Medicaid: Only 19,000 Wisconsinites who lost coverage purchased plans on the federal exchange

Medicaid: Only 19,000 Wisconsinites who lost coverage purchased plans on the federal exchange

MADISON (AP) — Newly released numbers by the state Insurance Commissioner's office shows that nearly 166,000 Wisconsin residents purchased health insurance by June 1.But it's not known how many of those people were previously uninsured.Gov.

MADISON (AP) — Newly released numbers by the state Insurance Commissioner's office shows that nearly 166,000 Wisconsin residents purchased health insurance by June 1.But it's not known how many of those people were previously uninsured.Gov.

Political Lowe down: Campaigns are spending more time and money at on-line advertising

Political Lowe down: Campaigns are spending more time and money at on-line advertising

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Personalized political communication -- campaigns are spending more time and money focused at on-line advertising, and they're reaching specific voters using personal data.

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Personalized political communication -- campaigns are spending more time and money focused at on-line advertising, and they're reaching specific voters using personal data.

Go fishing! "Wisconsin's Walleye Initiative" will fill Wisconsin's lakes with larger fish

Go fishing! "Wisconsin's Walleye Initiative" will fill Wisconsin's lakes with larger fish

RHINELANDER (WITI) -- The number of Wisconsin lakes stocked with larger walleye will skyrocket in the next two years as the state harnesses a $12 million funding plan to boost walleye populations statewide, state fisheries officials say.“Giving a much-needed boost to our walleye population is great news for our fishing community and it’s also great for our tourism industry and state economy,” Governor Scott Walker said.  “The success of the Wisconsin Walleye Initiative is thanks to a great, cooperative effort by private, public, and tribal entities.”Under the Wisconsin Walleye Initiative, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is enlisting state, private, and tribal hatcheries to produce an expected 750,000-800,000 extended growth or large fingerling walleyes for stocking in each of the next two years, 2014 and 2015.

RHINELANDER (WITI) -- The number of Wisconsin lakes stocked with larger walleye will skyrocket in the next two years as the state harnesses a $12 million funding plan to boost walleye populations statewide, state fisheries officials say.“Giving a much-needed boost to our walleye population is great news for our fishing community and it’s also great for our tourism industry and state economy,” Governor Scott Walker said.  “The success of the Wisconsin Walleye Initiative is thanks to a great, cooperative effort by private, public, and tribal entities.”Under the Wisconsin Walleye Initiative, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is enlisting state, private, and tribal hatcheries to produce an expected 750,000-800,000 extended growth or large fingerling walleyes for stocking in each of the next two years, 2014 and 2015.

Parties want more time on John Doe filings

Parties want more time on John Doe filings

MADISON (AP) — Prosecutors, a conservative group and two unnamed parties have asked a federal judge for more time to review documents that could be made public in a secret investigation into whether Gov.

MADISON (AP) — Prosecutors, a conservative group and two unnamed parties have asked a federal judge for more time to review documents that could be made public in a secret investigation into whether Gov.

The governor's race and jobs: Walker says he's attracting businesses to Wisconsin; Mary Burke says he's failing

The governor's race and jobs: Walker says he's attracting businesses to Wisconsin; Mary Burke says he's failing

MOUNT PLEASANT (WITI) -- Issues like same-sex marriage and the John Doe investigation have dominated recent headlines, but both Democrats and Republicans think the race for governor will turn on another issue: jobs.Attending his third groundbreaking in as many weeks on Wednesday, June 25th in the Racine-Kenosha corridor, Gov.

MOUNT PLEASANT (WITI) -- Issues like same-sex marriage and the John Doe investigation have dominated recent headlines, but both Democrats and Republicans think the race for governor will turn on another issue: jobs.Attending his third groundbreaking in as many weeks on Wednesday, June 25th in the Racine-Kenosha corridor, Gov.

Fighting back: Gov. Walker on the offensive after criminal allegations

Fighting back: Gov. Walker on the offensive after criminal allegations

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Documents that are part of a John Doe investigation that began in 2012, were once released, but parts were redacted.

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Documents that are part of a John Doe investigation that began in 2012, were once released, but parts were redacted.

