Thursday, 2.21
UW-Madison officials announce that they've narrowed the list of candidates for a new chancellor to four people. The candidates are Rebecca Blank, acting secretary of the U.S. Commerce Department, who was a candidate for the post in 2008; Nicholas Jones, dean of the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University; Michael Schill, dean of the University of Chicago law school; and Kim Wilcox, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Michigan State University. A committee is expected to recommend one of the finalists to the Board of Regents for a vote at its April meeting.
Two days after finishing first in the Madison school board primary, Sarah Manski announces that she is moving to California with her husband, who will begin a doctoral program there. Manski remains on the ballot, along with TJ Mertz, who finished second.
Friday, 2.22
Dennis Smith resigns as secretary of the state Department of Health Services. Gov. Walker appoints deputy secretary Kitty Rhoades to the position.
Monday, 2.25
The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee votes along party lines to approve a bill that would overhaul Wisconsin's mining regulations and pave the way for a massive iron mine in the Penokee Hills near Lake Superior. Republicans defeat every amendment proposed by Democrats.
On Fox News, Gov. Walker urges Republicans in Congress to "call the bluff" of President Obama and allow the sequester cuts to go into effect. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that the sequester could furlough 3,000 civilian defense employees in Wisconsin. State schools would lose funding for 240 teachers, and 550 fewer college students would qualify for financial aid.
Tuesday, 2.26
The trial of Chad Chritton, who is accused of keeping his emaciated 15-year-old daughter locked in his basement, begins in Dane County Circuit Court. The case drew national attention when the girl, weighing 68 pounds, escaped the basement in February 2012 and was found by a motorist. Chritton's attorney contends the girl suffered from psychiatric problems and refused to eat.
State Sen. Jon Erpenbach tells the Associated Press that he has talked with Republican legislators who don't like Gov. Walker's plan to reject billions in federal aid to expand Medicaid and would consider defying the governor. Erpenbach declines to name the Republicans.
The state Department of Natural Resources holds an emotional hearing on the use of dogs in wolf hunts. Opponents say that the practice is cruel to both the wolves and the dogs and that violent clashes between the animals are inevitable.
Compiled, in part, from local media.
