harley-Davidson operations communications manager Pat Sweeney says management on Thursday shared with workers company-wide the conclusions of a competitiveness study which has revealed significant gaps. “While our preference is to find ways to address those gaps and keep our production operations here in Wisconsin, we also have to explore alternative U.S. sites should we be unable to achieve a workable solution to close those gaps here,” says Sweeny. [Read more…]
Doyle says groundwork on Zoo bridge precedes him
Governor Doyle is responding to critics who say he’s to blame for the closure of a crumbling bridge that carries traffic through Milwaukee’s Zoo Interchange. Doyle said the funding he opposed had nothing to do with the condition of the road. He said the decision to begin work rebuilding the Zoo Interchange in 2016 was made before he became governor in 2003.
DOT shuts down Zoo Interchange bridge
A heavily traveled bridge has been shut down by the state. “We’ve taken this action because of concern for the safety of the public,” says Department of Transportation spokeswoman Beth Cannestra on the agency’s decision to close the Highway 45 bridge in the Milwaukee Zoo Interchange. [Read more…]
Pope faces claims of covering up Milwaukee abuse
Newly released records show that the future Pope Benedict and other Vatican leaders failed to defrock a late Wisconsin priest accused of molesting up to 200 deaf boys. The records showed that several US bishops repeatedly warned the Vatican that the church could be embarrassed if it did not punish Father Lawrence Murphy.
Bill mandates HIV testing of released inmates (AUDIO)
With HIV rates on the rise in Milwaukee, there’s a proposal to mandate testing as state inmates are released from prison. Doctor Patricia McManus with the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin noted that African Americans account for more than fifty percent of the state’s adult prison population, and that inmates in general, and black man in particular, usually don’t talk about sexual contacts they may have while in prison. “They won’t tell what their activities are,” McManus said. “There are people who do not see themselves as a homosexual or as gay, and some are not, they engage in it for a number of reasons.” [Read more…]
Protest at UWM gets out of hand
The ACLU of Wisconsin is calling for a review of how police handled a protest at UW-Milwaukee. Cops used pepper spray to break up a rally calling for a tuition freeze. The crowd of about 150 people had gathered outside the building that houses the office of the school chancellor. When only one member of the group was allowed into the building, campus police chief Michael Marzion says the protestors who were turned away punched and kicked officers while some also threw snowballs and ice at the officers.
Bill would make straw purchases a felony (AUDIO)
Legislation creating a felony for straw purchases of guns has received a hearing at the Capitol, but some aren’t convinced it’s the answer to gun crimes. James Fendry with Wisconsin Pro-Gun Movement supports the bill, but suggests a change in sentencing guidelines for the existing misdemeanor laws against straw purchases may be in order. “Some of the people who are purchasing guns for those who they know cannot purchase them legally, are so squeaky clean, that when you get them into court, even if convicted, not much is going to happen,” Fendry told the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice. “They’re going to walk.” [Read more…]
Concerns juvy justice bill is an unfunded mandate
The leaders of Milwaukee County are opposing a bill that would send accused 17-year-olds to juvenile court will be an unfunded mandate. Currently teens of that age are tried as adults in Wisconsin. Taxpayers in all Wisconsin counties have to spend $100,000 to send an offender to juvenile corrections; “To put that into perspective you could send two kids to Harvard for that amount,” says Milwaukee County Board spokesman Harold Mester.
New archbishop taking the helm
Almost 700,000 Catholics in southeast Wisconsin will get a new leader today. Jerome Listecki will be installed this afternoon as the new Archbishop of Milwaukee. He replaces Tim Dolan, who left last April to become the Archbishop of New York. The 60-year-old Listecki has been the bishop in La Crosse since 2005.
A victims group will be keeping a close eye. The Lacrosse diocese sided with priests over victims in 64 percent of cases, compared with the national average of just under 10 percent, according to the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) who cited research by the U.S. Conference of Bishops. Listecki says he takes the abuse issue very seriously.
Listecki (:29)
At Sunday’s service Listecki followed the church’s tradition of knocking three times on the front door of Milwaukee’s Cathedral of Saint John. Once he was let in, he presided over a Vespers’ service attended by friends, relatives, priests, deacons and others.
Listecki says he hopes his new members will find him to be a good citizen who works to make the community better.
The archdiocese includes 10 counties in southeast Wisconsin. About 40 bishops and cardinals from throughout the country will attend today’s installation service and about 200 priests in all will attend.
Former archbishop shredded documents detailing abuse by priests
Former Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert Weakland routinely shredded reports regarding sexual abuse by priests. That’s according to formerly sealed testimony now in the hands of the Milwaukee County district attorney’s office. Peter Isley is Midwest director of the Survivors’ Network of those Abused by Priest, or SNAP, and he says testimony on the shredded reports, which were compiled by a member of Weakland’s staff, includes direct admissions of the sexual assault of children by priests in the Milwaukee Archdiocese. [Read more…]