A national Republican leader who is also a Wisconsinite praised the Republican Party of Wisconsin as a model for the national party after Gov. Scott Walker issued a call for further reform at the party’s 2013 Convention Saturday.  In audio of the speeches recorded by Wispolitics.com, Republican National Committee Chair… Read more »

Legislators and hired attorneys claim they should not be required to pay for a forensic examination of state computers that allegedly showed thousands of files on legislative redistricting were deleted, according to court documents filed Thursday. When the Republican-controlled Legislature redrew voting districts in 2011, immigrant rights group Voces de… Read more »

Three Republican state senators announced Thursday they will only vote for Gov. Scott Walker’s budget if it includes a provision to expand the voucher school program. Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa, Sen. Paul Farrow, R-Pewaukee, and Sen. Rick Gudex, R-Fond du Lac, said in a statement their vote “depends solely” on… Read more »

A Dane County judge denied a request by state attorneys Friday to temporary delay a police union’s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a law curbing collective bargaining rights for some public employee unions. The Wisconsin Law Enforcement Association filed a lawsuit against the law in November, alleging provisions violated the… Read more »

A senior Republican state legislator criticized a Milwaukee County official Friday for being unclear on whether the Milwaukee County Board allegedly reopened contract negotiations with a decertified union.  In a letter to Milwaukee County Board Chair Marina Dimitrijevic, Senate President Mike Ellis, R-Neenah, said recent reports of the board’s contract… Read more »

In the wake of recent shootings, including two in Wisconsin, state legislators are introducing bills that would require background checks for people purchasing guns, clarify statutes on school boards hiring armed guards and ban concealed carry in the Capitol building. Sen. Nikiya Harris, D-Milwaukee, introduced a bill Wednesday that would… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed biennial budget would borrow nearly $1 billion, with most of the money going toward improving the state’s infrastructure and roads, a Thursday analysis from the Legislature’s budget office revealed.  According to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Walker’s budget would call for $994,212,000 in bonding to fund road… Read more »

The state’s attorney general said Friday he will not ask the Supreme Court to put a temporary hold on a ruling that invalidated parts of a law curbing public employees’ collective bargaining rights. Last week an appeals court declined to temporarily put on hold, or stay, a previous ruling that… Read more »

Milwaukee County investigators have officially closed an investigation into Gov. Scott Walker’s former Milwaukee County Executive office that resulted in six officials being charged and began nearly three years ago, according to a statement released Friday.Neal Nettesheim, a Milwaukee County reserve judge who presided over the investigation, signed an order… Read more »

Republican legislators said last week they support Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposals but are looking for ways to prevent a structural deficit, lower taxes further and prevent hiring more state employees. Bob Delaporte, spokesperson for the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee’s co-chair Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Falls, said Darling supports parts… Read more »

Experts claimed last week that Gov. Scott Walker’s budget, which includes a $343 million income tax cut, may be too small for tax relief, not bring many jobs to the state and cause a structural deficit. However, Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance President Todd Berry said the cut might show the state… Read more »

Eliminating Election Day registration could cost Wisconsin taxpayers between $13.1 and $14.5 million, nearly three times as much as was originally estimated, according to a report released Monday by state election officials. According to a Government Accountability Board statement on their report, if the state eliminated Election Day registration, it… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker proposed providing millions of dollars in credits and investments to attract and keep businesses in Wisconsin as part of his upcoming budget Thursday. According to a statement, Walker plans to provide an additional $75 million for the Economic Development Tax Credit program, which he said would encourage businesses… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign transferred thousands of dollars to a legal defense fund to pay attorneys representing him in a John Doe probe, according to campaign finance reports filed Thursday. The Friends of Scott Walker transferred $40,000 to a legal defense fund Dec. 31, according to a campaign finance report filed… Read more »

Lawmakers plan to audit the University of Wisconsin System after a state financial audit showed the system overpaid more than $30 million in retirement and health insurance premiums during the 2011-12 fiscal year. According to a letter sent from State Auditor Joe Chrisman to a state committee Jan. 10, the… Read more »

Wildlife officials have closed half of the state’s wolf hunting zones after hunters and trappers surpassed 100 wolf kills, which could mean Wisconsin’s inaugural organized wolf hunt season may end soon. According to a statement, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources closed a wolf hunt zone Sunday in the northwest… Read more »

An expert on environmental attitudes warned Tuesday that a shift in public attitudes toward wolves could endanger the species’ presence in Wisconsin.  Thomas Heberlein, University of Wisconsin community and environmental sociology professor emeritus, addressed about 50 people as part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate Lecture Series, and said the current wolf population… Read more »

Hunters registered 4,400 black bears in Wisconsin during the 2012 black bear season, the second highest number of bears harvested on record, according to state wildlife officials. A Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources statement said the state record for bears was set in 2010 when hunters registered 5,133 bears. Hunters… Read more »

While he was Milwaukee County Executive, Gov. Scott Walker held regular meetings with county staffers and those running his 2010 governor’s campaign to review press releases and his schedule, according to emails released Tuesday. Emails obtained from WisPolitics.com show Walker, County Chief of Staff Tom Nardelli, Deputy Chief of Staff… Read more »

State officials closed two of six wolf hunting zones that were approaching their quotas Friday in anticipation of the deer hunting season and increased the number of hunters allowed in Wisconsin woods. Kurt Thiede, a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources administrator, said during the deer hunting season’s opening weekend, the… Read more »

The Democratic Party lost its majority in the state Senate Tuesday night after Republicans picked up two seats that gave them control of the body, the Assembly and governorship for the next legislative session. According to The Associated Press’s preliminary results, Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, defeated Democrat Susan Sommer 57… Read more »

As Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama reach out to voters in the final days of their campaigns, the U.S. Department of Labor issued its final jobs report before the election Friday. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the non-farm payroll employment increased by 171,000 jobs… Read more »

State election officials resolved a federal lawsuit brought by Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign committee by extending the deadline for some military and overseas voters to return their ballots. According to a Government Accountability Board statement issued Wednesday, federal law requires military and overseas voters to have at least 45 days… Read more »

The day after it was revealed the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation had failed to collect on millions of dollars in taxpayer loans, Gov. Scott Walker named Reed Hall, former executive director of the Marshfield Clinic, as its interim CEO. According to a statement from Walker’s office Friday, Hall will become… Read more »

