Blog archives
News stories in our blog
Oak Creek: We Energies coal ash in Lake Michigan
November 2, 2011
Depending on who you ask, the coal ash released into Lake Michigan from the Oak Creek Power Plant is either very dangerous, or a harmless ingredient.
9/11: Iraq erased from 'War on Terror'?
September 10, 2011
When remembering 9/11, are soldiers who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom to be counted among the casualties of the War on Terror?
Austerity (budget cuts) and social unrest
August 9, 2011
Mark Blyth says that austerity, driven by class politics, usually ends badly. Louise Cooper sees a connection between austerity and the UK riots.
Debt, Medicare, spending, deficit: Obama speech, April 13, 2011
April 13, 2011
President Obama’s speech: Video and full text of his remarks at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Paul Ryan is Dagwood Bumstead
April 7, 2011
Is Rep. Paul Ryan the bright young Republican man on the rise — or a bumbling Dagwood Bumstead?
Stupid Americans get more dumber
March 22, 2011
A Newsweek story finds that an alarming percentage of Americans cannot answer questions from the Citizenship and Immigration test.
Potassium iodide: Thyroid protection from nuclear radiation
March 14, 2011
You can buy potassium iodide tablets and potassium iodide oral solution online without a prescription to have on hand in case of a nuclear event.
Rachel Maddow Show: 'Shock Doctrine' used to take over Michigan towns
March 9, 2011
Journalist Naomi Klein discusses proposed laws empowering Gov. Rick Snyder to appoint Emergency Managers to take over financially troubled communities.
TV news: Kerry Sanders drives while reporting live
February 8, 2011
Reporting live from behind the wheel: Is NBC’s Kerry Sanders on the cutting edge of a TV news trend?
Obama in the news: He quit smoking
February 8, 2011
President Obama quit smoking, and you can quit smoking too.
Chicago Blizzard of 1967
January 31, 2011
Radio broadcasts and reminiscences recall the snowstorm that buried Chicago under 23 inches of snow in January of 1967.
RockMelt browser: Facebook privacy issues?
November 8, 2010
The new RockMelt browser is paired with Facebook Connect — potentially tying your real identity and other personal information to every Web page you visit.
Pledge to America: Republican tax cuts cost jobs, hurt grandchildren
September 23, 2010
What if there was a plan with a proven history of creating lots of jobs while balancing the budget? As it turns out, there is.
Censorship: Nations would outlaw ideas, Twitter as cyber war weapons
September 23, 2010
Russia has reportedly been building support since 1998 for an international treaty to outlaw “information terrorism” and “ideological aggression” via the Internet.
Ditch Day plus 2 years: Obama, the Tea Party, and the attention of Americans
September 18, 2010
Exactly 2 years after America’s economy crashed into a ditch, Americans are considering taking the same wrong turn yet again.
Sarah Palin is a Tic-Tac-Toe playing chicken
July 21, 2010
Do you believe that a chicken can beat people at Tic Tac Toe? Do you believe that Sarah Palin writes her own Facebook notes?
BP Gulf oil spill solution: Wool fabric from Janesville, Wisconsin
June 23, 2010
Janesville, Wisconsin textile manufacturer Monterrey Mills says their dense wool fabric could save 20 miles of Gulf Coast beachfront per day.
Hair soaks up oil spills: MatterOfTrust.org
May 3, 2010
Hair soaks up oil from oil spills, and MatterOfTrust.org invites donations of hair, fur, and nylons from hair salons, pet groomers — anyone and everyone.
The Tea Party and a warped sense of time
April 20, 2010
Can the 1-year-old Tea Party really be credited for Wisconsin’s 5-year trend toward lower taxes? Our newspaper thinks so.
Jaime Escalante and 'ganas'
March 31, 2010
The Spanish word ‘ganas’ is the you-form of the verb meaning ‘gain’ or ‘win’ or ‘earn’ — with an emphasis on desire or drive.
Glenn Beck, Eric Massa, and the worst interview ever
March 9, 2010
Glenn Beck’s nightmare interview of former congressman Eric Massa, as shown on MSNBC’s ‘Countdown’.
Child controls air traffic at JFK Airport in NYC? FAA investigates
March 3, 2010
There are reports this morning that a child was allowed to stand in as an air traffic controller at New York’s JFK Airport.
Dick Cheney: A record of recklessness
February 14, 2010
When Dick Cheney sounds off on safety and security, someone should ask him about Tora Bora or the liquid bomb plot.
'Prayer for Obama': Psalms 109:8
November 17, 2009
Psalms 109:8 is a “prayer for Obama,” according to an Internet meme: Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
UK transplant patients given smokers' lungs
October 12, 2009
UK Transplant patients may receive the lungs of smokers, due to a shortage of lung donors.
Metal detector finds gold treasure buried in Staffordshire, England
September 24, 2009
Terry Herbert’s metal detector found gold treasure from Anglo-Saxon days in a field in Staffordshire, England.
Netflix million dollar prize overlooks the obvious
September 21, 2009
Netflix could give much better movie recommendations if they ditched their 5-star rating system for the standard 4-star system.
