The Assembly approved legislation to limit the Milwaukee County Board’s finances and authority Wednesday due to complaints the board abused its power and in is the midst of its pending illicit union negotiations. The Republican-controlled Assembly voted 59-39 to pass the bill along party lines and move the measure to… Read more »

After an independent state review organization produced an audit bringing to light the state economic growth agency’s failures, a Democratic senator announced Wednesday he plans to introduce a bill requiring these investigations to occur annually. Sen. Dave Hansen, D–Green Bay, said in a statement this measure is the only way… Read more »

Legislators statewide erupted with fury after the University of Wisconsin System president requested a tuition increase despite a nonpartisan state agency’s April revelation that it was sitting on more than a billion dollars in reserves. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s report indicated the system had $648 million in unrestricted assets and… Read more »

The Milwaukee County Board continues to face scrutiny after a public interest law firm sued members of the board Monday for violating Wisconsin’s open meeting laws. The Wisconsin Institute of Law and Liberty filed a lawsuit against the board, which failed to issue public notices before action at two separate… Read more »

As the dispute on the University of Wisconsin System’s reserve assets continues, the fate of Gov. Scott Walker’s original $181 million budget proposal for state higher education funding is becoming clearer. Walker said Monday some of the money originally budgeted for the system would support K-12 public education and increased… Read more »

About 100 workers rights activists and immigration reform advocates held a May Day rally on the Capitol Square Wednesday to speak, chant and sing against unfair labor conditions for undocumented workers. Madison protesters joined demonstrators from coast-to-coast for a May Day rally organized by the Wisconsin Immigrant Worker’s Union. The… Read more »

State legislators, investors and entrepreneurs almost overwhelmingly supported a bill to invest $25 million into early startup businesses at a public hearing Wednesday, with only a few minor hesitations. Rep. Mike Kuglitsch, R–New Berlin, introduced the legislation, which has bipartisan support, last week to provide entrepreneurs and new business the… Read more »

After repeated issues with transparency and responsibility, Gov. Scott Walker’s flagship job growth agency broke state laws by unsuccessfully tracking its money and illegally funding unapproved projects, according a state investigation released Wednesday. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s failure to properly monitor its financial transactions was the basis of state’s… Read more »

Wisconsin hospitals are advocating for Gov. Scott Walker to delay shifting thousands of patients from state to federal health care coverage scheduled to begin in January. The Wisconsin Hospital Association, Wisconsin Council on Children and Families and a U.S. senator from Montana have show their concern over continuing coverage and… Read more »

To strengthen penalties against harassing lawmakers and their family members, a representative began circulating bipartisan-backed legislation to that goal last week. Rep. Garey Bies, R–Sister Bay, said current law offers some protection for legislators, but none for their family members.  Bies’ bill proposal would impose misdemeanor charges on individuals for… Read more »

In light of reports revealing a more than $1 billion dollar surplus in the University of Wisconsin System’s assets, the system president said he would push to enact new cash reserve policies. UW System President Kevin Reilly said on WISN-TV’s “UpFront with Mike Gousha” he realizes the system will have a… Read more »

After promising to maintain the UW System’s $181 million budget request last week, Gov. Scott Walker backed off that plan Thursday, proposing to redirect most of the money to other educational needs. The governor said much of the proposed funding for UW schools could now go to public schools and… Read more »

[View the story “U.S. Senator Tweets Answers to Wisconsin Students” on Storify]… Read more »

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In an effort to create jobs for promising new startups, state lawmakers from both parties unveiled a venture capital bill Wednesday based on provisions mapped out in Gov. Walker’s budget proposal. Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder, R–Abbotsford, led a press conference to overview the bipartisan Venture Capital Commission’s funding efforts… Read more »

State lawmakers, Milwaukee County Board supervisors and concerned county residents continued a heated debate on a bill designed to restructure the board at a public Senate committee hearing Wednesday.During the hearing of the Senate’s Committee on Elections and Urban Affairs, disputes on the Milwaukee County Board’s budget, oversight, supervisor salaries and clarification of… Read more »

After a federal court ruled to increase representation of Latino voters in Milwaukee’s south side through redistricting last March, an ongoing investigation reveals aids to Republican lawmakers allegedly deleted thousands of redistricting files from state computers. According to court filings last week from attorneys for Voces de la Frontera, a… Read more »

A supervisor on the Milwaukee County Board confirmed contracts and illegal negotiations were ongoing between the board and Milwaukee’s largest union Monday. Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Deanna Alexander confirmed closed session contract negotiation occurred with Council 48 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Alexander, who said… Read more »

In response to looming legislation in the state Assembly to restrict the Milwaukee County Board’s budget and influence, the board released a less extreme overhaul alternative late last week.The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors announced its proposal Thursday night before an “Our Milwaukee County” listening session. The restructuring will cut… Read more »

To more easily prevent telemarketers from calling home phones of Wisconsin residents, bipartisan legislators from both houses are promoting a bill that would allow people to permanently be placed on the do-not-call list. Rep. Andre Jacque, R–DePere, and Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R–River Falls,  introduced the bill, which would no longer… Read more »

It is hard to imagine, but the shy, petite man who was visibly blushing as he timidly sauntered to the center of the auditorium Thursday evening is one of the biggest names in the adult film industry. James Deen, the youngest male to win performer of the year for three… Read more »

Republican lawmakers failed to achieve substantial support to vote on a bill Wednesday that would slash the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors’ budget and limit the leader’s authority. During a state Assembly session, Democratic representatives pushed a vote on the contentious legislation to May, according to the proposal’s author Rep.… Read more »

Voters rights advocates in the state Legislature, advocacy groups and University of Wisconsin students voiced their support of early voting and simple registration at Citizen Action of Wisconsin’s press conference in the Capitol Wednesday. Anita Johnson, an organizer for Citizen Action of Wisconsin, hosted its Voters Lobby to Protect Wisconsin’s… Read more »

Lawmakers reintroduced a bill this month that would allow school districts to exceed revenue limits in order to afford additional security measures. Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink, D–Milladore, a co-sponsor of the bill, said 28 senators and representatives support the initiative to implement greater degrees of safety into state public schools… Read more »

While Wisconsin remains the only state nationwide where drunk driving is punishable by a ticket on first offense, legislative efforts to criminalize operating while intoxicated offenses could place a burden on state prosecutors. A bill, proposed this month by Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, and Rep. Jim Ott, R-Mequon and… Read more »

Revelry Festival organizers and student government leaders began to show their alarm last weekend after Madison officials announced last week there would be no Mifflin Street Block Party for the second consecutive year,  The Madison Police Department issued a statement last week that said the city would not permit or… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker departed to China Friday to lead his first international trade mission, intending to grow business, build relationships and bring back money into Wisconsin. The governor said in a statement Friday China is an important market for Wisconsin industrial, medical and clean energy and water exports. The state’s… Read more »

Two representatives announced proposed legislation to extend some rights of American citizens to undocumented individuals, a measure that could have significant implications for students looking to attend college.After speaking in favor of President Barack Obama’s immigration reform initiatives in a press conference, Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, D–Milwaukee, said Wednesday she plans to propose… Read more »

A group of about 20 University of Wisconsin students traveled to the Wisconsin Dells Wednesday to advocate for increased funding for state higher education and the implementation of a tuition cap in front of the state’s budget committee.These representatives from UW’s Associated Students of Madison and United Council of UW… Read more »

President Barack Obama’s plan for a $3.78 trillion, 10-year budget to rejuvenate the nation’s economy by investing in education, manufacturing, clean energy and research while shrinking entitlement programs and reducing the deficit has already sparked debate. The president’s blueprint, released Wednesday, drew initial criticism from both sides of the aisle.… Read more »

Two years after a law passed restricting collective bargaining rights for many public employee unions, union membership has plunged in two major organized labor delegations, and 93 percent fewer workers received raises. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 48, Milwaukee’s largest union, has lost 61 percent… Read more »

A Republican Assembly member announced Sunday he will run for state Senate in southwestern Wisconsin to replace one of the longest tenured legislators in the state. Rep. Howard Marklein, R–Spring Green, said in a statement he will challenge incumbent Sen. Dale Schultz, R–Richland Center, in a possible primary for the… Read more »

Women nationwide will soon have access to emergency contraceptive pills without a prescription, medical or parental oversight as long as they are at least 12 years old as the result of a federal court decision. Federal Judge Edward Korman in New York ruled Friday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration must make… Read more »

