skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

U.S. gender wage gap grows for the first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Rough Road for WI “Highway Hazard” Bill?

play audio
Play

Wednesday, August 3, 2011   

MADISON, Wis. - A measure making its way through the Wisconsin Legislature would change a 162-year-old requirement that government bodies have specific responsibility to repair local roads and bridges. Opponents say the change would allow them to shirk responsibility for damage and injuries caused by crumbling bridges and highways.

With this week's fourth anniversary of the Minneapolis I-35W bridge collapse disaster, which killed 13 and injured 145, many are concerned that the state's roads and bridges will crumble as budgets shrink. An even bigger concern may be the proposed change in state law that would make it harder for people to collect damages when they are injured by faulty infrastructure.

Mike End, president of the Wisconsin Association for Justice, says there is already a $50,000 limit on damages in such cases.

"No recovery, versus under the current law at least there would be that $50,000 recovery if the damages warranted it."

Supporters of the bill say the money to fix roads could come from savings municipalities would gain by not paying to repair damaged cars and trucks or compensating injured citizens. End counters that the law would make it easier for government to shirk its responsibilities, and adds that there will be even bigger problems with the aging infrastructure across Wisconsin if the law passes.

"There will be less incentive for the municipalities to maintain those things. It is not helping the situation at all if this bill does pass."

The proposed law has been introduced in the Senate and Assembly. The versions - Senate Bill 125 and Assembly Bill 180 - are before committees.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Recipients of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant can now access funding to drive financing for thousands of climate-focused and clean energy initiatives. (bilanol/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Michigan's most vulnerable communities are receiving federal funding to fight the devastating effects of climate change. It's part of the $27 billion …


Health and Wellness

play sound

September is Health Literacy Month, and a Denver-based group is working to help health professionals break a persistent pattern of discrimination …

Environment

play sound

A new report contends fossil fuel funding has biased Columbia University's climate research. The report, by two Columbia students, shows the …


Alabama releases roughly 220,279 men and 78,247 women from its prisons and jails each year. (Chad Robertson/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

An Alabama woman is on a mission to help people who've been incarcerated for decades successfully transition back into society. The mission to …

Health and Wellness

play sound

In North Carolina, the gap between Medicaid reimbursement rates and the actual cost of dental care has reached a crisis point, impacting both …

So far in 2024, community health centers in North Dakota have screened 11,580 patients for food insecurity. Through those screenings, more than three thousand box meals have been distributed. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

September is Hunger Action Month. In North Dakota, it isn't just food banks trying to help underserved populations get nutritious items. Health …

Environment

play sound

Marine biologists conducting deep dives near five California islands are collecting data they hope will strengthen the case for ending gillnet fishing…

Environment

play sound

Researchers at Iowa State University are taking aim at the huge amount of energy used by data centers, now and in the future. They have developed a …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021