Heat wave, power cuts, and protests in India
June 28, 2009
While American politicians bicker over whether to pass a clean energy bill, today’s forecast for New Delhi called for a high of 111° F. going up to 114° F. for Monday.
'Morning Joe' Scarborough brews up Jon Stewart feud over Starbucks
June 10, 2009
Is there any connection between Scarborough picking a fight with the ‘Daily Show’ host and the launch of his campaign for, uh, his book?
Stephen Colbert reports from Iraq this week
June 8, 2009
‘The Colbert Report’ should be especially good this week, with Stephen Colbert on location in Baghdad, Iraq.
Mute Orlando Magic fan, 4, speaks: Ryan Rodriguez loves this game!
June 5, 2009
Diagnosed with selective mutism, a Florida boy was moved to speech by watching NBA basketball on TV.
Drowning in Google Reader, I paddle back to Delicious
May 28, 2009
I was subscribed to way too many feeds. Now I read as I please and share via Delicious bookmarks.
GQ magazine shows Bible quotes on Rumsfeld-era Pentagon documents
May 18, 2009
Apart from the issues raised by perverting holy scripture to perfume a rotten war, some horrific graphic design decisions are on display.
Free Coldplay, WMYX loses Jane Matenaer, original Twitter, morel mushroom festival
May 15, 2009
Four items spotted this morning on Twitter, including Jane Matenaer’s departure from WMYX.
Epic fail: Twitter mutes @replies, squelches 'social' networking
May 13, 2009
Twitter has made a colossal blunder by muting tweets to the friends of your friend.
FDA warning: Stop using Hydroxycut diet products
May 1, 2009
The FDA has received 23 reports of liver problems, including one death due to liver failure.
'Air Force One' over New York: Photo session evokes 9/11
April 28, 2009
They wanted to shoot images of the jet against New York’s harbor.
'Tweezing': How to pluck yourself big money from Twitter
April 22, 2009
Carve out an exciting a new career in the 140-character economy.
ABC's 'World News Now' (or is it 'America This Morning'?)
April 16, 2009
Whatever it’s called, it’s a pretty good early-morning news show that deserves its own website.
Bizarre Billy Bob Thornton interview with CBC Radio's Q / Qtv
April 9, 2009
Billy Bob Thornton is one irritated musician. I think it’s odd that you have to smoke, period.
Mars Cheese Castle moving, Tim & Tom's to close, Bobby Nelson's staying put
April 7, 2009
How construction to widen I-94 will affect three famous Kenosha cheese shops.
Will Wisconsin's Time Warner Cable customers soon see Road Runner caps?
April 6, 2009
In some cites, Time Warner Cable is reportedly going to start charging premiums for Internet bandwidth usage. How does $200 per month sound to you?
Bruce Springsteen to perform on 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' tonight
March 19, 2009
Bruce Springsteen will be doing a solo performance of the title track, “Working on a Dream.”
Rachel Maddow ridicules Racine's Rep. Paul Ryan
March 3, 2009
The recession is Rep. Paul Ryan’s chance to become more visible, and he’s taking it.
AIG and a little trouble sleeping
March 2, 2009
AIG has succeeded wildly at one thing: Keeping families up at night.
Portuguese Water Dog for the Obamas, as recommended by Janet Dahl
February 25, 2009
The People magazine story comes out on Friday. Janet Dahl wrote about them on January 12.
Chandra Levy murder could be pinned on inmate, not Gary Condit
February 21, 2009
News reports say an arrest is near in the 2001 murder of the Washington intern.
Chimpanzee attacks woman in Stamford, Connecticut
February 17, 2009
A 200-pound pet chimp named Travis has been shot and killed by police after a violent attack that has left a woman in critical condition with life threatening and “life-changing” injuries.
1982 Tylenol tampering crisis: Tylenol killer caught?
February 4, 2009
After over 26 years, there suddenly is new activity in the case of the 1982 Chicago Tylenol murders.
Drew Peterson's ex-fiancée Christina Raines on the CBS 'Early Show'
February 2, 2009
This morning’s interview capped the latest breathtaking stunt in Drew Peterson’s circus of distraction.
How Jerry Taft and TweetDeck found me fresh eggs, dead body
January 25, 2009
During a movie intermission, I try out TweetDeck’s ‘search’ feature and find a dead body and fresh eggs nearby.
MSNBC: Interactive inauguration, complete text and video
January 20, 2009
MSNBC’s ‘Explore’ feature is a cool new marriage of online video and text.
Breathtaking images
January 20, 2009
We’re watching the inauguration on C-SPAN, and the streaming HD video from CBS.
Rachel Maddow: Miracle on the Hudson wrought by jobs well done
January 17, 2009
The happy landing of US Airways Flight 1549 was made possible by lots of work on systems and training.
TV tonight: Bush farewell, new 'Office' and '30 Rock'
January 15, 2009
President Bush delivers his farewell address tonight, and there’s a new ‘The Office’ and ‘30 Rock.’
Racine, Wisconsin Mayor Gary Becker arrested for child pornography, solicitation (updated)
January 14, 2009
The Racine Post and the Journal Times are both reporting that Mayor Gary Becker has been arrested on child sex charges.
