Wednesday, 12.8
Daniel Thomas, 30, takes a 63-year-old man hostage and tries to get him to withdraw money from his account at a drive-through bank in Monona. But the teller recognizes the hostage and alerts police, who later shoot and kill Thomas after he rams a police car head-on. The hostage manages to escape.
Friday, 12.10
Former Ald. Ken Golden drops out of the race for Madison mayor, citing a reoccurring health problem. Five other candidates, including former Ald. Noel Radomski, still plan to challenge Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's bid for a third term.
The UW Board of Regents approves 2% pay increases for UW faculty and academic staff in each of the next two years. The plan may not go over well with incoming Gov. Scott Walker, who faces a $3.3 billion budget hole and has asked the UW to do more with less.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces it will try to take the gray wolf in the Great Lakes region off the endangered species list, allowing state agencies to manage the populations and kill problem wolves. Two prior agency attempts to delist the gray wolf have been overruled by courts.
Saturday, 12.11
A 73-year-old man gives money to a woman who said she needed a hotel room for her son. She promises to repay the man if he gives her his address, which he does. The woman later comes to his house with two men, who beat and rob him. Yikes.
Sunday, 12.12
A weekend snowstorm is blamed in the deaths of four Wisconsin residents, including a 37-year-old man who freezes in Marshfield trying to walk home from his stranded car and a 79-year-old St. Croix County man struck by a snowplow.
Monday, 12.13
UW Health abandons its quest to find a new site for second-trimester abortions. Teri Huyck of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin tells the Wisconsin State Journal, "This is a threat to women's health in our state."
Tuesday, 12.14
Verona Mayor Jon Hochkammer withdraws from the Dane County executive race, as he recovers from an ankle broken in late November. Among those running to replace Kathleen Falk are Dane County Board Chair Scott McDonell, state Rep. Joe Parisi and former Madison Ald. Zach Brandon.
Madison Police arrest Phillip Green, 18, after he allegedly stabs two friends while under the influence of LSD. Bummer.
The Madison Common Council approves a plan to restructure Overture Center management and erase its $28.6 million debt.
The Madison Common Council agrees to loan $330,000 for the visitor center at Lisa Link Peace Park because private donations for the building have yet to materialize.
Wednesday, 12.15
Ald. Thuy Pham-Remmele formally announces she will not seek a third term on Common Council. She is reportedly contemplating a run for mayor.
Compiled (in part) from local media