Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is entering the crowded Republican race for president. Walker launched his long-expected run by filing the necessary paperwork Thursday with the Federal Elections Commission. Walker wrote in a Thursday letter to the FEC "Should I formally announce, I will seek the Republican nomination for the office of President of the United States in the 2016 election." Walker's official kickoff is expected July 13 in Waukesha, […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Highly criticized teacher licensure changes that would have allowed some people without high school degrees to be licensed to teach in Wisconsin are slated to be removed from the state budget. Republicans on the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee approved the changes in a late-night session last month. But they were calling for their removal from the budget on Thursday. The committee had previously approved allowing anyone […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — An expansion of who can play sports and participate in extracurricular activities in public schools in Wisconsin is being scaled back. The Legislature's budget committee previously voted to allow home-schooled students, and those attending private, virtual or charter schools, to participate. But on Thursday the committee proposed limiting participation only to students in home schools. The original proposal drew widespread opposition, including from advocates for home […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans who run the Legislature's finance committee are planning to add language to the state budget that would allow factor and retail employees to work seven straight days without a day of rest. Under current state law, employers who own factories and retail stores must allow their workers at least 24 consecutive hours of rest in every seven consecutive days. The requirement doesn't apply to janitors, […]
LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) — President Barack Obama says that despite unemployment falling to a seven-year low, there is more work to do to increase Americans' wages. Obama is in Wisconsin touting a proposed Labor Department rule that would make more workers eligible for overtime. The move is backed by organized labor, which has been at odds with the president over his push for an Asia-Pacific free trade pact. Despite […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans who control the Legislature are looking to call an extraordinary session to deal with the state budget and bills that would repeal the state's prevailing wage for construction workers and prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Also on the agenda is a new contract for state troopers that would give them a 6 percent raise, a new two-year compensation plan for state employees that […]
The Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation hopes changes to its Revolving Loan Fund program will encourage more business expansion. FCEDC president Steve Jenkins says beginning with loans approved after July 1st, businesses may qualify for rates as low as one percent. Jenkins says interest rates will begin at four percent and companies may qualify for a rate reduction as low as one percent depending on factors that include […]
PLYMOUTH, Wis. (AP) — Sargento Foods is planning to invest $30 million in its facilities in northeastern Wisconsin and add 140 jobs. Sargento says it will build additional space for production, storage and employees at the Kiel plant. It will also double the size of its technical center in Elkhart Lake. The new jobs will be added at the two locations and at the company's headquarters in Plymouth. The Wisconsin […]
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin has announced his departure. James Santelle said Thursday he will retire from his position in the days ahead after 30 years of employment with the Department of Justice. The 56-year-old Santelle says he'll complete a number of projects and initiatives before leaving office. Santelle has served as U.S. attorney in Milwaukee for 5½ years.