Category: Investigations
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Wisconsin DOJ must release statewide list of 16,000 cops, judge rules
A court sided with The Badger Project and the Invisible Institute in their lawsuit demanding a list of all police in the state from the Department of Justice, which had repeatedly rejected requests for it.
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Menasha PD hired a wandering officer. Now he’s been arrested and the city could get sued.
The city’s police department hired Cristian Morales in 2025 after he was forced out of another agency. He is now facing a felony for stalking his ex. Research says wandering officers are more likely to commit misconduct.
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This wealthy Wisconsin congressman keeps aggressively trading stocks. A bipartisan bill would ban the practice.
U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, a millionaire who represents Wisconsin’s northeastern district, reported at least $1.3 million in trades in February. Experts say it’s only a matter of time before it becomes a problem.
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‘Hard worker’ cop with OWI given ‘second chance’ in Sheboygan County
A former Sheboygan police officer is now working part-time for the Cascade Police Department after an OWI arrest in 2022. His current police chief says he deserves a second chance.
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Duffy funneled $1M to son-in-law’s bid for Congress in northern Wisconsin
With a huge donation, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is trying to help his son-in-law win a crowded primary for the 7th Congressional District he once represented.
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What to do when your neighbors run the town board and block your business?
A man in a small town in Outagamie County says his neighbors, who sit on the town board, have been unfairly blocking his attempts to expand his business. They say it’s a zoning issue.
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Top donors (so far) to Rep. Van Orden, Republican of western Wisconsin
The world’s richest man has already written the incumbent a large check to try to aid his reelection to the 3rd Congressional District.
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Max donors (so far) to Rebecca Cooke, Dem challenger in western Wisconsin
Many people have given Cooke, of Eau Claire, the max, including a well-known former Green Bay Packer and some other interesting names.
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Ex-La Crosse cop accused of writing misleading report now at nearby PD
A long-time officer for the La Crosse Police Department resigned while under investigation for his report that differed from body camera footage of his interaction with a drunken motorist at Oktoberfest.
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Racine Co Sheriff’s Office investigator probed amid claims of sexual abuse
A deputy is being investigated after his wife got a restraining order against him and accused him of abusing her sexually for more than a decade.
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Richland Co Sheriff’s Office stakeouts uncovered deputy’s on-duty liaisons
A deputy and city alderman in western Wisconsin resigned after having repeated sexual meetings while on duty. The Viola Police Department still employs him.
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Waushara Co Sheriff reaches deal to repay half of $22k in K9 funds he took
An investigation by The Badger Project found Sheriff Walter Zuehlke got over $20k for his K9 after quitting the trainings. The county asked him to repay that plus interest, but settled to avoid a costly court battle.
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Top donors to Chris Taylor, the Left’s candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court
With support from across the country, state Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor of Madison is outraising her opponent from the political Right nearly 10-1, spooking conservatives who hope to hold the seat.
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Top donors to Maria Lazar, the Right’s candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Court of Appeals Judge Maria Lazar has struggled to raise funds since she announced her candidacy for the state’s high court in October, and is being outraised by her opponent nearly ten to one.
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Four ex-Waukesha Co Sheriff’s deputies committed suicide in past decade
Some family members say department leadership is at least partly to blame, accusing it of ignoring struggling deputies. The department says it had mental health programs in place and has since increased them.
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State trooper caught drinking on duty in Waushara County facing criminal charge
Robert Bliven, a Wisconsin state trooper, was arrested in September after deputies investigated him for drinking on the job. They charged him with operating a firearm while intoxicated.
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Aggressive stock-trading Wisconsin rep puts at least $1M into safer T-bills
U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, a wealthy businessman elected to Congress in 2024, recently took action to protect against a stock market downturn by purchasing between $1 million and $5 million in U.S. Treasury bills.
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“Pervasive, caustic atmosphere” of UW-La Crosse PD has improved, chief says
The police department was knocked for “shoddy record keeping” and a “lack of leadership” in a 2019 investigation. A police chief hired the same year says he’s made major changes to revamp the organization.