Tag: open records
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Wisconsin legislators still giving selves ‘bizarre’ loophole in public records law
Democrats in the minority have repeatedly tried to close it, but the Republican majority has ignored their attempts. A new bill introduced this week that would do that is likely DOA.
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The Badger Project wins second ‘Opee’ award for its public records work
The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council gives Openness in Government Awards, or Opees, to recognize outstanding efforts to defend open government, as well as highlight threats to it.
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The Badger Project asks judge to award lawyer fees after St. Croix County refuses
After initially denying requests, St. Croix County released records regarding a former deputy after The Badger Project sued. But the county has refused to pay the journalism organization’s attorney fees.
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The Badger Project settles lawsuit after Racine Co PD releases records, pays $1500
The Badger Project sued the Wind Point Police Department after it denied records requests related to an officer who resigned in 2023. The village agreed to produce what they had and pay attorney’s fees.
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Richland Center PD, Richland Co Sheriff change records policy after our story
Following The Badger Project’s reporting, the Richland Center Police Department and Richland County Sheriff’s Office have discontinued a minimum $25 fee for records, which experts said was illegal.
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‘Clearly illegal’: Richland Co Sheriff, city PD starting at $25 for all records requests
The law enforcement agencies’ minimum fees, experts say, contradict Wisconsin state law that states any charges for records requests must be tied to a calculation of the actual cost of producing the records.
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The Badger Project sues Wind Point PD after it refuses records requests
A veteran of that Racine County police department quit in 2023 before the completion of an investigation into his conduct. The Badger Project sued after the department denied its requests for that investigation.
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WisDOT releases records, pays legal fees after lawsuit from The Badger Project
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation twice refused to release records pertaining to a former State Patrol officer, so The Badger Project sued. Less than two weeks later, the department agreed to release them.
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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 the case is illegal.
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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 morale.
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Wis DOJ reversed decision to release cop names after pushback from police groups
The Badger Project is suing the Wisconsin Department of Justice for the names and work histories of all law enforcement officers in the state.
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‘Wisconsin does not, and should not, have secret police’ – The Badger Project sues state DOJ for full list of police officers
Along with co-plaintiff the Invisible Institute, The Badger Project is seeking the records to continue its work on wandering officers.
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Trust us? Wisconsin AG refuses to release list of all police in state, dismaying experts
The AG says releasing the list could jeopardize officers’ safety. Experts call that far-fetched.
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Wausau Police lieutenant forced out in 2019 after investigation alleged sexual harassment
The Badger Project had to sue the police department to get the large parts of the investigation unredacted.
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Judge sides with The Badger Project in public records lawsuit against Wausau Police Department
The police department had responded to a request by heavily redacting investigation documents into alleged misconduct of one of its officers.
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The Badger Project wins public records ‘Opee’ award from Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council
The Media Openness Award acknowledges The Badger Project’s use of – and fight for – records to investigate law enforcement.
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‘A setback for transparency’ – Wisconsin Supreme Court reverses decades of legal precedent to weaken open records law
Transparency advocates plot next moves
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Seeking more info about internal sexual harassment claims, The Badger Project sues Wausau PD
After an open records request, the department released heavily-redacted documents from an internal investigation of a former lieutenant accused of misconduct.