Siavash Sarlati of Milwaukee, 24, a medical student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was one of those taking part in President Obama’s health care summit.
2 from Wisconsin participate in Obama health care summit
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Author: jnweaver
UW Chancellors Say Budget Cuts Will Be Painful (AP)
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin said state budget cuts could force her campus to limit enrollment in some programs, cut course sections and do less research.
Martin said she asked college deans to develop plans to cut their budgets by 5 percent, about the amount Gov. Jim Doyle’s budget plan would require.
Gameday blog: Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball 60, Northwestern 51
Capital Times
Greetings from Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where the Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball team has defeated Northwestern 60-51 in a Big Ten Conference tournament first-round game Thursday.
Sour situation at Babcock Dairy Store: Fired manager wants job back
Capital Times
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fired the manager of its landmark dairy store last year for selling outdated ice cream and for other food safety and quality problems, according to her dismissal letter.
The manager, Eileen Karre, claims she was unfairly let go and is appealing to get her job back.
Women report man lurking around apartment
Capital Times
Four young women having breakfast in their apartment on Feb. 25 had an unexpected visitor come to their patio door, prompting a call to police and a warning to residents on the near west side to call 911 if suspicious characters are seen lurking about.
The brief encounter between the four women, three 19-year olds and a 20-year-old, and the man was in the 100 block of North Brooks Street.
No foul play in death of man found in Memorial Union guest room
Capital Times
No foul play is suspected in the death of a 41-year-old man whose body was discovered Tuesday morning in a guest room at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Memorial Union, authorities reported.
A spokesperson at the Dane County Coronerâ??s Office said on Wednesday morning there are no plans for a press release about the death, and no autopsy is planned in the death of the man, who was found by a Union staff member just before noon Tuesday.
WHA-TV ending analog broadcasts April 5
Capital Times
WHA-TV and other Wisconsin Public Television stations will end analog broadcasting on April 5, James Steinbach, director of television for WPT, announced Monday.
After that date, WPT will transmit only digital signals, which are already on the air.
All of the other local TV stations ended analog broadcasts on Feb. 17, except for FOX 47, which will end analog broadcasts on June 12.
“We’re balancing several things,” Steinbach said in a statement. “Maintaining our analog channel delivers a real public service to viewers.”
‘Data Digest’ gives the lowdown on campus stats and trends
Capital Times
UW-Madison’s annual “Data Digest” is hot off the presses.
The book — which can be downloaded for free at www.apa.wisc.edu — provides a comprehensive quantitative overview of university life, with statistics on budgets, enrollment, retention and graduation rates, and other campus trends.
Madison Alder & UW students develop property ratings website
WKOW-TV 27
MADISON (WKOW) — Madison Alderman Eli Judge is working with UW-Madison students to develop a “Madison Property Ratings” website for the campus area.
The project will help renters and property owners by focusing on the quality of campus area housing in Madison.
The site will be similar to the already popular “Rate My Professor” site, but instead will encourage renters to rate their landlords and the properties they rent.
Report: UW Diversity Plan Made Limited Progress
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — A new report said a 10-year program to increase diversity in the University of Wisconsin System made progress but much more work needs to be done.
UW Proposes Changes To Speed Up Building Projects
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — University of Wisconsin System officials are proposing changes to speed up the construction of new buildings while holding down costs.
A report released on Tuesday said laws and rules governing the state building program are outdated, overly burdensome and time-consuming.
Wisconsin Badgers football: Mason resurfaces in new role (Badger Beat)
Capital Times
A familiar face is officially back with the University of Wisconsin football program.
Badgers coach Bret Bielema announced Monday that he has hired former assistant Henry Mason as the director of football player personnel and external relations, a newly created position.
Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball: Experts have UW dancing (Badger Beat)
Capital Times
The bracketologists must think the members of the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee have soft hearts.
How else can you explain why ESPN’s Joe Lunardi and CBS Sportsline’s Jerry Palm both have Wisconsin playing its first-round NCAA Tournament game in Philadelphia? That’s just a stone’s throw from Chester, Pa., which is UW coach Bo Ryan’s hometown.
