Green Bay News

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers advertised the most open jobs in April than at any time in the 15 years that the government has tracked the data, a sign that this year’s steady hiring will likely continue.

The Labor Department said Tuesday that the number of open jobs at the end of April jumped 5.2 percent to 5.4 million. The figure suggests that employers anticipate stronger customer demand in the months ahead.

The job market has remained healthy even as the economy faltered at the start of 2015. The steady hiring shows that businesses see the economic slump as having resulted mainly from temporary factors such as a harsh winter.

On Friday, the government said employers added a robust 280,000 jobs in May after a healthy gain in April. Average hourly wages also ticked up.

Tuesday’s figures show “the bigger than expected gain in employment in May was no fluke,” said Paul Ashworth, chief U.S. economist for Capital Economics. “Labor market conditions are strengthening and wage growth will accelerate further.”

The unemployment rate rose to 5.5 percent last month, from 5.4 percent. But even that was partly good news: the improving job market and wage gains encouraged more people to start searching for work, reducing the number who had given up the hunt.

The figures reported in last Friday’s jobs report are a net figure: Jobs gained minus jobs lost. The data reported Tuesday, in the Job Openings and Labor Turnover survey, are more detailed. They calculate total hires, as well as quits and layoffs. Tuesday’s numbers also reflect data for April, and are a month behind last week’s jobs report.

While the number of job openings soared, employers are still taking their time filling them. Total hiring in April fell to 5 million from 5.1 million. The disparity between more openings and flat hiring suggests employers are being picky about new hires. Many companies say they are having difficulty finding qualified workers.

They may not be offering high enough wages. Average hourly pay rose just 2.3 percent in April from a year earlier, much lower than the roughly 3.5 percent gains typical in a healthy economy.

Tim Hopper, chief economist at TIAA-CREF, a financial services firm, said the jump in openings is a sign of confidence, even if they are not filled immediately.

“It says companies are getting more optimistic,” he said. “It doesn’t mean that they are hiring today, it means they anticipate hiring in the future.”

Other measures also suggest that business confidence is growing and that is fueling more hiring. The National Federation of Independent Business’ small business optimism index rose to 98.3 in May, the highest since December and in line with historical averages.

More small firms are reporting higher sales and profits, the NFIB found, and are adding workers.

More quitting and more total hires can help push up wage gains. That’s because people typically quit when they have a new job lined up, usually for higher pay. And when firms move to fill more open jobs, particularly as the unemployment rate declines, they typically have to offer more pay to attract workers.

Quits fell in April to 2.67 million, from 2.77 million, though they remain near pre-recession levels. Quits reached a seven-year high in January.

In April, they rose 11 percent from a year earlier, evidence that many people with jobs are willing to leave them in search of better pay.

Seattle resident David Peters recently left the security of the consulting firm McKinsey to develop growth strategies as the entrepreneur in residence at Porch, a web site and app that helps homeowners find contractors, roofers, plumbers and repairmen.

“I went from something that was fairly conservative to something that was aggressively risky — a startup,” Peters said. “I do have a lot more confidence in the overall economy and that allowed me to make that shift.”

Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen has said she closely watches the hiring and quits figures for clues about the job market’s health. Fed policymakers will meet next week, and analysts expect they will keep short-term interest rates near zero, where they have been for more than six years.

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AP Economics Writer Josh Boak contributed to this report.

MADISON (AP) – The University of Wisconsin-Madison is asking the Legislature to reconsider proposed changes to job protections for tenured faculty that have come under fire from professors and others who see it as putting academic freedom at risk.

A lobbyist for UW-Madison was distributing changes Tuesday for wording added to the budget relating to when tenured faculty could be fired.

According to the memo from UW-Madison, its proposed wording is consistent with standards developed by the American Association of University Professors and the policies of peer institutions.

But Republican Sen. Sheila Harsdorf says opponents of the changes she co-sponsored in the budget committee are misunderstanding them. She says the Board of Regents has the power to make tenure as strong as it wants.

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Jabari Parker just got to town, and he doesn’t want to leave.

It’s now up to legislators to determine just how much they want the young forward and the rest of the Bucks to stick around in Milwaukee.

Following a surprisingly successful season, the team is one step closer to getting a new home after political leaders last week announced a $500 million financing deal for a downtown arena. The next hurdle could be more momentous than making the playoffs: getting approval from the state Legislature and Milwaukee Common Council.

“It’s all progress. It’s our first step forward,” team President Peter Feigin said. “We’ve still got a long road.”

Parker’s job is to score points and rebound. He’s hoping to return from a knee injury that sidelined him for much of this past season.

He is also paying attention to what’s happening off the court.

“Yeah, it’s very important, because we want to stay around as much as possible,” Parker said. “We don’t want to leave. We want to stay in Milwaukee.”

So much has happened already since April 2014, when new owners bought the Bucks. It marked a fresh start for a franchise that had hit rock-bottom in the NBA.

The team drafted one-and-done sensation Parker out of Duke with the second overall pick in the draft in June 2014. He brought immediate star power. Jason Kidd was hired as coach soon afterward. He brought a name recognizable from his days as an All-Star point guard.

Relying on defense, the Bucks finished 41-41 – a remarkable improvement following a franchise-worst 15-win season in 2013-14. They made the playoffs, losing in six games in the first round to the Chicago Bulls.

“We’re turning things around, together. Most importantly we’re headed toward a new direction,” Parker said.

On Saturday, the Bucks drew an estimated 10,000 fans for an afternoon-long block party that was highlighted by the unveiling of their new uniforms at a park outside the team’s corporate offices. Fans wearing Bucks gear shot hoops with Parker and fellow franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo; tried to dump Feigin into a dunk tank; and watched as giant posters of the team’s new duds were unfurled with fanfare on the side of a building.

It was just the kind of momentum that the team needed with the arena question looming.

“I’ve been here for years. This has to be one of the greatest times being in Milwaukee,” said retired forward Vin Baker, who was drafted by the Bucks in the first round in 1993.

The financing deal announced by Gov. Scott Walker, Republican legislative leaders and Milwaukee-area officials calls for the taxpayers’ share of costs to be capped at $250 million. The Bucks’ current and former owners have pledged $250 million, and the owners would be responsible to pay for any cost overruns.

Some conservatives don’t like the deal because they think taxpayers shouldn’t be in the business of financing sports projects. Community and business leaders gathered at the state capitol in Madison this week urging for quick approval.

The NBA could buy back the Bucks and move it without significant progress toward construction of a new arena by 2017. It would replace the BMO Harris Bradley Center, which opened in 1988.

Saturday’s turnout offered a sign of renewed enthusiasm with the club. The Bucks have made concerted efforts to maintain connections with popular players from their past, including Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson.

The Bucks unveiled their new logos in April, including one mark that, for the first time, depicts an outline of the state of Wisconsin accented by a color called “Great Lakes blue.”

Asked on Saturday whether the Bucks needed to embark on a statewide campaign to help make their case, Feigin said it was more about education.

“We have to do a lot of education versus campaigning,” Feigin said. “We’ve got to be clear. We’ve got to tell the rationale of the direction we want to go and then today is a great example of where we’re going.”

FOND DU LAC – A reward is being offered in connection with a fire at a former convent.

The former Episcopal convent of the Holy Nativity was destroyed Friday night. Because there was no gas or electricity running to the three-story building, authorities have said they suspect someone started the fire.

The building had been empty for about 15 years.

According to a photo shared by the Fond du Lac Fire Dept. on Twitter, a $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the identification of the person or people responsible. Anyone with information can call 1-800-362-3005.

Reward offered in Friday night's fire in vacant convent building. @fdlpolice @WisDOJ pic.twitter.com/ZJ1ZbVxhfa

— Fond du Lac Fire (@fdlfire) June 9, 2015

MADISON (AP) – Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he does not think the Legislature is any closer to reaching a deal to break an impasse on the state budget.

Fitzgerald said Tuesday that he has not spoken with Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos about unresolved budget issues since last week. Fitzgerald says, “I don’t know where we’re at.”

Fitzgerald says it’s unrealistic not to do any of the $1.3 billion in borrowing for roads, even though Gov. Scott Walker said Friday he would sign a budget that does that. Fitzgerald says talks continue over how much to reduce borrowing.

Fitzgerald says Senate Republicans are no closer to agreeing on what changes to make to the prevailing wage law, saying they are “all over the place.”

DE PERE – Knights on the Fox, St. Norbert College’s summertime concert series, is back for another year.

