News

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Madison police officer takes on Reddit

Following an increase in outreach efforts, Madison Police Department Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain answered questions from the public using Reddit’s “Ask Me Anything” function Friday. The forum, which focused on DeSpain’s history of using creative language in writing incident reports, addressed personal topics like his favorite color and professional topics regarding his post as the police department’s spokesperson. “There have been a couple of cases where I later learned the report had an unintentional negative impact on someone,” DeSpain wrote on the impact of his unconventional reports of crime in Madison.

Union leader involved in 2011 protests dies at 68

Marty Beil, the face of 2011’s fight against Gov. Scott Walker’s controversial “budget repair bill,” died in his home Thursday at the age of 68.

Democrats call for special session on delayed transportation projects

Police chief tells of department’s social efforts, understaffing

Madison Police Chief Mike Koval offered insight into local issues and his appearance on “The Daily Show” during a small community meeting Thursday night.

Senate hears testimony on public safety bills

A Senate committee heard testimony on three bills Thursday, including one measure that would extend the statute of limitations for most types of sexual assault.

UW-Madison campus dining facilities to stop printing receipts

Students will have one less thing to grab when checking out at UW-Madison dining halls next week, as University Housing cash registers will no longer print out receipts for each transaction, according to a UW-Madison release.

‘Breaking Bad’ co-star breaks barriers to overcome adversity

If a person spends their entire life manipulated by fear, tendencies to back down to intimidation will perpetuate and limit what a person can be, “Breaking Bad” co-star R.J. Mitte said on UW-Madison’s campus Wednesday night.

Gov. Scott Walker takes hit in new statewide poll

One week after abandoning his presidential aspirations, Gov. Scott Walker's approval rating has fallen to 37 percent in Wisconsin, according to the most recent Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday.

DNR debunks deer ornament hoax

Lovers of deer-shaped lawn ornaments can rejoice as the state Department of Natural Resources announced Tuesday that a letter urging the removal of such ornaments was a hoax.

Federal Perkins Loan program expires in Congress

One of the nation’s oldest student federal loan programs expired due to a lack of Congressional support Wednesday, affecting approximately 1,700 public and private U.S. colleges and universities.

Notable UW-Madison alumnus, prankster dies at 64

Legendary UW-Madison prankster Leon Varjian died from a heart attack at 64 in his Wood-Ridge, New Jersey home Tuesday, according to a UW-Madison release.

County executive releases plan for new mental health program to assist police

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced plans Wednesday to help police and other law enforcement officials better deal with mental health emergencies.

Orpheum Theatre to replace its iconic sign

Madison’s historic Orpheum Theatre will install a new sign, rooted in its original design, replacing an iconic feature of the downtown landscape.

Common Council approves Judge Doyle Square in early morning hours

The Madison Common Council worked well into the night Tuesday, voting 12 to 6 in favor of adopting a $200 million downtown redevelopment plan during a special session.

Madison uses online strategy to reduce energy use

The City of Madison began an online competition between businesses and nonprofits Monday to increase environmental sustainability initiatives, in an effort to win a monetary prize.

Director of financial aid to retire after more than 30 years

After spending decades helping many UW-Madison students pay for a college education, director of the Office of Financial Aid Susan Fischer will retire this week, ending a career that started by chance in 1979. Fischer earned a degree in natural resources and soils without financial aid.

Local Democrat sponsors bills to ban hunting in state parks

A Madison legislator announced multiple bills Tuesday to crack down on hunting in state parks, drawing the ire of at least one Republican who called the proposal unnecessary.

Wisconsin senator questions administration’s fetal tissue policy

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., joined three other members of Congress Tuesday in a letter questioning the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ policies regarding the sale of fetal tissue.

UW-Madison Chancellor debuts first issue of ‘Wisconsin Ideas’

UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank launched the first issue of a new e-newsletter Tuesday that focuses on the university’s research projects that have a positive impact on Wisconsin communities, according to Blank’s blog, Blank’s Slate.

Walker considers candidate for interim appointment to court

Two of three judges running for the Wisconsin state Supreme Court signaled Tuesday that they will not seek an interim appointment from Gov. Scott Walker to finish out Justice N. Patrick Crooks’ term following his sudden passing earlier this month.