Learfield Data is operating again - 10/5

Stations:
Learfield Data was down for a brief time overnight. It returned to service just after 5:00 a.m. If you had trouble accessing it before, please try now. Thank you for your patience.

Wheeler News - Morning Report #3 - 9/25

===Stations: Learfield Data went back online just before 7 a.m. We'll post all of this morning's reports on that Web site -- and should future problems arise, we'll resume posting reports here. Thank you for your patience.=====

Wheeler News Service – Friday, September 25, 2009 – Morning Report #3

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the headlines:
Two patients at U-W Hospital in Madison are about to go home, after getting Wisconsin’s first domino transplant…
Former state Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Ray Boland says the agency’s board is apparently out to replace its current leader…
Northern Wisconsin astronaut Jeffrey Williams begins his third trip in space next Wednesday…
Wisconsin residents get more time to apply for state grants for projects that promote the state’s food products.

Here are the details:

Two patients at U-W Hospital in Madison are recovering, after they received Wisconsin’s first domino transplant. In a 12-hour operation this week, Joe Stoikes of Madison received a matching liver from a deceased donor – and Stoikes’ liver was then given to Eino Ahlgren of Waukesha. Both men are doing well. Stoikes is expected to go home today, and Ahlgren could be released during the weekend. The domino procedure has only been done about 100 times over the past 13 years. Stoikes needed a new liver because he has a rare genetic condition called F-A-P. Ahlgren’s liver was about to fail because of a long-time hepatitis infection. Doctors say he’ll be okay with Stoikes’ liver, even with Stoikes’ genetic condition. Without the new liver, Ahlgren might have lived for only another year or two. The head of the U-W liver transplant program, Doctor Anthony D’Alessandro, said the 58-year-old Ahlgren could get symptoms of F-A-P, but not for 20-to-30 years. And even then, it’s expected to be so mild that no treatment would be necessary.

-9/25-

Former state Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Ray Boland says the agency’s board is apparently out to replace its current secretary, John Scocos (sco’-cose). Boland tells the A-P he can’t believe that the board asked the Legislative Audit Bureau to investigate problems that could have been handled within the agency. And Boland said the recent negative publicity about the department is a slap-in-the-face to veterans in a way. Boland retired in 2003 after spending 11 years heading the state veterans’ agency. Scocos replaced him, and he’s recently been serving in Iraq with his military unit. Board chairman Marv Freedman is not commenting on Scocos and his possible future. He said the board asked for the audit because it was concerned with several aspects of the department’s operations. They included 820-thousand-dollars in unbudgeted spending at the state’s nursing home for veterans in Waupaca County, where the commandant was recently let go.

-9/25-

An astronaut from northern Wisconsin will begin his third trip in space next Wednesday. Jeffrey Williams of Winter will board a Soyuz rocket which will blast off from a desert base in Kazakhstan. Two days later, they’ll get to the International Space Station, where Williams will spend his second six-month tour of duty. He says the isolation of Earth’s orbit is made easier by contact with his family in Houston – and from reading Bible passages. His favorite verse is from the book of Job, and it reads: “He hangs the Earth on nothing.” Williams says it dispels old myths that the Earth was flat, suspended, or sitting on top of pillars. After orbiting the Earth many times, Williams says he can truly attest that the Earth hangs on nothing.

(Thanks Mike Simonson, KUWS, Superior)

-9/25-

Wisconsin residents are getting more time to apply for state grants for projects that promote the state’s food products. The agriculture department says the deadline is now October seventh at four p-m to apply for funding under the “Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin” program. Ag secretary Rod Nilsestuen (nil-ses-toon) says the goal is to get more of Wisconsin’s food dollars spent on locally-made products. Last year, 94 groups and individuals applied for a total of 225-thousand dollars in grants – and seven projects shared the money. They included a regional nourishment program in northwest Wisconsin, produce auctions in central areas, and a restaurant promotion in Metro Milwaukee.

(End)

Minnesota News from MNN - 9/25

"Minnesota Summary"
>>AIDS Project Official Comments On AIDS Vaccine
(Undated) -- With news that an experimental AIDS vaccination has cut the risk of becoming infected with H-I-V by more than 31-percent, at least one Minnesotan is "cautiously optimistic." David Folkens, with the Minnesota AIDS Project, says he hopes that one day the vaccine will be approved and mass produced. He says H-I-V is very complex and that in Minnesota "over 62-hundred Minnesotans are living with H-I-V that are known." and "probably another two-thousand to 25-hundred that are H-I-V positive and don't know it yet." Folkens adds that every day, seven-thousand-500 people around the world are newly-infected with H-I-V.
>>Homicide Victims Remembered Today In St. Paul And Duluth
(Various) -- Minnesotans gather in the State Capitol Rotunda this morning (11am) and there's a bell-ringing this afternoon (3pm) in Duluth to remember the victims of homicide. One-hundred and nine people were murdered in Minnesota in 2007 -- the latest year for which numbers are available. Heather Martens with the group Citizens for a Safer Minnesota says today's observance is to support the families of those killed, but also to encourage people to become involved. Pointing to dramatic reductions in the murder rate in Minneapolis, Martens says prevention strategies can really work.
>>Hopeful Of Minnesotan's Release From Iran
(Undated) -- Leaders of U-S Muslim groups who met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (Ahk-mah-DIN'-ah-ghad) on Thursday say they are "guardedly optimistic" that three American hikers held there would be released soon. The director of the council on American-Islamic relations says they will remain engaged on the issue until a favorable result is reached. Minnesota Native Shane Bauer, along with Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal apparently straying while hiking in July. Earlier this week, Ahmadinejad said he would push for leniency in the case.
>>Mayors On Road Trip To Spotlight State Aid Cuts
(Duluth, MN) -- A group of Minnesota mayors is in Duluth this morning (9am) where they will spotlight recent cuts in state aid to local governments. They're urging Minnesotans to press the candidates for governor for their positions on that issue. Wadena Mayor Wayne Wolden (WOLE'-den) says property taxes have increased over 64-percent in the past seven years. He adds police officers, firefighters, snowplow drivers, librarians and economic development directors have lost their jobs because of state funding cuts. Governor Pawlenty argues that with many Minnesotans struggling, cities should be able to absorb modest budget cuts without raising taxes, but some city officials say their budgets are stretched to the limit. The mayors' group will be in Bemidji this afternoon (2pm) and they'll travel around western and southwestern Minnesota next week.
>>Task Force Looks At State Job Picture
(St. Paul, MN) -- How can state government create and retain jobs in Minnesota -- that's the central question as a special legislative task force meets all day (9am start) at the State Capitol. The panel will first review the state of Minnesota's economy, then examine programs the state has used to stimulate job creation -- plus take another look at proposals from the last legislative session.
>>U-S Bank Taking Overdraft Fee Cuts Five-Dollars Further
(Minneapolis, MN) -- A major Minnesota bank is going five-dollars further than a competitor when it comes to cutting overdraft fees. Minneapolis-based U-S Bank says it's eliminating fees for customers who overdraft their accounts by up to ten-dollars. The move follows Wells Fargo's announcement that it will eliminate fees for those who overdraft accounts by five-dollars or less. Overdrafts often cost account-holders 25-dollars or more.
>>Home Sales Down In Minnesota
(Undated) -- New figures show Minnesota home sales took a dip last month, but not as steep as the national fall-off. Chris Galler (GAL'-er) of the Minnesota Association of Realtors says sales are still trending upward here despite the slowdown. Galler says his group is hoping Congress extends the first-time homebuyers credit beyond November. He says if it expires, Minnesota home sales would likely plunge over the next several months.
>>Farms And Farmers Markets During Harvest
(Undated) -- Minnesota-grown produce is drawing lots of folks to farms and farmers markets around the state as autumn sets in. State agriculture spokesman Paul Hugunin (HEW'-gah-nun) says there are still lots of summertime food offerings for sale, and also fall items like apples and raspberries, squash, and even melons. Hugunin says this is peak time for apples in Minnesota with lots of varieties.
>>Duluth Transit Authority Gets Honor
(Duluth, MN) -- Ridership is up on buses around the city of Duluth. As a result, for the first time, the Duluth Transit Authority has been picked as the Minnesota Transit System of the Year. The D-T-A also credits its G-P-S system for improved service which has boosted ridership by nearly 20-percent since 2006.
>>Winning Lottery Numbers
(Roseville, MN) -- Here are the winning numbers from the Minnesota State Lottery for Thursday, September 24th, 2009. The Daily Three: 0-1-1. Northstar Cash: 2-7-16-22-23.
###Smith/Werner

Wheeler News - Morning State Sports - 9/25

Wheeler News Service – Friday, September 25, 2009 – Morning State Sports

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the headlines:
Jeff Suppan gets shelled as the Brewers lose to Philly…
The Cubs make Saint Louis wait another day to celebrate their impending National League Central crown…
The Tigers extend their A-L Central lead to three games over the Twins…

Major League scores…
Philadelphia 9, Milwaukee 4
Chicago Cubs 3, San Francisco 2
Detroit 6, Cleveland 5

In Wisconsin high school football…
De Soto 28, Belmont 14

Also…
Derrick Martin is getting ready to make his first start at safety for the Packers on Sunday at Saint Louis…
The New York Giants pick up safety Aaron Rouse, whom the Packers cut on Wednesday…
Wisconsin center John Moffitt will move to left guard for the Badgers’ Big Ten opener against Michigan State tomorrow…
Steve Stricker of Madison is four shots off the lead after the first round of the P-G-A Tour Championship…
Port Washington High School guard Josh Gasser gives a verbal commitment to Wisconsin for next fall.

Here are the details:

The Milwaukee Brewers lost to Philadelphia 9-to-4 at Miller Park last night. The Phillies scored six runs in the fifth inning, including a three-run homer by Jimmy Rollins. Jeff Suppan took the loss, giving up eight runs on 12 hits – both season-highs – in four-and-a-third innings. Suppan is now 7-and-11 overall, and only 3-and-8 at home. Phils’ rookie J-A Happ improved his record to 11-and-4. He struck out seven in five-and-two-thirds innings, giving up two runs on six hits. Happ also hit a run-scoring single, as he improved his road record to 7-and-2. Pedro Feliz went 3-for-5 and ex-Brewer Paul Bako drove in a run, as the Phillies reduced their magic number to four to clinch the National League East. Casey McGehee went 2-for-5 with a pair of R-B-I’s for the Brewers, who’ve lost three-of-their-last-four. The Brewers are now three games below .500 – and they’d have to go 7-and-2 the rest of the way to avoid a losing season. The Brewers and Phillies will play again tonight. Left-hander Manny Parra will make his first start in two-and-a-half weeks against Phillies’ left-hander Cliff Lee.

-9/25-

The Chicago Cubs edged the Giants in San Francisco 3-to-2. Jeff Baker hit the game-winner with a two-run homer with two out in the top of the ninth. The Cubs prevented the Saint Louis Cardinals from clinching the National League Central division. The Cards were idle, and their magic number remains at one. Meanwhile, Cubs’ manager Lou Piniella has honored Rich Harden’s request not to pitch again this season. Harden has complained of arm fatigue. He went 9-and-9 this year with a four-point-oh-nine E-R-A, and he’ll be a free agent after the season.

-9/25-

The Detroit Tigers extended their lead to three games in the American League Central, after winning at Cleveland last night 6-to-5. The Tigers completed a three-game sweep of the Indians, who suffered their 11th straight loss. Justin Verlander struck out 11 in seven innings, as the Tigers won their fourth straight. Second-place Minnesota was off yesterday.

-9/25-

Derrick Martin is getting ready to make his first start at safety for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Saint Louis. Coach Mike McCarthy has not announced the move yet, but Martin has been practicing with the starters – including safety Nick Collins, who’s recovering from a strained clavicle he suffered last weekend. Martin was traded from Baltimore three weeks ago in the deal that sent tackle Tony Moll to the Ravens. Martin started three games at corner, but he’s only been a back-up at safety – a position he has played full-time since late last season. Defensive back Jarrett Bush was added to the Packers’ injury report yesterday with a bad ankle. McCarthy said Bush has had the problem for some time, but it’s not serious. Also, running back Brandon Jackson sat out most of yesterday’s practice after his sprained left ankle tightened up again. He practiced on Wednesday for the first time in three weeks. Jackson is not sure if he’ll play against the Rams.

-9/25-

The New York Giants have acquired safety Aaron Rouse, just one day after he was cut by the Packers. The Giants claimed the third-year pro off waivers yesterday. New York needs help in the defensive backfield, after safety Kenny Phillips was put on injured reserve yesterday with a left knee problem. Phillips had two interceptions against Dallas last Sunday night. Also, Giants’ corners Kevin Dockery and Aaron Ross have been out with hamstring injuries. Rouse started 11 games in his two-plus years in Green Bay. He has four career interceptions – including a 99-yard return of a Peyton Manning pass against Indianapolis at home last October. It was the longest interception return in Lambeau Field history. Rouse had a dozen tackles in two games this season, but he was also criticized for missed tackles and assignments. He also suffered a neck stinger last Sunday in the Pack’s loss to Cincinnati.

-9/25-

Wisconsin will make a big change on its offensive line for tomorrow’s Big Ten opener against Michigan State in Madison. Coach Bret Bielema says center John Moffitt will move to left guard, and will start against the Spartans. Moffitt is returning from an injury, and redshirt freshman Peter Konz will again start at center. Sophomore Kevin Zeitler will make another start at right guard in place of Bill Nagy. Nagy practiced this week, but he aggravated an injured heel and his playing status is in doubt. Moffitt started six games at left guard for the Badgers in 2007. Bielema said he was moved to center last year based on need. Also, the coach said he would not announce until today whether Zach Brown or John Clay will start at running back. Bielema said both have had a good week of practice.

-9/25-

Steve Stricker of Madison is four shots off the lead after the first round of the P-G-A Tour Championship in Atlanta. Stricker began the tournament in second place in the Fed-Ex Cup standings – and a victory would give him the Cup and its 10-million-dollar prize. Stricker is tied for ninth. He shot an even-par 70 yesterday. Sean O’Hair has the lead at four-under. Series leader Tiger Woods is at three-under. Jerry Kelly of Madison is tied for 16th, at one-over-par 71. He entered the tournament in 29th place in the Fed-Ex standings.

-9/25-

Port Washington High School guard Josh Gasser will play his college basketball at Wisconsin next fall. He announced his verbal commitment to the Badgers yesterday. Gasser averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds a game last season. Wisconsin originally gave him an offer as a walk-on, with a scholarship in his second year. But Gasser received a full ride after freshman Diamond Taylor left the U-W after being arrested for burglary earlier this month. Gasser chose Wisconsin over Maryland and Arizona State.

(End)

Wheeler News - Morning National Sports - 9/25

Wheeler News Service - Friday, September 25, 2009 - Morning National Sports

Top-25 College Football
-----------------------
South Carolina 16, (4) Ole Miss 10
Major League Baseball
---------------------
National League
---------------
San Diego 5, Colorado 4
Chicago 3, San Francisco 2
Los Angeles 7, Washington 6
Philadelphia 9, Milwaukee 4
Cincinnati 4, Pittsburgh 1

American League
---------------
Detroit 6, Cleveland 5
Boston 10, Kansas City 3
Oakland 12, Texas 3
Seattle 5, Toronto 4

===COLLEGE FOOTBALL===
Stephen Garcia completed 16-of-34 passes for 220 yards and a score, as South Carolina upended fourth-ranked Ole Miss, 16-10, at Williams-Brice Stadium. Spencer Lanning converted all three field goal attempts for the Gamecocks (3-1, 1-1 SEC), who had never before beaten a top-five opponent at home. On a night when both teams struggled to find the end zone, Patrick DiMarco had the lone touchdown catch for South Carolina. The Gamecocks held Ole Miss (2-1, 0-1 SEC) to 248 total yards, recorded four sacks, and thwarted the Rebels on a drive in the final minutes.
===NHL=== Dave Tippett was named head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday, hours after Wayne Gretzky resigned as head coach and director of hockey operations of the troubled team. The announcement from Gretzky came a day after it was learned through an emergency bankruptcy hearing that the Coyotes would be staying in Glendale for at least one more season, but that Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie could still gain ownership of the club and eventually move the team to Southern Ontario. Gretzky has compiled a 143-161-24 record over four seasons with the Coyotes, including a 36-39-7 mark last season. Tippett had a 271-156-37 record over six seasons with the Dallas Stars until being fired after the 2008-09 campaign.
===
The Vancouver Canucks have signed head coach Alain Vigneault to a contract extension through the 2012-13 season. Vigneault has spent the past three seasons behind Vancouver's bench and his current deal was set to expire at the conclusion of the upcoming campaign. The Canucks posted a record of 45-27-10 last season, winning the Northwest Division title. Vancouver lost to Chicago in the Western Conference semifinals last spring. In three seasons with the Canucks, Vigneault has a record of 133-86-27 and his .595 winning percentage is the most successful by a coach in team history. He won the Jack Adams Award as the league's top coach in his first year with the Canucks back in 2006-07.
===
Long-time Montreal Canadiens defenseman Patrice Brisebois announced his retirement on Thursday after 18 NHL seasons. Brisebois was taken 30th overall by the Habs in the 1989 draft and was a member of the 1993 Stanley Cup championship squad. He played in Montreal until the 2003-04 campaign, then, following the lockout, spent two years with the Colorado Avalanche before returning to the Canadiens. The Quebec native wrapped up his career with 98 goals and 322 assists in 1,009 games.
===NFL=== The Houston Texans on Thursday placed guard Chester Pitts on injured reserve and signed safety Bernard Pollard. The 6-foot-4, 308-pound Pitts sustained a right knee injury in Sunday's 34-31 win at Tennessee and underwent surgery earlier in the week. A Houston newspaper reported Pitts had two procedures done on his knee: a surgery to repair meniscus cartilage and a microfracture surgery to repair articular cartilage. Pitts had started every game since the Texans' inaugural campaign in 2002, 114 in all. Pollard spent the past three seasons with Kansas City after the Chiefs took him in the second round of the 2006 draft. In 48 career games -- 31 starts -- Pollard has registered 188 tackles, one sack and three interceptions.
===
The New York Giants secondary took a big hit Thursday when the team announced second-year safety Kenny Phillips was placed on injured reserve with a left knee injury. Phillips, New York's first-round pick (31st overall) in the 2008 draft, was coming off a stellar performance against the Dallas Cowboys this past Sunday, when he recorded seven tackles and intercepted two passes. The knee problem initially surfaced during training camp, but Phillips was able to play through the injury. An MRI on Wednesday revealed that the condition (patella femoral arthritis) in Phillips' knee has worsened over time. The club has not determined how they will treat the injury yet. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound safety played in all 16 games (three starts) for the Giants last year, compiling 66 tackles, seven passes defensed and one interception. The Giants were awarded safety Aaron Rouse off waivers from Green Bay.
===GOLF=== Nearly in control of his own destiny as he chases a $10 million prize, Sean O'Hair fired a four-under 66 on Thursday to take the first-round lead at the Tour Championship in Atlanta. In the finale of the PGA Tour playoffs, O'Hair has some major company hot on his heels. Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington and Stewart Cink are tied for second place at three-under 67 -- a shot off the lead -- with Lucas Glover another stroke further back at 68. Those four players have won seven of the last 10 majors. Retief Goosen, another multiple major champion, joined Dustin Johnson and Steve Marino at 69, while Steve Stricker leads a seven-way tie at 70. The top-five players in the FedEx Cup standings -- Woods, Stricker, Jim Furyk (72), Zach Johnson (70) and Heath Slocum (73) -- control their own destiny this week. Each of them can win the FedEx Cup, and its $10 million payout, with a victory at East Lake.
==MLB=== The St. Louis Cardinals will have to wait until tonight to possibly clinch a playoff spot. They could have won the NL Central title Thursday, but Jeff Baker's two-run homer in the ninth inning lifted the Chicago Cubs to a 3-2 win over San Francisco. St. Louis opens a three-game series tonight at Colorado with a magic number of one to win the division.
===COLLEGE BASKETBALL===
Army has fired men's basketball coach Jim Crews, who posted a record of just 60-139 in seven seasons at the helm. The Black Knights were 11-19 last year and never had a winning record under Crews, whose best season was 15-16 in 2006-07. Crews, who played for former Army coach Bob Knight at Indiana and was a member of Knight's coaching staff for eight years, spent 17 seasons as the head coach at Evansville before taking the job at Army in 2002. He has a career coaching record of 354-348.
(End)

Wheeler News - Morning Report #1 - 9/25

Wheeler News Service – Friday, September 25, 2009 – Morning Report #1

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the headlines:
Tom Barrett’s advisors say he’ll decide by early October whether he’ll run for governor next year, after House Democrat Ron Kind said he wouldn’t run…
Marathon County prosecutors are considering charges after Representative Jeff Wood’s latest arrest for driving under the influence…
The state’s attorney general and corrections secretary will meet today to talk about the 12-thousand missing D-N-A samples from the state’s data-base…
Over seven-thousand people in Madison attend a speech by controversial food author Michael Pollan.

Winning lottery numbers: Supercash: 3-13-24-25-26-29 – No DoublerPick-3: 9-4-8Pick-4: 4-7-7-7Badger-5: 7-24-26-27-28

Here are the details:

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s advisors say he’ll decide by early October whether he’ll run for governor next year. That’s after Congressman Ron Kind of La Crosse said yesterday he would not seek the Democratic bid to replace outgoing Governor Jim Doyle. Kind told reporters he wanted to focus on health care reform instead of running a statewide campaign. And he’ll run for his eighth term in the House, amid reports he was pressured to do so by national Democrats who feared losing the House seat to Republicans. Also, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said an internal poll showed that relatively few Wisconsinites know Kind. U-W La Crosse professor Joe Heim says that’s not surprising. He says it’s rare for statewide candidates to come from western Wisconsin – and most hopes for governor are from the Madison-Milwaukee-Green Bay triangle, where there’s more media attention. State Senate Republican Dan Kapanke of La Crosse is running for Kind’s House seat, and he said yesterday he’ll stay in the race. He said he expected to run against Kind all along.

Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton remains the only announced Democratic candidate to replace Doyle, and she’s getting endorsements from some key lawmakers and the Milwaukee County Democratic chair. Barrett ran for governor in 2002 and lost to Doyle in the primary. The Journal Sentinel quoted an internal poll showing Barrett in a dead heat with Milwaukee Republican Scott Walker in a head-to-head match-up. But the paper said Barrett faces family considerations. Walker, the Milwaukee County Executive, and former Congressman Mark Neumann are the G-O-P hopefuls. And Neumann said other Republicans might join in, like 2004 U-S Senate nominee Tim Michels (Michaels).

-9/25-

Marathon County prosecutors are considering new charges against State Representative Jeff Wood. That’s after the independent from Bloomer was arrested Wednesday for driving under-the-influence for the second time in the last 10 months. The State Patrol stopped him near Wausau, after a witness said he was weaving and almost hit another car while going north on Interstate-39. Online court records said the 40-year-old Wood was ticketed for inattentive driving, with a court date of December ninth. Wood told the arresting trooper he was checking a road map. A preliminary breath test did not turn up a blood alcohol level, and Wood told officers he had a double-dose of a prescription drug and two doses of cough syrup on Wednesday. He was released after a blood test at a hospital. Wood still faces charges in Columbia County, after he alleged drove drunk and hit a highway sign on the Interstate near Portage last December. He was also cited for possessing marijuana, but his attorney said officers were performing an illegal search when they found it. Wood is in his seventh year in the Assembly. Speaker Mike Sheridan said he was deeply troubled by his new arrest. State Republican Party director Mark Jefferson said Wood should resign. He said Wood’s having too much trouble coping with his own problems to deal with the state’s fiscal problems. Wood has not commented.

-9/25-

State Attorney General J-B Van Hollen and Corrections’ Secretary Rick Raemisch will meet this morning to talk about the 12-thousand D-N-A samples missing from a police data-bank. Convicted felons have been required since 2000 to give authorities their D-N-A to help officers investigate crimes both old-and-new. But it was learned last week that about 10-percent of felons never had their D-N-A put into a data-base that totals 128-thousand samples. The problem was uncovered when police could not identify the D-N-A of a man suspected of killing nine women in Milwaukee since 1986. A tip recently led officers to Walter Ellis, who has pleaded innocent to seven of the killings. He reportedly left a D-N-A sample in 2001 while in prison for another offense – and it never got into the database. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s problem is not unique. Illinois learned this summer that 50-thousand of its D-N-A samples were missing. Attorney General Lisa Madigan said there was a shortage of nurses to draw blood from a rush of felons when the law first took effect. Now, it’s a lot easier to get a person’s D-N-A from the mouth, because only a swab is needed.

-9/25-

Over seven-thousand people attended a speech in Madison last night by a controversial author who urges people to simplify their diets. Michael Pollan spoke at the U-W’s Kohl Center, as part of a campus reading program. All freshmen received Pollan’s book “In Defense of Food,” and it’s being used in 60 classes this fall from art-to-engineering. But the effort has spurred protests from farmers who say Pollan takes cheap shots at their profession – and in the process, he’s attacking much of Wisconsin’s livelihood. Pollan’s main message is “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” He discourages eating manufactured foods, and he has criticized food scientists and large farm operations. But at the start of his address last night, Pollan said he had no problem with the T-shirt message he saw from farmers which said “Eat food, be healthy, and thank a farmer.” He said farmers hold the key to solving the nation’s problems with health care, climate change, and energy. But Pollan said chronic health problems continue to rise while products that are billed as health foods keep expanding. In his words, “We obsess about nutrition but have lousy health.” U-W Madison food scientist John Lucey said Pollan ignores the problem of sedentary lifestyles, saying 20-million Americans don’t even take short walks.

(End)

Wheeler News - Noon Report - 9/24

Wheeler News Service – Thursday, September 24, 2009 – Noon Report

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the headlines:
Congressman Ron Kind has reportedly decided not to run for governor…
Labor officials from Wisconsin and nine other states want the U-S Senate to extend jobless benefits for those who are about to lose them…
A state appeals court said a strip club in Dane County could not be grandfathered under an ordinance which bans those places in neighborhoods…
A family-of-four in La Crosse all face possible charges of selling marijuana.

Here are the details:

Congressman Ron Kind has apparently decided not to run for Wisconsin governor next year. The Associated Press and Wis-Politics-Dot-Com are quoting sources who’ve been told the La Crosse Democrat will not try to replace Governor Jim Doyle. Kind has scheduled a conference call with reporters from Washington this afternoon. He’s been traveling around Wisconsin in recent weeks, meeting with Democratic leaders and gauging possible support for a gubernatorial bid. The reports say Kind plans to run again for the Third District House seat he has held for the past 11 years. Republican state Senator Dan Kapanke (kuh-pan’-kee) of La Crosse is also running for the congressional post. Governor Doyle announced just over a month ago that he’ll step down. Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton has announced her candidacy for the top job. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has said he’ll announce a decision in a few weeks on whether to run. The Republican candidates for governor include Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and former Congressman Mark Neumann of Nashotah.

-9/24-

Labor officials from Wisconsin and nine other states are asking the U-S Senate to extend unemployment benefits for those who are about to lose them. The House recently agreed to provide an extra 13 weeks of jobless benefits to about 300-thousand people who payments are about to run out at the end of September. But the Senate has yet to act on the measure. And today, New York’s labor commissioner is meeting in Niagara Falls with Wisconsin’s workforce development leader – among others – to put the heat on senators to approve the benefits. Officials in Iowa are also part of the effort, along with those from Kansas, Montana, Oregon, Arizona, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Washington State. They’ll argue that jobless benefits have a positive effect on the economy, by helping support the housing market and those who still have jobs.

-9/24-

A state appeals court said it was okay for a town in Dane County to shut down a strip club. Hot Rods of Cross Plains said it should have been allowed to stay in business, because it opened before a county-wide ordinance took effect in 2005 that bans strip clubs in neighborhoods. But the town said the club knew about the ban when it opened just days before it took effect – and therefore, the club had no right to claim that it should be grandfathered. Today, the Fourth District Appellate Court in Madison agreed with the Town of Cross Plains, saying the club could not be legally grand-fathered. In April, the same court refused to touch the issue. It said the Supreme Court should decide it, because it would have a statewide impact on businesses which try to get around local ordinances. Today’s ruling is the first appellate ruling of its kind.

-9/24-

A family-of-four in La Crosse has been arrested for selling marijuana. Police said a 55-year-old man, his 47-year-old wife, their 17-year-old son, and a 16-year-old daughter were all in custody at last word. They were facing possible charges of possessing marijuana with the intent to deliver, and possessing drug paraphernalia. Investigators said the family sold pot to a large number of people, including students at La Crosse Central High School. Officers said they seized five ounces of marijuana and related items from the home – plus five guns.

(End)

Wheeler News - Noon State Sports - 9/24

Wheeler News Service – Thursday, September 24, 2009 – Noon State Sports

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the headlines:
The Packers make a new demand for player accountability…
The Brewers may be out of the playoffs, but they can still have three straight winning seasons for the first time in 26 years…
Ryan Braun is hitting .444 in his last seven games, but has only hit two homers since August 28th…
Madison golfer Steve Stricker faces an uphill to win the Fed-Ex Cup and the 10-million-dollar top prize at the Tour Championship which starts today…
Randolph High School senior Kyle Kelm says he’ll play his college hoops at U-W Milwaukee.

Here are the details:

Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers says the players cannot get too comfortable. And he says yesterday’s release of safety Aaron Rouse should be a wake-up call, especially for the younger players. There have been media reports that question the team’s demand for accountability – and that some players believe others have not earned their jobs. Rodgers won’t go that far – but he does say it takes awhile for some of the younger players to realize quote, “they’re not on scholarships anymore.” Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin told a team meeting this week that everyone needs to be more responsible. That was after the offensive line allowed Rodgers to be sacked 10 times in two games – the Packer receivers dropped a league-leading eight passes – and the team committed 17 penalties so far. There have also been missed tackles and assignments on the defensive side, and a lackluster showing on special teams. But with a 1-and-1 record, linebacker Nick Barnett says there’s still plenty of time to right the ship. Their next chance is on Sunday, when they play the Rams in Saint Louis.

-9/24-

The Milwaukee Brewers won’t make the playoffs, but they can still do something they haven’t done in 26 years – have three straight winning seasons. They’ll need a strong finish, however, since the Brewers are two games below .500 at 75-and-77. Tonight, the Brew Crew opens a four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Miller Park. And there’s a chance the Phils can clinch their third straight National League East title while they’re in Milwaukee. Philly’s magic number is five, after losing at Florida 7-to-6 last night. The Brewers are coming off a one-run victory over the Chicago Cubs. Right-hander Jeff Suppan will start tonight against Phillies’ southpaw J-A Happ. Suppan is 7-and-10 with a four-point-seven-six E-R-A. He has lost two straight starts, but he had a no-decision against Houston Saturday night when he struck out seven in seven innings. Happ is 10-and-4, and he has the lowest E-R-A among National League rookies at two-point-seven-seven. But he’s been slowed down by back-to-back losses about a month ago, and a strained oblique muscle that forced him to miss his last two starts.

-9/24-

Ryan Braun has hit .444 in his last seven games. But those eye-popping home runs have been hard to come by for the Brewers’ All-Star. Braun has not gone yard since September 11th – and before that, his last homer was on August 28th. Braun was robbed of his 30th home run of the season on Tuesday night on a leaping catch at the wall by Chicago Cubs’ rookie Tyler Colvin. Braun has a sore right shoulder, but he says it has not affected his hitting. He says he’s still hitting the ball hard – and the power always seems to come and go. Braun is batting a solid .315 with 34 doubles and 103 R-B-I’s.

-9/24-

Madison golfer Steve Stricker will take the Fed-Ex Cup and 10-million-dollars if he wins the Tour Championship which starts today in Atlanta. But he’ll need his best performance ever at the East Lake course, where he has finished no higher than fifth place in the past – and that was only once, back in 1998. His next best showing was 17th. Also, Stricker is coming off his worst golf of the playoffs, when he tied for 53rd two weeks ago near Chicago. But he’s still has the number-two seed coming in to the playoff finale, only behind tournament favorite Tiger Woods. Stricker has won three P-G-A tournaments this year, second only to Woods. Stricker is also second on the Tour in scoring average, and fourth in birdies. Jerry Kelly of Madison is also playing in the Tour Championship. He’s 29th among the Top-30 competing for the crown. Meanwhile, on the Champions’ Tour, Rhinelander native Dan Forsman will play in the S-A-S Championship which starts tomorrow in Cary North Carolina.

-9/24-

Randolph High School senior Kyle Kelm says he’ll play his college basketball at U-W Milwaukee. The 6-9 forward gave a verbal commitment to the Panthers, after he made an official visit to the campus last week. Randolph coach Bob Haffele said Milwaukee has a program that fits Kelm’s style – and it’s a good thing for him to stay closer to home. Kelm averaged 17 points and six rebounds for Randolph last year. But he broke his right foot while playing in A-A-U league in May. He had surgery in August, and he’s expected to recover in time for the next season which begins in November.

(End)

Wheeler News - Afternoon Report #2

Wheeler News Service – Wednesday, September 23, 2009 – Afternoon Report #2

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the headlines:
Six people in Wisconsin have been hospitalized this month with the H-1-N-1 swine flu virus, and there have been no reports of deaths…
Unemployment went down last month in all 12 of Wisconsin’s metro areas…
Madison House Democrat Tammy Baldwin urges her colleagues to pass a major national law banning job discrimination against gays and transsexuals.

Here are the details:

Six people in Wisconsin have been hospitalized this month with the H-1-N-1 swine flu virus, and there have been no reports of deaths. That’s what state health officials said today. Flu cases have been higher than normal in September, and many incidents have been in the southern half of the Badger State. The state’s health agency is rounding up information about public flu clinics where people can get the H-1-N-1 vaccine once it’s available. It’s not due out until sometime next month. Wisconsin has had eight deaths from the virus this year. Another 239 have been hospitalized.

-9/23-

Unemployment went down last month in all 12 of Wisconsin’s metro areas. Janesville had the highest rate at 12-percent – but that was down eight-tenths of a point from July, as the closing of the General Motors’ plant gets further in the rear-view mirror. Madison continued to have the lowest rate among the state’s metros, five-point-nine percent. Unadjusted jobless rates also fell in virtually all of the state’s 72 counties. Only Oneida and Waupaca counties – both strong tourist areas – had higher unemployment than July. Among the cities, Beloit still has the highest jobless rate at 17-point-four percent. Racine is second at 16-point-two. Both went down slightly from July. State workforce development secretary Roberta Gassman says there are quote, “encouraging signs that the economy is improving.”

-9/23-

Madison House Democrat Tammy Baldwin urged her colleagues today to pass a major job discrimination bill which protects gays and transsexuals from bias at work. Baldwin and Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank, who are both openly gay, testified for the bill today at a hearing of the House Labor Committee. Baldwin says it’s time for Washington to bring its laws in line with the reality of American life. Her home state of Wisconsin was the first to pass its own law banning workplace discrimination against gays 27 years ago. The bill prohibits employers from basing any decisions about hiring, promotions, pay, or firing on an employee’s gender or sexual orientation. The military would be exempt, along with religious groups and businesses with fewer than 15 employees. Opponents say the bill’s language is too vague, and it offers protection based on perceived sexual orientations. The House passed a similar measure two years. But it died in the Senate and former President Bush promised to veto it. The current president, Barack Obama, supports the bill.

(End)

Wheeler News - Afternoon State Sports

Wheeler News Service – Wednesday, September 23, 2009 – Afternoon State Sports

=====IMPORTANT NOTE: Learfield Data was down for a short time yesterday, and again late this morning. Whenever this site goes down, we'll send our Wheeler News feeds on our blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com.=====

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the details:

The Green Bay Packers released third-year safety Aaron Rouse today – and they replaced him by signing fifth-year veteran Matt Giordano from Indianapolis. Coach Mike McCarthy said Rouse played well in last Sunday’s Packer loss to Cincinnati. But Rouse has also been plagued with injuries during his career, and he suffered a neck stinger against the Bengals. He ended up playing 27 games for the Packers. Giordano played four years with the Colts, and he started six games. He was cut at the end of training camp. Also today, the Packers signed offensive tackle Dane Randolph to their practice squad. There was an opening on the squad after Buffalo claimed Packers’ rookie Jamon Meredith for their 53-man roster.

-9/23-

The Chicago Cubs will try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive tonight, when they go for a sweep of their three-game series in Milwaukee. The Brewers lost the first two games by a combined score of 17-to-4. Chris Narveson will make his third start in place of Brewers’ left-hander Manny Parra. Reliever Jeff Samardzija will make his second start for Chicago. The Cubs are seven-and-a-half games back for the National League Wild Card with 12 to play. The Brewers have been mathematically-eliminated from all post-season contention. They’re three games under .500 overall, and they’re two below the break-even point at Miller Park. Outfielder Jody Gerut has the hot bat for Milwaukee lately. He’s had nine hits in his last 14 official trips.

-9/23-

The Minnesota Twins will try again tonight to gain ground in the American League Central, when they face the White Sox in Chicago. The Twins remained two-and-a-half games behind front-running Detroit, after beating the Sox 8-to-6 last night. Four Twins’ players hit home runs, as Minnesota won its eighth game in its last nine. Tonight, they’re going for their first road sweep of the White Sox in three years. Brian Duensing starts against Chicago’s Mark Buehrle. The rookie Duensing has not allowed a run in his last 13-and-a-third innings.
Meanwhile, Detroit plays at Cleveland again tonight. The Indians have lost nine straight. But the Tigers have only won five-of-their-last-14. Rookie Rick Porcello goes for Detroit against Justin Masterson.

(End)

Wheeler News - Afternoon Report #1

Wheeler News Service – Wednesday, September 23, 2009 – Afternoon Report #1

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the headlines:
The Natural Resources Board wants to hear what people think about a longer gun deer hunt in Wisconsin…
The state Assembly’s Natural Resources Committee has asked the D-N-R to consider changes in the new lakeside zoning rules…
The U-W Madison Business School’s entrepreneurial programs are gaining in national stature.

Here are the details:

The idea of a longer deer hunting season in Wisconsin took one step forward today. The Natural Resources Board agreed to hold public hearings to find out what people think. D-N-R staff members have proposed a 16-day gun deer season instead of the traditional nine days. It would help keep the state’s growing deer herd in check, after the board scrapped the controversial Earn-a-Buck program earlier this year. The proposed 16-day gun hunt would begin two Saturdays before Thanksgiving, and run through the Sunday after the holiday. It would take effect in 2010 if the board eventually agrees. The public hearings on the idea will be held next month around the state. The board endorsed those hearings today when it met in Sturgeon Bay.

-9/23-

The state Assembly’s Natural Resources Committee has asked the D-N-R to consider changes in the new lakeside zoning rules which the agency’s board approved in June. The panel is asking D-N-R staff members to decide by tomorrow if they’ll consider changes. If they do, lawmakers will make suggestions. If they don’t, the Legislature’s Joint Administrative Rules Committee could take formal action on the proposal. The new rules are designed to limit runoff into lakes caused by the massive development of lakeside homes over the last few decades. The D-N-R board voted to limit the size of structures and pavements to between 15-and-30-percent of a landowner’s total property – depending on other steps the owner takes to limit runoff. But Senate Democrat Jim Holperin of Conover has spoken out against the 30-percent limit. And Assembly natural resources chairman Spencer Black of Madison says the rules would affect those who have already bought lakeside property with plans to build later. And he says that’s just one a lot of concerns his panel has. The rules are the first major changes in Wisconsin’s shoreland zoning laws in 40 years. They would also relax restrictions on buildings within the current set-back requirement of 75-feet from a waterway.

-9/23-

The U-W Madison business school says its entrepreneurship programs are gaining in stature. The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur Magazine rate the U-W’s graduate programs as the 11th best in the country, up from Number-13 last year. And Madison’s undergraduate programs for aspiring small business owners made the Top-25 for the first time, coming in at Number-16. Business school dean Michael Knetter says the U-W’s students are being brought in close contact with local companies and start-up firms. And it’s helping to create opportunities for new ideas that will pay off in the future.

(End)

Wheeler News - Noon Report

===STATIONS: Learfield Data went down late this morning. The Noon Wisconsin News & Sports are below. Other feeds will appear here as needed, and will also be on Learfield Data when the site returns today.=====

Wheeler News Service – Wednesday, September 23, 2009 – Noon Report

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the headlines:
A state audit shows that four registered sex offenders have the same addresses as child care providers…
The sister of a northeast Wisconsin man accused of stalking country singer Jewel apologizes, and says her brother needs help…
S-C Johnson of Racine, Mercy Health of Janesville, and U-W Hospital of Madison made a national list of the 100 best places for mothers to work…
A driver in a roll-over crash died overnight in Oconto County.

Here are the details:

Four registered sex offenders in Wisconsin have the same addresses as child care providers. The Legislative Audit Bureau said it discovered the matter while reviewing the Wisconsin Shares child care program for the working poor. The audit said the Children-and-Families’ department followed up on the four cases, and does not believe any children were harmed. Two of the cases were in Milwaukee County. The auditors could not determine if the convicted sex offenders had anything to do with providing child care at the places where they live. But State Auditor Jan Mueller said the potential for such a problem exists unless new protections are adopted. According to today’s report, the Children-and-Families’ agency now checks the names of all child care licensing-and-certification applicants, to see if they’re on the state’s list of registered sex offenders. The audit did not identify any care providers who were sex offenders.

-9/23-

The sister of a northeast Wisconsin man who’s accused of stalking country singer Jewel says her brother needs help. Susan Richter of Oconto tells the Associated Press that her family has tried for two years to get in touch with Michael Kozelka – but he never gets back to them. Richter also apologized to Jewel and her husband on her brother’s behalf. The 50-year-old Kozelka is charged in Texas with felony stalking. Authorities quoted him as saying he was on a mission from God when he twice visited a ranch owned by Jewel and her rodeo champion husband Ty Murray. Officials said Kozelka was ordered to leave the ranch the first time – and he made it to the main house the next day before he was caught. Kozelka is from Townsend in Oconto County. Court records said he lost a house to foreclosure, something his sister confirmed today. She also said Kozelka has had a difficult time holding a job.

-9/23-

A Wisconsin company and two health systems made a national list of the 100-best places for mothers to work. S-C Johnson of Racine has been singled out for years by Working Mother magazine. And Mercy Health System of Janesville and U-W Hospital of Madison have joined Johnson on this year’s list. The Top-100 were not listed in any particular order. S-C Johnson, the household products giant, was honored for giving employees a paid 16-day winter break and offering benefits like tuition reimbursements, a recreation center, and two Fridays a month with no meetings. The magazine said Mercy Health managed to reduce its overhead without cutting staff or benefits last year. And among other things, it reimburses half the cost of adaptive devices at the homes of employees’ children with disabilities. Working Mother praised U-W Hospital for providing 35 paid days off to full-time employees each year – plus in-home and center-based back-up care, workplace benefits, and company-sponsored holiday shopping trips.

-9/23-

One person was killed overnight when a vehicle overturned in northeast Wisconsin. Oconto County authorities said the vehicle left a town road and rolled over about 2:30 this morning in the town of Oconto. An investigation continues, and officers said speed and weather conditions appeared to be possible factors. The driver was the only person in the vehicle. The victim’s name was not immediately released.

(End)

Wheeler News - Noon State Sports

Wheeler News Service – Wednesday, September 23, 2009 – Noon State Sports

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the headlines:
The Packers look to fix a host of mistakes as they start to practice for Sunday’s road contest against the Rams…
The Rams cut former U-W Whitewater receiver Derek Stanley…
The Brewers try to salvage a win over the Cubs…
Freshman guard Rian Pearson is expected to miss his first five games, after tearing out a knee in a recent workout…
The Midwest Conference honors Wisconsin athletes in volleyball, tennis, and cross country.

Here are the details:

The Green Bay Packers are starting to practice today for their Sunday match-up in Saint Louis. Coach Mike McCarthy will try to determine how severe last Sunday’s injuries were to safeties Nick Collins and Aaron Rouse. And among other things, he’ll try to fix blocking mistakes by the offensive line, and dropped passes by the receivers. Six Packer wide-outs have dropped at least eight passes in their first two contests. Veteran Donald Driver says it’s due to a lack of concentration. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers says everybody has to play with more mental focus – including himself. Rodgers has been sacked 10 times in his first two games. And in a couple instances, the coaches said he held onto the ball too long. Meanwhile, the Rams are simply trying to figure out how to get into the end zone. They’ve only scored one touchdown in their first two games – that being last week in a 9-7 loss to the Washington Redskins. Saint Louis is 0-and-2. The Packers are 1-and-1.

-9/23-

The Saint Louis Rams cut former U-W Whitewater receiver Derek Stanley yesterday. The stand-out from Verona High School was the Rams’ punt returner during the first two weeks of the regular season. But general manager Billy Devaney said the team needs quote, “some juice in the return game.” So Stanley was released so the Rams could sign returner-and-receiver Danny Amendola. Devaney said Amendola can return both punts and kickoffs, and that’s his up-side. The Rams took him from Philadelphia’s practice squad. Stanley has spent just over two seasons with Saint Louis, after being drafted in the seventh round in 2007. For his career, he averaged six catches for 119 yards and one touchdown. Stanley averaged just over 12 yards on three punt returns this year.

