WISCREPORT.COM (08/16/2010) - President Barack Obama traveled to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin today to jumpstart what the president called a homegrown, clean energy industry. ZBB Energy received a loan that is helping to fund an expansion of company operations, enabling ZBB to retain a dozen workers add 80 new employees. The President says he wants to see Made In America stamped on new energy products distributed in this country and around the globe. For more on this story, click on the above headline. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (07/10/2010) - Anyone dialing a phone number in what has strictly been the 715 Area until now in the northern part of Wisconsin must enter the full ten digit number starting Saturday, July 17, 2010. That's the date telephone companies switch so a second code number (534) can be dropped into the 715 area. To read more, click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (07/02/2010) - Wisconsin will receive $25,246,669 in loan and grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Broadband Initiatives Program. Click on the headline above for more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (06/15/2010) - Starting with July 17th it will be necessary to dial the area code along with the rest of the number you are calling in what used to be strictly the 715 Area Code. That's because the Wisconsin Public Service Commission has decided it is necessary to drop in a second Area Code due to projected exhaustion of available new numbers in what has been the 715 Area Code. So, beginning July 17th all new numbers issued will have the 534 Area Code, even though the numbers issued will be in the former lone 715 Area. Confused? Click on the headline above to read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (05/14/2010) - The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) is seeking public comment on the proposed wind siting rules, issued today by the PSC. The proposed rules will ultimately result in uniform wind siting standards for local units of government in Wisconsin and ensure consistent local procedures for regulation of wind energy systems. Any person may submit written comments on these proposed rules. Comments on the proposed rules will be accepted until July 7, 2010, at noon (July 6, 2010, at noon, if filed by fax). More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/20/2010) - This morning at the Capitol in Madison, a group of the largest businesses in Wisconsin, labor unions, farm organizations and other groups called for passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act being considered by the state legislature. The groups are among nearly 300 businesses, labor unions and other organizations that are supporting the legislation. As the legislature considers the Clean Energy Jobs Act, citizens from across Wisconsin have created short videos to show why Wisconsin should pursue a clean energy future. For more click on the headline to go to WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/19/2010) - The Wisconsin Farmers Union is urging the Wisconsin legislature to pass legislation that will create jobs in the state, boost farms and support a foundation for clean energy. The Wisconsin Clean Energy Jobs Act is scheduled for a vote in the state Assembly Tuesday. A Wisconsin Public Service Commission study shows that there would likely be a 1.4 Billion dollar savings for the state if the legislation is enacted, contrary to what opponents of the bill have been saying, according to a Farmers Union spokesperson. For more at WisconsinReport.com click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/05/2010) - Governor Doyle was in Wisconsin Rapids today to sign a bill that will pool federal recovery zone bonds to fund job-creating projects statewide. The Governor signed Senate Bill 440, authored by State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point), and Assembly Representatives Marlin Schneider (D- Wisconsin Rapids), and Louis Molepske, Jr. (D-Stevens Point), at a ceremony at Energy Composites. The bill will clear the way to fund projects like the company proposed wind turbine blade manufacturing plant in Wisconsin Rapids, projected to create 600 jobs. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/28/2010) - A University of Wisconsin nuclear physics doctorate holder, who is now Chairman of the independent U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, is set to speak at a Washington D.C. forum. Prior to his pro-nuclear energy mention during the State of the Union speech before the joint meeting of the U.S. Senate and House members January 27th, it was said that the Obama administration sent conflicting signals to the power industry on the integration of nuclear into the energy mix. The NRC chairman will update power industry leaders on the regulatory issues affecting the current applications for new reactors. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/14/2010) - People in the United States and in countries around the world are looking to assist in the recent earthquake disaster in Haiti. Many are unable to actively go to the country to help in digging out citizens from under the rubble of the buildings, but money and goods are needed to help survivors cope with being without lodging, food, water, and other basic needs. InterAction has a list of member organizations online that accept donations. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/14/2009) - State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) says a $100,000 Department of Workforce Development grant to train the first of 400 workers to produce wind turbine blades in Wisconsin Rapids is another major step in making Central Wisconsin a leading Green Center. The North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board will work with Mid-State Technical College to create customized training courses to prepare the workers Energy Composites Corporation will need to begin production of wind turbine blades. Read more about this development at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/03/2009) - Wisconsin and Minnesota cooperatives are applauding what they call the USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack decision to raise dairy price supports through the Dairy Product Price Support Program during a time of near-record low dairy prices. Wisconsin and Minnesota dairy cooperatives handle more than 85 percent of the milk produced in the two states. Cooperative Network President and CEO Bill Oemichen says this extra financial support at a very difficult time is greatly needed, and is greatly appreciated, by the Upper Midwest dairy industry. Read more on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/14/2009) - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu has announced that Wisconsin will receive up to $5,400,000 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for its state-run rebate program for consumer purchases of new ENERGY STAR qualified home appliances. The new program underscores the Obama Administration commitment to make American homes more energy efficient, while helping to support the national economic recovery. The Recovery Act appropriated funds for the program to help spur economic growth, create jobs, save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. See WisconsinReport.com for more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/07/2009) - American Transmission Company, a leader in the planning, construction and operation of transmission infrastructure, has identified various new high-voltage transmission line projects that can help deliver renewable energy while also addressing reliability issues in the Midwest. Since formed in 2001, ATC has invested more than $2 billion to build or upgrade 1,700 miles of transmission lines including the 220-mile interstate Arrowhead-Weston line, which runs from Wausau, Wisconsin to Duluth, Minnesota. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/06/2009) - The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced the availability of $4 billion in Recovery Act grants nationwide to help bring broadband service to unserved and underserved communities. This is the first round of Recovery Act funding aimed at expanding broadband access to help bridge the technological divide and to create jobs by building out Internet infrastructure. Wisconsin U.S. Congressional Representative Steve Kagen, M.D. is part of the effort to include rural areas of Northeast Wisconsin in the economic recovery. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/11/2009) - Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), a subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corporation, has filed a request with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to adjust its retail electric and natural gas rates, effective January 1, 2010. The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) has grave concerns for the ratepayers. CUB says many families are already having a hard time paying their utility bills. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/06/2009) - May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Wisconsin. The warmer weather is bringing out motorcycles again, and it's time to be a little more careful while driving a vehicle. Car, truck and van drivers should become more aware of what is coming down the road before starting out from stop signs, yield signs, traffic lights, exiting driveways, and parking spaces. Read more about motorcycling and driver safety at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/24/2009) - The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent in March, before seasonal adjustment according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The index has decreased 0.4 percent over the last year, the first 12 month decline since August 1955. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U decreased 0.1 percent in March after rising 0.4 percent in February. More statistics are available at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/29/08) - In 2008, Wisconsin U.S. Senator Russ Feingold’s top accomplishments included efforts to help Wisconsin servicemembers and veterans and to protect the Great Lakes. Feingold continued support for men and women in uniform with efforts to help ease the tremendous burden they and their families face. In October the President signed into law legislation authored by Feingold to allow servicemembers to suspend cell phone contracts without charge when deployed. Feingold also led the Wisconsin delegation in calling for the establishment of new Vet Centers in Wisconsin, and more. Read about it at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/08/08) - Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Joe Wineke is calling last night's Presidential Debate Barack Obama’s second straight debate victory. Wineke says John McCain was unable to articulate a new direction for the country beyond what Wineke calls the failed, recycled policies of George Bush. Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and former Lieutenant Governor Margaret Farrow are spinning the second Presidential Debate from the Republican point of view. Farrow and Walker saw McCain making several points and coming out ahead of Obama in the Nashville debate. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/01/08) - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) announced today that Congress has passed legislation based on a provision he authored allowing servicemembers deployed overseas to terminate cell phone contracts free of penalties. The Feingold measure, which passed as part of the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act, will expand the rights servicemembers already have to terminate similar contracts like residential and automobile leases without penalty. The measure now heads to the President for his signature. For more information on this story go to WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/30/08) - The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) CEO is weighing in on the failure by the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, and one of Wisconsin's U.S. Senators has some suggestions on how to make the Bailout Better. Wisconsin Bankers Association President Kurt Bauer warns the crisis won't get better by doing nothing. Senator Russ Feingold expects the so-called Bailout to see another round of voting by Congress, which creates another opportunity to address what he calls major flaws in the proposal. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/29/08) - Another big name bank has been gobbled up by a bigger name financial system, as the United States Congress debates a measure that is aimed at relieving the pressure the financial sector is experiencing. Wachovia today announced intentions to sell its retail bank, corporate and investment bank and wealth management businesses to Citigroup. Wachovia Corporation will remain a public company with two main operating subsidiaries: Wachovia Securities, the nation's third largest brokerage firm, and Evergreen Asset Management, a leading provider of asset management services. More on this story is online at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/29/08) - The United States Congress failed to pass the 700 Billion Dollar Solution they have been working on over the weekend and debating today. Despite the apparent urgency of the financial crisis, H.R 3997, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, failed on the House floor by a vote of 205 - 228. Several Wisconsin members of the House of Representatives voiced dissapproval of the so-called Bailout. Some others were dismayed that the attempt to find a solution that the majority could agree on just wasn't possible. The Stock Market reacted in dissappointment. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/27/08) - There are mixed reactions to last night's first United States Presidential Debate between the two major party candidates running to be the next Commander In Chief of the Economy as well as Commander In Chief of the Military. McCain supporters say Arizona Senator John McCain won, while Illinois Senator Barack Obama supporters say Obama came out on top. And, Depending on which tv/radio talker you listen to after the debates, you have your choice of, it was a draw, or, Obama proved he was ready to take control of the military and the economy, or, McCain's strategy seemed to be to try his best to look stern and to not look at his opponent, and so on. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/25/08) - The Republican and Democrat running against each other for President of the United States have decided to lend their input and guidance in the current national economy emergency Congress is wrestling with. Yesterday, U.S. Senators John McCain (R) and Barack Obama (D) issued a joint statement that pointed out that it's important for both parties to come together to solve the problem. Obama and McCain will both be meeting with President George W. Bush and leaders of Congress today in hopes of making a difference in the so-called 700 Billion Dollar Solution to save homes, jobs, and the ecomomy proponents say are at stake. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/23/08) - Probable voters in four Battleground States are looking at the Barack Obama - Joe Biden ticket as the one that is more likely to bring about Change. By 19 - 24 point margins, voters in Wisconsin, Colorado, Michigan, and Minnesota say Democrat Barack Obama, not Republican John McCain, is the candidate of change. That poll result lifts Senator Obama into the lead in these battleground states, according to four simultaneous Quinnipiac University polls of likely voters, conducted in partnership with The Wall Street Journal and WashingtonPost.com More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/22/08) - Illinois Senator Barack Obama started out being the only major presidential candidate advocating Change at the start of the Democrats Primary Campaign. When his opponent, New York Senator Hillary Clinton saw people were drawn to the message of Change, her slogan soon was about Change, but, Obama's message was the one people wanted. Now, it's the Republican candidate, Senator John McCain, who has changed his message to a declaration that McCain is the Change guy. While in Green Bay, Wisconsin today, Barack Obama explained that Obama's Change is The Real Change We Need. To read Barack Obama's speech, go to WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/02/08 - First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain addressed the opening session of the 2008 Republican National Convention at the Saint Paul Xcel Energy Center yesterday. The First Lady and Mrs. McCain's remarks focused on the ongoing relief efforts aimed at assisting the people of the Gulf Coast States. Laura Bush explained that when disasters like Hurricane Gustav take place shared American ideals will always transcend partisanship. Other speakers included Republican National Committee Chairman Robert Duncan, U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), and U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). See more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/01/08) - The 2008 Report of the Democratic Platform Committee suggests that Democrats want to make the United States Government and the country less partisan than it has been for decades. The Preamble to the Platform, states that it's time to reach out to