Americans for Prosperity is spending about $700,000 on its TV spots in Wisconsin. State Dems are asking 19 Wisconsin and four Minnesota TV stations to pull the ads, and they’re filing complaints with the Government Accountability Board and the Internal Revenue Service.

Citing an article in the Palm Beach Post, Tate says Koch’s own words show wrongdoing. Koch acknowledges working hard as Walker faces a recall election. “We’ve spent a lot of money in Wisconsin. We’re going to spend more.”

Tate says it’s a very clear admission from Koch that “he’s using and abusing this loophole in IRS code and in election law to spend tax-deductible money to the benefit of a candidate.”

The GAB says if the commercials are “issue ads” that don’t specifically say “vote for” or “support,” they are not covered by campaign finance laws.

In a statement, Americans for Prosperity and the MacIver Institute call the complaint “frivolous” and say it “has no merit whatsoever and will be thrown out.” The group’s Wisconsin Director Luke Hilgemann says the Democratic Party has “no legal ground to stand on” and is “resorting to intimidation tactics and threats against Wisconsin television stations.”

Tate expects a thorough investigation.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:47

The decision will move mail processing from Wausau to Green Bay, Kenosha to Milwaukee, and Portage to Madison, and Eau Claire and La Crosse to Saint Paul, MN. The action will not impact retail operations at those locations.

Agency officials have not indicated when the moves will take place or how many jobs will be lost, although a Congressional moratorium on closing facilities expires in May.

The decision is the result of a five month study done by the postal service into ways to cut costs. The Wisconsin locations are among 252 processing centers that were considered.

The case that police called years of “child torture” has made national headlines. Meanwhile, a judge will decide if there is enough evidence to send the defendants to trial. Dane County prosecutors said: her father, Chad Chritton, 40, and step-mother, Melinda Drabek-Chritton, 42, forced her to live in an unfinished basement and live on scraps and feces; and her step-brother, Joshua Drabek, 18, sexually assaulted her numerous times.

The girl weighed only 70 pounds when she escaped her house in pajamas earlier this month. She was wandering the street barefoot until a neighbor found her and notified police.

An advocate praises that man who intervened. “Thank God,” says Hanna Roth of the Madison-based Rainbird Foundation, adding people can “easily turn a blind eye to this.”

Roth says those who suspect child abuse may not get involved because they fear violent retaliation, they believe such matters are the business of the family, or they simply don’t care. She urges adults to have the courage to report abuse and be suspicious of physical signs of it, such as bruises or cuts. Emotional signs could be an angry or withdrawn child.

AUDIO: Roth on signs of abuse (:44)

Meanwhile, officials say the 15-year-old victim is getting healthier and is now in foster care. Court records show a week after the girl’s escape, she gained 17 pounds under a doctor’s care.

The Brewers first full squad workout is set for this weekend.  They open exhibition play on March 4th against the San Francisco Giants at Maryvale.

Carlos Boozer had 20 points for the Bulls, who improved to 3-0 against the Bucks this season.  Six Bulls scored in double figures against the Bucks, including all five starters.

Brandon Jennings had 20 in the loss for the Bucks, who head into the all-star break with a 13-20 record.  Ersan Ilyasova added 15 points and rookie Jon Leuer added 14. 

The Bucks are off until next Tuesday when they host Washington at the Bradley Center.

Jermichael Finley

seasons.  The two sides came to terms on a 2-year deal worth a reported $14-million contract, avoiding possible arbitration over the franchise designation and a possible long holdout.

Had the two sides not been able to reach a deal before March 5, the Packers would have been forced to use the franchise tag on Finley. 

Now the Packers could use that franchise tag on backup free agent quarterback Matt Flynn with a possible sign and trade deal to follow.

Crowder’s line also includes 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocked shots.

AUDIO: Buzz Williams says Crowder is the most efficient player he’s coached :16

The win was the fourth straight and 11th in the last 12 games for the Golden Eagles (23-5, 12-3 Big East).  It also keeps Marquette tied with Notre Dame for second place in the Big East, trailing first place Syracuse.

A quick turn-a-round for Marquette.  They’ll face West Virginia in Morgantown on Friday night.

Secretary of State Doug La Follette in his office on the Capitol Square (PHOTO: Jackie Johnson)

Longtime Secretary of State Doug La Follette is filing paperwork with the state’s elections agency. He wants to determine whether there is enough interest for him to campaign as a Democrat against Governor Scott Walker if there’s a recall election. “It’s quite important that we replace the current governor. He’s been very negative for Wisconsin … We need to make a change and if I’m the strongest candidate to do that then I would take it very seriously.”

La Follette says he doesn’t “need to be governor to make (his) life complete;” he’s running for the good of the state.

One Democratic Candidate, Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, is already endorsed by AFSCME, the state’s largest public employee union; and WEAC, the state’s largest teachers union. La Follette says he doesn’t need big money to win the race as long as people are excited for his candidacy. “I would run a typical Bill Proxmire-Doug La Follette, low-budget campaign.”

Falk had indicated she would not sign a budget that didn’t fully restore collective bargaining for public employees. La Follette says candidates should not make campaign promises they can’t keep.

The 71-year-old would like to see some polling that includes his name so he can gauge whether voters perceive him as electable. He’s been elected to statewide office during both Republican and Democratic governorships, which he says is a good indicator.

La Follette, who was first elected to his current office in 1974, is the only Democrat in a statewide office; he says that gives him at least some name recognition. “But I’ve been around a long time,” so he says people could find things to criticize. “I’m sure one of the first things will be how I spell my name,” he laughs, “I’ve got my birth certificate all ready to get out if I have to.”

In addition to Falk, current Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) is seeking the Democratic nomination in a possible Democratic Primary Election. Senator Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) opted out of the race before he really got in, due to lack of funds.

The GAB is currently reviewing recall signatures to determine whether enough are valid to force a recall election against the governor.

La Follette said he’s going to stop by the Government Accountability Board (GAB) on his way to work Thursday morning to file the paperwork.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 2:00

Pritchard notes, much of the state has been spoiled this winter. “When I’m taking my son to the zoo on a Sunday afternoon and we’re walking around in a light jacket, and it’s February in Wisconsin, you know there’s something wrong,” he says. You can call 511 or go to the web for the latest road conditions and weather updates.

Democrats pounce on Lazich’s assertion that the bill is about standards of care. “This is simply the jackboot of state government on the necks of individuals,” says Senator Jim Holperin of Eagle River. “Only big government against women,” charges Madison Democrat, Senator Fred Risser. “We do a lot of silly things here, but injecting ourselves into the relationship between a physician and a patient . . . is truly misguided,” says Minority Leader, Senator Mark Miller of Monona.

“You want to vote against young girls and women getting a physical, that’s what you’re doing with this vote,” says Lazich. The bill, (SB 306) which also requires doctors to make sure women are not being coerced, passed on a partisan 17-15 vote and now heads to the Assembly.

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (1:05)