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Content referencing Shirley Abrahamson
The Rise of Jill Karofsky
From circuit court judge to Supreme Court chief justice in just five years.
Jun 30th, 2025 by Steven Walters
The Rise and Fall Of Michael Gableman
And how the Wisconsin Supreme Court became hyper-political.
Apr 16th, 2025 by Tom Kertscher
Retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley Elected To Lead Supreme Court
Bradley will serve as chief justice until June 30, when liberal Justice Jill Karofsky succeeds her.
Apr 4th, 2025 by Rich Kremer
19 Winners and Losers in Historic Election
Beyond the names on the ballot, who else won or lost in yesterday’s election?
Apr 2nd, 2025 by Bruce Murphy
Act 10 Still Divides the Capitol
Leaders who passed it all gone, state Supreme Court mostly different, as battle renewed.
Dec 9th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Wisconsin Voters Again Color State Purple
The state continues to flip back and forth between two parties, two ideologies.
Nov 18th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Wisconsin Lawyer Will Lead American Bar Association
Madison-based attorney Michelle Behnke focuses on real estate and business law.
May 30th, 2024 by Colleen Leahy
State Republicans Now Pushing Agenda Through Constitutional Amendments
The GOP seeks to lock in policy wins by bypassing courts, governor.
Nov 4th, 2023 by Jack Kelly
State Supreme Court Emails Show Chaotic First Week of Liberal Control
Documents offer portrait of a court at war with itself.
Aug 30th, 2023 by Jack Kelly and Matthew DeFour
Who Are State Supreme Court’s ‘Rogue Members’?
Ziegler and conservatives have ignored state Constitution in governance dispute.
Aug 16th, 2023 by Bruce Thompson
New Court Majority Changes Target Chief Justice Ziegler
Is it revenge for conservatives' past overthrow of Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson?
Aug 7th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Conservative Chief Justice Annette Ziegler Accuses Liberal Majority of Going ‘Rogue’
Claims state Supreme Court liberal majority of holding a 'secret' meeting. Majority says all justices were invited.
Aug 5th, 2023 by Corrinne Hess
Now Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court Fires Administrator
Randy Koschnick, hired in 2017, previously ran for court as conservative candidate.
Aug 3rd, 2023 by Anya van Wagtendonk
Do Act 12 Mandates Violate State Constitution?
Legislation enabling Milwaukee sales tax included restrictions that could be challenged.
Jul 26th, 2023 by Bruce Thompson
This Is First Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court In Living Memory
Media says court was liberal 15 years ago. Dead wrong. This is a radical change.
Apr 17th, 2023 by Bill Lueders
Collegiality a Casualty in Supreme Court Election?
Current court members were active in election, could intensify rancor between judges.
Apr 10th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Janet Protasiewicz Defeats Kelly, Flips Supreme Court For Liberals
Her win creates liberal majority on Wisconsin's high court for first time in 15 years.
Apr 4th, 2023 by Shawn Johnson
What Kind of Justice Would Daniel Kelly Be?
He left a clear track record during his four years on state Supreme Court.
Mar 5th, 2023 by Bruce Thompson
How State Supreme Court Races Got So Partisan
Outside groups spent $27,000 on 2003 race. By 2020 that rose to $5 million.
Dec 17th, 2022 by Matt Rothschild
5 Can’t-Miss ‘Doors Open’ Destinations
12th annual Doors Open Milwaukee features 115 buildings this weekend, but we wouldn't skip these five.
Sep 22nd, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Justice Thomas, Recusal And Wisconsin
U.S. and Wisconsin Supreme Court justices need not recuse no matter how flagrant the conflict of interest.
Mar 31st, 2022 by Matt Rothschild
Big Money Is Taking Over the Courts
Wealthy, right-wing interests are assaulting the integrity of the judiciary.
Jul 29th, 2021 by Ruth Conniff
State Supreme Court Elects Annette Ziegler New Chief Justice
Ziegler replaces Patience Roggensack, who did not seek re-election.
Apr 15th, 2021 by Shawn Johnson
Grogan’s Smear Campaign Against Davis
Her fear mongering ads in Court of Appeals race mislead voters about jurisprudence and the Constitution.
