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Better Know A Badger – 2025 three-star linebacker Cooper Catalano

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Better Know A Badger – 2025 three-star linebacker Cooper Catalano


Better Know A Badger – 2025 three-star linebacker Cooper Catalano

MADISON, Wis. – It turned out that Luke Fickell had no reason to worry.

The University of Wisconsin head coach was hopeful that the results on the field wouldn’t cause members of his highly ranked third recruiting class to start rethinking their commitment or, worse yet, reopen their decision-making process entirely.

From the time the Badgers’ 2024 season ended without a bowl game for the first time in 23 years to the first day of the early signing period, Wisconsin’s staff only saw one prospect de-commit. Twenty-three kids signed paperwork to join Fickell’s program, a class that ranks 20th in the Rivals.com rankings with 10 four-star recruits from eight different states.

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“To see guys not waver,” Fickell said. “That faith and belief that the games and what you see on Saturday isn’t everything. For those guys to hold with us and believe in us … relationships, trust, and belief in this process still win out.”

Adding to the depth in the middle of the defense, we look at the signing of Mukwonago (Wis.) High linebacker Cooper Catalano and how his addition improves the program.

Stats

Named the Wisconsin large school defensive player of the year in 2024, Catalano totaled 178 tackles, nine TFLs, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions. He finished his career with 583 tackles, obliterating the previous state record of 462 career tackles. A three-time conference defensive player of the year, Catalano earned all-conference honors during all four seasons of high school.

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“The season was really successful,” Catalano said. “We had a young team my junior year. We had almost everybody returning except one of our receivers, so we had 21 players returning. To see the growth of everybody throughout the offseason was really cool. Everybody really bought in to what our coaches were preaching throughout the year. We had our leadership group that worked really hard throughout the winter and summer, and it showed throughout the season. It was a really fun right, even though it didn’t end how we wanted.

“I improved in my game is playing more in space and trusting my instincts. I was less technical in the way I looked at football and just playing loose and having fun out there … Breaking the tackle record was a really cool thing, but that takes a whole team, a great game plan, a great defensive line all four years. It’s a team effort, but that’s something that stood out to me that I’m very proud of. It’s something I’ll hold onto for a long time.”

Recruiting Competition

The third commitment in Wisconsin’s 2025 class, Catalano had offers from Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Northwestern, and Stanford.

“It’s been really quiet ever since I committed,” Catalano said. “I was able to reach out to all the programs that offered me a scholarship, get on the phone with most of them to let them know how much it meant to me that they reached out but ultimately my decision was in Madison. I am happy I went about it that way.”

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Merrill FD rescues man who fell through ice on Wisconsin River

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Merrill FD rescues man who fell through ice on Wisconsin River


MERRILL, Wis. (WSAW) – The Merrill Fire Department rescued a man after he fell through the ice around 10:45 a.m. on Monday.

According to a Facebook post, crews responded to Council Grounds on the Wisconsin River, just below the Alexander Hydro Dam.

The man fell through the ice and was stranded on a nearby island.

Crews used a rapid deployment craft to rescue the man. They also recovered his sled and ice shanty from the water.

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No injuries were reported.

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Wisconsin bill proposes $35 insulin caps as prices surge

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Wisconsin bill proposes  insulin caps as prices surge


APPLETON, Wis. — Wisconsin could be the 30th state with insulin price caps. State lawmakers are considering a bill that would limit the amount insurance companies can charge for insulin.

One in eleven Wisconsinites lives with this disease, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Insulin is a life-saving medication for people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes means a person’s body has completely stopped making insulin. Those who have Type 2 diabetes have bodies that produce insulin, but the cells don’t respond to insulin the way they should.

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Julia Flaherty has Type 1 diabetes, so she needs daily insulin injections to live. Flaherty said even with using her health insurance and insulin co-pay cards, insulin prices are astronomical.

“I usually pay close to $200 each time I need to refill both of my insulin,” Flaherty said.


