Wednesday, 1.27
The state is awarded $810 million in federal stimulus funds to build a high-speed rail system from Milwaukee to Madison and study a link to the Twin Cities. (See Joe Tarr's web report here.)
Thursday, 1.28
The state Legislature passes a bill mandating that sex education classes teach the proper use of birth control. Gov. Jim Doyle supports it. Critics say some districts will stop teaching sex ed altogether to avoid this requirement.
Friday, 1.29
Police arrest Madison resident Robin S. Bone, 43, on child pornography charges after he was indicted in a federal court. He is charged with possessing and distributing child pornography.
State Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville) tells the Janesville Gazette that he has been dating a lobbyist for the payday loan industry, but doesn't believe it is a conflict of interest, even though the Legislature is retooling industry regulations. "I understand that my integrity is being questioned," he tells the paper, "but I would not compromise this bill for a personal relationship."
Sunday, 1.31
A 26-year-old man is stabbed in the early morning hours during a fight on the 100 block of State Street. He is recovering at a local hospital.
Monday, 2.1
A 22-year-old UW student, Neha Suri, dies of bacterial meningitis after being in an induced coma since last week. Those who have been in close contact with the student are receiving antibiotics, but Dr. Sarah Van Orman, director of University Health Services, says there's no threat to the general public.
Tuesday, 2.2
Jurors convict James Koepp of three counts of first-degree intentional homicide for killing Danyetta Lentz, 38, and her two children in Janesville in 2007. DNA evidence implicated Koepp, 51, who lived in the same mobile home park as the victim. He faces a mandatory life sentence.
Madison Common Council approves plans for an eight-story apartment building near Lake Mendota. The building, which will include 28 apartments, is controversial because it will not include any parking spaces. (See web report by Isthmus intern Nick Penzelstadler here).
Madison Common Council approves increasing parking fines by $5 for many parking violations.
Fitchburg announces that it has received a $1 million challenge donation from an anonymous donor for its first public library. The challenge means that for every $2 donated to the $14 million library, $1 will be added by the anonymous donor. The city is trying to raise $4 million in private donations for the project, next to City Hall on Lacy Road.
Wednesday, 2.3
Virent Energy Systems of Madison announces that it is getting a $2.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to support its efforts to produce new biofuels.
Compiled (in part) from local media