One of organizations that helps manage BadgerCare Plus is hinting it may leave the partnership and join with another company, jeopardizing the coverage of thousands of Wisconsinites. In an email to The Badger Herald, Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin, one of the four health maintenance organizations in BadgerCare Plus in southeastern… Read more »

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi recently announced the beginning of his reelection campaign in a move he claims will help guarantee the success of his administration’s efforts to clean the environment and provide jobs to county citizens. In a statement Thursday, Parisi said over the last 18 months, his administration… Read more »

A medical software company, Epic Systems, is planning to build Dane County’s first wind turbines in a move lauded by environmental advocacy groups and local citizens.Epic Systems plans to build six 262-foot wind turbines, each with three 135-foot blades, on its Verona campus, according to The Wisconsin State Journal. The… Read more »

Following a visit by President Barack Obama to campus, Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s oldest son touted his father as the clear choice for college students in the November elections Friday in Madison. Addressing more than eighty people at State Street Brats, Tagg Romney said his father would bring the… Read more »

The state of Wisconsin sued a Madison company Friday alleging it did not do enough to investigate and clean up chemical spills on its property and neglected to notify the state of more contamination. The Department of Justice filed the lawsuit at the request of the Wisconsin Department of Natural… Read more »

Republican Senate nominee and former Gov. Tommy Thompson and Democratic Senate nominee and U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., clashed over key issues Friday night in the first of three debates. During the debate, hosted by Milwaukee Public Television and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, Thompson and Baldwin, both running for retiring… Read more »

For the second time in two weeks, President Barack Obama will visit Wisconsin, making a stop at Bascom Hill in Madison Thursday for a grassroots event, according to a statement from his campaign Saturday.Obama’s campaign released a statement about the event Saturday, and in a tweet early Monday morning, the… Read more »

While negotiations are still ongoing to reestablish tax reciprocity between Wisconsin and Minnesota, officials of both states are looking to settle the issue by 2014 as others claim a deal will not come through for the 2013 year. Minnesota Department of Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans said negotiations are still ongoing… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker made a trip to the Dallas Cowboys stadium Friday to promote job creation, speaking first to a Chinese investment tour that may lead to Chinese companies investing in Wisconsin. Catherine Fraizer, spokesperson for Texas Gov. Rick Perry, said Walker joined Perry and Florida Gov. Rick Scott in… Read more »

Despite a light drizzle, President Barack Obama asked thousands of supporters in Milwaukee Saturday to vote for him a second time, claiming change takes more than one term and support from more than one party.Speaking before a crowd his campaign website estimated at 18,000 at Henry Maier Festival Park, Obama… Read more »

For the first time in more than seven months, President Barack Obama will visit Wisconsin Saturday to participate in several campaign functions in Milwaukee, according to a statement.According to the event invitation, Obama will also speak during a reception at the Milwaukee Theatre, with requests for donations between $250 and… Read more »

A judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the use of dogs in Wisconsin’s first wolf hunt Friday, siding with a coalition of humane societies that argue the law does not protect dogs enough.A group of humane societies sued the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, alleging the use of hunting… Read more »

Despite a falling unemployment rate and an increase in the number of jobs, the latest national employment numbers did not meet economists’ expectations and may have repercussions for Democratic candidates in Wisconsin’s November elections. According to Friday’s statement from the United States Department Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national… Read more »

National health experts are calling for changes to America’s health care system in a new report, warning it has become too wasteful to continue in its present state and could hurt the nation’s economic stability. The Institute of Medicine, an independent nonprofit National Academy which provides objective advice to… Read more »

A Dane County judge has issued a temporary injunction on the use of dogs to hunt wolves in Wisconsin, throwing into question whether hunters will be able to participate in the upcoming wolf hunting season. Judge Peter Anderson issued the injunction Friday afternoon, according to a Wisconsin Department of Natural… Read more »

After a contentious recount in a contested Senate recall election, Democrats gained a majority in the chamber and are calling for a special session on job creation. However, election experts doubt a session will happen or Democrats will keep their majority past the fall elections. Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, said… Read more »

Mahlon Mitchell, president of the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin, is the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. He spoke to The Badger Herald briefly outside of his Tuesday election night party at Moe’s Tavern and Grill. The Badger Herald: How do you feel about the voter ID bill? And do you… Read more »

A judge has granted special immunity to the 12th witness in the ongoing John Doe investigation of former employees who served under Gov. Scott Walker when he was Milwaukee County executive. The Associated Press reported that former Milwaukee municipal judge and private attorney David Halbrooks received immunity in the probe… Read more »

More than six months after recall efforts officially started last November, opponents of Gov. Scott Walker will have the chance to recall him June 5 in an election against Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. On Tuesday, the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination came to an end when Barrett won the… Read more »

After University of Wisconsin System students testified on both advisory boards and tuition increases, a special task force recommended all institutions in the UW System develop advisory boards with Board of Regents members. The Special Task Force on UW Restructuring and Operational Flexibilities supported the suggestion of UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Richard… Read more »

All four Senate-aspiring Democrats defeated placeholder candidates in recall primaries Tuesday and will go on to face Republican senators in a set of general elections that may change the Senate’s majority party. According to the Associated Press, based on preliminary results, Lori Compas won the Democratic Senate primary for the district of Senate… Read more »

Mahlon Mitchell, president of the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin, received the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor and will now face Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch in the June 5 recall election. According to the Associated Press, based on preliminary election results, Mitchell received 52 percent of the vote. Isaac Weix, who… Read more »

Based on preliminary results, the Associated Press has declared Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett the winner of the Democratic primary for governor with 55 percent of the vote. Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk recieved 37 percent of the vote, Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, received 4 percent, Secretary of State Doug… Read more »

Last Saturday, as thousands of students turned out for the Mifflin Street Block Party, Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, celebrated his 85th birthday. As the longest-serving state legislator in the nation, Risser recently announced he will again seek re-election. He sat down with The Badger Herald to reflect on the past… Read more »

Last Saturday, as thousands of students turned out for the Mifflin Street Block Party, Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, celebrated his 85th birthday. The longest-serving state legislator in the nation, Risser recently announced he will again seek re-election. He sat down with The Badger Herald to reflect on the past session… Read more »

During the past year, University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly has led the UW System in the face of $300 million of funding cuts and budgetary lapses. The Badger Herald sat down with Reilly to discuss the impact of these trends and possible solutions being offered. Here are the… Read more »

