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GRAND RAPIDS, MI - A judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Michigan's policy on personalized license plates.
Michael Matwyuk of Kingsford and David DeVarti of Ann Arbor are suing the Secretary of State with help from the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan. Matwyuk had trouble getting a plate that uses a variation of the word ``infidel.'' The state won't give DeVarti a plate that says ``WAR SUX.''
MADISON - The military arm of the Better Business Bureau is warning service members to beware of scams targeting them.
The nonprofit group reports that scams include high interest rates and hidden fees on loans and quick car sales for deployed soldiers.
KENOSHA - Supporters of a proposed Kenosha casino say they are moving ahead with their plans while they wait for approval from Gov. Scott Walker.
If approved, officials say they'll open a temporary casino while construction of the new facility is under way.
RIB MOUNTAIN - Fire fighters in Rib Mountain want to know how a boat sank in a Northwoods lake Friday night.
It happened around 8:45 p.m. on Lake Wausau. At first dispatch got a call about a boat fire, but it turned out that a boat sunk.
MADISON - A team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin is taking on deer ticks with hopes of giving people a tool to protect themselves from the bugs that can transmit Lyme disease.
The team is using mice and the university's Arboretum for their research.
APPLETON - An Appleton man who claimed his 3-year-old daughter initiated sexual contact will likely spend the next 12 years behind bars.
Outagamie County prosecutors recommended a stronger sentence of 25 years in prison for the 39-year-old man. Assistant District Attorney Peter Hahn says the man blames the mother of the child and even the victim and needs to be ``locked up for a long time.''
EAGLE RIVER - DNR officials think foul play could be why grass caught on fire in a Northwoods forest Friday. Rangers want to know how it started.
It started around 2:30 Friday afternoon in Eagle River on Deep Lake Road. Eagle River DNR says about a quarter of an acre burned.
NORTHWOODS - For everyone who is looking for something fun to do this weekend to kick-start their summer, here is a listing of several recreational events taking place across the Northwoods:
Eagle River Gun Show: Located at the Eagle River Sports Arena. Come and see approximately 250 venders and the various firearms they will be selling.
LAND O' LAKES - Art gives people the opportunity to look at everyday life from a different perspective.
Friday, Newswatch 12's Lauren Stephenson visited Land O'Lakes where the outside wall of Brew's Pub has been transformed into an art installation. The Land O'Lakes Area Artisans hope the wall will inspire people to achieve their life goals before they die.
LANSING, MI - A proposal that would get rid of the personal property tax will appear on the Michigan ballot.
The Board of State Canvassers on Thursday designated the issue as Proposal 1.
RHINELANDER - When we upgrade our phones, we're usually left with our old ones. A Northwoods organization wants to use those phones to help the military overseas.
The Military Support Group in Rhinelander and AT&T are collecting phones until June 28th. The phones will be recycled. The money made from recycling pays for phone cards for military members overseas.
THREE LAKES - Important figures from U.S. History came to visit Three Lakes Elementary School today. Over the last two months 5th graders at the Three Lakes Elementary School have been involved in a wax museum project.
Today they got the chance to present their historical figures.
RHINELANDER - Rhinelander District Library will need a new director. The current director Ed Hughes will step down from the job.
Library staff held an open house today to honor Hughes. The staff enjoyed working with Hughes.
"He was a good confidante," says Associate Director Tom Hurlburt. "We could bounce ideas off of one another quite a bit, which we did often. He was always a pleasant face to see in the library.
RHINELANDER - It can be hard for teenagers or young adults to find work. Fortunately, there's a free program in Rhinelander that offers help. Northern Advantage Job Center helps them find work.
They help youth between 14 and 21. The job center would like more people to use the service.
NORTHWOODS - If you're looking for a place to go and pay tribute to those who have served our country this holiday weekend, here are some of the upcoming Ceremonies you may be interested in:
Rhinelander: Monday, May 26th. There will be a river ceremony held at the Davenport Street Bridge. Following the ceremony will be a march/walk to the Oneida County Courthouse where the final ceremony will begin at 11 A.M. The guest speaker this year will be WWII veteran and ex-POW Glenn Johnson. Guests should bring their own lawn chairs.
