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Category: State news

Meteorite that hit Wisconsin is named

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Wisconsin State Journal

The meteor that lit up the sky of southern Wisconsin on April 14 and created an international buzz now has a name. The Meteoritical Society has aptly named it the Mifflin Meteorite, named after the town on which many of the pieces were found. The area is about 65 miles west of Madison in Iowa County just south of Montfort. The event drew meteorite hunters from around the country, national news organizations and researchers from UW-Madison and the Field Museum of Chicago.

Court: University must fund prayer activities

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Madison.com

A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court?s ruling that the University of Wisconsin-Madison must pay for student activities involving prayer, worship and proselytizing. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a 2-1 decision Wednesday that the university?s policy of turning down funding requests from student groups for such activities violates their First Amendment right to free speech.

Stem cell ruling could be a boost for Barrett, Dems

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Capital Times

A court ruling earlier this week that throws federal funding for embryonic stem cell research into question could be devastating to UW-Madison researchers but may provide an unexpected boost for Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

Barrett pounced on the ruling, issuing a strongly worded statement on Tuesday in support of stem cell research while also ripping his Republican opponents, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and former Congressman Mark Neumann, who oppose federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

Barrett slams Republicans over stem cell research

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Madison.com

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett blasted his Republican challengers Wednesday for not supporting embryonic stem cell research, dusting off campaign rhetoric that resonated with voters four years ago. Barrett drew applause when he spoke out in support of the research at a biotech conference in Middleton, saying some of the best scientists in the world are doing such work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Campus Connection: Adidas, ?Badger Partnership’ and ?Cornhusker Co-Op’

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Capital Times

With a final summer vacation out of the way and the start of the 2010-11 academic year quickly approaching, it?s time to catch up on a couple higher education-related items.

** UW-Madison was given the green light last week by the Board of Regents to ink a bigger and better deal with Adidas to outfit the university?s 23 sports teams. This new five-year contract is worth about $11 million.

** Biddy Martin states her case for a “new partnership between (UW-Madison) and the state” in a piece that appears in the September issue of Madison Magazine.

** You can bet UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez is paying attention to a creative fundraising tactic being promoted by the University of Nebraska.

Sluggish economy helps drive big drop in traffic fatalities

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Capital Times

One of the few benefits of the sluggish economy is that traffic death rates both nationwide and in Wisconsin have dropped to historic lows.

?People stay a little closer to home when times are tough,? says Maj. Dan Lonsdorf, director of the state Bureau of Transportation Safety. And that, he says, translates into fewer miles traveled, fewer crashes and fewer deaths.

Quoted: UW-Madison traffic specialist David Noyce, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering

UW regents OK change in hiring policy, new adidas contract

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Wisconsin State Journal

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents has adopted a new policy for hiring top-level officials on an interim basis following a controversy surrounding a Gov. Jim Doyle aide getting a $245,000 a year job.The board also has agreed to a new, more lucrative contract with adidas.

Doyle tells UW regents more tough times ahead

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Madison.com

Gov. Jim Doyle warned the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents on Thursday that more tough economic times are ahead, but encouraged board members to stay focused on making education affordable. Doyle spoke to regents after they passed a resolution honoring his commitment to higher education over his eight years as governor.

UW regents OK budget request

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Wisconsin State Journal

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents has approved a budget request that includes more than $22 million targeted to boost undergraduate enrollment by 5,900. However, regents and Madison campus chancellor Biddy Martin expressed concerns that the budget proposal as passed Thursday does not include an estimate of how much it will cost to meet current expenses. New spending is more than $83 million.

Regents approve UW’s $76.8 million athletic facility proposal

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Madison.com

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents on Thursday approved a budget request that includes $77 million from a variety of sources to build an athletic performance center. The request, which comes just five years after a $109.5-million expansion of Camp Randall Stadium, does not involve any tax dollars. It must be approved by the Legislature next year before it takes effect.

Regents aim to cut cost per student

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A budget proposal for the University of Wisconsin System would spend more overall in the next two years, but some new students would enroll at UW campuses with less state money backing them.

The change in the cost-per-student formula is an attempt by UW System President Kevin Reilly to convince state lawmakers that his goal of producing 80,000 new degree holders in Wisconsin over the next 15 years can be done at a lower cost per student than UW has spent in the past. Some chancellors worry that if the cheaper cost-per-student doesn?t come with more flexibility for chancellors to spend the state dollars they?re getting, they might not be able to meet the goal of producing so many new degree holders.

