Wednesday, 12.11
Larry Lynch, a state Department of Natural Resources official, says Gogebic Taconite will not likely need an air pollution permit for its proposed mine in the Penokee Hills. In October, the state reported that testing had found grunerite, an asbestos-like fiber, at the site.
Thursday, 12.12
Gov. Scott Walker releases a statement indicating that the 1.5-million-acre Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is underutilized for logging, with "millions of feet of timber just waiting to be harvested." You've got some drool on your shirt there, governor.
Gov. Walker signs into law the "Brown Jug Bill," which gives owners of establishments that sell alcohol the ability to take underage drinkers to court. If an establishment reports an underage drinker to the police, and the youth is later found guilty in court, he or she can be compelled to pay the business $1,000.
Friday, 12.13
The DNR announces it will put Dane County's four Yahara lakes on the list of impaired waters because of pollution from farms.
U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb denies the Wisconsin Chippewa tribes' request to hunt deer at night.
Nathan Middleton, the 29-year-old Evansville man who allegedly admitted to burning the body of a Fitchburg woman he met on Craigslist, was reported to be plotting an escape from jail. Rock County Jail officials say they found detailed documents in his cell laying out his escape. Rock County Sheriff Bob Spoden says of the plans: "It was pretty James Bond-ish."
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Richard Harris, former director of the now-defunct Genesis Development Corp., has filed a complaint against the Madison school district with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Harris alleges the district discriminates against African Americans in hiring employees and disciplining students.
Monday, 12.16
A Boeing 737-800 operated by Delta slides off an icy runway after landing at the Dane County Regional Airport, closing the airport for about an hour. No serious injuries are reported.
Two joint Madison-Dane County committees approve rules of conduct for the City-County Building intended to address issues that have come up with homeless people congregating and sleeping in the building's lobby. The rules, modeled after those in place at the Madison Public Library, would ban people under the influence of alcohol and could include temporary bans of people who cause problems.
Tuesday, 12.17
Gov. Walker tells reporters he "doesn't see any circumstances where I don't run" for reelection.
The Fitchburg fire chief resigns over a controversy involving a department slush fund that was discovered this summer. Randall Pickering's resignation letter states that he is moving to a house outside the city, disqualifying him for city employment, but the resignation comes as several officials call for him to step down.
