Wisconsin taxpayers will soon send Steven Avery $25,000 to begin to compensate him for spending 18 years in prison for a sex assault he didn’t commit, but it was unclear Thursday when – or if – he will get more of the $1 million he seeks. Avery was freed with the help of the UW-Madison Innocence Project.
Wisconsin officials have decided to open a statewide scholarship program to nonminority students as part of an agreement negotiated with the U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights. (Subscription required.)
MADISON — California may not be able to lure famed stem cell researcher James Thomson away from UW-Madison.
But Thomson, the molecular biologist who first isolated and reproduced human embryonic stem cells, believes many talented post-doctoral researchers will be headed to the� Golden State.
State Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, the target of talk radio programs in Milwaukee, today resigned as assistant majority leader in the state Senate. Lazich will continue to serve as Senate vice chair of the Joint Finance Committee.
After three years of investigation, the federal government has told the state Department of Public Instruction that it must restructure the requirements of a minority-targeted scholarship program so it is not exclusively based on race and ethnicity.
The DPI will instead adopt new eligibility standards – the ones used for free and reduced lunch programs – for the Minority Precollege Scholarship Program. It also will rename it the DPI Precollege Scholarship Program.
Carl E. Gulbrandsen, managing director of Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and president of WiCell Research Institute, spoke recently with WisBusiness.com’s Brian Leaf about recent developments involving stem cells and their implications for Wisconsin.
Tough drug laws have pushed disproportionately large numbers of black Americans into the prison system in Wisconsin and around the nation, civil rights advocates told UW-Madison students. They spoke Tuesday night as part of Social Justice Awareness Week, which continues tonight with a panel discussion about abortion, followed by interracial relations night on Thursday.
Jim Olson can remember fishing in Lake Wingra as a boy with his father and the excitement of catching even the smallest crappie. They are among his fondest memories.
Dick Lathrop, a lakes researcher with the DNR and the UW-Madison limnology department, said the experiment is a unique opportunity.
The State of Wisconsin Investment Board is evaluating whether it should invest more in new Wisconsin companies, the agency’s top executive told a group of money managers in Milwaukee Tuesday.
State Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, is the most aggressive progressive in the Legislature. He is also emerging as one of the Assembly members who may be best positioned to open a real debate about the corruption of the political and governing processes of the state.
The state Department of Commerce will spend $5 million over the next five years to set up and run a statewide network aimed at spawning more small businesses in Wisconsin, Gov. Jim Doyle announced.
Doyle said the program, authorized by legislation he signed earlier this year, will serve more than 10,000 people and contribute more than $500 million to the state’s economy in its first year.
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Mentor Corp. announced that it has begun operating its new manufacturing facility at 535 Science Drive in University Research Park.
The plant was designed specifically for the production of products utilizing the botulinum toxin technology that Mentor licensed from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation last December.
Wisconsin will start a network to help start-up businesses patent technologies, raise money from investors and obtain government grants, Gov. Jim Doyle said Monday.
Budding entrepreneurs take note: Gov. Jim Doyle wants to help you start your own business ââ?¬â? and in the process, provide a boost to Wisconsinââ?¬â?¢s economy.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz wants to press ahead with his idea for city streetcars regardless of other regional rail proposals.
Members of the Transport 2020 – a joint committee formed by both the Madison City Council and Dane County Board with representatives from the city, county, state Department of Transportation and UW-Madison – expressed concern about considering commuter rail and streetcars separately.
A modest effort to get young children ready for school could pay big educational dividends in future years – but the program’s success depends on you.
Children in a Madison kindergarten program for 4- year-olds, for example, made substantial literacy gains during the pilot project’s first year, UW-Madison researchers say.
Like many kindergarten teachers, Elena Zermeno is part actor, using facial expressions and exaggerated gestures to keep students engaged and to introduce concepts.
Gov. Jim Doyle put on a game face of major league proportions when he rolled out Wisconsin’s response to California’s approval of $3 billion in state funds for a decade of stem cell research. He did what he had to do to keep Wisconsin in the forefront of bioscience. California’s initiative will be hard for a smaller state to match, especially one with a major deficit.
Mike M. Knetter, Dean, UW-Madison School of business: “I’m thankful for the 34,000 loyal alumni of our business chool and the many other friends of the school (who) helped us achieve our mission.”
Carle E. Gulbrandsen, manager director, Wisconsin Alumni Reserch Foundation: “I’m thankful that our mission of taking (UW-Msn) inventions to the marketplace has generated real exicitement at the university, in the Madison community and with our partners at the state and federal government.”
WASHINGTON – Concentrations of a flame retardant banned by many European countries have been found in Lake Michigan and are increasing, UW-Madison scientists have found.