-9/23-

The Milwaukee Brewers will try to salvage a win against the Chicago Cubs tonight, as they close out their three-game series at Miller Park. The Cubs easily won the first two contests, scoring a combined 13 runs in the first two innings of both games. Chicago has won three straight, and they’ve scored at least six runs in each of those outings. They got seven last night. Left-hander Chris Narveson will start for Milwaukee this evening against right-hander Jeff Samardzija. Narveson is 1-and-0 with a four-point-two-two E-R-A. He allowed one run and four hits in five innings against Houston last Friday night, and came away with a no-decision. Samardzija is 1-and-2 with a seven-point-eight-nine E-R-A. He’s normally a reliever, and he’s making his second career start. He got shelled for seven runs in three-and-a-third innings in his first start on August 12th against Philadelphia. The Brewers were officially eliminated from playoff contention last night. The Cubs are close, at seven-and-a-half back in the Wild Card standings with 12 games left.

-9/23-

A top freshman on the U-W Green Bay men’s basketball team had arthroscopic knee surgery this week. Guard Rian Pearson is expected to miss the first five games for the Phoenix, after he suffered a torn meniscus in a workout recently. Coach Tod Kowalczyk (ko-wall’-chick) said it was a significant tear – and it’s worse than one suffered last pre-season by former Green Bay player Ryan Tillema. Tillema was back less than four weeks after his surgery. It’s expected that Pearson will miss 8-to-10 weeks. For now, he’s expected to be ready for the November 27th Green Bay game at North Dakota.

-9/23-

Sara Heim of Ripon College is the volleyball performer-of-the-week in the Midwest Conference. Heim, a senior libero, set a new school record for career digs with 21-hundred-18 and counting. She had 124 digs in six matches last week. The Midwest Conference also honored Erika Zevin of Beloit College in women’s tennis – and Jon O’Brien and Jenny Scherer, both of Saint Norbert, in cross country.

(End)

Wheeler News - Morning State Sports

Wheeler News Service – Wednesday, September 23, 2009 – Morning State Sports

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the headlines:
The Packers might bring in former Indianapolis Colt Matt Giordano to fill a possible shortage at safety…
Wisconsin running back John Clay blames his three fumbles against Wofford on being in too much of a hurry to make the big play…
Cory Sartorelli of Eau Claire and James Taraboi of Oshkosh make the national small college football Team-of-the-Week…
The Brewers are eliminated from Wild Card contention, after losing big to the Cubs again…
Manny Parra will return to the mound on Friday night against the Phillies…
Detroit is still two-and-a-half games up on Minnesota in the A-L Central…

Major League scores…
Chicago Cubs 7, Milwaukee 2
Detroit 3, Cleveland 1
Minnesota 8, Chicago White Sox 6

Also…
Michael Redd will have seven new teammates when the Bucks open training camp next Tuesday…
Former Marquette guard Dominic James is added to the Bucks’ camp roster…
The U-W Green Bay women’s soccer team plays to a scoreless tie with Loyola in their Horizon League opener.

Here are the details:

The Green Bay Packers might bring in former Indianapolis defensive back Matt Giordano to fill a possible shortage at safety. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said Giardano auditioned for the Packers yesterday, along with former D-B’s Nate Ness of Seattle and DeAndre Wright of the New York Giants. The paper said Giardano appeared to be the Packers’ top choice – but the team did not announce any signings. As of right now, Green Bay could have as little as two healthy safeties for Sunday’s game at Saint Louis. Starter Nick Collins will have a shoulder injury checked out again today, and Aaron Rouse is coming off a neck stinger. Both were injured in last Sunday’s home loss to Cincinnati. Starter Atari Bigby is already out with a bad knee. And for now, that leaves Jarrett Bush and Derrick Martin as the Packers’ healthy safeties. Giordano played four years for the Colts, and started six games. He had three interceptions, four pass break-ups, and 78 tackles. Indy cut Giordano on September sixth. Meanwhile, the Packers have lost practice squad tackle Jamon Meredith. The Buffalo Bills signed him to their 53-man roster, after right tackle Brad Butler was ruled out for the year. Meredith was the Packers’ fifth-round draft choice in April.

-9/23-

Wisconsin running back John Clay said he fumbled three times last Saturday because he was in too much of a hurry to make a big play. The third-year sophomore lost one of his fumbles to Wofford in last Saturday’s 44-14 Badger victory. Clay was making his first career start, but was pulled in the third quarter due to his fumbles. He said he must show his teammates they can still count on him. Coach Bret Bielema says Clay, Zach Brown, and Erik Smith will all get playing time at running back on Saturday, when the Badgers host Michigan State in their Big Ten opener. Brown appears to be the early favorite to get his third start of the season. Clay said starting is not important, because he’ll get the same number of carries during the game. Last year, Clay ran for 111 yards and a touchdown in Wisconsin’s one-point loss to Michigan State. It was his first career 100-yard performance.

-9/23-

Cory Sartorelli of U-W Eau Claire and James Taraboi of Oshkosh are on the national small college Team-of-the-Week from D-Three-Football-Dot-Com. Sartorelli, a senior, had six rushing touchdowns in Eau Claire’s 52-to-45 double overtime win over Hope College last Saturday. One of his scores was from 65 yards out. Sartorelli ended the day with 180 yards on 33 carries. Taraboi, a senior linebacker, had 10 tackles for Oshkosh in a 31-13 win over Huntingdon of Alabama. He also had a sack, a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles, and interception.

-9/23-

The Milwaukee Brewers were mathematically-eliminated from the post-season after losing to the Chicago Cubs 7-to-2 last night at Miller Park. The Brewers lost their shot at the National League Central Division crown on Monday night. And last night’s defeat eliminated them from the Wild Card they won last season, when they made the playoffs for the first time in 26 years. Prince Fielder says it’s unfortunate – but they still get paid to play hard, and they’ll keep doing so. The Cubs jumped on the Brewers early for the second straight night, going up 6-nothing after an-inning-and-a-half. Derrek Lee went 3-for-4 with a homer, two doubles, and two R-B-I’s for the Cubs, who’ve three in a row. Fielder belted his 41st homer for Milwaukee, which was out-scored 17-to-4 the past two nights. Dave Bush took the loss, giving up six runs in one-and-a-third innings to drop to 5-and-8. Rookie Randy Wells got the win. He struck out five in six innings, giving up a run on seven hits. He’s now 11-and-9. The Cubs’ slim playoff hopes are still alive. They remain seven-and-a-half games back for the Wild Card with 12 to go. The Brewers and Cubs will play again tonight. Left-hander Chris Narveson goes for the Brew Crew against right-hander Jeff Samardzija.

-9/23-

Brewers’ left-hander Manny Parra will start on Friday night against Philadelphia. He’s been out for two weeks with neck stiffness, but it went away recently. Parra’s normal turn is tonight, but pitching coach Chris Bosio wanted to give him one more bullpen session to make sure everything’s okay. Parra is 10-and-10. And has the highest E-R-A among the National League’s regular starters at six-point-four-two. Parra says he’s excited about returning, because he wants to end the season on a positive note. He’s expected to get two more starts.

-9/23-

Detroit is still two-and-a-half games up on second-place Minnesota in the American League Central. The Tigers won at Cleveland 3-to-1 last night, while the Twins kept pace with an 8-to-6 victory over the White Sox in Chicago.
Edwin Jackson threw seven shutout innings in the Tigers’ win. Ryan Raburn homered for Detroit, which has won two straight.
The Twins used to the long ball to get by the White Sox. Orlando Cabrera, Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, and Matt Tolbert all went yard for Minnesota. Paul Konerko and Gordon Beckham homered for the White Sox, who’ve lost six-of-seven to fall eight games back in the Central race.

-9/23-

Michael Redd will have seven new teammates when the Milwaukee Bucks open their training camp next Tuesday. He says the pre-season will be more interesting than normal, because the Bucks will have to develop a strong chemistry right away. Many of the players got an early jump on that, by working out informally at the Bucks’ practice facility over the past few weeks. Coach Scott Skiles said the players showed a strong level of commitment during the summer – and it often translates to more victories on the court. Redd is coming off a torn knee ligament suffered last January. He says he’s been shooting for about a month, but is not doing certain drills like cutting. Redd expects to be fully healthy in time for the Bucks’ regular season opener at Philadelphia on October 30th.

-9/23-

Former Marquette guard Dominic James has been named to the Bucks’ training camp roster. General manager John Hammond said the 22-year-old James could make an N-B-A roster this year, but everything would have to fall into place for him. For now, James and two others are being added to the camp roster with non-guaranteed contracts. James performed well at the Bucks’ summer league camp in July, after coming off a knee injury this past spring. But he was hurt again while diving for a loose ball in a scrimmage, and that kept him off the Bucks’ roster for the N-B-A Summer League. Meanwhile, James’ two former guard teammates at Marquette will also be on N-B-A training camp rosters next month. Jerel McNeal is with the Los Angeles Clippers, and Wesley Matthews is at camp with Utah.

-9/23-

The U-W Green Bay women’s soccer team played to a scoreless tie with Loyola at home last night. It was the Horizon League opener for both teams, and it was the Phoenix’ second straight tie.. The Ramblers out-shot Green Bay 26-to-12, and Phoenix goal-tender Maddie Drusch made a season-high 12 stops. G-B is now 2-5-and-2 overall. Loyola is 1-8-and-1.

(End)

Wheeler News - Morning National Sports

Wheeler News Service - Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - Morning National Sports
Major League Baseball
---------------------
American League
---------------
Alex Rodriguez drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning of New York's 6-5 win over the Angels, as the Yankees secured a playoff spot for the 14th time in 15 seasons. Rodriguez also hit a two-run homer. Jorge Posada added a two-run shot and Hideki Matsui tacked on a solo blast for the Yankees, who became the first team in baseball to clinch a playoff spot when the Texas Rangers lost in Oakland earlier Tuesday night.

Elsewhere in the AL:
--------------------
Detroit Tigers 3, Cleveland Indians 1
Toronto Blue Jays 6, Baltimore Orioles 5 (11 innings)
Seattle Mariners 4, Tampa Bay Rays 3
Kansas City Royals 5, Boston Red Sox 1
Minnesota Twins 8, Chicago White Sox 6
Oakland Athletics 9, Texas Rangers 1

National League
---------------
Clint Barmes hit a two-run inside-the-park homer as the Colorado Rockies inched closer to clinching a playoff spot by beating San Diego 11-10 in the opener of a three-game series. Brad Hawpe belted a three-run homer as the Rockies pounded out 14 hits on a rainy night at Coors Field. The Rocks moved five games ahead of San Francisco in the National League wild card chase. The Giants lost in Arizona Tuesday night.

