According to the lawsuit, WILL first requested three sets of ESSA-related records in August 2018, then sent a follow-up email the following month. A DPI employee said the request was in progress on Sept. 21, 2018.
WILL deputy counsel Thomas Kamenick followed up again on Nov. 12, and the request was partially fulfilled the following day. Portions of the request were denied for being “insufficiently specific” and “unreasonably burdensome,” and WILL send a narrowed request the following month, which DPI acknowledged on Dec. 13.
The most recent update from DPI, according to the lawsuit, was on Jan. 4, to notify WILL that the request was being worked on as a “priority,” but had been delayed due to the holidays and the election.
“For months, DPI has refused our request to turn over important records about ESSA. To make matters worse, they have no problem sharing these records with school district superintendents and instructing districts to keep them from the public,” Kamenick said in a statement. “Their attempt to hide how they are implementing federal law without proper legal authority should give parents and taxpayers alike cause for concern.”
Crowds chanted ‘Death to America, death to Israel’ as hundreds of thousands of Iranians gathered at rallies to mark the 40th anniversary of the Islamic revolution.
Ceremonies were held across the state today to observe the anniversary of the fall of the Shah and the triumph of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Shiite cleric who led the coup.
Iran’s army declared its neutrality on February 11, 1979 and paved the way for the collapse of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi – the closest ally of the US in the Middle East.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar joined the Democratic presidential field on Sunday and was welcomed to the competition with a tweet from President Donald Trump, who mocked her for talking about global warming in her speech while giving it in the snow.
‘By the end of her speech she looked like a Snowman(woman)!,’ he sniped about the woman running for the right to take him on in 2020.
Klobuchar made her announcement on a snow-filled day in Minneapolis, in a speech that countered the president’s policies on climate change and immigration along with knocking his divisive tone in politics.
Grand Central District Cmdr. Anthony Escamilla acknowledged he had on-duty officers pick up his teenage son, who has autism, but insisted he worked as a volunteer in the community policing office.
Pressed by investigators from the city’s inspector general’s office, Escamilla said he wanted to watch how his son did the work and interacted with his officers, taking mental notes he planned to share with the officers later.
“I kind of wanted to just leave it to them, acting out in their job roles, and then him being a volunteer and seeing how it would go,” Escamilla told an investigator. “It’s not about my son and someone keeping an eye on him. This is about kids with his kind of disability and what we can do as a department to help them.”
by Owen | 1035, 9 Feb 1919 | Off-Duty | 0 Comments
Johnson Bus to be sold to Landmark Student Transportation
Johnson School Bus Service is pleased to announce its impending sale to Landmark Student Transportation. Specialized Transport Services (STS), a subsidiary providing Shared-ride Taxi service to Ozaukee and Washington Counties, will change ownership as well. The sale is expected to be completed by end of February.
A three-generation, family-owned business, Johnson Bus has been a trusted provider of student transportation in southeast Wisconsin since 1942. Founded by Aaron Johnson, the business grew and flourished under the care of his children Chuck and Dianne, then further expanded to 11 locations and more than 450 buses with the guidance of Chuck’s children Steve, Dan and Judy.
In a letter addressed to its school districts and customers, the Johnson family thanked their local communities for their support. “After more than 77 years of family ownership, the third generation has made the difficult decision to sell the family business. Like all business owners, there comes a time to retire and begin enjoying the benefits of a long, successful career. It has been our life’s work to provide safe transportation to the children entrusted to our care. We cherish the memories and the relationships that were built over the years.”
Johnson Bus chose Landmark Student Transportation as a family-based, experienced organization that will continue our culture, identity and strong reputation. Landmark will maintain the same high standards and level of professional pride that the Johnson Bus team has built together over the years.
President Steve Johnson said the local insight and expertise of the Johnson Bus and STS teams will be of great value as we are welcomed into the Landmark organization. Landmark will retain the Johnson Bus and STS names and the employee teams of Managers, Maintenance Support and Drivers are expected to continue in their current capacities at each location. Steve, Dan and Judy will support Landmark through the transition and continue on as advisors.
“The continuity of staffing will ensure a seamless transition for our schools, customers and employees. Moving forward, the new relationships will benefit everyone, especially the students we deliver to and from school safely each day. We wish to extend our sincere thanks for the honor of working together in safety with our school districts, our communities and our dedicated employees. We are very excited to see what the future holds for Johnson Bus and its employees under their ownership.”