The Thursday night concerts are free and open to the public. They are held near the Ray Van Den Heuvel Family Campus Center. Parking is available in the lots off Third Street and handicap-accessible parking is available in the lot near Old St. Joseph Church. The docks at the Thompson Marina will also be open for those arriving by boat.

Sandwiches, snacks, bottled water and soda will be sold at the events, beginning at 5 p.m. Carry-ins are allowed.

The concerts begin at 6:30 p.m.

2015 “Knights on the Fox” Schedule:

Tuesday, July 7
Daddy D’s Productions
Singing, dancing and acting
MC: Theresa Rosik-Geurts, St. Norbert College alumna and adjunct professor at MSOE

Tuesday, July 14
RPM
All the rock and pop hits you know and love!
MC: Nick Vitrano, St. Norbert College alumnus and host on the Murphy in the Morning Show on WIXX

Tuesday, July 21
Kevin Van Ess and the Talk of the Town
Dixieland and swing
MC: Amy Kundinger, director of corporate and foundation relations at St. Norbert College

Tuesday, July 28
Big Mouth and The Power Tool Horns
Blues and jazz
MC: Scott Crevier, director of user support and web services at St. Norbert College and alderman of district 3 for the City of De Pere

Tuesday, Aug. 4
PianoFondue
Dueling Pianos
MC: Thomas Kunkel, president of St. Norbert College

MARINETTE – The suspect in the 2008 murder of Eric Volp was convicted Tuesday.

Erik Smith pleaded guilty to three counts: hit & run involving death, hiding a corpse, and homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle, according to online court records. A fourth count – first-degree reckless homicide – was dismissed.

Sentencing is set for Aug. 14.

Prosecutors said the two left a Michigan bar on Oct. 10, 2008, argued and, when Volp got out of Smith’s car, Smith ran him over. Smith then put Volp’s body in the trunk, prosecutors say, and drove to a stream in Marinette County, where he left the body.

Charges were filed in January, more than six years after the death.

Smith is serving a sentence in a Colorado federal prison, as he was sentenced to more than 19 years in prison after being convicted of possessing child pornography in 2010.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Legislature is set to pass a bill that would allow businesses to keep a supply of epinephrine injectors to combat life-threatening allergic reactions.

Both the Senate and the Assembly are scheduled to vote on the measure Tuesday.

Schools are already allowed to keep a supply of the auto-injectors. The bill would allow camps, colleges, restaurants and other businesses to carry and administer the drug. Senate and Assembly committees amended the bill to clarify that businesses may offer the drug but aren’t required to have it on hand.

Auto-injectors are used to treat anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that causes constricted airways and makes it difficult to breathe.

Approval from both chambers would send the bill to Gov. Scott Walker for his approval.

Learn how to get free lunch this summer through the Green Bay Area Public School District.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Legislature is scheduled to pass a proposal that would allow off-duty and retired officers to carry guns in schools.

The Senate and the Assembly both plan to take up the bill on Tuesday.

Current state law generally bans people from possessing guns on school grounds as well as within 1,000 feet of school grounds. The prohibition doesn’t apply to police officers acting in their official capacity.

Approval from both chambers would set up the bill for Gov. Scott Walker’s approval.

A broader proposal last session that allowed anyone to carry concealed weapons on school grounds failed to pass.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin state Assembly plans to vote on passing a bill that will eliminate the state’s decades-old 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases.

Once passed as expected on Tuesday, the bill then heads to Gov. Scott Walker for his consideration. The Senate passed the bill in April, dismissing concerns from Democrats that it would make it easier for people to purchase handguns and use them while in a fit of rage.

Ten states and the District of Columbia currently impose some form of waiting period for buying handguns. Wisconsin’s 48-hour period has been effect since 1976.

Eliminating the waiting period is supported by the National Rifle Association, while groups working to curb domestic abuse and violence are against the measure.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin state Senate is set to pass a bill that would ban non-emergency abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The Republican-controlled Senate was set to vote on the measure Tuesday. The Senate Health Committee last week approved it on a 3-2 vote, with Republicans in favor and Democrats against.

The bill’s supporters say a 20-week-old fetus can feel pain and shouldn’t be subject to abortion procedures.

