Van Wanggaard

Republican Bill Would Shield Police From John Doe Investigations

Officer Joseph Mensah, involved in 3 fatal shootings, testifies against Doe probes.

Republican Legislators Propose Arming Teachers To Address Gun Violence

With grants for building safety and ending tax on gun safes.

Wisconsin’s Prisons Receiving Third-Party Review

Six month, $500,000 effort underway. Activists want engagement.

Following School Shooting, Evers Creates Violence Prevention Office

Directs $10 million in federal funds to new statewide office to prevent gun violence.

GOP Lawmakers Move Quickly to Enshrine Wisconsin’s Voter ID Law

Early committee hearing to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the April ballot.

Without Gerrymander, Democrats Flip 14 Legislative Seats

The Democratic gains in a strong Republican year set up a chance for them to win majorities in 2026.

Advocates Want An Ombudsman For Wisconsin’s Prisons, The State Has Other Plans

Department of Corrections pursuing outside contractor. Lawmakers could complicate both options.

Wisconsin is Now Midwest Leader In Deadly Police Encounters

A sudden surge follows a period where Wisconsin had lowest-in-the-nation rate. What changed?

Letters from Evers, Republicans Show Clash on Juvenile Corrections

Battling over court-mandated changes at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake facilities.

Future of Lincoln Hills Remains In Limbo

Troubled youth prison needs to meet consent decree terms, or compliance monitoring will follow system to new facility.

Only 10 of State’s 56 Races for Circuit Court Judge Are Contested

Just one of 12 judges in Milwaukee County face an opponent on April ballot.

Senate Fires 8 Evers Appointees, Approves 3 Constitutional Amendments

Senate ends session for year with governor 'apoplectic' over 'petty partisan politics.'

Bill Would Pay Schools To Buy Gun Detection Equipment

Critics raise privacy concerns over systems that use AI and camera feeds.

Why Legislature Won’t Create Task Force on Missing Black Women & Girls

Wisconsin has worst rate of Black females murdered or missing. One senator opposes bill.

Parties Seek New Candidates in New Districts

New state legislative maps means races are the fairest and most wide open in 12 years.

Rep. Shelia Stubbs Speaks in Favor of Assembly Bill 965 to Protect Judiciary

GOP Bill To Limit John Doe Cases Against Police Passes Legislature

Officers involved in shootings can currently face charges from judges after prosecutors decline.

GOP Senators Pass Parental Bill of Rights

And reject free school meals. Bill passed earlier by Senate next goes to governor.

GOP Bill Ends John Doe Cases Against Police Involved in Fatal Shootings

Law being 'abused' by vengeful families, activists, and lawyers, legislator says.

Republicans Fire Regulator Over Solar, Low-Income Assistance Decisions

Tyler Huebner didn't follow the law say GOP senators. Democrats say move is purely partisan game.

GOP Committee Votes to Toss Utility Commissioner Tyler Huebner

RENEW Wisconsin leader on PSC board since 2020, but never confirmed by Legislature.

State Republicans Now Pushing Agenda Through Constitutional Amendments

The GOP seeks to lock in policy wins by bypassing courts, governor.

GOP Proposal Adds Voter ID Law to State Constitution

Amendments would prevent state Supreme Court from overturning the 2011 law.

Bill Prevents Write-In Campaigns by Losing Primary Candidates

'Sore loser bill' follows write-in campaign that nearly defeated Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.

Bill Would Allow New Bars To Offer Indoor Cigar, Pipe Smoking

City of Milwaukee could support the bill, but raised questions over regulation.

Milwaukee Wants More Reckless Drivers Towed

United council backs state law change. But proposal could die in Legislature.

GOP Senators Introduce Protectionist Transmission Line Bill

Proposal would make it difficult for competitors to ATC to enter market.

State Superintendent, GOP Legislators Duel Over Education

Underly defends DEI, public schools; Republicans push culture war, school choice.

Rep. Clancy Says Police Work Has ‘No Dignity Or Value’

Republican legislators call him 'clueless" and 'divisive' as Clancy doubles down.

Gov. Evers Keeps Rising in Stature

Becoming a national figure with ever more effective leadership. Just ask the Republicans.

Former Senator Erpenbach Could Be Confirmed As New Parole Board Leader

His former Republican colleagues will decide whether he can keep job Gov. Evers appointed him to.

Why Does April Ballot Have Two Bail Proposals?

