Arena-funding deal may be close at hand; Bucks, city leaders optimistic

MILWAUKEE (WITI) — Milwaukee leaders and the president of the Milwaukee Bucks say a deal could come as soon as Wednesday, May 27th regarding a new $500 million downtown arena.Following a meeting on Tuesday morning, May 26th, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said the number of issues remaining has narrowed.

Wisconsin unemployment drops to 4.4 percent in April

MADISON (AP) — Wisconsin's unemployment rate dropped to 4.4 percent in April, down from 4.6 percent in March.The state Department of Workforce Development reported the latest figures Thursday.

On heels of trip to Israel, Governor Walker talks foreign policy in Iowa

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker says a recent trip to Israel reinforces his belief that the United States must aggressively deal with terrorists abroad.The potential 2016 presidential candidate spoke Saturday to Iowa Republicans in West Des Moines.

Investigation finds Walker's top aides pressed for taxpayer-funded loan to struggling construction company

MADISON (AP) — A newspaper investigation has found Governor Scott Walker's top aides pressed for a taxpayer-funded $500,000 loan to a struggling construction company.The Wisconsin State Journal reports (http://bit.ly/1KYa7er ) that Walker's economic development agency, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, awarded the unsecured loan to Building Committee Inc., owned by William Minahan.The 2011 loan wasn't repaid and is among several WEDC loans that state auditors recently questioned.Former agency head Paul Jadin says the deal was pushed by then-Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch, who originally wanted to provide a forgivable $4.3 million loan.Huebsch's push came after Minahan gave Walker's 2010 gubernatorial campaign a last-minute $10,000 donation.Walker spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said Walker wasn't aware of Minahan's donation.In a statement, Huebsch said he often helped connect small businesses with resources.

Joint Finance Committee votes to beef up Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare, to reduce backlog

MADISON (AP) — The Legislature's finance committee has decided to beef up Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare staffing to help reduce a backlog of child abuse complaints.Governor Scott Walker's budget calls for spending $1.6 million to hire 11 more employees in the bureau.The finance committee voted Thursday, May 14th to adopt the governor's plan as well as spend another $1 million to increase after-hours compensation and implement other employee retention policies.According to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, a large backlog of abuse complaints waiting for an initial assessment has been building within the bureau.

Governor Walker makes a stop in South Carolina before heading to Israel

SOUTH CAROLINA (WITI) -- Governor Walker is on the road again, stopping in a crucial state before heading overseas.Walker spent the day in South Carolina at a conservative rally on Saturday, May 9th.Walker talked mostly about Washington, saying the government needs to get out of the way.