Kohl's first-quarter profit falls 
nearly 27 percent
3:57 p.m.
MILWAUKEE (AP) - Kohl's Corp. says its first-quarter profit fell nearly 27 percent as consumers continued to pull back their spending.

The Menomonee Falls-based department store chain said Thursday it earned $153 million, or 49 cents per share, during the quarter that ended May 3. By comparison, Kohl's earned $209 million, or 64 cents per share, during the same period a year ago.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, on average, expected earnings of 44 cents per share.

Sales rose 1.5 percent in the quarter to $3.6 billion. But same-store sales — a key figure in retailing — fell 6.7 percent. Those are sales at stores open at least a year.

Kohl's lowered its guidance for the year, saying it expects earnings to fall in a range of $2.95 to $3.15.

Kohl, Feingold vote in favor 
of farm bill approved by Senate
3:49 p.m.


MILWAUKEE (AP) - Wisconsin Democrats Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold voted in favor of the farm bill approved 81-15 by the U.S. Senate on Thursday. The bill now goes to President Bush.

Kohl chairs the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. He praised the bill for extending the Milk Income Loss Contract program by five years and raising the rate at which dairy farmers are paid.

Feingold says the bill will significantly improve food stamp and food assistance programs for many Americans facing high food prices.

Backup Bennett drives in 4 
in Dodgers' 7-2 win over Brewers
3:39 p.m.


MILWAUKEE (AP) - Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent and Gary Bennett homered during a six-run seventh inning, leading Chad Billingsley and the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Milwaukee Brewers 7-2 Thursday.

After Jones and Kent hit solo shots, Bennett capped the burst with a three-run homer.

Bennett, a backup catcher who hit an RBI double in the ninth, wasn't even supposed to play, but got the start when third baseman Blake DeWitt's lower back started hurting just before the game.

With DeWitt scratched, regular catcher Russell Martin played third base for the fifth time in his career.

Billingsley (3-5) didn't allow a hit until Brewers starter Ben Sheets, a career .078 hitter, singled with two outs in the fifth.

Billingsley gave up three hits and struck out five. The 23-year-old righty was pulled with a 6-0 lead after giving up Jason Kendall's leadoff triple in the eighth and walking his fourth batter.

Reliever Jonathan Broxton got J.J. Hardy to ground into a double play that scored Kendall. Ryan Braun then homered, having agreed to an eight-year, $45 million contract before the game to stay in Milwaukee.

Still, the Dodgers showed most of the power. After coming in tied for last in the NL with 26 homers, Los Angeles jumped on Sheets (4-1) with a surge in the seventh.

Kagen helped secure $25 million 
in earmarks for Wisconsin
3:13 p.m.


WASHINGTON (AP) - In January 2007, freshman Rep. Steve Kagen said he and other Democrats would freeze federal spending and "eliminate earmarks in the federal budget."

But the Wisconsin Democrat wound up securing about $25 million in earmarks in 2008 spending bills, according to a database by Taxpayers for Common Sense. The money he got on his own and with other lawmakers puts him in the top half of House members in securing dollars for pet projects.

Kagen says there's no inconsistency because his 2007 remarks were about reforms in that year's spending bill. He also resists the term "earmarks" when talking about money he obtained for this year.

"I've not seen an accurate definition of an earmark," Kagen said in a telephone interview, "but the majority of earmarks I've seen in my short time in Congress come out of the (Bush) administration — where the administration will give a Department of Energy or Interior grant to someone that they know, or some other entity that hasn't gone through Congress."

House rules define "congressional earmark" as spending included primarily because a member requested it.

John Gard, who lost the election for the House seat to Kagen in 2006, is already trying to make earmarks an issue in the campaign. When he declared his candidacy last month, the Republican cited Kagen's 2007 remarks and noted Congress went on to approve nearly 12,000 earmarks.

Gard said he'd take the fight against "pork barrel spending a step further" and would not ask for a single earmark.

Kagen was unapologetic.

Brewers' Riske heads to DL 
with hyperextended elbow
1:58 p.m.


MILWAUKEE (AP) - The Brewers put reliever David Riske on the 15-day disabled list because of a hyperextended right elbow and purchased the contract of journeyman minor league pitcher Mark DiFelice on Thursday.

Riske hurt himself in the eighth inning of Wednesday night's 6-4 loss to the Dodgers and immediately left the game. He declined later to talk to reporters.

Riske, who signed a three-year, $13 million contract in the offseason, is 0-1 with one save and a 4.71 ERA in 18 appearances.

DiFelice, an 11-year veteran of the minor leagues with Colorado, Baltimore, Washington, the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee, also had two stints in the independent Atlantic League in 2005 and 2006 before signing with the Brewers.

The former 15th round pick has never appeared in the majors. The righty was 3-0 with a 3.91 ERA in four starts with Triple-A Nashville, striking out 28 and walking just one in 23 innings.

Up to 40 percent of Wis. National Guard could be deployed
12:37 p.m.


MADISON (AP) - The head of the Wisconsin National Guard says up to 40 percent of his soldiers may be headed overseas next year.