Apr 4th, 2021 by Casey Hoff
Why Shirley Abrahamson Mattered
For decades one of the leading state supreme court judges in the nation.
Dec 22nd, 2020 by Ruth Conniff
Shirley Abrahamson Dies at Age 87
She was first woman and longest serving justice on Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Dec 21st, 2020 by Danielle Kaeding
State Supreme Court Gets ‘F’ For Ethics
Its recusal rule was written by groups the court is supposed to oversee.
Nov 22nd, 2020 by James Rowen
State Supreme Court Is Radically Activist
Record shows many examples of grabbing cases before lower courts rule.
Aug 19th, 2020 by Bruce Thompson
Abrahamson’s Remarkable Legacy Honored
State’s longest serving justice, longest serving chief justice, a trailblazer for women jurists.
Aug 10th, 2020 by Steven Walters
Shirley Abrahamson Honored by Historical Society
Evers ordered the society's reading room to be named for the former Chief Justice.
Aug 6th, 2020 by Melanie Conklin
Most District Attorneys Running Unopposed
Just 6 of 72 counties in state have contested races. 33 counties haven’t had contested DA race since 2008.
Jul 27th, 2020 by Henry Redman
Supreme Decision
Karofsky v. Kelly, stakes are high in state Supreme Court race.
Mar 29th, 2020 by Bill Lueders
Karofsky Wrong About State Supreme Court
Her campaign charges against the Supreme Court amount to slander.
Mar 23rd, 2020 by George Mitchell
Opee Awards For Open Records Leaders
Plaudits for Abrahamson, others. A “Nopee” for secretive state Legislature.
Mar 16th, 2020 by Bill Lueders
Top 10 Political Stories of 2019
Lots of drama in last year of the decade. Which were the biggest stories?
Dec 30th, 2019 by Steven Walters
Hagedorn Forswears Politics at Swearing-In
New Supreme Court Justice promises he won’t be “pro-Republican.”
Aug 15th, 2019 by Laurel White
Shirley Abrahamson Steps Down
Her legacy saluted by liberal Ruth Bader Ginsberg and conservative Diane Sykes.
Aug 2nd, 2019 by Ruth Conniff
Suit to Limit Evers Veto Power Criticized
A “power grab” or trying to “get the constitution right”?
Aug 1st, 2019 by Ruth Conniff
Abrahamson Let the Sunshine In
For decades Justice Abrahamson was state Supreme Court’s foremost champion of open records.
Jul 31st, 2019 by Christa Westerberg
The Dark Side of Justice Abrahamson
A great legal scholar, but her style created bitter turmoil on the court.
Jul 1st, 2019 by George Mitchell
Mum’s The Word For Justice Abrahamson
For 43 years she said nothing about Legislature’s “illegitimate” sessions. Until now.
Jun 26th, 2019 by George Mitchell
High Court Says Governor Rules Over Schools
Conservative majority’s decision says elected state superintendent must get governor’s approval for rule changes.
Jun 26th, 2019 by Laurel White
State Supreme Court Upholds Lame-Duck Laws
The conservative majority not persuaded by arguments that extraordinary session was unconstitutional.
Jun 21st, 2019 by Laurel White
Hagedorn Shows Why Recusal Rule Needed
Unprecedented speech by new Supreme Court Justice thanking Republicans for his victory shows obvious conflict.
May 23rd, 2019 by Jay Heck
Conservatives Argue Against Lame-Duck Lawsuit
Right-leaning members of Wisconsin Supreme Court skeptical in oral arguments on lawsuit challenging lame-duck session before Evers took office.
May 16th, 2019 by Shawn Johnson
A New Generation of Political Leaders
GenXers and Millennials are replacing Baby Boomers in political office.
May 6th, 2019 by Steven Walters
Evangelicals Won Race for Hagedorn
And liberals made it happen by waving a red flag: ads decrying his anti-abortion, anti-gay views.
Apr 5th, 2019 by RT Both
Supreme Court Race Too Close to Call
Hagedorn claims victory, recount likely.
Apr 3rd, 2019 by Laurel White
Neubauer Downplays Her Democratic Ties
Traditional campaign for Supreme Court stressing experience, endorsements by judges.
