Green Bay News

WASHINGTON (AP) – The nation’s largest prepaid mobile provider, TracFone Wireless, will pay $40 million to settle government claims that it misled millions of smartphone customers with promises of unlimited data service.

The Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday that TracFone’s advertising promised unlimited data, but the company then drastically slowed down consumers’ data speeds – a practice known as throttling – when they had used a certain amount of data within a 30-day period. In some cases, the FTC said, the company cut off customers’ data service when they ran over the limit.

TracFone’s prepaid wireless service is sold under various brands, including Straight Talk, Net10, Simple Mobile and Telcel America.

Throttling will slow down the ability to open Web pages or stream video. According to the commission, TracFone generally throttled the data flow when a customer used about 1 gigabyte to 3 gigabytes. Data service was sometimes suspended at 4 gigabytes to 5 gigabytes, the FTC said.

“The issue here is simple: Unlimited means unlimited,” said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC’s consumer protection bureau, in a call with reporters. “This case is about false advertising.”

In a statement, TracFone said it worked with the commission to “reach an amicable settlement, and we have no further comment at this time.”

The prepaid monthly plans were sold at Walmart, Best Buy, Target and other retailers across the country as well as online.

Consumers who had a Straight Talk, Net10, Simple Mobile, or Telcel America unlimited plan before January 2015 can file a claim for a refund. Refunds will vary depending on several factors, including how long a consumer had the TracFone plan and how many consumers request refunds.

The FTC charges that TracFone has been throttling consumers or cutting unlimited service since 2009. The commission’s complaint says there was no technical reason for TracFone to limit the data plans, such as slowing speeds because of network congestion. Internal documents, the FTC says, suggest the throttling was done to “reduce the high costs associated” with proving unlimited data.

In September 2013, TracFone began making some disclosures about throttling unlimited plans, but they were usually not clear or the print was too small for a consumer to notice them, the FTC said.

The commission sued AT&T late last year over the same issue. AT&T has denied misleading customers over its unlimited data plans.

DETROIT (AP) — Nissan is recalling nearly 768,000 SUVs worldwide to fix faulty hood latches and electrical shorts that could cause fires.

The larger Nissan recall announced Wednesday covers more than 552,000 Rogue small SUVs from 2008 through 2013 and Rogue Select SUVs from 2014. Snow and salty water can seep through the driver’s side carpet to a wiring harness, causing electrical shorts. Nissan says there were reports of shorts but no fires or injuries. Most of the Rogues were sold in North America, but some were outside the region.

Dealers will inspect the harness and replace it if necessary at no cost to owners. Those without damage will be sealed.

The second recall covers nearly 216,000 Nissan Pathfinders from 2013 and 2014, and Infiniti JX35s from 2013 and QX60s from 2014. The secondary hood latch could stay open when the hood is closed. If the main hood latch is released and the secondary latch fails, the hood could open while the SUVs are being driven.

Nissan says some hoods have been damaged but no crashes or injuries were reported. Dealers will change the hood release mechanism angle and lengthen the release cable to fix the problem, at no cost to owners.

The faulty latches were discovered after Nissan recalled the 2013 Nissan Altima midsize car last year for the same problem, according to documents posted Wednesday by U.S. safety regulators.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Army and Pentagon officials said Tuesday there has been no decision on what, if any, criminal charges will be filed against Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the soldier who left his post in Afghanistan and was held by the Taliban for five years before being released in a prisoner exchange.

Gen. Mark Milley, head of U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, has a broad range of legal options, including various degrees of desertion charges. A major consideration is whether military officials will be able to prove that Bergdahl had no intention of ever returning to his unit — a key element in the more serious desertion charges.

The case is also fraught with politics. Some members of Congress and former members of Bergdahl’s unit criticized the Obama administration for trading someone they considered a deserter for five top Taliban commanders held at the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. If Bergdahl is severely punished, that trade could be called into question again. On the other hand, some believe that five years in Taliban captivity is punishment enough.

Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said Wednesday that Milley is proceeding “very, very deliberately and in a measured way.”

Appearing on MSNBC, Kirby said that Bowe “has not been charged. There is no pressure or rush to judgment here … and we just have to let this decision play out.” Kirby said that a decision “is not imminent.”

