Month: October 2019

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Senate has passed a resolution supporting new F-35 fighter jets at Madison's Truax Field.  The U.S. Department of Defense is considering housing two squadrons of the state-of-the-art fighter at the base. Neighbors are outraged at the prospect. An environmental impact statement says noise from the jets would render more than 1,000 homes incompatible for residential use.  Republican legislators crafted a resolution supporting F-35s at Truax. The […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Bikes with small rechargeable electric motors that are gaining in popularity would be regulated in a new way under a bill the Wisconsin Legislature has passed.  The measure changes how electric bikes, or e-bikes, are regulated under state law. Currently, they are treated as "motor bicycles," which subject them to regulations for old-fashioned gas-powered motor bikes.  For example, under current law e-bikes are banned from bike paths […]

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The Kirtland's warbler is being removed from the federal endangered species list after a successful battle to save it from extinction.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Tuesday that the yellow-bellied songbird has recovered but will continue to rely on habitat preservation measures for long-term survival.  It nests in the young jack pines of northern Michigan, Wisconsin and Ontario that must be logged and replanted on […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans who control the Wisconsin Assembly intend to change their rules to allow a paralyzed Democratic lawmaker to phone into committee meetings he can't attend in person.  Rep. Jimmy Anderson requested accommodations in January. He's threatened to sue, alleging Republicans are violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Republicans provided The Associated Press with their proposed rule changes ahead of making them public Tuesday. They would allow any lawmaker […]

Not Every Hero Wears a Cape.  Plan and Practice Your Escape.  That’s the them for Fire Prevention Week this week.  Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue Division Chief of Fire Prevention Troy Haase says no matter where you are look for available exits and at  home make sure everyone in the family knows what to do.  A Fire Prevention Open House is being held from 4:30pm to 6:30pm Tuesday at  the South Main […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The University of Wisconsin regents are preparing to take another step toward implementing punishments for students who interfere with campus speeches.   The regents in 2017 adopted a policy declaring students who twice disrupt others' free speech would be suspended for at least one semester. A third offense would mean expulsion. The policy hasn't taken effect, however, because the UW System's administrative rules haven't been amended to […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature are pushing an agenda for the fall session that include priorities the Republican majority has repeatedly rejected, including expanding Medicaid, raising the minimum wage and universal gun background checks.  But Democratic state Rep. Chris Taylor, of Madison, says she is hopeful that legalizing medical marijuana will get consideration given that her bill has bipartisan support. Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has also […]

KINGSTON, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man has pleaded not guilty to tampering with a vehicle rented by two missing Wisconsin brothers.   Garland Nelson pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Monday.  Missouri prosecutors allege Nelson abandoned a rental truck used by Justin and Nick Diemel, of Shawano County, Wisconsin. The brothers were visiting the Nelson farm in Braymer, Missouri.  The brothers were reported missing July 21 and are presumed dead. Human remains […]

The North Fond du Lac school superintendent says he’s not surprised that many school districts are struggling to find enough substitute teachers.  A spokesperson for the Wisconsin teacher’s union says the substitute teacher shortage is a huge problem in lower population areas in Wisconsin’s rural small towns.   North Fond du Lac superintendent Aaron Sadoff  the shortage is not something new.  "We have a shortage of substitute teachers all the time,"  Sadoff told WFDL […]