Thursday, 4.24
Time magazine names Gov. Scott Walker one of the 100 most influential people, with an essay by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Christie writes: "Leadership takes many forms in public office. One of the most difficult challenges is standing up for what you believe in when faced with relentless public attacks. Scott Walker faced that test and passed it with flying colors."
Monday, 4.28
Madison School Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham proposes a 2014 budget that would raise property taxes 2.1%. If approved, spending would increase about $10 million to $402 million, and the district would add about 20 teachers, 20 assistants, 13 office workers and 10 social workers.
Dane County Circuit Judge Ellen Berz sentences Dennis Jenks -- a former Mount Horeb police lieutenant -- to 15 years in prison for repeated sexual assault of a teenage runaway.
Madison's Plan Commission approves Occupy Madison's plan to create a tiny-home workshop and park up to nine tiny homes at an old auto shop on East Johnson Street. The project heads to the Common Council next week.
Tuesday, 4.29
U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman strikes down Wisconsin's voter ID law, ruling that it imposes an unfair burden on poor and minority voters. Adelman writes: "Virtually no voter impersonation occurs in Wisconsin, and it is exceedingly unlikely that voter impersonation will become a problem in Wisconsin in the foreseeable future."
The Common Council appoints Lucas Dailey to fill the remaining term of Ald. Sue Ellingson, who resigned in March. Dailey has promised not to run for election next year. The council also reelects Ald. Chris Schmidt as president and elects Ald. Denise DeMarb as pro tem.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that some people are illegally cutting down and stealing valuable walnut trees. Rock County Sheriff Robert Spoden tells the paper: "The owners, by the time they realize it, are out of luck."
UW Health announces plans to merge with SwedishAmerican Health System, which has two hospitals and a cancer center in the Rockford, Ill., area.
Wednesday, 4.30
Democrat Pat Bomhack, who had been running for the state Assembly seat now held by Rep. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), announces he's now running for the state Senate seat currently held by Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center), who is retiring. Marklein is also running for Schultz's seat.