Brigadier General Don Dunbar says 3,200 soldiers are expected to be mobilized to Iraq in early 2009. He says a few other Guard units might also get deployed during the year.

Dunbar says 35 percent to 40 percent of the Guard's 10,000 nearly soldiers could be gone at once.

Gov. Jim Doyle says the deployments present long-term challenges for the Guard but he's not worried that it will imperil its response to an emergency in Wisconsin.

Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Tim Donovan says 3,000 soldiers were in Iraq in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck but the Guard was still able to send 500 troops to help.

Foreclosures increase in Wisconsin 
in first part of 2008
12:37 p.m.


MILWAUKEE (AP) - More homes and properties are going into foreclosure in Wisconsin.

ForeclosuresWI.com of Milwaukee says foreclosure actions increased 38 percent in the first four months of this year compared to the same time a year ago.

The company says the largest increase in filings was in Sauk County in south central Wisconsin. Foreclosure filings there jumped 133 percent, from 54 to 126.

But Milwaukee County had the most homes go into foreclosure. More than 2,200 actions were filed in the first four months of this year, up 42 percent from a year ago.

Braun agrees to $45M, 
8-year deal with Brewers

12:08 p.m.


MILWAUKEE (AP) _ Ryan Braun grinned. He had just agreed to the largest contract in Milwaukee Brewers' history.

"I really believe in the direction this franchise is headed," the NL Rookie of the Year said Thursday after his $45 million, eight-year deal was announced. "I'm extremely excited in our future."

Braun's contract, which runs through 2015, replaces the $455,000, one-year renewal the Brewers gave him in spring training.

"How unreal is this?" said Braun's mother, Diane, who was looking on from the front row.

Braun hit .324 with 34 homers and 97 RBIs last season in 113 games after a May 25 callup. He entered Thursday with a .287 average, nine homers and 29 RBIs.

"For me, the opportunity to secure my future financially is something that really means a lot to me," the 24-year-old said. "I feel I was ready to make this commitment to the city of Milwaukee, to the fans and to the Brewers' organization. For them obviously to step up and give me this type of deal, this type of offer, is unprecedented and it means a lot to me."

The deal surpasses the $42 million, four-year contract the Brewers gave free-agent pitcher Jeff Suppan got before the 2007 season.

Braun said the money talks distracted him early this season.

Army says cause of Neenah 
soldier's death remains unclear
10:38 a.m.


NEENAH (AP) - The Army still can't explain how a Neenah soldier died in his barracks six months ago.

But, it is adding Sgt. James McDonald's name to a memorial wall for fallen soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas.

The 26-year-old soldier had received a Purple Heart for injuries suffered in a roadside bomb blast last year in Iraq. He was found dead in his barracks Nov. 12.

An autopsy says McDonald's death was likely related to head trauma suffered in combat but the cause has not been determined. Army officials say suicide and foul play have been ruled out and the investigation is closed.

McDonald's mother, Joan McDonald of Neenah, says she will be happy to see him honored on the memorial wall.

Miller CEO says drinkers are trading down to economy beers
9:06 a.m.


MILWAUKEE (AP) - The chief executive of Miller Brewing Co. says it's starting to see cash-strapped drinkers trading down to economy beers.

Tom Long says the Milwaukee-based brewer saw some shift between higher-priced, premium beers and economy beers starting in January.

He says this shift to beers like Miller High Life and Milwaukee's Best is being driven by Americans dealing with high gas prices and other soaring costs. But he says volumes of beers sold remain stable.

Americans also are spending less in bars and restaurants, and Long told reporters in a conference call Thursday that Miller is seeing declines in sales to those businesses.

Long didn't offer any new information about the proposed joint venture between Miller and Molson Coors Brewing Co. That awaits governmental approval.

China quake death toll 
could rise to 50,000
9:06 a.m.


LUOSHUI TOWN, China (AP) - China warned the death toll from this week's earthquake could soar to 50,000, while the government issued a public appeal Thursday for rescue equipment as it struggled to cope with the disaster.

More than 72 hours after the quake rattled central China, rescuers appeared to shift from poring through downed buildings for survivors to the grim duty of searching for bodies — with 10 million directly affected by Monday's temblor.

In Luoshui town — on the road to an industrial zone in Shifang city where two chemical plants collapsed, burying hundreds of people — troops used a mechanical shovel to dig a pit on a hilltop to bury the dead.

Police and militia in Dujiangyan pulverized rubble with cranes and backhoes while crews used shovels to pick around larger pieces of debris. On one sidestreet, about a dozen bodies were laid on a sidewalk, while incense sticks placed in a pile of sand sent smoke into the air as a tribute and to dull the stench of death.

The bodies were later lifted onto a flatbed truck, joining some half-dozen corpses. Ambulances sped past, sirens wailing, filled with survivors. Workers asked those left homeless to sign up for temporary housing, although it was unclear where they would live.