Possible charges and possible punishments:

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ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE

This would be one of the least serious offenses. Tens of thousands of soldiers have walked away from their posts over the last decade, some for a few hours, others for a weekend or even weeks. Usually if service members are charged with being AWOL, the assumption is that they intended to return to duty. Often they get some type of administrative punishment. In more serious cases they are discharged.

Because Bergdahl was in a warzone, leaving his combat post is a more serious offense than leaving a U.S. military base without authorization for a few days. So officials are likely to go for a more serious charge.

DESERTION WITH INTENT TO AVOID HAZARDOUS DUTY OR TO SHIRK IMPORTANT SERVICE

This is one of the more likely charges. It is more serious than AWOL because it involves deserting a hazardous duty, which includes combat service. Bergdahl left his post during a combat deployment in Paktika province, a far more critical violation because officials could argue that his sudden absence could have endangered other unit members. The charge does not require the military to prove Bergdahl had no intention of returning to his unit.

DESERTION WITH INTENT TO REMAIN AWAY PERMANENTLY

This charge is less likely because the Army would have to be able to prove that Bergdahl left his post and at some point decided he had no intention of returning. Former Army lawyer Greg Rinckey said that would be difficult, particularly since he was taken prisoner by the Taliban and couldn’t return to his post even if he wanted to. Rinckey predicted any good lawyer could argue that Bergdahl would have returned but couldn’t.

FAILURE TO OBEY A LAWFUL ORDER

This charge and other similar infractions are also likely to be added to bolster the contention that Bergdahl violated regulations and committed a serious breach of military conduct. The military will want to note that deserting a post during wartime, whatever the mitigating circumstances, cannot be condoned.

POSSIBLE PUNISHMENTS

Desertion in a time of war with the intent to stay away is punishable by death. That outcome is almost inconceivable in this case. Only one service member, Pvt. Eddie Slovik, has been executed for desertion since the Civil War. Slovik, 24, was shot by a firing squad in January 1945, but his execution, approved by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, was kept secret for nine years.

Desertion with the intent to avoid a certain duty or shirk a certain service, a more likely charge, carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, along with a dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of all pay and benefits.

AWOL can carry a broad range of punishments, ranging from a letter in a service member’s file, getting extra duties or having pay docked to getting thrown out of the service.

Depending on the charges and court martial proceedings, Bergdahl could receive an honorable, general or other than honorable discharge. That decision can determine whether he loses his rank, or whether he gets as much as $300,000 in back pay and other benefits, including continued health care.

LEGAL PROCESS

Milley is reviewing the results of an investigation by Maj. Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl, and there is no estimated timeline for a decision. Milley can refer charges to a general court martial or decide not to charge Bergdahl at all. If Milley recommends charges and court martial, Bergdahl and his lawyer, military justice expert Eugene Fidell, can also try to plea bargain. Military leaders are likely to take into consideration Bergdahl’s five years in enemy hands and could also consider any potential need for continued health or mental health care.

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — A Libyan affiliate of the extremist Islamic State group claimed responsibility Wednesday for an attack on a Tripoli luxury hotel that killed 10 people, including an American and four Europeans.

The group, calling itself “Islamic State in Tripoli Province,” said it launched the attack Tuesday to avenge the death of Abu Anas al-Libi, who was snatched off a Tripoli street by U.S. special forces in 2013 and died in U.S. custody earlier this month due to complications from liver surgery. Al-Libi had been indicted in U.S. federal court over his alleged role in the 1998 al-Qaida bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

The group identified the attackers as Abu Ibrahim al-Tunsi and Abu Suleiman al-Sudani, noms de guerre that suggest the attackers were Tunisian and Sudanese. The claim of responsibility was dated Tuesday but first appeared on jihadi forums Wednesday.

“The operation is not the last one on the lands of Tripoli… Let the enemies of God, the crusaders and their allies await what would harm them,” the message read.

The affiliate previously claimed responsibility for an attack on the Algerian Embassy that wounded three guards. It also previously posted pictures of fighters touring markets and distributing pamphlets. Wednesday’s posting matched previous messages posted on Twitter and social media, but it was not immediately possible to confirm the claim.