But Lunardi and Palm have different opinions of where the Badgers will be seeded.
UW renames commuting unit
Capital Times
Congested parking on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus has staff, students and faculty searching for more than just a parking place, so campus transportation officials are trying to make it easier to find ways to commute to school.
UW-Madison Transportation Services is rolling out a new name for its alternative transportation program, now called UW Commuter Solutions, because the old name, Transportation Demand Management, was too technical and not easily understood by the target audience.
Dairy Store, Film Festival Create New Ice Cream Flavor
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — The Babcock Hall Dairy Store on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus is teaming up with the Wisconsin Film Festival to create a new ice cream flavor.
Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball: Karel earns All-Big Ten honorable mention (Badger Beat)
Capital Times
Wisconsin Badgers guard Alyssa Karel has received All-Big Ten honorable mention honors in voting by both the conference coaches and media, the Big Ten announced Monday night.
Unique dress wins Wiscontrepreneur Challenge
Capital Times
A dress made out of air filters, yellow wire, vacuum filters and foam peanuts was the most creative entry in the annual 100-hour Wiscontrepreneur Challenge on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
A record 63 entries made by almost 200 students competed for honors in four categories in the third annual competition, put on by UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations.
UW faculty again backs domestic partner benefits for state workers
Capital Times
Members of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Faculty Senate reaffirmed a resolution in support of domestic partner benefits for state workers at their monthly meeting Monday.
“We just want to give a really strong indication that we still are in support of this and it is a priority for us,” said UW-Madison Professor Ann Hoyt, who is chair of the University Committee. “It’s a matter of justice and equal treatment for equal performance. And there are instances of outstanding faculty who have left because we don’t have these benefits that are provided by other large corporations, and small ones, throughout the state.”
2 UW students want an iPhone to help you wake up
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Apple’s iPhone can help you find a restaurant, discover who is singing the song you’re listening to, play on Facebook, tweet on Twitter, and stream Internet radio into your ears.
Thanks to a couple of enterprising, entrepreneurial University of Wisconsin-Madison students, Apple’s popular smart phone – as well as its iPod Touch – soon may be able to help you sleep better, too.
Big Ten women’s track and field: Jorgensen completes sweep of distance titles (Badger Beat)
Capital Times
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Two days, two dramatic finishes, two Big Ten Conference titles for Gwen Jorgensen.
The senior lost the lead late but recovered to win the 5,000 meters on Sunday, becoming just the third Wisconsin Badgers runner to sweep the distance titles at the league indoor track and field meet.
The feat had been accomplished previously by only Kathy Butler — who swept the titles each year from 1995-97 — and Anji Kujak in 1998.
Baggot: Too much optimism over UW’s budget? (Badger Beat)
Capital Times
Thereâ??s a fine line between optimism and naivete and it seems as though Barry Alvarez is trying to walk it wearing a blindfold and a full-body cast.
The University of Wisconsin athletic director clearly realizes his department is facing major financial challenges â?? hence a leaner, more fan-friendly operating budget for next year â?? yet some key projections are held together by delicate strands of hope.
Big Ten men’s swimming: Rice snaps UW’s decade-long title drought (Badger Beat)
Capital Times
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Scott Rice provided the Wisconsin Badgers their first individual Big Ten Conference men’s swimming title since 1999, claiming the 200-yard butterfly Saturday night.
UW-Platteville student forced to modify artwork (AP)
WKOW-TV 27
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (AP) — An art display at a southwestern Wisconsin college has prompted free-speech debates after campus police ordered it modified.
Student Michael Hannigan wanted to juxtapose the innocence of teddy bears against the ferocity of real bears. So he lined up 25 stuffed bears in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Art Building — with kitchen knives in their laps.
Obituary: John Philip “Phil” Keillor, Jr.
Madison.com
MADISON – John Philip “Phil” Keillor, Jr., age 71, passed away on Friday, Feb. 27, 2009, after suffering severe injuries in a fall while ice skating with his youngest grandchild….Phil earned a master’s degree in Ocean Engineering in 1973 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, making him the first coastal engineer in the state. Phil worked as a coastal engineer for the UW Sea Grant Program for 29 years before retiring in 2003.
Marty Beil: Making state workers suffer doesn’t help others
Capital Times
Dear Editor: When the solution to suffering is not to help those who suffer but to increase their ranks, we know emotions have gotten the better of us. Typically, we expect better from a columnist like Mike Ivey. This is what makes his Feb. 24 tirade calling for public employees to share the pain so disturbing.
Yes, there is a lot of suffering out there. Nobody should feel smug or safe in this economy. But it certainly doesn’t help anybody to dismantle vital public services just when they are needed more than ever.
Abundant quality at Romanian Film Festival here this weekend (77 Square)
“They live in a small country that has often found itself in the path of imperial powers, a condition they address with guile, stubbornness and a measure of grace. And lately with some pretty great movies.”
That’s how film critic A.O. Scott concluded his rave review of the Romanian film “California Dreamin'” in the New York Times in January. “California” is just the latest film out of the relatively small Eastern European country of Romania, along with “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days” and “The Death of Mr. Lazarescu,” to gain international acclaim.
Fund-raising dance marathon starts at 9 p.m.
Capital Times
Put on your dancing shoes and literally dance the night away at the Shell on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
A dance marathon begins at 9 p.m. Friday and will continue for 12 hours to 9 a.m. Saturday, with participants raising money to help the kids and their families at American Family Children’s Hospital.
Hey, Watch It: Some thick, creamy, chocolate-y Wisconsin Film Festival news (77 Square)
When it comes to watching movies, there’s no snack quite like buttered popcorn sorry, you Milk Duds zealots out there. But Babcock Hall has a tasty promotional idea in conjunction with this year’s Wisconsin Film Festival — a new festival-themed flavor of ice cream.
UWM tragedy is that it’s all so senseless
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“Requesting you write a column on Ali Marie Raddatz, the recently passed UWM student,” said an e-mail I received this week.
My response: What would I say? She was only 18. It’s tragic beyond words. What more can anyone tell college kids to convince them that drinking yourself into a stupor is dangerous? I wouldn’t have listened at that age.
New rules on conflicts proposed
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Major changes to conflict-of-interest rules, including a ban on doctors giving promotional talks for drug companies, have been recommended by a task force of doctors and health professionals at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In addition to banning so-called dinner talks, the group said, doctors should be required to disclose specific amounts, to within $1,000, of money they receive from drug and medical device firms.
‘Biomass briefing’ March 6 in Richland Center
Capital Times
Three power plants in Wisconsin and Illinois are planning to uses hundreds of thousands of tons of biomass fuel as their fuel source, but the big question is, where will the fuel come from?
Farmers, conservationists and foresters will get together on March 6 for a “biomass briefing” at the Ramada Inn in Richland Center. The goal is to learn about what types of biomass are possible to be grown in southwest Wisconsin and if biomass is a sustainable energy source.
Nature inspires ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ designer (77 Square)
Matt Albrecht isn’t your typical theater guy. He’s an avid outdoorsman with a big truck who loves to fish, someone who’s been known to come into rehearsal still outfitted in hunter orange.
“I pull about 90 percent of my inspiration from nature,” said Albrecht, a graduate lighting designer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who will complete his Master of Fine Arts degree this May.
UW-Madison still ranks high in receiving gift money, but pace slows
Capital Times
The University of Wisconsin-Madison raised more gift money last year than any other public university except UCLA, according to a survey released Wednesday.
But donations are slowing as the recession deepens, university officials said, which could mean less scholarship money for students.