Elsewhere in the NL:
--------------------
Philadelphia Phillies 9, Florida Marlins 3 (Game One)
Florida Marlins 3, Philadelphia Phillies 0 (Game Two)
Cincinnati Reds 10, Pittsburgh Pirates 4
Los Angeles Dodgers 14, Washington Nationals 2
Atlanta Braves 3, New York Mets 1
Chicago Cubs 7, Milwaukee Brewers 2
St. Louis Cardinals 11, Houston Astros 2
Arizona Diamondbacks 10, San Francisco Giants 8

===MLB===

The New York Yankees became the first team in baseball to clinch a playoff spot when the Texas Rangers lost, 9-1, in Oakland Tuesday night. This marks the 14th time in 15 years the Yankees are in the post-season. New York was playing its game in the eighth inning in Anaheim against the Angels when learning the Rangers lost. The Yankees beat the Angels, 6-5. The Yankees, who last won the World Series in 2000, missed out on the playoffs last year, finishing eight games off the pace in the AL East.
===
One more team can punch its ticket to the playoffs tonight. The St. Louis Cardinals have a magic number of two to win the National League Central Division. The Cardinals will need to win in Houston and have the Cubs lose their game in Milwaukee to pop the champagne. St. Louis is aiming for its fourth division title in six seasons.
===NFL===
Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was sentenced to two years in prison on Tuesday for a gun charge, stemming from an accidental shooting at a Manhattan night club last November. Burress pleaded guilty on August 20 to one count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon and agreed to serve two years in jail. A plea agreement with prosecutors led to a lesser charge after he was initially indicted on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment on August 3. The former Super Bowl hero will likely serve 20 months in prison, with time off for good behavior, and will also serve two years of supervised release. Burress, who shot himself in the thigh with an unlicensed gun, was facing at least 3 1/2 years in prison if convicted at a trial on a weapons charge before making the plea agreement.
===
The Dallas Cowboys will reportedly be without running back Marion Barber for at least this weekend's game with Carolina after suffering a quadriceps injury late in Sunday's loss to the Giants. A Dallas TV station says Barber will miss 1-2 weeks because of the ailment. Barber has 203 yards and two scores on 32 carries, and two catches for 31 yards through two games this season. In a possible telling sign as to the severity of the injury, Dallas signed running back Chauncey Washington to the practice squad on Tuesday.
===COLLEGE FOOTBALL===
California senior receiver Nyan Boateng will miss the next 4-to-6 weeks with a fractured right foot. Boateng had surgery Monday. He was injured while blocking during the Golden Bears' 35-21 win against Minnesota on Saturday. Boateng led the team with 29 catches and 439 receiving yards as a junior last season, and he had five touchdown receptions. He has five catches for 78 yards and a score through three games this year. Sixth-ranked Cal opens its Pac-10 schedule this Saturday at Oregon.
===
Arizona State kicker Thomas Weber is expected to miss the next 4-to-6 weeks with a torn tendon in the quadriceps/groin area of his kicking leg. Sun Devils coach Dennis Erickson said Weber will likely miss the next five or six games after an MRI exam on Monday revealed the injury. As a freshman in 2007, Weber hit 24-of-25 field goal attempts and 46-of-48 extra-point attempts to win the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top kicker. He made 5-of-6 field goals in Arizona State's opener against Idaho State, but sat out last Saturday's game against Louisiana-Monroe. Freshman walk-on Bobby Wenzig handled the kicking chores this past Saturday and will do so again this week when the Sun Devils visit Georgia.
===TENNIS===
Former world number-one star Justine Henin announced her return to the WTA Tour on Tuesday. The seven-time Grand Slam event champion appeared on Belgian television to say she would re-join the circuit in time for next season. In May of last year, Henin shocked the tennis world by announcing a decision to retire, as she became the first-ever reigning world number-one to do so. The 27-year-old Henin quit after experiencing a bevy of physical ailments in nine-plus years on the grueling circuit. The 5-foot-5 Henin has captured seven Grand Slam titles among her 41 overall career championships and a gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games.
===COLLEGE===
The NCAA has chosen James L. Isch as interim president, just six days after the death of Myles Brand, who died last Wednesday of pancreatic cancer at the age of 67. Isch served as senior vice president and chief financial officer for the NCAA and has been with the organization since 1998. The Executive Committee will meet October 29 in Indianapolis at its regularly scheduled quarterly meeting to discuss the search for the next permanent NCAA president.
===OLYMPICS===
Former Olympic medalist and World Cup champion Bode Miller will announce his plans Thursday on another possible run at the Olympics in Vancouver in 2010. The U.S. ski team and Miller will hold a joint news conference in Los Angeles. Men's alpine coach Sasha Rearick will also be in attendance. Judging by the participants, it appears Miller will try and make another Winter Games. If Miller does announce and eventually get to race in Vancouver after qualifying through World Cup events, it would be his fourth Olympics, joining the efforts he had in Nagano (1998), Salt Lake City (2002) and Torino (2006).
(End)

Wheeler News - Morning Report #1

Wheeler News Service – Wednesday, September 23, 2009 – Morning Report #1

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the headlines:
The state Assembly votes 61-to-32 to strip the governor of his power to appoint the D-N-R secretary…
It could soon be against the law to throw old computers and T-V’s in the garbage…
A northeast Wisconsin man accused of stalking country singer Jewel claimed to be on a mission from God…
A man was electrocuted while putting up a portable garage along a lake in Winnebago County.

Winning lottery numbers: Supercash: 5-8-20-27-38-39 – No Doubler Pick-3: 3-3-8 Pick-4: 8-9-8-7 Badger-5: 15-20-22-26-31

Here are the details:

The governor’s power to manage natural resources would be sharply reduced under a bill passed by the Wisconsin Assembly. The vote was 61-to-32 yesterday to let the Natural Resources Board appoint the D-N-R secretary instead of the governor. Republican Don Friske (fris-kee) of Merrill says it would not do what the bill’s supporters want – take the politics out of hunting, fishing, and environmental matters. Friske says the governor would still appoint the D-N-R board members, and would choose people of his own political persuasion to get what he wants anyway. But Ed Harvey, head of the Conservation Congress, says the change would still remove “the slimy part of politics,” because board members don’t receive donations to campaign funds. Madison Democrat Spencer Black wrote the bill, saying it would preserve the environment – and he urged lawmakers to think about the next generation instead of the next election. The bill now goes to the Senate and then to the governor – who opposes the change, after supporting it for years. Wisconsin Rapids Democrat Marlin Schneider said if Doyle wants to veto the bill he should quote, “have at it,” and then give lawmakers a chance to override him. The 61 yes votes were five short of the two-thirds support needed for an override. But six members did not vote, and Black says there’s a good chance an override could succeed. It’s been 24 years since any governor’s veto has been overturned in Wisconsin.

-9/23-

It could soon be against the law to throw away computers, T-V’s, and other electronic devices. The Wisconsin Assembly voted 57-to-37 yesterday to make those manufacturers arrange to recycle their old products. They contain toxic chemicals, and the bill’s supporters say our groundwater would be protected by keeping them out of the trash. Neighboring Minnesota has a similar law. The Senate approved the bill earlier this year. But the Assembly has some changes which senators will have to ratify before the measure goes to the governor. Also, the Assembly voted 89-to-5 to ban the sale of products with mercury added – including thermostats – and there would be some exceptions.

-9/23-

A Wisconsin man accused of stalking country singer Jewel claimed to be on a mission from God. That’s what Texas authorities said yesterday about 50-year-old Michael Kozelka of Townsend in Oconto County. He’s charged with felony stalking after he allegedly made two visits in two days to a ranch near Stephenville Texas owned by Jewel’s husband, rodeo champion Ty Murray. Erath County Sheriff Tommy Bryant said Kozelka was found on the ranch September 14th and was told not to return. But the next day, Bryant said the man was seen at the ranch’s main house with a dog. He was said to be carrying a pocket knife, but he was calm and did not resist arrest. The sheriff did not say if Jewel or her husband were home at the time. And Bryant would not divulge the comments Kozelka made about Jewel and her husband. He’s in jail on a 30-thousand-dollar bond. Jewel, her husband, and Kozelka’s attorney have not commented. According to court records, a bank foreclosed on property Kozelka owned in Townsend last November, and it was sold last month.

-9/23-

A man was electrocuted in eastern Wisconsin while putting up portable garage. It happened yesterday afternoon about six miles north of Winneconne (wih’-neh-kah-nee). Winnebago County authorities said the man was putting a metal anchoring rod in the ground when he hit a power line. A relative tried to help him – but he couldn’t, since electricity was flowing through his body. The victim was 58. He died at the scene, and his name was not immediately released. The incident happened on the north shore of Lake Winneconne. We Energies cut off power to the area during an investigation.

(End)

Wheeler News - Afternoon Report #3

STATIONS - Learfield Data was down this afternoon. PM Reports #1, 2 & 3 are here, along with the Afternoon State Sports.

------------------------------

Wheeler News Service – Tuesday, September 22, 2009 – Afternoon Report #3

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the details:

Wisconsin senators delayed action today on having legislators name secret successors to temporarily replace them in the event of a disaster. Democrat Bob Jauch of Poplar said too many people are uncomfortable with the idea of not making those successors’ names public. Jauch says he wouldn’t mind it – but he thinks political opponents might end up attacking them. Under the bill, each lawmaker would name 3-to-7 successors at the start of every term – and if there’s an enemy attack or a natural disaster, leaders would name one of those people to serve until permanent replacements can be chosen in special elections. Also, the bill would allow the Senate and Assembly to meet somewhere else besides the Capitol if the need arises – or maybe even on the Internet. Jauch says he’ll revise the measure, and bring it back this fall.

-9/22-

The Wisconsin Assembly voted today to let mothers breast-feed in public without being harassed. The bill makes it against the law to tell a woman to move, cover up, or otherwise interfere with her ability to breast-feed her baby. The purpose of the measure is to let women breast-feed in malls, restaurants, and other businesses without the management interfering. Violators would be fined up to 200-dollars. The Senate has passed a similar bill. But it’s not identical, so senators will be asked to adopt the Assembly’s changes. If they do, the measure would go to Governor Jim Doyle, who has said he would sign it. Over 40 states have similar public breast-feeding laws.

-9/22-

The North Crawford School District in southwest Wisconsin has gotten the flu bug. Officials said 30-percent of the 170 students in the tiny Crawford County district stayed home today. And that’s better than yesterday, when half the kids couldn’t make it to school. Most of the affected youngsters are in the high school. Elementary principal Brandon Munson said there’s been one confirmed case of the H-1-N-1 swine flu. The district is located in Soldiers Grove, and has one building for K-to-12. A volleyball tournament was called off yesterday because of the flu. It’s been re-set for next week.

-9/22-
-
Uncle Sam helps Milwaukee County get a little greener. The county will use a 210 thousand dollar federal stimulus grant to buy hybird vans. Those vans will be used by the county Department of Transportation and Public Works, replacing gasoline-powered vehicles used by supervisors. Federal officials say this program shows that green transportation helps the planet, strengthens the economic and can create jobs as well.-9/22-Four Chicago men are behind bars on child pornography charges after a three-month investigation by FBI agents in Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois. FBI Special Agent Ross Rice says a defendant in another case tipped investigators off about the so-called "Boy Lovers." All four face multiple counts of possession of child pornography images -- and each faces between five and 20 years in prison. Two of the suspects were arrested after a meeting with undercover agents at an Illinois hotel.

(End)

Wheeler News - Afternoon State Sports

STATIONS: Learfield Data was down this afternoon. The PM Wisconsin Sports is below, followed by Afternoon Reports #1 & #2 and today's Noon News Report.

----------------------------------

Wheeler News Service – Tuesday, September 22, 2009 – Afternoon State Sports

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the headlines:

The Milwaukee Brewers will try to even their home series against the Chicago Cubs tonight. A win would put Milwaukee back to .500 at Miller Park, where they’re 37-and-38 at the moment. The Brewers are two games below .500 overall at 74-and-76. The Cubs are five games above the break-even point, after whipping Milwaukee 10-to-2 last night. Braden Looper was shelled for seven runs in that outing. But he has achieved at least one Brewers’ milestone this year. Looper and Yovani Gallardo are the first pair of Milwaukee pitchers to get at least 13 wins since 1992, when Chris Bosio, Jaime (hy-mee) Navarro, and Bill Wegman all reached the 13-win mark. Bosio, who’s now Milwaukee’s interim pitching coach, was 16-and-6 in ’92.

