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 new hires. But it faces an uphill climb.
Bipartisan bill to aid recruiting at small police depts stalls after state budget snub
Bolstered by more competitive districts, Dems traded votes for a few budget wins
A rarity in recent years, the state budget received significant support from legislative Democrats. In exchange, they got modest investments in the UW System, public schools and child care.
Wisconsin elections, already flooded with cash, could get even more expensive
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a GOP-backed challenge to a decades-old campaign finance law that limits how much parties can spend in coordination with candidates for federal office.
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.
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.
‘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.
IRS cuts cost much more than they save, further growing the deficit, experts say
Local governments and nonprofits in Wisconsin could also suffer if federal revenue shrinks.
VIDEO: Thousands march to the Wisconsin Capitol in No Kings protest
The demonstration in Madison was one of many across the country against President Donald Trump and his administration.
Milwaukee-area cop resigns after investigation from The Badger Project
Amanda Lang quit the Lannon Police Department after our story noted why she had been forced out of a previous job in law enforcement.
Fond du Lac Co Sheriff’s deputy quit previous jail job after stealing toilet paper
Coty Hazelett was rehired by the Vilas County Jail after his 2020 resignation, then moved to a similar job in Fond Du Lac County in 2023.
Wisconsin court ruling gives clarity on future election recounts, UW law prof says
An appeals court ruled that a challenge to a Rock County supervisor’s 3-vote victory was frivolous and ordered repayment of her legal fees. Now the challenger is asking the Supreme Court to take the case.
EMS staffing in Wisconsin is at a ‘crisis point.’ That could be very bad for you.
Three bills working through the Legislature would help EMS agencies fund themselves, subsidize coursework and increase reimbursements for some 911 calls, experts say.
Vilas Co deputy who quit after drunken street scuffle back at sheriff’s office
Police arrested Brent Wilmot after he fled the altercation in 2021. A superior says the department gave him a second chance in 2024 and he has become one of their “better deputies.”
Milwaukee-area cop quit last police job after appearing to skip 200+ work hours
An internal investigation found the officer, Amanda Lang, had “displayed a lack of integrity, honesty and trustworthiness.”
Sen. Ron Johnson says Trump can’t bully him off his deficit-reducing demands
The Oshkosh Republican said he will block the president’s debt-increasing “One Big Beautiful Bill” if it doesn’t cut federal spending at a meeting Wednesday with the Milwaukee Press Club.
Baldwin, other Dems remind Trump of his promise to end Wall Street tax break
Thanks to the carried interest loophole, investment fund managers are taxed at a lower rate than other workers.
Wisconsin Dems propose emergency session if Trump freezes funding to state
The proposal in the state Legislature comes as the White House has cut federal agencies and threatened funding to states.
For 3rd time in 4 years, Milwaukee Press Club awards gold to The Badger Project
The first-place award recognizes managing editor Peter Cameron’s investigative reporting on wandering officers, those fired or forced out from previous jobs in law enforcement only to be rehired elsewhere.