Opening date for new Pearl of Can Ton
Neighbors in West Bend have been anxiously awaiting the official opening of the new Pearl of Can Ton. The restaurant, 515 Hickory Street, is located in the old Sears and former Generations Christian Fellowship building in downtown West Bend.
Owner BeBay Luu purchased the 2-story building in 2017 and had hoped to be open in early January however, flipping an old retail outlet into a restaurant proved to be a challenge.
Today the restaurant announced it would open Feb. 14. Contractor Ron Dibble said the project was a bit daunting considering the installation of plumbing and updating the electrical.
The new look resembles a luxurious Asian restaurant with high recessed ceilings and 6,000-square-feet of space on the first floor. The color scheme is rich burnt reds and browns. There are arched entryways and black string curtains to separate rooms. Some of the art features Buddha statues and paintings along with decorative wood dividers that set off table spaces closer to the walls.
Transportation and Future Borrowing Plan for City of West Bend
West Bend City Administrator Jay Shambeau spent about 30 minutes during Monday night’s Common Council meeting rolling out details on the Transportation and Future Borrowing Plan for 2020.
The biggest talking point was how the City has reduced its debt from $80 million to $47 million in a matter of seven years. It was February 2016 when Mayor Kraig Sadownikow first talked about “bending the curve” and working to pay down debt by implementing a program called “truth in budgeting.”
By studying the budget in 2011 the mayor and then Dist. 7 alderman Adam Williquette found “debt payments on borrowing were draining finances.”
Over the past eight years the city buckled down and reduced capital borrowing by initiating a $1.5 million cap on borrowing for three years.
Williquette said “paying down the debt will take time, but it allows the city to continue to move forward without raising taxes.”
Fast forward to February 2019 and the city has knocked $33 million in debt off the books and is in good standing to move forward on a plan to fix the roads without increasing taxes.
“I wasn’t part of this council when you guys started tightening the belts around here but I have to say I’m happy to see we are in the categories that we are regarding comparatives to other municipalities and all the numbers make me feel really good moving forward,” said Dist. 2 alderman Mike Christian.
Mayor Kraig Sadownikow issued the following statement: “The increase in reserves, reduction in debt and hopeful increase in Capital expenditures/Maintenance while still reducing overall debt is the culmination of about 7 years worth of work and promises that ‘we are bending the debt curve downward.’
I believe this is good government in action. We worked hard and took some arrows to make significant changes to how we operate, budget and spend. We had to right size some areas, completely cut others, and change our standard method of doing business to get to the point where we can begin investing back into the community while still remaining small-ish and efficient.
Rather than taking the easy route and increasing revenue (taxes) when we ran into tough budget challenges, we did what any well run family or business would do, reduce debt. We have freed up over $1 million in debt payments that can now be re-invested into the community,”
Below is a summary of the data released at the meeting. Aldermen have agreed to review and take up a measure in March regarding a proposal to increase borrowing to $3 million annually and dedicate $2 million to city streets.
Transportation and Future Borrowing Summary
In Fiscal Year 2020 there is a $1.1 million reduction in our current debt schedule. Recommendation from 2018 street referendum included in this increased borrowing. Long Range Transportation Planning Committee reviewed this increased borrowing recommendation last Friday, Feb. 1.
Current debt management policies include total general obligation debt service to non-capital expenditure shall be at no higher than 20%
Additional debt policy proposal to keep the percentage of debt limit no higher than 10% below than the median of comparable communities
Increase annual borrowing to $3 million beginning in 2020. Dedicate $2 million annually to road maintenance/reconstruction
Additional borrowing of $2.7 million in 2021 to fund Seventh Avenue and $1.8 million in 2022 for 18th Avenue. Federal grant funding received for DOT STP – Urban $2.3 million – 57% (2019-2021)
Seventh Avenue to be reconstructed in 2021 and 18th completed in 2022. Overall debt service levy rate levels out at approx. 1.4 – 1.5%. Total debt continues to decline from $47 million to just under $28 million by 2028
National Guard Blackhawk crew from West Bend recognized for rescue | By Capt. Joe Trovato
The crew of a Wisconsin Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk that rescued two kayakers stranded in a marsh near Fond du Lac last fall received a major award from the Army Aviation Association of America at Fort Rucker, Alabama, Jan. 30.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jason Wollersheim, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Scott Kramer, Staff Sgt. Robert Gibson, and Sgt. Caleb Estenson, all received the Army Aviation Association of America’s Air/Sea Rescue Award.
