MADISON—On Nov. 3, Wisconsin voters in 11 counties, as well as the city of Racine, will have the opportunity to vote on an advisory referendum regarding whether the Legislature should ban gerrymandering and adopt a process of independent, nonpartisan redistricting. The counties that are holding these referendums are: Adams, Bayfield, Brown, Crawford, Door, Dunn, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Rusk, and Waushara. To date, 17 counties and more than a dozen municipalities have already passed such non-binding referendums, and by overwhelming margins each time. In addition, 53 of Wisconsin’s 72 county boards have passed resolutions urging the Legislature to pass a law

Brookfield, WI – It’s one of the programs that has always paid huge dividends.  The G.I. Bill of Rights, an educational grant and a first time home buyer benefit for military veterans, has given opportunity to millions and contributed to the American economy. Democrat Tom Palzewicz, running for the Fifth Congressional District seat, is a classic case in point. Upon returning home from a six-year hitch in the U.S. Navy, Palzewicz got his degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  That led to a career in banking, followed by a career as a business consultant. When he and wife, Terri, bought their

MADISON, Wis. – Upon review of the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) investigative file, Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne has determined that the incident involving the death of Mr. Rodney J. Freeman Jr. does not constitute an Officer Involved Death per Wis. Stat. § 175.47(1)(c) and that there is no criminal liability by Monona Police Department Officers or any other law enforcement officer in the death of Rodney J. Freeman Jr. Mr. Freeman Jr. was discovered deceased in a retention pond in the 500 block of River Place on Monday, June 29, 2020. The Monona Police

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin led a bipartisan group of senators to call on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie to provide coverage of comprehensive telehealth services, including voice communication, for beneficiaries of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). Currently, federal regulations do not allow CHAMPVA to cover health care services that are delivered through audio-only conferencing, telephone calls and text messaging. “Our constituents, including those who reside in rural areas where internet access may be limited, need access to telehealth services that involve voice communication, especially during a

MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul today announced that thousands of Wisconsin consumers were provided restitution for personal checks ordered from Direct Checks Unlimited Sales, Inc. (Direct Checks), which is alleged to have violated consumer protection laws. “DOJ’s Public Protection Unit works hard to protect and get restitution for Wisconsin consumers,” said Attorney General Kaul. “Because of the Public Protection Unit’s work on this case, over 4,600 Wisconsinites who were overcharged have received restitution.” As a result of the lawsuit brought by attorneys in the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Public Protection Unit a total of $185,177.39 in restitution

MADISON, Wis. – The Fall issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources overflows with information about the state’s beautiful outdoors, including extended hunting coverage, recycling milestones, bird conservation news and a special section on lakes and their aquatic plant habitats. The DNR’s quarterly magazine reaches readers this week. Wisconsin’s hunting traditions set the tone for autumn in a cover story featuring the voices of women in the hunting community. Women at the DNR and beyond, from novices to lifelong hunters, speak eloquently about what hunting means to them. Bird lovers will find plenty to enjoy about this issue with several stories on conservation concerns, key partnership

State Health officials today are urging Wisconsin residents to get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible. Annual flu vaccines are always important, but reducing illness and hospitalizations from flu is critical this year to protect our frontline healthcare workers and hospital systems who will continue to care for people with COVID-19. “Now more than ever, getting your flu vaccine is one of the most important and proactive steps you can take to protect yourself, the people you love, and people around you,” said DHS Secretary Designee Andrea Palm. “Getting sick from the flu could result in hospitalizations at a time when

KENOSHA – The ACLU of Wisconsin sent a letter Tuesday to Attorney General Josh Kaul, highlighting the absence of a legal basis for the curfew in Kenosha, and asking Kaul to investigate law enforcement’s repeated use of force against protesters, reiterating the organization’s previous demand for an investigation into criminal and unconstitutional conduct of law enforcement officials toward protesters.  The ACLU also insists that the Kenosha District Attorney dismiss all charges for violating the illegal curfew.   The curfew, the ACLU argues, was unlawfully put into place because it was first issued by Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth, something that

La Crosse, WI – Today, Rep. Ron Kind announced his support for the Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act, bipartisan legislation that will expand and improve Wisconsinites’ access to telehealth services under Medicare. This bill will continue the expanded use of telehealth beyond the COVID-19 crisis by eliminating restrictions on its use in Medicare, providing a bridge for patients currently using these services due to the pandemic and requiring a study on the use of telehealth during COVID-19.   “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has served as a vital tool for patients and providers across Wisconsin,” said Rep. Ron Kind.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary-designee Craig Thompson and Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Joel Brennan, today announced $18 million in public transit grants for Wisconsin communities. “Wisconsinites from Beloit to Eau Claire depend on reliable public transit systems for everything from getting to work or school safely, visiting the doctor, and everyday things like grabbing groceries,” said Gov. Evers. “It is not only a more sustainable form of travel, but it is also an economic driver, and this critical investment will support communities across our state.” The grants are part of

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm today announced the launch of You Stop the Spread, a statewide multimedia campaign to encourage Wisconsinites to take steps to protect themselves and their communities from COVID-19. “Stopping the spread of COVID-19 depends on all of us doing our part, but each of us have our own reasons that motivate us,” said Governor Evers. “That’s why this campaign features Wisconsinites from across our state, and we hope folks will participate by posting photos to share with friends and neighbors about why you’re doing your part, too, to help stop