Republicans, Independents, and all Americans who hunger for a new direction, and a reason to hope. The Platform indicates Democrats not only want to undo the damage they perceive that the Bush Administration has done, they want to find and enact the ideas that are right for the country and it's citizens. Read the Preamble at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/29/08) - Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama officially accepted his party's nomination last night, during the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. During his acceptance speech Obama made the case for why America cannot afford four more years of what many believe are the failed policies of the George W. Bush Administration. Obama laid out his vision to bring about fundamental change at home and abroad. He reminded the country about the extraordinary promise of America at its best and challenged his supporters to continue to fight for that promise by marching ahead and never looking back. Read Obama's acceptance speech at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/27/08) - Last night the candidate who came in second in the long primary campaign to determine who would be the Democrats presidential candidate on the November 2008 ballot urged her 18 Million primary voters to switch their allegience to Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton told delegates at the Democrats National Convention in Denver, Colorado that her delegates and supporters and Obama's delegates and supporters must unite as a single party with a single purpose. Hillary said it's time to take back the country and no one should sit by the sidelines, because it will take everyone and every vote to make sure it happens. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/25/08) - The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and the Obama for America campaign announced that two prominent Republicans will address the Democratic National Convention on Monday, August 25, 2008 and Tuesday, August 26, 2008. Former United States Congressman Jim Leach and Fairbanks Alaska Mayor Jim Whitaker will speak about Barack Obama's record of bringing Republicans, Independents and Democrats together to bring change and his vision for unifying the United States. For more on this story see WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/19/08) - Manitowoc-based Tower Tech Systems has signed a contract to manufacture wind tower components for Nordex USA, one of the world’s leading providers of onshore wind turbines. Badger Transport, based in Clintonville, has signed a contract to deliver the components to Texas for Nordex. Tower Tech and Badger Transport are subsidiaries of Naperville, IL-based Broadwind Energy, Inc., according to New North, which promotes regional cooperation and economic development in an 18-county region in Northeast Wisconsin. See more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/18/08) - The Weston 4 power plant, of which Dairyland Power Cooperative has a 30 percent ownership interest, was officially dedicated today. Weston 4 has been named Power Plant of the Year by Power Magazine. Dairyland President and CEO Bill Berg joined Wisconsin Public Service Corporation President Charlie Schrock, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Chairperson Eric Callisto and officials in a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the plant’s dedication ceremony. For more details go to WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/11/08) - With just two weeks to go before the Democratic National Convention officially kicks off, the Wisconsin delegation is fired up and ready to go to Denver, according to Democratic Party Wisconsin (DPW) Chair Joe Wineke. The Wisconsin delegation will consist of 92 delegates and 12 alternates. Wineke says Wisconsin will be one of the top represented states at the Democratic National Convention August 25th thru the 28th. To see who is going, learn more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/05/08) - The NewPage Corporation Wisconsin Rapids Converting Facility has been honored with an Environmental Stewardship Award from Orion Energy Systems. After an extensive review of the facility’s energy consumption in the second half of 2006, managers began working with Orion to find innovative and cost-effective ways to reduce energy waste and lessen the impact on the environment. With the help of VanErt Electric, a new high-efficiency, high intensity fluorescent (HIF) system was installed, replacing the older fixtures in the facility to save money and energy. See more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/04/08) - Speaking in Michigan today, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama called the upcoming November election possibly the most important election of a lifetime. Obama suggested that the USA's economy, security, and the future of the planet will depend on the choices made when people vote in November, and the choices made over the next few years will shape the next decade and perhaps the entire century. The U.S. Senator from Illinois said all of the major challenges will hinge on what is done about our addiction to oil. The rest of Obama's words can be found at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/17/08) - Lemonweir Valley Telcom of Camp Douglas, Wisconsin has announced that construction has begun on a multi-million dollar project to deploy state-of-the-art fiber optic communications infrastructure throughout Lemonweir Valley Telcom’s serving area. The first phase of the project will extend optical fiber cable directly to homes and businesses within the City of New Lisbon, Village of Camp Douglas and Village of Hustler. The thin glass fibers will allow the company to offer advanced services to customers in that area. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/27/08) - Democratic Presidential Primary rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton made a show of unity today (Friday, June 27th) in a community aptly named Unity, New Hampshire. It was the first joint public appearance since what some observers called a divisive Democratic primary race ended. The campaign speeches in Unity was the start of Hillary's assurance she will work toward Obama becoming the next president of the United States, even though for awhile it seemed to some, she might hold a grudge. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/23/08) - The U.S. Postal Service has selected Verizon Business to provide an estimated $16.4 million worth of network services under the federal Networx Universal communications program. Verizon Business will be the primary provider of long-distance and calling-card services for the agency's nearly 166,000 lines serving 34,000 locations nationwide, under a 10-year agreement valued at $10 million. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/13/08) - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and State Patrol have closed I-39 northbound, I-90/94 westbound at US 151 (Exit 135 - Madison) due to rising water at I-90/94 westbound at the Baraboo River (WIS 33). Motorists are strongly advised to not travel in the south central part of Wisconsin due to many flooded state and local highways. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/10/08) - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has requested assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to conduct a comprehensive damage assessment from this past weekend’s severe weather and flooding. Governor Doyle is expected to seek a Federal Disaster Declaration following the FEMA assessment. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/06/08) - Wisconsin consumers are now able to sign up their cell phone numbers to be added to the Do Not Call list starting today. The new list will be sent to telemarketers on September 1, 2008. To make that list consumers must sign up before the end of August. Adding cell phone numbers to the Do Not Call list became possible by including it in a recent Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill. Those wishing to be part of the Do Not Call cell phone list may register online at Wisconsin.Gov. WisconsinReport.com has more details on this story and many more added often on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/05/08) - Wisconsin Assembly Representative Phil Montgomery (R-Ashwaubenon) says the federal Department of Energy’s Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management made progress toward its overdue legal obligation to secure a federal spent nuclear fuel storage area by submitting a license application to construct the Yucca Mountain repository. Montgomery is the current chair of the Assembly Energy and Utility Committee and served as the chairperson of a 2006 Wisconsin Legislative Council Special Study Committee on Nuclear Power. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will have three years to review the application. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/19/08) - Governor Jim Doyle has announced the appointment of State Senator Roger Breske of Eland, Wisconsin as the new Commissioner of Railroads. Breske’s term will begin June 4, 2008 and expire on March 1, 2011. Breske will leave the State Senate after 18 years to take the job as Commissioner of Railroads. Senator Breske will supervise five staffers in his new position. The office oversees a variety of highway rail crossing issues involving more than 4,000 crossings over public roadways throughout Wisconsin. Democrat Breske's appointment leaves the 12th State Senate District without an incumbent. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/26/08) - More southeastern Wisconsin residents and their televisions can finally break free from cable providers. Fourteen months after beginning to offer a new video choice to Wisconsin residents, ATandT Inc. has announced that ATandT U-verse(SM) TV and Internet services are now available to more than 200,000 living units in and around the Milwaukee, Racine and Sheboygan areas. ATandT introduced U-verse TV in Wisconsin in February 2007 and continues to make the service available to more southeastern Wisconsin customers, thanks in part to the Wisconsin Video Choice Act. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/29/08) - Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton announced Clean Energy Wisconsin, the Doyle Administration’s strategy to strengthen Wisconsin’s energy future, in a visit to the Mid-State Technical College campus in Wisconsin Rapids. The comprehensive plan moves Wisconsin forward by promoting renewable energy, creating new jobs, increasing energy security and efficiency, and improving the environment. Governor James Doyle and Lt. Governor Lawton have been working to make Wisconsin a leader in renewable energy since the beginning of their terms in office. WisconsinReport.com has more on this story. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/12/08) - Wisconsin's Deteriorated Urban Roads Cost State Drivers $1.2 Billion Annually in Extra Vehicle Operating Costs. Wisconsin's major urban roadways are deteriorating at a time when transportation funding in the state is inadequate to keep pace with needed repairs, and the cost of those repairs is rapidly increasing. This is according to a new national report released by TRIP, a national transportation research group. The TRIP report evaluated pavement conditions on state and local major urban roadways and calculated the extra vehicle operating cost (VOC) to motorists of driving on roads in poor condition. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/27/07) - Wisconsin’s established small businesses appear to have maintained their stability with most showing modest growth in 2007, according to Wisconsin Independent Businesses (WIB). WIB has been providing government relations and other business services to the state’s independently-owned businesses and farms for 30+ years. WIB executive director Wayne Corey says there wasn't a growth explosion, but, there weren't significiant setbacks. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/26/07) - Just before the long Christmas weekend, Governor Jim Doyle signed legislation designed to provide Wisconsin consumers with more cable service choices, and potentially make consumer rates lower than might otherwise be possible. The Governor also preserved protections for cable customers through several vetoes. Under the new law, video service providers will continue to pay a fee to municipalities to support Public, Educational and Government (PEG) channels now available on local cable systems. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/6/07) - The Wisconsin Department of Justice has settled a consumer protection lawsuit against a Florida-based billing aggregator, ILD Telecommunications, Inc. The company allegedly had a role in placing charges on the telephone bills of Wisconsin businesses for internet services that the State alleges either were not authorized or that were obtained through deceptive telemarketing practices by Radical Persson, Inc., a California corporation. The DOJ says small businesses in Wisconsin were billed even though allegedly the businesses did not order the services. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (11/2/07) - Daylight Savings Time (DST) is coming to an end after an extended period, thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, has made the appropriate adjustments to ensure that the correct time registers on customers' handsets when clocks for most of the United States fall back on November 4, 2007. The company says wireless phones on the Verizon Wireless network should display the appropriate time as soon as Daylight Savings Time ends due to the modern technology used. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (11/1/07) - The Department of Administration’s (DOA) Division of Energy Services and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) are urging energy customers to contact their local utility if their heat is currently disconnected. Consumers cannot be disconnected during the heating moratorium period from November 1 to April 15, if they are connected at the start of the moratorium. Energy-efficiency programs and the state’s low-income bill payment assistance programs are also available to reduce the burden of utility bills this winter. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/31/07) - Invenergy Wind LLC (Invenergy) announced the successful closing of construction and term debt financing for its Forward Energy wind farm in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties in Wisconsin. The Forward Energy project was the first wind project to be permitted through the State Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) permit process. The project is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in early 2008. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/25/07) - Vonage and Verizon have announced they have agreed to resolve their dispute over patent rights. Verizon charged Vonage with infringing on three patents held by Verizon in the Vonage VoIP telephone process. Vonage says the cost of the settlement will be capped at a maximum of $32 million, in addition to the $88 million already accrued and held in escrow. The final terms of the resolution depends on how the Court of Appeals decides Vonage's pending petition for rehearing regarding two of the three Verizon patents. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/16/07) - The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) is holding public hearings this week in various Wisconsin communities to answer questions and to gather public comments on relief plans for the 920 area code. Hearings are being held in Sheboygan, Sturgeon Bay, Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, and Watertown. The PSC will determine how a new area code can be added in the 920 area to relieve increased phone use. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/8/07) - The Midwestern Governors Association Energy Security and Climate Change Summit will be held in Milwaukee November 14-15, 2007. At the Summit, Governors from across the Midwest will pursue new regional initiatives to increase production and use of renewable energy, promote energy efficiency, and ensure a reliable electrical grid. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (9/24/07) – Wisconsin State Senator Jim Sullivan (D) 5th Senate District, and State Representative Josh Zepnick (D) 9thAssembly District, have called upon Wisconsin’s two largest cable providers, Time Warner and Charter Communications, to put The Big Ten Network on expanded basic cable in their coverage areas throughout the state. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM - The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) is holding public hearings this week in various communities throughout northern Wisconsin to answer questions and to gather public comments on relief plans for the 715 area code. Hearings are scheduled in River Falls, Eau Claire, Wausau, Marinette, Rhinelander, Ashland, Hayward, Superior, and Medford. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM - Eight Wisconsin lawmakers have written the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) urging them to adopt a geographical split of the 715 area code to maintain the 715 prefix in northwest Wisconsin. The rapid expansion of new phone lines in the 715 area code is expected to exhaust available phone numbers by late 2009. (read more)...