While legislators in Madison debate a bill to boost plans for an iron mine in northern Wisconsin, a sand mining boom is hitting the western part of the state.

Agriculture is one of Wisconsin's oldest industries, but remains one of its most important. Last year was a very good year for farmers, as rising commodity prices and a weak U.S. dollar led to an increase in agriculture exports.

Every once in a while, someone in Madison concocts a common sense idea and then persuades people on both sides of the aisle to support it.

Transparency and fee disclosure were front and center with retirement plan sponsors in 2011. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently gave sponsors and their plan providers a short stay from requirements to furnish more information about plan fees and expenses.

In a 1.5-mile corridor near the Milwaukee River, from Juneau Avenue and Old World Third Street in downtown Milwaukee to the intersection of North Water Street and Humboldt Avenue on the East Side, there are three apartment developments under construction, and another that was just completed, with a total of 566 units.

American Friction Welding recently welded its 10 millionth part, with no plans of slowing down.

What are the main causes of stressed and distressed businesses? There are hundreds. But after working as a serial entrepreneur for more than two decades, I see these most frequently:

Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, recently expanded its master in science in counseling program to include a clinical mental health counseling concentration. The 60-credit program is designed to meet the growing need for mental health counselors specializing in trauma and substance abuse issues. It provides students with increased professional training and competency as well as portability and employability.

I am a frequent guest commentator on China Central Television (CCTV) News Dialogue, China's leading English language newsmagazine program. Started in 1994, it now reaches 80 million subscribers from around the world.

A Milwaukee native and structural engineer, John Kissinger was part of the GRAEF team that worked with Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava on the iconic addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum.