The starving artist—myth or reality? Why art and business are closer than you think
Weekend Roundup: All the action you missed while we were away
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Monday, February 4, 2013
Mining bill divides northern Wisconsin Citizens debate job creation versus environmental protection Story by jack casey on campus
Flying high
Observatory Hill was transformed into a ski and snowboard haven Saturday for the fourth annual Rail Jam. The event was open to all as riders put their skills on display for those who gathered to watch. + Photo by Grey Satterfield
MPD opens three new cases following Heenan shooting By Sarah Olson the daily cardinal
The Madison Police Department launched three additional investigations into officer Stephen Heimsness’ conduct after recently determining he acted reasonably in the fatal shooting of Paul Heenan, Police Chief Noble Wray announced at a press conference Friday. Heimsness shot the 26-year-old Madison resident Nov. 9 while responding to a possible burglary on Madison’s east side after an intoxicated Heenan accidentally entered his neighbor’s house. Wray declined to give specific details about the new investigations, but said he received complaints about Heimsness
Beautiful waterways and tree-lined landscape surround declining northern Wisconsin towns that are recently seeing fewer jobs and increased conflict. Northern citizens are split on a recent mining bill proposed earlier this year in the state legislature that would make the permitting process for interested mining companies easier to navigate. Some citizens have pledged unwavering support for the bill as a road to a rejuvenated economy, while others condemn it as a direct attack on the region’s pristine environment. Republican legislators back the bill for the 700-plus jobs it could eventually create if a mine were built, but Democrats are wary, saying it would loosen environ-
mental standards and allow mining companies to pollute northern Wisconsin without consequence. The legislative debate follows a historical trend, according to David Canon, a University of Wisconsin-Madison political science professor. “The Republican Party is going to favor economic concerns over environmental concerns and Democrats would probably be slightly tilted in the other direction,” Canon said. Two citizens directly involved in the contentious debate are Joe Pinardi, the mayor of Hurley, a northern town located
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regarding incidents that occurred before the shooting. Wray said none of the previous incidents involve excessive use of force at this point in the investigation. “Although these investigations are not complete, I find the preliminary information to be troubling,” Wray said. Wray said the most recent allegations are serious enough that he has placed Heimsness on administrative leave. Wray acknowledged the situation is difficult for the community and the Heenan family, but said he is confident the police department will do its job.
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Legislators to amend mining bill By Jack Casey the daily cardinal
State Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, said Friday Republicans are working on amendments to address controversial environmental sections of the contentious mining bill released earlier this month, but some Democrats remain skeptical the changes will be sufficient. Republican legislators involved with the bill, which is designed to make the state’s mine permitting process easier for mining companies to navigate, met with Democrats and environmental groups this week to discuss the possible changes, Suder said. The majority of the amendments will concern environmental protections in the bill and the working relationship between
the state and environmental agencies. “They will be changes that strengthen the environmental protections both inside and outside the mine site,” Suder said. “We also want to give the DNR more flexibility to both mitigate environmental harm and correct it.” The amendments, which will number in the double digits according to Suder, will be introduced early next week to give people plenty of time to “digest” them, specifically members of the committees in both houses of the state legislature that are set to vote on the bill at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Suder and other prominent Republicans involved with the bill have continually said they are working with people who have a variety of viewpoints on the bill, a claim
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graphic by dylan moriarty
UW professor emeritus to appear on NOVA A UW-Madison professor emeritus will be featured on Wednesday’s NOVA episode as an international expert on the techno-archaeology of chariots. According to a university press release, experts on the 8 p.m. NOVA episode, “Building Pharaoh’s Chariot,” tested exact replicas of royal chariots that would have been used by ancient Egyptian royalty. Bela Sandor, professor emeritus of engineering mechanics, is an expert on fracture, stress and strain in materials and
was the only technical expert on the team. He became interested in chariots in particular after noticing an inexplicable crack in a chariot wheel used by King Tutankhamun, and began to research the complex level of engineering involved in chariots. In the press release, Sandor said chariots, both lightweight and strong, are an engineering marvel. “It turns out that a single wheel is infinitely more complex than a pyramid,” he said in the release.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”