Wisconsin State Journal Local News

The Soviet Union was steered by ideologues who, in spite of their brutal methods, held an optimistic and even romantic view of how society works best. They believed in the communist dream that…

When it comes to measles, David Ropeik's Sunday column arguing against mandatory vaccinations contains two basic errors: one ethical, the other economic.

The letter in Tuesday's paper "Pro-lifers should value all lives" drew an analogy between dancing and elective abortion. Like all analogies, this one limps rather badly.

A Reedsburg man was indicted in federal court Wednesday for six armed robberies and one attempted armed robbery in Madison, all in September and October.

Dan Fox of Heritage Tavern and Jonny Hunter of Forequarter were named James Beard Award semifinalists Wednesday for the "Best Chef: Midwest."

A Dane County judge has awarded more than $45,000 in lawyer fees and costs to Black Earth Meats, after the business successfully challenged nuisance citations in court.

Two Waunakee men were charged Wednesday with stealing and selling more than 30 high-end cellphones, worth more than $22,000, from a store where one of them worked.

The incident echoes in many of its details the Nov. 22 fatal shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice by a Cleveland police officer.

Rebecca Blank has decried a proposed $300 million cut to the University of Wisconsin System.

MADISON - Kathryn Ann Novich, age 56, died peacefully at home on Jan. 18, 2015. Kathryn graduated from Oak Park & River Forest High School and UW-Madison. Kathryn later settled in Madison …

RIDGEWAY - Wayne E. Fries Jr., age 55, of Ridgeway, died on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, at Upland Hills Health following an apparent heart attack. Wayne was born on March 5, 1959, in Madison, to Wa…

STOUGHTON - Ellen Veronica (nee Steinhauer) Johnson passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 16, 2015, at the Nazareth House in Stoughton, Wis., at the age of 96.

HILLSBORO - Emil Picha, age 87, of Hillsboro, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, at the UW Hospital in Madison, Wis., surrounded by his loving family.

DODGEVILLE - Raymond R. Spease Sr., age 81, a Dodgeville farmer, died on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, at Upland Hills Health. Ray was born on June 3, 1933, in Lancaster, to Jacob and Mary (Kopp) Spease.

MADISON / DODGEVILLE - Mark Spink, age 49, of Madison, formerly of Dodgeville, died on Monday, Feb. 16, 2015, at his home.

REEDSBURG - James F. Deitrich, age 68, of Reedsburg, passed away on Monday, Feb. 16, 2015, at St. Joseph Community Hospital in West Bend. He was born on Feb. 13, 1947, in Mauston, to the late …

SAUK CITY - Raymond L. Brunner, age 57, of Sauk City, died on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, at his home, unexpectedly.

CUBA CITY - Frances Evelyn Kieler, age 87, of Cuba City, Wis., passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, at Epione Pavilion in Cuba City, surrounded by her loving family.

PORTAGE - Susan L. Weyh, age 45, of Lewiston Township, passed away, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison.

BEAVER DAM - June M. Weatherwax, age 75, of Beaver Dam, died on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, at Charleston House in Beaver Dam.