Thursday, 11.11
In a move that causes jaws to drop, Gov.-elect Scott Walker asks the state to halt several initiatives, including plans to convert the Charter Street power plant to biofuel.
Topf Wells, chief of staff to County Executive Kathleen Falk, tells a county committee that Falk, who's stepping down, will be sure to avoid a $300,000 special election, even promising to pick up this tab himself if needed.
Friday, 11.12
Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi sentences Victor E. Prado-Velasquez, 17, to two years in prison for his role in the April 28 killing of Antonio Perez. The teenager, who apologizes and promises to "change my life," was in a group that confronted Perez. The alleged shooter, Ivan Mateo-Lozenzo, 21, remains at large.
Saturday, 11.13
A burglar who breaks into a home on Madison's far east side demands money from a 70-year-old woman, but she fakes a heart attack and flees to a neighbor's house to call police. The man escapes with the woman's purse.
Sunday, 11.14
UW-Madison researchers publish an article in the journal Nature Methods claiming a breakthrough in how stem cells can be grown. Biochemistry professor Laura Kiessling says the method could be used by anyone in the field.
Monday, 11.15
Enraged by Bristol Palin's moves on the TV show Dancing with the Stars, 67-year-old Steven Cowan of rural Black Earth shoots his television with a shotgun, threatens suicide and keeps police at bay for 15 hours before surrendering. Unfazed, Palin advances to next week's episode.
The Willy Street Co-op opens its second store, Willy West, at 6825 University Ave. in Middleton. See Linda Falkenstein's report.
State schools superintendent Tony Evers proposes a new formula for school aid, ensuring that every district receives $3,000 per student and an extra $600 for students who qualify for free or reduced lunches. Under the formula, Madison would snare an extra $25 million a year, for a total of $113 million.
Tuesday, 11.16
Three Republican congressmen from Wisconsin introduce a bill that gives states the option to return funds slated for passenger rail projects to reduce the deficit. One Wisconsin Now calculates that returning Wisconsin's $810 million rail subsidy will "pay one-thousandth of one percent of the cost of extending the Bush tax cuts for millionaires."
Wednesday, 11.17
The Madison Police Department announces the creation of a Cold Case Review Team, which will meet as needed to review old, unsolved crimes.
The UW-Madison announces a deal to "[make] a major difference in the lives of apparel workers in the Dominican Republic" by selling logoed T-shirts and hoodies made by Alta Gracia Apparel, which pays its workers $114 a week, three times the local minimum wage.
Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk hires Vincent Tranchida as the county's first medical examiner/forensic pathologist, a position that replaces the elected coroner. Tranchida previously was a senior medical examiner in New York City.
Compiled (in part) from local media