Why two constitutional amendments and what impact would they have?

Rep. Donovan’s Reckless Driving Bills Approved By Legislature

And: Republicans block rule that bans conversion therapy, allowing controversial practice to continue.

Bill Hikes Jail Time In Drug Overdose Cases

Republican bill ups penalty for reckless homicide by delivering drugs to 60 years in prison.

Republicans May Rewrite Bail Amendment

Legislators passed amendment giving judges more latitude on bail but now want to rewrite it before April election.

Parties Argue Over April Ballot Questions

Evers calls referendum on welfare 'ridiculous.' but huge majority of legislators disagree.

Republicans Advance Cash Bail and Welfare Referendum Questions

Both likely to be on April ballot, could influence turnout for state Supreme Court election.

Legislators Debate Changes to Cash Bail

Republicans pushing constitutional amendment to expand use of cash bail.

The Top Donors to Wisconsin Political Parties in 2022

Billionaires and millionaires, most supporting Democrats, continue to dump huge sums into Wisconsin politics through a loophole left open by state Republicans.

Menominee Tribe Renews Push for Kenosha Casino

7 years after Gov. Walker rejected bid, tribal officials now want scaled-down version.

Will New State Treasurer Make Changes?

Democrat Sarah Godlewski took expansive view of office. What will Republican John Leiber do?

State Has Many Uncontested Legislative Races

Why newcomers Ryan Clancy on East Side, Dave Maxey in New Berlin face no opponent.

Just How Purple Is Wisconsin?

Election results going back three decades show an almost perfectly divided state.

Gathering To Spread the Big Lie

‘Election Integrity’ event in Kenosha offers a cash bar and lots of debunked conspiracy theories.

Evers Vetoes 43 GOP Proposals

Killing Republican bills on guns, election changes, COVID-19, but does sign 35 other bills.

Why Brewers Stadium Conflict Erupted

Legislature has squeezed the five-county ballpark district, leaving it less flexibility.

State Senate Votes on Guns, Vaccines, China

Against vaccine mandates and China and for guns on school grounds.

Bill Overrules Milwaukee’s No-Knock Ban

The 'search warrants have been demonized by the anti-police mob,’ says GOP legislator.

Will Lincoln Hills Youth Prison Finally Close?

And at what cost? Legislature debates the issue anew.

Legislature Passes Raft of Law Enforcement Bills

14 bills increase funding, restrict local control; some directly target Milwaukee.

Bipartisan Support for Legalizing Fentanyl Testing Strips

Republicans and Democrats say bill will save lives.

Milwaukee National Lawyers Guild: Changes to Bail System do not Prevent Crime

Lawyers Caution Against Changing Bail System

Waukesha parade killings spark calls for higher bail, more punitive pretrial detention.

Johnson Seeks ‘True Partnership’ With State Government

Council president, who could soon become acting mayor, says city’s future depends on this.

Charges Against Election Officials Are Partisan Stunt

Using unproven allegations to cause distrust of democracy.

Senate Passes New Reading Test for Early Grades

Modeled on Mississippi plan. Democrats call it meaningless without more spending on education.

Bill Increases Criminal Penalties for Butane Hash Oil

Bill passed state Senate committee on a 5 to 1 vote.

Bill Ends Criminal Penalties for Minors Engaging in Prostitution

Sen. Alberta Darling wants minors being trafficked to be treated as victims.

GOP Continues Pushing Riot Legislation

New bill could make it a felony to protest if there has been an act or threat of violence.

Sen. Jacque’s Wife Asks Public to Get Vaccinated

Five of eight family members have tested positive for COVID-19.

Republican Lawmakers Defunding Milwaukee Police

Republican controlled Legislature refuses proposals that would provide Milwaukee with additional annual revenue.

Lawmakers Back Milwaukee Youth Prison

Bipartisan group seeks $43 million to fund replacement for scandal-plagued Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake facilities.

Legislators Clash On Police Funding

A heated debate as Republicans condemn Milwaukee and Milwaukee legislators defend the city.

State Senate Debates Anti-Defund Police Bill

Bill cuts state aid to cities at same level as any reductions in law enforcement spending.

People’s Revolution Marks One Year of Marches

Group’s members vow to continue pushing for change.

Nearly Half of State’s Prison Population Vaccinated

Despite incarcerated people becoming eligible early on, vaccinations lagged in prisons.

