MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A state report shows the legalization of gay marriage last year boosted the number of couples tying the knot to the highest rate Wisconsin has reported since 2007. The Department of Health Services report found there were a total of 32,776 marriages performed in the state in 2014, an increase of 2,797 from the year before. U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb last year ruled the state's […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic lawmakers are calling on federal investigators to launch a probe into Gov. Scott Walker's flagship job creation agency. Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca and Sen. Julie Lassa both sit on the Wisconsin Economic Development Association's board. They said Monday that the U.S. Department of Justice should look into WEDC. WEDC has been floundering since Walker created it in 2011. The Wisconsin State Journal reported Sunday […]
A Brandon man charged with possession of child pornography and under investigation for child sex assault is due back in court this week. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday for 38 year old Scott Knuuttila on charges of possession of child pornography. Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Cameron McGee says Knuuttila is also under investigation for the sexual assault of a child in Stevens Point. McGee says detectives […]
Bicycle groups say the governor is to blame for Wisconsin losing its reputation as a bike friendly state…a Fond du Lac Republican lawmaker is defending the governor. Wisconsin slipped to number 9 in the latest bicycle friendly state rankings from the League of American Bicyclists. Wisconsin Bike Federation director Dave Cieslewicz says Governor Walker’s proposed repeal of the state’s Complete Streets law is a factor. The law requires that bikes […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican co-chair of the Legislature's budget-writing committee says he would like to see funding for public schools increase $75 per student. Rep. John Nygren told The Associated Press on Monday that Republicans were discussing that idea and others in advance of the Joint Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday to vote on K-12 funding and expanding private school vouchers. Public school advocates are calling for an […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Legislature's budget-writing committee won't be voting on transportation issues as originally planned this week. Joint Finance Committee co-chair Rep. John Nygren tells The Associated Press on Monday that there are "too many moving pieces" to take up the transportation budget as scheduled on Thursday. He says the committee won't be voting on those issues this week. Gov. Scott Walker's budget included $1.3 billion in new […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Patience Roggensack has presided as chief justice for the first time after being elected by her colleagues to replace longtime Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson. Roggensack took the center spot in the Supreme Court chamber as chief justice Monday at a swearing-in ceremony for Marquette University Law School graduates. Abrahamson was scheduled to administer the oath, but she was not present. Abrahamson has […]
A Washington County man was severely burned when he attempted to light a camp fire with gasoline. On Sunday night, the Sheriff’s Office was notified of a 43 year old Town of Trenton man that had suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his hands and legs after using used motor oil and gas to start a camp fire in his back yard. The Sheriff’s Department says as the mixture […]
Fond du Lac County is being recognized for its child care program. The county Human Services Department was presented with a certificate of excellence for meeting all performance standards in the administration of the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program. Fond du Lac County earned the certificate of excellence by maintaining short phone call wait times and improving document processing for parents in need of child care services. The county […]