Unemployment rates increased in 85 percent of counties in Wisconsin between January and February, according to a state department statement Wednesday. The Department of Workforce Development released U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics noting unemployment rates also spiked in 10 of 12 of the state’s largest metropolitan areas, with no rate… Read more »

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Wisconsin could save more than a billion dollars in the next decade if the federal government chooses to negotiate for lower Medicare drug costs, according to an economic analysis released during a conference call Wednesday. Wisconsin will lose out on $1.2 billion in potential savings, and all 50 states combined… Read more »

While a report last week said the proposed budget would leave Wisconsin in hundreds of millions of dollars in debt, a Republican assembly member said Tuesday he is confident legislators can ensure a balanced final budget. The state’s Legislative Fiscal Bureau, a nonpartisan analysis agency, said the current provisions of… Read more »

Gasoline could soon cause less pollution in Wisconsin, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed new standards for cars and fuel Friday to clean the air, reduce premature illness onset and boost automobile efficiency while increasing prices at gas pumps. The EPA initiative would reduce gasoline’s sulfur content three-fold and… Read more »

Heads of each University of Wisconsin System school, the UW System president and two Board of Regents leaders expressed support for the state budget’s funding and flexibility for the system Monday. The officials said the 2013-2015 biennial budget would provide the lowest tuition increase in a decade, performance-based funding and… Read more »

Just a day before the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, issues of each candidate’s experience, courtroom dysfunction and the impact of donations to judges by parties involved in court hearings continue to dominate the race. Associate law professor at Marquette University Ed Fallone is challenging the incumbent State Supreme Court justice,… Read more »

While Wisconsin’s economy, job growth efforts, education funding and issues with health care tend to take center stage in debates over the state’s key problems, one issue is costing the state both in health and expenses. Last year alone, the state paid 10 percent of the proposed two-year, $68 billion… Read more »

With speculations on who will run for president in 2016 already underway, Gov. Scott Walker said Friday he might be interested in becoming a candidate and will not rule out the possibility of his own run. Walker told Politico that if he is re-elected as governor, he would not commit… Read more »

A nonpartisan Wisconsin legislative analysis agency’s report released last week brought to light a provision of Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed biennial budget allowing a state department to sell or lease state-owned properties. According to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s summary, the proposed 2013-15 biennial budget would allow the Department of Administration to sell… Read more »

The last finalist candidate who could become University of Wisconsin’s next chancellor visited campus Wednesday to lay out her priorities of maintaining funding for the university, leveraging new educational technologies and expanding community outreach. Rebecca Blank currently serves as acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she is… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker signed a controversial iron ore mining bill which streamlines the permit process into law Monday, more than a year after the legislation was first introduced.  The bill, supported solely by Republican legislators, will allow Gogebic Taconite LLC to create the largest open-pit iron ore mining operation in… Read more »

Just a day before the U.S. House of Representatives unveils its federal budget proposal, a local congressman lobbied against Republican initiatives to cut social programs at a retirement home in downtown Madison Monday. U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, emphasized the need to replace the “arbitrary” spending cuts made by the… Read more »

A Democratic legislator re-introduced a bill Monday that would make it a felony offense to knowingly possess stolen weapons or buy guns with the intention of giving them to people who cannot pass background checks. Sen. Tim Carpenter, D–Milwaukee, said in a statement the goal of the bill is to… Read more »

While the latest employment report showed an upswing for the national economy, job growth indicators suggest Wisconsin’s economy is failing to keep a similar pace. Private sector businesses nationwide added 246,000 jobs in February, reducing the unemployment rate to 7.7 percent, the lowest rate since 2008, according to Friday’s U.S.… Read more »

A single vote in the state Senate ended a legislative debate spanning more than two years and paved the way for iron mining in Wisconsin to resume after a nearly 30-year hiatus. The goal of the bill, originally introduced in December 2011, was to partner with other mining operations in… Read more »

After running on the campaign promise he would add a quarter million jobs to Wisconsin’s private sector, Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday he believes his goal is not feasible. Walker told Wisconsin Public Radio the state should still aim high in job growth numbers. However, confounding variables, including collective bargaining… Read more »

