News Net Wisconsin’s new hit show, Government Accountability Board webcam, has Twitter, too

Since sifting through dull newspapers, hyperbolic blogs, and overflowing RSS feeds for meaningful news can be an arduous process, News Net catches and compiles both the amusing and the significant reports that were overlooked over the work week. Here are some things to think about as weekend begins.

• Handing over 1.9 million recall petitions won’t officially trigger any elections for at least another 60 days, but their delivery did begin a new Wisconsin sensation: a two-month long reality series shot via the webcam in the Government Accountability Board office, where the verification of all of those signatures is taking place. Intended as a measure of transparency, the webcam had an ongoing Twitter commentary stream erected around it within hours of going online. Each recall volunteer was quickly assigned the personalities that the raw feed simply could not provide, ranging from the klutzy petition dropper to the boring guy obsessed with falconry to the pervy dude busted for having a staring contest with his co-worker’s rack. If you too would like to be mocked via the Internet for the amusement of the public, remember that the GAB is still looking for contestants, err, volunteers.

• Yesterday, former UW senior Associate Athletic Director John Chadima released an official apology for the mysterious circumstances that led him to be fired by Barry Alvarez soon after this year’s Rose Bowl trip in early January. WKOW reports that Chadima faced dismissal for “embarrassing” actions performed while intoxicated at a post-game party, but since that could describe just about any Badger fan following the crushing loss in Pasadena, more info is needed to find out exactly what was “embarrassing” enough to be fire-worthy. We likely won’t find out what actually happened until after an official investigation wraps up. Until then, we’ll assume that Chadima was dismissed for recording this Badger-themed rap anthem without Barry’s consent.

• Against the better judgment of rock legend Bruce Dickinson, Oshkosh police asked a recall demonstrator to cease his endless, passionate cowbell playing last Friday. The man’s response—a taunting cowbell solo in the officer’s face—wasn’t well received, ending with shoving, some mild battery, and handcuffs. While the man certainly demonstrated passion for the recall effort, having an arrest on his record will probably affect his shot at wearing the gold-plated diapers he had been promised.