Top 10 Stories of 2018

Gov. Scott Walker and Foxconn plan.

It’s the worst deal in state history and the biggest subsidy ever given to a foreign company in U.S. history. And that was just for starters, as the Foxconn deal got ever worse, as documented in our reports this year, which were six of the most popular Murphy’s Law columns of the year.

Also popular were stories on the decline of Scott Walker, the Republicans, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Not a great year for all three and 2019 may not be any better.

Here are the most popular columns of the past year in reverse order:

10. About That Republican Victory

Robin Vos

Voters rejected Democrats for the Assembly, Robin Vos declares. Er, not exactly.

9. Foxconn Deal Gets Even Worse

Design for Foxconn’s campus. Photo from the WEDC.

$4.1 billion handout will deliver even less benefits, more costs than imagined.

8. Journal Sentinel Abandons Print Readers?

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Headquarters

Paper’s circulation plummets as owner Gannett pushes switch to digital.

7. The Full File on Foxconn

Foxconn signing. Photo by Graham Kilmer.

City report on Foxconn’s history is eye opening. Why didn’t state do its due diligence?

6. Is Foxconn Contract Illegal?

Foxconn chairman Terry Gou and Governor Scott Walker signing a memorandum of understanding. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

Attorneys may sue, but urge Evers and Kaul to pursue a suit to overturn contract.

5. City a Leader in White Nationalism

City of New Berlin

New Berlin is headquarters for neo-Nazi party founded by George Lincoln Rockwell.

4. Why Walker Lost

Governor Scott Walker speaking at office building press conference. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

He seemed to have the perfect strategy. The top 10 reasons he failed.

3. Foxconn Deal Allows Low-Ball Wages

Foxconn chairman Terry Gou and Governor Scott Walker signing a memorandum of understanding. Photo from the State of Wisconsin.

Documents show state will allow 93 percent of workers to earn less than $15 hour.

2. Is Foxconn Double Crossing Walker?

Foxconn’s North American. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

Latest admission by company gives the game away.

1. Foxconn’s Story Changes. Yet Again.

Design for Foxconn’s campus. Photo from the WEDC.

Nearly all the manufacturing will be done by robots, company says.

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