As the Legislature readies to officially decide whether to support a contentious mining bill today, debates have continued to rage regarding the environmental impact of building the mine among lawmakers, lobbyists and state agencies. The Assembly is poised to pass the Republican-backed bill proposal and place it on Gov. Walker’s… Read more »

Among the more than 50 tax credit programs in the state of Wisconsin, many are superfluous and should be eliminated, according to an Assembly Republican. Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R–Brookfield, said many states do not have an income tax at all, but noted Wisconsin’s is overly complex due to its small… Read more »

Estimates say the federal sequester cuts will cost Wisconsin hospitals one billion dollars over the next 10 years, or $2 million each week, according to a Wisconsin Hospital Association statement. The U.S. government allowed Medicare payment funding to reduce 2 percent Friday with the mandatory sequester spending reductions, which WHA… Read more »

Not every politically-inclined University of Wisconsin student has the opportunity to travel to the nation’s capital and meet with leading U.S. government officials, but that dream became a reality for one undergraduate last week. UW’s Bipartisan Issues Group President Alex Holland joined more than 30 leaders of the group’s parent… Read more »

In response to a tweet comparing Gov. Scott Walker to an infamous Milwaukee-area serial killer, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin dropped an official from his spokesperson position Monday.Graeme Zielinski, who worked as party spokesperson for three years, published three tweets Friday comparing Walker to Jeffrey Dahmer, who killed 17 people.  In… Read more »

As mass shootings across the nation prompted top university administrators to advocate for Congress to make specific gun safety reforms, the University of Wisconsin faces state limitations on taking a stance on the issue as a publicly-funded institution. UW officials have yet to sign an open letter from College Presidents for… Read more »

One of Wisconsin’s representatives in Congress, along with state leaders of Native American and gay rights advocacy groups, voiced their support for an updated bill that aims to prevent violence against women, which is set to go into federal law Thursday. According to a statement from President Barack Obama, the… Read more »

After nine hours of grueling debate, Wisconsin’s Senate passed a bill Wednesday by a single vote to make changes to Wisconsin’s iron ore mining regulations. Sen. Dale Schultz, R–Richland Center, was the lone Republican to cross party lines and vote against the bill, which passed 17-16. “We are one vote short of restoring… Read more »

Media officials and government transparency advocates expressed their opposition to Wisconsin lawmakers Wednesday against a proposed bill permitting government institutions to charge for access to public records. Those against the bill said applying charges to the right to use records inhibits access to them and helps bureaucrats who want to… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker and other Republican governors criticized the president’s across-the-board spending cuts scheduled to take effect this week during a press conference in Washington, D.C., on Friday. The governor said he believes these $85 billion in federal cuts, known as the sequester, are irresponsible, arbitrary and President Barack Obama… Read more »

Two separate analyses of Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget found the richest citizens in the state stand to benefit the most from his income tax cuts, which have been billed as relief for middle class taxpayers. A collaborative report from the Council on Children and Families and the Institute of Taxation and… Read more »

After many months of examining the issue, the Wisconsin Legislature’s budget committee approved a contentious mining overhaul bill Monday to allow iron ore mining in the state. The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance approved the Republican-backed bill that will allow the opening of an iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin by… Read more »

A single sentence buried deep in Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal could allow public employees throughout the state to live outside of the area where they work. Walker recommends eliminating the residency requirement that forces municipal workers to live in the same city or village where they work, he wrote… Read more »

If Congress does not reach a compromise before Friday, Wisconsin’s national security employees and the public education system could be the target of massive federal spending cuts known as the sequester, according a White House statement released Sunday. The effects of the sequester would furlough roughly 3,000 U.S. Departments of… Read more »

In an effort to keep pace with continuously advancing educational technology, the University of Wisconsin announced Wednesday it will offer four massive, open online courses, two of which will start this fall. The experimental pilot program will be part of a higher education delivery system geared toward expanding courses to… Read more »

After taking in no state funding the past two years, University of Wisconsin’s cancer center will receive nearly $4 million through 2015, according to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal. Walker officially announced the proposal to invest $3.75 million to develop the Wisconsin Oncology Network of Imaging Excellence Thursday in… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker announced a $129 million investment in public education and an additional $181 million in funding for the University of Wisconsin System would be included in his upcoming budget announcement on Monday. After ranking 38th out of 41 states with complete data from a 2012 National Assessment of… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker announced Monday he plans to invest $25 million to support startup companies in the state in his upcoming biennial budget. This funding, also known as venture capital investment, will use taxpayer dollars to finance startup and budding businesses in collaboration with private companies. Walker called this a… Read more »

