Local News

Spring snow storms last week caused much grumbling in southern Wisconsin.But we are on the brink of a major seasonal adjustment filled with green, orange and yellow. The iconic sunburst chairs - on which thousands sit each year to watch sunsets, sip cups of beer and lick mounds of ice cream - are scheduled to return Tuesday to the Memorial Union Terrace at UW-Madison.The first chairs are scheduled to arrive at 4:30 p.m. but those interested in volunteering to help carry a chair to the terrace is asked to line up at the North Park Street entrance to the terrace at 3:30 p.m. Leading the return of the chairs will be student leaders and members of Wisconsin Union Directorate committees, including Iffat Bhuiyan, the 2017-18 Wisconsin Union president.“Terrace season means it's time to start building connections, having a good time, running into past friends, and enjoying some sun,” Bhuiyan said. “I am looking forward to seeing the Terrace full of people with their … [Read more...] about Winter is officially over: Sunburst chairs return Tuesday to Memorial Union Terrace

The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to her third child, a baby boy. Kate Middleton, 36, gave birth at the exclusive Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington after going into labour in the early hours of Monday morning (April 23). Kensington Palace confirmed she had given birth to a boy, weighing 8lbs 7oz, shortly after 1pm, The Mirror reports. The newborn prince is brother to George, four, and Charlotte, two, and is fifth in line to the throne. The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, was present for the birth and it has been reported that neither he nor Kate knew the sex of their baby, so the arrival of a boy was a surprise to them. Read More News you may have missed A tweet by Kensington Palace, which provides official updates on the The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, said: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 11.01am. "The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz. "The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. Her Royal … [Read more...] about Kate Middleton has given birth to a baby boy

The Duchess of Cambridge is in "the early stages of labour" with her third child, Kensington Palace confirmed on Monday morning (April 23). Kate Middleton, 36, arrived at the private Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington , as reported by Mirror Online . She was driven to the exclusive maternity ward, where she gave birth to her older children George, four, and Charlotte, two, in the early hours of Monday. Prince William is also at the hospital, Kensington Palace said. Read More News you may have missed Kensington Palace said in a statement: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London, earlier this morning in the early stages of labour. "The Duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge." The baby prince or princess will be fifth in line to the throne, shifting Prince Harry to sixth in the royal succession, and will be the Queen and the Duke of … [Read more...] about The Duchess of Cambridge is in labour with her third child

Coffee drinkers now have one more outlet to get their fix from, courtesy of coffee-to-go kiosks by Starbucks at selected Petronas stations nationwide. Petronas’ partnership with Starbucks will see up to 50 on-the-go kiosks open in the country within the year, and will complement Petronas’ existing food and beverage solutions, including the [email protected] retail arrangement. Currently, a Starbucks kiosk is open at Petronas Station Penchala Link (Damansara-bound); there are seven existing Petronas-Starbucks drive-throughs, and 30 standalone drive-through locations. “We are very excited about this collaboration with Petronas as we share many similarities. At Starbucks Malaysia, we believe that this partnership will add value to the customer experience each time they visit our stores at Petronas stations,” said CEO of Berjaya Food Berhad and managing director of Starbucks Malaysia, Sydney Quays. The selection of freshly brewed coffee includes a localised take … [Read more...] about Petronas adds Starbucks kiosks at selected stations

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has refuted claims made via a social media message that the implementation of the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) for foreign-registered vehicles entering the country will take effect on May 1, Bernama reports. The viral message urged those intending to bring their foreign-registered vehicle into the country to vote during the general election to register their vehicles from May 1. The department said via a statement that the system was still at the testing and system validation stage to ensure stability and adequacy of the system before full enforcement could be implemented. “We want to stress that, at present, there is no restriction on vehicles from overseas or Singapore entering without registration of entry permit or VEP,” the statement said. Earlier this month, it was reported that the VEP system was slated to begin at the end of April. At the Johor entry point, the VEP was supposed to have begun operating last June, with collection of … [Read more...] about No truth in claims VEP will begin from May 1