The four West Bend-based Soldiers responded Sept. 9 to a request for assistance from local rescue crews attempting to reach two kayakers that lost their way in a thick marsh and reached the point of exhaustion. The isolated nature of the marsh and its terrain made a land rescue nearly impossible, prompting local rescue crews to reach out to Wisconsin Emergency Management to seek assistance.
The Wisconsin National Guard was ready and within 90 minutes of receiving the call, had a helicopter in the air. Fifteen minutes later, the crew was hovering over the Eldorado Marsh searching for the wayward kayakers, who had cell phone contact with rescue crews on the ground. With sunlight quickly diminishing and the kayakers stranded in a dark marsh, the crew asked first responders to relay a message to the kayakers to turn on their cell phone flashlight, which, thanks to their night vision goggles, immediately pinpointed the kayakers’ location.
Within minutes, a crew chief was descending into the marsh via the helicopter’s hoist system to retrieve the stranded men and bring them back to safety. The situation could have grown precarious quickly, given that the two kayakers were wet, exhausted and temperatures dropped into the 40s that early fall evening.
“Their training, experience and quick thinking enabled them to successfully conduct a very demanding mission on short notice, saving the two kayakers from a potentially life threatening situation once land and boat rescue efforts by civilian authorities failed,” the award citation read. “Their dedication to fellow citizens and willingness to volunteer on short notice for a hazardous rescue mission reflects great credit upon themselves, the Wisconsin Army National Guard, and the United States Army.”
Brig. Gen. Joane Mathews, Wisconsin’s deputy adjutant general for Army, travelled to Fort Rucker, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Rafael Conde, the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s senior enlisted advisor, to witness the award presentation.
“It was an extremely proud moment for me, knowing these brave and highly professional Soldiers were from the Wisconsin Army National Guard,” Mathews, herself a former helicopter pilot, said. “This crew deserves this recognition for their heroic actions to rescue their fellow citizens. Responding here at home is one of the core missions of the National Guard, and having the opportunity to apply the skills we gain preparing for our federal overseas mission to make a difference locally is truly rewarding.”
The crew was highly experienced. Three of the four crew members aboard the rescue flight – Estenson, Kramer, and Wollersheim – had returned from deployments to Afghanistan less than a year before the incident where they flew rescue missions in support of U.S. and Afghan special forces and U.S. Marines. The fourth – Gibson – had returned from a deployment to Kuwait less than two years prior and deployed to the U.S. Virgin Islands in support of Hurricane Maria relief in 2017. Estenson, who had the task of descending into the marsh that evening, said it was an honor to get recognized but said the most rewarding part of the experience was making a difference in his local community and doing his job.
West Bend Police officers sworn in
The West Bend Police Department grew by two this week as Christopher Brook and Breanne Knutson were officially sworn in.
West Bend City Clerk Stephanie Justman carried out the ceremonial process and then Police Chief Ken Meuler pinned a shiny badge on each new officer.
Meuler took a moment to share a special note of dedication about Officer Brook who started on the job a day early when he spotted a drunk driver and called it in to the WB PD.
Meuler said it was good work by the rookie as he helped get a 5-time drunk driver off the road.
Police Officer Brook graduated from Goodrich High School in Fond du Lac, served in the U.S. Army from 2005 to 2009, earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Marian University and successfully completed the State of Wisconsin Basic Recruit School at Fox Valley Technical School in 2013.
Shortly after his graduation from Recruit School he was hired by the Jefferson County Sheriff Department and has worked there until being hired by West Bend. Christopher and his wife Michelle are the proud parents of Ethan, Harper, and Elijah. We welcome Christopher and his family to the community.
Police Officer Knutson graduated from Slinger High School. After high school she enrolled at Concordia College where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice and Public Policy.
During her senior year at Concordia, Breanne completed an internship at the West Bend Police Department. After graduation from Concordia she completed the State of Wisconsin Basic Recruit School at Fox Valley Technical School in December 2018. We are happy to welcome Brianne to West Bend.
Former Tri-Manor in Barton has sold
The former Tri-Manor, 1937 N. Main Street, in West Bend has been sold. The property was owned by James R. Schulz. It was built in 1949 and had an addition in 1983. According to records at City Hall the property was last sold in 1983 for $118,000. The 2018 assessment was for $445,200. The parcel was sold Jan. 23, 2019 for $222,400 to Danker, Inc, a Wisconsin corporation.
