Wednesday, Jan. 14
Because of a warrant error, Dane County Judge John Markson dismisses charges against 43-year-old Jeffrey Hilgers, a former Dane County sheriff's deputy accused of possessing child pornography.
State Secretary of Administration Mike Huebsch tells the Building Commission that his office has selected a developer for Hill Farms redevelopment project on Madison's west side -- but says he cannot tell them who it is. DOA officials are negotiating with the developer, who was selected from four proposals. Huebsch says in the next few weeks "there will be more clarity and transparency." Why bother at this point?
Friday, Jan. 16
The U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear arguments on same-sex marriage after different federal appeals courts made different rulings on the matter. While the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, overseeing Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois, last September overturned a ban on same-sex marriage, the 6th Circuit Court, overseeing Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, upheld a ban.
Tuesday, Jan. 20
Politico reports that Gov. Scott Walker -- along with three other potential Republican presidential candidates -- will attend a gathering of elite conservative donors hosted by the Koch brothers in California. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida will join Walker at the private meeting.
Before President Obama's State of the Union address, Gov. Walker tweets: "President seems to measure success by how many people are dependent on the govt. We should measure success by just the opposite."