During the past year, University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly has led the UW System in the face of $300 million in funding and budgetary lapses. The Badger Herald sat down with Reilly to discuss the impact of these trends and possible solutions being offered. Here are the highlights… Read more »

Independent presidential candidate and former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer made a campaign stop in Madison Wednesday, calling for disclosure laws and campaign finance reform as necessary steps to fix the federal debt. Roemer spoke at the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign’s annual meeting, where he said “all these guys” who are talking… Read more »

While the Republicans running as Democrats in the recall elections originally did so to ensure a primary for all recall elections, many are beginning to run active campaigns, enticed by the possibility of winning and attention to their beliefs. Earlier this month, the Republican Party of Wisconsin collected enough signatures… Read more »

Under threat of a presidential veto, Congress passed a bill Friday to prevent the Stafford Student Loan interest rate from doubling, which would affect more than 10,000 University of Wisconsin students, by repealing a health care program. According to a summary, the bill would extend the 3.4 percent interest rate… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Athletic Board approved one-year extensions for UW coaches Friday, including men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan, as well as deliberated on developing new standards for institutional control of athletics. The UW Athletic Board approved extending Ryan’s contract through May 31, 2017. According to a statement, the Board… Read more »

An appeals court rejected the state’s request to lift an injunction on a law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls, ensuring the law will not be in effect for the May primary and possibly the June recall election. The voter ID law currently faces two challenges in… Read more »

Check out a video excerpt from this interview here.In early March, Sen. Jim Holperin, D-Conover, announced he would not seek re-election after serving more than 30 years as a representative, secretary of tourism and a senator. Holperin has also faced two recall elections, one over tribal treaty rights when he served in… Read more »

Voters may not have to present photo identification at the polls for the June recall elections after a court denied the state’s request to end a temporary injunction on the law Wednesday.  The voter ID law faces two challenges brought in two separate appeals courts, one brought by the League… Read more »

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser requested another of his colleagues on the Supreme Court remove himself from a case involving an ethics complaint against Prosser on Wednesday, a move which calls into question whether he will face discipline for allegedly placing his hands around another justice’s neck last June.… Read more »

State election officials are working with Waukesha County to implement a quicker system of reporting election night results after multiple instances of irregularities, which led to a statewide recount for a Supreme Court race last year.  Government Accountability Director Kevin Kennedy said in a statement that the GAB is working… Read more »

With a primary for the recall elections only two weeks away, some Republican legislators are calling for party faithfuls to vote in Democratic primaries to deceptively influence the elections.  Rep. Robin Vos, R-Burlington, said while he is not working to coordinate cross-over voting efforts, where a Republican may vote for a Democrat… Read more »

Secretary of State Doug La Follette is one of four Democrats running for the party’s nomination for governor in the upcoming recall. La Follette served as secretary of state between 1975 and 1979 and again during a second stint between 1982 and the present. A former University of Wisconsin-Parkside professor,… Read more »

Democrats and Republicans clashed over the future and manner of job creation after a report released Thursday showed the state losing jobs during the month of March. According to a Department of Workforce Development statement, the state lost 4,300 private sector jobs throughout March. However, the state’s unemployment rate also… Read more »

Voters may not need to show photo identification at the polls for the recall elections after a Dane County judge extended a court case on a challenge to the law Thursday. After hearing evidence for the past four days, Dane County Circuit Judge David Flanagan set a briefing schedule.  Flanagan… Read more »

Democratic leaders are criticizing Wisconsin’s appeal to the federal Supreme Court against a recent redistricting decision to back plans for two Milwaukee Assembly districts.  Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said in a statement the redistricting laws that the Legislature passed over the past session were upheld by the courts in… Read more »

Newly released polls show Republican incumbents leading their Democratic challengers in the recall elections, races which could determine which party will hold a majority in the state Senate. In a poll conducted by the polling group Public Policy Polling for the liberal blog Daily Kos released Tuesday, Senate Republican Leader… Read more »

Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, revealed her economic plan if elected to the governor’s seat Tuesday, which involves increasing funding to the University of Wisconsin System, a day after many contenders for the Democratic nomination promised to repeal tax cuts supported by Gov. Scott Walker.  In her plan, Vinehout also said… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker is leading all Democratic contenders for governor according to recent polling, while Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett snagged the endorsements of five Madison mayors over the weekend.  According to a joint poll conducted by the Democratic leaning Public Policy Polling released Monday, Walker leads Barrett 50 to 45… Read more »

Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, 50-year veteran of the state Senate and the longest serving state legislator in the nation, announced Saturday he will run for reelection. In a statement, Risser, 84, pledged to work to remove the “radical right wing agenda” being pursued by the current administration and to “get… Read more »

A panel of federal judges sided with an immigrants’ rights group and a group of Democratic voters in revising two Milwaukee Assembly districts, rejecting a plan proposed by Republicans. Immigrants’ rights group Voces de la Frontera and a group of Democratic voters brought the case against the Wisconsin Government Accountability… Read more »

With a gubernatorial recall election still two months away, the campaign for Gov. Scott Walker released two attack advertisements Thursday focusing on the job records of Democratic gubernatorial candidates Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk. The ad against Barrett alleges Milwaukee has not only had… Read more »

Following presentations on recommendations for increased flexibilities from University of Wisconsin System officials, members of the Special Task Force on UW Restructuring and Operational Flexibilities sparred over the creation of institutional governing boards to oversee UW institutions. JoAnne Brandes, a member of the Carroll University Board of Directors, said she… Read more »

In a living room discussion held Tuesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius heard stories from women who have benefited from the reforms brought about by the Affordable Care Act that currently faces a federal Supreme Court challenge. Sebelius said she has had similar conversations with women throughout the… Read more »

Following the filing of nomination papers for recall elections on the Tuesday deadline, three candidates for governor and lieutenant governor did not get on the ballot while two had paperwork problems and will still appear on the ballot, assuming they are not contested. Michael Mangan, a Milwaukee energy engineer, did… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker plans to include a proposal in the next budget allowing for law enforcement officers to collect DNA at the time of arrest for some felonies and sex-related crimes.  Walker, following the signing of a bill increasing the penalty for repeat offenders of domestic violence, spoke Monday at… Read more »

In an action some groups say violates state statutes, the Republican Party of Wisconsin is running six Republicans as “fake” Democrats to force a primary race in recall elections for four state senators, the lieutenant governor and the governor.   RPW spokesperson Ben Sparks said they are running the Democrats… Read more »

A recently released report found that young people and Americans in general are driving less, and calls on politicians, policymakers and the public to reevaluate their approaches toward transportation policies. According to a Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group report, from 2001 to 2009, the average annual number of vehicle miles… Read more »

As a recall election for Gov. Scott Walker looms in the near future, three Republican candidates have stepped forward to possibly challenge Walker in a primary for the Republican nomination. Michael Mangan, a Milwaukee energy engineer, Arthur Kohl-Riggs, a Madison citizen, and Patrick O’Brien, a New Glarus stay-at-home father, have… Read more »

A federal judge upheld most of the law passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature last year that limited collective bargaining rights for many public employee unions, while striking down sections relating to annual recertification and allowing union members to deduct fees from their paycheck. Judge William Conley of the United States… Read more »

Wisconsin may have the first wolf hunt in a state east of the Mississippi River this year, which supporters say could help control a growing wolf population, while opponents say the hunt could put the gray wolf back on the endangered species list. On April 2, Gov. Scott Walker signed… Read more »

With less than a week to go before the Wisconsin presidential primary, Texan congressman and Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul made a stop on the University of Wisconsin campus Thursday night, calling for an end to the Afghanistan War as well as an end to the Federal Reserve. According to… Read more »

With the Wisconsin presidential primary less than a week away, Callista Gingrich, wife of former Speaker of the House and current contender for the Republican presidential nomination Newt Gingrich, spoke to voters Wednesday asking them for their support on the campaign trail. Callista Gingrich spoke to a group of supporters… Read more »

A state Supreme Court Justice who has been at the center of numerous ethics complaints and allegations has ruled against a client of a law firm that did not charge him for legal work when attorneys represented him before the Supreme Court on previous ethics charges. Justice Michael Gableman, who… Read more »

Newly released documents show the court involved in an ongoing John Doe probe into Gov. Scott Walker’s tenure as Milwaukee County executive subpoenaed the public files of multiple employees and also contain online chat transcripts where employees discussed future career aspirations in Walker’s administration. According to the court documents, on… Read more »

A northeastern Wisconsinite declared his intentions to run against Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch in a likely summer recall election, joining a growing field of other Democratic candidates.  Bruce Berman, a former supervisor on the Marinette County Board and a contract truck driver, announced Friday he plans to run against Kleefisch.… Read more »

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will soon make public his decision on whether to join a field of candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Gov. Scott Walker in a potential recall election. Patrick Guarasci, campaign adviser for Tom Barrett for Milwaukee, said an announcement would likely come before the… Read more »

Following the resignation of a senator facing recall, a Republican representative has stepped forward to run in a recall election which will decide which party take the majority in the state Senate. Rep. Jerry Petrowski, R-Stettin, announced his candidacy Tuesday for the seat vacated by Sen. Pam Galloway, R-Wausau, who… Read more »

Concealed carry licenses from other states will continue to be recognized in Wisconsin after lawmakers granted an extension for an emergency rule at a committee meeting Tuesday.   The Republican-controlled Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules gave the state’s Department of Justice an extra 60-day expansion in a bipartisan… Read more »

After legislators passed bills modifying abortion restrictions and coverage last week, a new study shows a growing number of states are becoming more restrictive to abortion access and rights. The Guttmacher Institute, a group working to advance sexual and reproductive health rights, said in a study released last Thursday that… Read more »

At the end of a marathon Assembly floor session that stretched from Thursday morning to Friday evening and saw the passage of more than 50 bills as well as an attempted filibuster of a bill concerning Wisconsin technical colleges, tired lawmakers offered final remarks and speeches. The Wisconsin legislative session… Read more »

A bill making major changes to the landlord-tenant relationship has passed the Assembly in its final scheduled meeting of the year and will now head to Gov. Scott Walker for signing. The bill, among other changes, would prohibit city and state government from establishing a moratorium on evictions. Legislators voted… Read more »

A Supreme Court justice is facing a formal ethics complaint and potential sanctions after he allegedly placed his hands around the neck of another justice in a confrontation last June. The Wisconsin Judicial Commission, an independent state judicial conduct organization, alleged in a complaint filed last Friday that Justice David… Read more »

In a final late-night session for the Wisconsin Assembly, lawmakers rushed through more than 50 bills to pass before the state’s legislative session ends for the year, including a bill that would make changes to abortion procedures. Lawmakers debated a bill which would require a physician to conduct a physical… Read more »

In an early Wednesday morning session, legislators approved a controversial bill establishing a gray wolf hunt in Wisconsin after rejecting a number of amendments offered by Democratic legislators. The bill would establish a wolf hunt from Oct. 15 to the end of February and passed the Assembly by a vote… Read more »

In a late night session, Assembly lawmakers approved bills establishing abstinence as the preferred choice of birth control in public school sex education and prohibiting abortion under health care exchanges. Assembly lawmakers passed 60-34 a bill requiring school districts to present abstinence as the preferred choice of birth control and… Read more »

On the one year anniversary of the Fukushima Daiichi meltdown in Japan, alternative energy advocates claimed little has changed in nuclear power plant regulation and that Wisconsin’s drinking water could be at risk for contamination in the event of a similar situation in the state. Clean energy and anti-nuclear advocates… Read more »

A much-anticipated jobs report for the state found an improved outlook for the state’s job market, with both positive job growth in the private sector and a drop in the unemployment rate. According to the Department of Workforce Development report for January, the state gained an estimated 15,700 private sector… Read more »

A new grant program seeks to begin closing a gap between the skills employees have and the skills employers need by funding a partnership between technical colleges and businesses. According to a statement, Gov. Scott Walker announced the creation of Wisconsin Workforce Partnership Grant Wednesday at campaign stops in La… Read more »

While an Assembly committee has approved a bill making major changes to landlord-tenant relations, the Legislature may not pass it this session because of time constraints. The bill, which would make changes to laws governing landlord tenant relations such as no longer allowing cities and states to prohibit landlords from… Read more »

Legislators took the first steps toward amending the state constitution’s stance on recall elections several hours deep into a legislative session Tuesday night. In a bipartisan vote, all 59 Republican representatives and one Democrat voted for an amendment, which, if passed in the next legislative session and supported in a… Read more »

An amended bill streamlining the mining permit process in Wisconsin will soon head to a Senate floor vote after lawmakers rejected a bipartisan-authored compromise amendment. The Joint Finance Committee decided in a 12-4 party-line vote Monday to approve an amended version of the Assembly’s version of the mining bill, which… Read more »

Citizens in central Wisconsin are pushing for the creation of a new county, which if successful would be the first new state county in more than 50 years. University of Wisconsin-Marshfield and Wood County history professor Jeff Kleiman first proposed establishing Century County from parts of Wood, Marathon and Clark… Read more »

A Senate committee passed a bill Thursday legalizing a gray wolf hunt in Wisconsin, putting the bill on the fast track for passage in the Senate. The bill would establish a wolf hunt from Oct. 15 to the end of February, providing licenses to both in-state and out-of-state residents. The… Read more »

A bill that would make major changes to the relationship between landlords and tenants was delayed for a committee vote for the fourth time in an effort to give legislators more time to look at amendments to the bill. The Senate Committee on Housing and Insurance delayed a paper ballot… Read more »

University of Wisconsin employees weighed in on an effort to overhaul UW’s current human resources system at a public forum Wednesday. Harry Webne-Behrman, a UW training officer, said the forum was designed to be as open as possible to provide accurate information to people about the new system, which has… Read more »

After already receiving a 30-day extension to review recall petitions, state election officials anticipate asking for more time to review recall petition signatures for a potential election against Gov. Scott Walker. In a letter sent to the Joint Finance Committee asking for additional funds to cover the cost of reviewing… Read more »

Two recently released polls present radically different views of the current U.S. Senate race, while a new candidate has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination. A Rasmussen Reports poll released Tuesday put all three GOP candidates ahead of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, the only Democrat currently running for democratic Sen. Herb… Read more »

At a contentious public hearing, concerned citizens lashed out against a bill establishing a wolf hunt they claimed was formed without consultation of the public, while officials say it would curtail a growing population problem. The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment heard testimony Tuesday on a bill that… Read more »

President Barack Obama is calling on governors across the nation to increase funding for higher education and decrease federal funding for universities whose tuitions he argues are too high.  In his remarks to the National Governors Association Monday, Obama issued a challenge to governors to invest more in education. “Nothing… Read more »

After unanimous bipartisan approval in the Senate, a bill that would lift the enrollment cap on the state’s long-term health care program for elderly and disabled citizens received support from both legislators and citizens during a public hearing held Thursday. The Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care heard testimony… Read more »

State education officials requested a waiver on Wednesday for parts of the No Child Left Behind Act to establish a new accountability system for public schools, an action that has carried mixed support from the governor’s office. In a statement, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction said the waiver calls… Read more »

An Assembly committee approved a bill establishing a wolf hunting season in Wisconsin following the de-listing of wolves from the endangered species list last January. In an executive session Wednesday, the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources passed in a bipartisan vote an amended bill establishing a wolf hunt from Oct.… Read more »

As a potential recall race against Gov. Scott Walker looms, the field of declared and possible opponents is growing, as current Secretary of State Doug La Follette is taking his first steps toward running for governor. La Follette said he plans to file paperwork with the Government Accountability Board to form… Read more »

In a morning session held after Democrats used a procedural move to block a vote, the Senate passed a bill banning webcam abortions and requiring doctors to conduct a physical examination before giving a patient an abortion-inducing drug. The bill passed on a party-line vote Wednesday in the Republican-controlled chamber.… Read more »

Lawmakers clashed over a bill banning webcam abortions in a Senate legislative session Tuesday before Democrats delayed a vote on the proposal.  After an hour-long debate, Senate Democrats objected to a final reading of a bill requiring doctors to physically examine a woman before giving her an abortion-inducing drug. The… Read more »

Dane County’s sister community in Colombia is still experiencing mass murders, attempted assassinations and suffering as a nearly 50-year civil war engulfs the country and proposals to build an open pit mine threaten a neighboring community. An United States delegation sponsored by the Colombia Support Network recently returned from Colombia… Read more »

A bill establishing more relaxed wolf-killing laws in Wisconsin may lead to the species being relisted as endangered, although its supporters claim it would lead to more effective management of the population.   Adrian Treves, University of Wisconsin environmental studies professor and expert on public opinions toward wolves, submitted testimony… Read more »

Tensions flared at a public hearing Friday as legislators and citizens clashed over a bill that would streamline the process for receiving a mining permit in Wisconsin. Dozens of people provided testimony on the bill, which was referred to the Joint Finance Committee Wednesday after Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald,… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign will not be granted an extra two-week extension to review and verify recall signatures, a local judge ruled last week. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Richard Niess, who heard testimony on the cases from both recall groups and Walker’s campaign Friday, denied a request for a… Read more »

The federal government has announced it supports proposed changes to Wisconsin’s Medicaid program but needs further details before it can officially approve them. In a letter sent Wednesday to Wisconsin Medicaid Director Brett Davis, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Director Cindy Mann said while the federal government agrees with… Read more »

A former aide to Gov. Scott Walker received a new judge Thursday, postponing a scheduled arraignment; the latest turn of events in an investigation into Walker’s former employees. Tim Russell, a former Milwaukee County employee under Walker’s tenure as Milwaukee County Executive, who faces charges of embezzlement, has requested and received… Read more »

Following a contentious public hearing Wednesday, a Senate committee has delayed a vote and decided to revise a housing tenant bill which could make drastic changes to tenant laws. According to a Legislative Reference Bureau analysis, one of these changes would require tenants who have concerns about the rental property… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin System will face $46.1 million in budget cuts this year, after the state’s budget-writing committee approved the additional cutbacks Wednesday.Despite objections raised by Democratic lawmakers who claimed the blow will cause negative shockwaves for the state’s public universities, the Joint Finance Committee voted 11-4 to pass… Read more »

Following a contentious battle in the Assembly, a bill streamlining mining permit laws could come up for a vote in the Senate sooner than expected after a Republican senator disbanded a committee he created to revise permit laws. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said in a statement he dissolved the… Read more »

In a legislative session Tuesday, lawmakers passed a bill removing the enrollment cap on Family Care and debated legislation dealing with building on wetlands and restoring collective bargaining.  The Senate unanimously passed a bill removing the enrollment cap placed on long-term Family Care programs in the 2011-13 biennial budget act.… Read more »

A year after the first major protests against Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill, Democrats and Republicans still clash over the extent, influence and justification for the resulting recall efforts. At a party to mark the one-year anniversary, Dane County executive Joe Parisi told those gathered that the Republican Party… Read more »

On the one-year anniversary of the first large-scale protests against Gov. Scott Walker’s controversial budget repair bill, experts say the protests and the movement it spawned have had a large impact on the state and the nation. On Feb. 11, 2011, Walker, as he later said, “dropped the bomb” by… Read more »

With wind chill bringing temperatures to near zero, a crowd of protesters huddled together to hear speeches Saturday in recognition of the one-year anniversary of the budget repair bill introduced by Gov. Scott Walker. According to Capitol Police estimates, 500 protesters, chanting “one year later, one year stronger,” gathered on… Read more »

Lawmakers are considering amending the state constitution to make it more difficult for citizens to trigger recalls, along with other bills imposing stiffer penalties on people who sign petitions twice. At an Assembly Committee on Election and Campaign Reform public hearing Thursday, lawmakers took testimony from the public and debated… Read more »

Wisconsin is facing a larger biennial budget shortfall than originally projected according to new estimates, and it is one that could require emergency action by legislators and the governor’s office. In a memo sent Thursday to Joint Finance Committee chairs Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, and Robin Vos, R-Burlington, Legislative Fiscal… Read more »

Democratic lawmakers and independent consumer advocacy groups began calls for redistricting reform after viewing recently-released public documents that reveal Republican legislators signed secrecy pacts when redrawing legislative districts. Voces de La Frontera filed a complaint Monday containing documents showing 58 Republican Assembly members and 17 Republican senators had signed secrecy… Read more »

The Assembly could take up a bill dealing with a wide range of abortion issues, including coercion, abortions approved by webcam and legal penalties for women who receive abortions. The bill was authored by Rep. Michelle Litjens, R-Oshkosh, and has three parts, Executive Director for Wisconsin Right to Life Barbara… Read more »

A former county-level staffer for Gov. Scott Walker pleaded guilty to two felony charges on Tuesday as the ongoing 20-month investigation into Walker’s former campaign staff continues.  Darlene Wink, a former Milwaukee County employee under Walker’s tenure as Milwaukee County Executive, entered a guilty plea for two felony charges of… Read more »

State election officials could see a cut in their power to regulate campaign finance if a bill legislators considered Monday makes its way through the House and Senate. According to a Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules report, the bill would remove the Government Accountability Board’s ability to regulate corporation and individual campaign expenditures.  At a… Read more »

With a potential recall election months away, an independent candidate has declared he will join the race for governor.  In two ads aired locally before and after the Super Bowl Sunday night, Brookfield physician and kidney specialist Hariprasad “Hari” Trivedi announced his intentions to run as an independent candidate in… Read more »

A Republican leader in the state Assembly, in charge of maintaining order during legislative sessions, has carried a concealed gun during sessions in the Wisconsin Legislature. Assembly Leader Pro Tempore Bill Kramer, R-Waukesha, told the Associated Press Friday he has carried a concealed Glock 26, a subcompact semi-automatic gun, on… Read more »

A Republican U.S. Senate candidate has received a number of stimulus grants to fund his business, despite having previously publicly disagreed with a stimulus program. The Associated Press reported Friday that Mark Neumann, a former congressman and solar power business owner, received about $500,000 in stimulus grants and about $250,000… Read more »

After a 20-month investigation into former campaign staff that has resulted in multiple arrests, Gov. Scott Walker has announced plans to voluntarily meet with a district attorney investigating the case. In a statement released Friday, Walker said his campaign and office has cooperated with information requests from Milwaukee County District… Read more »

Vice President Joe Biden provided details during a press conference call Wednesday on President Barack Obama’s plan to address the high cost of tuition on campuses across the country. University administrators have questioned ambiguities in the plan to cut federal aid to campuses that do not take actions to reduce… Read more »

A former legislative aide to a Milwaukee senator has claimed his staff engaged in illegal activities, including working on campaign websites, while being paid by the state. Jana Williams, a former legislative aide to Sen. Spencer Coggs, D-Milwaukee, has filed a complaint with the Government Accountability Board against the senator’s… Read more »

As Republican state senators facing recall elections review petition signatures for the possibility to challenge them in court, three Democratic candidates have launched campaigns to run against them. At a rally at Monona Terrace Tuesday evening, Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller, D-Monona, introduced the three candidates and said the recall… Read more »

With a primary more than seven months away, Democratic candidates for the Second Congressional District race are beginning to rake in thousands of dollars in campaign contributions.  Dane County Treasurer Dave Worzala; Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison; Rep. Kelda Roys, D-Madison; and Matt Silverman, a local attorney and Iraq War veteran,… Read more »

After a 50-year struggle to rebuild a population in Wisconsin, the gray wolf has been taken off the federal endangered species list in the Midwest and has become the center of a hunting controversy in light of numerous problems with wolves interfering with livestock and homes.  Last Friday, federal officials… Read more »

Check out the full video interview here. Sen. Tim Cullen, D-Janesville, is one of two Democrats to have announced a run against Gov. Scott Walker in a possible recall election. Cullen served as senate majority leader in the 1980s and as former Gov. Tommy Thompson’s secretary of health and human… Read more »

Wednesday January 25th 2012 we sat down with Senator Tim Cullen and discussed his candidacy for Governor. To skip to a particular question, check out the full description on YouTube.For a transcript, read part one of this two-part series.… Read more »

In light of recent controversy surrounding possible redistricting legislation, three Wisconsin political insiders appeared before an independent consumer advocacy board Thursday to push for redistricting and campaign disclosure reform. The State Governing Board for Common Cause in Wisconsin heard testimony from University of Wisconsin political science professor Barry Burden, Sen.… Read more »

Sen. Tim Cullen, D-Janesville, is one of two Democrats to have announced a run against Gov. Scott Walker in a possible recall election. Cullen served as Senate Majority Leader in the 1980s and as former Gov. Tommy Thompson’s secretary of health and human services. He came out of retirement in… Read more »

State elections officials received a 30-day extension on the amount of time they will have to verify and validate more than 1 million reported signatures for the recall of Gov. Scott Walker and separate petitions for four Republican senators. In a Wednesday hearing before Dane County Judge Richard Niess, the… Read more »

Tensions erupted in the Senate chambers Tuesday afternoon after Democratic and Republican members of the legislature lashed out at one another. Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller, D-Monona, said it was appropriate to assess how Wisconsin fared under the past 12 months as the anniversary of Gov. Scott Walker’s contentious budget… Read more »

In near zero degree temperatures and after officials declared a citywide snow emergency, more than 50 protesters gathered outside Kastenmeier Federal Courthouse Friday as part of a nationwide protest against unlimited corporate spending in elections. The protest commemorates the second anniversary of the Jan. 21, 2010 Supreme Court decision in… Read more »

As a potential governor recall election looms in the near future, Democratic candidates are already declaring their intentions to run for the party’s nomination. Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk made her mark as the first official candidate in the race against Republican Gov. Scott Walker, filing papers to run… Read more »

As clerks around the state work to correct errors that placed voters in the wrong district, a recent federal court order characterized the redistricting legislation as an attempt to conceal what actually transpired in the bill’s introduction.Madison City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl said the system for voter registration is going through… Read more »

Recall campaigns turned in more than enough signatures to trigger special elections against four Republican senators who found themselves under fire last spring after voting in favor of a controversial bill set to curb collective bargaining rights.  Petitioners attempting to recall Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, turned in an… Read more »

After receiving an estimated 1.9 million signatures meant to trigger various recall elections throughout the state, Wisconsin’s chief election official said he did not know how long it would take to review and verify signatures for elections that could cost the state millions of dollars.  Typically, the Government Accountability Board… Read more »

During the second meeting of a state-sponsored task force on University of Wisconsin structuring, UW System chancellors contended with legislators they need more flexibilities and control of campuses at a local level to stay competitive. At the Jan. 11 Special Task Force on UW Restructuring and Operational Flexibilities meeting, the task… Read more »

Despite the cold temperatures, the race for the Democratic nomination in Wisconsin’s 2nd Congressional District is heating up as local politicians gain key endorsements. Former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle endorsed Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, to replace Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, who is leaving Congress to seek election in the Senate. “In… Read more »

Amid statewide concern regarding the place for concealed carry in Wisconsin courthouses, the state’s Supreme Court has delayed discussion on weapon policy in courtrooms.After hearing testimony at its Jan. 11 meeting, Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson said the court will wait to investigate issues around concealed carry before making a decision… Read more »

A group attempting to recall Gov. Scott Walker has collected more than 500,000 signatures, about forty thousand less than the amount they need to trigger his recall. United Wisconsin said in a statement Thursday that they have collected 507,533 signatures in their effort to recall Walker. Recall supporters need to… Read more »

A new piece of legislation would require physicians to ensure that a woman seeking an abortion gives full consent before receiving one. Under current state law, a woman who requests an abortion must give voluntary and informed written consent to the abortion. The bill, coauthored by Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New… Read more »

After massive protests at the Capitol last spring, Gov. Scott Walker’s opponents jumped at the chance to begin collecting signatures to trigger his recall. Starting at midnight on Nov. 15, recall supporters held pajama parties throughout Wisconsin to kick off the official recall effort. Four days later, one official recall… Read more »

A task force focused on the University of Wisconsin System convened for the first time Wednesday to consider changes that could be made to the system in order to increase its flexibility. On Wednesday, Aims McGuinness, senior associate of the National Center on Higher Education Management Systems, presented the task… Read more »

Allegations of possible recall-related crimes are increasing as the effort to collect signatures to recall the governor enters its second week. The Madison Police Department has received multiple reports about recall petition-related crimes since the effort began including an alleged assault, the removal of a campaign sign and petition destruction.… Read more »

After accusations of groups organizing to destroy recall petitions surfaced, a group mobilizing the recall effort of Gov. Scott Walker has established a reward for information leading to the arrest of anyone responsible for destroying or damaging a recall petition. Progressive organization One Wisconsin Now, a strong supporter of the… Read more »

Following testimony at the Capitol earlier this week against further budget cuts, the University of Wisconsin System issued a report Wednesday to a legislative committee requesting the continuation of a program it said will provide more grant money for research projects. The report asks the Joint Finance Committee to continue… Read more »

State election officials reversed a previous decision Wednesday by voting to allow Wisconsin Technical College students to use their student ID cards at the polls as photo ID, provided they meet state requirements. By a vote of four to two, the Government Accountability Board also decided to uphold a previous… Read more »

In one of their final meetings before the the end of the fall session, the Wisconsin Legislatures narrowly and divisively passed a bill which promotes the teaching of abstinence instead of contraceptive methods in public schools. In a 17-15 partisan vote Wednesday, the Senate passed a bill that eliminates a… Read more »

Legislators heard testimony and addressed how recently passed legislation could affect recall elections, as well as Wisconsin voters at the polls at a public hearing Wednesday. At an open hearing for the Senate Committee on Transportation and Elections, Kevin Kennedy, director and general counsel of the Government Accountability Board, said… Read more »

Legislators, special interest groups and citizens weighed in on a controversial bill that would allow local school districts to decide what they want to include in their sexual education program, including abstinence-only education Wednesday. At the Senate Committee on Education hearing, held in conjunction with Gov. Scott Walker’s special session,… Read more »

Issuing new student ID cards to out-of-state students could run a cost of up to $700,000 for the University of Wisconsin System as officials continue to weigh how to meet the requirements of the Voter ID law.The University of Wisconsin System is weighing the possibility of issuing a second ID… Read more »

Democratic legislators began circulating a bill Wednesday to increase the funding for technical colleges in Wisconsin through an income tax raise on millionaire Wisconsinites. The bill, called the Wisconsin Jobs Initiative, could increase funding to the Wisconsin Technical College System by $70 million, which would offset the $34.2 million cut… Read more »

Republican legislators proposed to give the governor’s office more power over how recall petition signatures are collected and the methods by which people may vote in elections next year. In a hearing held Tuesday, the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules recommended the Government Accountability Board make its interpretations… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker and several other governors are joining the federal government and Canada in demanding New York reconsider shipping regulations that protect waters from invasive species but could damage Wisconsin’s economy. In a letter sent to New York’s Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week, Walker joined forces with the… Read more »

View Cuts and additions to state education funding in a larger map A new study found Wisconsin students are among the nation’s hardest hit by cuts to education made in the state biennial budget, an issue which has proved a political flashpoint across the state in recent months. The recent… Read more »

A recently passed state law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls will face a court challenge on allegations it violates the Wisconsin Constitution. On Aug. 18, the League of Women’s Voters of Wisconsin announced it would challenge the voter ID law in Dane County Circuit Court within… Read more »

