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Banning life sentences without parole for juveniles in Wisconsin
Reps. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville), John Spiros (R-Marshfield), David Bowen (D-Milwaukee) and Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) have introduced legislation to end life without parole sentences for juveniles in Wisconsin. The bipartisan legislation (LRB-4927), was introduced earlier as lawmakers continue to grapple with the future of juvenile justice in our state. If passed, the legislation would ban […]
Lawyers caution against push to change bail system after Waukesha tragedy
In the aftermath of the tragedy at the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Nov. 21, there have been calls across the state for a review of the low bail set for Brooks, who was released after being charged with other violent crimes, as well as a push for broader changes to the criminal justice system. A […]
New Wauwatosa social worker will work with police, fire, health departments
The city of Wauwatosa is creating a new social worker position, which will be attached between Wauwatosa’s health, fire and police departments. The new social worker’s role will focus on providing residents with resources to help address mental health and substance abuse struggles. “Problems arising from mental health struggles or substance use disorders call for […]
‘No Thanksgiving without immigrants’
Immigration activists and the families of undocumented workers showed up in Green Bay, Madison and Milwaukee outside the offices of Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Congresswoman Gwen Moore. Their message, aimed to keep the pressure on Democrats to provide a pathway to citizenship in the Build Back Better plan that passed the House and now moves […]
DNR releases figures on preliminary deer hunts
The Department of Natural Resources has released the preliminary deer harvest and license sale totals for the opening weekend of the state’s 170th gun deer season. The regular deer season will continue through Nov. 28, following the statewide muzzleloader season (Nov. 29-Dec. 8). The statewide antlerless-only season will last four days, (Dec. 9-12). A DNR […]
$5 million bail set for man accused of Waukesha Christmas Parade killings
Darrell Brooks Jr., 39, the man arrested for driving his SUV into a Christmas parade in Waukesha Sunday, killing at least five people and injuring dozens, according to initial reports, made his first court appearance following the incident in Waukesha on Tuesday. During the appearance prosecutors reported that a sixth death had occurred when a […]
Report: despite improvements poverty is worsening for some in Wisconsin
Poverty was under the microscope at a press conference in the Capitol on Thursday. Framed around a recent study tracking the effects of COVID-19 on the economy, food and housing, the gathering of elected officials and advocates highlighted the worsening struggles of low-income residents of the Badger State Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) was joined by […]
Day of action in DC for voting rights protections, promised reforms
Hundreds of people marched in Washington on Wednesday, singing songs of struggle and calling for the passage of a voting rights bill by the end of the year. Rev. William Barber II marched alongside other faith leaders, poor and working class Americans and allied elected officials, filling the streets around the White House and demanding […]
Bipartisan bill to reduce cannabis fines introduced
Wisconsin legislators are taking another crack at a bipartisan push to achieve cannabis reform in the state. A new piece of legislation, co-authored by Rep. Shae Sortwell (R-Gibson), Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Valez (D-Milwaukee), Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) and Sen. Kathleen Bernier (R- Chippewa Falls), reduces existing penalties for cannabis possession. Possession under current law can lead […]
Closing arguments and jury deliberations in Kyle Rittenhouse trial
In Monday’s closing arguments in the trial of 18-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, the key question before the jury was whether Rittenhouse, who shot two people and wounded a third, was acting in self-defense. In Wisconsin, a person can’t use deadly force unless the person “reasonably believes he or she has exhausted every other reasonable means to […]
Report: Civil rights law could be better path for reviewing police shootings
A new policy analysis report from the Badger Institute asserts that changes in civil rights law in Wisconsin would lead to better ways of reviewing officer-involved-shootings. The report, authored by Steven Biskupic, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin who served under Attorneys General John Ashcroft, Alberto Gonzales and Michael Mukasey, suggests […]
Evers authorizes 500 National Guard soldiers ahead of Rittenhouse closing arguments
Gov. Tony Evers has authorized the mobilization of 500 Wisconsin Army National Guard troops in Kenosha as trial of 18-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse draws to a close. Closing arguments are expected Monday, after which the jury will begin deliberations. The Kenosha Police Department and sheriff’s office also announced on Nov. 11 that local and federal law […]