Winners from Kiwanis Early Risers 11th annual Chili/Soup Cook-off
A note of thanks to everyone who came out for the 11th annual Kiwanis Early Risers Chili & Soup Cook-off. There were some fantastic entries and nobody went home hungry.
Winners from this year include:
Community Service Chili: 1) Interfaith Caregivers 2) West Bend Fire Fighters 3) West Bend Noon Kiwanis
Business Chili: 1) American Commercial Real Estate 2) New Perspective 3) Don Patnode and Minute Man Press
Restaurant Chili: 1) Brazenhead Pub 2) The Norbert 3) No No’s Restaurant and Texas Roadhouse
Restaurant Soup: 1) Braising Pan 2) Brazenhead Pub 3) Jug’s Hitching Post
People’s Choice Award: Chili winner: 1) Brazenhead Pub 2) West Bend Fire Fighters 3) Interfaith Caregivers
People’s Choice Award: Soup winner 1) Jug’s Hitching Post 2) Brazenhead Pub 3) Great Outdoors
Coming up April 13, 2019 it’s the Kiwanis Kid’s Free Fishing Clinic. Saturday is the day to attend the Kid’s Free Fishing Clinic sponsored by the West Bend Kiwanis Early Risers in partnership with the Wisconsin DNR and Southeastern WI Trout Unlimited at Regner Park in West Bend.
The kids learn some of the basics of fishing and test their fishing skills at the pond which is stocked with rainbow trout by the DNR, as well as other fish species stocked by the City of West Bend Park, Recreation & Forestry Department.
Holy Angels School looking for new principal
Holy Angels School (HAS) is a K3-8 Catholic grade school that has been educating children for over 150 years. HAS is currently looking for a dynamic principal to lead the dedicated staff, parents, and students to enhance and elevate this high level of Catholic education in West Bend, WI. The preferred candidate would be experienced, enthusiastic, and faith-filled. For other key requirements and responsibilities, go to the home page of the school’s website: www.has.pvt.k12.wi.us If interested, please send a cover letter and resume to principalsearch@haswb.org by Feb. 15, 2019.
Hartford Rotary names Students of the Month for January | By Teri Kermendy
The Hartford Rotary Club and Hartford Union High School are pleased to announceMatthew Becker, Katie Brockhaus, and Mike Scepanski were honored recently as Rotary Students of the Month.
The students were given special recognition for their accomplishments at the Hartford Rotary Club’s Thursday noon meetings during the month of January.
Matthew Becker is the son of Cheri and Joe Becker. Becker is a member of the National Honor Society, the Varsity Math Team, and Student Council. He is also Percussion Section Leader of the Symphonic Band, a member of the HUHS Concert Choir, and had the lead role of Seymour in the fall musical “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Schauer Arts and Activities Center.
The Hartford Rotary Club and Hartford Union High School announce Matthew Becker, Katie Brockhaus, and Mike Scepanski were honored recently as Rotary Students of the Month.
Becker received special honors in several areas in 2018. He earned WSMA State Solo and Ensemble Exemplary Soloist recognition in piano and was selected to perform with the WSMA State Honors Band. Becker was also selected as a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.
Becker has given back to his community by serving as a Religious Education Teacher’s aide, a member the Bell Choir and playing piano at church and community events at St. Kilian Catholic Church. Becker plans to attend a 4-year university and is considering a major in either math or music. His top university choices are Michigan, Notre Dame, and Northwestern.
Katie Brockhaus is the daughter of Heather and Michael Brockhaus. Brockhaus is a member of Peers 4 Peers, Mock Trial and the girl’s tennis team at HUHS. She has been very active in the instrumental music program. Brockhaus is a member of the Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band and Pep Band. She is also a member of the Moraine Symphonic Band and Youth and Wind Orchestra of Wisconsin. Brockhaus was a State Solo and Ensemble qualifier in 2018 and performed with the HUHS Marching Band in the New Year’s Day Parade in London, England.
Brockhaus has given back to her community by volunteering her time with Family Promise of Washington County and at Northbrook Church in Youth Ministry. She has served as a youth soccer coach and enjoys giving private bassoon and saxophone lessons to interested students. Brockhaus plans to attend Concordia University to study music education and music performance. Her goal is to eventually become a high school Music Teacher.
Updates & Tidbits
– United Way of Washington County will celebrate a record-breaking campaign year on Feb. 13 with a luncheon that features highlights from 2018. Awards will be given to several of Washington County’s leading employers and community advocates.