What You Need To Know

  • Wisconsin could be the 30th state with insulin price caps if state lawmakers can pass a bill that would limit the amount insurance companies can charge for insulin
  • One in eleven Wisconsinites lives with this disease, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health
  • Insulin is a life-saving medication for people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
  • In 1923, Sir Frederick Banting sold his insulin patent for a symbolic dollar to the University of Toronto because he believed it was unethical to profit from his life-saving invention and nowadays, insulin can cost over $300
  • Julia Flaherty has lived with Type 1 diabetes since 2004 and is now a diabetes advocate. She said some diabetic are “taking less than they should because they can’t afford the amount that they should be filling at the pharmacy counter”


Flaherty has lived with Type 1 diabetes since 2004 and is now a diabetes advocate. She said to offset insulin costs, some diabetics are forced to make risky health decisions.

“They’re taking less than they should because they can’t afford the amount that they should be filling at the pharmacy counter, and when you’re rationing your insulin, it can lead to severe complications, like diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be life-threatening,” Flaherty said.

In 1923, Sir Frederick Banting sold his insulin patent for a symbolic dollar to the University of Toronto. Banting believed it was unethical to profit from his life-saving invention.

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Nowadays, insulin can cost over $300. Flaherty said this price surge for a life-saving medication is deeply troubling.

“When I’m paying those high prices at the pharmacy counter, I often think about that and wish that my prices were lower because then I could focus less on the costs,” Flaherty said.

That’s why lawmakers decided to do something about it.

“Twenty-nine other states in this country have some type of price cap when it comes to insulin. Wisconsin needs to be the 30th state,” state Sen. Brad Pfaff, D-La Crosse, said.

Pfaff helped introduce the bill that would cap insulin prices in Wisconsin at $35 a month. He said the fight to lower insulin costs is personal.

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“My son has Type 1 diabetes. Compared to the price that we pay, versus what it costs to manufacture, process, and distribute, the manufacturer is making a tremendous amount of money here, and that is why I think it’s long overdue that Wisconsin moves forward and caps the price of insulin,” Pfaff said.

The bill would provide a stable, affordable solution for the thousands who need insulin, but Flaherty said she questions the future if this legislation stalls.

She said insulin copay cards are a temporary fix.

“There’s no guarantee that these programs will continue to exist, and when you live with this disease that requires insulin to survive, you’re anxious about when will these programs be eliminated?” Flaherty said.

Pfaff said there is bipartisan support for this bill. He said he hopes to get it through both houses of the legislature and signed by the governor this calendar year.

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Wisconsin’s Most Wanted: Anthony Schaap on the run ahead of sentencing

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Wisconsin’s Most Wanted: Anthony Schaap on the run ahead of sentencing


U.S. Marshals are on the hunt for a Milwaukee man accused of seriously injuring his crying infant. Investigators say rather than comforting the 3-month-old, he became abusive.

Search for Anthony Schaap

What we know:

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Authorities say 29-year-old Anthony Schaap didn’t act like much of a father in April 2024.

“Kind of at a loss for words with that type of cruelty,” the marshal said. “I’ll never understand it.”

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Investigators say Schaap was supposed to be watching his 3-month-old girl and toddler daughter when he got abusive.

What they’re saying:

“At some point he becomes frustrated either with a crying baby or just not willing to do the things a father needs to do,” the marshal said.

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Police say Schaap lied to the girls’ mother, and said the baby fell off the couch. She took the infant to the emergency room after finding bruising, and learned the injuries were much worse.

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“A doctor examines the baby, finds the skull fracture, the fractures in the tibia and other bruising on the baby’s head,” the marshal explained.

After time, police said Schaap confessed and admitted to hurting the child.

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“Eventually he explains he has anger management problems,” the investigator said. “He’s frustrated and that he threw the baby at some point.”

Now on the run

Dig deeper:

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Court records show Schaap pleaded guilty to a child abuse charge. While he was awaiting sentencing, he went on the run. The 29-year-old also has an outstanding domestic violence charge. He’s believed to be in the Milwaukee area.

“This is someone who needs to answer for what they’ve done,” the marshal said.

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Schaap stands 6’2″ tall and weighs 260 pounds. 

Call with tips

What you can do:

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Anyone with information about Schaap’s whereabouts should call the U.S. Marshals Tipline at 414-297-3707. You will remain anonymous.

The Source: Information in this post was provided by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.

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