Category: Wisconsin

Senators Johnson, Baldwin Condemn ‘Attempt to Exploit’ Waukesha Tragedy

The Center Square

Wisconsin’s U.S. senators are telling “outside groups” to stop trying to use Waukesha’s parade tragedy for their own purposes.

Republican Ron Johnson and Democrat Tammy Baldwin issued a joint statement on Saturday decrying the politicization of the deaths at Waukesha’s Christmas Parade.

“It has come to our attention that outside individuals or groups may attempt to exploit the tragedy that occurred last Sunday in Waukesha for their own political purposes. As the U.S. Senators representing Wisconsin, one from each political party, we are asking anyone considering such action to cease and desist,” the two wrote.

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Wisconsin Rep. Steil Responds to Fauci’s Claim to Represent Science: ‘That’s Crazy’

Hayley Feland
Bryan Steil

Wisconsin Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI-01) responded in a video posted to Twitter, to Dr. Anthony Fauci’s claim to “represent science,” saying “That’s crazy.” Fauci claimed to represent science during an interview on Face the Nation with CBS that was aired on Sunday.

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Green Bay Rep. David Steffen Promotes Packers Tax Rebate

The Center Square

Rep. David Steffen, R-Green Bay, said a lot of folks in Brown County love the idea of a tax rebate from Lambeau Field. But as Packer fans, Steffen says the same people are a little leery about his plan for the stadium tax.

Steffen, who not only represents Green Bay but used to work for the Packers, wants to get rid of The Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District, and allow the city of Green Bay to essentially take over its functions.

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Racine Judge Sentences Floyd Arsonist to Six Years in Prison

Hayley Feland

A Racine County judge sentenced an arsonist to six years in prison who burned down buildings during the unrest following the death of George Floyd. The judge said, “Racine don’t play.” Hernandez committed the act of arson on May 31, 2020, when a protest in Racine turned into a riot with protesters throwing bricks and rocks at police officers.

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Wisconsin Republican State Lawmakers Propose Changes to State Constitution Regarding Bail Guidelines

Hayley Feland
Van Wanggaard and Cindy Duchow

Two Wisconsin state lawmakers are proposing changes to the state constitution regarding bail guidelines. Republicans Representative Cindi Duchow (R-Delafield) and Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) are “drafting a resolution to allow court commissioners, who make decisions on bail amounts and conditions, to consider additional factors.”

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Racine Sheriff Calls for Removal of Supervisor Who Posted Bail for Accused Gun Thief

Hayley Feland

A Racine Sheriff called for the removal of a supervisor over posting bail for an alleged gun thief. Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling says that a county supervisor needs to be removed from his position after he posted bail for a man who is accused of stealing three sheriff’s SWAT team guns.

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Wisconsin State Rep. Duchow Pushes Constitutional Amendment for Tougher Bail

The Center Square

GoFundMe’s about-face on facilitating donations to legal funds for Kyle Rittenhouse after his acquittal Friday is prompting questions about comparable fundraisers it left up for anti-police rioters and left-wing activists accused of violence.

The massive crowdfunding platform, whose biggest fundraisers include several left-wing causes, explained that its “long-standing policy” prohibits raising money for individuals charged with a violent crime.

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Wisconsin Senator Johnson Criticizes ‘Catch and Release’ Policies

Hayley Feland

Senator Ron Johnson (R) criticized ‘Catch and Release’ policies in a Fox News interview, saying that’s how situations like the one in Waukesha develop. Johnson said that those policies need to be reworked both for border security and within the United States justice system.

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Calls for Transparency in Waukesha, Wisconsin Parade Suspect’s Low Bail

The Center Square

There are a lot of questions about how the suspect in Waukesha’s parade tragedy was out of jail.

State Sen. Melissa Agard, D-Madison, on Monday said the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office must provide more answers about how Darrell Brooks was released on bail just days before police say he drove through the parade crowd in Waukesha.

