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This picture shows a statue of Col. Hans Christian Heg in front of the Wisconsin Capitol on a clear day.

Hesselbein, other Dems slam $1.8B surplus deal; Evers calls opposition ‘hard position’ for Dems in election year

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein dismissed a $1.8 billion surplus spending deal from GOP leaders and Gov. Tony Evers as coming from “three men who will not be in elected office next year.” Evers, meanwhile, said during a stop in Barneveld that he believed voting against the tax cut deal would be a “hard position” for Democrats to take in an election year.

Evers, GOP leaders reach $1.8 billion education funding, tax cut deal

Monday, May 11, 2026

Dem Gov. Tony Evers and GOP legislative leaders reached a $1.8 billion deal to pump more money into schools, drive down property taxes, send Wisconsinites a rebate, plus exempt cash tips and overtime from the state income tax.

Crowley tells ‘UpFront’ Milwaukee County could face $1M deficit due to rising fuel prices

Monday, May 11, 2026

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, a Dem candidate for governor, says the county could face a $1 million deficit because of the rising fuel prices, blaming President Donald Trump and the Iran war.

Thompson passes on gubernatorial bid, endorses Tiffany

Friday, May 8, 2026

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who has flirted in recent months with making another run for his old office, instead has endorsed fellow Republican Tom Tiffany.

Rewind: Your Week in Review for May 8

Friday, May 8, 2026

On this week’s episode of “Rewind,” WisPolitics.com’s JR Ross and Wisconsin Public Radio Capitol Reporter Anya van Wagtendonk discuss a lawsuit challenging an order to toss 23 Madison absentee ballots due to a clerk error, Gov. Tony Evers rejecting a call to end Wisconsin’s ban on conversion therapy, the race for governor and more.

Elections Commission elects Millis as chair

Friday, May 8, 2026

Don Millis, who was elected without opposition, previously led the commission after beating fellow GOP appointee Bob Spindell for the post in 2022.

State GOP cancels meeting on ‘employment issues’ amid criticism of Schimming

Friday, May 8, 2026

The state GOP has canceled a meeting of its executive committee that had been called to discuss personnel matters amid criticism of state Chair Brian Schimming, according to two sources.

This image depicts Jessie Rodriguez speaking at a hearing in the Wisconsin State Capitol

Rodriguez won’t seek reelection to suburban Milwaukee Assembly swing seat

Thursday, May 7, 2026

GOP state Rep. Jessie Rodriguez announced today she won’t seek reelection to her swing state in the Assembly this fall, saying she wants to give more time to her family after nearly 14 years in the Legislature.

Madison voters sue after absentee ballots not counted due to clerk error

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Two Madison voters are suing the state Elections Commission after the agency ordered local election officials to reject their absentee ballots even though the city clerk’s office received them before the April 7 election.

This image show panelists on a stage in a brightly lit room discussing AI in healthcare.

New concerns emerging around AI in healthcare

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Even as earlier concerns around AI in healthcare are being addressed, new issues are popping up for the quickly evolving technology.

Dane County Board of Canvassers votes to appeal rejection of 23 absentee ballots

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

A split Dane County Board of Canvassers is preparing to appeal an order from the state Elections Commission barring the counting of 23 absentee ballots cast by Madison voters that the city clerk didn’t deliver to the polling site by the statutory deadline.

GOP executive committee members petition for meeting on ‘employment issues’ amid criticism of Chair Schimming

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Documents obtained by WisPolitics show those pushing the effort are seeking a May 12 meeting, noting the executive committee has authority over matters related to employment, compensation, performance and organizational structure.

Walker tells ‘UpFront’ young voters are the ‘wild card’ this November

Monday, May 4, 2026

Former GOP Gov. Scott Walker says young independent voters are the “wild card” this November and could swing toward candidates like Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist from Madison who received the most support in the most recent Marquette Law School poll.

Rewind: Your week in review for May 1

Friday, May 1, 2026

On this week’s episode of “Rewind,” WisPolitics.com’s JR Ross and Wisconsin Public Radio Capitol Reporter Anya van Wagtendonk discuss the dismissal of another lawsuit challenging Wisconsin’s congressional map, a ruling requiring the state DOJ to release the names of all Wisconsin law enforcement officers, Judge Pedro Colón joining the 2027 state Supreme Court race and more.

This image shows Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman speaking at a podium at a WisPolitics-Milwaukee Press Club event.

Rothman accuses UW Regents president of misleading committee on tuition hike

Friday, May 1, 2026

Former UW President Jay Rothman accused Regents President Amy Bogost of misleading a state Senate committee when she said a 2% tuition increase for the 2026-27 school year wasn’t “written in stone,” according to an email obtained by WisPolitics.

Elections Commission requires Madison to redo spring election canvass

Friday, May 1, 2026

The state Elections Commission is directing Madison to redo its canvass of the spring election after finding it improperly included 23 absentee ballots that arrived at polling sites after the deadline due to clerk error.

Jacque won’t seek reelection

Thursday, Apr 30, 2026

Jacque is the sixth Republican in the 18-member Senate GOP caucus to retire.

DC Wrap: GOP bill seeks to exempt southeast Wisconsin from emissions testing

Thursday, Apr 30, 2026

In this week’s DC Wrap: Four Wisconsin Republicans introduce legislation to exempt southeast Wisconsin from federally mandated emissions testing.

Conservative groups challenge residency requirement for signature collectors

Thursday, Apr 30, 2026

The suit the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty filed in Waukesha County Circuit Court on behalf of the Virginia-based PAC Americans for Citizen Voting argues the law “unlawfully restrict(s) core political speech and association rights.”

Evers administration seeks approval to finish paying states for helping with RNC security

Wednesday, Apr 29, 2026

The Evers administration is asking lawmakers to sign off on spending $10.4 million to finish reimbursing states that provided law enforcement to assist in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention nearly two years ago.

Hesselbein, other Dems slam $1.8B surplus deal; Evers calls opposition ‘hard position’ for Dems in election year

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Evers, GOP leaders reach $1.8 billion education funding, tax cut deal

Monday, May 11, 2026

Crowley tells ‘UpFront’ Milwaukee County could face $1M deficit due to rising fuel prices

Monday, May 11, 2026

Thompson passes on gubernatorial bid, endorses Tiffany

Friday, May 8, 2026

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who has flirted in recent months with making another run for his old office, instead has endorsed fellow Republican Tom Tiffany.

Rewind: Your Week in Review for May 8

Friday, May 8, 2026

Elections Commission elects Millis as chair

Friday, May 8, 2026

Don Millis, who was elected without opposition, previously led the commission after beating fellow GOP appointee Bob Spindell for the post in 2022.

State GOP cancels meeting on ‘employment issues’ amid criticism of Schimming

Friday, May 8, 2026

The state GOP has canceled a meeting of its executive committee that had been called to discuss personnel matters amid criticism of state Chair Brian Schimming, according to two sources.