– Jay Anderson received Post 36 American Legion Certificate of Participation from Service Officer Jim Maersch.
-Urban Vantage, 128 Wisconsin Street, is offering a rent special of ½ month free if a person rents during the month of February 2019. Contact 262-353-9732.
-In light of the fatal police officer shooting in Milwaukee this week, Hartford is paying its respects by lighting up the downtown with a thin blue line. All gave some, some give all.
-Common Sense Citizens of Washington County will host a panel discussion on Wednesday, Feb. 13 on the effects and facts of legalized marijuana. Detective Mark Sette from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Mary Simon from Elevate, and Jim Giese with Affiliated Clinical will be on hand. The 7 p.m. event is open to the public and held at the West Bend Moose Lodge.
A quick peek inside the new Cafe Floriana in West Bend
A quick peek inside the new Cafe Floriana; it’s the new cafe/bakery opening in the lower level of Cast Iron Luxury Living, 611 Veterans Ave., Suite 104, in West Bend. (Across from Rivershores YMCA).
Katherine Schenk and her sister Sara Young are the ones behind the project and it is really starting to take shape. So far the floor, lighting, bakery display cases, bathrooms and food prep area are all near completion.
The lighting is very artistic with big globe clear glass shades that reflect in adjacent mirrors resembling decorative windows. There’s also mini pendant lights above individual table seating areas. A textured wall runs the length of the back of the bakery. The wall has somewhat of a tin-ceiling appearance.
Up front it’s counter space and a glass display case awaiting scrumptious selections of homemade sweets and sandwiches. The menu for Cafe Floriana features egg bake, traditional oatmeal, fresh breakfast pastries and muffins, a soup of the day, loose leaf teas, real fruit smoothies, an array of sandwiches, and Stone Creek Coffee.
Owner Katherine Schenk has been at the store daily working through some of the final logistics. The sister duo is working on a schedule for a soft opening later this month with their hearts set on being in business by March.
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Moving away from fossil fuels could create thousands of jobs, improve public health, and increase overall economic activity by nearly $14 billion in Wisconsin, according to a new study.
[…]
The study, done at the request of La Crosse County, is hypothetical and doesn’t address technological challenges.
“The impetus for this whole study was just to figure out whether producing our energy in-state would be beneficial to the economy and people and the environment of Wisconsin,” said David Abel, a UW energy researcher and lead author of the study.
MADISON – A panel of Republican lawmakers advanced a plan to cut income taxes for middle-class families that Gov. Tony Evers has said he would oppose because of the way it’s funded.
The $338 million plan would reduce an average married couple’s income taxes by about $300 and heads to the Assembly floor next week.
But Evers reiterated he wouldn’t support the plan less than two hours after it passed the Legislature’s finance committee 10-3 over the objection of Democratic members.
“Republicans proved today that they’re more interested in protecting handouts for millionaires than providing tax relief for middle-class families,” Evers’ spokeswoman Britt Cudaback said about the Republican plan. “Introducing a competing proposal that uses one-time funds and leaves taxpayers on the hook for millions of dollars in the future isn’t compromise, it’s just fiscally irresponsible.”
But Republican leaders of the finance committee said, “we are delivering a real, middle-class tax cut for Wisconsin families.”
On policy, this is a very simple concept. The State of Wisconsin has a surplus of tax revenue and this would give it back to the taxpayers who paid it. For example, if you overpay for a cup of coffee, you get the surplus back, right? We call it “change.” Evers opposes this simple concept because he doesn’t really want a tax cut. He wants to keep most or all of the surplus and redistribute it back to people he likes. It would be like if you overpaid for that cup of coffee and Barista Evers handed your change to the bum shooting up in the Starbucks’ bathroom. Evers’ policy is neither fair nor right.
On the political front, the Republicans are doing exactly the right thing. Push this tax cut through the legislature and put it on Evers’ desk. Then he will be forced to veto a middle-class tax cut as one of his first acts as governor or let it pass. Hopefully, his better Angels prevail and he gives the taxpayers change for overpaying the cost of government this year.
A federal appeals court on Wednesday blocked the execution of a Muslim inmate in Alabama after the state refused to allow his imam to be at his death instead of a Christian prison chaplain.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit granted an emergency stay of execution for 42-year-old Domineque Ray one day before he was scheduled to be put to death for the rape and murder of 15-year-old Tiffany Harville more than two decades ago in Selma, Alabama. The Alabama attorney general’s office has asked the United States Supreme Court to vacate the stay and let it proceed with the execution scheduled for Thursday evening, according to court documents.
“The central constitutional problem here is that the state has regularly placed a Christian cleric in the execution room to minister to the needs of Christian inmates, but has refused to provide the same benefit to a devout Muslim and all other non-Christians,” a panel of three district judges wrote in their decision Wednesday.
[…]
The Alabama Department of Corrections has agreed to exclude the prison chaplain from the death chamber, but a district judge on Friday denied Ray’s initial request for a stay of execution. The judge wrote that Ray waited “until the eleventh hour” to make his legal claim, it’s a matter of safety and security, and Ray’s imam, who is not a department of corrections employee, is “untrained, inexperienced and outside the state’s control.”
So the issue is that the prison has traditionally provided the condemned with spiritual comfort with a Christian chaplain in the death chamber. In this case, the condemned is Muslim, so he wanted an Imam. Fair enough. The prison said that the Imam can be in the visitors’ gallery, but not in the death chamber because he isn’t an employee and isn’t trained. That seemed like a reasonable accommodation, right? That wasn’t good enough for the Appeals Court, so justice will be delayed again.
What’s going to happen here? The prison only has two options. Either they can hire a spiritual leader from every faith or they just stop offering the condemned any religious comfort whatsoever in the room. Given the impracticability of the former, they will do the latter.
Meanwhile, the family of the poor little girl who was butchered by this beast will have to wait even longer for justice to be served because a bunch of lawyers are jerking around with something that could have been solved in a conversation.
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) – A change to the way empty box stores are assessed could reduce your property taxes. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) said his state budget proposal will include a provision to close what’s known as the dark store tax loophole.
The governor made the announcement today after speaking at a Wisconsin Counties Association meeting in Madison. He hopes that it will help cities across the state increase their tax revenue to pay for projects.
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has acknowledged wearing “brown makeup” to a party, days after the state governor admitting wearing blackface.
The second-in-line to the governor’s seat said in a statement on Wednesday that he wore a costume to a party when he was 19 years old at university.
Mr Herring had joined calls for Governor Ralph Northam to quit over a racist photo and blackface scandal.
The lieutenant governor is meanwhile battling a sex assault claim.
All three men are Democrats. If they were to resign over these controversies, Virginia could be led by the Republican Speaker of the House of Delegates, Kirk Cox.
(CNN)Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren listed her race as “American Indian” on a State Bar of Texas registration card in 1986, the Washington Post reported Tuesday.
The Post’s reporting represents a previously unknown instance of Warren claiming her race as Native American and the first document that appears to definitively show Warren making the claim in her own handwriting. According to the Post, Warren has previously declined to answer whether she or an assistant filled out forms in which her race was listed as Native American.
Warren’s longstanding assertions of having Native American heritage have dogged her political career and provided fodder for attacks from President Donald Trump. Her use of DNA testing to confirm her limited Native roots last year was met with fierce criticism from some Native American groups. The prospective 2020 Democratic presidential candidate is expected to formally announce her entrance into the race on Saturday after forming an exploratory committee on New Year’s Eve.
The card, obtained by the Post in an open records request, lists Warren’s alma maters of the University of Houston and Rutgers Law School but no other racial identifiers.
Stories like this reveal the dirty underside of our identity politics.
Gov. Tony Evers said Tuesday that state environmental officials will review air-quality permits issued last year to electronics maker Foxconn for its planned $10 billion campus near Racine.
Evers told reporters he discussed the topic with Foxconn officials but doesn’t believe the company is concerned.
“Clearly that’s one area the people of Wisconsin were concerned about, is air quality,” Evers said.
Evers’ comments clarify what he told reporters Friday, following a series of reports suggesting the company’s plans for Wisconsin were in flux.
During the campaign, Evers said scientists told him a flawed process was used to issue the Foxconn air-quality permits. The company’s plan to build a manufacturing facility in Mount Pleasant would make it one of the largest sources in southeast Wisconsin for pollutants that create smog. The region already suffers from summer smog problems, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has reported.
Wisconsin’s era of conservative reform came to an end with the election of Gov. Tony Evers. With a liberal governor, the conservative majorities in the Legislature are relegated to a rearguard action to defend the magnificent gains made in the last eight years. But the Legislature’s rampart might be flanked if Wisconsin’s liberals are able to seize control of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court. They could do that next year unless Judge Brian Hagedorn is elected to the court this April.
