Wednesday, 12.19
In the wake of the mass shooting in Connecticut, Gov. Scott Walker calls for more spending on mental health treatment. The governor has an easy opportunity to do so: Expand Medicaid, as called for under President Obama's health care reforms, which Walker has been steadfastly resisting.
Thursday, 12.20
The investigative scandal website The Smoking Gun outs former Olympic runner and Madison resident Suzy Favor Hamilton as having worked as a high-priced prostitute for the last year. Favor Hamilton confirms the story with the Wisconsin State Journal, blaming her actions on depression.
Mother Nature dumps 19 inches of snow on the Madison area, closing schools, businesses and government offices and knocking out power for roughly 10,000 people. UW-Madison students celebrate with a snowfight on Bascom Hill.
Friday, 12.21
U.S. Congressman-elect Mark Pocan (D-Madison) announces he's been appointed to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The committee examines federal government operations and investigates fraud and waste. In a news release, Pocan says: "During my tenure on the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance, I have always taken very seriously my obligation to my constituents to ensure their government is effective and efficient, and their tax dollars are well spent."
In a press conference, UW-Madison athletic director Barry Alvarez introduces Gary Andersen as the university's next football coach. Andersen, the current coach at Utah State, says, "The second coach Alvarez contacted me, I knew it was a job I was going to take."
A state appeals court upholds Wisconsin's domestic partner registry, arguing that it does not violate the state constitutional ban on gay marriage. See report at TheDailyPage.com.
Sunday, 12.23
The State Journal reports that more than one in four black students are chronically absent, missing at least one day of school a week, according to 2010-2011 data released by the Department of Public Instruction.
Monday, 12.24
In light of allegations of sexual assault the last time UW-Madison went to the Rose Bowl, the athletic department bans transporting alcohol to off-campus events, including this year's Rose Bowl game, according to the State Journal.
Tuesday, 12.25
The Associated Press reports that Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen wants to take nearly $10 million in surcharge money that has been funding schools and defense attorneys, among other things, and use it to pay for collecting DNA from suspects and services for sexual assault victims.
Compiled, in part, from local media.