Author: Matthew Simon

Search warrant: Synthetic marijuana, aka Scooby snax, being sold at gas stations

MPD says it warned gas station owner about selling synthetic pot

Dane County drug task force search warrants show nearly 38.5 pounds, or 18,000 grams, of synthetic marijuana were seized from two East Washington Avenue gas stations.

Verona Road construction officially delayed, DOT says

State budget battle could impact Verona Road construction

Verona Road construction from County Road PD to Raymond Road, planned for 2016 to 2019, remains uncertain as lawmakers battle with Gov. Scott Walker to finalize a budget.

Cassville river homes take brunt of storm damage, power outages

Homes along the Mississippi River appear to have taken the brunt of storm damage and power outages in historic Cassville, prompting an emergency declaration by the village president Tuesday.

Toxic algae closes 3 Madison beaches

Toxic blue-green algae prompted Madison and Dane County Public Health officials to close James Madison, Tenny and Warner beaches, all along Lake Mendota, Monday.

Study: Genetic discovery may lead to autism treatment

A University of Wisconsin-Madison genetic discovery, looking at two key brain proteins in mice with the developmental disorder fragile X, has researchers hoping they could one day develop treatments for other neurological disorders, such as autism.

Public education ‘pep rally' takes aim at budget proposal

Many of the 200 southern Wisconsin educators, administrators, parents and students attending a so-called pro-education 'pep rally' at Cardinal Heights Upper Middle School Monday took direct aim at the current legislative public education package proposal.

UW researchers design wood-based computer chip

A University of Wisconsin-Madison engineering research and development team thinks a computer chip made mostly of wood could be the answer to potentially toxic, non-biodegradable electronics filling up landfills.

Wisconsin Red Cross increases response to Texas flood

A Dane County Red Cross volunteer is among four others joining 26 Wisconsin volunteers already in Texas helping respond to the growing flooding devastation.

Devil’s Lake north shore beach reopens after levels of E. coli return to safe zone

State park price hike met with mixed emotions

As they enjoyed a beautiful holiday weekend Saturday camping out, Devil's Lake Memorial Day campers had mixed feelings about a Republican-backed proposal to raise admission and camping rates at all state parks.

14 cadets graduate Madison College as police profession faces 'tense times'

Many of the 14 law enforcement cadets walking across Madison College's stage Friday night know they are heading directly into an occupation that finds itself under unprecedented scrutiny.

City council approves review of MPD policies

Madison's City Council passed a resolution Tuesday night that will review the entire way the Madison Police Department works and its policies.

Madison school board postpones police contract renewal

Madison school board delays implementing Cheatham's discipline changes

The Madison Metropolitan School District's board of education delayed implementing changes Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham calls key to making the district's discipline policy, known as the Behavior Education Plan, work effectively.

Exact Sciences could spur Judge Doyle Square facelift project

Exact Sciences could prove to be the catalyst that finally pushes Madison's plagued Judge Doyle Square proposal and gives parts of downtown a facelift.

Same sex couple files lawsuit over birth certificate

A 2-month-old baby boy is at the center of a Madison same-sex couple's federal discrimination lawsuit seeking to have the state's birth certificate policy ruled unconstitutional.

Protestors take to Milwaukee streets in Tony Robinson's name

Protestors took to the streets in Milwaukee Wednesday night in Tony Robinson's name, demanding the federal government investigate after the district attorney's decision to clear officer Matt Kenny in Robinson's shooting death.

City seeks to declare landlord of ‘substandard’ properties as ‘nuisance’

Willy Street businesses hope for peaceful reaction to DA's decision

Businesses along Williamson Street are looking at the history of peaceful demonstrations in gauging how the community will react to District Attorney Ismael Ozanne's decision to not criminally charge Officer Matt Kenny, who shot and killed Tony Robinson March 6.

Sand-dominated Wisconsin River makes recovering 5-year-old's body difficult

One month after Angela Girton's presumed drowning, the river's unpredictable currents and fast-moving, obstructing sand are making finding her body a daunting job for crews.

UWPD turns to public while preparing to implement body cameras

During the first of two University of Wisconsin Police Department public forums focused on helping department leaders form a body camera policy, about 15 campus community members seemed open to the idea of implementation this summer.

Homeless property moved from CCB to storage structures

To the dismay of some of Madison's homeless population and their advocates, city and county officials made good on a promise to move all unattended property from the City-County Building to storage structures about a block away on the corner of West Wilson Street.