Thursday, 3.25
Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen asks the Legislature and governor for permission to join other states challenging the recent federal health-care reform but gets a chilly response. Says Gov. Jim Doyle, "The lawsuit you suggest is frivolous and a political attempt to thwart the actions of Congress and the law of the country."
Dane County prosecutors charge 23-year-old DeForest farmer Daniel C. Bliefernicht with attempted first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly trying to terminate his girlfriend's pregnancy by lacing her beverages with veterinary drugs. The attempt failed, and his girlfriend, Sarah Pienkowski, gave birth to a healthy girl in November 2008.
Friday, 3.26
Madison submits its request for information to Google, hoping to be the pilot city for the company's high-speed Internet project. See Joe Tarr's report and a link to the city's proposal.
A jury convicts Nathan E. Kimbrough, 24, of first-degree reckless homicide for providing the heroin that caused the overdose death of Jason Swanson, 25, in November 2008. Swanson faces up to 40 years of combined prison and extended supervision.
Monday, 3.29
Daniel Hynes, 37, leads Madison police on a high-speed chase in a stolen SUV. Hynes allegedly runs several red lights and drives into oncoming traffic at speeds of up to 70 mph. After police call off the pursuit because of the danger to the public, Hynes crashes into a light pole on North Bedford Street. He flees on foot but is apprehended on West Mifflin Street. No one is injured.
The U.S. Department of Education releases the rankings of Race to the Top grant applicants, showing that Wisconsin ranked 26 out of 40 states. There is $3.4 billion in funding left for round two, with applications due June 1.
Tuesday, 3.30
Five or six people approach a man in a parking lot on Crescent Road in Fitchburg, stab him and flee. The victim is treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
State Rep. Brett Davis (R-Oregon), a candidate for lieutenant governor, proposes a bill to stop spending on a high-speed rail line from Milwaukee to Madison, claiming the state cannot afford the estimated $7.5 million needed annually to operate it. Says Gov. Doyle, "It's amazing to me that people would say that they would turn down $825 million that's going to create hundreds and hundreds of construction jobs for years to come."
A state Assembly Committee approves a bill to allow farmers to sell raw, unpasteurized milk directly to consumers. A Senate committee approved the bill last month.
Madison launches its annual Pothole Patrol, allowing residents to report potholes online.
Wednesday, 3.31
Madison-based Orbital Technologies Corp. announces it is one of five companies to win part of a five-year contract worth up to $50 million to develop space propulsion systems for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Compiled (in part) from local media