Planned Parenthood announced Monday it will be shutting down four of its Wisconsin locations starting in less than two months, citing a lack of funding after budget cuts from the state.Between April and July of this year, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will be closing health centers in Beaver Dam, Johnson… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin’s Athletic Board approved an increased budget in their meeting Friday, in addition to announcing major changes to football scheduling for upcoming seasons. The Athletic Board voted unanimously to approve its 2013-2014 budget. Athletic Board Finance Chair Mark Covaleski said the $133 million budget will double annual… Read more »

Donald Nichols, a nationally renowned economist and former director of the University of Wisconsin La Follette School of Public Affairs, died Friday night at age 72. The UW professor emeritus of public affairs and economics died of liver cirrhosis complications caused by hepatitis C, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.… Read more »

A Memorial Union site construction worker was taken to the hospital this morning, as part of the the second construction accident in the City of Madison Feb. 15.Two injured construction workers were transported to the hospitals from separate building sites after falling at their respective locations Friday morning. A worker… Read more »

Are you out there, E.T.?To understand whether life exists on Mars and other planets, University of Wisconsin scientists are contextualizing these planets by first researching the origins and evolution of life on Earth. A team of about 80 researchers from UW and other institutions comprise the Wisconsin Astrobiology Research Consortium,… Read more »

After much deliberation from University of Wisconsin’s student government, causing representatives to laugh, quarrel and storm out screaming, the Associated Students of Madison passed its new constitution referendum Wednesday by an 83 percent majority. The new ASM Constitution: A Sound Structure for Subsequent Sessions passed 20-4, with one abstinence at… Read more »

A University of Wisconsin engineer who creates innovative health promotion technologies was named to the National Academy of Engineering Tuesday. The NAE elected David Gustafson, UW’s Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies director and professor emeritus of industrial and systems engineering and preventive medicine, and 68 others to its 2013… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin’s student government funding arm unanimously approved exemptions for three student groups that submitted documents past deadline on Monday. The Associated Students of Madison Students Services Finance Committee voted to allow Vets for Vets, Campus Women’s Center and Working Class Student Union exemptions regarding paperwork submissions. Vets for… Read more »

Various maintenance repairs to University of Wisconsin’s recreational sports facilities will be required next year, causing an increase in student segregated fee funding, according to the Division of Recreational Sports. Interim Director of Recreational Sports Joe Horn confirmed Sunday the need for an overhaul of the heating and ventilation systems,… Read more »

Five nearly-free online courses are so similar to their classroom versions students will now officially be able to take them for college credit, the American Council on Education announced last week. These courses provided by Coursera, a California-based online education provider, are the first “massive, open online courses” — or… Read more »

The majority of the American public agrees higher education institutions should reduce their tuition rates and award students credit for competency instead of time, according to a poll released last week. American adults overwhelmingly desire a new system of credentials that emphasizes the outcomes of competencies of higher learning, rather… Read more »

The vigil outside the chancellor’s house Wednesday to protest the University of Wisconsin’s alleged exploitation of former Palermo’s Pizza employees appears not to have changed the status quo. Chancellor David Ward issued a statement that UW will maintain its contract with Palermo’s for the time being. The statement came in… Read more »

University Health Services said they will not be requesting a budget increase through student segregated fees for the following fiscal year in a proposal given at a University of Wisconsin student government meeting Thursday.   Rather, UHS presented a budget neutral proposal in Associated Students of Madison Student Services Finance… Read more »

As mental health issues continue to move into the national forefront, a University of Wisconsin student government committee announced Wednesday it will work to promote the awareness of such issues this semester. The Associated Students of Madison University Affairs Committee mapped out its spring semester goals, focusing on organizing an… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin’s student government overwhelmingly approved its slightly decreased budget and considered a potential overthrow of its current constitution at its meeting Wednesday.  Members of the Associated Students of Madison Student Council voted 12-2 to approve the General Student Services Fund budget over the 2013-2014 fiscal year. The… Read more »

