Wednesday 10.24
Sgt. Joshua Brennan, a 22-year-old paratrooper, is killed in Afghanistan when his unit comes under Taliban attack. His father, Madison Police Officer Michael Brennan of McFarland, says his son's military service was supposed to end in September, but the government extended his term for another year.
Thursday 10.25
Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, in a formal opinion to the state Department of Regulation and Licensing, says federal law bars the state from giving illegal immigrants professional licenses and credentials. Earlier this year, the department found that a small number of credential holders were using invalid Social Security numbers.
Friday 10.26
Using his "Frankenstein" veto power, Gov. Jim Doyle amends the state budget, allowing local governments to raise property taxes by 3.86%, instead of the 2% agreed on in the $57 billion budget. Now the owner of a home valued at the state average of $170,305 will pay $107 more in taxes over two years, instead of $92. The governor also wields his pen to let police officers as well as firefighters negotiate for the right to take disciplinary cases to arbitration, instead of having them heard by police and fire commissions.
Former UW-Madison lab technician John Mulvihill, 57, pleads no contest to armed burglary and second-degree reckless endangerment for an incident last March. A female student woke up to a chemical taste in her mouth and Mulvihill standing over her with a steak knife.
Daniel Kelly is found not guilty of first-degree reckless homicide for fatally shooting Austin Bodahl, 23, during a drunken fight on State Street last May. His defense attorney argued it was self-defense.
Saturday 10.27
About 35,000 people attend Freakfest on State Street, which ends peacefully. Police arrest only 120 people, most for alcohol-related incidents. In 2006, police arrested 148 people and in 2005, they collared 334.
Monday 10.29
The city's Board of Estimates adds $400,000 in spending to Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's 2008 budget. The budget includes 30 new police officers, as well as extra funding for child care and after-school programs. City council members say they'll pay for the new spending by using a half-million-dollar boost in state aids this year. The budget now goes to the full Common Council for approval.
The Madison School District settles a lawsuit with a former employee for $55,000. Linda Martin had accused the district of discriminating against her for claiming that the district rigged bids on its bus contracts.
Henry Doane, 44, owner of the Orpheum Theater, is charged with criminal damage to property for using a key to scratch the vehicle of former business partner Eric Fleming over a financial dispute. Fleming owns Crave restaurant downtown.
Wednesday, 10.31
The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee votes 13-3 in favor of the so-called Video Competition Bill, which will cut local communities out of franchising agreements and phase out funding for stations like WYOU and Madison City Channel.
Compiled from local media