Not all hope of finding survivors was lost. After more than three days trapped under debris, a 22-year-old woman was pulled to safety in Dujiangyan. Covered in dust and peering out through a small opening, she was shown waving on state television shortly before being rescued.

Great Lakes Compact passes Legislature
7:01 a.m.


WAUKESHA - Mayor Larry Nelson called the passage Wednesday of the Great Lakes Compact by both houses of the state Legislature "historic for the city of Waukesha." The compact, which protects Great Lakes water from long distance diversions, now goes to Gov. Jim Doyle, who is expected to sign it.

For more coverage of this story, please pick up a copy of today’s Freeman.

Report has Rams picking Concordia
7:01 a.m.


MEQUON - Although no decision has been made, there are rumblings the St. Louis Rams could make Concordia University in Mequon the site of their training camp this summer.

According to media reports out of St. Louis, Mo., the National Football League’s Rams chose Concordia over Western Illinois University and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

“If in fact, the (St. Louis) Post-Dispatch article is correct and the Rams have chosen Concordia University to be their summer camp home we are extremely pleased,” said Rob Barnhill, director of athletics and assistant football coach for Concordia.

For full story, see Thursday’s News Graphic.

Froedtert, Synergy officials: 
Affiliation good for patients
7:01 a.m.


WEST BEND - With affiliation details done and essentially just the legal filings left, the combined entity of SynergyHealth and Froedtert and Community Health says the next step is focusing on patient care in Washington County.

"The unfolding of new programs and services will evolve over the next couple of months," said William Petasnick, president and CEO of Froedtert and Community Health.

Two major focuses will be on services and "opportunities for economies of scale" to better control health care costs and improve access to health care, he said.

For more coverage of this story, please pick up a copy of today’s Daily News.

Referendum talk divides 
Waukesha School Board
7:01 a.m.


WAUKESHA - Waukesha School Board members said Wednesday they need more community input and some solid numbers for a potential referendum before they’ll vote whether or not to pursue one. School board members were divided on initial referendum talks because they said more options and numbers have to be examined before they can go to the public for a vote.

For more coverage of this story, please pick up a copy of today’s Freeman.

OWI charge is Oconomowoc 
man’s seventh
7:01 a.m.


WAUKESHA - An Oconomowoc man has been ordered held on $50,000 cash bail after his arrest for his seventh offense of drunken driving Tuesday night. Jeffery Stern, 52, was charged with operating while intoxicated on Wednesday and was ordered to have no use or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs while his case is pending.

For more coverage of this story, please pick up a copy of today’s Freeman.

Waukesha could face $2.4 million 
budget shortfall
7:01 a.m.


WAUKESHA - A failed federal grant to hire new firefighters is only a part of the city’s budget problem for 2009 - a projected shortfall could be as much as $2.4 million. City Administrator Lori Luther said she and city department heads had already been eyeing $2 million in cuts to the budget when it was announced last week Waukesha’s request for a $500,000 multi-year grant from the Department of Homeland Security had been denied.

For more coverage of this story, please pick up a copy of today’s Freeman.

Area residents finding different ways 
to cut fuel costs and still get to work
7:01 a.m.


OZAUKEE COUNTY - Teresa Colloton is spitting mad. An otherwise mild-mannered woman, she expels some choice words when the subject turns to the recent gas prices.

“I’m ticked off,” Colloton said. “I’m angry.”

So she's doing something about it.

On Monday, Colloton started taking the Ozaukee County Express bus to her job in downtown Milwaukee.

For full story, see Thursday’s News Graphic.

Supreme Court returns Zellner 
case to appeals court
7:01 a.m.


CEDARBURG - The drawn-out legal drama of fired teacher Robert Zellner showed no signs of an end Tuesday after the Wisconsin Supreme Court sent the case back down to the appeals court.

It was the fourth time in 13 months that the case has moved from one court to another.

At issue is whether a judge can overturn a federal arbitrator’s decision, particularly when both parties involved agree to abide by that decision.

For full story, see Thursday’s News Graphic.

Four-gone conclusions: West Bend 
school leaders departing
7:01 a.m.


WEST BEND - Two principals, one athletic director and the director of public information are leaving the West Bend School District.

McLane Elementary School Principal Jan Haven, Decorah Elementary’s Alix Kasmarick, West Bend West Athletic Director Dan Retzki and Director of Public Information Dorreen Dembski are heading to new jobs. All positions will be posted this week, said Dr. Patricia Herdrich, superintendent, with interviews set for June. 

For more coverage of this story, please pick up a copy of today’s Daily News.

Repeat drunken driver charged 
in Jackson apartment crash
7:01 a.m.


JACKSON - A 47-year-old town of Jackson man waived his right to a timely preliminary hearing on two felony and two misdemeanor charges related to allegedly crashing of his truck into a Jackson apartment building while drunk. 

Kendall Ludin was charged with his fifth operating while intoxicated charge, a felony firstdegree reckless endangerment charge, a misdemeanor drunk driving causing injury charge and a misdemeanor hit and run charge on Tuesday in Washington County Circuit Court.

For more coverage of this story, please pick up a copy of today’s Daily News.