WHITEWATER – Professor Peter Killoran hopes forensic science will help his criminal justice students answer the question raised in the song “Who Are You?” the theme for the popular “CSI” television show about crime investigations.
As president of the University of Wisconsin System, Kevin Reilly has a well-appointed, spacious office on the 17th floor of Van Hise Hall. It has a big picture window, a dark- wood desk and a more intimate, separate sitting area with a couch and two chairs.
A pair of self-proclaimed anarchists who allegedly went on a rampage Oct. 3, damaging and stealing from government-owned cars and those they thought belonged to the rich, were charged Wednesday with seven counts of felony criminal damage to property and one of felony theft. They are alleged to have caused almost $20,000 worth of damage to 43 cars, including some 22 state, federal or university-owned vehicles.
Days after state legislators voted down a largely symbolic measure supporting privately funded stem-cell research, politicians and medical leaders Tuesday announced plans to ask those same lawmakers to support an even broader initiative to publicly fund the promising but controversial medical research.
Quoted: Charles Franklin, UW-Madison political scientist.
Quoted: Jeremy Foltz, associate director of the Program on Agricultural Technology Studies at UW-Madison.
A state official in Illinois is proposing a 6% tax on face lifts and other cosmetic procedures to finance $1 billion in stem cell research over 10 years.
isconsin will face a $1.6 billion budget shortfall in the 2005-’07 biennium, down from $3.2 billion two years ago, according to WisPolitics.
Nov. 23, 2004 ââ?¬â?Ã? Much has been made of President Bush’s 2001 executive order limiting the use of federal funds for human embryonic stem-cell research. With Bush now slated for another four years in office, researchers and stem-cell supporters are seeking private investment to drive the science and the industry forward.
It was inevitable that Governor Jim Doyle’s proposal to build a $375 million interdisciplinary research center on the UW-Madison campus would be characterized as a ââ?¬Å?responseââ?¬Â to California, where voters passed a $3 billion, 10-year initiative to fund human embryonic stem cell research.
When the Wisconsin Historical Society responded to Gov. Jim Doyle’s demand for a 10 percent budget cut by voting to close the society’s popular museum across from the Capitol, state budget director Dave Schmiedicke accused the board of acting irresponsibly.
“It does appear to be a scare tactic,” griped Schmiedicke. “We’re really expecting a more responsible process.” But it is Schmiedicke, not the Historical Society board, who is acting irresponsibly.
Six trays rest on six tables in a room that resembles any other biology lab. Six cow reproductive tracts lie in each tray, surrounded by a mixture of formaldehyde and iodine. Students hover over each tray, poking and prodding the tract in order to guess the stage of pregnancy of each calf. Shrieks and peals of laughter pierce the air.
Kevin Reilly, the new president of the University of Wisconsin System, cites an 80% retention rate in the state for UW graduates but acknowledges that an even better track record is needed. The university system has embarked on pilot programs to pull back students who failed to graduate and get them to a diploma. It also is working to increase the percentage of freshmen who graduate.
Quoted: Walter Dickey, UW Law School professor.
When it comes to biotechnology, Wisconsin isn�t a wannabe, it�s a leader. It doesn�t need to catch up; it needs to keep up. And the only way to do that is to dramatically step up the investment in biomedical research. Gov. Jim Doyle realizes that one of the surest ways to spur economic, high-tech development in Wisconsin is to continue to bank on biotechnology.
Concerned that economic policy will trump moral concerns in the state’s push to stay at the forefront of stem-cell research, opponents of research using human embryos are lining up to fight the use of public money to fund such exploration. Details of Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle’s $750 million plan for a biotechnology research institute on the UW-Madison campus won’t emerge until he submits his budget to the Legislature in January. But voices in and out of the Legislature are saying that any inclusion of embryonic stem cells in the plan could scuttle its chances.
Wisconsin has excellent schools, technical colleges and public and private colleges and universities. The state has two nationally ranked medical schools, now well-endowed with more than $600 million from the Blue Cross conversion. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the country�s leading research universities. However, Wisconsin lags in transferring technology to the private sector, says Thomas Hefty, co-chair of the Governor�s Economic Growth Council.
The Doyle administration is vowing to balance the next state budget “by trimming the fat and making our government more efficient.” That promise from Administration Secretary Marc Marotta came as state agencies made it official Friday: The state is facing a $1.6 billion general fund problem in the next two-year budget.
All of Wisconsin should wish good luck to the 600,000 deer hunters expected to participate in Wisconsin’s nine-day gun hunting season. A successful hunt would be a welcome step toward reducing the state’s deer population.
The state�s budget picture became clearer Friday with the release of economic figures from the state Department of Administration.
