Ripon College President Dr. David Joyce discussed the Amethyst Initiative, a effort to consider changes to the drinking age to combat problem drinking on college campuses. Launched in July 2008, the Amethyst Initiative is made up of chancellors and presidents of universities and colleges across the United States which supports informed and unimpeded debate on the 21 year-old drinking age. Joyce was the only College or University head to sign onto the initiative. He was interviewed by WisconsinEye Public Policy Producer Craig Sauer in the station’s Madison studio on September 30, 2008.

One of the many educational seminars featured at the World Dairy Expo in Madison was Safeguarding the Dairy Industry on September 30th.  Matt Mathison from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and Dr. Darlene Konkle from DATCP presented information about how steps in production agriculture can be taken to prepare for response in the event of an animal health related emergency.

The Paper Discovery Center is a science and technology center in Northeast Wisconsin with the aim of celebrating the art and science of paper through interactive and engaging educational programs, exhibits, and activities, with a focus on the industry’s future. Located in the former Atlas Mill on the banks of the Fox River in Appleton Wisconsin, the Paper Discovery Center is also the home of the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame, Inc. Join WisconsinEye as we tour the facility and visit with Valerie Wylie, Executive Director of the Paper Industry Hall of Fame, Inc.

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Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton addressed the Madison and Milwaukee chapters of the National Association of Women Business Owners at the Edgewater Hotel in Madison on September 23, 2008.

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A status conference was held in Dane County Circuit Court in the case of Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen against the Government Accountability Board about the board’s enforcement of the federal Help America Vote Act on September 18, 2008.

On September 17 at Monona Terrace in Madison, Doug Farr, architect, urbanist, and author of Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design with Nature, discussed the growing movement for sustainable urbanism and how it can be applied in the Madison region. Sustainable Urbanism presents a vision for healthy, livable human  environments that exist in balance with the natural environment. Mr. Farr is introduced by Mayor Dave Cieslewicz.

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Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin featured Sarah Brown, CEO of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, at its annual fall luncheons on September 16, 2008 at the Edgewater Hotel in Madison and on September 17 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in Milwaukee. Brown is a national spokesperson for issues surrounding teen pregnancy. WisconsinEye takes us there, along with an interview with Brown.

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On September 13, 2008, UW-Madision Professor Charles Franklin, along with Joe Elder, Bill Kraus, and Midge Miller, spoke about the Charles state and national elections, followed by a open forum roundtable discussion. WisconsinEYE takes you there.

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Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen discussed the Help America Vote Act and a recently controversial provision of the act which calls on states to cross-check voter registration lists with other government databases for a corroborating match. Van Hollen was interviewed by WisconsinEye Public Policy Producer Craig Sauer in the station’s Madison studio on September 11, 2008.

Laura Dresser, associate director of the Center on Wisconsin Strategy, discussed the group’s recent report, the “State of Wisconsin Workers 2008” with WisconsinEye Public Policy Producer Craig Sauer on September 11, 2008. Dresser was interviewed in WisconsinEye’s Madison Studio.

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Gov. Jim Doyle went to Mirror Lake in Baraboo on September 10, 2008 to oversee a project aimed at restoring boating channels and other improvements to the lake, the oldest man-made lake in the state. In addition to taking a boat tour of the lake, Doyle held a press conference with reporters.

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Andrea Kaminski, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, discussed the Help America Vote Act and a recently controversial provision of the act which calls on states to cross-check voter registration lists with other government databases for a corroborating match. Kaminski was interviewed by WisconsinEye Public Policy Producer Craig Sauer in the station’s Madison studio on September 9, 2008.

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A public rally was held in Kimberly Wisconsin to try and save the Kimberly paper mill from closure, putting some 600 employees of the mill out of work. Organized by local and regional labor unions such as the United Steel Workers International, invited speakers addressed those gathered in support of their effort. Speaking at the rally were numerous political and union leaders, including representation from Governor Doyle, Sen. Kohl, and Sen. Feingold’s offices. Speaking in person were Congressman Steve Kagen, State Representatives Petri, Nelson, A. Ott, Kaufert, and Wieckert, as well as State Senator Cowles. A special appearance was made by Congressman Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii, who spoke on the issue of labor in the United States and trade relations.

Gaagiigidoo Nibii Wan, The Water Speaks, A Symposium on Native Perspectives of Great Lakes Preservation took place at Discovery World in Milwaukee Wisconsin. The symposium was designed to address issues pertaining to Great Lakes water from a First Nation/American Indian point of view. Participants of the symposium were able to hear Josephine Mandamin, a Water Walker, describe her walking trek around the great lakes, as well as hear Mary Ellen Baker, an Ojibwa Elder, describe her connection to the water.

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Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, discussed his work to reform the University of Wisconsin System with WisconsinEye Public Policy Producer Craig Sauer on September 4, 2008. Nass discussed his role as the chair of the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities, the new UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin, and the role education has played in his own life. The interview took place in WisconsinEye’s Madison studio.

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Following a meeting with area business leaders on September 3, 2008, U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold held a press conference to discuss new legislation aimed at supporting small business innovation in states like Wisconsin. Feingold’s meeting and press conference are part of his new E4 Initiative – an effort including new legislation to fuel job creation and economic development.  The effort is dubbed “E4” because of its focus on Economy, Employment, Education, and Energy. The press conference was held at the University Research Park in Madison.

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