Tag: Wisconsin
-
Racine Co Sheriff’s Office investigator probed amid claims of sexual abuse
An investigator for the Racine County Sheriff’s Office is the subject of a criminal inquiry after his wife petitioned for a restraining order and accused him of physically and sexually abusing her for more than a decade. He is currently on administrative leave.
-
GOP bill aiming to protect free speech rights from frivolous lawsuits advances
As the Wisconsin State Legislature is scheduled to close for campaign season, the Assembly passed a Republican bill targeting lawsuits that try to stifle free speech. The Senate must now act for it to become law.
-
Bipartisan push for legislator-to-lobbyist cool-off period fails again, may return
A bill that would require retiring legislators wait a year before they can work as lobbyists died again. Its sponsors plan to introduce it again next year.
-
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.
-
Wisconsin bill would automatically register eligible citizens to vote at DMV
The bill, which has little chance of passage this year, may preview strategy from Democrats should they take full control of state government in the fall elections.
-
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.
-
Top donors to Chris Taylor, the Left’s candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court
With support from across the country, Court of Appeals Judge Chris Taylor of Madison is outraising her opponent from the political Right nearly ten to one, spooking conservatives who hope to hold the seat.
-
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.
-
GOP lawmaker leads bipartisan push to supercharge nuclear power in Wisconsin
A bill in the state Legislature aims to bolster nuclear power in Wisconsin. State Rep. Shae Sortwell, a Republican from Two Rivers, wants the state to become an energy “powerhouse.”
-
Amtrak might open a station in Madison, but not until 2032. What’s taking so long?
The railroad company got a lot of federal funding for the station in 2021. But even with rail lines already in place, it could take more than a decade before passenger trains come to Wisconsin’s capital.
-
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.
-
MAGA brawler Van Orden moderating (slightly) as he faces tough reelection
Normally synchronized with the president, Rep. Derrick Van Orden has moved to the center on a couple of major issues. Is he worried about his chances in Wisconsin’s most competitive district?
-
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.
-
“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.
-
Commander cited for disorderly conduct no longer employed by State Patrol
Ex-Captain Daniel Gruebele pleaded no contest to the citation last year. His last day as the commander of the Northeast Region in Fond du Lac came less than a week after The Badger Project reported the incident.
-
Neenah cop quit last policing job amid accusations of sexist and racist remarks
Derrick Rotta resigned his police position in Menasha in 2024 after being investigated for an allegation that he was “the most racist person at the department.” The Neenah Police Department hired him last year.
-
The rock ‘n’ roll congressman priest from Green Bay who was benched by the pope
St. Norbert College political science professor Father Robert Cornell hobnobbed with famous musicians, then befriended – and frustrated – powerful politicians from both sides of the aisle in Washington.
-
NE Wisconsin State Patrol head cited by deputies after girlfriend calls 911
Capt. Daniel Gruebele, commander of the State Patrol’s Northeast Region at the Fond du Lac post, was cited for disorderly conduct in the summer after his girlfriend accused him of coercive sexual behavior.