Plaintiffs agree to drop federal redistricting suit after state Supreme Court sets maps

A group of plaintiffs that originally wanted a federal court to draw Wisconsin’s political boundaries now agrees the redistricting suit before a three-judge panel should be dismissed. The plaintiffs — which include Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, Voces de la Frontera and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin — had previously asked the three-judge panel for some time to consider whether any issues remained in the federal redistricting suit. But in a short filing with the court Wednesday, they noted that since the state Supreme Court has created new maps, the districts BLOC and others had previously challenged no

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THU PM Update: State GOP creates second option for candidates to qualify for endorsement process

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Statewide candidates who failed to meet viability thresholds the Wisconsin GOP established will have a second option to become eligible for the party’s endorsement at this month’s convention. The party’s Executive Committee previously established fundraising requirements for candidates. That included those running for guv or th… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options. Username or E-mail Password * Remember Me     Forgot Password

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Opportunity Wisconsin: Johnson says abortion should have been banned 50 years ago

Johnson applauds move that would trigger Wisconsin’s 172-year-old criminal abortion ban MADISON, Wis.—Today Senator Ron Johnson doubled down on his approval of the recently revealed draft opinion by the U.S. Supreme Court by saying “this is what should have happened 50 years ago.” The comments come after Senator Johnson appeared on Newsmax earlier this week and said SCOTUS had made the “correct decision,” even going so far as to say it was a “long time coming.” Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director: “Not only does Senator Johnson want to turn back the clock 50 years to a time when abortion was already

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WisDOT: I-39/90 northbound ramp to WIS 81 in Beloit closed next week

The I-39/90 northbound ramp to WIS 81 (Exit 185 A) in Beloit will be closed continuously from 6 a.m. Monday (May 9) to 5 p.m. Friday (May 13). Motorists must follow the signed detour route from I-39/90 northbound to I-43 northbound (Exit 185 B) and exit at Hart Road to proceed on WIS 81 into Beloit. Crews will complete some carryover work from the I-39/90 and I-43 interchange project. The work operations and ramp closure are weather dependent and subject to change. For more information regarding traffic impacts, transportation news and improvement project updates in Wisconsin’s southwest region: Follow us on Twitter: @WisDOTsouthwest

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DATCP: Highly pathogenic avian influenza identified in Sauk, Pierce counties

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has identified cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in backyard flocks in Pierce and Sauk counties. Birds on both sites will be depopulated to prevent spread of the disease. Eleven counties in Wisconsin have been confirmed with HPAI in domestic flocks. Flock owners are encouraged to continue practicing strong biosecurity measures to protect their birds from the virus. This includes washing hands, disinfecting equipment, restricting access to birds, and separating new birds from existing flocks for at least 30 days. Poultry owners are asked, when possible,

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Vining campaign: Announces she will seek reelection to the Wisconsin State Assembly

“I am proud to announce today that I’m running for re-election in the 14th Assembly District. I’m proud of my work these last 3.5 years, and I’m determined to continue to fight for the rights of Wisconsinites. “We need affordable healthcare, strong public schools, childcare, a world accessible for everybody, a safer world from the threats of violence, mental healthcare as healthcare, safe and secure housing (which is a key determinant of health!), affordable medications, a world free of human trafficking, equality, good government, fairness in small business, and justice for all— where all means all. “I’m running for re-election

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Marquette University: Incoming class of 2026 tops 2,000, a 20% increase from last year

Incoming first-year class is largest, most diverse in past several years MILWAUKEE — With 2,027 incoming students committed to join the Class of 2026 as of National Decision Day, May 1, Marquette University is poised to bring in one of its largest first-year classes in recent years. Although not the official incoming class census for fall 2022, the figure represents a 21.5% year-to-date increase over 2021. Brian Troyer, dean of undergraduate admissions, attributes the success, in part, to his team’s mission-based, personalized approach to working with students and families. “From a return to fully in-person recruitment events to text and

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Waukesha County: Offers free training for ‘Clean Boats, Clean Waters’ inspector volunteers

(Waukesha, WI) – Waukesha County Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) staff encourage residents to volunteer for the statewide Clean Boats, Clean Waters project to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and fish diseases between lakes, rivers and streams. Free training for boat launch inspectors are being held throughout May. “Volunteering at your local boat launch is a great way to get involved in the ever-growing world of aquatic invasive species,” said Amanda Schmitz, AIS Coordinator for Washington and Waukesha Counties. “People can make a difference in preventing the spread of these species to waterbodies throughout the state and beyond!” Volunteer inspectors are

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UW-Stout: Steamroller Printmaking event inspires students to help create ‘vibrant culture’ in art and design

UW-Stout Print Club and printmaking faculty in the School of Art and Design recently incorporated road construction equipment into their creative process. After carving large fiberboard plates, most of which are hand-carved and around 3 by 4 feet in size, the group inked and pressed the prints on fabric at a Steamroller Printmaking event on the sidewalk outside of the Applied Arts Building and Micheels Hall on April 29. A print reveal at the steamroller event / UW-Stout Between 20 to 25 prints were pulled and are on display in the atrium outside of the Furlong Gallery in Applied Arts. They will be on display at

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Evers campaign: Gov. Evers takes action, urges Congress to protect reproductive freedom

MADISON, Wis. — In case you missed it, Governor Tony Evers is taking action and leading a coalition of 17 governors across the country calling on Congress to protect abortion access and reproductive freedom by immediately passing the Women’s Health Protection Act. “Overturning Roe will turn back the clock on reproductive health,” the governors wrote. “Congress must immediately take action to ensure that our nation does not go backward and that the rights of all Americans to access reproductive healthcare and abortion continue to be protected.” During his first term, Gov. Evers has vetoed 9 anti-choice bills, and earlier this year, Gov. Evers called on the

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Wisconsin Democracy Campaign: GOP electioneering group plans to spend $700K in Wisconsin AG race

A Washington, D.C. group that supports GOP state attorney general candidates across the country has reserved nearly $700,000 in advertising space in October in the Milwaukee television market to support whoever wins the Republican nomination for attorney general in Wisconsin. The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA), a 527 group that can raise and spend unlimited amounts from any source, plans to spend $682,250 to run ads from Oct. 5 through Nov. 8, according to a Wisconsin Democracy Campaign review. RAGA uses a state committee called the Wisconsin Freedom PAC to make disclosed independent expenditures in Wisconsin. In 2018, Wisconsin Freedom PAC spent more than $2.8

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U.S. Sen. Johnson: Grills Sec. Mayorkas: You’re living in an alternate universe

WASHINGTON—On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, demanded answers from Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the administration’s complete mishandling of the crisis on the southern border.   Sen. Johnson also appeared on Fox News’ “Hannity” to discuss the Biden administration’s open border policies.   The interview can be found here, excerpts are below.     On Failing to Secure the Border:   “The hearing was surreal. It’s like he lives in an alternate universe, an alternate reality. I ran him through a little history lesson

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UW System: Announces 2022-2023 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows & Scholars

MADISON, Wis.—The University of Wisconsin System announced today the selection of the 2022–2023 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows & Scholars. This year’s program participants come from all the System’s 13 universities except for UW-Madison. Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars must demonstrate excellent teaching skills and have a curiosity about student learning to be nominated by Provosts. The yearlong program begins in late May and will culminate with a research presentation at the annual Spring Conference on Teaching and Learning in Madison. The program provides UW faculty and teaching academic staff a unique opportunity to collaborate with other exceptional teachers from across the

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THU PM Update: State GOP creates second option for candidates to qualify for endorsement process

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Statewide candidates who failed to meet viability thresholds the Wisconsin GOP established will have a second option to become eligible for the party’s endorsement at this month’s convention. The party’s Executive Committee previously established fundraising requirements for candidates. That included those running

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U.S. Sen. Johnson: Grills Sec. Mayorkas: You’re living in an alternate universe

WASHINGTON—On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, demanded answers from Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the administration’s complete mishandling of the crisis on the southern border.   Sen. Johnson also appeared on Fox News’

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UW System: Announces 2022-2023 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows & Scholars

MADISON, Wis.—The University of Wisconsin System announced today the selection of the 2022–2023 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows & Scholars. This year’s program participants come from all the System’s 13 universities except for UW-Madison. Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars must demonstrate excellent teaching skills and have a curiosity about student learning to

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