— A state labor economist says the uptick in jobs the state saw in April was pretty typical for this time of year. Wisconsin’s unemployment rate dropped 0.6 percentage points in April to 8.8 percent. Though down from 9.4 percent in March, that’s still 4.6 percentage points higher than the rate for April 2008. The national rate for April was 8.6 percent. The April survey of households found 17,300 more employed than in March. State labor economist Eric Grasso said Wisconsin typically sees an uptick in employment between March and April as warm-weather industries begin to hire people in anticipation of the summer months. — Come to a June 10 forum to hear major decision-makers debate the future of passenger rail, highway expansion, the port of Milwaukee and Mitchell Field in light of stressed state and local budgets and commuters’ continuing search for the best way to get to work. The WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com forum, which will take place on June 10 at Discovery World in Milwaukee, begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 9 a.m. Breakfast begins at 7:15 a.m. The event is open to the public, and the price is $30 per person. But WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com subscribers, the UW-Milwaukee community, and members of MMAC and Discovery World will be able to attend for $20 per person. The price includes the breakfast buffet but not parking. Call Debra Jordan (414) 287-4127 or e-mail djordan@mmac.org to register. — The Tommy Bartlett Water-skiers will hit the jumps tonight in their debut performance on a newly refilled Lake Delton. The 2009 summer show run kicks of with its traditional 8:30 p.m. performance along the shores of Bartlett Bay. Visitors can purchase tickets at the gate or call (608) 254-2525 to reserve a seat in advance. More information is also available online at http://www.tommybartlett.com. In celebration of the lake’s return, the Tommy Bartlett Show will perform free for audiences at both their 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. shows on June 9, the one-year anniversary of the lake breach. Local leaders are planning a day-long celebration and media opportunities that day, including a news conference with Gov. Jim Doyle at 11 a.m. TOP STORIES Oshkosh Corp. wins $28M military contract: Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corp., has been awarded a contract valued at more than $28 million with the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command. Don Miller dealerships to restructure; up to 35 jobs to be cut : Ordered by Chrysler Corp. last week to close two of its locations by June 9, Don Miller dealerships in Madison say they will have to end the jobs of up to 35 of their 155 employees, effective June 3. Wisconsin unemployment rate falls for April: The state’s unemployment rate fell slightly in April, but the number of people out of work rose by more than 140,000 when compared to a year ago.
************************************************************ See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors Jennifer Sereno, Kevin McKinley, Tom Burzinski, Gregg Hoffmann, Tom Still and Steve Jagler: ************************************************************ TECHNOLOGY (back to top) – Music Design sold to Allegro Media
ECONOMY (back to top) – California couple gives $5 million to MU engineering school
LABOR (back to top)
INVESTING (back to top) – Fiserv to buy back more shares
REAL ESTATE (back to top) – Business Beat: Plans for Ice Age Trail irk private landowners – City funding for Gas Light renovation wins backing
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top) – Joint Finance Passes Working Lands Initiative – Wood County Land Swap Could Mean More Cranberry Bogs
TRANSPORTATION (back to top) – Midwest Airlines will add service with expanded Republic deal – Two new jets allow Midwest to fly nonstop to West Coast
RETAIL (back to top) – S&K Menswear closing all its stores
REGULATION (back to top)
TOURISM (back to top) – Refilled Lake Delton rejuvenates skiers
UTILITIES (back to top)
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top) PRESS RELEASES (back to top) For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 |
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