Wis. gov signs Indian mascot bill

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Jim Doyle has signed a bill that allows the state school superintendent to ban American Indian mascots, nicknames and logos.

School district residents will be allowed to object to race-based names, nicknames, logos and mascots. The state superintendent will decide whether a hearing is warranted.

If the superintendent holds a hearing and finds the use promotes discrimination or stereotyping, he or she must order the school board to drop its use within a year. Districts could get extensions up to another year if they can show compliance would create a financial burden.