-9/22-

The Minnesota Twins can get within one-and-a-half games of the American League Central division lead tonight. The Twins will play the White Sox in Chicago, while the first-place Detroit Tigers are in Cleveland to play the Indians.
Minnesota will try to win its second straight over the Sox, after a 7-nothing shut-out last night. The Twins hope to get center-fielder Denard Span back, after he was struck in the helmet by a 91-mile-an-hour fastball from Sox’ reliever Randy Williams last night. Span was helped off the field after being down for a few minutes. Officially, he’s day-to-day with a headache. Chicago’s John Danks will start against Jeff Manship.
The Tigers have lost 9-of-their-last-13 going into their series at Cleveland. But the Indians have lost eight straight, and Detroit hopes to keep that string going. Edwin Jackson faces Cleveland’s Justin Masterson.

-9/22-

Milwaukee Bucks’ guard Carlos Delfino has finally joined his new teammates. The Bucks acquired the 6-6 Delfino and guard Roko Ukic from Toronto last month for power forward Amir Johnson. But Delfino had been stuck in his native Argentina due to issues involving his visa. They’ve been resolved now. And Delfino is with his new Bucks’ teammates for a final week of un-official workouts before training camp begins next Tuesday. General manager John Hammond said he knew Delfino when they were both in Detroit. Hammond said the new guard is good at making plays for other people, and is a strong rebounder in the backcourt. Meanwhile, Ukic and forward Ersan Ilyasova are expected to arrive in Milwaukee within the next week. Both played for their home national teams in the recent Euro-Basket tournament in Poland. Ukic played for his native Croatia, and Ilyasova for Turkey.

(End)

Cory Sartorelli of U-W Eau Claire, Joe Mleziva of Stevens Point, and Jared Jenkins of Point are the W-I-A-C’s football players-of-the-week. Sartorelli, a senior running back, tied a school record with six rushing touchdowns in the Blugolds’ 52-45 double-overtime win over Hope College. Mleziva, a junior defensive back, had 19 tackles and an interception in Point’s 21-17 win over Missouri S-and-T. Jenkins, a junior punter, averaged 46 yards in five kicks in the Pointers’ victory. One of his punts went 73 yards, the longest in the W-I-A-C since 2006. The league also recognized Jason Garvens of Platteville and Katelynn Williams of La Crosse in cross country – B-J Gottschlich of Platteville and Zack Schmitt of Finlandia in men’s soccer – Shyla Gilbertson of Eau Claire and Ashley Alonso of Platteville in women’s soccer – Jessica Urban of Stevens Point in women’s golf – Kelsey Scheele of River Falls in volleyball – Chelsea Allbaugh of Stevens Point in women’s singles’ tennis – and Kaylei Sorensen and Leah Benn of Stevens Point in doubles’ tennis.

-9/22-

Larry Hairl of Wisconsin Lutheran is the offensive football player-of-the-week in the Northern Athletics Conference. Hairl, a junior running back, ran for 138 yards and three touchdowns in Wisconsin Lutheran’s 27-to-13 victory at Saint Scholastica. Josh McCormick of Lutheran is the league’s top defensive player. McCormick, a junior linebacker, had two tackles for a loss, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble against Saint Scholastica. Justin Laack of Lakeland is the special teams’ player-of-the-week. Laack, a freshman kick returner, took a kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown against Carthage. He returned five kicks for 173 yards. The N-A-C also honored Andy Ashenden of Concordia-Mequon and Kate Schommer of Wisconsin Lutheran in cross country – Muriel McIntyre of Concordia-Mequon and Gary Petit of Lakeland in golf – Andriy Apetrey of Madison Edgewood and Mary Ryan of Concordia-Mequon in soccer – and Katie Roessler of Concordia-Mequon in volleyball.

-9/22-

Four athletes will be inducted next month into the U-W Stout Hall-of-Fame. One of them is Amy Jamieson, the only Stout competitor to win all-conference honors in three different sports in the same school year. She made the all-league first team in softball and basketball, and the second team in tennis in the 1996-’97 term. Also to be inducted are two-time national gymnastics champion Mark Rezac, wrestler Jeremy Krings, and football guard Jason Lehman. The four will be recognized on October 17th.

(End)

Wheeler News - Afternoon Reports #1 & #2

STATIONS: Learfield Data was down at mid-afternoon, so here are the PM Wisconsin news stories. The Noon Report and an Afternoon Sports feed follow.

------------------------------

Wheeler News Service – Tuesday, September 22, 2009 – Afternoon Report #1

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373
Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com
Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the headlines:

A memorial is almost finished to remember the six young adults murdered in Crandon almost two years ago…
A Baraboo restaurant owner gets four years in a federal prison for trying to hide cash transactions.

Here are the details:

A memorial is almost finished to remember the six young adults murdered when Tyler Peterson opened fire in Crandon almost two years ago. Project coordinator Gary Mueller says almost 50 contractors and a number of other volunteers are helping build a stone gazebo and walkway. He expects it to be finished by October seventh, the second anniversary of the Crandon slayings. Mueller said victims’ relatives have brought soda to the volunteer workers, or have just given words of support to the memorial project. The 20-year-old Peterson, an off-duty sheriff’s deputy, killed his on-again, off-again girlfriend and five others at a homecoming pizza party on October seventh of 2007. Peterson later turned the gun on himself as law enforcement was closing in on him. Authorities said he was upset because the girlfriend, Jordanne Murray, wouldn’t see him. The only survivor was Charlie Neitzel. He said he, too, would have been killed had he not played dead.

-9/22-

A restaurant owner in Baraboo has been sentenced to four years in a federal prison for trying to hide cash transactions. Prosecutors said 54-year-old Ismail Beciri was being investigated for bankruptcy fraud when he borrowed almost 620-thousand dollars from a customer last year. He allegedly told the customer to write the checks in small amounts, so he could pay his food distributors at Kristina’s Restaurant. Authorities said Beciri drove to numerous banks to cash the checks, to avoid the federal requirement that banks report cash transactions of over 10-thousand-dollars apiece.

(End)

-----------------------------------

Wheeler News Service – Tuesday, September 22, 2009 – Afternoon Report #2

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373
Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com
Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com

Here are the headlines:The Wisconsin Senate votes to make kids attend kindergarten, and paves the way for Packer opponents to ride to Lambeau without stopping for red lights…
State corrections’ officials say they’ll deliver D-N-A samples in person to the crime lab, to make sure they get in the state’s investigative data-base…
An Oshkosh pastor calls his 14 months in Iraq a “painfully unique experience.”

Here are the details:

The Wisconsin Senate voted today to make kids finish kindergarten before they can go to first grade. It’s optional now. But senators voted 17-to-15 to make it mandatory. The bill now goes to Governor Jim Doyle, after the Assembly passed the same requirement last week. All the yes votes came from Democrats. Republicans all voted no. The bill’s supporters say too many parents consider kindergarten to be like day care centers – and they’ll send their kids only when they feel like it, causing disruptions for both students and their teachers. But the bill’s opponents asked why the Legislature should mandate good attendance for kindergarteners because their parents make poor choices.

Also today, senators voted to let police officers escort dignitaries and sports teams through red lights without facing liability. The measure is designed to clear the way for Green Bay Packers’ opponents to ride from an Appleton hotel to Lambeau Field on game-days without having to stop. The senators okayed the bill on a voice vote. The Assembly passed it in June, so now it goes to Governor Doyle.-

9/22-

There’s pizza delivery – mail delivery – and now, D-N-A delivery. The state corrections’ department said today it would start delivering the D-N-A samples it collects from convicted felons in person to the State Crime Lab. And corrections’ secretary Rick Raemisch wants the attorney general to send back confirmations that the samples have been entered in the state’s police data-base. Last week, the Justice Department said 12-thousand required D-N-A samples from convicted felons never made it to the department’s data-base. Corrections’ officials have started going back to convicts whose samples are missing, and getting new ones. Other felons are being told to submit their D-N-A to their local sheriff’s departments.

-9/22-

An Oshkosh pastor who’s back home from Iraq called his service a “painfully unique experience.” The Reverend Tim Routh of Calvary Lutheran Church said he helped and counseled both American troops and the military detainees they held at Camp Bucca. Routh spent 14 months in Iraq as a member of the Army Reserve’s 320th Military Police unit – the same one that took humiliating photos of detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison a number of years ago. But now, Routh said the unit embraced a more kind treatment – and it brought tremendous results. He said they treated those in custody with dignity and respect, and he was surprised at the low rate of repeat offenders among the inmates they freed. Routh said most of the troops and prisoners he encountered had huge emotional swings – and the extreme heat, the long hours, and the separation from home made things even more difficult. Routh said it’s no joke what our troops are facing. Routh has beenhome for just over a month, but he said he spent time reflecting on his experiences before returning to his congregation last Sunday.

(End)

Wheeler News - Afternoon Reports #1 & #2

Wheeler News Service – Tuesday, June 2, 2009 – Afternoon Report #1

=====Stations: Learfield Data was down at the time this was sent. We'll send this material there once the site goes back online.=====

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com
Here are the headlines:
Modine Manufacturing reports another big loss, as it feels the pains of the auto industry…
The S-S Badger ferry is ordered to stop dumping coal slurry into Lake Michigan by 2012…
Wisconsin will get almost 20-million federal stimulus dollars to restore over four-thousand acres of flood-plains to their natural state.

Here are the details:

A Racine company that makes car heating-and-cooling systems is feeling its share of the industry’s pain. Modine Manufacturing announced a quarterly loss today of 47-million-dollars, or a-dollar-47 per share. That’s down from a 35-million-dollar loss the previous year, during the final quarter of its 2008 fiscal year. Modine reported a total loss of almost 109-million dollars for the past year, after posting a 68-million-dollar loss the year before. Sales were down 12-percent over the past year – and they were down 43-percent in the most recent quarter. Modine said its debt level increased, because its cash flows were not enough to pay for capital expenses caused by growth.

-6/2-

One of the two ferries that send people and vehicles across Lake Michigan has been hit with a federal environmental order. The E-P-A has told the owner of the S-S Badger, which runs between Manitowoc and Ludington Michigan, to stop discharging coal slurry into Lake Michigan. And it has 2012 to change its practices. The Badger is the nation’s last coal-fired passenger boat of its kind. The order was reported by the Ludington Daily News, which quotes local leaders as saying the ferry is crucial for tourism in both Ludington and Manitowoc. The E-P-A has never regulated discharges from boats under the federal Clean Water Act. But several states and environmental groups won a lawsuit that requires such enforcement. That was after ballast water from foreign ships was blamed for bringing zebra mussels and other invasive species to the Great Lakes.

-6/2-

Wisconsin will get almost 20-million federal stimulus dollars to restore more than four-thousand acres of flood-plains to their natural state. U-S Senator Herb Kohl announced the grant today. He said it will make it easier prevent floods, and improve things like water quality, conservation, and habitat. Kohl says the grant will be a significant boost for creating sustainable lands – and he calls the Badger State a proven leader in such preservation. The U-S-D-A granted a total of 145-million dollars nationally to acquire flood-plain easements and restore lands. Kohl said Wisconsin got the second-most dollars to preserve the third largest acreage.

(End)


Wheeler News Service – Tuesday, June 2, 2009 – Afternoon Report #2

Editor on duty: Thom Gerretsen (715) 389-2373 Story contributions: wheelernews@yahoo.com Wheeler Blog: http://learfielddata.blogspot.com
Here are the headlines:
A federal judge refuses to order two high schools in Brookfield to move their graduation ceremonies from the Elmbrook Church this weekend…
Wisconsin’s Herb Kohl wants the federal government to start enforcing the laws against seizures of Social Security and veterans’ benefits…
A new U-W report says campuses are making progress in preventing mass shootings, but budget problems will slow the effort down.