Former UW football player will stand trial for Alvarez threats (Badger Beat)
Capital Times
Former University of Wisconsin football player Leonard Taylor, who was charged with stalking and telephone harassment late last year after allegedly threatening to kill UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez and others, was ruled mentally competent to stand trial Wednesday and then immediately waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
Farmers welcome influx of stimulus funds
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: Bruce Jones, an agricultural economist at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
New UW student constitution voted down
Capital Times
The Associated Students of Madison’s proposal for a new constitution was voted down earlier this week, ending plans for a new form of student government on the UW-Madison campus.
Of the 6,034 students who cast ballots Monday and Tuesday, 61.1 percent voted against the new constitution, while 38.9 percent voted for the new government — which would have been led by a popularly elected president.
Travel alert for Mexico
WKOW-TV 27
MADISON (WKOW) — As college students plan their spring break trips, a new warning about a popular destination. The State Department issued a travel alert for Mexico. It says drug-related violence has reached alarming levels — especially along the Mexico-U.S. Border.
Local biotech Stratatech gains state loan
Capital Times
A Madison biotech firm is getting a state loan to help develop and finalize clinical trials of new regenerative tissue products.
Stratatech Corp. is getting a $500,000 loan from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce for help funding an $11 million project to develop cell-based, tissue-engineered products for wound care.
17 UW faculty gain funding
Capital Times
Seventeen University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty have received almost $1 million in fellowships and awards from the UW-Madison Graduate School, with the honors being funded by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.
City takes step toward bio-ag incubator
Capital Times
The Madison City Council voted early Wednesday morning to approve an application for federal funds to grow the city’s bio-agriculture industry, but held off on committing any of its own dollars yet.
….The incubator would provide start-up companies in the bio-agriculture industry — a combination of biotechnology, agriculture, food science and sustainability — with lower rents and shared resources such as greenhouses, technology and field testing sites.
Mike Ivey: Make public workers share the pain of pay cuts and furloughs
Capital Times
After watching friends and colleagues lose their jobs, their retirement savings and increasingly their hope, I’ve got only one thing to say to any state worker worried about paying more for their health insurance: Cry me a river.
Here in Dane County, where a quarter of the workforce draws paychecks from the government, one can sense the growing rift between the public and private sector as the economy worsens. And we’re doing better than just about everywhere else in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball: Scarcity of elite state players puts strain on recruiting (Badger Beat)
Capital Times
In a perfect world, University of Wisconsin women’s basketball coach Lisa Stone says she would like to build a roster of players solely from the state of Wisconsin.
As the father of AAU girls basketball in the state, Keith Noll heartily endorses that goal.
But in the real world, they both know it’s not going to happen.
Gitmo lawyer to talk at UW
Capital Times
An attorney who has represented prisoners held at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay will talk about his experiences in March, during a presentation at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Jeff Colman, a 1970 history graduate from UW-Madison, will talk about his Guantanamo cases and then hold a question-and-answer session, beginning at noon on March 9 in the Lubar Commons, Room 7200 at the UW-Madison Law School, 975 Bascom Mall.
Porchlight proposal to house homeless has some residents uneasy
Capital Times
A proposal to provide housing for a dozen homeless men in a three-flat in the Greenbush neighborhood is stirring fears among some residents over safety, property values and the future of the area. Others say it is an opportunity for their community to step up and provide housing for people many don’t want as neighbors.
Moe: New film portrays notorious Madison killing
Wisconsin State Journal
The lineup of movies for the Wisconsin Film Festival will be announced next week, but here’s a sneak preview: “Winter of Frozen Dreams,” a noir thriller based on one of Madison’s most notorious murder cases, will play during the festival’s April 2-5 run.
….For some of us it’s hard to grasp that next year it will be 30 years since Barbara Hoffman, a brilliant UW-Madison chemistry student who played the violin and spoke six languages, was convicted of murdering a man she met while working as a “masseuse” in a West Side “health studio.”
Article was not fair, physician says
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
University Health Services physician Eric Heiligenstein sets the record straight regarding a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article.
After UWM student dies at party, mother cautions others
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The mother of an 18-year-old University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student found dead of an apparent overdose over the weekend offered a warning Monday to young people who might consider partying with alcohol and prescription drugs:
“As strong and brilliant and bright and popular as you can be, you can’t cheat death,” said Kathleen Raddatz of Waukesha. “You think you can have a good time with this stuff and be safe. You’re wrong.”
