PRODUCER'S JOURNAL

Forest Products Lab Update

Tue, 10 May 2011 11:47:00 -0500

Here's an update on an item we posted on Friday regarding six properties at the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison that the White House had listed as "excess property" that is to be sold to save taxpayers money. We reported how a spokeswoman from the facility was not aware the institution had made the list. Now we've learned, it's been a case of misinformation between the laboratory and the White House. Last year, the laboratory had technically listed those properties as "excess," so they could be demolished. They were outdated and weren't needed with the institution's new Centennial Research Facility. They were demolished, so they can't be sold now. Further, FPL leadership says it has "no intention of selling the property where the buildings once stood or any other existing FPL properties." The goal had been to save taxpayers $15 billion over three years by selling this "excess property." That total will now be a little less. To see the list of properties the White House has targeted to be sold, including at least 40 buildings in Wisconsin, click on this map

Another Retirement?

Mon, 09 May 2011 09:35:00 -0500

Yes, it's true. This time it's me. This is the last Monday I'll be working in my office in Vilas Hall on the UW-Madison campus and Monday is the day I've been putting odd bits of behind the scenes updates on this blog. I must admit that even though heading into a life of leisure is appealing, I feel very sad to leave my large extended family here at Wisconsin Public Television. My first job here began in September of 1979 when I was in college. I was hired and trained to run a studio camera. Since then I've had the good fortune to be trained on-the-job for a whole range of jobs culminating in my work as a field producer for In Wisconsin and producer of some of the multi-camera remote music productions we do every year. It's been a career filled with challenges and a long list of very special people. Thanks to everyone at WPT for helping me experience such a rewarding career.

Freedom Riders and More

Fri, 06 May 2011 18:00:00 -0500

The increased political profile Wisconsin has enjoyed nationwide expects to continue during the next presidential election. Rick Wiley, the former head of the state Republican Party and current political director for the Republican National Committee, tells the Green Bay Press-Gazette that the GOP hopes to turn the state the shade of Bucky Badger in 2012. Wiley described the "grass-roots army" of Republican outreach workers that have been cultivated over the few election cycles to the point where they led to the party picking up a U.S. Senate seat, a U.S. House seat, the Governor's Mansion and both chambers of the state legislature. A spokesman for the Wisconsin Democratic Party told the paper it was the overreach of Republicans like Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wisconsin) that lead them to be confident President Obama will win the state as he did in 2008. Two Milwaukee college students are on a bus starting today traveling through the deep South. UW-Milwaukee sophomore Alicia Skeeter and Marquette junior Maricela Aguilar. They're part of a re-creation of the 1961 Freedom Rides that were formed to challenge segregation in the south. The students will travel with 38 others from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans from May 6-16. The event is being filmed by PBS's "American Experience" which will run a documentary on May 16 on the original Freedom Riders. Skeeter is majoring in educational policy and community studies and tells the UW-M public relations team she's always been interested in civil rights. "The trip just sounded incredible. It appealed to everything I'm interested in," she said. "I value history and this is a way to really be engaged with it. It's an opportunity to become even more committed and learn more about the history of our country and the Civil Rights Movement." Most of the students will be sharing their experiences on social media. If you want to see their stories and their pictures from the trip, click here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/freedomriders/2011/about/. Finally, you may have seen a story this week about the White House looking to sell federal government property that they said was unneeded any more. The federal government owns more property in this country than any other landowner. The President wanted to create a Civilian Property Realignment Board to help get rid of this "excess property," with the goal of saving $15 billion in its first three years of operation. The White House targeted around 14,000 buildings and structures, 46 of them can be found in Wisconsin on this map: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/fiscal/excess-property-map. Most are in the northern part of the state and including buildings in national parks, but here in Madison, six buildings from the Forest Products Laboratory made the list. The Department of Agriculture runs the facility and a spokeswoman here in Wisconsin said they weren't aware of making the list and neither, frankly, were her superiors in Washington. The scientists at the facility are the pre-eminent experts on wood in the country and serve as the research laboratory for the U.S. Forest Service.

Here & Now This Week

Fri, 06 May 2011 17:00:00 -0500

Tonight on "Here & Now," Adam Schrager reports from La Crosse on the senate recall race between republican Senator Dan Kapanke and democratic Representative Jennifer Shilling. We hear from the Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools whose budget would cut nearly 1,000 full time employees from the district. Also, an expert on gas prices and consumer behavior tells us what the breaking point is when it comes to pain at the pump...and a national expert on the middle east tells us what's next after the death of Osama bin Laden.

Taste This

Mon, 02 May 2011 09:04:00 -0500

Have you ever looked at food labels to find out if the business is based in Wisconsin? I do. So I was happy to find out that there's a movement here, and other places, to rent commercially licensed kitchens to people who have a recipe that they're sure will sell. They call these places food-business incubators and they also provide mentoring and other services much needed by people who have no experience in growing a business. We're featuring The Farm Market Kitchen in Algoma on In Wisconsin on May 12. This "incubator" has helped 100 budding business owners since they opened their doors in 2001. We'll meet a woman, JoAnne Penny, who's making some awesome Thai sauces and a man, Bill Ignowski, who's perfected a southern Italian pasta sauce to die for. Too bad we can't offer tastes.

Here & Now This Week

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:35:00 -0500

This week on "Here & Now," Republican U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan talks with Adam Schrager following one of the Congressman's town hall meetings in Wisconsin on his budget plan. We also bring you some of that public meeting out of Greenfield. Then democratic U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, responds to the GOP budget. And, wait for it we ask Senator Kohl if he plans to run for re-election. For next week I'm working on a story about the number of public employee retirements since the start of the year. We'll also be covering continuing budget action at the Capitol, as the legislature's budget-writing committee continues work on Tuesday.

Here & Now This Week

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:18:00 -0500

With Frederica Freyberg and Andy Moore enjoying spring break with their families, I'll be filling in with In Wisconsin producer Joel Waldinger sitting in the producer's chair for tomorrow's "Here and Now." We'll be covering the state budget with the co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee, Rep. Robin Vos, R-Burlington and with Rep. Jennifer Shilling, D-LaCrosse. We'll look at the impact of proposed spending cuts on the arts in Wisconsin with the head of Arts Wisconsin, Anne Katz. Further, with recall efforts now apparently moving forward on at least eight state senators and an announced recount of the votes in this month's state Supreme Court race, who's paying the bill for these unbudgeted costs? We'll speak with the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Counties Association, Mark O'Connell, about the impact to Wisconsin taxpayers. My head is swimming already. Should be a good program. Here and Now airs Friday night, 4/22, at 7:30 p.m.

Here & Now This Week

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:03:00 -0500

Tonight on Here & Now, the Washington budget battle begins. The dueling 2012 budget proposals pit republican and democratic plans against each other toward an eventual compromise over how to trim Medicare and Medicaid spending and how to tax individuals and corporations. We hear from Republican U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble and Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin. Next week an interview with House Budget Committee Chair, Paul Ryan.

Recall the Recall?

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:52:00 -0500

On a residential Racine street some 15-plus years ago, then-Sen. George Petak (R-Racine) introduced himself to a potential voter and got the following response, "Didn't you just knock on my door a few months ago." It was a quick moment of levity in an on-going serious situation. In reality, it was around a year or so earlier when Petak was knocking on doors as he was re-elected handily to his 21st Senate District in 1994. But less than a year later, he voted twice against a .1% sales tax increase in Racine County and four others, only to change his vote at 5:30 in the morning, passing the measure, allowing the Milwaukee Brewers to stay in Wisconsin and leading to Petak becoming the first Wisconsin official in history to be recalled. The major players from 1995-96 are now watching what's happening in Wisconsin with the potential recall of 16 state senators (8 Republicans, 8 Democrats), reflecting on their own experiences and offering counsel to those in similar situations to theirs of the mid-1990's. The story of Petak and Elizabeth Erven, who led the campaign to successfully recall Petak, will be featured tonight and Sunday on Here and Now. Interestingly, they both view the emotion surrounding Gov. Walker's budget repair bill today as even greater than it was then which is telling as both described threats to themselves and their families during their situation. Maybe not surprisingly, Petak feels the Democratic senators who left the state have provided grounds to be recalled while Erven argues the stadium tax affected everyone but the budget repair bill is "class warfare," targeting Wisconsin's middle class and that those senators who support it shouldn't be in office. If they have other similarities as it relates to this, they both lamented the influx of out-of-state interests and so-called big money on both sides in this process. Further, neither expected much to get done in state government while election politics loomed as leadership on both sides likely won't want their challenged members taking challenging, contentious votes. As for their thoughts on what they went through 15 years ago, here's a sample of what they said. Petak: "I'm not sure I've recovered yet... I would not wish (a recall) on anyone frankly, Republican or Democrat. There is nothing more devastating or divisive than a recall election for state government in general but also for a community." Erven: "The more meetings I went to, the more anger I felt, the more threats I received. My children's lives were threatened. My car windows were broken several times and it was interesting because toward the end I thought what have I done to my family."

