Wednesday, 12.21
A new state law goes into effect, wiping out many local laws protecting tenants. "The major impact of this ordinance will be that lower-income people, who are already struggling in a tight rental market, will have an even harder time finding adequate housing," says Heidi Wegleitner, Tenant Resource Center board president, in a news release.
Thursday, 12.22
Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne says he might ask the state Supreme Court to revisit a lawsuit challenging the law that stripped public workers of collective bargaining rights, after learning that Justice Michael Gableman received free legal services from the firm that successfully defended the law.
Miles Kristan, 26, pleads no contest to charges he dumped a beer on Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) at the Inn on the Park in September. Kristan tells the court the incident was "inappropriate and out of character." He is ordered to pay court costs and the cost of cleaning Vos' clothes.
Paul Bertics, a UW-Madison professor of biomolecular chemistry, dies at his Fitchburg home at 55.
Friday, 12.23
An apartment building on Country Rose Circle in the town of Madison burns, injuring one and leaving nearly 100 people homeless for at least two weeks.
A 22-year-old man falls from the parking ramp at 300 N. Carroll St. He later dies from his injuries. An investigation continues.
Saturday, 12.24
About 30 people fight inside and outside the Majestic Theatre early in the morning after a concert, with a couple of people pointing guns at staff and others in the audience. No shots are fired.
Jane Larson, Voss-Bascom professor of law at UW-Madison Law School, dies of natural causes.
Sunday, 12.25
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that the administration of Gov. Walker has been uncooperative in sharing information about the governor's out-of-state travels, which often involve fundraising activities. Says Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics: "A governor is a governor 24 hours a day for his or her entire term. He should alert the public when he leaves the state."
Joe Altmann, an Army medic from Marshfield, is killed in Kunar province, Afghanistan. Altmann had served two tours in Iraq before reenlisting this year and being sent to Afghanistan.
Tuesday, 12.27
The city of Madison's Police and Fire Commission president, Craig Yapp, says a new fire chief will likely be named next week. The commission is considering five finalists who all currently work for the department to replace Chief Debra Amesqua, whose retirement is effective next Tuesday.
Wednesday, 12.28
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Emerging Energies has applied to build a 41-turbine wind warm in St. Croix County, despite the uncertainty of restrictive wind farm rules proposed for the state.
Compiled (in part) from local media.