In other news (1/14/2009)
January 14, 2009
Subzero cold kills Hayward, Wisconsin sleepwalker — “You Light Up My Life” songwriter accused of sex assualts
Newspapers, magazines get small
January 13, 2009
While the world waits for everyone to buy a Kindle, newspapers and magazines get smaller and smaller.
In other news (1/13/2009)
January 13, 2009
Man sells daughter for beer and meat; Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s bikes stolen; Indiana financial adviser suspected of staging plane crash
Grease is golden
January 9, 2009
An economy works thanks to the magic of money changing hands — from you, to the savings and loan, to your neighbor, to the real estate agent — the faster, the better.
Roland Burris, Senate Trail Blazer
January 8, 2009
Warren Zevon’s ‘Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner’ is in my head today, but with Roland Burris lyrics.
Interior Secretary rejects Menominee Nation's Kenosha casino application
January 8, 2009
The federal government has officially denied the application of the Menominee Indian Tribe to acquire land at Dairyland Greyhound Park in Kenosha, Wisconsin for its $1 billion casino project.
Darren Stephens arrested in Chicago (not Darrin Stephens or the other Darren Stephens)
December 30, 2008
Someone was arrested in Chicago, but he may not be who you think he is or what he said he was.
Wisconsin's million-dollar Web designers depict Minneapolis skyline
December 30, 2008
Why is there a picture of the Minneapolis skyline on the Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System website?
Barack Obama: Jerk or Jedi?
December 29, 2008
Does the media really have to fan every flame and cover every sandwich?
Rick Sanchez and baby talk news
December 24, 2008
Rick Sanchez and the new, superficial, Twitter-it-yourself news. Is it Quality?
Drew Peterson engaged to 23-year-old woman? Maybe not (updated)
December 17, 2008
Drew Peterson’s publicist confirms his client has become engaged to a 23-year-old woman. Drew wonders how this got out.
Reporter throws shoes at George W. Bush
December 14, 2008
FishbowlDC posts NBC video and three entries about one Iraqi reporter’s farewell today to President George W. Bush.
George W. Bush Library pays $35K for Web domain name
December 12, 2008
A company bought GeorgeWBushLibabry.com for $10, then sold it back to the Bush library for $35,000.
If it makes you happy
December 6, 2008
A new study reveals how friend make each other happy — especially if they are nearby.
The news is in my house
December 4, 2008
Steve Dahl called me to say that CBS Radio is canceling his show, so I am losing my job.
Live blogging Election Day 2008
November 4, 2008
Election Day 2008, as experienced in our living room.
Racine's minute in ABC's 'World News' spotlight
October 11, 2008
The Dow drops 679 points and throng of Obama supporters gathers in downtown Racine. ABC World News, here in our city to cover the election, shows none of this.
Economic crisis, 2008
September 21, 2008
A tightening knot and a plummeting bird: The bottom has just fallen out of America’s economy.
Saddleback forum followup
August 18, 2008
John McCain will give us hope and inspiration, Rick Warren’s “Cone of Silence” was apparently a joke.
It's God time in Campaign '08
August 15, 2008
The presidential campaign enters a religious leg with a new story on John McCain’s fervor as a POW and a forum moderated by Rev. Rick Warren.
Gregory Berg's Kenosha tornado photos
January 23, 2008
My former colleague was at Carthage College during the January 7, 2008 tornado, and took a few photos of it.
Sacrificed lives
December 8, 2007
It is too easy to forget that every military casualty was a life now missing from other lives.
Matt Taibbi, a breath of fresh air
October 21, 2007
This ‘Rolling Stone’ writer covering the campaign is brutally funny and frank.
Magazines and coffee beans
June 15, 2007
Sure, they’re obsolete — but magazine are still fun to read and offer depth.
The grace of Elizabeth Edwards
March 22, 2007
How friendly could you be to strangers if you just found you had a tumor?
Keith Olbermann's 'Special Comment' on Condoleezza Rice
February 27, 2007
The Secretary of State’s deformed analogy rings the special bell in the commentator’s head.
What my cousin did last summer
February 13, 2007
Ever Google someone you haven’t seen for a long time?
Erasing Jose Padilla, United States citizen
January 3, 2007
His attorneys say the abuse inflicted on him has left him “like a piece of furniture.”
Keith Olbermann's special comments
October 22, 2006
His occasional seven to ten-minute editorial essays on MSNBC take the Bush administration to task through sharp writing and dry wit.
Zarqawi: Mastermind or numbskull?
May 5, 2006
The US has put a lot of effort into portraying Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as a fearsome adversary. Now they expose him as an idiot.
He's three branches in one
May 1, 2006
Presidential sticky notes known as ‘signing statements’ magically eliminate the need for a congressional or judicial branch of government.
Labeling immigrants
May 1, 2006
How did CNN’s graphic designers arrive at this odd choice in branding their coverage of immigrants?
British law to protect religion from hatred -- and laughter?
June 26, 2005
Under a new law in Britain, it might be llegal to mock religion.