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Flags to be Lowered, Condolences Offered Following Waukesha Christmas Parade Attack

The Center Square
Tony Evers

The flag at the Wisconsin Capitol – as well as flags across the rest of the state – will be lowered to remember the people killed in the tragedy at Waukesha’s Christmas Parade.

Gov. Tony Evers issued an order to lower the flags after five people were killed and dozens more were hurt Sunday afternoon. The official count is 40-plus injured, including 12 children.

The governor on Sunday said his thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted.

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Some Leftists Defend Waukesha Mass Killing, Call it ‘Karma’ for Rittenhouse

Peter D'Abrosca

Five are dead and dozens more injured after a Black Lives Matter activist and two others allegedly plowed through a crowd of Christmas paraders in Waukesha Sunday evening. 

Some say it’s “karma” for the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse, who walked after a jury decided last week that he acted in self-defense in the killing of two rioters, and the injuring of a third.

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Parents of Man Shot and Killed by Rittenhouse Vow to Continue Legal Fight

The Center Square

The parents of one of the two men shot and killed by Kyle Rittenhouse during three nights of rioting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last year vowed to continue their fight for justice for their slain son.

A jury found Rittenhouse not guilty Friday of all five charges in the case including first degree intentional homicide in the death of Anthony Huber.

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Wisconsin Republicans Slam Madison Vaccine Mandate for Poll Workers

Cooper Moran

The City of Madison on Wednesday announced that all individuals who serve as poll workers will be mandated to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

Earlier this year, city officials detailed the vaccine requirement or testing for all city employees. A recent memo certified that the requirements would be extended to poll workers.

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Wisconsin Gov. Evers Vetoes Republican-Drawn Redistricting Maps

The Center Square

The fight over Wisconsin’s next political map took its next step toward a courtroom Thursday.

Gov. Tony Evers vetoed the new maps drawn by Republican lawmakers.

“What’s sitting in front of me here are gerrymandered maps modeled after the same gerrymandered maps we’ve had for a decade,” Evers said in a video message. “They were sent to my desk over the objections of a decade’s worth of people in this state demanding better, demanding more, and demanding a fair, nonpartisan process for preparing our maps for the next 10 years.”

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Wisconsin Representative Tiffany Demands Answers from AG Garland About Leaked FBI Memo

Hayley Feland

Representative Thomas Tiffany (R-WI-07) is demanding answers from United States Attorney General Merrick Garland following a leaked Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) memo that outlines how parents would be given “threat tags” for outbursts at school board meetings. Garland had come under fire for comments equating domestic terrorism with concerned parents at school board meetings.

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Rittenhouse Found Not Guilty on All Charges

Peter D'Abrosca

Friday, a jury in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, found Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty on all charges. 

The jury deliberated on five charges against Rittenhouse, all related to Rittenhouse’s activity in Kenosha on Aug. 25, 2020. He killed two and wounded a third during riots over the death of Jacob Blake at the hands of police.

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Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Demands Explanation for University’s ‘White Privilege’ Class

Wisconsin Daily Star Staff

Wisconsin’s assembly speaker has some questions for the chancellor at UW-Madison over what he calls a mandatory class on white privilege.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on Tuesday sent a letter to UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank. Vos is demanding an explanation for the Graduate and Professional Students Preventing and Responding to Sexual and Relationship Violence course.

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Wisconsin Senator Johnson Condemns Intimidation, Threats of Judge and Jury in Rittenhouse Trial

Hayley Feland

Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) spoke out condemning the threats that have been made against the judge and jury in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. Johnson said, “Threats to a judge and jury are antithetical to the American justice system.”

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Kenosha on Edge Thursday as Jury Verdict in Rittenhouse Trial Nears

Hayley Feland

The city of Kenosha is on edge as the jury verdict nears in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. Reports have been coming in sharing videos of rising tensions on the courthouse steps and accusations are flying of more individuals attempting to doxx jurors.