Budget, Courts and Chaos

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:14:00 -0500

How does a bill become a law? The answer to that is in the Wisconsin Blue Book and the stuff of fourth (I think this is when we all learned it) grade classrooms. But boy that lesson has been turned on its head in the past several weeks in Wisconsin! Now I'm not taking sides here, but the budget repair bill has so many lawyers attached to it in the courts right now that one veteran reporter (not me) compared this week's hearing over a restraining order to "a five-headed hydra." [Definition of HYDRA:: a many-headed serpent in Greek mythology] So, court resumes tomorrow (with all the attorneys) to determine whether the judge will issue a "preliminary injunction" against the bill over an alleged violation of the opening meetings laws. That injunction is more lasting than the temporary restraining order (3rd) now in place. Oh, and the Supreme Court is also deciding whether to take the case (more lawyers). Stay tuned.

Cats Love Our Birds Too

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:40:00 -0500

Last week I watched a stunning documentary on Wisconsin Public Television but I'm not an unbiased viewer. I work with the people who spent 2 years making this program. I'm also an avid birder. The program was about Wisconsin's connection to the birds that migrate from here to warmer winter weather in places like Costa Rica and Panama. The show is called Our Birds and has an rich web site for those who are interested. Judging by the way my cats enjoyed the show, they'll be surfing this site on a daily basis.

Two multimedia projects highlight war vets and law enforcement

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:08:00 -0500

Two interesting Web-based multimedia reporting projects recently came to my attention and both are worth a look. Coincidently they both involved Iraqi and/or Afghan veterans involved with law enforcement, from both sides. NPR used images and map animations to tell the dramatic story of a North Dakota veteran apparently suffering from PTSD who takes the state highway patrol on a winding chase. It culminates in a showdown where it appears he wants to be shot and killed. It's very well done, watch it here. UW-Oshkosh journalism students created a very nice Web site accompanying a book and photo exhibit called "War Through Their Eyes" profiling more than a dozen Oshkosh students and alum who served in Iraq or Afghanistan. It is particularly relevant this week as one featured vet is Craig Birkholz, the Fond du Lac police officer recently killed in the line of duty. His account of close calls and dangerous times is made all the more poignant knowing the tragedy that found him at home. The generation that makes up most of those fighting these wars for us has been called the 'digital generation' and it's interesting to see their stories being told in new and compelling ways.

We the People Wisconsin

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:44:00 -0500

As the We the People Wisconsin partnership readies for its State Supreme Court debate tonight here at the station, I'm reminded of the Margaret Thatcher line about events like this. "I love argument, I love debate," she said. "I don't expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that's not their job." Too often, people forget disagreement is human. Disagreeing without being disagreeable however has become a challenge in today's election environment, but that's what we'll aspire to foster during tonight's one-hour session. There was a 60 Minutes piece in the not-too-distant past that explored the relationship between U.S. Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsberg in which these two legal lions with dramatically different views discussed how much they enjoyed each other's company. They even have vacationed together with their respective spouses. It may sound Pollyanic to yearn for such collegiality in a world where there has to be a winner and a loser. What may be more realistic is to hope that by the end of the hour we have with Justice David Prosser and his challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg, you have learned more about them as people and as professionals than you knew before. That's what I'll be watching for tonight at 7pm and if the candidates and media are doing their jobs, as the former British Prime Minister Thatcher would say, you'll see the differences between the two very clearly. Then maybe, you'll love these types of events as much as I do.

Here & Now This Week

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:32:00 -0500

This Friday, March 25 tune in to WPT at 7 p.m. for a statewide candidate debate between Justice David Prosser and JoAnne Kloppenburg, who are running against each other for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The debate will feature a live audience and include audience questions for the candidates. Eric Franke of WISC TV and I will be moderating the forum. The election is April 5.

In Wisconsin is Back!

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:53:00 -0500

It's been a busy couple of weeks eventhough "In Wisconsin" hasn't been on the air. This week, we return to our regular Thursday at 7:30p time slot. In Wisconsin Reporter Jo Garrett visits Milwaukee's Urban Ecology Center, a downtown oasis for birds migrating north. You will discover how this urban jewel has been reclaimed from drug dealers and criminals by birdwatchers and citizen scientists. We also have a QUEST report by In Wisconsin Reporter Andy Soth as he looks at Wisconsin's first great scientist. Increase Lapham was a self-taught renaissance man who dabbled in botany, archaeology, forestry and climatology. Discover how his influence is still being felt in the state two hundred years after his birth. You won't want to miss the teen musicians in the statewide Bolz Young Artist Competition. For several months, they have been auditioning but only four remained standing on the stage of Overture Hall in Madison. This week you'll meet cellist Elliott Yang of New Berlin. With the arrival of spring you can also discover a very urban section of Wisconsin's Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Janesville through the camera lens of videographer Mike Eicher. In Wisconsin airs 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24 on Wisconsin Public Television. The program also will air at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, March 27 on Milwaukee's MPTV and on WDSE-TV in Duluth at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 27.