Wednesday, 5.21
A new poll by Marquette Law School finds that Democrat Mary Burke is dead even with Gov. Scott Walker, at 46%. A Marquette poll in March had Walker leading 48% to 41%. The poll shows growing support for Burke among women and younger voters. But Walker still leads by three points among those saying they are likely to vote.
State media file a motion asking a judge to unseal documents in the John Doe investigation that had been looking at whether Republicans had illegally collaborated with conservative groups during recall elections -- an investigation that a federal judge halted. Theodore Boutrous, an attorney representing media groups, writes: "It is undisputed that the public has a First Amendment right of access to 'any documents' upon which the court may rely 'in making its decisions.'"
Thursday, 5.22
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announces a new program with the nonprofit Sand County Foundation that will help farms store more manure. It's an attempt to reduce runoff into the county's lakes and streams.
The state Supreme Court declines, without comment, to hear a challenge to Wisconsin's ban on same-sex marriage. A Milwaukee couple who had been married in California brought the lawsuit.
Friday, 5.23
The state's Department of Employee Trust Funds issues a request for proposals to self-insure the state's 200,000 employees. Self insurance has been estimated to either save the state $20 million or cost it $100 million. Proposals are being accepted until July 14.
Saturday, 5.24
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Sally Vogl-Bauer, a UW-Whitewater communications professor, is suing former student Anthony Llewellyn for defamation. Llewellyn posted comments (some in animated video form) on a professor-rating website claiming that Vogl-Bauer told him he didn't belong in college and prompted him to fail. The professor says the comments have damaged her reputation.
Tuesday, 5.27
Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne clears Dane County Sheriff's deputies of criminal charges in the shooting death of Dean Caccamo, 50, on May 1. Caccamo had allegedly stabbed two deputies before Deputy James Kelley shot him.
A trial on Wisconsin's new abortion law -- which requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles -- opens in federal court.
Wednesday, 5.28
The State Journal reports that an internal investigation by UW-Madison police found that Capt. Peter Ystenes, who was fired in March, allegedly took thousands of photos and videos of unaware women -- both coworkers and strangers --with department cameras over six years and also used a department computer to view pornography. The department is now contacting women Ystenes photographed to see if they want to press charges.
