Thursday, Feb. 4
Jim Pederson, the Madison man best known for playing the mustached, bespectacled, fedora-wearing mascot for Rocky Rococo Pizza, dies at 68. He was also a comedian with Chicago’s Second City and a psychotherapist. Hope there’s pizza in heaven.
UW-Madison has spent at least $8 million to combat poaching of top faculty by other universities, Chancellor Rebecca Blank tells the UW System Board of Regents. There have been more than 48 retention cases so far this fiscal year. Of those, 41 professors chose to stay, four chose to leave and three cases are yet to be resolved.
Saturday, Feb. 6
With so much attention on pro-gun legislation, knife enthusiasts must’ve been feeling a bit left out. Gov. Scott Walker finally throws them a bone, signing a bill legalizing concealed switchblades.
Monday, Feb. 8
A group of seven citizens who live close to the Enbridge pipeline near Waterloo file a lawsuit in Dane County Circuit Court in an attempt to force the pipeline’s owner to carry $25 million in spill insurance. The state Legislature has banned counties from requiring insurance, but property owners can ask a court to require it.
Tuesday, Feb. 9
Christopher O’Kroley, the 26-year-old Madison man charged with shooting to death a former co-worker at a far east side grocery store Feb. 2, was under investigation for sexual assault at the time of the crime, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. He had also been picked up at least twice on unrelated warrants and was hospitalized after trying to kill himself. He was able to buy a handgun a day before the shooting thanks to the Legislature eliminating a 48-hour waiting period last year.