Investigative Reporter
Recent Stories
Bangstad arrested, charged for harassment, causing disturbance
Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad has posted a cash bond in Oneida County circuit court after being charged with two misdemeanors — disorderly conduct and bail-jumping — for a disturbance at his Front Street location last Friday, in which six others at the scene were also arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
State Supreme Court strikes down Governor’s partial veto
Evers can only partially veto appropriations bills
The Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously ruled this week that Gov. Tony Evers exceeded his powers by partially vetoing a bill that contained no appropriations, and it also upheld the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee’s ability to put aside and control money for certain programs.
In open meetings case, Sowinski missed deadline on rendering decision
Judge took 219 days to decide a simple open meetings case
Oneida County might be the place where nature lingers longer, but apparently so do court cases, as Oneida County circuit judge Mary Sowinski blew past a decision time limit set by Supreme Court rule in a recent open meetings case.
Oneida County will stay with regional planning commission, for now
Schreier: NCRPC almost feels like a Ponzi scheme
After some deliberation, Oneida County will stick with its membership in the North Central Regional Planning Commission for another year.
Oneida County Social Services delivers final annual report
Rideout cites solid achievements in rolling out new department
With the elimination of the Human Service Center and the creation of a new Human Service Department, the Oneida County Social Services Department has gone the way of the dinosaur, and this past week outgoing and retiring director Mary Rideout was on hand to deliver the agency’s final ever report.
Oneida County Social Services delivers final annual report
Rideout cites solid achievements in rolling out new department
With the elimination of the Human Service Center and the creation of a new Human Service Department, the Oneida County Social Services Department has gone the way of the dinosaur, and this past week outgoing and retiring director Mary Rideout was on hand to deliver the agency’s final ever report.
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.