Bill Would End ‘Municipal Shuffle’ of Police Officers

Legislation by Rep. Moore Omokunde would decertify police officers trying to avoid firing, investigation.

Legislative Committee Reviews Policing Bills

Wanggaard, Taylor push legislation on use-of-force policies, chokeholds and whistleblower protections.

Bill Allows Billboard Ads To Hire Corrections Workers

State law currently doesn’t allows this, but legislators cite need for more staff.

Bill Would Expand Community-Oriented Policing

Bipartisan legislation funds additional COP houses in high-crime neighborhoods.

Bill Punishes Milwaukee, Madison

GOP bill backed by Lena Taylor gives police power in FPC disciplinary actions of cops.

Legislature Passes Many Bills

Full agenda on Tuesday of mostly partisan legislation, much of it heading for governor’s veto.

Bill Would Limit Police Chokeholds

But not a total ban. Bipartisan legislation supported by Sen. Lena Taylor.

Racial Bias Found in Pot Prosecutions

Black Wisconsinites 4.3% more likely to be prosecuted for pot possession, new study finds.

GOP Bill Cuts Funding for Cities that ‘Defund Police’

Any reduction in law enforcement spending would be matched by a reduction in state funding.

Where Are Act 10 Players Today?

Governor and three-fourths of legislators engaged in 2011 battle over law crushing public unions have moved on.

Evers Pushes Juvenile Justice System Changes

Sweeping reforms would close youth prisons and end Serious Juvenile Offender Program.

Assembly Passes Business Tax Waiver on Pandemic Aid

And Senate passes GOP COVID-19 bills that could be vetoed by Gov. Evers.

Bill Blocks Vaccine Priority for Inmates

Rep Wangaard seeks to correct ‘mistake’ by Gov. Evers.

COVID-19 Infects Half of State Inmates

Five times the overall state rate; 10,786 prison inmates, 2,153 staff infected.

Activists Demand Police Firings But Mayors Can’t

Barrett, McBride lament lack of control over police chief. Law insulates police from elected officials.

Republican COVID Callousness

Legislators wrong to criticize inmates getting the vaccine when prison infection rates are so high.

Vos and Wanggaard Continue to Gaslight Public on Foxconn Development

“Foxconn is failing to fulfill financial obligations in Mount Pleasant while local spending continues in preparation for a factory that is not happening.”

Vos ‘Behaving Like a Bully,’ Democrats Charge

After 10 months with no COVID-19 response bill, frustrated Democrats condemn their colleagues.

Republicans Have ‘Blood On Their Hands”

Evers signals he will ignore Legislative restriction, challenges GOP to present their pandemic plan.

4 Reasons Legislature Won’t Reconvene

Haven’t met since April, won’t return this year. Republicans explain why.

Will Legislature Pass Any Policing Reforms?

Some 20 proposed bills with more to come. Will any pass and when?

Task Force Seeks Bipartisan Policing Reform

And racial equity reforms. Will begin meeting in fall, propose legislative bills by next year.

DOJ announces $41 million for Wisconsin Law Enforcement

But, no one seems to know how the money will be spent.

Republicans Angry Yet Asleep on Policing

Unwilling to meet yet offering legislation to micro-manage police reforms in Milwaukee and Madison.

Republican Senators Offer 8 Police Bills

One requires cities in Wisconsin to maintain current police funding or lose state aid.

Senate Won’t Vote on Special Session Bills

Majority leader said they will gavel the session in, and that's it.

Troubling proposal seeks to harm cities that reduce funding for police

Statement of Alderman Khalif J. Rainey August 27, 2020

Trump Says Evers Accepts Federal Troops

But Evers says he’s authorized more Wisconsin guard troops as officials argue over what should be done.

A Mask Mandate is Not Enough

It's a step in the right direction, but not enough to suppress the virus.

Ten Years After Act 10

Most of those who voted for it are gone. How has the Capitol changed?

Evers Introduces Police Reform Legislation

Bills banning police use of chokeholds, no-knock warrants part of legislative package.

State, City Elected Officials Call for Police Reform

Activists, Alders, lawmakers and the governor are calling for policy changes.

Could Floyd’s Killing Lead to State Reform?

Evers calls for long-delayed bill on deadly use of force by police to be taken up by Legislature.

Do Probation Agents Need Protection?

Legislators debate bill adding penalties, possible jail time, if probation agents or their families threatened.