Margaret Lewis, executive director of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, hosted a discussion about the impact of the arts on Wisconsin's economy with Anne Katz, executive director of Arts Wisconsin, Dean Amhaus president of Spirit of Milwaukee, John Potter, executive director of Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson and Hanah Jon Taylor Director of Madison Center for Creative and Cultural Arts.

The C-SPAN Campaign 2008 bus rolled into Madison on its "Capitol Cities Tour" as part of C-SPAN's Road to Washington program on August 29. The bus spent the day in downtown Madison's capitol square, promoting C-SPAN's 2008 campaign coverage and giving those passing by a chance to see how the bus operates as a mobile television studio.

The Public Forum Institute held the Northeast Wisconsin Economic Summit in Appleton, Wis. on August 29. Chaired by U.S Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton, the summit explored how governments can assist in and create economic growth in Northeast Wisconsin. Representatives from business, labor, education, government, and other citizens gave their perspective on the issue.

n celebration of the 87th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment allowing women to vote, Wisconsin Women’s Network sponsored Women’s Equality Day in Madison, Wis. on August 28. Speakers included State Superintendent, Elizabeth Burmaster and Rep.Terese Berceau, D-Madison. The Wisconsin Women's Network is a coalition of organizations and individuals whose mission is to advance the status of women and girls in Wisconsin through communication, education, and advocacy.

The 2007 Beloit Business and Education Summit invited Terry Ludeman to speak on the future trends of Wisconsin's labor markets. He examined the state's future demographic changes and its economic impact. Ludeman is the former Chief Labor Economist for the state of Wisconsin and Chief of Governor's Office of Economic Advisors. He retired in 2006.

The 2007 Beloit Business and Education Summit kicked off with a keynote speech by former attorney turned public schools advocate Jamie Vollmer. Vollmer explained his evolution from being a business oriented nationally renowned ice cream maker to an aggressive supporter of public schools and a voice for our nations teachers.

Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton joined a number of Senate and Assembly Democrats in criticizing the State Assembly version of the state budget at a news conference on August 28. They said the Assembly budget would limit women's access to primary health care. The event, which included Rep. Donna Seidel, D-Wausau , Sen. Robert Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie, Rep. James Kreuser, D-Kenosha, graduate student Carolyn Ponder, Dr. Tosha Wetterneck, President of the Dane County Medical Society and Sara Finger of the Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health, was held in the Assembly Parlor at the State Capitol.

WVRQ Radio Station Manager, Jeff Robinson discusses the role that his radio station in Viroqua, Wis. has played in disaster relief and recovery in the wake of August flooding in Southwest Wisconsin. Robinson spoke to WisconsinEye at the radio station on August 27.

Rev. Lindsay Jordan, senior pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua, Wis. discussed how the church and its parishioners have dealt with and contributed to the recovery effort in the wake of August flooding in Southwest Wisconsin. Jordan spoke to WisconsinEye from inside the church on August 27.

WisconsinEye visited Crandon, Wis. during the annual National Figure Eight Barefoot Championships, on August 25. The Footstock water ski tournament brings barefooters from around the country to compete one-on-one in this endurance competition.

WisconsinEye visited the first community to participate in the Wisconsin Main Street Program, Sheboygan Falls. The Wisconsin Main Street Program is a comprehensive revitalization program designed to promote the historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts in Wisconsin. Community economic development leaders talk about the impact of the program on the city. The Main Street Program was established in 1987 to encourage and support the revitalization of downtowns in Wisconsin communities. Each year, the Department of Commerce selects communities to join the program. These communities receive technical support and training needed to restore their Main Streets to centers of community activity and commerce.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Director R. David Paulison and other members of FEMA held a press conference in Madison, Wis. on August 24 regarding the recent flooding in southwestern Wisconsin. They then flew to Gays Mills, Wis. met up with U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, R-La Crosse and assessed the damage and recovery efforts in that location. They then flew to Goose Island, Wis. where another press conference was held. WisconsinEye was able to travel along side Paulison and Kind to document their work.

In a round table discussion at WisconsinEye's Studios on August 21, Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, Rep. David Travis, D-Waunakee, and Todd Berry, president of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, talked about Wisconsin's state budget and legislative process.

Director of Legislative Relations for the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce R.J. Pirlot discussed the Senate Democrats "Healthy Wisconsin" health care plan and a recent poll conducted for the association, which shows a majority of Wisconsin voters are against a government-run health care plan. The dicussion took place at WisconsinEye's Studios on August 21. The Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce is a business association working to advance policies that are in the public interest of our state and nation, according to the group's website.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank visited Mason, Wis. on August 17 for a Fish Boil at Mason Village Park as part of the Governor's fifth annual "Up North" Tour. The event, it was said, was meant to celebrate the industries importance in the region. The tour, which ran from August 12 to August 19, included the Governor, the First Lady, Lt. Governor Lawton, and members of the Governor's Cabinet. It is meant to promote tourism, outline state initiatives to grow the economy and invest in kids and bring state government, according to a press release from the Governor's office prior to the tour.

