Wednesday, 3.31
Federal District Judge Charles Clevert strikes down a Wisconsin law prohibiting transgender prison inmates from receiving hormone therapy at taxpayer expense. Lawmakers who wrote the 2006 law urge Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to appeal.
Thursday, 4.1
Philanthropist Robert Goodman - who along with his late brother, Irwin, gave millions to charitable causes in Madison - dies at age 90.
The Wisconsin Sports Development Corp. announces that Mandy Mayer, granddaughter of Oscar Mayer, is donating $500,000 to the Badger State Games.
The state Legislature reports that, in the first four months after the bill passed, Wisconsin spent $1.5 billion in federal stimulus money, with $572 million going to unemployment benefits, $552 million to schools and $342 million to health care.
Saturday, 4.3
Three men try to forcibly enter a home on Madison's south side as the owner blocks the door. The owner is stabbed in the face and hand, but the men cannot get in and flee.
Monday, 4.5
In a report to the Madison school board, Durrant Engineers details $83.7 million in repairs needed for the district's buildings over the next five years. The district, already facing an $18 million shortfall, currently budgets just $4 million a year for repairs.
Tuesday, 4.6
A St. Norbert College Survey Center poll gives former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson a 45%-to-33% edge over U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold. Thompson is weighing a challenge but has yet to declare. The same survey puts Gov. Jim Doyle's approval rating at an all-time low of 34%, down from 45% a year ago and 68% in 2003.
A 6-week-old baby dies at an unlicensed in-home daycare center operated by Nancy Gille on the city's southwest side. Police and the state investigate.
Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard is easily elected to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Voters also reelect most Dane County Board incumbents, except for Elaine DeSmidt, who loses to Don Imhoff. Bill Clausius wins an open seat in Sun Prairie. James Howard defeats Tom Farley for the Madison school board.
Richard Leinenkugel resigns as secretary of the state Commerce Department to pursue an undisclosed opportunity. He doesn't say whether he'll run for office but takes pains to tout his conservative leanings, telling the Wisconsin State Journal, "I grew up being heavily influenced by Ronald Reagan." That and all them brewskis, hey.
Wednesday, 4.7
The state Department of Public Instruction reports that the achievement gap in math between white students and all minority groups (African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American) has narrowed. The gap in reading narrowed for all groups except Native American. Math scores for all students improved.
Compiled (in part) from local media