Wisconsin will face a $1.6 billion shortfall in the next fiscal biennium, half of the state�s $3.2 billion deficit from two years ago. The report credits strong economic growth and cost saving measures for the steep reduction in the deficit from the last biennium.
MANITOWOC ââ?¬â? The answer Thursday night from University of Wisconsin Madison economics professor Andrew Reschovsky was ââ?¬Å?No.ââ?¬Â
While an audience of about 150 appeared to be generally sympathetic to UW-Madison economist Andrew Reschovskyââ?¬â?¢s contentions that constitutional revenue limits would result in public service cutbacks, a weakened public education system, and lack of flexibility to meet changing economic needs, there were contrary perspectives expressed by two members of a ââ?¬Å?response panel.ââ?¬Â
Gov. Jim Doyle’s new point man on attracting businesses to Wisconsin has no formal background in biotechnology or stem cell research. But with sales stints at two major corporations, followed by 13 years in the front office of the Milwaukee Brewers, Eugene “Pepi” Randolph brings plenty of real world experience to his new position as president of Forward Wisconsin.
Per Gov. Jim Doyle�s request, state agencies submitted their 10 percent reduced budget plans to the Department of Administration earlier this week. Due to the state�s projected $1.5 billion deficit, Doyle requested state departments look for ways to reduce costs.
The University of Wisconsin System�s 10 percent budget cut proposal is finding few friends at the state Capitol.
In a rare display of unity with Gov. Jim Doyle, Republicans blasted the plan Thursday for its lack of administrative cuts, saying students are being asked to pick up a disproportionately large tab for the system�s budget woes.
Madison: Governor Doyle asked state agencies to submit a budget proposal with a 10% reduction from last time.
The University of Wisconsin System’s budget plan says a 10% cut would require it to reduce enrollment by 1,650 students.
The UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations announced that it will start a program next year to help create, support and sustain start-up companies that are based on research and technology developed at the UW.
It shouldn�t surprise anyone that the University of Wisconsin predicts a decrease in freshman student enrollment to offset a likely 10 percent budget cut.
Wisconsin women fall far short of men when it comes to pay equity, and that’s not sitting well with people who took notice of a report out this week mapping the gap. Louise Root-Robbins, UW System coordinator for the status of women and director of the Sloan Project for academic career advancement, and Joe Soss, an associate professor of political science at UW-Madison, are quoted.
Gov. Jim Doyle criticized University of Wisconsin System officials Wednesday for submitting a budget-cutting plan that would reduce enrollment and academic staff rather than trim administrative costs. (AP)
Gov. Jim Doyle is ready to take on California to defend Wisconsin’s crown as king of the stem cell states. About two weeks after California voters approved a $3 billion, 10-year referendum for stem cell research, Doyle responded by putting together a comprehensive package to showcase and build on Wisconsin’s investment in biotechnology.
Wisconsin’s governor, Jim Doyle, announced a plan on Wednesday to spend nearly $750-million over several years on biotechnology and stem-cell research at the University of Wisconsin and several hospitals in the state.
In a public-private partnership…Governor Doyle says biotechnology research in the state…including stem cell research…will get a nearly $750 million boost. Standing alongside UW scientists…Doyle unveiled plans for a $375 millionÃ? facility on the UW campus.
The UW System Board of Regents submitted plans Monday for a possible 10 percent cut in state funding for the UW System at Gov. Jim Doyle’s request.
In August, the Board of Regents voted unanimously for their 2005-’07 biennium budget request, but a 10 percent cut would injure what many are calling “the heart and soul” of the UW System-its faculty and quality of education.
Gov. Jim Doyle announced Wisconsin’s plan to invest in biotechnology and health science industries Tuesday at the Genetics/Biotechnology center on Henry Mall. With recent major contributions toward research in California, the governor, along with UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley, emphasized the need to intensify Wisconsin’s own biomedical findings.
The University of Wisconsin System could face a $28 million budget cut next fall, triggering enrollment reductions of an estimated 1,650 full-time students. The cut would also mean the university could afford fewer staff members and would lose $14.6 in tuition revenue, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
Gov. Jim Doyle announced a proposal Wednesday afternoon to construct a $375 million research institution on the University of Wisconsin campus called the ââ?¬Å?Wisconsin Institution for Discovery.ââ?¬Â
Madison, Wis. ââ?¬â? Wisconsin should hold on to its advantage in health and life-science research by drawing together $375 million in public and private funding for a new research center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, Governor Jim Doyle said on Wednesday.
As part of Madison’s 2005 city budget, hiring an alcohol policy coordinator with UW-Madison, to start after April.
Dane County businesses expect to see their profits grow twice as fast in 2005, according to a study released Wednesday.
Companies expect profits to increase 3 percent in 2005, more than double the rate they forecast a year ago, the Dane County Economic Survey found.