Mar 29th, 2019 by Shawn Johnson
The Rise of Brian Hagedorn
Supreme Court hopeful's conservative credentials were established early.
Mar 29th, 2019 by Shawn Johnson
The Trashing of Shirley Abrahamson
Why is Brian Hagedorn attacking a legal giant, rather than his opponent in high court race?
Mar 28th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
Hagedorn Also Running Against Abrahamson
Conservative Supreme Court candidate keeps bashing the liberal justice, who has cancer and is retiring.
Mar 25th, 2019 by Steven Walters
Neubauer, Hagedorn Spar Over Political Ties
Candidates for Supreme Court debate over who is more political or biased.
Mar 16th, 2019 by Shawn Johnson
Recusal At Issue in High Court Race
State Supreme Court has one of nation’s weakest rules to prevent ethical conflicts.
Mar 13th, 2019 by Jay Heck
Hagedorn Says He’ll Keep Politics Off Bench
High court candidate has faced weeks of controversy for writings on gays, abortion.
Mar 7th, 2019 by Corrinne Hess
Big Donors Give More to Hagedorn
But his opponent Lisa Neubauer has more cash on hand in race for Supreme Court.
Feb 21st, 2019 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Hagedorn Backs School That Bans Gays
State Supreme Court candidate on board of school that bans gay teachers, students, parents.
Feb 15th, 2019 by Laurel White
Here’s the Top Donors in High Court Race
Lubars and Lynne Uihlein top those for Neubauer, many corporate leaders for Hagedorn.
Jan 17th, 2019 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Only Neubaurer, Hagedorn in Court Race
Two-candidate, left vs. right race for state Supreme Court. Neubauer has raised more money.
Jan 3rd, 2019 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
State Facing Endless Lawsuits?
Suits by governor, legislature, citizens coming on lame duck laws, gerrymandering.
Dec 18th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
How Walker Transformed Wisconsin’s Courts
One-third of all judges in state appointed by Republican governor.
Dec 3rd, 2018 by Steven Walters
Hagedorn Will Run for Supreme Court
Former attorney for Walker wants seat held by retiring justice Shirley Abrahamson
Aug 17th, 2018 by Laurel White
McAdams Decision Is a Travesty
Cyber-bullying was championed by state Supreme Court, while trashing faculty governance.
Jul 11th, 2018 by Bruce Thompson
High Court Sticks It To Milwaukee
Roggensack’s political decision gives police and fire unions more power over pension fund.
Jul 10th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
High Court Favors Donors to Justices
Conservative justices decide malpractice case in favor of business groups who gave them $37,000.
Jul 5th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
High Court Backs Evers Over Walker
Evers can hire his own attorney in legal battle rather than AG Schimel, as Walker insisted.
Jun 29th, 2018 by Shawn Johnson
Abrahamson’s Career from Dominator to Dissenter
Justice Shirley Abrahamson who joined the high court in 1976 and led the court for years, won't be running for another term.
Jun 4th, 2018 by Steven Walters
Offense At Age Nine a Felony?
State high court approves adult felony charge though offender then said to be eight or nine.
May 23rd, 2018 by Gretchen Schuldt
7 Election Takeaways
What did we learn as the blue wave washed over Wisconsin?
Apr 4th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Court Race Replays Issues of 2011
Dallet vs Screnock a rerun of Kloppenburg vs Prosser for Supreme Court in 2011?
Apr 2nd, 2018 by Steven Walters
Dallet Would Make History If Elected
6 of 7 state Supreme Court members would be women, highest percentage in American history.
Mar 30th, 2018 by Dr. Eric Ostermeier
Justices Differ on Right to Lawyer
High Court majority sides with police, who say suspect waived right, dissent calls that a "fantasy.”
Mar 1st, 2018 by Gretchen Schuldt
Wisconsin’s “Fall From Grace”
Insider article by Judge Lynn Adelman reveals how key decision transformed state.
Feb 16th, 2018 by Spencer Black
State High Court Restricts Open Records
Ruling makes it harder for unions to determine who has voted in elections.
Feb 9th, 2018 by Gretchen Schuldt
Can Dallet Win Supreme Court Primary?
Outspoken Madison liberal Tim Burns stands in her way.
