Investigative Reporter
Recent Stories
Despite broad support, housing bill stalls in Legislature
Municipalities express concerns; Oneida County takes a look
A bill that would permit accessory dwelling units in residential or mixed-use neighborhoods enjoys widespread bipartisan support — from Democrats and Republicans, from trade organizations and advocacy groups — but murmurings of concern from local governments have so far stalled its progress through the legislature.
OC executive committee approves UW-Extension restructuring
Office manager to assist other departments under ‘fluid’ plan
The Oneida County executive committee has approved a restructuring of the county’s UW-Extension office operations in a bid to create flexibility for the office’s full-time administrative support staff. Specifically, the plan calls for the UW-Extension office manager to assist other county departments when workloads allow. The move, described as a “trial” and a “fluid” approach to resource sharing, is intended to preserve UW-Extension programming while leveraging existing staff capacity.
Tiffany calls for audit of DPI over Wis. Dells conference
Legislature temporarily hits pause on $1 million in agency funding
U.S. Rep. and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany is calling for a full audit of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction after records showed the agency spent nearly $370,000 on a four-day conference at a Wisconsin Dells resort while working on changes to state student proficiency standards.
Executive committee approves three-month overlap for Jennrich retirement
A debate over precedent and funding
By a 5-1 vote, the Oneida County executive committee has approved a three-month overlap training period for the successor to longtime planning and zoning director Karl Jennrich, following an extended debate over precedent and how to fund the transition. The matter now heads back to the zoning committee for further review.
School Choice rally draws hundreds to Capitol
Rally goers celebrate record participation in voucher school
This past week was National School Choice Week, with hundreds of parents, students, and educators rallying in Madison to celebrate the movement’s achievements and lay out goals for the coming year. The January 27 event was organized by School Choice Wisconsin.
Trump endorses Tiffany in high-stakes governor’s race
President also endorses Duffy’s son-in-law for Congress
That banging sound Wisconsin Republicans may be hearing this week could be nails being driven into several political coffins. President Donald Trump has formally endorsed U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wisconsin-07) in the race for Wisconsin governor, a move that instantly puts his opponent in the GOP primary, Washington County executive Josh Schoemann, on the critical list if history is any indication.
County board approves weekend rentals in residential zones
Change allows one short-term stay per week in single-family districts
Oneida County will allow weekend stays in residential and other zoning districts, voting 12-5 last week to amend its tourist rooming house ordinance to permit rentals of less than seven days. However, tourist rooming house (TRH) owners in the affected districts are still limited to no more than one rental per seven-day period.
DNR says no permits needed for major shoreland alterations
Agency clears trees, fails to put silt fence in sensitive area
A state Department of Natural Resources project to provide overflow parking at the Stack’s Bay boat landing in Woodruff is well underway, with approximately 100 trees cleared and at least 20,000 square feet of sensitive land inside the state’s heavily regulated shoreland zone subjected to unregulated grading and prep work.
Misconduct complaint filed against Frederick Melms
Allegations cite public remarks, baseless perjury allegation
Lakeland Times publisher Gregg Walker has filed an attorney-misconduct complaint with the state court system alleging that Frederick Melms (no association with Melms, Hogan & Francois law firm), an attorney for Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad, has violated multiple provisions of the Supreme Court Rules of Professional Conduct.
Wisconsin Democrats back transgender athlete in key court case
Harassment claims surface as SCOTUS weighs Title IX lawsuits
More than 130 Democratic members of Congress, including three from Wisconsin, have signed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject state categorical bans on transgender students competing in girls’ sports, as allegations of sexual harassment emerge involving one of the cases’ transgender students.