Despite recent setbacks for downtown safety, a local alder told a student government committee that the city is continuing to attempt high standards of safety in the campus area. Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, told Associated Students of Madison Legislative Affairs Committee that City Council has worked to advance various initiatives… Read more »

The U.S. Office of Research Integrity recently disciplined a University of Wisconsin researcher for faking his experimental results on two publications, according to a notice from the Federal Register. After an earlier UW investigation of Rao Adibhatla, an assistant research professor in the neurological survey department of the UW School… Read more »

University of Wisconsin and other research institutions alike may have been awarded millions or billions of dollars to fund essentially identical research projects, according to a Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University study. Since 1985, federal agencies have funded up to $69 million in overlapping research funds to scientists who requested… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin is searching nationwide for a new Director of Recreational Sports to promote healthy lifestyles for students at UW. Wisconsin Union Director Mark Guthier chairs the search and screen committee responsible for recruiting candidates and processing applications and nominations for the position, according to a UW statement.… Read more »

A committee of Wisconsin’s student government regrouped for its first meeting of the semester Wednesday with plans to tackle the university’s textbook affordability, financial literacy and mental health issues. During an open forum addressing the high costs of textbooks on campus, various members of the Associated Students of Madison University… Read more »

In an effort to weigh possible reforms to the University of Wisconsin’s ethnic studies requirement, the Associated Students of Madison Diversity Committee announced plans for a roundtable event on campus. The event, set for Union South on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m., will begin with a history and overview of… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Athletic Board introduced two new coaches, approved contracts for three coaches and discussed the student athlete alcohol policy during its monthly meeting Friday. Athletic Board Chair Dale Bjorling congratulated his board members for successfully hiring new football coach Gary Andersen and volleyball coach Kelly Sheffield. He… Read more »

University of Wisconsin’s student government officially created an Ad Hoc Diversity Plan Committee on Friday, granting increased representation for students in determining the campus Diversity Plan set to be unveiled this spring. The 25 member committee will consists of five classified staff members, five academic members, five faculty members, five… Read more »

Milwaukee mutual fund manager and former University of Wisconsin basketball Hall of Famer Albert Nicholas announced Thursday he is establishing a $50 million scholarship fund for high school basketball players to attend UW System schools.Each year, the scholarships will be available for up to 250 male and female Wisconsin public… Read more »

University of Wisconsin’s student radio station requested funding for two new software upgrades during the first Student Services Finance Committee meeting of the spring semester Thursday. WSUM Technician Laura Gutknecht said the station would like funding for MusicMaster scheduling software and Simian radio automation software. The goal of upgrading these… Read more »

After nearly a one-year hiatus, controversial research on the potentially deadly avian influenza virus will resume, according to plans unveiled by a group of world-renowned scientists, including a University of Wisconsin professor.  UW professor of virology Yoshihiro Kawaoka was one of 40 experts in the field to sign a letter… Read more »

In the latest step in an ongoing conflict between the University of Wisconsin and Adidas, a county court ruled former Adidas workers can testify against their ex-employer earlier this month. After months of mediation, the UW System Board of Regents filed a lawsuit against Adidas in July that asked the… Read more »

Sitting in her four-hour lab in late November, University of Wisconsin senior Madeline Krasno suddenly felt achy, shifted between being freezing and boiling hot, then told her teaching assistant she felt like she had been hit by a bus and burst into tears. “It was extra strength Tylenol every four… Read more »

University of Wisconsin System faculty are earning 18 percent less pay than the national college and university average, UW System President Kevin Reilly revealed to the Board of Regents in December.The lower salaries, UW System spokesperson David Giroux said, are creating an environment that limits the System’s ability to compete… Read more »

Gerda Lerner, the founder of University of Wisconsin’s Gender and Women’s studies graduate program, died this month at age 92, leaving behind a strong history and legacy with her students and the university.Lerner, who was formerly a UW women’s studies professor, Holocaust escapee and author, died Jan. 2 in an… Read more »

Republicans in the state Assembly are considering increasing the amount of money its members can write off as food and lodging expenses. Representatives from both parties said the rationale behind raising the rates of daily, per diem expenses for the 99 Assembly members is the rising costs of lodging and… Read more »

A new survey reported that although Wisconsin business owners overwhelmingly agree the state is heading in the right direction, 20 percent are planning layoffs over the next six months. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce released the survey of their members, small businesses across the state, during the State of Wisconsin Business… Read more »