Fill up during summer, when prices are low: Gov. Walker requests flexibility for propane assistance

Fill up during summer, when prices are low: Gov. Walker requests flexibility for propane assistance

MADISON (WITI) -- Governor Scott Walker is urging President Barack Obama and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to allow Wisconsin to distribute funding from its Low Income Housing Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) program starting July 1st, so that propane customers can fill their tanks during the summer while prices are lower.“We are not asking for an increase in federal funding, but rather the flexibility as to how those funds are spent,” said Governor Walker.  “If President Obama grants our request, Wisconsinites receiving LIHEAP funding could purchase 15 percent more propane now, before cold weather sets in and the propane demand rises, which can ultimately increase the price.”Governor Walker requested that Wisconsin be able to distribute federal LIHEAP funds starting in July, rather than waiting until October, which is when the federal government distributes LIHEAP funding to the states at the start of its fiscal year.This will allow customers to purchase more fuel at a lower price during the summer months, while potentially saving Wisconsin’s heating assistance program as much as $1 million.Currently, the average propane retail price is $1.78 per gallon compared to an average of $3.04 per gallon that customers paid at the end of February 2014.Representatives from the propane industry have indicated to Governor Walker they support this request to President Obama, and believe that spreading out the demand for propane would enhance their customer service capabilities year round.Attached is a copy of Governor Walker’s letter to President Obama and Secretary Sebelius.Wisconsin’s Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), which receives the federal funding, helps approximately 225,000 Wisconsin households annually.During the past winter, Governor Walker and his Administration took steps to help alleviate the effects the propane shortage on residents who use propane to heat their home or business.This includes a propane “swap” between the state, We Energies, and Madison Gas and Electric.The utilities provided 110,000 gallons of propane to serve low-income customers.The state recently replenished its propane supply by purchasing the fuel in the off-season at lower wholesale prices, saving $78,000.

MADISON (WITI) -- Governor Scott Walker is urging President Barack Obama and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to allow Wisconsin to distribute funding from its Low Income Housing Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) program starting July 1st, so that propane customers can fill their tanks during the summer while prices are lower.“We are not asking for an increase in federal funding, but rather the flexibility as to how those funds are spent,” said Governor Walker.  “If President Obama grants our request, Wisconsinites receiving LIHEAP funding could purchase 15 percent more propane now, before cold weather sets in and the propane demand rises, which can ultimately increase the price.”Governor Walker requested that Wisconsin be able to distribute federal LIHEAP funds starting in July, rather than waiting until October, which is when the federal government distributes LIHEAP funding to the states at the start of its fiscal year.This will allow customers to purchase more fuel at a lower price during the summer months, while potentially saving Wisconsin’s heating assistance program as much as $1 million.Currently, the average propane retail price is $1.78 per gallon compared to an average of $3.04 per gallon that customers paid at the end of February 2014.Representatives from the propane industry have indicated to Governor Walker they support this request to President Obama, and believe that spreading out the demand for propane would enhance their customer service capabilities year round.Attached is a copy of Governor Walker’s letter to President Obama and Secretary Sebelius.Wisconsin’s Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), which receives the federal funding, helps approximately 225,000 Wisconsin households annually.During the past winter, Governor Walker and his Administration took steps to help alleviate the effects the propane shortage on residents who use propane to heat their home or business.This includes a propane “swap” between the state, We Energies, and Madison Gas and Electric.The utilities provided 110,000 gallons of propane to serve low-income customers.The state recently replenished its propane supply by purchasing the fuel in the off-season at lower wholesale prices, saving $78,000.

Confirmed: National Weather Service says two tornadoes caused damage in Platteville

Confirmed: National Weather Service says two tornadoes caused damage in Platteville

PLATTEVILLE (WITI) --  The preliminary damage survey from the National Weather Service indicates two tornadoes struck the city of Platteville as a powerful line of storms rolled across southern Wisconsin during the late evening and early morning hours of June 16-17.Platteville Tornado #1: Tornadic damage was identified on the UW-Platteville campus.

PLATTEVILLE (WITI) --  The preliminary damage survey from the National Weather Service indicates two tornadoes struck the city of Platteville as a powerful line of storms rolled across southern Wisconsin during the late evening and early morning hours of June 16-17.Platteville Tornado #1: Tornadic damage was identified on the UW-Platteville campus.