“Quality of education is going to go down if you do this,” UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin said. “I think we?re setting ourselves up to make promises we can?t keep to the people of Wisconsin.”

Bucky in the New Millennium

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Madison Magazine

A new ?Badger Partnership? would provide a world-class education to even more students, reduce the burden on the state budget and maintain UW?Madison?s status as one of the best public universities in the world. A column by UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin.

June jobs report reveals recession’s still-tight hold on state

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Capital Times

Following some small but steady gains on the jobs front earlier this year, Wisconsin went the other way in June, losing another 8,200 jobs, according to the Center on Wisconsin Strategy?s monthly report. Wisconsin has added 34,000 non-farm positions since December 2009, welcome news for a state that had been hemorrhaging jobs for the better part of two years.

But the number of jobs fell again in the April to June period, erasing some of the earlier momentum. Wisconsin is now down 162,000 jobs since the recession began in 2007, with the state?s job base sitting 5.6 percent below its pre-recession level.

“The severity of this recession stands out when compared to the three most recent downturns of 2001, 1990, and even that of 1981,” says COWS, a liberal UW-Madison think tank. “Despite the increase in jobs starting at the beginning of this year, jobs fell yet again in June and we have a long way to climb to reach pre-recession levels.”

Jobs that stick: Will Madison become regional economic engine?

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Capital Times

…as the Great Recession drags on, that is indeed the question: What can Madison really do to grow its economy and generate enough jobs to keep the region thriving? For an area formerly insulated from economic realities thanks to the University of Wisconsin and state government, it?s a critical discussion.

Over the past five years, the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area, which comprises Dane, Columbia and Iowa counties, has lost nearly 11,000 private-sector jobs, or more than 4 percent of the area?s total non-government positions. From high-tech medical equipment maker TomoTherapy to high-end appliance maker Sub-Zero Freezer, few local companies have been spared the pain, whether it?s layoffs, pay freezes or threats to send jobs to other states.

And while there were still 84,400 government jobs here as of June 2010, roughly one-fourth of the total employment in the area, that may change too. With politicians of all stripes vowing to cut spending ? Democratic candidate for governor Tom Barrett even boasts about “putting Madison on a diet” ? the number of public jobs here could well drop.

Panel begins review of Wis. financial aid programs

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Madison.com

Wisconsin?s financial aid programs need more money and more clarity. That was the message that a special legislative committee heard Tuesday as it started a review of Wisconsin?s grant and loan programs for college students. UW-Madison financial aid researcher Sara Goldrick-Rab says there is so much uncertainty around aid programs that students can?t count on them.

Doyle helped lead UW System through tough times

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Madison.com

When it comes to the University of Wisconsin System, Gov. Jim Doyle?s legacy includes increasing financial aid and access, supporting groundbreaking research and constructing new buildings, his colleagues say. But the governor will also be remembered for managing the university system through economic downturns, making deep budget cuts, allowing tuition to rise and furloughing faculty and staff while their compensation dipped. The Board of Regents, which governs the system of 13 two-year colleges and 13 four-year universities, on Thursday plans to salute Doyle?s commitment to higher education as he prepares to leave office after 8 years.

UW System plan would boost enrollment, retention

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Wisconsin State Journal

The University of Wisconsin System will ask lawmakers for $22.6 million to boost undergraduate enrollment by 5,900 over two years through better retention and recruitment, according to a budget document released Monday. The plan calls for hiring additional instructors, academic advisers and others to teach and serve the extra students. But the money would also pay for programs proven to help retain students, such as first-year seminars and undergraduate research projects, UW System spokesman David Giroux said.

Emily Earley?s right: We must take care of the land

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Capital Times

The small woman in blue tennis shoes sat in her wheelchair and smiled as people leaned in to hug her. She smiled when the mayor of Madison and governor of Wisconsin saluted her. And she smiled as the cameras clicked while she held the wooden plaque signifying her induction into the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame.

Campus Connection: Forbes ranks UW-Madison No. 212

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Capital Times

Forbes released its third annual list of “America?s Best Colleges” on Wednesday. In a nutshell, Wisconsin isn?t home to any of the best-of-the-best institutions according to these rankings, with Lawrence University in Appleton (No. 50) the only school cracking Forbes? Top 100. UW-Madison checked in at No. 212, meaning it didn?t rank among the top third of the 610 schools listed.

Barrett, Neumann focus on jobs (Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune)

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At Jacob Searls Cranberry Co. in Cranmoor, Barrett learned about the cranberry-growing process, witnessing firsthand the issues facing Wisconsin?s agricultural sector.

“Cranberries in particular are a huge part of the state?s economy,” said Tom Barrett, mayor of Milwaukee. “It?s very important for me to make sure this industry stays strong.”

He also pointed to Searls? partnerships with Rutgers University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison to support industrywide research and development projects.

Baby steps: A new program aims to raise awareness about early childhood mental health

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Can a baby be depressed? Can a toddler have a mental illness? Are pre-schoolers being expelled from childcare for aggressive, unmanageable behavior?

The answer to all these questions is ?yes,? and experts say a lack of understanding about the social and emotional development and psychological wellbeing of babies and young children is at the root of many vexing long-term problems, from school failure to serious mental health issues.

….A new postgraduate certification program that began earlier this summer at the University of Wisconsin aims to help. The UW Infant, Early Childhood and Family Mental Health Postgraduate Certificate Program is unique in Wisconsin and among only a handful of programs throughout the country that focus on the social and emotional health of very young children.

Quoted: Program co-director Roseanne Clark, a psychologist and associate professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Guest column: LZ Lambeau stayed true to budget

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Green Bay Press-Gazette

As residents of Green Bay and members of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board ? one of the entities that oversees Wisconsin Public Television ? we are proud of the success of LZ Lambeau.

In May, 70,000 people took part in events on the Lambeau Field grounds and throughout Green Bay. On the evening of May 22, more than 26,000 people came together to thank the state’s Vietnam veterans and pay tribute to the 1,244 service people who were killed or are missing in action.

Unfortunately, recent news reports and community conversations erroneously have reported on the LZ Lambeau budget, claiming that it resulted in a financial shortfall or deficit. This isn’t the case.

Vaudreuil sworn in as U.S. attorney in Western District

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Wisconsin State Journal

John Vaudreuil, whose first and only job as a lawyer was as a prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney?s Office in Madison, was sworn in Tuesday as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. Vaudreuil, 56, a native of Rice Lake, was confirmed on Thursday by the U.S. Senate after his nomination to the post by President Obama was approved on July 29 by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Obama formally appointed Vaudreuil on Tuesday.

State conducts surprise inspection of UW Hospital after syringe incident

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Wisconsin State Journal

The state Department of Health Services conducted an unannounced inspection of UW Hospital on Friday following media reports of a syringe being used on more than one patient. The patient, Vincent Stepter, said an infectious disease specialist at UW Hospital contacted him and told him he needed to be tested for hepatitis and HIV because of the reuse of a syringe, a breakdown of hospital policy.

Wood chips may pose problems when Charter Street plant converts to biomass

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Capital Times

For decades, pollution spewed from factories and power plants across Wisconsin. As a result, air and water became polluted. Now it seems, so did the trees.

At a time when state-owned power plants are ditching coal and going green by including biomass such as switch grass, compost, and wood chips into the fuel mix, it is becoming evident that even trees may release harmful chemicals when burned for energy.

Flu in August? It’s rare, but four people in Wisconsin have been sick recently

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Wisconsin State Journal

Four people in Wisconsin have had the flu in recent weeks, and two small outbreaks have struck eastern Iowa ? activity that normally doesn?t start until November.

“It?s unusual but not unheard of,” said Tom Haupt, influenza coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Health officials, vigilant after last year?s surprise appearance of swine flu, or H1N1, are alerting doctors to be on the lookout for more flu cases this summer, Haupt said.

….In a separate study this week, UW-Madison researcher Yoshihiro Kawaoka and other scientists identified a protein mutation that allowed the swine flu virus to replicate well in people.

University of Wisconsin needs to get off nation?s party school list

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Wisconsin State Journal

UW-Madison?s reputation for wild parties matters, even if the survey is unscientific. That?s because the Princeton Review publicity can affect college recruitment.

We?d love to attract the brightest minds from across the country to Madison for their higher educations. We?d rather not be a beacon for Party Nation. Madison and Wisconsin already have enough problems with heavy drinking, related violence and drunken driving.

Wis. higher ed leaders say more aid money needed (AP)

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BusinessWeek

Higher education leaders want Wisconsin lawmakers and the next governor to provide tens of millions of dollars more for need-based financial aid, saying the investment is desperately needed despite a looming budget shortfall.

