Saturday State News Briefs: New London man given life sentence in murder case

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NEW LONDON - A 35 year old man from New London has been given a life sentence on his first-degree intentional homicide conviction.

Waupaca County Circuit Judge Phil Kirk called Chad Magolski “the Shawano Street butcher.” He says Magolski can’t be rehabilitated. Magolski stabbed 77 year old James Park Junior to death in December 2007 because he needed money for rent. The defense attorney for Magolski indicates an appeal will be filed.

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Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker tells members of the National Rifle Association he sees the recall election he is facing as a referendum on what he calls big government. The NRA is holding its annual convention in St. Louis. Walker is seen as a rising star in conservative politics and the crowd of more than one thousand gave him several standing ovations. He acknowledged he has become a polarizing figure. He says the size of government is being fought in statehouses all around the country and in Washington, but nowhere more prominently than in Wisconsin.

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The U.S. Senate campaign for former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson has raised about $660,000 in the first quarter of this year. If true, that would put Thompson marginally ahead of former Congressman and Republican rival Mark Neumann. Neunmann’s campaign is reporting first-quarter collections of $650,000. Political newbie Eric Hovde entered the race a month ago and has reportedly raised about $110,000. A spokesperson for Republican state Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald says his campaign has $35,000 cash on hand and the only Democrat in the race, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, has reportedly raised more than two million dollars, with about $2.8 million in the bank.

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Tea party groups and their supporters from Wisconsin will gather today in Madison for a what is called a “Tax Day Rally.” The tea party movement in this state got its start in the spring of 2009, with the first “Tax Day Rally” held that April. The Wisconsin state director of Americans for Prosperity says the state chapter has added 100,000 members over the last four years. Luke Hilgemann says the grass-roots movement is strong, alive and energized.

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Illinois Congressman Jessie Jackson Jr. of Chicago tells Wisconsin voters they should start a recall effort against Congress Paul Ryan – after they get done with Governor Scott Walker. Jackson was speaking to about 100 people at a rally in downtown Racine. Attendees were marching against the Republican budget plan drawn up by Ryan, a Republican from Janesville. Jackson also criticized Ryan’s plan for tax cuts. He said those cuts and tax cuts from the Bush administration are policies leading to more national debt, while failing to create jobs.

Tags: news, wisconsin, politics