Friday, 7.8
An autopsy of two young boys found dead in a car Wednesday suggests they were victims of "homicidal violence." David Hoem, a companion of the boys' mother, turns himself in to police.
Michael E. Spiess, 23, pleads no contest to several charges of sex crimes involving minors. Police discovered child pornography and dozens of pairs of children's underwear in Spiess' car when they stopped him for suspected drunk driving last October. Police were able to identify some of the children in the pictures. Under a plea agreement, prosecutors ask that Spiess be sentenced to no more than 25 years in prison, followed by 25 years of supervision.
Gov. Scott Walker signs into law a bill that allows Wisconsin residents to carry concealed weapons.
Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess rules the state's Government Accountability Board had no responsibility to invalidate recall petitions against nine state senators, allowing the recalls to proceed as planned. The Democratic and Republican parties were seeking to invalidate petitions brought against their respective candidates.
Sunday, 7.10
Police charge William Zamie, 62, with disorderly conduct after he allegedly fought police who tried to keep him from ridiculing a jewelry maker's products during the Art Fair on the Square. Hey, it's not called "Art Critic on the Square."
Monday, 7.11
Gov. Scott Walker and state schools Superintendent Tony Evers announce a plan to develop a new accountability system for education. The system will consider a number of factors to gauge school performance. But in the wake of some $900 million in cuts to education, some are skeptical. Tom Beebe, executive director of the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools, tells the Wisconsin State Journal: "What I find hypocritical is it's always about student and teacher accountability, but never about resource accountability."
Tuesday, 7.12
Chris Taylor, public policy director for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, beats out five other candidates in the Democratic primary to replace Joe Parisi in the state Assembly. With no Republican or independent challengers on the ballot, Taylor is all but assured victory in the Aug. 9 general election. As long as people vote.
Six Democratic candidates trying to unseat Republican state senators in recall elections easily defeat their fake Democratic primary challengers - a.k.a. Republicans who ran to delay the general election by a month.
Geoffrey A. Herling, 51, is taken to a hospital after a shootout with police at the Road Star Inn on the west side. Herling allegedly fired shots in the hotel parking lot and then returned to his room. After police arrived, he came out of his room carrying a shotgun and handgun and began firing. A Dane County Sheriff's deputy shot him multiple times.
Wednesday, 7.13
Gov. Walker announces that he has paid back $60 million to Minnesota for a reciprocity agreement between the states, which was canceled in 2009.
Compiled (in part) from local media.