The University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin Technical College System want funding increases to fill gaps that have left thousands of eligible low-income students without grants, according to budget documents. Private school leaders want modest increases for a separate program for their students.

Quick-response center helps manufacturers improve efficiency

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Wisconsin State Journal

Even as manufacturing emerges as one of the few sectors showing consistent life in the nation?s struggling economic recovery, experts at UW-Madison stand ready to help Wisconsin businesses get a bigger piece of the action.

At UW-Madison?s Center for Quick Response Manufacturing, one of director Ananth Krishnamurthy?s goals is increased outreach to help state manufacturers be more competitive, by applying center principles aimed at cutting costly lead time in all phases of a company?s manufacturing and office operations.

Military recruiters? business is good

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Wisconsin State Journal

In June, the wiry 18-year-old walked across the Oregon High School stage at his graduation ceremony. Now Fred Machado is at a military base 2,000 miles away, training to become a Marine. He joins more than 2,700 Wisconsinites younger than 25 entering active military duty this year.

….Recruiters say the lengthy economic downturn, which has created double-digit unemployment rates in some parts of Wisconsin, and a strong sense of patriotism, especially in rural areas, have made recruiting easier.

It doesn?t matter that Walker doesn?t have college degree

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Capital Times

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Superior. That?s a fine school. But after seven years with Schwarzenegger at the helm, California is an economic and political mess.

On the other hand, Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell has no college degree. Yet her state is doing rather well after six years of her leadership. So should Wisconsin be looking for someone with a college degree to take over from outgoing Gov. Jim Doyle, a graduate of both the University of Wisconsin and Harvard Law School?

Senate candidate Ron Johnson maturing quickly

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U.S. Senate hopeful Ron Johnson rolled into town last week for a question-and-answer session at the tony Madison Club. With his media team in tow, the latest rock star of the Republican Party made his way to the table at the front of the crowd ? and between the cross hairs.

Quoted: Charles Franklin, UW-Madison professor of political science

Report calls for overhaul of state Department of Commerce

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Others active in the six-month effort include Bill McCoshen, who ran the agency for four years under Thompson and now splits his time as lobbyist and director of the nonprofit Competitive Wisconsin business group; Tom Hefty, retired chief executive of Blue Cross Blue Shield United of Wisconsin and conservative economic activist; and business school deans at both Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Boating accidents killed 16 in state

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Wisconsin State Journal

….Data from 10 years? worth of reports compiled by the DNR and reviewed by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism show 189 people have died while boating in Wisconsin, an average of 19 a year. Despite the continued concern over preventable boating accidents and fatalities, Wisconsin lawmakers tried but failed in the last session to pass laws mandating life jackets for children and cracking down on drunken boating, which is No. 5 on the top 10 list of accident causes.

Secondhand smoke exposure among highest in nation for state youths

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Wisconsin State Journal

Wisconsin?s youth are struggling for breath, as the state was among the top five in the nation with high levels of secondhand smoke exposure for children 17 and younger.

About 10.5 percent of Wisconsin children were regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes in 2007, according to an article published in this month?s health journal Pediatrics.

Dane County’s first black DA ready to take the reins

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Wisconsin State Journal

When Ismael Ozanne goes to work on Monday, it will be his first as Wisconsin?s first black district attorney.

While that distinction carries historic significance, Ozanne knows that it?s the present that matters, fraught with the same challenges that prosecutors across the state are facing, and some that are particular to Dane County.

Chris Rickert: Questions aplenty, but Morgan’s not talking

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Wisconsin State Journal

You?ve heard the old saw about never getting into a fight with an organization that buys ink by the barrel.But what about turning the other cheek? Newly hired UW System senior vice president for administration and fiscal affairs Michael Morgan is doing something like that in repeatedly turning down media requests to talk about his controversial hire.

Panel to review Wisconsin financial aid programs

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WKOW-TV 27

MADISON (WKOW) — Wisconsin lawmakers have created a special committee to review the state?s financial aid programs for higher education. The panel, expected to recommend policy changes, is chaired by Representative Joan Ballweg, a Republican of Markesan.

Ballweg has has been involved in financial aid issues in recent years. She says the goal of the review is to improve access to higher education, make sure resources are being used effectively and retain graduates in the state. The review will look at the Wisconsin Covenant program, the tuition reciprocity agreement between Wisconsin and Minnesota, and loan forgiveness programs.