Jan 18th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
High Court Gives Prosecutors More Power
State Supreme Court overrules statute and high court ruling previously cited 168 times.
Dec 22nd, 2017 by Matt Rothschild
17 Biggest Mistakes by Brad Schimel
Media feasting on problems in John Doe report. Here’s a scorecard of biggest goofs.
Dec 19th, 2017 by Bruce Murphy
The Many Errors of Brad Schimel
His sloppy report on John Doe leaks won’t help Attorney General’s reputation.
Dec 13th, 2017 by Bruce Thompson
State One of Worst for Whistle Blowers
GOP’s repeal of False Claims Act a “green light” to steal from taxpayers?
Oct 16th, 2017 by Gretchen Christensen and Madeline Sweitzer
High Court Buries Recusal Decision
Rejection of recusal petition by 50 judges quietly released on July 4th weekend.
Jul 6th, 2017 by Matt Rothschild
High Court Wrongly Rejects Recusal
Dumps proposal by 54 retired judges, assures big money influence.
Apr 21st, 2017 by Matt Rothschild
Is Wisconsin Now a Red State?
With Ziegler victory, Democrats' decline, state now looks very red.
Apr 19th, 2017 by John Torinus
Pat Roggensack On the Warpath
Supreme Court chief justice slams Journal Sentinel, Janine Geske, and others.
Mar 9th, 2017 by Bruce Murphy
54 Judges’ Powerful Case for Recusal
Their petition lays bare the problem. State Supreme Court hasn’t responded.
Jan 25th, 2017 by Bruce Thompson
Supreme Court Rules Against Open Records
Conservative majority exempts Schimel’s training videos from disclosure.
Dec 30th, 2016 by Gretchen Schuldt
Release the John Doe II Documents!
The public has a right to know how prosecutors operated and how the courts made their decisions.
Dec 6th, 2016 by Dee J. Hall
Supreme Court Limits 4th Amendment Rights?
Decision gives police leeway on home searches; Justice Bradley joins liberals in dissent.
Nov 30th, 2016 by Matt Rothschild
Inside Jury Duty in Milwaukee
A day in the life of a Milwaukee County juror.
Nov 4th, 2016 by Jeramey Jannene
Secrecy and the John Doe Probe
Did secrecy hurt the investigation? Will courts release the info now that the case is over?
Oct 12th, 2016 by Bruce Thompson
Walker’s Bizarre Choice for High Court
From a state with countless judges, he picks a crackpot lawyer named Daniel Kelly.
Jul 28th, 2016 by Bruce Murphy
The Radical State Supreme Court?
Three cases reveal the court overruling precedent while claiming it isn’t.
Jul 7th, 2016 by Bruce Thompson
Chisholm Challenger Skips Debate
Verona Swanigan objects to moderator and drops out of debate with DA John Chisholm.
Jun 22nd, 2016 by Bruce Murphy
The Plot Thickens In John Doe
Did State Supreme Court try to sabotage appeal of its Doe ruling to US Supreme Court?
May 12th, 2016 by Bruce Murphy
Are Conservative Groups Hiding Campaign Spending?
Anti-Kloppenburg ads could be funded by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Club for Growth
Mar 30th, 2016 by Matt Rothschild
Have Anti-John Doe Forces Blundered?
They could open door to federal court questioning state Supreme Court’s shutdown of Doe probe.
Feb 29th, 2016 by Bruce Thompson
Roggensack Weakens Judicial Watchdog?
Chief justice appoints GOP operative sanctioned by federal court to Judicial Commission.
Jan 4th, 2016 by Bruce Thompson
Wisconsin’s Top 10 Political Stories Of 2015
Walker and Republican legislators dominate this year's top political stories in Wisconsin.
Dec 28th, 2015 by Steven Walters
The Mysterious Silence of John Chisholm
His unwillingness to answer challenges to John Doe raises questions.
Sep 9th, 2015 by Bruce Thompson
Court Creates Loophole in Open Records Law
State Supreme Court ruling may allow governments to evade or delay obeying law.
Sep 1st, 2015 by Steve Lovejoy
About Those John Doe “Paramilitary Raids”
Are right-wing accounts of the Doe investigation fictional?
Aug 10th, 2015 by Bruce Thompson
