Investigative Reporter
Recent Stories
Committee deadlock leaves Stewardship renewal uncertain
Under proposal, at least $8 million a year would go to land acquisition
A state Assembly committee last week deadlocked on a vote to renew the state’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, and, though the proposed bill still moves to the Assembly floor, it’s anything but a given what the final package will look like.
NFIB criticizes Evers for vetoing unemployment reform
Governor: Bills would place unnecessary burdens on job hunters
One of the state’s largest small-business associations is criticizing Gov. Tony Evers for vetoing four Republican-authored bills, including three aimed at changing Wisconsin’s unemployment insurance (UI) system and another meant to prevent state and local governments from restricting the use or sale of gas-powered vehicles and devices.
PFAS bill sparks debate over ‘innocent landowner’ protections
GOP lawmakers, WMC question scope of DNR authority
A Republican proposal aimed at shielding “innocent landowners” from PFAS cleanup liability while directing financial assistance to affected communities drew mixed reaction during a recent legislative hearing, as business groups and environmental advocates clashed over how Wisconsin should manage both chemical clean-up and responsibility for contamination.
Evers vetoes bill curbing plea deals
Hutton calls veto ‘a win for violent offenders’
Gov. Tony Evers vetoed legislation this week that would have required judicial approval before prosecutors could dismiss or amend charges in serious criminal cases, prompting the bill’s lead sponsor to call the veto “a win for violent offenders.”
Marquette Poll: 2026 races wide open
The 2026 campaign season isn’t officially here yet, and that’s a good thing for most candidates because the latest Marquette Law School Poll released this week shows little voter awareness, with overwhelming majorities of respondents reporting they have not formed opinions about candidates for governor or state Supreme Court.
Dems, GOP spar over shutdown as benefits set to run out
Game of chicken as November food stamp payments hang in the balance
Political tongues were wagging and fingers pointing this past week as Democrats and Republicans traded blame for the second-longest federal government shutdown in history — which, if it continues, could threaten federal food assistance for nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites.
Oneida County budget: 3.7% levy increase, 2.64% wage hike
Total budget would top $74 million
The Oneida County board of supervisors will consider in November a proposed 2026 budget of $74.6 million in total county spending — a 10-percent decrease from the previous year — that would raise the property-tax levy to $18.97 million, an increase of 3.7 percent.
Supervisors praise IT amid growing tech expenses
So far, it’s a solid ‘no’ on artificial intelligence
When it rolls around to budget season in Wisconsin counties, a lot of the conversation swirls around roads and payroll and sheriff’s department needs, and that’s nearly always the case in Oneida County, too.
Oneida County opens budget hearings facing $1M deficit
Supervisors quickly reduce it by two-thirds; $3.6 million planned for capital improvements
Oneida County entered its 2026 budget hearings this week with a familiar problem and a conscious choice: an opening day gap of about $4.5 million between projected revenues and estimated expenditures. However, context matters. In fact, this year’s shortfall is driven largely by a deliberate decision to transfer $3.6 million from the general fund to pay for capital improvement projects (CIP).
Lazar enters Supreme Court race, drawing partisan fire
Another shoot-out likely at the Supreme Court Corral
With a liberal majority on the state Supreme Court guaranteed no matter who wins next spring’s open seat, much of the state’s attention has shifted toward the all-important governor’s race, but that doesn’t mean the high court campaign will be a sleepy affair, especially with appellate judge Maria Lazar jumping in this week.