News in Brief: A State Capitals Roundup

Wisconsin's two-term schools chief won't seek re-election in April 2001, opting instead to retire next year. "I wanted to notify people now so that others will begin to work toward coming to this office," John T. Benson, the state superintendent of public instruction, said in an interview following his March 15 announcement.

Mr. Benson was elected to the nonpartisan office in 1993 and again in 1997. He intends to step down at the end of his term, June 30, 2001, when he will be 63. Some 900,000 children attend...