MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers announced today his appointment of Jacob Frost as Dane County Circuit Court judge. The appointment fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Richard Niess. “Frost is an excellent attorney and I am confident he will serve Dane County well as a fair and impartial judge,” said Gov. Evers. “He will also bring a unique and much needed perspective to the bench, as an individual with a physical disability and an advocate for folks with disabilities, on how we can work to ensure our courts are accessible and just for all.” Frost is currently

MADISON- State Representative Timothy Ramthun (R-Campbellsport) issued the following statement: The people of Wisconsin recognize and appreciate common sense. Here’s a response I received in regards to my latest e-update about reopening Wisconsin, which was published in several area newspapers: “Just read your guest column in our Washington County paper. Dang, you nailed it. What you said, and have been doing, makes so much common sense. Not taking an alarmist angle. Not taking a political angle. So sad that common sense has been sacrificed and the common good of ALL Wisconsinites has taken a back seat to political agendas.” “I’ve sent

Milwaukee, WI – On February 2, 2020, Officer Joseph Anthony Mensah of the Wauwatosa Police Department (WPD) shot Alvin in the back several times as he was running away. Alvin was yelling to the police, “No gun, no gun!” right before Officer Mensah murdered him. He was 17 years old, set to graduate high school and attend Jackson State University.   At 4 PM on Saturday, June 6, members of the Cole family, together with members of MAARPR and supporters from the broader Milwaukee area community, will gather at the intersection of North 76th Street & West Burleigh Street for

Milwaukee, WI – On February 2, 2020, Officer Joseph Anthony Mensah of the Wauwatosa Police Department (WPD) shot Alvin in the back several times as he was running away. Alvin was yelling to the police, “No gun, no gun!” right before Officer Mensah murdered him. He was 17 years old, set to graduate high school and attend Jackson State University. At 4 PM on Saturday, June 6, members of the Cole family, together with members of MAARPR and supporters from the broader Milwaukee area community, will gather at the intersection of North 76th Street & West Burleigh Street for a

MADISON – Schwai’s Meat & Sausage Market in Fredonia, WI, is issuing a voluntary class I recall for three Italian sausage products due to an undeclared ingredient (soy grits) that contains the soy allergen. The recalled products include: Italian Sausage links, 1-lb. packages sold at retail stores in Fredonia, Cedarburg, and the West Bend Farmers Market Hot Italian Sausage links, 1-lb. packages sold at retail stores in Fredonia, Cedarburg, and the West Bend Farmers Market Chicken Italian Sausage links, 1-lb. packages sold at retail stores in Fredonia, Cedarburg, and the West Bend Farmers Market This is a Class I recall, initiated

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will hold a virtual preliminary public hearing next week relating to future permanent rules for Lake Michigan whitefish management and Great Lakes commercial harvest reporting. The hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 11. Due to COVID-19, the public can participate in the hearing online via Skype or by calling 1-866-715-6499 and entering passcode 8227536094#. Participant pre-registration is strongly encouraged. This preliminary hearing will allow the public to comment on the topics within the scope statement that could become the subject of future rules, including: A change to whitefish quotas; Gear used to harvest whitefish; Whitefish

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski and Congresswoman Gwen Moore held a virtual listening session for small businesses to share their concerns in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, hosted by Small Business Majority on Friday. As programs and policies are being shaped, the views of small business owners will help inform the response and recovery at the state and federal level.  “Prior to becoming State Treasurer, I was a small business owner, focused on helping startup companies,” said Treasurer Sarah Godlewski. “This unprecedented time calls for unprecedented financial and safety measures for our small businesses. It is important

MADISON- On Wednesday, University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross requested that the Wisconsin Legislature convene a special session to respond to the urgent financial and planning needs of the UW System that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) issued the following statement in response: “The UW System is facing steep challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I appreciate President Cross’ call for a special session. I have already requested that the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee meet to discuss the challenges our higher education institutions are facing, and I believe the Legislature must

Madison, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government’s Honorary Chairman Gov. Scott Walker, appeared on the Vicki McKenna show recently to talk about IRG’s expansion efforts to implement bold conservative reforms in Wisconsin. Gov Walker also highlighted new IRG president, CJ Szafir, who was previously vice president of Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty. Listen to the interview on WIBA radio here. Excerpts of the interview are below: Vicki McKenna: “So where can people find out more information about this organization (IRG)?” Gov. Walker: “Reforminggovernment.org. CJ Szafir used to be an executive vice president, at WILL, Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, just came on as

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today joined more than 100 Senate and House colleagues led by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Bob Casey (D-PA), and Congressmen Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) to push the Trump Administration for greater federal resources and guidance to support nursing homes and long-term care (LTC) facilities throughout the country as they combat the COVID-19 outbreak. Over 9,600 nursing homes and LTC facilities across the U.S. have reported COVID-19 cases and more than 40,000 residents and workers in LTC settings have died from the virus. “While the persistent shortage of testing

In 1951 the Civil Rights Commission (CRC) presented a paper to the United Nations at their Paris meetings titled, “We Charge Genocide.” The paper cited the numerous incidents of lynching in the US as well as legal discrimination, disenfranchisement of Blacks, and police brutality as well as disparities in health and other quality of life aspects. The CRC asserted that the U.S. government is both complicit with and responsible for a genocidal situation based on the UN’s own definition of genocide. Today, almost 70 years later we find ourselves in a place where these long-standing grievances still have not been

MADISON, Wis. – Patient Lona Towsley met UW Health nurse Britney Kershner at one of the worst moments of her life, but they shared a special connection and camaraderie during her stay at University Hospital while she recovered from COVID-19. Lona recovered and left the hospital in April but was back in Madison yesterday to thank Britney in person. Britney not only helped Lona fight the disease but also helped her find the hope and resiliency to do so. While infection control policies prohibit COVID-19 patients from having visitors, nurses are working to provide a new level of care, trying to ensure patients