Wednesday, 1.30
Marty Beil, executive director of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, tells the Assembly Corrections Committee that Wisconsin's prisons are becoming unsafe because of reforms that have weakened public-sector unions. Beil says there have been seven assaults on guards since Christmas Eve.
Thursday, 1.31
U.S. Attorney John Vaudreuil says his office will review the fatal shooting of Paul Heenan by Madison police officer Stephen Heimsness on Nov. 9 after receiving numerous letters asking him to do so.
Friday, 2.1
Madison Police Chief Noble Wray announces that Heimsness is now being investigated for three other incidents unrelated to the Heenan shooting. See Elliot Hughes' report.
Saturday, 2.2
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that the state has accused Community Care Resources Inc., a Middleton foster care agency, of overcharging taxpayers $6.1 million between 2009 and 2011. The state Department of Children and Families has revoked the company's license. Owner Dan Simon denies the charges, but offers to "upwardly adjust" his salary and his wife's.
Monday, 2.4
Republican legislators offer amendments to a controversial mining reform bill, but critics say they don't do enough to ensure environmental safeguards. Meanwhile, several lawsuits are likely if the bill becomes law. See Nora G. Hertel's report.
Tuesday, 2.5
The Associated Press reports that Reed Hall, the recently named head of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, asked the state's pension program in November for a $200 million loan that WEDC could use to fund risky startup businesses. The pension board said no. He should have asked for a pony.
Dane County Circuit Court Judge Julie Genovese sentences Laura Robar to a year in prison for identity theft. Robar, 49, pleaded guilty to using the Quest card of a man her son is accused of killing to buy groceries. Jeffrey Vogelsberg, 28, is scheduled to stand trial for beating his half-brother Matthew Graville, 27, to death last summer. Robar is unrelated to Graville.
The Common Council introduces a proposal to begin charging disc golfers to use the city's two courses. If approved, golfers 16 and older will pay $5 a day or $40 a season.
Wednesday, 2.6
Separate state Senate and Assembly committees meet to vote on the controversial mining bill. Sen. Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) criticizes the scheduling, calling it "a deliberate attempt to exclude citizens."
Compiled, in part, from local media.