UW Chancellor selects chief of staff
WKOW-TV 27
MADISON (WKOW) — University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor Carolyn “Biddy” Martin announced her selection for chief of staff Monday morning.
As chief of staff, Becci Menghini will manage office projects and act as a liaison internally and with the public.
Dave Zweifel’s Plain Talk: UW alum breaks ground with CNBC documentary
Capital Times
Back in the mid-1990s, a young African-American UW student named Lee Hawkins wrote some gutsy, provocative op-ed columns for us. We knew then he had a great future ahead of him.
….Today he works as the Journal’s correspondent with CNBC and at 8 p.m. this Thursday night he will anchor a one-hour documentary that is based on a book he’s written called “NEWBOs: The Rise of America’s New Black Overclass.”
Impulses clash in deciding federal government’s proper role
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: Political scientist John Coleman of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Doyle’s proposal to free some inmates early stirs controversy
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: Charles Franklin, a University of Wisconsin-Madison political scientist.
Think of it as a first draft of what will be
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Large parts of the governor’s budget proposal deserve to be enacted, but this is a work in progress, in need of both additions and deletions. And, yes, think shared sacrifice.
State’s stimulus to top $9 billion
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
No one knows for sure how much each state will eventually receive under the $787â??billion economic stimulus plan. But Wisconsin could expect to get at least $9.2â??billion, according to an estimate by the Center for American Progress.
Doyle says domestic partner proposal does not violate marriage amendment
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Gov. Jim Doyle said his budget proposal to allow domestic partner registrations in Wisconsin wouldn’t establish relationships that resemble marriage but would simply give same-sex couples some basic legal protections.
“These are pretty common-sense rights that would come to people on the registry,” Doyle said. “They’re just a way we can be a little more decent.”
Nonetheless, some say Doyle’s plan would create a legal status that approximates marriage – something that’s not allowed under a constitutional amendment approved by 59% of Wisconsin voters in 2006.
Panel to focus on young businesses
Capital Times
A panel of experts will share information on funding and resources for young businesses at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Gilson Discovery event Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Microsoft explores educational link to video games (AP)
FARGO, N.D. — Devin Krauter sits on the end of his bed, tapping buttons on his video game controller to shoot down alien beasts while chatting with other players through a headset, texting on his cell phone and talking to a visitor.
The 17-year-old high school junior is ranked by a video game Web site among the best players at “Gears of War 2,” in which soldiers attack the enemy with an assault rifle that has a mounted chain saw bayonet. He says the game teaches him to think on his feet – and that he thinks about succeeding, not slaying.
That intrigues Microsoft Corp.
Doyle signs budget-repair measure
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle on Thursday signed into law a package that will raise taxes on businesses, cut state spending and authorize the immediate use of $300 million in federal stimulus cash for roads and bridges.
MATC board votes to fire president
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Milwaukee Area Technical College board voted 6-3 Thursday night to dismiss President Darnell Cole, less than two weeks after he was cited with operating while intoxicated.
Obituary: Patricia A. Griffin
Madison.com
Patricia A. Griffin passed away unexpectedly at her home on Friday, Feb. 13, 2009. Patty worked as a receptionist for the UW School of Music, where she had an opportunity to meet a number of prominent musicians, including the late Duke Ellington. In 1971, Patty left her position at the School of Music, and traveled all over Europe for most of a year.
Blog by UW grad, partner named one of world’s 25 best by Time (77 Square)
Time magazine has named a UW-Madison graduate and his business partner among the 25 best bloggers in the world for 2009.
High school buddies Anthony David Adams, who now lives in New York City, and Chuck Steinfurth, of Orlando, Fla, earned that honor for their self-described “irreverent” blog, Detentionslip.org – referred to as the Perez Hilton of education news for its reports on gun-carrying Texas teaches and students handcuffed over skimpy prom dresses.