Thursday, 7.19
The U.S. Conference of Mayors reports that Madison's economy, after some slight gains in 2011, will remain flat in 2012. And employment, which increased .7% last year, is expected to drop .6% this year. Despite the decline, the economy has grown significantly in the past decade, from 319,000 jobs in 2000 to 344,600 jobs in 2010. That upward trend is expected to continue and reach 391,000 jobs by 2020.
Friday, 7.20
John Larimer, a U.S. Navy sailor who graduated from UW-Whitewater in 2008, is among 12 people killed by a gunman during an early morning screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colo. He was 27.
Monday, 7.23
A robber tries to a snatch a purse from a 41-year-old woman on Park Street, but she fends him off with an elbow to the throat.
The Wisconsin Realtors Association reports that home sales rose in June in every part of the state for the 12th month in a row. Statewide, sales climbed 19.3% over last June. The average sales price also increased.
Tuesday, 7.24
State Sen. Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) announces he is leaving the Democratic caucus after not being given any committee leadership posts. The move comes scarcely a week after Democrats took control of the Senate by recalling Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine). Those Democrats sure handle power well. See Joe Tarr's report.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that data from the Madison Police Department show half of the city's homicides since 2009 were gang related or gang motivated. This year, more than half of the weapons violations were related to gang activity. Mayor Paul Soglin says the numbers shouldn't be a surprise: "We're not much different than most cities."
Wednesday, 7.25
The National Weather Service issues a heat advisory for southern Wisconsin, as the region is poised to hit 100 degrees for the fifth time this year. Prior to this summer, Madison had not reached 100 degrees since 1995.
The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin reports on voting and registration access during the June 5 recall election, finding numerous problems that need to be addressed. According to the report, election workers in many places were confused about the law and what kinds of identification were needed to register. The report found that some independent observers were very aggressive, intimidating poll workers and voters. Some polling places were also unprepared for the high turnout.
Compiled, in part, from local media.
