MADISON - A rematch is shaping up at the Wisconsin Legislature over proposed streamlining of Wisconsin's mine permitting laws this winter.
Leaders from northern Wisconsin communities pleaded for environmental protections at a hearing of a special legislative committee Thursday.
Officials with the Wisconsin Mining Association also testified before the state Senate Select Committee on Mining. They presented a consultant's report critical of current permitting laws.
Republicans on the committee say the GOP will test its new majorities by trying to again pass the mining bill that failed last session.
Gov. Scott Walker said this week that Gogebic Taconite, the company that wanted to build a mine near Lake Superior but pulled out after the bill failed, is interested in returning if the legislation eases its way.
EAGLE RIVER - The initiative will help to rebound what's thought of as a suffering walleye population by adding hundreds of thousands of the fish to Wisconsin lakes.
The project could improve fishing for the state's most popular game fish and tourism in the state. George Langely, a local fishing guide at Eagle Sports bait shop in Eagle River, says walleye fishing isn't what it used to be.
"The walleye population has pretty much suffered in the last twenty years and it's really nice to see Madison recognizing that and taking some steps to do something about it. It will take a while but it's a great start."
MADISON - Expect to see plenty of traffic out on the roads this Memorial Day weekend. But if there's a silver lining, traffic may be down slightly.
AAA estimates 627,000 people are expected to travel by road in Wisconsin this weekend. That's down about 1.6 percent from last year. One reason could be gas prices.
Statewide, they're averaging $3.93 a gallon.
That's 33 cents more than a month ago and 21 cents higher than last year. AAA says gas prices are higher here than the national average of $3.65 because several refineries in the Upper Midwest have been closed for maintenance.
DNR raises bag limits on hundreds of northern Wisconsin lakes
Submitted: 05/23/2013
MADISON - Wildlife officials have increased daily walleye bag limits for anglers as Wisconsin Chippewa spearfishing winds down.
The state Department of Natural Resources has raised limits on 423 lakes in the ceded territory, a swath of northern Wisconsin the tribes gave to the government more than a century ago. The rules include a five-walleye limit on 289 lakes, a four-walleye limit on three lakes, and a three-walleye limit on 131 lakes.
Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Neither Rockfleet Broadcasting / Northland Television, Inc. nor By Request Web Designs shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, or misprints.
