Dane County

Committee Rejects Abortion Travel Fund

With Republican legislators watching Milwaukee's every move, supervisors reject proposal.

Activists Decry GOP Bill Ending Advisory Referendums

All local referendums would be barred. But not state advisory referendums.

Lawsuit Underway On Validity of Wisconsin’s 1849 Abortion Ban

Attorney General Josh Kaul is attempting to get law struck down.

Johnson Calls For Abortion Referendum

'I have a hard time believing people would allow abortion past about 12 weeks.'

DHS Awards $8 million for Opioid and Stimulant Treatment Service

Tribal nation and county agencies to use funding from the State Opioid Response Grant Program to support local needs

Judge Allows Those Suing Fake Electors To Remain On Case

Dane County judge rules there is no conflict of interest, despite Trump attorney's objection.

Why Republicans Lose Younger Voters

Can Scott Walker lead the way to transforming the party’s aging demographics?

Committee Pauses Abortion Travel Fund

Legal uncertainty causes supervisors to table the proposal for a month.

UPDATE: Officer Involved Critical Incident Investigation in Barron County, Wis.

April 10, 2023

State Will Get $139 Million Federal Funds for Water Infrastructure

Around $81 million will be set aside for replacement of lead pipes.

Young, Student Voters Turned Out for Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

Voters around college campuses overwhelmingly voted for Janet Protasiewicz.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Flip Was Years In the Making

Partisan-style campaigning and waning influence of Republican WOW counties contribute to Protasiewicz victory.

Sen. Baldwin Pushes For Health Care Coverage For Those Leaving Jail

Medicaid loophole leaves vulnerable people released from incarceration without immediate coverage.

Senators Baldwin, Braun Introduce Bipartisan Reentry Act to Help Reduce Drug Overdoses

Legislation would help create a warm handoff for those leaving incarceration and get them health care coverage, including mental health services and substance use disorder treatment

Wisconsin NRB Meeting April 12

One Third of State Prison Jobs Are Vacant

Legislative hearing discusses state corrections budget, pay hikes proposed by Gov. Evers.

Six Arrested for Trafficking Fentanyl from Arizona to Madison, Wis.

March 24, 2023

Referendums on Ballot Are Confusing

Three proposals by Republicans sow confusion, resentment.

Utilities Get PSC Approval to Buy Largest Solar Plant In Wisconsin

We Energies, two other utilities will pay $649 million for Dane County plant.

Advocates Push for Evidence-Based Bail Laws

Calling for risk assessment tools, opposing Republican bail ballot referendum.

Republican-Backed Bill Would Remove Ineligible Voters From State Database

But election officials say its unnecessary and could actually make elections less secure.

Supervisors Propose Abortion Travel Fund

But the county Corporation Counsel calls the proposal "nearly certainly illegal."

Sara Geenen Campaign Announces More Than 50 Endorsements From Judges & Elected Officials

Will Mike Gallagher Challenge Baldwin?

U.S. Senator Baldwin seeks reelection in 2024. Republican Rep. Gallagher's star turn in Washington helps build his profile.

Program Would Subsidize Low-Income Health Insurance Premiums

County would join effort to prevent people from losing health insurance coverage.

Third Ethics Complaint Filed Against Michael Gableman

Head of 2020 election review accused of repeated dishonesty, harassing public officials.

Senator Baldwin Announces Funding for Community Outreach and Noise Mitigation Planning for F35 Arrival at Truax Field

WisDOT’s new RIDESHARE platform offers more transportation options

DWD Announces $3.8 Million in Wisconsin Fast Forward Worker Training Grants

Grants support 24 employers and new or increased wages for 1,415 trainees

Federal Inflation Reduction Act Could Add 24,000 Jobs in Wisconsin

While helping state grow its renewable energy, new report finds.

Enslaved Workers May Be Making Your Breakfast

Wisconsin confronts problem of human trafficking and exploited immigrant labor.

Judge Dismisses Open Records Case Against DNR Board Member

Yes, Fred Prehn delayed providing records but no, plaintiff can't collect attorney fees.

Liberal Candidates for Supreme Court Won a Majority

Janet Protasiewicz and Everett Mitchell got 54% of vote in primary election.

Milwaukee Area Above State Average for Remote Work

Wisconsin Policy Forum report shows the Milwaukee metro area with a large percentage of the state's remote workers.

