Wednesday, 1.22
The state Department of Natural Resources decides to eliminate in-person deer check stations in order to save money.
Thursday, 1.23
The U.S. Marshals Service reports that Billy Wenner-Say, 27, a suspect in a gang killing on the north side four years ago, has been killed in Guatemala.
Monday, 1.27
State Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) announces he won't seek reelection. One of the few moderate Republicans in the Legislature, Schultz is facing a primary challenge from state Rep. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green). Schultz cites disgust with politics for his retirement: "It's a trap of wanting to do good but being coerced and convinced that the only way to accomplish that is to conform with outside pressures and agendas."
Republican lawmakers propose legislation that would force the state's worst schools to either close or reopen as charter schools. "We're going to start holding anybody who gets public money accountable for getting results," Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon), chairman of the Senate Education Committee, tells the State Journal.
Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison) proposes legislation that would expand the buffer zone restricting building height around the Capitol from one to two miles. Buildings in the zone cannot be taller than the base of the Capitol dome, which is 1,032 feet above sea level. Risser says: "In light of recent developments and a changing vision for the city of Madison, it is in our interest to expand that buffer to two miles to ensure the Capitol building remains the focal point."
Marquette University Law School releases a poll showing Scott Walker ahead of Mary Burke in the race for governor 47% to 41%. Other questions find the electorate deeply divided on many issues. Poll director Charles Franklin tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "I think you see the makings of a real horse race here."
Tuesday, 1.28
Gov. Walker asks state schools superintendent Tony Evers to begin the process of revoking the license of Middleton teacher Andrew Harris, who was fired for looking at pornography at school, only to be reinstated after an arbitrator ruled the punishment too harsh. "The arbitration process afforded to Mr. Harris failed the school district and the students," Walker writes to Evers. "Cases such as this one are a good example of why our reforms are necessary."
A fire destroys a warehouse owned by Windsor Building Systems on the east side. No one is injured.
