Thursday, 9.26
The Wisconsin Bike Federation announces that Dave Cieslewicz will be its new executive director, starting Oct. 7. Cieslewicz is best known for his Isthmus blog, Citizen Dave. He also once held some sort of public office.
Friday, 9.27
The state Legislative Audit Bureau reports that the Read to Lead Development Fund established by Gov. Scott Walker -- and approved by the Legislature in 2011 -- has spent zero of its $400,000 budget. The program is designed to promote early childhood education and boost literacy. The audit also found that the governor hasn't yet appointed the fund's governing council, which is to recommend how the money be used.
Saturday, 9.28
The State Bar of Wisconsin's governing board votes 47-4 to recommend Wisconsin limit Supreme Court justices to one 16-year term. Justices currently serve 10-year terms and have no term limits.
Monday, 9.30
Two development groups submit proposals for the massive Judge Doyle Square project, which calls for a hotel, parking, offices, retail and housing next to Monona Terrace, and could cost as much as $200 million. (See Joe Tarr's report.)
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Gov. Walker is open to the idea of self-insuring the state's 236,000 employees. The state now contracts with 18 HMO companies. Self-insuring means the state would pay benefits directly and assume the risk for losses.
Tuesday, 10.1
Both Mayor Paul Soglin and County Executive Joe Parisi release their 2014 operating budget proposals. Soglin calls for $260.7 million in spending, while Parisi calls for $508 million. Both budgets hike taxes slightly but stay below the maximum levy limit permitted by the state.
A woman and her 2-year-old daughter encounter a naked man wandering in Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Police later tentatively charge a 25-year-old man with lewd and lascivious behavior.
The State Journal reports that Republican lawmakers intensely lobbied the Department of Natural Resources for United Sportsmen of Wisconsin to receive a $500,000 grant to promote hunting and fishing. The grant was later rescinded. Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) says: "It's time for all Republicans involved in this scandal to stop dodging questions about United Sportsmen and take full responsibility for their involvement."
Compiled, in part, from local media.