Cash Bail Amendment Will Appear On Ballots This Spring

Dane County judge rules against social justice groups.

Election Officials Report Smooth Spring Primary Election

Protasiewicz, Kelly To Face Off In High-Stakes Supreme Court Race

Jennifer Dorow falls to Kelly in hotly-contested race between conservatives.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidates

Plus: Three aldermanic races and a north shore state senate race.

Wisconsin Lost 106,000 People Under Age of 26 In Last Decade

Wisconsin's population grew over same time, much of it fueled by Dane County.

The State Judicial Commission Blew It

Cautioning Justice Karofsky on her manners toward a Trump attorney was wrong.

$7 Million Already Spent On Supreme Court Race

Protasiewicz has spent $1.6 million, but outside group backing Kelly spends $1.8 million.

Lawsuit Opposes Cash Bail Ballot Initiative

Social justice groups argue deadline missed so ballot initiative must be moved to 2024.

Why State Voting Audit Was Remarkable

Largest hand recount in state history finds not one voting machine error, wins bipartisan praise.

How Much Clout Does Your U.S. Rep Have?

Which committee does each one sit on and why it matters to Wisconsin.

Dan Kelly Makes His Case for High Court

'Where do our rights come from?' asks former state Supreme Court justice. 'God!'

Can Everett Mitchell Win High Court Race?

Last in fundraising in state Supreme Court race, Dane County judge says grass roots support is key.

Dorow Tells Drug Dealers They Are Responsible for Overdose Deaths

Cases shine light on how judge handles issue that may involve her son.

New State GOP Chair Involved with Fake Electors

Brian Schimming went on talk radio to defend ‘peaceful protests’ at January 6 Capitol riot.

85 of 86 Incumbent State Legislators Won in 2022

Just one lost. Experts blame Republican gerrymandering and uncompetitive districts.

Protasiewicz Outraises Opponents in State Supreme Court Race

A 3-1 advantage over her nearest opponent in total campaign donations.

WisDOT announces 2022 Excellence in Construction awards

Contractors honored for projects in Brown, Dane, Eau Claire, Lincoln, Racine and Washburn counties

Dane County Man Convicted of Sexual Assault

January 19, 2023

Court Rules Spindell Needn’t Respond to Records Request

Elections Commission, not its members, must handle open records request, judge finds.

Gov. Evers, AG Kaul File New Brief in Direct Challenge to Wisconsin’s 1800s-era Criminal Abortion Ban

Lawsuit challenges archaic abortion statute banning nearly all abortions in Wisconsin, including in cases of rape and incest

State’s Cigarette Sales, Taxes Plummet

Taxes down 44% in 12 years, but outweighed by reduction in medical costs, report says

Southwestern Wisconsin Farmer Appointed To DNR Board

Gov. Evers appoints Paul Buhr to replace Walker-appointee William Bruins.

State Supreme Court Candidates Discuss Abortion, Redistricting

Race between Dorow, Kelly, Mitchell and Protasiewicz could change court's majority.

Kaul Should Charge Ron Johnson, 10 Fake Electors

Illegal efforts to overturn 2020 election should be prosecuted by Attorney General.

Gov. Evers Announces DVA Secretary Mary Kolar to Retire

2022 Roundup: Gov. Evers Highlights 2022 Accomplishments

2022 Roundup: Gov. Evers Completes 2022 72-County Tour of Wisconsin

High Court Race Divides Republicans

And Democrats. But the obvious friction is between conservatives Dan Kelly and Jennifer Dorow.

Embattled Former DNR Board Chair Resigns, Ending Saga

Prehn, whose appointment had expired, was able to stay on because Republicans wouldn't confirm his replacement.

Pocan’s 15 Earmarks To Be Signed by POTUS

Senator Baldwin Secures Over $255 Million for Wisconsin in Senate Appropriations Legislation

Projects championed by Senator Baldwin were included in Fiscal Year 2023 bipartisan bill

Report Calls For Criminally Charging State’s Fake Electors

Democracy protection group, Just Security, says 10 Republicans committed felonies.

Why Are Our Congressional Districts So Gerrymandered?

Key reason: too much emphasis on 'communities of interest.'

Protasiewicz Says She’ll Bring Fairness to State Supreme Court

Milwaukee judge running for high court seat says current majority 'unfair to the citizens.'

Madison Planning For Possible Amtrak Expansion

With potential for federal funding, Madison studying six station sites.

Five of Eight Wisconsin Congressional Representatives Vote For Defense of Marriage Act

Three Democrats joined by Republicans Steil and Gallagher.

State’s Assembly Maps More Skewed Than Ever

Wisconsin, the fourth most pro-Republican gerrymandered state, has gotten worse.

Crowded Supreme Court Race To Become Partisan Battles

Four candidates are running, with the conservative-liberal split of court hanging in balance.

Waukesha Parade Judge To Run For State Supreme Court

Walker appointee, Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow, will be fourth candidate in race.

Turkeys Living Good In Wisconsin

Huge growth of wild turkeys in Wisconsin with many in cities, suburbs.

Kaul Warns Suit Challenging State Abortion Ban Will Take Time

Attorney General aims to overturn 1849 ban, but notes legal process 'not fast.'

Attorney General Kaul Announces $160,000 Judgment with United Liquid Waste Recycling, Inc for Hazardous Waste Violations

November 18, 2022

Did Fred Prehn Flout Open Records Law?

Judge hears arguments whether Natural Resources Board member who refused to resign withheld records.

State Tourism Rebounds Since Pandemic

Revenue up 21% in 2021, study finds, but business-oriented travel in Milwaukee hasn't fully recovered.

5 Lessons From Mid-Term Election

Milwaukee's under-performance is a problem. And lack of national Democratic funding doomed Pfaff.

Wisconsin Voters Endorse Marijuana Legalization, Abortion Rights In Referendums

But county-level referendums were only advisory

Van Orden Defeats Pfaff in Western Wisconsin Congressional District

AP calls race, with Republican at 52% of vote and 95% of ballots counted.

Poll Workers Offered ‘Active Shooter’ Training

I volunteered to be a poll worker. Little did I know how things had changed.

U.S. Treasury Awards Forward Community Investments $55 Million to Revitalize Wisconsin Communities

Local community loan fund receives record New Market Tax Credit Program allocation to spur investment and economic growth in urban and rural communities

Kaul’s Campaign Pushes Abortion Rights

Democratic Attorney General also pushes gun control, environmental protection in closely fought battle for reelection.

Anti-Transgender Efforts Permeating Wisconsin’s Schools, Political Campaigns

Misinformation and fear-mongering leading to lawsuits, protests and harassment.

Judge Rejects Request To Let Clerks Count Absentee Ballots With Incomplete Addresses

Dane County judge says injunction would "upend the status quo, not preserve it,"

False Active Shooter Reports at Schools Across State

A dozen schools report 'swatting,' prank calls meant to bring armed police response.

Quiet Race For State Treasurer Is About What The Office Should Actually Be

Winner will replace Democrat Sarah Godlewski, who opted to run for Senate seat instead of re-election.

Debate About Whether To Enforce Abortion Ban Could Hurt OB-GYN Recruitment, Retention

Wisconsin's 1849 ban could result in felony charges for doctors.

Activists Find Issues With Wisconsin’s Voter Records System

But politically-motivated effort finds no plot or widespread fraud.

2022 Sustainability And Business Support Report Released

Report Highlights Resilience Of Wisconsin Businesses And Communities

Army of Election Observers Expected in November

Both political parties, and their supporters, are assembling huge numbers of election observers.

What’s Next For Lawsuit Over Wisconsin’s 1849 Abortion Ban?

Attorney General Josh Kaul pursuing lawsuit to block law's enforcement.

Controversial 2021 Wolf Hunt Caused 14% Population Drop

DNR says population is stable, but now below 1,000.

After Texts Released, DNR Board Member Publicly Calls For Prehn To Resign

Walker appointee with expired term has refused to leave board, which texts reveal is politically motivated.

Referendums Seek To Block Election Grants From Zuckerberg, Others

Four counties will ask voters nonbinding question regarding election grants.

Property Values See Record Growth in 2022

Study finds values rose 13.8% in Wisconsin, biggest hike since at least 1985.

Wisconsin Saw Record 13.8% Increase in Property Values in 2022

Property tax levy increase statewide lagged inflation; tax rate saw largest decline since 2005

Tim Michels Has Said For Two Decades That He Opposes Rape and Incest Exceptions On Abortion

Kate Schuhmacher Joins Johnson Financial Group as Vice President of Employee Benefits, Director of Client Experience