Wednesday, 11.6
Carl Ellis, a U.S. Army veteran who lives in Milwaukee, testifies in a federal lawsuit challenging Wisconsin's new voter ID requirement that it took him almost two years to obtain a non-driver's-license ID from the state. He tells the court: "It was easier for me to give up than keep trying."
Thursday, 11.7
Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, 42, announces he will run for state attorney general next year. Ozanne is the third declared candidate for the seat, currently held by Republican J.B. Van Hollen, who is not running again. Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel, a Republican, and state Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) are also running.
Talgo Inc., the Seattle arm of a Spanish train company, files a $66 million claim with the Wisconsin Claims Board, saying the state owes it the money because Gov. Scott Walker canceled the $810 million federal grant to develop a high-speed rail line from Milwaukee to Madison. Talgo had a contract with the state for two train sets and a maintenance agreement.
State Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) promises "all-out hell" if Republicans push two anti-abortion bills -- one that would prevent public employees' health plans from covering most abortions and another that would forbid abortions based on the fetus' sex. Republicans later decide they do not want hell and decline to take up the bills this session.
President Obama nominates Madison lawyer James Peterson to fill a federal court seat that has been vacant since 2008. Peterson joins a prestigious list of Obama nominees the Senate refuses to confirm.
Friday, 11.8
The Onion, the satirical newspaper founded by two UW-Madison students in 1988, announces it will cease publishing all print editions after Dec. 12. Once published in 17 cities, the paper is now printed only in Milwaukee, Providence, R.I., and Chicago. It will endure as an online venture. Capital Newspapers stopped publishing the Madison edition over the summer.
Monday, 11.11
The state Supreme Court begins hearing a challenge to the controversial Act 10, which stripped most public-sector unions of the right to collectively bargain. It will decide whether to uphold a decision by Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas to strike down parts of the law.
Tuesday, 11.12
A state Senate committee adopts an amended version of the controversial raw milk bill, adding consumer safeguards.
The state Senate approves altering the Supreme Court so that the longest-serving justice is no longer automatically the chief. If the Assembly approves the change and next year's Legislature does as well, it would go to voters in 2015. Critics say the intent is to dethrone Justice Shirley Abrahamson, who has served 17 years as chief.
