Category: Investigations
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Rebecca Bradley criticized a colleague for not recusing from a case involving a donor. Six years ago, she helped kill a measure requiring those recusals.
A group of retired judges asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to enact the rule. Bradley and the rest of the court’s then-conservative majority rejected it on First Amendment grounds.
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The Brewers want millions in public funds for stadium renovations. In the first half of 2023, the team spent nearly $600k lobbying to make their case.
In dollars spent, the ballclub was the state’s top lobbying organization in the first six months of 2023.
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County jail officer staffing in Wisconsin has fallen to a ‘crisis level.’ Taxpayers are picking up the tab.
The number of county jail officers in the state sinks to its lowest point since the state Department of Justice started keeping track in 2008.
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After suffering record homicides during the pandemic, Milwaukee is reporting fewer this year. Nonfatal shootings are a different story.
Six months into the year, homicides are down about 30% in Milwaukee, mirroring the national decline in homicides and other violent crime following a surge during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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‘You’ll be dead before they get here’ – Vernon County sheriff’s deputy was arrested twice for threatening wife
Mark Bellacero, a law enforcement officer in western Wisconsin, was charged with a minor offense for the 2012 arrest. A district attorney chose not to charge him for the 2013 arrest.
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LOBBYING IN WISCONSIN: Seeking millions in stadium funding, Brewers boost lobbying
Koch Network groups, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, hospitals are some of the biggest lobbiers in the state.
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Protasiewicz flies past Kelly in direct donations, losing indy spending slightly
Once again, a statewide race sets a record for most expensive in Wisconsin history.
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Wisconsin has highest percentage of female justices on top state court in U.S.
The April election could alter the gender makeup of the court. Research suggests the addition of female justices has little effect on court rulings, with one notable exception.
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The top donors (so far) to Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz, left-wing candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Herb Kohl, Lynde Uihlein, Karla Jurvetson and several members of the Lubar family have all given the maximum.
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The top donors (so far) to former Justice Daniel Kelly, right-wing candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Billionaire conservative donor Diane Henricks of ABC Building Supply in Beloit and her daughter have both given his campaign the maximum donation allowed by law.
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The top donors (so far) to Waukesha County Judge Jennifer Dorow, right-wing candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Kwik Trip owner Donald Zeitlow has given her campaign $10,000.
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The top donors (so far) to Dane County Judge Everett Mitchell, left-wing candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Mitchell is last in the field in total cash raised, but receiving lots of support from small-dollar donors.
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LITTLE COMPETITION AND NOT MUCH CHOICE: In nearly 90 races for WI state legislature in 2022, only one incumbent lost.
Experts say that’s an indication of extreme gerrymandering in Wisconsin. The April election could change things.
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Western Dane County’s new state representative will continue serving on county board, but “not indefinitely”
Democrat Mike Bare is the first new face to represent the 80th Assembly District — which includes Middleton, Verona, Oregon and Mount Horeb — in 20 years.
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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.
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Uncompetitive race for Dane County Senate seat draws near record in campaign funds
Democrat Dianne Hesselbein will be the first woman to represent the 27th State Senate district, which includes Middleton, Waunakee, Mount Horeb and New Glarus.
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Wisconsin Gov. Evers way ahead of Republican challenger Michels in direct donations, but losing in outside spending
The Wisconsin governor has raised nearly $42 million to Michels’ mostly self-funded $25 million. But independent groups have spent more than $12 million trying to get the Republican elected, compared to about $4 million for the Democrat.
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Sen. Ron Johnson slightly losing direct donation battle, but dominating in outside spending
Independent groups allied with Johnson have spent a total of $76 million supporting him and attacking Barnes, compared to $49 million spent by groups allied with the Wisconsin Democrat.