Politics & Government
Wages, staffing struggles dominate discussion of state prison system budget
Nearly one-third of the jobs at Wisconsin prisons are vacant, and some facilities have only half the number of employees on their roster that they are authorized, the head of the Department of Corrections (DOC) told state lawmakers Tuesday. In the lead-off hearing for the state’s 2023-25 budget before the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, DOC […]
Lawmakers consider how Wisconsin’s mental health policies could improve
State agency representatives and mental health advocates testified Tuesday about how Wisconsin could improve when it comes to addressing mental health issues, asking lawmakers to consider supporting different policies and additional investments, including certain items proposed by Gov. Tony Evers for the upcoming biennial budget. Rep. Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc), chair of the Assembly Mental Health […]
Members of U.S. Senate panel press financial regulators on massive bank failures
WASHINGTON — Financial regulators promised a full review of Silicon Valley Bank’s massive failure as members of a key U.S. Senate panel on Tuesday interrogated the officials about what led to the second-largest bank collapse in U.S. history. Members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs asked if the Federal Reserve could […]
Republicans announce hearings on UW free speech issues
Republicans on the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities announced on Tuesday they’d be holding a series of hearings about free speech and “intellectual diversity” on Wisconsin’s public university campuses. Republicans in the state have frequently complained that conservative voices are prevented from participating in campus discussions and earlier this year the University of Wisconsin […]
Republicans propose bill to bar state employees from promoting or providing abortions
A bill being circulated by Republican lawmakers would prohibit state and local government employees from promoting, providing or facilitating abortion services while acting within the scope of their job. The “Taxpayer Abortion Subsidy Prevention” bill is meant to continue severing ties between taxpayer dollars and abortion services, according to the co-sponsorship memo being circulated by […]
Weird politics, silent candidates and an insidious news vacuum in Waunakee
In a news void, wild conspiracies take hold, pitting neighbors against neighbors, poisoning civic dialogue and, in some cases, driving the stealth takeover of local government bodies by people with no concern for the real needs of communities. Case in point: Waunakee. Waunakee gained national notoriety a year ago after rightwing radio talk show host […]
Traffic citations in Milwaukee at five-year low
Fewer traffic citations are being issued by the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) as compared to past years. A recent TMJ4 investigation found that 33,105 citations were issued in 2022, down from the 71,402 issued in 2017 — a drop by more than half. The 53.6% decrease has been driven by several factors, including a shift […]
Kewaunee Co. farm, DOJ reach $215,000 settlement
A Kewaunee County factory farm has agreed to a $215,000 settlement with the Wisconsin Department of Justice over allegations it improperly spread manure in Door and Kewaunee counties from 2018 to 2022. The settlement with Kinnard Farms, which includes 16 industrial farming operations maintaining about 8,000 cows, also addresses allegations that the farm failed […]
State Supreme Court decisions have a big impact on Wisconsin’s environment
A lawsuit working its way through the state court system and likely to be decided by the state Supreme Court could have significant consequences for environmental protection in Wisconsin. The lawsuit, which was filed by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), takes aim at the state’s authority under the Spills Law to respond to spills of […]
Bipartisan former members of Congress call for boost in funding to secure elections
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of former U.S. lawmakers on the National Council on Election Integrity called on Congress on Friday to spend $400 million on election integrity to insulate the system from foreign interference. “The Department of Homeland Security designated our election system as critical infrastructure in 2017,” the four wrote in a letter. […]
Denver airport CEO withdraws as FAA nominee after attacks by U.S. Senate Republicans
Phil Washington, the chief executive of Denver International Airport and President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, withdrew from consideration in the face of persistent Republican opposition, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg confirmed Saturday night. Reuters first reported Washington’s withdrawal and Buttigieg confirmed it in a late Saturday tweet. Republicans had attacked Washington […]
Kelly campaign runs shot-for-shot remake of racist Willie Horton ad
This story has been updated with a comment from the Kelly campaign. Conservative former Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly’s campaign for a vacant seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court is running an ad on social media that is nearly a shot for shot remake of the “Willie Horton ad” run by supporters of former President […]