With the most important elections following the Citizens United decision, campaign spending rose in both the presidential and Wisconsin’s Senate races, much of it from outside groups and on negative advertising. Of the $73 million spent by all the candidates leading up to Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate election alone, the Center… Read more »

State Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, completed the Democratic sweep in Wisconsin during Tuesday’s general election by winning the House race for Wisconsin’s Second Congressional District. Pocan maintained the Democratic control of the Madison seat in Congress, taking former Senator-elect Tammy Baldwin’s place as she gave up the seat after 14… Read more »

A new poll released Thursday showed President Barack Obama is clinging to a narrow lead in Wisconsin over former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., with only a few days left before Tuesday’s election. The NBC News, Wall Street Journal and Marist College poll indicates Obama leads Romney 49 percent to 46… Read more »

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin held a roundtable discussion Wednesday, led by two female state legislators, to proclaim why U.S. Senate candidate and former Gov. Tommy Thompson is wrong for Wisconsin women. At the event, attended by about 20 onlookers, Rep. Chris Taylor, D–Madison, and Rep. Kelda Helen Roys, D-Madison,… Read more »

The Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks have become a new point of contention in Wisconsin’s heated U.S. Senate race, with both campaigns claiming in media advertisements their opponent does not care about those most impacted by the attack. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson’s campaign drew first blood Tuesday by attacking opponent… Read more »

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has lost track of $8 million of taxpayer money in loans given to private businesses, according to a WEDC spokesperson. Tom Thieding, WEDC spokesperson, said 99 private businesses are overdue on repaying loans given out by the agency, which formerly was the state Department of… Read more »

Likely voters from Wisconsin and two other swing states agreed 4-1 that former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney won the first debate against President Barack Obama last week, which has narrowed Obama’s lead, according to a new poll. A Quinnipiac University/CBS News/New York Times poll released Thursday indicated Obama still holds… Read more »

University of Wisconsin students received a lesson Thursday in the importance of media satire from The Onion’s CEO Steve Hannah who stressed one simple truism: “Beyond the bullshit is the truth.” Hannah gave the presentation after signing his new contract with Comedy Central this week to expand its media sphere… Read more »

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute announced Wednesday a world renowned UW professor would serve as the vice president of science education starting September. According to UW Molecular Biology, Genetics and Medical Genetics professor Sean Carroll, he and HHMI directors had discussed the new job position for the past six to… Read more »

A University of Wisconsin Law School mock trial team defeated Georgetown University Sunday to win the 2010 National Student Trial Advocacy Competition. This season marked both the first ever regional and national championship wins for the mock trial team in the school’s history, said Rhonda Lanford, co-coach of the team… Read more »

Members involved in the planning and building a new Lakeshore Residence Hall and Food Service Facility finalized the first phase of the Environmental Impact Statement of in a public hearing Thursday. Phase one of the proposed project involves building a new residence hall able to house 404 freshman and transfer… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Hospital and Medical Foundation joined Dane County’s government Wednesday in announcing their initiatives to offer paid sick leave for employees willing to serve as human organ or bone marrow donors. According to Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk’s spokesperson Joshua Wescott, the ordinance was easily cleared… Read more »

Kappa Alpha Theta sorority will host its fourth annual Theta Threads denim sale today which will benefit its national philanthropy partner, Court Appointed Special Advocates. The event sponsored by Charity Denim, an organization that offers discount designed jeans for charitable sale, will run from 1 to 7 p.m. in the… Read more »

The Dalai Lama will make an appearance on the University of Wisconsin campus this May, marking his second visit to the campus within two years. The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso — a revered spiritual leader for the Central Tibetan Administration who is thought of as a reincarnation of the… Read more »

A University of Wisconsin subcommittee has been collecting used cell phones since Feb. 1 to benefit victims of domestic violence. All proceeds from the cell phone drive, which ends March 1, will go to Domestic Abuse Intervention Services of Dane County. According to Executive Director of DAIS Shannon Barry, once… Read more »

While there was no on-site pig roast as promised, pork filled plenty of student stomaches as they celebrated the first year anniversary of the Student Activity Center. The event was celebrated in an elaborate fashion with a full wood-grilled rotisserie pig barbecue, a birthday cake and a performance by a… Read more »

