Investigative Reporter
Recent Stories
Audit: State accrued $172 million in interest on unspent Covid dollars
Senator wants money in general fund; administration resists
During a routine annual audit of the state’s finances two years ago, the Legislative Audit Bureau discovered that the state had accumulated close to $100 million in interest on unspent federal Covid dollars — which has since grown to $172 million — and one state lawmaker has introduced a bill to compel the Evers administration to deposit it in the state’s general fund.
Oneida County board supports Stewardship — with big caveat
Resolution opposing bonding, new land acquisitions would gut DNR’s signature program
The Oneida County Board of Supervisors overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to go on the record supporting the state Department of Natural Resources’ Stewardship program, but did so by amending a resolution of support to oppose bonding as a mechanism for funding the program and to oppose any new Stewardship land acquisitions.
Wisconsin lawmakers react to Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
House passes bill by one vote; measure faces uncertain future
President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill squeaked through the U.S. House of Representatives by a single big, beautiful vote this past week, 215-214, drawing predictable reactions from Wisconsin lawmakers as the reconciliation package heads to the Senate.
State Senate passes multiple criminal justice reform bills
In big push, Republicans turn their attention to the court system
It might as well have been criminal justice week this past week in the state Senate, as GOP lawmakers passed a range of measures related to the state court system, from creating “problem-solving” courts to new transparency requirements for the Department of Justice.
Oneida County zoning to take ‘harder line’ on ‘missing’ citations
No formal change in policy, but no more Mr. Nice Guy
If the dog ate your county zoning citation before you could see it, or if it just got lost in the mail a decade ago and now the government is finally knocking on your door, don’t necessarily expect the Oneida County zoning department to be shedding any tears for you.
Tourist Rooming House workload draws scrutiny
For now, Oneida County will stay with the status quo
A tight staffing situation in the Oneida County zoning office has prompted at least one county supervisor to wonder if something can be done to alleviate the overload by outsourcing tourist rooming house (TRH) compliance and enforcement chores, but, after a zoning committee discussion this past week, the department and staff will be sticking with the status quo, at least for now.
JFC Republicans cut 612 items from Evers’s budget
Democrats say budget actions are irresponsible
The legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance held its first budget session last week, and GOP lawmakers came ready to use their budget-peeling knives, as they pared 612 items from the governor’s budget proposal on day 1.
GOP lawmakers press warrant requirement for FISA searches
Tiffany: Warrantless searches of Americans must end
With a controversial federal surveillance statute up for renewal next year, Republican lawmakers on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee are reviving a push for an amendment to protect American citizens from what they say is unconstitutional surveillance, and a warrant requirement is front and center of the proposed reform.
Wisconsin lawmakers introduce bills to rein in regulatory overreach
GOP bills would sunset regulations, implement net-zero approach
A new report by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) on overregulation in Wisconsin has led to a package of Republican bills to restructure the state’s regulatory framework, which GOP authors and co-sponsors say will lift the state’s economy.
Oneida County Health Department outlines ambitious goals
Focus areas include substance use, mental health, housing, and child care
Presenting the Oneida County Health Department’s annual report to the Oneida County Board of Supervisors this month, health department director Linda Conlon touted a long list of departmental accomplishments and laid out a whirlwind agenda for the coming years, including an emphatic focus on substance use, mental health, housing, and child care.