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Former President Trump Praises Effort to ‘Decertify’ Wisconsin Election Results

Cooper Moran

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday praised an effort by State Representative Timothy Ramthun (R-Campbellsport) to “decertify” Wisconsin’s 2020 election results.

Ramthun and Trump contest that a report from the Legislative Audit Bureau and allegations made by the Racine County Sheriff’s Department raise too many questions.

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Rittenhouse Jury Deliberations Heads to Day Three

Peter D'Abrosca

Despite the fact that jurors have been deliberating for two days in the trial of accused killer Kyle Rittenhouse, Wednesday was still a contentious day inside the Kenosha County Courthouse. 

Twelve jurors, chosen at random by Rittenhouse himself, will continue to deliberate Thursday, their third day of working to decide the 18-year-old’s fate. 

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Wisconsin Representative Thomas Tiffany Joins Movement to Nullify Biden Vaccine Mandate

Hayley Feland

Wisconsin Representative Thomas Tiffany (R-WI-07) joined the effort to nullify the Biden Administration COVID vaccine mandate. Tiffany said, “Overreaching federal vaccine mandates will affect 80 million Americans.”

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Parents Sue Wisconsin School District over Daughter’s Clandestine Transition

Admin

A Wisconsin school district allegedly concealed information regarding children’s gender identity from parents, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday.

A 12-year-old girl was pulled from public school after the district began a ”social transition,” which the complaint says involves “presenting to others as the opposite sex, primarily by adopting a new name and pronouns,” against the parents’ express wishes, according to the lawsuit against the Kettle Moraine School District filed Nov. 17 by the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) and the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) on behalf of two sets of parents.

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Wisconsin Rep. Bryan Steil Says ‘People Need to Act in a Lawful Manner’ as Rittenhouse Jury Nears Verdict

Hayley Feland

Representative Bryan Steil (R-WI-01) reacted as the Rittenhouse jury nears a verdict during the second day of deliberations. Steil condemned the unlawful actions in Kenosha in August of 2020 and expressed that people need to act in a “lawful manner” as the verdict is released.

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Wisconsin School District Will Extend COVID Protocols into Spring 2022

Cooper Moran

Madison Metropolitan School District will continue their coronavirus protocols into the spring semester, according to a release from the district’s superintendent.

The measures, which require students and faculty to continue to wear a mask at all times, have remained in place since the beginning of the school year.

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Rebecca Kleefisch Sues WEC over Election Laws, Democrats to Boycott Meetings with Gableman

The Center Square
Rebecca Kleefisch

The Republican frontrunner for governor wants the Wisconsin Supreme Court to rule on election drop boxes, voting in nursing homes, and moving polling places before Election Day. Democrats at the Wisconsin Capitol, on the other hand, are promising not to sit down with the state’s special elections investigator.

Former Lt. Gov. (2011-2019) and 2022 gubernatorial contender Rebecca Kleefisch filed a lawsuit on Monday.

She’s asking the court to set rules for ballot dropboxes, which she says are not allowed under state law. She’s also asking the court to “correct” the Wisconsin Elections Commission on other election laws and on the process to change those laws.

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Madison City Clerk Responds to Election Investigation Subpoena, Says Physical Handling of Records ‘Could Break Federal Law’

Hayley Feland

The Madison city clerk responded to a subpoena in the election investigation, saying that allowing auditors to physically handle the election records could potentially be breaking federal law. Maribeth Witzel-Behl is one of several city clerks and election officials served a subpoena in an ongoing election investigation by Michael Gableman, a former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice.

The subpoena is signed by Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg), Senate President Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield), and committee chair Senator Kathleen Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls). The data request asks that the city of Madison provide all “physical absentee ballot certificates for the November 2020 General Election and the results of tests on electronic voting machines used for the election.”

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YouTube Censors Senator Johnson’s Expert Panel on COVID Vaccines

Hayley Feland

Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) announced on Twitter that YouTube has removed his video of an expert panel discussing the impact of the COVID vaccine and mandates. Johnson said this is the fifth time YouTube has removed one of his uploads. Johnson’s YouTube account is now temporarily suspended from uploading content for seven days.

