Dane County

Wisconsin Elections Commission Reverses Course on Absentee Ballots

Thousands of Absentee Ballots No Longer at Risk of Rejection

Dane County Bets Big on Bikes

2017 budget includes three new trail projects, 25 miles of bike lanes.

The Hypocrisy of the WMC

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce wants no judge recusals -- except when it benefits them.

Walker’s Pay to Play Revealed

Why the D.A. should investigate deals made by the governor.

Supreme Court Decision a Gift to Walker

Decision not to hear John Doe case a blow to democracy and legal precedent.

New $0 Deductible Health Plans Introduced

Wisconsin health consumers will save over $209 million

Agenda Items for Walker’s Second Act

Gov. Walker needs to focus on policy, including job creation in Milwaukee, not politics.

State Tougher on Open Records Than Federal Law

Walker administration has sought federal exemption that isn’t allowed under Wisconsin law.

New Commission Must Resolve Voting Mess

Partisan Elections Commission replaced state GAB; how will it perform?

Statewide Property Values up 3% in 2016

Yet values are still below the pre-recession peak in Wisconsin.

Cars Do NOT Own the Road

Hit-and-run driver kills bicyclist in Dane County. TV reporter asks why bicyclist was on the road.

Pocan Promotes Awareness and Benefits of Cooperatives at Visits to Local Businesses

Dane County is home to 80 cooperatives, has the highest number of co-ops per capita of any county in country

Walker’s Bizarre Choice for High Court

From a state with countless judges, he picks a crackpot lawyer named Daniel Kelly.

Wisconsin’s New Economy Taking Off

More than half a billion was invested in startup companies in last two years.

The Further Adventures of John Doe

U.S. Supreme Court signals it might take appeal of decision shutting down John Doe probe.

HUD Awards Nearly $520,000 to Help Low-Income Residents in Wisconsin Received Job Training and Employment

“This funding will help individuals and their families access empowering resources to reach their full-potential,” said Antonio R. Riley, HUD Midwest Regional Administrator.

Environmental groups prevail in case over DNR’s authority to protect drinking water

Recent Dane County Circuit Court ruling requires additional groundwater monitoring, animal unit cap for Kewaunee County Dairy.

Governor Walker Appoints Clayton Kawski to Dane County Circuit Court

"Clayton Kawski has established himself as an attorney of high integrity and intellect in the Madison legal community."

Dump Trump Efforts Could Still Succeed

Some Wisconsin delegates are among those who plan to fight him at convention.

**VL-JUNK** U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces More Than $18.2 Million in AmeriCorps Funding for Wisconsin

More than 9,500 AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers are serving in 1,430 locations across Wisconsin this year

Top 10 Victories Over Walker

10 policy changes Gov. Walker and Republicans failed to pass in the last year.

Here Lies the Government Accountability Board

Whether GAB should be praised or damned depends on who you ask.

Chisholm Challenger Skips Debate

Verona Swanigan objects to moderator and drops out of debate with DA John Chisholm.

Governor Walker Presents 2016 Trailblazer Awards to Women Business Leaders

How Colorado Reduced Solitary Confinement

It’s nearly been eliminated, while Wisconsin has made only a small reduction in solitary confinement.

American Packaging Corporation Building New Facility in DeForest

Project expected to create 60 new jobs

The Bizarre War Against John Chisholm

What’s more peculiar, his opponent, or the complicated plot to defeat him?

Hunger Strike Against Solitary Confinement

Some states banned it but not Wisconsin. Waupun inmates plan strike beginning June 10.

County Clerk Czarnezki to Issue Domestic Partnerships to Opposite Sex Couples

Milwaukee County Clerk Czarnezki also announced that he will be joined in this effort by Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell.

Did John Doe Threaten High Court?

Two Supreme court justices were deeply implicated in probe, yet voted to shut it down.

Human Waste Pollutes State Drinking Water

Problem often caused by septic systems; Tougher laws needed, experts say.

Impact of Walker’s 59 Judicial Choices

He’s already replaced nearly one-fifth of judges in the state.

What Did Primary Mean for Wisconsin

Will Walker be Cruz’s choice for running mate? And why can’t Hillary win here?

Statement from Senator Larson on “Right to Work” Court Ruling

"Today is a huge victory for Wisconsin workers."

Rep. Shankland Statement on “Right to Work” Ruling

“So-called 'Right to Work' has not worked for Wisconsin’s working families, and today is a victory for everyone who works hard and deserves the chance to get ahead.”

