News
Rep. Brandtjen enters Senate race
The state Legislature’s most outspoken election denier launched her campaign Monday for an open seat in the Wisconsin Senate, three weeks after being barred by her fellow Republicans from attending closed caucus meetings. Rep. Janel Brandtjen (R-Menomonee Falls) announced Monday that she would run for the open seat in Wisconsin’s 8th Senate District. The district […]
Outsiders set new political spending record, focusing mainly on governor’s race
Outside groups spent a record $93 million on Wisconsin’s elections for state offices in 2022 — 50% more than in 2018 and two-and-half times the amount for 2014, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign reported Monday. The campaign finance watchdog group said its preliminary calculations showed that almost $79 million — more than 80% of the outside […]
Family, lawyer, activists blast Milwaukee jail for ‘preventable’ suicide
Conditions in the Milwaukee County Jail are under scrutiny following a Thursday meeting between Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm and the family of Brieon Green. In June, the 21-year-old Green was found dead in his jail cell hours after being arrested for misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, carrying a concealed weapon, and […]
Reliability watchdog warns of potential electric shortfalls this winter
The nonprofit regulator charged with helping ensure the reliability of the North American electric grid is warning of potential electric supply shortfalls during severe weather this winter in several regions of the country. Earlier this month, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, which sets and enforces reliability standards for the bulk power system in the […]
Senate special election to be held April 4
Gov. Tony Evers ordered Friday that the special election to fill Wisconsin’s 8th Senate District seat will be held on April 4, 2023, in conjunction with the spring election that will determine control of the state Supreme Court. The traditionally Republican seat is open after Sen. Alberta Darling (R – River Hills) announced last week […]
U.S. Supreme Court to review Biden student debt relief plan in February
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court said Thursday it will hear oral arguments in February over a legal challenge by six Republican-led states to the Biden administration student borrower relief plan. Until the arguments are heard and the court issues a ruling, the $400 billion Biden plan is on hold due to a nationwide injunction […]
A record-setting number of women will serve in state legislatures in 2023
WASHINGTON — A record number of women will soon serve in state legislatures, breaking the previous cap of female lawmakers by at least 69 seats and bringing total representation to more than 32%, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. States will have at least 2,376 female lawmakers in 2023, including both women […]
Biden signs bill that staves off railroad workers strike
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday signed into law a resolution intended to avert a freight rail strike, based on an agreement reached between some rail unions and freight rail companies. Several unions did not agree with the deal passed by Congress because it lacked paid sick leave, but Democrats have said the alternative […]
Company may install, lease solar panels without being a utility, PSC rules
A Stevens Point family can lease a solar panel array for their home from a private contractor and the contractor won’t be regulated as an electric utility, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) decided Thursday. PSC members voted 2-1 to issue a legal ruling that will declare that the contractor’s plan to install, own and […]
U.S. Senate averts freight rail strike, but bid to include worker sick leave fails
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted to codify an agreement the White House brokered between rail unions and freight companies in order to avoid a catastrophic rail strike, but fell short of enough votes to include paid sick leave for workers. The Senate backed the rail deal on an 80-15 vote and rejected […]
Republican representative announces candidacy for open Senate seat
Rep. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown) announced his candidacy on Thursday for Wisconsin’s 8th Senate District seat, which represents parts of Ozaukee and Washington counties, northeastern parts of Waukesha county and the northern Milwaukee suburbs. The seat is open following the retirement of Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), who was first elected to the Senate in 1992. […]
At tribal summit, Biden pledges federal commitment to Indian Country
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he is poised to designate Avi Kwa Ame, a sacred site for Native American tribes in southern Nevada, as a national monument that would ensure the preservation of ancestral lands for those 12 tribes. “I’m committed to protecting this sacred place that is central to the creation […]