Johnson said that YouTube’s censorship has only gotten worse, “This time they don’t want you to hear 3.5 hours of stories from doctors, scientists and the vaccine injured.” His video featuring stories of those who have been injured by the COVID vaccine as well as expert opinions can still be found on Rumble.

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Judge Dismisses Weapons Charge Against Rittenhouse, Closing Arguments Delivered

Peter D'Abrosca
Kyle Rittenhouse

In the high-profile trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, accused of intentional homicide after killing two and wounding one during an August 25, 2020 riot in Kenosha, Judge Bruce Schroeder began Monday by dismissing a weapons charge against the 18-year-old defendant. 

Count six of the complaint, possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor, was dropped before closing arguments began. That was a lesser charge in the complaint – a misdemeanor punishable by up to nine months in prison. 

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Alan Dershowitz: Kyle Rittenhouse ‘Should Be Acquitted,’ Sue Media for Calling Him ‘Vigilante’

Wisconsin Daily Star Staff

Alan Dershowitz, the famed Harvard law professor emeritus, said Kyle Rittenhouse “should be acquitted” of injuring a man and killing two others in Kenosha, Wis., and sue media outlets that are claiming he’s guilty of vigilante justice.

“If I were a juror, I would vote that there was reasonable doubt [and] that he did act in self-defense,” Dershowitz told Newsmax on Saturday.

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Judge Dismisses Weapons Charge Against Rittenhouse, Closing Arguments Delivered

Peter D'Abrosca
Kyle Rittenhouse

In the high-profile trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, accused of intentional homicide after killing two and wounding one during an August 25, 2020 riot in Kenosha, Judge Bruce Schroeder began Monday by dismissing a weapons charge against the 18-year-old defendant. 

Count six of the complaint, possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor, was dropped before closing arguments began. That was a lesser charge in the complaint – a misdemeanor punishable by up to nine months in prison. 

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University of Wisconsin Health to Require COVID Vaccine for Transplants

Hayley Feland

The University of Wisconsin (UW) Health is now requiring that candidates for transplants must be vaccinated against COVID. Wisc News reported that the rule “requires patients on the transplant waiting list to get a first dose of vaccine by Dec. 15 and a second dose, if needed, by Jan. 14.”

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Wisconsin Governor Evers Has 500 National Guard Troops on Standby for Rittenhouse Verdict

Hayley Feland
Tony Evers

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) has put 500 National Guard troops on standby leading up to the verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse case. According to a press release from Evers office, the guard members are reporting for State Active Duty following an authorization by Evers.

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Gableman Expanding Investigation into Wisconsin’s 2020 Election

The Center Square

Wisconsin’s special investigator is adding more to his look into last year’s election.

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Mike Gableman on Wednesday told the Assembly’s Committee on Elections that he is now incorporating the findings from Racine County’s voter fraud investigation into his investigation.

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Rittenhouse Prosecutor Binger Described as ‘Evil,’ ‘Unethical’ After Cross Examination

Peter D'Abrosca

Kenosha Assistant District Attorney and Prosecutor Thomas Binger, leading the state’s high-profile trial against Kyle Rittenhouse, was described as “evil” and accused of acting unethically and illegally by other attorneys watching the trial Wednesday. 

 Judge Bruce Schroeder stopped the trial twice Wednesday, sending the jury out of the courtroom, to admonish Binger. Twice, he became irate with the prosecutor for his cross-examination of Rittenhouse. 

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Wisconsin Democrat State Rep. Accuses Racine County Sheriff of ‘Political Stunt’ over Election Investigation

Hayley Feland

State Rep. Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) has accused the Racine County Sheriff’s Office of conducting a “political stunt” after an investigation into alleged nursing home election fraud. “The Wisconsin Election Commission directed municipalities throughout Wisconsin, all 72 counties, to not follow the law,” Racine County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Michael Luell said.