Here are the details:

A federal judge in Milwaukee refused today to order two Brookfield high schools to move their graduation ceremonies from a large church this weekend. Brookfield Central and East high schools were given the okay to hold their commencements in the Elmbrook Church. Judge Charles Clevert (clee’-vert) threw out a legal challenge from the Americans United for the Separation of Church-and-State, which said it was wrong for tax-funded schools to give out diplomas with a large cross as a backdrop. But Clevert said quote, “A ceremony in the church does not necessarily constitute a church ceremony.” He sided with school officials who said they used the church because it’s the only nearby place large enough to accommodate all the students and their relatives – and the cross has no role in the commencement. The ceremonies will take place Saturday and Sunday as scheduled. Next year, the district plans to use new facilities now being constructed at the two schools. But had the judge ruled the other way today, school officials said they did not have a “Plan-B.”

-6/2-

Wisconsin’s Herb Kohl wants the federal government to start enforcing the laws against seizures of Social Security and veterans’ benefits. Kohl, who chairs the Senate’s Special Committee on Aging, has a bill to stop promoting direct deposits of benefits until the Treasury Department can protect those deposits from bill collectors. The benefits are protected by law, but more bill collectors have been using loop-holes to seize Social Security and vets’ benefits made by direct deposit. More than 80-percent of the nation’s 51-million Social Security recipients have their benefits placed directly into their checking accounts. Margot Saunders of the National Consumer Law Center says veterans and senior citizens cannot afford to have their bank accounts frozen, while they pay lawyers to get back what’s been illegally garnished – but they often have no choice. The Social Security inspector general said 178-million dollars in a 12-month period were garnished from accounts with seniors’ benefits in them. Assistant Treasury Secretary Michael Barr told Kohl he’s committed to enforcing anti-garnishment laws, but without placing burdens on financial institutions. A treasury official says a deal is close to being made on such protections.

-6/2-

A new U-W report says campuses are making progress in preventing mass shooting incidents – but state budget problems will slow down some of those plans. The university’s Board of Regents will talk about the new report on Thursday. It comes more than two years a gunman killed almost three dozen students at Virginia Tech. The U-W report says campuses are giving students more information about safety risks. They have systems for notifying students during an emergency. And they have teams which identify students who could be dangerous, and intervene when necessary. But the report also says a lack of funding will delay other safety measures, because they need more staff-and-money. They include mental health counselors to help students in trouble, and a game-plan for resuming vital U-W services after a crisis.

(End)

Wheeler News - Afternoon State Sports

Wheeler News Service – Tuesday, June 2, 2009 – Afternoon State Sports

=====Stations: Learfield Data was down earlier this afternoon, so this feed is being sent here. We'll also send this on LD when the site returns online.=====

Here are the details:

The Milwaukee Brewers will play at Florida tonight without reliever Jorge Julio (hor-hay hoo’-lee-oh). He was released today after a horrendous appearance last night – and the Brewers brought up veteran Mike Burns from Triple-“A” Nashville. Julio gave up five runs without retiring anybody in the sixth inning of last night’s Brewers’ loss to the Marlins. Julio struck two batters – one of whom drove in the winning run with the bases loaded. He also gave up two hits and a walk, while his only other batter reached on an error. Julio was under a one-year, 950-thousand dollar contract. He had a seven-point-seven-nine E-R-A in 15 relief outings, giving up a total of 15 hits and 15 walks and 17-and-a-third innings. The 30-year-old Burns was 6-and-2 for Nashville this season, with an E-R-A of just under three in 10 starts. Burns has 45 career relief appearances in the Majors with Houston, Cincinnati, and Boston. He has a five-point-eight-eight E-R-A in 52 innings with 36 strikeouts.

-6/2-

Prince Fielder and Trevor Hoffman have been named the Brewers’ player-and-pitcher of the month. They were chosen by the team’s traveling media, and they’ll be honored at Miller Park during the Brewers’ next home-stand. Fielder drove in 31 runs last month, and hit .305 for the month with a .442 on-base percentage. He never went more than one game in May without an R-B-I. Hoffman, meanwhile, went 11-for-11 in save opportunities last month. The Majors’ all-time save leader had not walked a batter all season until Sunday, when he notched his 13th save of the year. And he struck out 11 batters last month, while letting only five reach base.

-6/2-

The Chicago Cubs will open a series at Atlanta tonight. This was supposed to be Carlos Zambrano’s turn on the mound – but he was suspended for six games after his outburst last Wednesday in which thumbed the plate umpire out, threw a ball into left field, and attacked a Gatorade bucket. Randy Wells will start in Zambrano’s place tonight. Wells is 0-and-2, but with a solid one-point-eight-oh E-R-A. Kenshin Kawakami will start for Atlanta. He’s 3-and-6. The Braves are at .500, while the Cubs are a game above the break-even point.

-6/2-

The Chicago White Sox will try to make it two-in-a-row over the Oakland A’s tonight at U-S Cellular Field. The Sox have won six-of-their-last-seven, after beating the A’s by four last night. A win would put the Sox above .500 for the first time since May second. Bartolo Colon, who was supposed to start last night, will go tonight instead after getting some extra rest. He’s 3-and-4. Vin Mazarro will make his big league debut for Oakland.
The Minnesota Twins will host Cleveland tonight. The Twins have gotten hit hard with injuries lately. Outfielder Michael Cuddyer is day-to-day with a strained index finger, and catcher Joe Mauer missed the Twins’ last game Sunday after taking a foul ball of his right leg Saturday. Kevin Slowey takes a 7-and-1 record to the mound for Minnesota against Cleveland rookie David Huff, who’s 0-and-1.
The Detroit Tigers will open a home series against Boston. Tigers’ rookie Rick Porcello will try to win his sixth consecutive start against the Red Sox’ Daisuke Matsuzaka, who’s 0-and-3.

-6/2-

Former Milwaukee Bucks’ coach Del Harris has retired after 50 years in the business. The Chicago Bulls announced the move today. Harris was an assistant this past season under new Bulls’ coach Vinny Del Negro. Harris was also on Don Nelson’s bench in Milwaukee before he took over the Bucks’ coaching reins in 1987. He won just over 55-percent of his regular season games before he left in 1991 – and he led the Bucks to a 6-and-15 playoff record. Harris’s son Larry was the Bucks’ general manager until he was fired last summer.

-6/2-

U-W Whitewater has named Mike Johnson as its interim men’s track-and-field coach. He was a captain for the Warhawk track team, and was an assistant from 2005-through-last spring. Johnson spent the last year at U-W Stevens Point as a men’s-and-women’s cross country and track assistant. Johnson will serve for a year while a national search takes place for a permanent men’s track coach. He replaces Darren Schneider, who resigned after last month’s N-C-A-A Division-Three outdoor track meet.

(End)

Wheeler News - Morning National Sports

Wheeler News Service - Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - Morning National Sports

National Basketball Association Playoffs
----------------------------------------
Kobe Bryant scored 40 points, made six free throws in the final 30.5 seconds, and had the game-winning rebound in the final moments, as the L-A Lakers beat Denver, 105-103, to open the Western Conference finals. Game 2 of the best-of-seven set is Thursday, again at the Staples Center.

National Hockey League Stanley Cup Playoffs
-------------------------------------------
Mikael Samuelsson's goal 5:14 into overtime sent the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-2 home victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 2 of their Western Conference final series. Dan Cleary and Brian Rafalski also scored for the Red Wings, who assumed a two-games-to-none series advan tage. Game 3 is on Friday in Chicago.

Major League Baseball
---------------------
American League
---------------
Dontrelle Willis earned his first win in a Tigers uniform after pitching 6 1/3 shutout innings, as Detroit snapped the Texas Rangers' seven-game winning streak with a 4-0 home victory.

Elsewhere in the AL:
--------------------
New York Yankees 9, Baltimore Orioles 1
Oakland Athletics 4, Tampa Bay Rays 1 (11 innings)
Boston Red Sox 2, Toronto Blue Jays 1
Kansas City Royals 6, Cleveland Indians 5
Chicago White Sox 6, Minnesota Twins 2
L-A Angels of Anaheim 6, Seattle Mariners 5

National League
---------------
Joel Pineiro threw his first shutout since the 2003 season, tossing a three-hitter as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs, 3-0, in the opener of a three-game series.

Elsewhere in the NL:
--------------------
Pittsburgh Pirates 8, Washington Nationals 5 (10 innings)
Philadelphia Phillies 4, Cincinnati Reds 3
Atlanta Braves 8, Colorado Rockies 1
Arizona Diamondbacks 5, Florida Marlins 3
Milwaukee Brewers 4, Houston Astros 2
San Diego Padres 2, San Francisco Giants 1
Los Angeles Dodgers 5, New York Mets 3

===NBA===

Kobe Bryant scored 40 points as the Lakers rallied to beat Denver, 105-103, in the opener of the Western Conference finals. The Nuggets were ahead by as many as 13 on Tuesday before faltering. Game 2 of the best-of-seven set is Thursday, again at the Staples Center. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference finals begin tonight in Cleveland with the Cavaliers taking on the Orlando Magic. The Cavs, led by league MVP LeBron James, haven't lost yet in the playoffs following sweeps over Detroit and Atlanta, and are an astonishing 43-2 at Quicken Loans Arena since the start of the regular season. But the Magic have dominated the Cavs in recent seasons, winning eight of the past 11 meetings.
===
The Los Angeles Clippers won the NBA Draft lottery on Tuesday and will have the top overall selection on June 25. The Clippers, who finished this past season with a 19-63 record and had a 17.7 percent chance of capturing the top pick, won the lottery for the third time. They could select Oklahoma standout Blake Griffin with the pick. Memphis (24-68) will pick second, followed by Oklahoma City (23-59) and Sacramento (17-65). The Kings had the best shot, a 25-percent chance, at winning the lottery.
===COLLEGE BASKETBALL===
Gerald Henderson officially entered next month's NBA Draft after signing with agent Arn Tellem, ending the swingman's career at Duke. Henderson, who had one year left of eligibility, averaged career-highs of 16.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 37 games last year for the Blue Devils.
===NFL===
Saints owner Tom Benson announced on Tuesday the city of New Orleans was selected by NFL owners as the location for Super Bowl-47 in 2013. Miami and Phoenix had also made bids for the league's championship game. This will be the 10th time New Orleans will host the event and first since Hurricane Katrina ripped through the Louisiana Superdome and the surrounding area in 2005.
===BASEBALL===
New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado underwent arthroscopic surgery yesterday on his right hip to remove a bone spur and repair a torn labrum. The Mets said the veteran slugger is expected to be sidelined for about 10 weeks. In 26 games this year, Delgado is batting .298 with four home runs and 23 runs batted in.
===
The injuries plaguing Oakland Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez continue to pile up, putting the veteran's career in serious jeopardy. The team's Web site indicated doctors have told Chavez the next time the herniated disc in his back goes out, he will need career-ending spinal fusion surgery. Already on the disabled list with a strained right forearm, Chavez has played just 121 games in the past three seasons due to a plethora of ailments.
===AUTO RACING===
Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon underwent a back procedure Monday, in hopes of alleviating pain that has gotten progressively worse. The facet block procedure involves an injection of local anesthetic and anti- inflammatory into a joint in the spine. The procedure is commonly ordered for patients who suffer lower back pain or pain associated from arthritic changes in the facet joints. If the procedure is not effective, surgery may be necessary.
(End)