The National Institute of Health re-approved research on one of the most prevalent lines of human embryonic stem cells Friday, however, this approval may meet new challenges as federal funding for the National Stem Cell Bank dries up. The request to re-approve the line for research was submitted by WiCell,… Read more »

As University of Wisconsin freshmen enjoy their newfound access to fast and easy food, student athletes find more and more challenges standing in the way of keeping themselves in playing shape. UW freshman and forward for the men’s soccer team Ata Ozbay said one large challenge is overcoming the appeal… Read more »

University of Wisconsin researchers released a report Friday favoring climate change policy intended to clean the air with renewable energy sources as a cost-efficient environmental strategy. The financial gains resulting from this change are expected to quickly offset the startup cost of adopting such a policy. UW professor of public… Read more »

A local business management consultant and seminar leader told a University of Wisconsin crowd Tuesday that testing on monkeys in UW research centers is immoral and unethical in all regards. Speaker Rick Marolt promoted attempts to abolish experimentation on primates, addressing why these have not been more prevalent at UW.… Read more »

Now in its second year, the University of Wisconsin’s Entrepreneurial Residential Learning Community continues to foster innovative spirits by clustering students and faculty with a common interest in entrepreneurial pursuits. Among the projects being developed this year by the 64 members of ERLC inhabiting the second floor of Sellery Hall’s… Read more »

The Division of Information Technology opened use of its new version of WiscMail’s web mail client pilot program to all students, staff and faculty this week, aiming for campuswide implementation Dec. 1. The updated version of WiscMail is modeled after Gmail and other commercial emailing account systems and now features… Read more »

Memorial Library accepted WYOU Community Television’s donation of “Nothing to Hide” videotapes Friday, creating the largest cable access video archive of a show centering on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender topics in the nation. David Runyon’s “Nothing to Hide” program included coverage of LGBT events, speeches and interviews with… Read more »

The recommendations made by Gov. Jim Doyle’s Global Warming Task Force will lead to massive job loss and decreased state income, according to a collaborative report released Thursday by two right-leaning think tanks. The report, released jointly by the Beacon Hill Institute and Wisconsin Policy Research Institute stated the task… Read more »

This year’s Tales from Planet Earth film festival aims to ignite community activism through the many community, social and environmental outreach programs involved with the festival to enhance the messages expressed in the films. “If you look carefully at the films, and you look carefully at the organizations we are… Read more »

After another rise in swine flu levels on the University of Wisconsin campus and President Barack Obama’s declaration of a national state of emergency due to an unexpected shortage of swine flu vaccine, University Health Services is re-examining its vaccination strategy. With none of the expected shipment of H1N1 vaccines… Read more »

An ideal Saturday afternoon for a University of Wisconsin student typically does not involve collecting thousands of plastic bottles from the Camp Randall stands. However, members of REthink Wisconsin have done this after every home football game for the past two years.Since it began last fall, the group now collects… Read more »

Providing an industry perspective on climate change and energy efficiency, the chief scientist of chemical engineering for the Shell Oil Company told a University of Wisconsin crowd Thursday the company is continuing efforts to become greener. Chief Scientist Joseph Powell addressed the company’s efforts to compensate for the growing demand… Read more »

World famous ecologist Paul Ehrlich told a University of Wisconsin crowd Thursday that contrary to popular belief, the most pressing environmental issues are in fact related to overpopulation and overconsumption. Ehrlich, the Bing Professor of Population Studies at Stanford University and author of the 1968 warning on global overcrowding “The… Read more »

After seven years of investigation, an international team of researchers released an article Tuesday confirming the world famous Tyrannosaurus rex, commonly known as Sue, on display at the Field Museum of Chicago died due to a parasite infection instead of a violent encounter, as was previously believed. In “Common Avian… Read more »

In an effort to promote energy-efficient innovations from the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation announced the addition of a “Cleantech” branch to its website last Friday, which highlights 46 GLBRC inventions. “It is important for the entire world to find a more sustainable source of… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin dairy cattle judging team finished second in the 16th Annual Accelerated Genetics Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at the Vernon County Fairgrounds in Viroqua Sunday. The team finished first in judging and reasons for the Milking Shorthorns class of cattle, and UW sophomore Carissa Levash won… Read more »