Wisconsin insurance rates increase under health care law, but less than national average
MILWAUKEE — The U.S. Health and Human Services Department says the cost of its benchmark plan on HealthCare.gov will go up less in Wisconsin than the national average.Silver plan rates will go up 4.7 percent here, compared with 7.5 percent nationally.The rates came out Monday on the website established under President Barack Obama's health care law.
Paul Ryan, Republicans move forward with plan to defund Planned Parenthood
KENOSHA -- Congressman Paul Ryan says he and fellow Republicans are moving forward with a new plan to defund Planned Parenthood.At a town hall-style meeting Monday in Kenosha, Ryan delivered tough news to Republican voters frustrated by their party's inability to make good on campaign promises.
Supporters just one vote shy of 34 Senate votes needed to keep Iran nuclear deal alive
WASHINGTON — Supporters are now just one vote shy of the 34 Senate votes needed to keep the Iran nuclear deal alive and hand a major foreign policy victory to President Barack Obama.Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware became the 33rd senator to back the deal on Tuesday, September 1st.Coons' announcement came minutes after Democratic Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania announced his support.In comments at the University of Delaware, Coons says that despite the flaws of the deal, it is a better strategy for the United States to lead the global community in trying to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.Thirty-four votes are needed to uphold an Obama veto of GOP legislation aimed at blocking the agreement, which will come to a vote later this month.
President Obama returns to New Orleans to mark 10 years since Hurricane Katrina
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama returned Thursday to an outwardly thriving New Orleans to mark strides 10 years after Hurricane Katrina slammed into the city.But underneath the visible recovery lie persistent racial and economic inequities that haven't receded since the storm -- figures Obama said prevent New Orleans from declaring itself fully recovered a decade after Katrina."Our work here won't be done when almost 40% of children still live in poverty in this city.
Governor Walker renews call for President Obama to cancel official state visit with president of China
DENISON, Iowa — Republican presidential candidate Scott Walker is renewing his call for President Barack Obama to cancel an official state visit with the president of China in response to slumping U.S. stock markets.Governor Walker said Wednesday, August 26th following a campaign stop in Denison, Iowa, that such a move would not hurt trade with states like Iowa or Wisconsin.Walker first called for the state visit to be canceled Monday.
Milwaukee firm among 5 finalists in contest to design World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON — A jury has selected five design concepts (see photo gallery below) for a new national World War I Memorial to be built in a memorial park in Washington, with ideas ranging from neoclassical architecture to a portrait wall of the "American family." One of the firms with a concept under consideration is from Milwaukee -- it's Johnsen Schmaling Architects.Congress has dedicated an existing park along Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House to become a national memorial honoring the veterans of the first world war and the 116,516 American lives lost.
Pres. Obama to visit New Orleans for 10th anniversary of hurricane
EDGARTOWN, Mass. — President Barack Obama will visit New Orleans next week to mark the approaching 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.The powerful storm struck Louisiana on Aug. 29, 2005, causing significant damage to the Gulf Coast and forcing a storm surge that breached New Orleans' levee system and flooded large sections of the city.
Attorney General says Wisconsin will join lawsuit to block enforcement of new EPA rules
MADISON — Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel says he is still considering what steps to take next in reaction to new Obama administration rules designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions at power plants.Schimel told WTMJ-AM radio on Tuesday, August 4th that Wisconsin will join a multi-state lawsuit likely led by West Virginia trying to block enforcement of the new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules.But Schimel says he is still deciding whether the state will just ignore the new requirements or submit an implementation plan in accordance with the Department of Justice's interpretation of the law.Schimel says the mandates that require a reduction in emissions in Wisconsin of 41 percent by 2030 are not attainable.
On heels of historic trip to Kenya, President Obama makes first-ever visit by president to Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — President Barack Obama on Sunday, July 26th is making the first-ever visit by an American president to Ethiopia.Obama arrived in the capital of Addis Ababa from Kenya, where he made a historic return to the country of his father's birth.
Now that he has a deal with Iran, Pres. Obama must face Congress
WASHINGTON -- With a historic deal meant to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions in place, President Barack Obama has ticked off another legacy-making item on his checklist -- as long as Congress doesn't get in his way.Early Tuesday, Obama launched a sales pitch to lawmakers who remain deeply skeptical of the nuclear deal.
Read it: Complete text of Pres. Obama's statement on the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal
WASHINGTON -- Today, after two years of negotiations, the United States, together with our international partners, has achieved something that decades of animosity has not -- a comprehensive, long-term deal with Iran that will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.This deal demonstrates that American diplomacy can bring about real and meaningful change -- change that makes our country, and the world, safer and more secure.
President Obama speaks to hundreds at UW-La Crosse, focuses on middle class economy
LA CROSSE — President Barack Obama says that despite unemployment falling to a seven-year low, there is more work to do to increase Americans' wages.President Obama visited UW-La Crosse on Thursday, July 2nd touting a proposed Labor Department rule that would make more workers eligible for overtime.
President Obama to make his first visit to La Crosse on Thursday to talk overtime rules
LA CROSSE -- President Barack Obama will be in Wisconsin on Thursday, July 2nd -- speaking at UW-La Crosse about the economy.
Pres. Obama's Wisconsin visit comes as Gov. Walker prepares campaign
MADISON -- President Barack Obama brings his push to raise salaries for low-income workers to Wisconsin, the state where Gov.
President Obama to visit La Crosse area Thursday for "event on the economy"
LA CROSSE -- President Barack Obama is coming to Wisconsin this week.The White House confirmed that President Obama will travel to La Crosse, Wisconsin on Thursday, July 2nd to deliver remarks on the economy at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
U.S. Supreme Court upholds key provision in Affordable Care Act
MILWAUKEE -- In a 6-3 decision Thursday, June 25th, the United States Supreme Court saved the controversial Affordable Care Act -- the health care law that will define President Barack Obama's administration for generations to come.
President Obama: Walker approach on Iran deal would embolden enemies
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker would be taking a foolish approach if he follows through with vows to revoke a nuclear deal with Iran if elected president.Obama was asked in an NPR News interview about Walker's recent comments that he would reject any deal Obama reaches on his first day as president.Obama says if the president's ability to strike agreements starts being questioned, it will be a problem for allies and embolden U.S. enemies.
President Barack Obama to host Pope Francis at the White House in September
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Barack Obama will host Pope Francis in Washington when he visits the United States this fall.White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama and first lady Michelle Obama would welcome the pontiff as a guest at the White House on Sept. 23.
Could BadgerCare balance the budget? Some lawmakers say cuts to UW System could be avoided - but how?
MADISON (WITI) -- Could BadgerCare balance the budget?
MPS Superintendent among group of school leaders to meet with President Barack Obama in Washington
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WITI) -- Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Darienne Driver met with President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. on Monday, March 16th.President Obama addressed a group of leaders of school districts from across the country as part of the Great City Schools' three-day annual conference in Washington.The following individuals took part in the meeting with President Obama: