Effective January 1, 2011, all Wisconsin police officers are required to collect data that will be used to determine whether vehicles operated or occupied by racial minorities are disproportionately stopped. The data collected, collection method, and analysis will be determined by a new administrative rule. The Office of Justice Assistance (OJA), a state agency, is preparing the rule with the assistance of the Advisory Committee.

The public is invited to share their comments with the Traffic Stop Data Collection Advisory Committee on a rule being developed to assess the possibility of racial profiling in Wisconsin traffic stops.

Civil liberties and civil rights advocates are encouraging the public to attend a listening session next Wednesday, November 11th at the La Crosse Public Library, 800 Main Street from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. It is important to demonstrate public concern about this issue. Please encourage people you know to attend and speak out.

If you have any questions about the listening session, please contact OJA:

and

Senator Kapanke will be in Prairie du Chien on Monday July 20, 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Coaches Restaurant, 634 South Marquette Rd.

Get out there and tell 'em what you think!

hadip on Youtube put this montage together that shows the vigils, rallies and peaceful protests of the Iranian election results.

La Crosse...State Senator Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) will hold office hours on Friday, May 29, from

  8:30 - 9:30 a.m. at the L & M Bp.

Senator Kapanke looks forward to visiting with his constituents and invites everyone to come and share their thoughts and concerns regarding state and local matters.

[editor's note: This is a long report on what happened at the Franklin Town meeting, but at the end offers ways to take action. I hope you click the full story link and are moved to express your opinion on this important issue facing the whole Kickapoo Valley watershed]

The Tuesday, April 22, 2009 Annual Meeting of the Town of Franklin Board was filled with lively discussions of how to protect the town from CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation). The interest of Petry Trust in placing a CAFO of approximately 3200 dairy cows here in Franklin brought out over 50 town residents, most of whom were there to voice their opposition to the Petry CAFO coming into Franklin.

Petry Trust has already looked at two sites near Westby and has been opposed by ACES (Alliance Concerned for Environmental Safety), a local group formed to oppose the proposed CAFO in Vernon County. Town residents have seen surveyors on the two land parcels that Petry Trust holds in Franklin. Action or inaction by the Town board could help seal the future of our rural town.

More in the full story...

Just to end, you know, one of the things we realize from these types of operations is that there is an unraveling of the community. ...And sometimes it is very insidious.   The example of my mother for one is that she is 83 years old, she is the second longest resident in that neighborhood, she can't talk about it.  I can rationalize it, but her sadness is as deep as my anger.  It tears a community apart and it tears a person apart. It is not always obvious to an outsider, but it's as real as the sunrise.

image from Time.com