John Lempke, retail, publicity and visitor services manager and Dave Driscoll, curator of business and technology of the Wisconsin Historical Museum, describe the recent Wisconsin Historical Museum exhibit, “World Series Wisconsin”, a celebration of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers, as the last two Wisconsin baseball teams to make the World Series. Assorted baseball items on display include: Henry Aarons’ Milwaukee Braves and Brewers uniforms, Robin Younts’ World Series homerun bat and ball, Film clips and radio tapes of the 1957 World Champion Milwaukee Braves, team photos, and various priceless collectables. WisconsinEye visited the exhibit at the Madison Museum on August 14.

Master Cheesemaker Myron Olson leads a tour of the Chalet Cheese Co-op, America's only limberger cheese plant, in Monroe, Wis.

State Bridge Engineer Finn Hubbard discussed the safety of Wisconsin's bridges and the state's reaction to the collapse of the Minneapolis 35W Bridge. Hubbard also recalled the collapse of the Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee in 2000.

WisconsinEye toured the Apostle Islands National Lake Shore on October 9. Along windswept beaches and cliffs, visitors at this park experience where water meets land and sky, culture meets culture, and past meets present. The 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland host a unique blend of cultural and natural resources. Lighthouses shine over Lake Superior and the new wilderness areas. Visitors can hike, paddle, sail, or cruise to experience these Jewels of Lake Superior.

WisconsinEye interviewed Tammy Aissen of the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion at the 2007 Wisconsin State Fair on August 8.

Sen. Jon Erpenbach held a listening session at the public library in Superior, Wis. on August 8 about the "Healthy Wisconsin" health care reform plan the State Senate has proposed in the 2007-2009 state budget. The event was sponsered by the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups and the Wisconsin AFL-CIO.

WisconsinEye Interviewed Becky Folgert of the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion at the 2007 Wisconsin State Fair on August 2. Becky is Wisconsin's Honey Queen for 2007 and described the importance of honey and bees in the state.

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin, held a listening session at City Hall in Eagle River, Wis. on August 8. Feingold was asked about his recent introduction of two censure resolutions condemning the President, Vice President and others within the Bush Administration. Feingold has held over 1000 listening sessions, having committed to visit every Wisconsin county each year.

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and Military Order of the Purple Heart, Department of Wisconsin, hosted a Purple Heart Ceremony at the Wisconsin State Capitol on Tuesday, August 7. The Purple Heart is the oldest military medal in the world in present use, initially created on August 7, 1782. This year’s Purple Heart Day theme is “225 Years of Valor” to observe the 225th anniversary of the inception of the Purple Heart and the 75th anniversary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Robert Kraig of Citizen Action of Wisconsin discussed the Assembly Republican health care plan and a recent report that the non-profit organization released opposing it. Kraig said the Republican plan to rely on Health Savings Accounts (HSA's) will make health care in the state worse not better. He also discussed the Senate Democrat health care plan as well as the Governor's plan.

Wisconsin Main Street Program Director Jim Engle discussed the status of Wisconsin's downtowns and the efforts that the Main Street Program has made over the last twenty years to revitalize more than 30 community downtowns throughout the state.

During the 2007 Wisconsin State Fair volunteer and historian Jerry Zimmerman described what the purpose of the State Fair Museum. From racing history to Green Bay Packer football, Zimmerman described why he thinks the fair's history is worth preserving.

WisconsinEye joined a number of Fairest of the Fairs from around the state as they toured the bakery, famous for producing the Wisconsin State Fair Creampuff. The bakery is located on the fair grounds, giving customers the opportunity to watch how the creampuffs are made while they wait in line to receive one.

The Trimborn Farm is the only Milwaukee County Park with a historic theme. The multifaceted property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a state historic site and a Milwaukee County landmark. WisconsinEye takes a tour of the barns and its lime kiln, while learning about the history of the farm and Greendale, Wis., where it is located.

The Milwaukee Cream Citys hosted their third annual Vintage Base Ball Tournament at Trimborn Farm in Greendale, Wis. on August 5. Six teams, representing Wisconsin and Illinois, utilized rules, terminology and uniform styles from the 1860's.

The 139th annual Wisconsin Valley Fair took place at Wausau's Marathon Park. The fair is central Wisconsin's largest yearly event drawing nearly 200,000 people during its seven day span. Although primarily an agricultural event, the fair has entertainment including food, rides, and musical acts. WisconsinEye visited the fair on August 3.

WisconsinEye took a break from the summer heat at the 2007 Wisconsin State Fair to visit with Rob Multerer, Director of Operations at the Pettit National Ice Center. The center is adjacent to the State Fair grounds.

Wisconsin State Fair Opening Ceremony Dignitaries gathered at the Ag Oasis on August 2 to open the 2007 Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee, Wis. The keynote address was given by Governor Jim Doyle.

WisconsinEye visits with junior dairy exhibitors from across the state who participated in the 2007 Wisconsin State Fair on August 2.

Immediately proceeding the 2007 Wisconsin State Fair Opening Ceremony, on August 2, a reception was held featuring the Grand Champion Butter Cookie created by the Wisconsin Bakers Association. WisconsinEye interviewed Sheri Nelson, Wisconsin's Fairest of the Fair and Rod Nilsestuen, Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection about the Fair’s opening ceremony.

The Wisconsin FFA hosted a race of cars made out of vegetables at the Wisconsin State Fair on August 2. The race, designed for kids attending the fair, is used an an opportunity to educate people about vegetables as well as introduce them to the FFA. Wisconsin Eye talked to two Wisconsin FFA offices to learn more about the FFA, Wisconsin State Fair and the Veggie Races.