From WisBusiness.com …
— On a day when the governor of Maryland proposed a $1.1 billion biotechnology initiative and the governor of Massachusetts signed a similar $1 billion bill into law, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle said there’s plenty of room for major research states to work collaboratively on breakthroughs involving stem cells.
“This is not a case of one state is going to win and another state is going to lose, or that one state is going to beat all the other states,” Doyle said Tuesday during a news conference at the BIO international convention in San Diego.
Rather, Doyle explained, the collaborative and often interdisciplinary nature of research means scientists from across the country and around the world are often working on common problems, and advances in one laboratory may help propel breakthroughs elsewhere.
See more news from San Diego on the WisBusiness BIO Blog:
http://blogs.wisbusiness.com/bio/
— The state Department of Transportation plans to spend an estimated $900,000 to build a “crossover” to merge westbound traffic on I-94 with the eastbound lane near Johnson Creek. The westbound lane of the main artery between Milwaukee and Madison remains closed due to rising waters on the Rock and Crawfish rivers, which flow under the roadway just west of Johnson Creek.
DOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi held a press conference on I-94’s Rock River bridge Tuesday to announce the emergency order. Under the rules for an emergency contract, the project does not have to go out for bids, he said. Hoffman Construction of Black River Falls has been chosen for the project, Busalacchi said.
— Wisconsin Public Service Corporation has agreed to pay $475,000 to settle a DNR suit over air pollution violations at its Weston power plant, according to a statement from Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.
The lawsuit alleges that the plant violated emission limits stipulated under its air pollution control permit between 2004 and 2007.
Wisconsin Public Service will pay $225,000 in penalties and costs to the state, while another $250,000 will be given to the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation.
See the press release: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=128958
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Press Releases
Apisphere and TrafficCast Partner to Develop Mobile Navigation Solution
Badger Meter Celebrates Transfer to the NYSE from the AMEX
Fiserv Honored as 2008 Microsoft Partner of the Year for Global ISV Line of Business
Journal Communications Reports May Revenue for Its Publishing and Broadcast Groups
Medical College Promotes Dr. David Harder to Associate Dean for Research
MidMichigan Physicians Group, Minor & James Medical and Beloit Clinic Select MPV to Improve Contract Negotiations, Audit Reimbursement
Murphy Desmond Partner Lightfoot New President of WALA
New “Standing” Desk Created to Improve Students’ Academic Achievement and Physical Fitness
SBA Stands Ready to Assist Victims of Recent Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding in Wisconsin
Skyway Awarded Contract to Provide Customer Service Functions for Northwest Airlines in Omaha
Thrive, Middleton, Madison and Fitchburg attend BIO 2008
Track Storms Online With New Interactive Web Application
UW-Madison Students Launch Community-Supported Agriculture Farm on Campus
UWSP’s Sustainability Task Force
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation agrees to pay penalties and develop energy efficiency project to settle environmental lawsuit
For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82
TOP STORIES
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Miller delaying release of craft beers: Miller Brewing Co. is delaying the nationwide release of a new trio of craft styles of Miller Lite, saying it wants more market testing first. The Milwaukee-based brewer will continue evaluating the Miller Lite Brewers Collection in several strong Miller Lite markets to determine the effect on its best-selling beer. Slower testing will give the collection a better chance for success, chief executive Tom Long said in a note to distributors on Monday. Miller is tweaking Miller Lite to produce craft styles like wheat, amber and blonde ale as part of the collection. The company hopes to ride the success of craft beers, which have faster growing sales than the overall beer market.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/292051
WPS to pay fines on air violations: Wisconsin Public Service Corp. will pay $475,000 to settle air permit violations at its Weston power plant near Wausau. The state Department of Justice said WPS will pay $225,000 in penalties and $250,000 for energy conservation. The Green Bay-based utility was accused of exceeding permitted emission limits between 2004 and 2007. WPS said it discovered that it exceeded permit limits and reported that it did so to the Department of Natural Resources, which referred the issues to the Department of Justice. WPS spokesman Kerry Spees said the violation was because the utility incorrectly calculated permit levels the plant would require. Some issues have been resolved and WPS is working with the state to resolve the remainder, Spees said.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/GPG03/806180698/1247
Kenosha to get food distributor: Gordon Foods is 3rd vendor to announce plans for region… A Michigan-based food services company is building a distribution center in Kenosha that’s expected to create 265 jobs. The announcement of the 480,000-square-foot Gordon Food Service center, which will be built near I-94 and the Kenosha Regional Airport, is the latest in a string of major announcements involving distribution centers in Kenosha County. Last month, Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative Inc., based in Nebraska, said it would build a 731,000-square-foot distribution center in Kenosha. Affiliated distributes groceries to stores across the Midwest, including 25 in Wisconsin.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=763205
State initiative gets climate change discussion rolling: Given that most scientists agree the climate is changing, experts and officials are trying to get ready for possible effects — in order to avoid harm to people, places and things. For instance, what kind of measures could prevent health effects from heat waves? What can the state do to protect the tourism economy, which depends on snowmobiling, skiing, fishing and boating? How could the paper industry react if warmer-climate trees change northern forest composition? How can stormwater be managed? The state Department of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have started the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts to explore potential effects and find answers to those and other questions.
