News Net Mark Belling does not hate Jews, Couch Flambeau does love the Packers, and show announcements

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 throughout the week.

• WISN talk show host Mark Belling was in hot water this week after pointing out the Jewishness of opponents of a downtown Marriott hotel. WISN has issued a statement on the matter, saying that while the station “does not condone nor accept anti-Semitism,” it is “confident that Mr. Belling did not intend to offend Milwaukee’s Jewish community” and that Belling has had a “constructive dialog with members of the Jewish community about how his words have been interpreted by others, and that dialog includes assurances from community leaders that they ‘know your record regarding Israel and do not believe that you are anti-Semitic.’” Clearly WISN and its corporate owner, Clear Channel, would do something if Belling were anti-Semitic. After all, it’s not like we’re talking about Mexicans here.

• Chris Cornell will perform a solo acoustic show April 23 at Pabst Theater. Tickets are $35 and go on sale Friday, Jan. 28 at noon.

• British folk singer Bobby Long plays a free show Feb. 16 at Turner Hall.

• The Rave announced several concerts this week along with its big Pixies show, including: Ryan Bingham on March 5, Good Charlotte on March 14, and Insane Clown Posse on March 26.

• Hey, Coyote Ugly is coming to Old World Third Street! Yay? OnMilwaukee has the details.

• The Milwaukee punks of Couch Flambeau have tossed their hats into the Packers novelty song ring. Check out “The Pack Is Back.”