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Wisconsin Senator Johnson to Mayorkas: Crisis at Border Result of Failed Biden Policies

Hayley Feland

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) wrote a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Mayorkas demanding answers about Biden’s ‘failed policies’ at the border. Johnson wanted to know when the government was made aware of the surge of Haitian immigrants at the border and why they ignored that intelligence.

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New Law to Give Wisconsin High Schoolers Information on Apprenticeships

The Center Square

Wisconsin’s next school report cards will give parents and students more information about the trades in general as well as learning a skill.

Gov. Tony Evers on Friday signed an apprenticeship plan, known as AB 220, into law.

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Gov. Evers Vetoes Reading Readiness, Signs Spending Transparency Plan

The Center Square

Wisconsin’s governor scuttled a plan aimed at getting kids to read earlier, but has signed a new law that advocates say will give parents a better view of how local schools are spending their money.

Gov. Tony Evers on Friday vetoed AB 454, better known as the reading readiness plan.

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Democratic Kingmaker Clyburn to Endorse Top Party Challenger for Wisconsin GOP Johnson’s Senate Seat

Admin

South Carolina Democratic Rep. James Clyburn has reportedly given his all-important endorsement to a party candidate running for the seat of Wisconsin GOP Sen. Ron Johnson.

Clyburn will endorse Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Gendorse Mandela Barnes, according to the Daily Beast.

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University of Wisconsin Begins Testing of COVID Vaccine on Infants 6 Months to 5 Years

Hayley Feland
an infant sleeping

The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health has begun testing the COVID vaccination on infants and toddlers aged six months to five years. They will be one of several vaccine sites across North America testing the Moderna vaccine, which has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The testing will be conducted on around 4,000 very young children, a portion of which will be performed at the University of Wisconsin’s testing site. 

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Wisconsin Election Commissioners to Respond to Audit in December

The Center Square

The head of the Wisconsin Elections Commission is promising to answer what she says are “misconceptions and misunderstandings” from the state’s recent audit into the 2020 election.

WEC Administrator Meagan Wolfe on Thursday said she and the commission will address the finding of the Legislative Audit Bureau report at the commission’s December meeting.

“We’re pleased that overall, the LAB report confirmed the November 2020 general election was conducted accurately and fairly,” Wolfe said in a statement. “And while there’s always more to be done to ensure consistent election administration in Wisconsin, and we’re working on that every day, we also know there are some misconceptions and misunderstandings built into the LAB’s findings, and that record needs to be corrected.”

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Wisconsin School Cancels Classes Because of Rumored Proud Boys Protest

Hayley Feland

A Wisconsin elementary school allegedly canceled classes because of a rumored Proud Boys protest following the claim that a school employee taped a face mask onto a 13 year old student. “We have zero-tolerance for hate speech, violence, or threats made against our staff and District,” the district said.

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Wisconsin Sen. Baldwin Signs Letter Asking Biden to Preserve ‘Basic Human Rights’ of Afghan Women

Hayley Feland
Tammy Baldwin

Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) signed on to a letter asking President Biden to help preserve the “basic human rights” of Afghan women and girls. The bipartisan letter has been signed by every female United States Senator.

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Wisconsin Rep. Gallagher Introduces Legislation to Ban Foreign Donors from Contributing to U.S. Ballot Initiatives

Hayley Feland

Wisconsin Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI-08) introduced bipartisan legislation to ban foreign money from influencing United States elections. Gallagher announced his bill after the Federal Election Commission decided to allow foreign donors to contribute to U.S. ballot initiatives.

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Poll: Wisconsin Gov. Evers, Sen. Johnson Underwater with Likely Voters

The Center Square

The latest Marquette Law School Poll says both Gov. Tony Evers and Republican U.S. Senator Ron Johnson would lose their elections if voters went to the polls today.

The poll released Wednesday shows Johnson, who has had low approval ratings for years, remains in the polling doldrums.

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