1410 WIZM

If you have a city street you want to complain about, maybe it's one of those

Unlike Minnesota Republicans, Democratic State Representative Gene Pelowski

MADISON, Wis. (AP) The University of Wisconsin-Madison wants an exemption from the state's open-records law that would allow it to keep research information private until it's published or patented. The the university is circulating a two-page document among Republican lawmakers suggesting language for a standalone bill.

The university says its proposal was prompted by a change in federal patent law. Patents are now awarded on a first-to-file basis, meaning a rival could use the open-records law to gain early access to UW-Madison research and then try to file a patent first.

But the proposal doesn't sit well with Bill Lueders, who runs the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council. He says current law already allows UW to deny requests if it can cite a legitimate reason.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Minnesota homeowners facing foreclosure would have additional protection under a bill Gov. Mark Dayton is expected to sign. The legislation requires banks and servicers to make loan modifications to everyone who's eligible. Also, loan servicers can't sell off a home until there's a clear yes or no on the loan modification.

University of Minnesota consumer law expert Prentiss Cox says a key element of the new law gives homeowners more time to modify their loan, thereby holding off a foreclosure sale. Property owners would have an additional 30 days under the state law.

Foreclosures have dropped in Minnesota in recent years, but remain high. Last year there were nearly 18,000 foreclosures, down about 16 percent from the previous year, but nearly triple the 2005 level.