The venerable county agriculture agent has been the best friend of Wisconsin farmers for more than 100 years, but steep budget cuts have reduced their numbers in a key ag-rich part of the state at a time when their knowledge and unbiased advice are in high demand.Grant, Green and Lafayette counties — three of the state’s top corn- and soybean-producing counties — have started the year without full-time ag agents even though the counties have paid the fees required for them by the UW-Extension, according to Rep. Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville.Around the state, the service is operating with 15 fewer ag agents than in 2017, according to UW-Extension data.While the Extension is in the process of hiring an ag agent for Grant and five other counties, officials in Green and Lafayette counties have been told there is no money to hire more agents for their offices this year, Novak said.Two other area counties — Sauk and Crawford — are also among the 23 state counties … [Read more...] about Shortage of agricultural agents creating void in farm-rich counties

A drum set from an innovative Wisconsin musician and record producer, the roll-top desk of a Milwaukee civil rights leader and a 3-horse outboard motor designed by Ole Evinrude. Each has its place in state history.So does a section of a pagoda-style roof from a Milwaukee gas station, a printing press from the 1850s last used in Evansville and the coaster car that won the 1936 Soap Box Derby in Madison. There was also a newspaper box from The Onion and a wood stove from the early 1900s.On Thursday, they shared space on a moving truck for a trip across the isthmus — rising from the basement of the Wisconsin Historical Society and ending up in one of the most modern and sophisticated historical storage facilities in the world. Located near the Yahara River between East Washington Avenue and Williamson Street, the $46.7 million State Archive Preservation Facility is slowly filling its 188,000 square feet of climate-controlled space with some of the most important and historically … [Read more...] about History on the move as new state archives and preservation facility begins to fill

A brand-new Lidl store is set to open in Two Rivers Retail Park in Staines as part of the supermarket giant's ongoing UK expansion ambitions. The announcement comes as Lidl confirms it has exchanges contracts with Aberdeen Asset Management, securing the 1,459 square metre site. According to a spokesman for the supermarket, the Staines store will include amenities such as an in-store bakery and longer-style tills. Read More Latest news headlines Lidl UK's regional head of property Chris Young-Wootton said: “We are delighted to be opening a new store in Staines, which marks another milestone in our ambitious store expansion programme. “We've seen incredible demand for Lidl stores across the country and look forward to offering our quality products and incredible value to shoppers in and around Staines.” The discount supermarket chain has experienced continued growth in recent years, with the latest Kantar Worldpanel results showing a 10.3% increase in sales year on … [Read more...] about Lidl reveals plans for brand new store in Staines

Earlier this month, it was reported that construction on the Sarawak section of the Pan Borneo Highway project which is expected to be completed in 2021, was ahead of schedule. Work on the 706 km-long Sabah portion of the highway is also progressing, Bernama reports. The project, which involves the widening of the existing Federal roads to two-lane dual carriageways and the construction of new coastal road and new expressway/bypass sections, is being implemented according to phases and packages, Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman said. He said construction of the Sabah portion, which runs from Sindumin to Tawau, involves 35 packages worth RM12.8 billion, with seven packages undergoing construction since April 2016. He added that as of March this year, five of the packages were at the stage of earthworks for building of the road alignment and bridges, while the other two packages were in the process of entering the site. Musa said the highway, which will be toll free, will serve as … [Read more...] about Pan Borneo Highway: Sabah construction progressing

Milwaukee native and UW Law School graduate Vel Phillips, who broke racial barriers by becoming the first African-American judge in Milwaukee and the first African-American secretary of state of Wisconsin, has died. She was 94.Phillips died Tuesday night, hours after the Milwaukee Common Council unanimously approved the Vel Phillips Trailblazer Award to be awarded every year.“Wisconsin has lost a beloved, iconic, tenacious trailblazer whose leadership and career of firsts in our state opened doors through which so many African Americans, Democrats and women are proud to have followed," said Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Martha Laning."Her spirit is with all of us, in Wisconsin and the nation, as we proudly continue the fight she took to the streets — despite horrific abuse — for civil rights, equality and justice. Her legacy and strength in the face of hatred and injustice stays with us now as we continue her march," Laning said.Democratic candidates for … [Read more...] about Civil rights activist, former Secretary of State Vel Phillips dies