Since the 2011 uprising that ousted longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi the country has been awash in armed militias, including several Islamic extremist groups. A group of Islamist militias control Tripoli, and the internationally recognized government convenes in the far east of the vast, oil-rich country.

In addition to the foreigners, five guards were killed in the attack Tuesday on the seaside Corinthia Hotel. Two attackers were killed following an hourslong standoff that included a car bombing.

A senior U.S. State Department official confirmed that an American citizen was among those killed. Cliff Taylor, the CEO of a Virginia security company, Crucible LLC, identified the slain American as David Berry, a contractor with his company.

The online message said that those killed were American, French, South Korean and Filipino. Earlier, Essam al-Naasa, a spokesman for a Tripoli security agency, said the dead included an American, a French citizen and three others from the former Soviet Union.

BERLIN – The debate over the mascot for the Berlin School District could end soon. The school board is scheduled for a possible vote Wednesday evening on the Indians mascot.

Berlin has been known as the “Indians” for nearly 80 years.

The Berlin School Board has surveyed the community, asking people whether the district should change the Indians mascot or keep it.

The school board is scheduled to discuss and possibly vote on the future of the Indian mascot during its meeting Wednesday, staring at 7:00 p.m.

FOX 11 Alex Ronallo is working on this story and will have a full report tonight on FOX 11 News at Nine.

MADISON (AP) – New data shows unemployment rates rose in half of Wisconsin’s major cities last month.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development reported Tuesday that preliminary rates for December showed unemployment rose in 16 cities and went down or remained the same in the state’s 16 other major municipalities.

Racine had the highest unemployment rate at 8.8 percent, up from 8.5 percent in November. Caledonia had the lowest at 2.4 percent, down from 2.7 percent in November.

Unemployment rose in 64 of the state’s 72 counties in December.

The statewide unemployment rate was 5.2 percent, unchanged from November.

• Click here to see the full report

MADISON – Gov. Scott Walker announced more details about his state budget proposal at an event in Madison Wednesday afternoon.

The governor says his budget proposal will include transportation funding for rural school districts. He also says he will add funding for local economic development loan programs.

The governor says his proposal will also include funding for a pilot program for dentists in the Medicaid program. He says one county from Northeast Wisconsin will likely participate in the program.

One day earlier, Walker announced that his budget plan includes a $300 million cut to funding for the UW system.

Estimates from the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau show the governor has to make reductions in the next state budget that begins in July.

If spending and tax collections continue at the current rate, the new budget cycle would end $648 million in the hole. But if state agencies get all the money they’ve asked for, which routinely does not happen, the deficit would stand at $2 billion.

The governor will unveil his full budget proposal next Tuesday. State lawmakers will then debate the budget and likely make changes.

FOX 11’s Andrew LaCombe will have balanced coverage on the latest budget proposal details tonight on FOX 11 News at Five.

Watch live streaming video of Packers coach Mike McCarthy’s season-ending news conference.

SUPERIOR (AP) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a discrimination lawsuit against a large heating and plumbing contractor in northern Wisconsin and northern Minnesota.

The EEOC alleges Stack Bros. Mechanical Contractors, of Superior, violated federal law by firing two employees when they reached age 62 and retaliating against one of them when she resisted the company’s plans to let her go.

The complaint accuses Stack Bros. of discriminating against Randy Virta and Karen Kolodzeske by firing them when they turned 62 in February and September of 2014. The EEOC says the company also retaliated against Kolodzeske by denying her a raise and cutting her hours and pay while waiting for her to turn 62.

Virta and Kolodzeske had worked for Stack Bros. for 16 and 25 years, respectively. President Bill Stack referred comment to his attorney who said he had not yet seen the lawsuit.

MADISON (AP) – Gov. Scott Walker says faculty and staff in the University of Wisconsin System should be teaching more classes and doing more work.

He made the comments Wednesday during an interview on WTMJ radio in Milwaukee.

Walker is proposing a 13 percent, $300 million cut to the UW System over two years in exchange for greater autonomy and freedom from state laws and requirements.

Walker has said his proposal would make the university more efficient and effective. He said Wednesday that his proposal would free up UW administration to force faculty and staff to teach more classes and do more work.

University leaders have said the proposed cuts could hurt students, lead to layoffs and reduce educational offerings.

Walker has said he’s open to negotiating the size of the cut.

NEENAH (AP) – Packaging maker Menasha Corp. says it will build a new global headquarters on its existing site in eastern Wisconsin.

Post-Crescent Media reports the new facility will measure more than 100,000 square feet. It will also be the national headquarters of the company’s largest subsidiary, Menasha Packaging Co.

The headquarters of Menasha Packaging Co. in Neenah is seen, Jan. 28, 2015. (WLUK/Bill Miston)

The Neenah Common Council approved a development agreement with Menasha Corp. on Tuesday, including cash incentives of $1.1 million to $1.55 million. The city’s director of community development and assessment says the company’s investment will be around $28 million.

Menasha Corp. says demolition will begin in April, with employees relocating to other facilities, and the new facility will be ready by fall 2016. A plant attached to the existing headquarters will not be affected.

The privately held company says it has more than 4,900 employees and annual sales topping $1.5 billion.

FOX 11’s Bill Miston is working on this story and will have a full report tonight on FOX 11 News.

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) – Jordan is willing to swap an Iraqi woman prisoner involved in deadly 2005 hotel bombings for a Jordanian pilot captured in December by extremists from the Islamic State group, a government spokesman said Wednesday.

Such a swap would run counter to Jordan’s hardline approach toward Islamic militants and to the position of its main ally, the United States, of not negotiating with extremists. An exchange also would set a precedent for negotiating with Islamic State militants, who in the past have not publicly demanded prisoner releases.

However, Jordan’s government faces domestic pressure to bring the pilot home, while its participation in a U.S.-led military coalition against the Islamic State group is widely unpopular among Jordanians.

The government spokesman, Mohammed al-Momani, did not say whether a swap would actually take place. He also made no mention of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto, who is also being held by the Islamic State group.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh later wrote on his Twitter account that Jordan asked for proof that the pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, is alive. “We have asked for some time for evidence of the health and safety of the hero Muath, but didn’t receive it,” he wrote.

Efforts to release the pilot and the journalist gained urgency with the release Tuesday of a purported online ultimatum claiming the Islamic State group would kill both hostages within 24 hours if the Iraqi woman was not freed.

Al-Momani said Jordan is ready to release the Iraqi prisoner, Sajida al-Rishawi, if al-Kaseasbeh is released “unharmed.” His comments were carried by Jordan’s official Petra news agency.

Al-Rishawi was sentenced to death in Jordan for her involvement in a 2005 al-Qaida attack on hotels in Amman that killed 60 people. Her release would be a major propaganda coup for the Islamic State group.

Jordan is reportedly in indirect talks with the militants through religious and tribal leaders in Iraq to secure the hostages’ release.

The chairman of the foreign affairs committee of Jordan’s parliament, Bassam Al-Manasseer, has been quoted as saying that Jordan and Japan would not negotiate directly with the Islamic State group and would not free al-Rishawi for the Japanese hostage only.

The pilot’s father, Safi al-Kaseasbeh, has repeatedly criticized the Jordanian government’s handling of the crisis, saying more must be done to bring his son home.

“I contacted the Turkish authorities after I found that the Jordanian government is not serious in the negotiations,” he told The Associated Press, speaking after the government raised the possibility of a swap.

“The government needs to work seriously, the way one would do to free a son, like the Japanese government does,” the father said.

The pilot’s brother, Jawad al-Kaseasbeh, said the family is still “waiting for any word from the Jordanian government.”

On Tuesday evening, about 200 of the pilot’s relatives protested outside the prime minister’s office in Amman, chanting anti-government slogans and urging that it meet the captors’ demands.

In Tokyo, the mother of the Japanese hostage appealed publicly to Japan’s premier to save her son. Junko Ishido read to reporters her plea to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which she said she sent after both Abe and Japan’s main government spokesman declined to meet with her.

“Please save Kenji’s life,” Ishido said, begging Abe to work with the Jordanian government until the very end to try to save Goto.

“Kenji has only a little time left,” she said.

Later, a few dozen people gathered in front of the prime minister’s official residence, holding banners and placards expressing their hopes for Goto’s release.

“I have been trying to keep my hopes up and believe that Mr. Goto will return. I have this faith within me,” said Seigo Maeda, a 46-year-old friend of Goto.

The militants reportedly have killed a Japanese hostage, Haruna Yukawa, and the crisis has stunned Japan.

Although many in Japan are critical of the two men for going to Syria, Goto’s friends and supporters have launched a social media campaign calling for his release.

Tuesday’s video resembled a message released over the weekend that purportedly withdrew a demand for $200 million ransom for Goto and Yukawa made in an earlier message.

The Associated Press could not independently verify the videos released Saturday and Tuesday. They lack the logo of the Islamic State group’s al-Furqan media arm. But some militant websites affiliated with the Islamic State group referenced the latest video and posted links to it on Tuesday.

The latest message condemns Jordan for not releasing al-Rishawi, saying that unless she is freed within 24 hours, the pilot, followed by Goto, will be killed. It says it is the group’s last message.

Al-Kaseasbeh, 26, was seized after his Jordanian F-16 crashed in December near the Islamic State group’s de facto capital Raqqa in Syria. He is the first foreign military pilot they have captured since a U.S.-led coalition that includes Jordan began an aerial campaign against the Islamic State group in August.

This is the first time that the group has publicly demanded the release of prisoners in exchange for hostages. Previous captives may have been released in exchange for ransom, although the governments involved have refused to confirm any payments were made.

Goto, a freelance journalist, was captured in October in Syria, apparently while trying to rescue Yukawa, 42, who was taken hostage last summer.

The mother of another Jordanian prisoner, Ziad al-Karboli, said her family was told the Islamic State group also wants his release as part of a swap, but it is unclear if that was related to a possible deal involving the Japanese hostage.

Al-Karboli, an aide to a former al-Qaida leader in Iraq, was sentenced to death in 2008 for killing a Jordanian citizen.

The Islamic State group broke with al-Qaida’s central leadership in 2013 and has clashed with its Syrian branch, but it reveres the global terror network’s former Iraqi affiliate, which battled U.S. forces and claimed the 2005 Amman attack.

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Kurtenbach reported from Tokyo.

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Associated Press writers Mohammed Daraghmeh in Ramallah, West Bank; Omar Akour in Amman and Kaori Hitomi, Emily Wang, Koji Ueda and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.

A look at some snowfall totals across the Northeast as of Wednesday after a massive winter storm and the National Weather Service’s forecast snow totals as of Monday night:

CONNECTICUT

Thompson

• Actual: 33.5 inches
• Forecast: 18-24 inches.

Lisbon

• Actual: 26 inches
• Forecast: 18-24 inches.

MAINE

Lewiston

• Actual: 27 inches
• Forecast: 18-24 inches.

South Windham

• Actual: 18 inches
• Forecast: 18-24 inches.

Portland

• Actual: 25 inches
• Forecast: 18-24 inches.

MASSACHUSETTS

Lunenburg

• Actual: 36 inches
• Forecast: 18-24 inches.

Auburn

• Actual: 36 inches
• Forecast: 18-24 inches.

Framingham

• Actual: 33.5 inches
• Forecast: More than 2 feet.

Boston

• Actual: 24.4 inches
• Forecast: More than 2 feet.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Windham

• Actual: 22.1 inches
• Forecast: 18-24 inches.

Hudson

• Actual: 32 inches
• Forecast: 18-24 inches.

NEW JERSEY

Brick

• Actual: 10 inches
• Forecast: 18-24 inches.

Harrison

• Actual: 7.5 inches
• Forecast: 18-24 inches.

NEW YORK

Orient in Suffolk County

• Actual: 30 inches
• Forecast: 20-30 inches.

Lindenhurst in Suffolk County

• Actual: 21.6 inches
• Forecast: 18-24 inches.

LaGuardia Airport

• Actual: 11.4 inches
• Forecast: 20-30 inches.

Central Park

• Actual: 9.8 inches
• Forecast: 20-30 inches.

PENNSYLVANIA

Washington Crossing

• Actual: 5 inches
• Forecast: 12-16 inches.

