Category: Investigations
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Forest Co K9 deputy who was forced out after investigation back in policing
Adam Boney quit the Forest County Sheriff’s Office after accusations, which he said were false, that he refused to assist a deputy on a potentially dangerous call. He now works for a small police department in the same county.
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Max donors (so far) to Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Republican of western Wisconsin
The U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, a major Silicon Valley billionaire and many others have given Van Orden the maximum donation allowed in this election cycle.
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Max donors (so far) to Rebecca Cooke, Democrat of western Wisconsin
A famous musician, the former CEO of the Green Bay Packers and members of the Soros, Pritzker and Walton families have all given the challenger the maximum allowed by federal law.
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$35 million (so far): Uihleins, Hendricks load up Wisconsin GOP thru loophole
Using a big legal loophole, state Democrats have dominated fundraising recently. This year, its heavy hitters have been vastly outspent by the state’s Republican megadonors.
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Milwaukee-area cop who quit job after sexting with victim still in policing
Christopher Cheek was forced to resign from the Grafton Police Department after exchanging sexual messages with a victim in a pending criminal case. His current chief says the interactions were consensual.
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Beaver Dam cop arrested for domestic disorderly conduct in 2023
Michael Kuehn, a Beaver Dam patrolman for more than 20 years, was arrested for disorderly conduct in 2023 after his wife called 911 amid an argument. Both were cited.
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$1 million each: Uihleins backing different candidates for NW Wisconsin House seat
Billionaires Dick and Liz Uihlein regularly shower Wisconsin and beyond with huge sums, trying to get Republicans elected. Sometimes they disagree on the candidate.
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Sauk Co Sheriff has spent at least $4500 gassing up in NW Wisconsin with county credit card
Outgoing Sheriff Richard “Chip” Meister has repeatedly used a county fuel card to fill his department truck at spots as far as 220 miles from Sauk County, according to an investigation by The Badger Project.
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Ranked-choice voting in Wisconsin primaries could boost candidates with broader appeal, experts say
Primary elections are administered by the state, and changing how we vote there would require a new law. Many cities and a couple states already use it, but opposition to a change is significant.
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The top 2025 per diem collectors in the Wisconsin State Senate
Two Democrats and three Republicans round out the top five. Senators who live outside Dane County can claim $140 per day they are in Madison on official business.
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The top 2025 per diem collectors in the Wisconsin State Assembly
The youngest Republican legislator in the state claimed the most per diem in 2025. Two DSA members also finished in the top five. Per diems are paid on the honor system, as no checks exist to ensure legislators are working in the Capitol on those days.
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Hendricks gave $25M to MAGA Inc., her largest recorded political donation ever
The March donation from the Beloit billionaire was the biggest the young super PAC has ever received. Many ultrawealthy people got access to the president after making major donations to MAGA Inc.
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Johnson Creek cop no longer employed after DUI arrest; may face more charges
The Johnson Creek Police Department stopped employing Peter Chin in June, about a month after his drunk driving arrest. The Waukesha County District Attorney is investigating him for potential, related criminal charges.
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Ex-Sheboygan Co deputy accused of threatening landlord hired by Marathon Co Sheriff
Former Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Mertzig was investigated in 2022 amid accusations from his landlords that he threatened to have code violations enforced against their properties. The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office hired him in 2025.
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With ATV crashes up in Wisconsin, some legislators want to strengthen OWI laws. The Tavern League stands in the way.
Alcohol is a common factor in the rising number of off-road vehicle crashes and fatalities reported in Wisconsin. Legislators from both sides want to beef up state OWI laws, arguing that will make the vehicles safer.
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Milwaukee legislator’s long-overdue ambulance bill brings lawsuit, lien from city of Madison
State Rep. Darrin Madison, a two-term Democrat from Milwaukee favored to win reelection this fall, has not paid the $1,600 bill from October 2023, leading to a lien being placed on his property.
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Portage Co detective who quit after his arrest now working at Tomahawk PD
The wife of Detective John White called 911, accusing him of drunken, threatening behavior. A charge was later expunged, and White is back in policing. His chief says the incident was the only “hiccup” in his background.
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Ex-UW-Superior cop who quit amid complaints from female student employees working at Hayward PD
An investigation into Officer Jadon Stone’s conduct concluded the accusations were “credible,” but the Hayward Police chief “found nothing to disqualify him.”