— The national unemployment rate rose to 9.5 percent in June, the highest rate in 26 years. The rate increase was more than expected, and came from employers cutting 467,000 jobs. See more below in TOP STORIES — The state’s agriculture interests are generally satisified with the $62 billion state budget signed into law this week, especially considering some of the proposals that were included in the bill and then removed. Wisconsin Farm Bureau spokesman Casey Langan said farmers dodged a bullet on a proposed “11th-hour” change that would have greatly increased property taxes for farmers with land near towns and cities. Sue Beitlich, president of the more left-leaning Wisconsin Farmers Union, said the budget was “about as good as could be expected considering the huge shortfalls that are anticipated. “Clearly, there is nothing that is helping the dairy farmer who is in a world of hurt right now because of low milk prices,” she said. “But most of that needs to be dealt with at the federal level.” See more in a new WisBusiness story: — The Farm Bureau says Wisconsin food prices fell by 4 percent over the past three months. That’s good news for consumers but could be trouble for farmers who are getting paid less for their products. Some of the biggest decreases: A gallon of whole milk was down nearly 11 percent; a dozen eggs went for $1.14, down nearly 13 percent; and a pound of sirloin tip roast went for $3.36, a drop of more than 16 percent It was the third straight quarter to see a dip in the Farm Bureau’s survey of state grocery prices. See details: — In his new book “Blue Collar & Proud of It,” author Joe Lamacchia explains how to take advantage of the rosy future for blue-collar jobs. WisBusiness book reviewer Terri Schlichenmeyer says the book offers support for the undecided, sound reasoning for parents, and a huge list of schools and programs for anyone who’s considering a blue-collar job or employment in the new “green collar” sector. See the review: — Coinciding with the opening week of “Public Enemies,” a movie partly filmed in Wisconsin chronicling the life of bank robber John Dillinger, the Wisconsin Bankers Association is joining with state and federal law enforcement agencies to unveil the “No Hats, No Hoods, No Sunglasses, No Guns” campaign, a voluntary program designed as a deterrent for bank robbers. “The movie, by all reports, is very good but it does portray John Dillinger as a folk hero rather than the dangerous criminal he really was,” said Kurt Bauer, WBA president/CEO. “We want to remind the public that bank robbers are dangerous individuals who put the public and bank employees at risk.” See details on the program: Meanwhile, residents of Columbus, where a portion of the movie was filmed, were treated to a special screening at Madison’s Eastgate Cinemas. See the story: http://www.channel3000.com/news/19924747/detail.html TOP STORIES CUNA Mutual to sell IRA Services division : CUNA Mutual Group in Madison said Wednesday it signed a letter of intent to sell its IRA Services division to Ascensus, a retirement services firm based in Dresher, Pa. The sale is part of CUNA Mutual’s overall corporate strategy to simplify its business and focus on its core insurance business and products, President and CEO Jeff Post said. Briggs & Stratton to close Jefferson plant: Briggs & Stratton will eliminate 430 jobs and close its Jefferson facility that makes pressure washers and portable generators by mid next year. Oshkosh Corp. buoyed by $1 billion military contract: A $1.05 billion military order will translate into several months of work for Fox Cities operations of Oshkosh Corp. Some fireworks retailers feeling pinch of economy : Some fireworks retailers in central Wisconsin say the sour economy is affecting their sales heading into the Fourth of July weekend.
************************************************************ See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors Jennifer Sereno, Kevin McKinley, Tom Burzinski, Gregg Hoffmann, Tom Still and Steve Jagler: ************************************************************
BIOTECH (back to top)
ECONOMY (back to top) – Markets see slight rise, eye jobs data – Milwaukee area losing jobs faster than most metro areas in region
MANUFACTURING (back to top) – Measure of local manufacturing improves, but few convinced – Grede seeks bankruptcy protection
LABOR (back to top) – Displaced workers look ahead to new careers
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top) – High prices force successful marriage of baker, diner
REAL ESTATE (back to top) – Wisconsin gets $35.6M for affordable housing – Pending home sales slip in Midwest – Lender sues to foreclose on Mitchell Square project – Alderman wants city to help finance New Land high-rise
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top) – Doyle Calls New State Budget ‘Agriculturally-Friendly’ – Co-op forming in Iowa County aims at rural economic development
RETAIL (back to top) – StoneFire Pizza owners face foreclosure suit – Roundy’s recalls beef
REGULATION (back to top)
TOURISM (back to top) – State budget accelerates Bradley Center funding
UTILITIES (back to top)
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top) – Sunset Bank approved for $5.6 million in TARP funds MANAGEMENT (back to top)
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