When Scott Walker was elected in 2010, Wisconsin’s liberals made it clear that they could not abide the will of the people and allow conservatives to govern. A familiar pattern emerged: Republicans legally pass conservative legislation into law; liberals sue; Dane County judge invalidates conservative law; after appeals, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturns the Dane County judge and allows the law to take hold. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently thwarted the liberals’ attempt to overturn conservative laws through the courts, so the liberals are determined to get the court back under their control.
Right now, four of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court Justices are judicial conservatives. That means that they think the role of the court is to strictly interpret the law as written and respect the rights and responsibilities of the other two branches of government to enact the will of the people through legislation. By contrast, three of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court justices are judicial liberals, meaning that they take a more expansive view of the role of the court to enact their own wills to right wrongs, as they define them, with little regard for judicial restraint.
One of those three judicial liberals, Justice Shirley Abrahamson, is retiring and the election this April is to replace her. At first glance, this may appear to be a relatively inconsequential election. The balance of the court is not on the line. If the people of Wisconsin elect a judicial liberal, the balance of the court will remain the same. If the voters elect a judicial conservative, then the judicial conservatives strengthen their majority to a 5-2 split. Without much on the line, why worry, right?
The key is to look to April of 2020. In that election, incumbent Justice Dan Kelly will likely run for reelection. Kelly is one of the judicial conservatives on the court. The challenge for Kelly is that the presidential primary will be on the same ballot. President Donald Trump is unlikely to face a serious primary challenger, so Republican turnout will be light. Meanwhile, the Democratic primary for president portends to be hotly contested, so Democratic turnout will likely be massive. That does not bode well for a conservative judicial candidate on the ballot. Kelly faces a steep uphill climb that has nothing to do with him, and everything to do with the rest of the ballot.
If Wisconsin’s voters replace Abrahamson with another judicial liberal and retain a 4-3 judicial conservative majority, it is exceedingly likely that the election of April 2020 will flip the court to a judicial liberal majority. If that happens, liberals will sue to overturn every conservative law passed in the previous decade and have the Supreme Court on their side. They cannot turn back the clock through the representative democratic process, so they will turn to the courts instead. Act 10, concealed carry, school choice, the repeal of prevailing wage, the Wisconsin REINS Act, voter ID, right to work, castle doctrine — all of it is at risk if judicial liberals gain control of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court.
That is why Wisconsin must elect a judicial conservative to the Supreme Court this April. That judicial conservative is Appeals Court Judge Brian Hagedorn.
Hagedorn has served in a number of legal capacities since graduating from the Northwestern University School of Law. After three years in private practice, he worked as a law clerk for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman before going to work as an assistant attorney general. He worked as Gov. Scott Walker’s chief legal counsel from 2011 to 2015 during the time when many of Wisconsin’s most significant reforms in generations were passed into law. Since 2015, Hagedorn has been serving as a judge on Wisconsin’s Court of Appeals.
Hagedorn’s judicial philosophy is one of restraint and humble respect for the individual rights and the will of the people. As he says, “justices wear neutral robes, not capes.” That is exactly the kind of attitude Wisconsin needs on the court to protect our liberties and uphold constitutional laws that were dutifully passed by the representatives of the people.
The key is to look to April of 2020. In that election, incumbent Justice Dan Kelly will likely run for reelection. Kelly is one of the judicial conservatives on the court.The challenge for Kelly is that the presidential primary will be on the same ballot. President Donald Trump is unlikely to face a serious primary challenger, so Republican turnout will be light. Meanwhile, the Democratic primary for president portends to be hotly contested, so Democratic turnout will likely be massive. That does not bode well for a conservative judicial candidate on the ballot. Kelly faces a steep uphill climb that has nothing to do with him, and everything to do with the rest of the ballot.
If Wisconsin’s voters replace Abrahamson with another judicial liberal and retain a 4-3 judicial conservative majority, it is exceedingly likely that the election of April 2020 will flip the court to a judicial liberal majority. If that happens, liberals will sue to overturn every conservative law passed in the previous decade and have the Supreme Court on their side. They cannot turn back the clock through the representative democratic process, so they will turn to the courts instead. Act 10, concealed carry, school choice, the repeal of prevailing wage, the Wisconsin REINS Act, voter ID, right to work, castle doctrine — all of it is at risk if judicial liberals gain control of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court.
That is why Wisconsin must elect a judicial conservative to the Supreme Court this April. That judicial conservative is Appeals Court Judge Brian Hagedorn.
