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Secretary of State candidate appears to have illegally used man on probation to gather signatures
The man gathered hundreds of signatures to help Cindy Werner, a Republican from Milwaukee, get on the August primary ballot. People on probation are ineligible to vote, and anyone gathering signatures must be an eligible voter.
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The Latest
Recent Political News
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Waushara Co Board launches probe into sheriff’s K9 stipends
An investigation from The Badger Project found Sheriff Walter Zuehlke received more than $25,000 in care payments for his K9 since quitting the law enforcement trainings after he was elected…
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Dem legislators reintroduce bill to protect free speech rights from frivolous lawsuits
The “anti-SLAPP” bill would make it harder in Wisconsin to use costly lawsuits against people for exercising their free speech rights. A similar bill died in 2024 without any Republican…
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Waushara Co Sheriff repays $1,200 in county K9 funds he got after dog died
An investigation by The Badger Project found Sheriff Walter Zuehlke continued taking care payments for the dog after it died last year. The Waushara County administrator said it was an…
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UW-Madison study: Partisan news sours consumers on political compromise
Right-leaning media users are less likely to support political compromise, a new study suggests. And in general, partisan media consumers tend to see political disagreements as right or wrong.
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Waushara Co Sheriff took over $20k for K9 partner after quitting trainings
Sheriff Walter Zuehlke stopped training ‘Argo’ in 2019 after his election, but continued taking $400 monthly care checks from the county, even after the dog died, an investigation by The…
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From one circus to another: Professional clown serving in Wisconsin Legislature
Freshman state Rep. Karen DeSanto spent years traveling the world with the Ringling Brothers. Now she’s representing a rural Wisconsin district in the state Assembly. The two jobs are very…
Recent Law Enforcement News
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The Badger Project sues DOT for records in investigation of former state trooper
A former state trooper was “terminated for cause” in 2020, but has continued to work in law enforcement. The Badger Project argues the DOT’s refusal to release documents related to…
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The Badger Project sues St. Croix County for records in ex-deputy investigation
A deputy resigned from the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office before it concluded an investigation into her conduct. The county denied a request for those records, citing concerns over department…
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Bipartisan bill to aid recruiting at small police depts stalls after state budget snub
With the total number of law enforcement officers in Wisconsin sitting near record lows, the bill aims to ease staffing shortages with grants to help pay for the training of…
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Racine County cop kept job despite DA’s deception claim; she alleges retaliation
The district attorney said Waterford Police Officer Sarah Polka was dishonest during an investigation into her son. Polka said that was untrue and payback for her advocacy of her department.
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Political challenger accuses Waupaca Co Sheriff, local GOP chapter, of blacklisting
More than a year before the GOP primary, a rural Wisconsin sheriff’s race is heating up, with the former and current DAs taking sides.
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‘They don’t know’ – Cop ousted in Racine Co for dishonesty promoted at new dept
A sheriff’s investigation recommended that the Waterford Police Department terminate Nathaniel Schweitzer in 2024. He was recently promoted to sergeant in Big Bend in Waukesha County.