How does a bill become a law? The answer to that is in the Wisconsin Blue Book and the stuff of fourth (I think this is when we all learned it) grade classrooms. But boy that lesson has been turned on its head in the past several weeks in Wisconsin! Now I'm not taking sides here, but the budget repair bill – has so many lawyers attached to it in the courts right now that one veteran reporter (not me) compared this week's hearing over a restraining order to "a five-headed hydra." [Definition of HYDRA:: a many-headed serpent in Greek mythology] So, court resumes tomorrow (with all the attorneys) to determine whether the judge will issue a "preliminary injunction" against the bill over an alleged violation of the opening meetings laws. That injunction is more lasting than the temporary restraining order (3rd) now in place. Oh, and the Supreme Court is also deciding whether to take the case (more lawyers). Stay tuned.

It's been a busy couple of weeks eventhough "In Wisconsin" hasn't been on the air. This week, we return to our regular Thursday at 7:30p time slot.

In Wisconsin Reporter Jo Garrett visits Milwaukee's Urban Ecology Center, a downtown oasis for birds migrating north. You will discover how this urban jewel has been reclaimed from drug dealers and criminals by birdwatchers and citizen scientists.

We also have a QUEST report by In Wisconsin Reporter Andy Soth as he looks at Wisconsin's first great scientist. Increase Lapham was a self-taught renaissance man who dabbled in botany, archaeology, forestry and climatology. Discover how his influence is still being felt in the state two hundred years after his birth.

You won't want to miss the teen musicians in the statewide Bolz Young Artist Competition. For several months, they have been auditioning but only four remained standing on the stage of Overture Hall in Madison. This week you'll meet cellist Elliott Yang of New Berlin. With the arrival of spring you can also discover a very urban section of Wisconsin's Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Janesville through the camera lens of videographer Mike Eicher.

In Wisconsin airs 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24 on Wisconsin Public Television. The program also will air at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, March 27 on Milwaukee's MPTV and on WDSE-TV in Duluth at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 27.

Tonight is the premiere of our In Wisconsin special called "Our Birds". For the past 2 years Reporter Jo Garrett and Videographer Frank Boll have been crafting this documentary about Wisconsin's migratory birds. It premieres tonight at 7:00 p.m. on Wisconsin Public Television.

We also just found out today that Milwaukee Public Television will air this hour long documentary on May 12, 9:00pm and repeat it May 14, 2:00pm.

Give it a watch and then drop us a line in the comment section below. We'd like to hear your feedback. Emjoy the show.

After being on hiatus for the month of December... "In Wisconsin" returns tonight at 7:30p right after Wisconsin Foodie.

One of the highlights - the Middleton High School Marching Band's performance in London's New Years Day Parade. More than a half-million spectators on the ground and a worldwide audience. It took a little bit of juggling for us to get the video recorded off a satellite starting at 5:30 a.m. New Year's Day. We hope you enjoy it.

Liz Koerner delivers an all new report as she visits two Manitowoc artists for a look at studio-portrait postcards. They represent a time when few people had cameras. Discover how a current revival of the art merges old with new as people enjoy the fun of being photographed in outlandish dress or by not dressing at all.

In Wisconsin Reporter Frederica Freyberg looks at how local businesses are navigating Chinese business etiquette. Be warned leave the Packers hat at home. Discover why this is an insult in China. And we'll visit a eco-friendly dairy farm near Waterloo.. where nothing is wasted. In Wisconsin Reporter Art Hackett visits the Crave Brother's farm near Waterloo for a look at value-added agriculture

The newsmagazine airs 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6 on WPT and is available in high definition. WPT will broadcast an encore of the program at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9. The program also will air at 11:30 a.m. on Milwaukee's MPTV and on WDSE-TV in Duluth at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9.

Wisconsin missed out on the second round of competition for the federal "Race to the Top" education funding. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia were named finalists today for the chance to win a share of the $3 billion dollars. The money is being dispersed to states that have put in place or will implement reforms to improve low performing schools and close achievement gaps. Wisconsin had hoped to receive up to $250 million over four years. In response, Governor Jim Doyle called the decision disappointing, saying he believed Wisconsin's application was strong. He said Milwaukee Public Schools will be given $43 million in Recovery Act funding that is separate from the "Race to the Top" monies. "Here and Now" has an invitation out to Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Evers, to discuss this setback.

Can you read this right now? If so, you're connected. You may not have high-speed internet, but such broadband service could be coming to a school or library near you. Governor Jim Doyle this week asked the legislature's budget committee to approve nearly $23 million in federal stimulus funding for fiber optic connections in 70 schools and libraries in 380 communities. The governor says the coverage will also help businesses and law enforcement in the areas where the broadband is installed. The coverage extends out in a three mile radius from the connection point – so people in that range can benefit from the service. The joint finance committee is expected to consider the funding next week.

Reports today show Wisconsin was not, in fact, very competitive when it came to the "Race to the Top," application for federal education reform dollars. Here's what the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports today:

"Wisconsin's application for a share of $4.35 billion in federal education grants scored in the bottom half of 41 applicants, earning the equivalent of a C-minus grade by government reviewers.

The state's score sheet and the accompanying reviewer comments were released Monday after U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan revealed that Tennessee and Delaware won funding from the first phase of the Race to the Top competition, qualifying them for $500 million and $100 million, respectively, over the next four years.

All of the reviewers noted that few local teachers union leaders in Wisconsin had supported the state's application, and one noted that the statewide teachers union's support seemed "tepid." That was far short of expectations for competitive applications." --JSOnline

Here's what Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Evers, and Wisconsin Education Association Council President Mary Bell, said about the "Race to the Top," application on Here and Now in January.

I had the opportunity this week to attend an orientation to Dane County's Youth Apprenticeship program. High school students in the program are given the chance to work in a field of their interest--for pay--and take specialized classes, often at a tech school.

The program will be featured in a television show called "Blueprint" that Wisconsin Public Television is producing with our partner, the Educational Communications Board (ECB). It will feature the ways that science, technology, engineering and math, collectively called STEM, are being taught in new, applied methods throughout the state.

In the youth apprentice program, high school students can work in health care, automotive tech, information technology and biotechnology, among several other fields. It's an opportunity to make real world use of their education while developing new skills and good work habits.

The television program, planned for broadcast in the fall, will be the third in a series of "Blueprint" specials. You can watch the previous two by clicking on these links: Blueprint: Designing Wisconsin's Future and Blueprint for Tomorrow's Education (produced by Milwaukee Public Television and ECB).

New academic standards could be on the way for 48 states including Wisconsin. A group of educators working for the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers today released proposed common academic standards. The standards detail what American public school students should learn in math and English from kindergarten through high school. The Obama administration endorses the standards.

They can be seen on the Common Core State Standards Initiative site.

Alaska and Texas are the only states not taking part in the standards re-write effort.