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/291983
Dells feels the loss: Cancellations common since Lake Delton drained; owners say much is still open… The beach at Baker’s Sunset Bay Resort is bigger than it used to be, Lake Delton Water Sports has plenty of boats to rent and tourists are flocking here to see the new attraction. That’s the good news. The downside is that much of Sunset Bay’s beach used to lie underneath Lake Delton, which, until last week Monday, was filled with pontoons, fishing boats and wave runners rented by Lake Delton Water Sports. Now, judging by the gawkers lining the bridge through town, a dried-up Lake Delton is getting its picture taken much more often than when it looked like pretty much every lake in Wisconsin.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=763311
High court may hear records case: Union pacts blocked access… The state Supreme Court should consider whether the Legislature properly changed Wisconsin’s open records law when it approved a contract with state employees that prohibited making their names public, the appeals court said Tuesday. The Journal Sentinel and the Lakeland Times in Minocqua requested information about certain state employees under the state’s open records law, but the employees’ names were redacted under a collective bargaining agreement they had reached with the state. “The Wisconsin Supreme Court should accept this case to resolve whether the Legislature has effected changes in the law by ratifying the contract without introducing any specific companion legislation that identifies changes to the statutes,” the opinion from the District 3 state Court of Appeals panel says.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=763292
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WISBUSINESS FEATURED COLUMNISTS
– GREGG HOFFMANN: Contributor, WisBusiness.com
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– TOM BURZINSKI: IT executive and consultant
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Technology tests spot Kaukauna challenges
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/APC0101/806180642/1979/APCnews
BIOTECH (back to top)
– G. Steven Burrill Presents the ‘State-of-the-Industry’ at BIO 2008
http://www.businesswire.com/news/google/20080617005908/en
ECONOMY (back to top)
– Report finds income gap between richest, poorest in Wisconsin is widening
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/292044
– States trying to lure filmmakers
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/06/18/wi/03films.txt
– Tough economy raises demand for service
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=763297
– Journal’s May revenue down 8 percent
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/06/16/daily14.html?surround=lfn
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Fed: Industrial production dipped in May
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/APC03/80617047/1028
LABOR (back to top)
– Former window plant workers wonder about health
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/WDH0101/806180749/1981/WDHnews
– Manitowoc’s Natural Ovens finds new ways to slice the market
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/GPG03/80617023/1247
– MPS benefit vote tabled
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=763344
– Midwest below average for employee compensation
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/06/16/daily16.html?surround=lfn
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Green Bay incubator to get new tenant
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/GPG03/806180683/1247
– Small firms stretch a buck
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20048841&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20048841%26snippet%3Df
INVESTING (back to top)
– Fed likely to keep rate steady
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/APC03/806180639/1028
– Stocks mixed on oil rebound
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/APC03/80617044/1028
– Badger Meter now trading on NYSE
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/06/16/daily23.html?surround=lfn
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Residents wary of land sale motive
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/APC0101/806180623/1979/APCnews
– Improvements planned for blighted Menasha site
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/APC0101/806180629/1979/APCnews
– Century-old building converted into 6 condo units
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/GPG03/806180663/1247
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Farmers advised to apply for aid before starting repairs
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/292069
– Corn, soybean fields in Winnebago County take a hit from storms
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/APC03/306170057/1028
– Farm Tech Days to Offer On-Site Camping This Year
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=744&yr=2008
– Wisconsin Delegation Calls on Bush to Act Quickly on Assistance
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=742&yr=2008
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Temporary I-94 fix to cost $900,000
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/291817
– Receding floodwaters expose millions in damage to Wisconsin roads
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/292070
– Cap on O’Hare flights to be lifted
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/291916
– Neenah bus contract pivots on fuel prices
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/APC0101/806180625/1979/APCnews
– Freight lanes hit congestion of bureaucracy
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20048845&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20048845%26snippet%3Df
RETAIL (back to top)
– Tap water becoming economical choice over bottled water
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/292039
– Creative coffee options, with personal service
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/APC03/806180628/1028
– Miller delays Lite craft brews’ rollout
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/GPG03/80617086/1247
– Marcus division enters Summerfest sponsorship
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/06/16/daily17.html?surround=lfn
REGULATION (back to top)
– Council’s vote to ban cheap booze sales gets praise — and some flak
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/292119
– Lawsuit: Botched background check cost Madison man a job
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/292001
– Cross Plains Town Board member recalled over development debate
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/292081
– Clark County to consider adding sales tax
http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/MNH0101/806180442/1980
– City to consider raising taxi fares
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=763258
TOURISM (back to top)
– Devil’s Lake State Park to remain closed for now
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_FLOODING_PARKS_WIOL-?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME
– Frances Plaza may get water sculpture
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/291901
– Historic museums teeter on brink of foreclosure
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20048846&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20048846%26snippet%3Df
– Half-cent sales tax sought to fund parks
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=763289
UTILITIES (back to top)
– Wis. attorney general says pollution suit settled
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/292011
– Fox Valley copes with new water woes
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20048843&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20048843%26snippet%3Df
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Rasmussen gets hospital post
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/GPG03/806180686/1247
– Patients signing away right to sue nursing homes
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NURSING_HOMES_ARBITRATION_WIOL-?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME
– Medical expense curve steepening
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=763284
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin reports loss for quarter
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/292045
– Office braces for insurance complaints
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=763235
– U.S. stocks, regional banks take a tumble
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=763200
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Madison’s Planet Propaganda adds LeAnn Rimes as client
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/291962
– Jadin selected for Ford Foundation program
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/GPG03/806180684/1247
– Waukesha museum hires skilled fund-raiser
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=763306
– Leaders named for initiative to improve inner city
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=763305
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Mike Ivey: Madison’s high-tech sector cuts both ways
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/291982
– Tannette Johnson-Elie: Learning to network pays off
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=763139
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