Top Stories March 22nd

Health Care Reform Package Passes


3/22/10 - All five Wisconsin Democrats voted yes when the House passed the landmark health care reform package late last night. The total vote was 219-to-212, with all G-O-P members and 34 Democrats dissenting. President Obama now gets what the Senate passed on Christmas Eve, and he'll sign it as early as tomorrow. The Senate will act this week on a separate package of changes approved by the House.

Within 90 days, those with no insurance due to pre-existing conditions could join high-risk coverage pools. And within six months, health insurance would be extended to 32 million Americans who don't have it now. Most people would be forced to buy it, and most employers would have to offer it. But critics say many employers will just pay the penalties, and let the government cover their workers.

Wausau Democrat David Obey says it's about time the average family gets quote, "a true sense of security on health care." Milwaukee Democrat Gwen Moore called it a "tremendous moment." And when a Journal Sentinel reporter asked what was going through her mind a few hours before the vote, Moore started dancing and singing the Michael Jackson song "Thriller." Janesville Republican Paul Ryan called the health package a "government takeover" and a "fiscal Frankenstein."

The president issued an executive order banning federal health coverage for abortions, but Menomonee Falls Republican Jim Sensenbrenner called it a "piece of paper that would have not the effect of law."

The two bills would cost 940-billion dollars over a decade, but supporters say they'd cut the deficit by 138-billion over that time.

BD to Hold Pep Rally for Girls Basketball Team, Ticket Plan Finalized

3/22/10 - There will be a Community Send-off Rally for the Beaver Dam Girls Basketball team tomorrow night at the high school. The Beavers are going to the state tournament for the first time since 1991 and will play DePere on Thursday night in Madison. The school district is encouraging everyone to come to the free event that will be held in the high school's north gym at 7pm. The district has also set up a plan to distribute tickets for the game. Team members will get the first chance, while students will be able to purchase tickets starting at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow. The general public will be able to purchase the tickets following the rally tomorrow night. You can also purchase tickets through the WIAA at this site.

Authorities Shoot a Man Saturday Morning in Washington County

3/22/10 - Washington County Sheriff's deputies had to a shoot a man early Saturday morning when he pointed a handgun at one of them. It happened at the conclusion of a call Sheriff's officials had gotten about a suicidal man with a gun holed up in a town of Polk residence. Before the confrontation with deputies in a neighbors' yard the man had fired off a number of bullets inside the house and through the homes windows before exiting through a window. He suffered non-life threatening injuries when he was shot. No one else was hurt. (KFIZ)

Tate, Fitzgerald on WBEV

3/22/10 - On Community Comment this afternoon we talk with the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Mike Tate will weigh in on health care reform as well as the current state of the economy. Tomorrow on Community Comment we’ll sit down Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and get his take on many of the same issues. Community Comment airs weekdays on WBEV 1430AM beginning at 12:35pm.

RadioThon Detailed

3/22/10 - Eight non-profit organizations from the Dodge County area have been selected as part of the 13th Annual WBEV-WXRO Children’s RadioThon. Coordinator Jill Cullen says this year’s recipients include: Clothes for Kids, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dodge County, the Parent Resource Place, Green Valley Enterprises Birth to Three Program, the YMCA of Dodge County Strong Kids Campaign and People Against Violent Environments. In addition New Beginnings Homeless Shelter returns to the fold this year and marking its first appearance Community Care For Kids and their Pre-School and Child Care Summer Day Camp Program. The 2nd Annual Noel’s Angel Walk will also be returning. The 27-hour marathon broadcast begins at 6am on June 24.

Kohl Holding Office Hours in Juneau

3/22/10 - A representative with U.S. Senator Herb Kohl's office will be holding office hours in Dodge County this week. Senator Kohl says if you are having a problem with a federal program or agency, or if you have an opinion on an issue before Congress, you can let him know by meeting with his Regional Representative, Darcy Luoma. Office hours are scheduled on Tuesday from 12:30pm to 1:30pm in Room F of the Dodge County Administration Building in Juneau.