Philadelphia

• Actual: 1.2 inches
• Forecast: 12-16 inches.

RHODE ISLAND

West Glocester

• Actual: 24.4 inches
• Forecast: More than 2 feet.

North Providence

• Actual: 17 inches
• Forecast: More than 2 feet.

Source: National Weather Service

GREEN BAY — Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy released a statement this afternoon thanking the Green Bay and Pittsburgh communities saying:

A file image of Joe McCarthy (WITI-Milwaukee)

“On behalf of the entire McCarthy and Grumbine families, I would like to thank all those who have offered their condolences and support since my brother Joseph passed last week. The outpouring of support we have received from the Pittsburgh and Green Bay communities, the Packers family and fans, as well as the NFL community, has been overwhelming and greatly appreciated. Thank you for the love and respect that you have shown our families, and may God bless you all.”

McCarthy will speak today at 1:00 p.m. for his season ending press conference.

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — Firefighters in Colorado have rescued two cows that plunged through the ice on a pond.

In this photo provided by the Fountain Fire Department, firefighters rescue one of two cows that plunged through ice on a pond, in Fountain, Colo., Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. Fountain Fire Chief Darin Anstine said it was unclear how long the cows had been in the water before a motorist spotted them, but they’re now doing fine. (AP Photo/Fountain Fire Department, Darin Anstine)

Fountain Fire Chief Darin Anstine says someone driving by the pond south of Colorado Springs spotted the cows’ heads sticking out of the water about 30 feet from shore Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters wearing protective suits used saws to cut through 6 to 8 inches of ice and clear a channel to the shore.

Anstine says the cows were able to walk out of the pond about an hour after they were spotted. It’s unclear how long they were in the water, but they’re doing fine.

Anstine says he’s seen a lot of dogs rescued from icy ponds in his 28 years with the department, but never a cow.

MILWAUKEE (AP) – The Bucks have signed Jorge Gutierrez to a 10-day contract, replenishing their backcourt depth after a season-ending injury to backup guard Kendall Marshall.

The 26-year-old Gutierrez most recently played in Canton of the NBA Developmental League, where he averaged 15.2 points, along with six assists and five rebounds, over six games. He spent parts of this season and last season with the Brooklyn Nets.

Gutierrez, who played in college at California, is reuniting with Bucks coach Jason Kidd, who was with Brooklyn last year. Kidd also played at Cal.

Gutierrez fills a roster spot following the suspension Jan. 16 of center Larry Sanders for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Sanders has missed five games of what the NBA said would be at least a 10-game suspension.

RACINE (AP) – Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says any deal from the state to help pay for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena will also likely have to include contributions from the city and county.

Walker spoke about the issue on Wednesday after he announced a plan to have the state use $200 million in bonds to help pay for the arena. His proposal met with some resistance from state lawmakers who say the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County should also have to chip in.

Walker says he doesn’t object to that and it’s likely to be a part of whatever passes the Legislature.

Walker’s would pay off the bonds through projected growth in income taxes paid by NBA players.

The Bucks could leave Milwaukee in 2017 if there is no new arena.

Dean Foods says it is closing a facility in Sheboygan, but its De Pere facility will remain open.

Around 70 jobs will be lost when Dean closes its Verifine Dairy fluid milk processing plant. The company says production will be phased out by April 30.

Spokesman Dustin Cox says the plant is being closed to reduce redundancy and the closure does not reflect on the quality of employees’ work.

Employees who lose their jobs are being encouraged to apply for any positions that may be open elsewhere in the company.

See how one company ranks the cities with pro and college football teams.

TOMAH (AP) – The director of the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Tomah says he had already taken steps to address reports of overmedication of patients before federal officials announced a review of prescription practices at the Wisconsin facility.

Tomah VA director Mario DeSanctis says his staff began looking into the unusually high rate of opiate prescriptions in 2012. In an interview with the La Crosse Tribune this week, DeSanctis says steps to institute solutions to the problem have already been taken.

U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald said this week his second in command will lead a review of medication practices at Tomah. The nonprofit Center for Investigative Reporting recently reported the number of opiates prescribed at the center quintupled between 2004 and 2012, even as the number of patients declined.