Opponents contend that a fetus can’t experience pain until after the third trimester begins at 27 weeks.

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos hasn’t said yet when the Assembly will take up the measure.

Gov. Scott Walker has said he would sign the bill.

APPLETON – If you get a flyer from a company supposedly offering to paint your house number on the curb, throw it away.

That’s the word from Appleton police, who say the city does not use curb numbers.

The police department shared, via Twitter, an example of one of the letters a citizen received. It asks the homeowner to include a $15 payment to have the number painted on the curb.

***SCAM ALERT*** The @cityofappleton DOES NOT use curb numbers. DO NOT help these scammers by giving them any money. http://t.co/DqypTGo0f4—
Appleton Police (@AppletonPD_WI) June 09, 2015

Officers ask homeowners not to give any money in response to the flyer.

OSHKOSH – Police are investigating the death of a patient at a state mental hospital.

Officers say they were called to Sherman Hall South at Winnebago Mental Health Institute around 8:30 p.m. Friday. When officers arrived, hospital employees were trying to revive a 33-year-old man. He was taken to Aurora Hospital in Oshkosh, where he died around 5 a.m. the next day.

An autopsy was done, but the results have not been released.

MADISON (AP) – University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank says removing tenure from state law “is not the disaster that some people want to portray.”

The Wisconsin State Journal reported Tuesday that Blank said in an interview that university officials will act swiftly to ensure that tenure at the state’s flagship research campus is the equivalent of its peers across the country.

The Legislature’s budget-writing committee last month approved eliminating tenure from state law and giving more authority to university officials to fire tenured faculty. The change must still be approved by the state Senate and Assembly and be signed by Gov. Scott Walker.

Blank says the tenure change, along with a $250 million cut to the UW System, is leading to other universities trying to hire away faculty from Wisconsin.

GREEN BAY – The victim of an apparent homicide Monday has been identified as Krystal Torres-Smith, 39, Green Bay police said Monday.

Her body was found in a car Monday at the Lambeau Cottage parking lot at UW-Green Bay. She was a Green Bay resident and mother of three.

“We are still waiting for official autopsy reports to determine cause of death but Torres-Smith was shot multiple times in an apparent homicide,” police said in a statement issued Tuesday morning.

“We do not believe that this homicide is a random act and are asking anyone who might have information to contact the Green Bay Police Department. Additionally, we don’t believe the public is in any danger but again if you have any information, please contact us,” the statement also said.

No arrests have been announced.

Investigators were back on the scene Tuesday morning, where crews could be seen in the waters of Green Bay, using a metal detector along the shoreline.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Green Bay Police department at 920-448-3200.

Fox 11’s Gabrielle Mays is working on the story, and will have a report on Fox 11 News at Five.

NEENAH – City Hall will be closed 8-10 a.m. Thursday, as police conduct a “panic button/active shooter” drill.

All employees will be participating in the drill and will be unavailable for other duties for that time frame.  Employees will not be able to enter or exit the building during this drill.

“Unfortunately, in the world we live in, drills like this have become important to protect the safety of our employees and prepare them how to react if we ever have an issue in City Hall”,  Mayor Dean Kaufert said.

SHEBOYGAN – A 15-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly stealing things from vehicles overnight.

Police say the thefts happened in the Kuehne Park neighborhood on the city’s north side. Officers recovered several stolen items.

Anyone who discovers something missing from their vehicle is asked to call Sheboygan police at (920) 459-3333.

KINGSFORD, Mich. (AP) – Authorities say a body found in the Menominee River along the border between Michigan and Wisconsin is that of a man missing since last week.

WLUC-TV and The Daily News of Iron Mountain report the body was discovered Monday. The Kingsford Public Safety Department says Tuesday that an autopsy is planned on the body of 32-year-old Brian Michael Bush to determine cause of death.

A Michigan State Police dive team was activated Saturday in search of the Kingsford man. He was last seen on the afternoon of June 3 at Menominee River Park in Kingsford and was reported missing the next day. A search for him on land also took place.

GREEN BAY – A Neenah dentist convicted of failing to pay income taxes was placed on probation for three years by a federal judge.

Eugene Darkow must also pay $557,813.93 in restitution, according to online court records from the June 1 sentencing hearing.

According to investigators, he did not pay income taxes from 1998-2012.