Wednesday, 7.24
Madison Festivals Inc. announces it will not use barium in next year's July 4th fireworks over Lake Monona. The chemical is used to create green fireworks. "Outside of barium, the elements used for colors are not toxic or harmful," says Rita Kelliher, president of Madison Festivals.
Thursday, 7.25
Capital Newspapers publishes its final issue of The Onion, the satirical newspaper that was founded here in 1988. The Onion will continue to be published in other cities and online.
Friday, 7.26
Mary Burke, the Madison school board member, tells the Wisconsin State Journal she is contemplating a run for governor but has not yet made a decision. News of her interest hit the media a month ago, after the Republican Party complained about polling being done on Burke's behalf.
Sunday, 7.28
The State Journal reports that a Verona woman is challenging the cap on damages allowed in malpractice lawsuits against UW doctors. Terri Fiez's husband died in 2010 from blood clots in his lungs. A jury later found Dr. Jonathan Keevil negligent for releasing him from the hospital without ordering a test that could have diagnosed his ailment. A jury awarded Fiez $1.8 million in damages. But since 1979, the state has capped damages against state workers at $250,000.
Monday, 7.29
The State Journal reports that Yellow Jersey bike shop, which opened on the 400 block of State Street in 1971, will close its Madison store on Sept. 30 to move to Columbia County. The new location in Arlington will have a walk-in facility, but most of Yellow Jersey's business will be online.
Brian Stowe, the former Epic employee accused of drugging and sexually assaulting numerous women, pleads not guilty to 62 felony charges in Dane County Circuit Court. He also faces federal charges.
Tuesday, 7.30
UW System president Kevin Reilly announces he will resign his post after nine years at the end of the year to return to teaching and advise the American Council on Education.
Wednesday, 7.31
The State Journal reports that Sharon Wand, the mother of three children killed in an Argyle house fire last September, is recanting testimony that helped convict her husband, Armin Wand III, for starting it. Her brother-in-law also faces charges. Sharon Wand wrote to the paper saying earlier statements she made to police were inaccurate because of pain medication she was taking while recovering from injuries sustained in the fire. "I'm trying to do the right thing," she wrote. "You have two innocent people in custody. I know the truth about that night. I was there."
Compiled, in part, from local media.