The University of Wisconsin-Superior is cutting nearly half of its graduate programs as it deals with a looming deficit.
Chancellor Renee Wachter says 11 of 25 graduate programs will be suspended, meaning the programs won't admit any more students, but those currently enrolled will graduate. The programs include masters' degrees in art history, communication, library media and reading.
MINOCQUA - If you want fresh, Northwoods grown fruit and vegetables. you can now find them at Minocqua Farmers' Market.
The third season of the market kicked off at 8:00 a.m. Friday morning.
More than 18 vendors will set up every Friday up at Minocqua Park Complex until October 10. Friday's opening is a warm welcome.
RHINELANDER - You wouldn't drive your car without wearing a seat belt. So you shouldn't be on the water without a life vest.
Law enforcement wants to remind you that it's important to stay safe on the water. That means you need to know all the safety regulations before you sail out.
ANTIGO - Most people don't start their career until after college. But one high school senior already started working for her family's business.
"I've been at the store my whole life," says Antigo High School senior Ashlee Neve.
MADISON - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen wants a federal judge to place on hold any order she may make that would strike down the state's ban on gay marriage.
The Republican Van Hollen filed the contingent motion to stay on Friday, asking that current law remain in place while he appealed any future order.
RHINELANDER - 46-year-old Carrie Steinmetz of Rhinelander originally faced one charge of keeping and selling meth. Now, she's facing different charges.
Those include charges of trafficking a child, child enticement, soliciting a child for prostitution and having sex with a child.
HARSHAW - Jerry Grulkowski doesn't mind being marooned on an island one bit.
In fact, when the water is freezing or the ice is melting, the Harshaw man is stuck on his island for weeks at a time.
LANGLADE COUNTY - Prosecutors may charge at least 12 people from Langlade County for drug-related felonies.
During a month-long investigation, officers took meth, prescription narcotics, marijuana, and an AR-15 rifle.
MINOCQUA - A group of Lakeland Union High School seniors will end their high school careers receiving international recognition.
34 LUHS seniors just returned from a Model United Nations competition in New York City.
MADISON - A federal judge has signed off on an agreement that will result in the state of Wisconsin no longer enforcing a cap on how much people can donate in total to candidates running for office.
U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman on Thursday signed the settlement agreement reached between the state and donor Fred Young of Racine.
WOODRUFF - On Thursday Northwoods 7th grade students ditched the pens, pencils, and textbooks for a different type of learning. 75 students from MHLT and the Woodland school learned more about natural resources.
They went to the Eco-Trek annual field trip at the Kemp Natural Resource Station in Woodruff.
NORTHWOODS - State naturalists need your help slowing the spread of emerald ash borer and that's especially true for campers this Memorial Day Weekend.
Leaders have put in several rules to remember for moving firewood and many counties in Wisconsin have a ban on moving firewood in counties altogether.
More often than not, the regulations can be very specific.
The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected a request from two Wisconsin unions to re-hear an appeal they filed of Gov. Scott Walker's law effectively ending collective bargaining for most public workers.
A three-judge panel of the appeals court in April rejected the appeal made by union chapters representing city of Madison and Dane County public workers.
ACROSS WISCONSIN - New numbers released from a Marquette University poll show a close race between Gov. Scott Walker and Democratic challenger Mary Burke, but political scientists warn the poll is only a snapshot.
More than 800 registered voters were polled this month. 46 percent said they'd vote for Walker, while the same percentage said they would vote for Burke.
MADISON - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is increasing walleye bag limits on nearly 450 lakes in time for the holiday weekend in response to lower than average tribal harvests this spring.
The DNR reports Thursday that the six bands of Chippewa harvested about 27,400 walleye and 201 musky as of mid-May.
