Madison's Olbrich Botanical Garden hosted a Kwanzaa Celebration on December 29. Kwanzaa is a celebration of the African American spirit and culture. The non-religious celebration featured music, poetry and dancing. The event was free and open to the public.

On the day of the public hearing for Senate Bill 343, relating to arbitration in situations involving cable and satellite television system operators and creators of video programming, members of the public and officials of the NFL and Big Ten Networks give their reactions to the bill.

WisconsinEye visited the Milwaukee County Historical Society on December 19 to tour an exhibit dedicated to Billie the Brownie, the elf who made famous Schuster's department store in Milwaukee. The advertising radio personality debuted on the airwaves in 1931, but was previously used in newspaper advertisements. Billie -- which became a Christmas tradition in Milwaukee -- later made his way into television and comic stripes. The character was originally conceived to publicize the annual downtown Schuster's Christmas Parade.

Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, held a press conference to discuss the so-called Corporate Tax Accountability Act on December 19 in the Senate Parlor at that state Capitol. Hansen said the bill, which will require public companies disclose how they lower their Wisconsin taxes, will be introduced in January 2008.

Wisconsin's Christmas tree farms contribute 50 million dollars to the state's economy. With over 1,300 growers in Wisconsin, tree farms cover 36,000 acres of the state, making Wisconsin the third largest harvester of Christmas trees in the nation. This program looks at two different Christmas tree farms in south central Wisconsin and explores aspects of the business.

n a year-end edition of Capitol Roundtable Madison Bureau Chief for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Steve Walters, leads a panel of state Capitol reporters in a discussion of the year's top ten news stories in state politics.

Wisconsin's First Lady Jessica Doyle gave WisconsinEye a tour of the Executive Residence, on December 17, as the Governor's Mansion was decorated for the holidays.

WisconsinEye sat down with Jill Makovec, Wisconsin's 60th Alice in Dairyland at WisconsinEye Studios in Madison on December 17. Alice in Dairyland is a public relations professional working for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. She travels throughout the state, nation and world to promote Wisconsin products to audiences of all ages, educating the media, youth and civic groups about the many facets of the state's agricultural industry. Makovec talked about the demands of the role and how she was selected Alice.

Alice in Dairyland, Jill Makovec, discussed the state's "Something Special From Wisconsin" initiative meant to highlight the various agriculture products produced in the state that can make gifts. Makovec brought a number of the products featured in the program to WisconsinEye Studios in Madison on December 17.

WisconsinEye traveled through Wisconsin's Lake Superior area in the Summer of 2007 and spoke to business owners, public officials, and local citizens about the importance of the lake to the economy and the culture of surrounding communities.

WisconsinEye interviewed Mayor Gary Becker as he hosts the winter meeting of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative in the city of Racine on December 13. Becker belongs to the group, which includes mayor from Great Lakes cities in Canada and the United States. The group works actively with federal, state and provincial governments to advance the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes. The group has been active in a number of Great Lakes’ issues — from creating clean beaches and reducing lake pollution to encouraging restoration and fighting invasive species.

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Board of Directors met in Racine on December 13 to call on candidates in the 2008 elections to make Great Lakes issues a priority. In this press conference Great Lakes Mayors from around the United States and Canada said they would send questionnaires to the 2008 presidential candidates and encourage them to discuss great lakes issues in their campaigns.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of progressive talk radio host Lee Rayburn for the week of December 10-14. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 14.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of progressive talk radio host Lee Rayburn for the week of December 10-14. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 14.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of progressive talk radio host Lee Rayburn for the week of December 10-14. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 13.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of progressive talk radio host Lee Rayburn for the week of December 10-14. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 13.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of progressive talk radio host Lee Rayburn for the week of December 10-14. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 13.

The Wisconsin Great Lakes Caucus met on December 12 at the State Capitol to assess the future role great lakes issues will have on the local, state and national landscape. The Caucus, a bipartisan effort by state legislators, was established to focus on how to best promote, protect and enhance the ecological and economic value and importance of the Great Lakes.

The Wisconsin Great Lakes Caucus met on December 12 at the State Capitol to assess the future role great lakes issues will have on the local, state and national landscape. The Caucus, a bipartisan effort by state legislators, was established to focus on how to best promote, protect and enhance the ecological and economic value and importance of the Great Lakes.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of progressive talk radio host Lee Rayburn for the week of December 10-14. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 12.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of progressive talk radio host Lee Rayburn for the week of December 10-14. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 12.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights activist, founder of the RainbowPUSH Coalition and former candidate for the Democratic Nomination for President in 1984 and 1988, was the featured guest at 90th Birthday Celebration of Madison's Progressive newspaper The Capital Times on December 12. The newspaper was the first general circulation paper to endorse Jackson in 1988. As well as taking a retrospective of Jackson's history in civil rights activist, the history of the newspaper was discussed.

The Presidential Preference Selection Committee met at the State Capitol in Madison on December 11 to select the candidates who will appear on the ballot for the Presidential Preference Vote on February 19, 2008. The committee certified candidates for the Democratic and Republican primary ballots. The committee consists of eleven (11) members: the President and minority leader of the State Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the Assembly or their designees, the State Chairs of the Democratic and Republican Parties, and one national committeeman and national committeewoman from each party designated by the state chairs. The committee is charged with selecting those individuals whose candidacy is generally advocated or recognized in the national news media throughout the United States for placement on the presidential primary ballot. The committee may also add the names of other individuals. Candidates who are not selected may circulate a petition to appear on the ballot. They must gather at least 8,000 signatures, 1,000 from each of the State’s Congressional Districts, no later than January 2, 2008. Candidates selected for the ballot by the committee have until January 2, 2008 to withdraw their names from the ballot.

