Friday, 3.18
Prompted by a lawsuit by Isthmus and the Associated Press, Gov. Scott Walker's office releases emails he's received regarding his "budget repair bill." An initial analysis shows that while most of the more than 50,000 emails received during the first week are positive, many are from out of state. See Dean Robbins' report at TheDailyPage.com.
Judge Maryann Sumi temporarily bars Wisconsin's Secretary of State Doug La Follette from publishing the law eliminating collective bargaining for public employees, saying the state's Open Meetings Law was likely broken. "This was something that would and did catch the public unaware," she says.
City of Madison officials announce tentative agreements with unions to extend contracts through March 2014. The contracts grant 2% pay hikes at the end of 2011 and 2012 and a 3% hike at the end of 2013; employees agree to pay 6% of health-care premiums in January 2013 and another 6% in January 2014.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that the contaminant chromium-6 is widespread in Madison's public water wells. But Water Utility officials say the levels are probably below new federal safety limits expected to be announced soon.
Saturday, 3.19
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that last year, Supreme Court Justice David Prosser called Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson a "bitch" and threatened to "destroy" her. Prosser blames Abrahamson for provoking him. The dustup comes as Prosser campaigns for reelection against JoAnne Kloppenburg.
For the fifth straight Saturday, protesters march at the Capitol, albeit in much smaller numbers. The main event is a rally by Iraq Veterans Against the War (see Alison Bauter's report at TheDailyPage.com).
Monday, 3.21
Barry Alvarez, UW-Madison atletic director, fires women's basketball coach Lisa Stone after another disappointing season.
Eight members of Black Earth's Aleitheia Bible Church are charged with child abuse. The church's pastor, Philip Caminiti, allegedly encouraged church members to beat children as young as 2 months old with wooden spoons and dowels as punishment for things like fidgeting and crying.
Tuesday, 3.22
Online clothing retailer Shopbop.com announces plans to consolidate operations at the former Gisholt Machine Co. on East Washington Avenue. The company employs 200 people and will occupy 200,000 square feet of space. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz calls this "a major spark for the redevelopment of the Capitol East District."
Wednesday, 3.23
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington releases emails obtained from state Senate Republicans showing ways they considered to punish Democrats who fled the state. Among them: cutting their staff, taking away computers Democrats are using to draw redistricting maps, and denying them a year of service in the state retirement system.
Compiled (in part) from local media