Rep. Barca Statement on “Right to Work” Ruling

“This ruling is a victory for workers’ rights and middle class families.”

Speaker Vos Statement on Right-to-Work Decision

Wisconsin became the 25th Right-to-Work state on March 9, 2015 in 2015 Wisconsin Act 1.

The Little Potato Company Selects Deforest for U.S. Head Office and Processing Facility

WEDC award supports $11.7 million capital investment projected to create 129 jobs

Wisconsin Women in Government Announces 2016 Board of Directors and Leadership Team

Wisconsin Women in Government was founded in 1987 to celebrate and support the talented women who choose a career in government service.

Five Years After Act 10

Most players in the contentious Act 10 drama have since moved on to other positions.

Milwaukee County Residents At Risk of Leaving Millions on the Table this Tax Season

Milwaukee Metro Area Residents at Risk of Missing Out on >$60 million in tax credits

Fitzgerald Issues Request for Records to City, County of Madison

"Ultimately, the closure of the Oscar Meyer facility took place in the City of Madison under Mayor Soglin’s watch."

Governor Scott Walker Signs 46 Bills Into Law

Acts 154 - 199.

Teaching Poor Kids Where They Live

Learning centers in subsidized housing target low-income and black achievement gaps.

GOP Bill Targets Democratic County Exec

Would prevent Winnebago County Executive Mark Harris from holding state Senate seat

WisDOT announces 2015 Excellence in Construction Awards

Contractors honored for projects in St. Croix, Sauk, Milwaukee, Lafayette, Brown and Dane counties

Legislators Leap into 2016 with Assault on Natural Resources

Seven Bills Rolling Back Natural Resource Protections to be heard on Tuesday and Wednesday

A Tough Year for Transparency

State leaders have worked to restrict open records and succeeded in several ways.

State Has Worst Black-White Learning Gap

Despite decades of efforts to close gap, little improvement has occurred.

3 DA’s Appeal John Doe

“This is great news for anyone who is concerned about money in politics,” said Matt Rothschild, the executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

Walker Aides Ordered To Avoid State Phones, Email?

Two cabinet members say Huebsch instructed them to use private channels for state business.

Walker’s Assault on Open Records

Walker and Republicans are methodically working to end any scrutiny of their actions.

Rep. Barca Joins Call for District Attorney to Investigate Potential Open Meeting Violation

Assembly Democrats will Pursue Legislative Fixes to Preserve Open Records Access

Chisholm Considering Appeal of John Doe Ruling

Four DAs discussing whether to appeal state high court decision to U.S. Supreme Court.

Will Any DA Appeal High Court John Doe Ruling?

Court “fires” chief prosecutor, Democracy Campaign calls on other prosecutors to appeal decision

Governor Scott Walker Signs 49 Bills Into Law

Governor Scott Walker signed 49 bills into law today at the Wisconsin State Capitol.

Statement on the closing of Oscar Mayer in Madison

“At the end of last week, Wisconsin had 9,341 workers affected by mass layoffs and plant closings; add 1,000 more.”

Wisconsin’s Waterways Haunted by Pollution

Scary Facts about WI waters

Governor Scott Walker Holds Press Conference Regarding Wisconsin Department of Transportation Contingent Bonding Request in Neenah

Governor Scott Walker held a press conference today in Neenah regarding the request by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Dave Obey Endorses Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg for Wisconsin Supreme Court

Former Congressman Dave Obey, who represented Wisconsin’s largest congressional district stretching over 20 Counties from Marathon to Polk, Douglas to Oneida, has endorsed Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg for Wisconsin Supreme Court.

SafeRide Program Cuts Drunk Driving Deaths

Tavern League program take keys away from drunk customers, helped cut fatalities in half.

Walker’s Post-Campaign “To Do” List

Back from his failed presidential campaign, what are his policy priorities for the state?

Many Killed by Teens Illegally Carrying Guns

Laws make possession illegal, but 6% of MPS teens reported having guns.

Wisconsin’s Growing Teacher Shortage

The number of education majors and teaching candidates is drastically declining. Why?

Statewide crackdown on drunken driving begins Friday

‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign runs from August 21 to September 7

Civil Rights Pioneer Vel Phillips Endorses Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg for Supreme Court

Vel Phillips, a trailblazing civil rights and community leader, has endorsed Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The John Doe Fiction Continues

National Review doubles down on dubious claim of “paramilitary raids.”