The Presidential Preference Selection Committee met at the State Capitol in Madison on December 11 to select the candidates who will appear on the ballot for the Presidential Preference Vote on February 19, 2008. The committee certified candidates for the Democratic and Republican primary ballots. The committee consists of eleven (11) members: the President and minority leader of the State Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the Assembly or their designees, the State Chairs of the Democratic and Republican Parties, and one national committeeman and national committeewoman from each party designated by the state chairs. The committee is charged with selecting those individuals whose candidacy is generally advocated or recognized in the national news media throughout the United States for placement on the presidential primary ballot. The committee may also add the names of other individuals. Candidates who are not selected may circulate a petition to appear on the ballot. They must gather at least 8,000 signatures, 1,000 from each of the State’s Congressional Districts, no later than January 2, 2008. Candidates selected for the ballot by the committee have until January 2, 2008 to withdraw their names from the ballot.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of progressive talk radio host Lee Rayburn for the week of December 10-14. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 11.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of progressive talk radio host Lee Rayburn for the week of December 10-14. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 11.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of progressive talk radio host Lee Rayburn for the week of December 10-14. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 11.

Former U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney, D-Georgia, made a trip to Madison and Milwaukee as part of her "Power to the People" tour, promoting her campaign to win the Green Party nomination for president. WisconsinEye captured McKinney's event held at the state Capitol on December 11.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of progressive talk radio host Lee Rayburn for the week of December 10-14. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 10.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of progressive talk radio host Lee Rayburn for the week of December 10-14. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 10.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of progressive talk radio host Lee Rayburn for the week of December 10-14. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 10.

Madison Bureau Chief for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Steve Walters, leads a panel of state Capitol reporters in a discussion of the week's major news stories in state politics. Monday's program focused on health care reform with guest Rep. Kitty Rhoades, R-Hudson.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 7.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 7.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 7.

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs hosted a Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove on December 7. Survivors of the Pearl Harbor Attack talked about their experience on the event's 66th anniversary.

Buddy Huffaker, executive director for the Aldo Leopold Foundation delivered the keynote address at the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association Annual Meeting on December 6 at the Concourse Hotel in Madison. The Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association, Inc. (WLWCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization representing Wisconsin’s County Board Land Conservation Committees and Departments. The meeting was held at the Concourse Hotel in Madison on December 6.

Gary Korb of University of Wisconsin-Extension and others from the Southeast Area Association, examined urban conservation issues during the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association Annual Meeting on December 6 at the Concourse Hotel in Madison. Those issues discussed included proper community and site planning, construction erosion controls, purchase of development rights, conservation subdivisions, environmental corridors including flood land protection. The Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association, Inc. (WLWCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization representing Wisconsin’s County Board Land Conservation Committees and Departments.

State Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen discussed soil and water conservation in the context of renewable energy at the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association Annual Meeting, The Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association, Inc. (WLWCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization representing Wisconsin’s County Board Land Conservation Committees and Departments. The meeting was held at the Concourse Hotel in Madison on December 6. This event also included comments from Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 6.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 6.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 6.

Supporters of the Wisconsin Way, a coalition of Wisconsin organizations and individuals, hosted a public gathering at the Alliant Energy Exhibition Center in Madison on December 6 to discuss Wisconsin's taxes. The event was, according to organizers, an effort to engage Wisconsin citizens in a constructive, solution-oriented conversation about what can be done to make Wisconsin taxes fairer and reduce the property tax burden without sacrificing the quality of public services. The effort was funded by the Wisconsin Counties Association, the Wisconsin Education Association Council, the Wisconsin REALTORS Association, Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association and Wood Communications Group.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 5.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 5.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 5.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 4.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 4.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 4.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting was held December 2-4 at the Marriott in Middleton with the theme of “Leading a Growing and Dynamic Agriculture.” On December 3, the Farm Bureau Business Session summarized the accomplishments of Farm Bureau and included an organizational outlook by Farm Bureau president Bill Bruins.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting was held December 2-4 at the Marriott in Middleton with the theme of “Leading a Growing and Dynamic Agriculture.” On December 3, Molly Jahn, Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UW-Madison, talked about research and education initiatives toward a growing and dynamic agriculture in Wisconsin. Rick Stadleman, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Towns Association, talked about the challenges townships face as rural communities and agriculture change. Dennis Frame, Co-Director of the Discovery Farms talked about ongoing environmental research.

Unique Wisconsin Host John Blandino traveled to Sparta, Wis., home of Fiberglass Animals, Shapes & Trademarks Corp., or simply FAST. The company has supplied fiberglass statues, including a 12-foot human heart, a 13-foot sunglass-earing cow, and a 30-foot cyclist, to locations across the country. It also produced the "pile" sculpture designed by Donald Lipsky for University of Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 3.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 3.

WisconsinEye visited the studio of conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna for the week of December 3-7. WisconsinEye covers news and information media as part of our focus on civic activity statewide and our Media at Work programming series. Future segments will feature other talk radio programs as well as other electronic and print media. This program was taped December 3.