The longest shutdown in Minnesota state history could end this week after the Democratic governor and Republican lawmakers struck a budget compromise following more than two weeks of standstill and a price tag of millions of dollars. “This government shutdown had a rippling effect on individuals, families and businesses all over Minnesota.… Read more »

After several cases of child abuse in Wisconsin schools went unreported, a new bill making it mandatory for all public school employees to report cases of child abuse will be part of a public hearing today. Currently, state law only requires teachers, counselors and administrators to report instances of child… Read more »

A Wisconsin lawmaker is circulating a bill among legislators that would prohibit people convicted of drug-related or violent felonies from owning a dog deemed vicious by police officers. According to the bill authored by Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, officers would determine the viciousness of a dog based on whether… Read more »

Another Republican Senator risks removal from office after a recall committee handed in the required amount of signatures Monday. The Committee to Recall Luther Olsen filed their petition to recall Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, with the Government Accountability Board after collecting around 23,000 signatures, roughly 9,000 more than they needed,… Read more »

A major donor to Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign was charged Monday with two felonies after an investigation discovered he illegally contributed more than $50,000 to political campaigns throughout the state. Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Company CEO William Gardner will plead guilty to the felonies after he violated two state laws.… Read more »

Inmates in Wisconsin’s correctional system received more than a quarter of a million dollars in misallocated welfare benefits from 2009 to 2010, according to an audit released Friday. According to the Legislative Audit Bureau, 59 inmates received unemployment benefits during May 2010. Of the 37 inmates already investigated, the LAB… Read more »

The Wisconsin Department of Justice announced Monday they will not file charges against a former district attorney who allegedly sent “sexts” to a domestic abuse victim, among other women. In October 2010, Calumet County DA Kenneth Kratz resigned from his post when former Gov. Jim Doyle appointed prosecutors to start a removal… Read more »

Protesters dumped paper, plastic and glass for recycling in front of the governor’s mansion early Monday morning in response to a controversial provision in the biennial budget bill that would take away state mandates and subsidies from local recycling programs and has already drawn ire from Republicans. John Peck, a… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker and Republican leadership said Monday they believe the Senate Democrats are not unified in the decision to stay in Illinois, although responses from the missing senators do not indicate any difference in opinion. Walker held a press conference with Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, and Assembly… Read more »

Although representatives deny any connection to the recent prank call on the governor, two legislators began circulating a bill Monday that would ban making trick calls masking the caller’s true identity. Sen. Mary Lazich, R-Waukesha, and Rep. Mark Honadel, R-Milwaukee, authored a bill that would prohibit tricking the call’s recipient… Read more »

In response to the flight of Democratic senators from the Capitol last Thursday, some of the senators’ constituents have started petitions asking to recall their lawmakers. Recall petitions have been circulating for Sens. Jim Holperin, D-Eagle River and Robert Wirch, D-Kenosha. Constituents upset with their senators’ decision to leave Wisconsin… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker teamed up with 20 other Republican governors Monday to send a letter to the federal health department expressing their concern with health care reform and submitted a list of changes to be made before they would want to implement reform in their respective states. The letter said Walker… Read more »

Following a state task force investigation into a number of Wisconsin counties’ 2008 presidential election ballots, 20 Wisconsinites have been charged with committing election fraud. The charges come in the midst of a legislative debate about a proposed bill requiring residents to show photo identification to vote at the polls.… Read more »

THOMPSON DRIVE Battery Three men were assaulted last Friday morning in an alleged drug-related home invasion on the 700 block of Thompson Drive. The men were inside their apartment when five to six men kicked in their door, according to a Madison Police Department report. The assailants punched one man… Read more »

Republican Sen.-elect Ron Johnson is looking to recover some losses from his campaign through a fundraiser Thursday in Washington D.C. to help pay back the $8.1 million he spent running for office. Johnson’s fundraiser will be held at the National Republican Senatorial Committee headquarters, according to an e-mail invitation obtained… Read more »

For only the second time in Wisconsin state history, no one was killed during gun deer season except for deer. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced Tuesday gun deer season was casualty-free for the first time since 1974. However, 12 people were injured, according to a DNR statement. Wisconsin… Read more »

Following a competitive election season with record spending, Wisconsin lawmakers could consider a bill requiring third party groups running campaign ads to disclose where they get their money during a special legislative session next month. While the state Legislature is no longer in session, lawmakers will return to the Capitol… Read more »

A federal appeals court upheld a New Hampshire law Monday requiring public schools to set aside time for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance despite complaints about the “under God” portion. The Freedom from Religion Foundation, a Madison-based advocacy group, brought the complaint against the New Hampshire School Patriot… Read more »

Governor-Elect Scott Walker urged the Democratic Assembly Caucus to practice bipartisanship to solve the problems facing the state Tuesday. “I know that Democrat and Republican alike, we face some pretty big challenges such as the economy and balancing the budget,” Walker said. “While we face these tremendous challenges, we want… Read more »

Tammy Baldwin, the Democratic congresswoman up for reelection on Nov. 2, encouraged University of Wisconsin students to vote early at a College Democrats meeting Tuesday night. Baldwin, standing in front of a blackboard with “Vote Now” written in white chalk, addressed a crowd of about 50 student supporters in the… Read more »

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Scott Walker is leading Democratic opponent Tom Barrett by nine points according to a poll released Tuesday sponsored by Wisconsin Public Radio. The St. Norbert College Survey Center poll found of the 402 voters surveyed, 50 percent supported Walker, while 41 percent supported Barrett, with a 5… Read more »

A court ruling in Washington State last week might impact the case of a Milwaukee man challenging Wisconsin’s ban on felon voting. The Milwaukee case involves a felon who challenged the Wisconsin’s felon voting ban after being convicted of voter fraud for trying to vote in the last presidential election.… Read more »

Gov. Jim Doyle announced Tuesday the state will be giving Wisconsin communities grants totaling more than $6 million to help pay for projects to make intersections safer for children who walk or bike to school. The funds come as part of the Safe Routes to School program, which will provide… Read more »

In July and August, Wisconsin state legislative candidates raised a record-breaking $1.9 million before the Sept. 14 primaries, according to a report issued by the independent watchdog group Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Legislative candidates also broke another record by having over $5.34 million in campaign accounts before the primaries, according to… Read more »

The Nevada Supreme Court rejected a mistrial request in the case of a Wisconsin priest accused of sexually abusing a boy in Nevada 23 years ago.The 2008 case alleges Reverend John P. Feeney of the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay molested a Las Vegas man twice when the man was… Read more »