Questions for Steely Dane

The band performs Steely Dan classics and will be playing at Jazz in the Park this Thursday.

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Examines Challenges Facing Federal Prison System

Baldwin highlights significant racial disparities in Wisconsin’s prison population

Walker Obstructed Probe of Missing Veterans Funds?

In newly unsealed records, investigators say then-county exec was uncooperative, triggering first John Doe.

Governor Scott Walker Announces Administration Staff Changes

Governor Scott Walker announced the following administrative staff changes today.

More Problems at Gov. Walker’s Jobs Agency

Two companies fail after getting $1.4 million from WEDC.

Statement from Rep. Bowen on Assembly’s Passage of Backwards Republican Budget

“We’ve known from the start that this budget is wrong for Wisconsin.”

Walker Still Mum On Role Curbing Public Records

Legislature's proposal used language previously crafted by Walker administration, but governor and Vos won't discuss governor's involvement. Update of story published on July 3rd.

Assembly Republicans Refuse to Consider Transparency and Accountability for WEDC

“Governor Walker’s WEDC has been wasting taxpayer money to repay their Republican campaign supporters instead of providing real economic opportunity and jobs for hardworking Wisconsinites.”

Walker Bets on the Radical Right

He plans to beat Bush and Rubio from the far right. But his success could make him unelectable in the general election.

State Jobs Agency Not Serving Northern Wisconsin?

High unemployment counties get little help and the main project has generated just 40 of 665 promised jobs.

Governor Scott Walker Announces Several Appointments

Governor Scott Walker announced several appointments today, including Andrew “Drew” Peterson and Michael M. Grebe to the University of Wisconsin (UW) System Board of Regents; Julie Anderson and Dr. Frederick Prehn to the Natural Resources Board

Officer-involved shootings could be reduced with better police training on mental illness

“Training for law enforcement on how to properly interact with people with mental health challenges is not just the fiscally responsible thing to do, it’s the humane thing to do.”

Did Doe Investigators Trash the Rule of Law?

National Review and Fox News run stories about "fascist midnight raids." Are they right?

Representative Lisa Subeck Responds to Signing of Transportation Network Company Legislation

Governor Signs Dangerous “Uber Bill” in Dark of Night

WisDOT provides $70,000 in federal funding for pedestrian safety task forces in La Crosse, Madison and Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Task Force will receive $30,000.

John Doe Supported by Many Republicans

Supreme Court candidate James Daley was among many GOP judges and prosecutors involved in alleged "partisan witch hunt."

Walker Denies His Responsibility to Safeguard Health Care for Over 184,000 Wisconsinites

Greater Milwaukee Data on Impact Released Today

Can Ray Cross Reposition the UW System?

Legislators see it as a Madison-centered liberal redoubt. Maybe it needs a stronger base in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic Joins Dane County in Call for Indiana Travel Ban

Says Milwaukee County Taxpayer Dollars Should Not Be Spent in Indiana Due to State’s Discriminatory New “Religious Freedom” Law

State Ending Long-Term Institutional Care for Disabled?

Walker budget continues years-long trend, experts disagree on its impact.

RENEW lawsuit yields favorable ruling, again, for customer-owned renewable energy systems

Circuit Court Judge sends 2013 decision from Wisconsin Public Service rate case back to the Public Service Commission

Journalists Sue State Dept of Corrections For Records

Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism requested records on inmate treatment under open records but state won't release them.

Controversy Over Assembly Members Per Diems

Is the 56% increase in legislators' daily expenses "outrageous" or overdue?

State Is a Leader in Women Workers

New York Times analysis shows Wisconsin is one of the leading states in the percent of women working.

County Mental Health Board’s Slow Start Prompts Questions

Volunteer board and emphasis on community-based care has worked in other cities but going slow here.

Wisconsin Is National Leader on Drunken Driving Test

First state to use European test that detects heavy drinking going back months, helping target those who need treatment intervention.

Who Will Lead the Democrats?

The party badly needs leadership, but the bench looks thin. Here are the likely candidates.

Let Us Now Blame Mike Tate

Hatred for the state Democratic Chair is flowing. But is he at fault for the election debacle or was the party’s message lacking?

Why Republicans Hate Kevin Kennedy

The GAB director is an “embarrassment,” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says. Embarrassing to who?

Hamilton case shows need for new county investigation unit

Statement from Alderman Joe Davis, Sr. September 10, 2014