Wednesday, 7.27
Authorities charge David J. Hoem, 28, with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly killing his girlfriend's children, Kemaury McArthur, 3, and Kevin McArthur III, 4, on July 6 and leaving their bodies in his car on Kinsman Boulevard. Hoem allegedly told police the boys went to sleep after getting a "great big hug" from the biblical figure Daniel. Bail is set at $2 million.
Thursday, 7.28
Capitol Police arrest Ronald J. Blair, 56, for allegedly popping a protestor's red heart-shaped balloon in the Capitol on Monday. Blair, who is assistant director of the Division of State Facilities, is tentatively charged with endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon and put on paid leave. Blair appears to have accidentally cut himself in the incident, spilling blood on the Capitol floor. Whatever it takes to stop the balloons.
A panel of federal judges rejects a request by former state Senate Democratic Majority Leader Judy Robson that it take over the state's redistricting process, even though federal judges have taken over the process three times in the last 30 years. A lawsuit against the proposed maps is pending.
Friday, 7.29
The Madison Muslim Dawa Circle holds prayers for the first time at its new temporary site, 2713 E. Washington Ave., in the Madison East Shopping Center. The mosque earlier sought to relocate to Sun Prairie, but that proposal was rejected because of parking and traffic concerns.
Saturday, 7.30
The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism reports that Gov. Scott Walker will pay the law firm Michael Best & Friedrich up to $500,000 in state money for legal services regarding his budget repair bill. Your tax dollars at work.
Monday, 8.1
Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne asks that a special prosecutor be appointed to decide whether criminal charges are merited in an incident where state Supreme Court Justice David Prosser is alleged to have placed his hands around the neck of fellow Justice Ann Walsh Bradley on June 13. A Democrat, Ozanne says he's confident his office would act fairly in the politically charged case, but adds that "the people of this state deserve to feel confident in the rule of law and the exercise of discretion by their constitutional officers."
Tuesday, 8.2
The Badger State Games calls it quits after a 26-year run. The nonprofit Wisconsin Sports Development Corp., which oversaw the winter and summer games, says declining participation and corporate support led to the demise of what was once one of the nation's largest Olympic-style amateur sports festivals.
Wednesday, 8.3
The Department of Natural Resources warns that the hot summer weather has produced a bumper crop of blue-green algae in lakes across the state. State officials advise people to avoid swimming in contaminated waters, but as of Wednesday no beaches in Madison are closed. Anyone up for a dip?
Compiled (in part) from local media.