The plaintiffs include Service Employees International Union, Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality Workers, American Federation of Teachers and Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals. Nine individual plaintiffs also are listed, including state Sen. Janet Bewley, D-Mason.
The suit contends the laws violate the state constitution by stripping powers from the executive branch. It asks a judge to bar state officials from implementing or enforcing the challenged provisions.
The laws are “a clear attempt by one branch, the Legislature, upset by an electoral outcome affecting another branch, to undo the separation of powers” in the constitution, according to the complaint.
The 26-year-old is also quoted in the interview as saying he was expelled from school in Atlanta aged about 12 or 13 for taking a gun to class.
“His whole public persona is false,” a CNN reporter quoted an ICE spokesman as saying.
Other reports quoted ICE as saying the rapper was being held in the state of Georgia for being unlawfully present in the US and for being a felon. He was convicted of drugs charges in 2014.
[…]
There are 10.6 million undocumented immigrants in the US, according to the Center for Migration Studies. That represents 3.25% of the US population.
While I support and pray for the opposition in Venezuela to succeed in casting off the yoke of oppression, I oppose direct military intervention by the U.S. Supplies, logistical support, aid… yes. Military on the ground… no.
Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump said that the use of US military force in Venezuela is still on the table amid its ongoing political crisis and that he turned down a meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro several months ago.
The President’s comments came in an interview taped Friday with CBS’s Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation” in which he also declined to say what would cause him to use the military in Venezuela, noting only that “it’s an option” for his administration.
When Brennan asked Trump what would make him use military force in the country and what the national security interest for such action would be, he said, “Well, I don’t want to say that, but certainly it’s something that on the — it’s an option,” according to the transcript of the interview.
“On Friday January 18, 2019 you were on duty and on break at a local restaurant. During your meal break, the waitress came to your table; she was noticeably upset.
You learned in the middle of bringing your meal to the table, the waitress was stopped by an individual she had hired to make a cake for a 1-year-old family member’s birthday party. The individual had come to the restaurant and told the waitress that she could no longer make the cake, returned the money and abruptly left. The birthday party was scheduled for the following day. You inquired how long ago the waitress had hired this person to make the cake. She replied, “Several weeks ago”. As a suggestion you recommended she call a local store to see if they could make a cake in time for upcoming birthday party.
The waitress was clearly upset and relayed to you that she did not know what she was going to do. She had to work two shifts that day, and did not have time to go get a cake or bake one.
Just prior to leaving, you called the waitress over to the table and asked how many people she needed the cake for, and what kind she wanted. You then told the waitress that you would go after work and get a cake for her. You also determined how many people the cake was for, what kind she wanted, and the child’s name to put on the cake. You even asked about what kind of decoration to put on the cake. The waitress explained that the child really likes “Cookie Monster”, but that any cake would be great.
Apparently you were not able to find a “Cookie Monster” themed cake, so in addition to the cake you purchased a stuffed cookie and had the bakery place frosting on it to try and resemble “Cookie Monster”. A supervisor approached you to tell you that you did a really nice thing for the waitress. Your response was that you, “Did not have anything going on after work and that it’s what we do, we help people.”
These simple acts of kindness have a lasting impression on the individuals we serve. On behalf of the Sheriff’s Office, I want to personally thank you for your dedication and compassion to the citizens of Washington County.”
MEXICO CITY — Thousands of U.S.-bound Central American migrants resumed their northern journey on Thursday, Mexico City officials said, part of a growing group of would-be asylum seekers who say they are fleeing violence and poverty back home.
Around 2,400 migrants left a city shelter to begin the journey from the Mexican capital early Thursday morning, the latest caravan to embark upon the risky path to the U.S.-Mexican border despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s determination to prevent them from entering.
Since last October, thousands of mostly Central American migrants have sought to cross into the United States, many traveling in caravans in order to minimize the risks of kidnapping and attacks by members of criminal gangs while in Mexican territory.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam appears to have almost no choice but to resign after losing support from virtually the entire state Democratic party and other key allies, who late Friday urged the governor to leave office because of a racist photo in which he appeared more than 30 years ago.
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The yearbook images were first published Friday afternoon by the conservative news outlet Big League Politics. The Virginian-Pilot later obtained a copy from Eastern Virginia Medical School, which Northam attended. The photo shows two people looking at the camera — one in blackface wearing a hat, bow tie and plaid pants; the other in a full Ku Klux Klan robe.
An Associated Press reporter saw the yearbook page and confirmed its authenticity at the medical school.
In his first apology, issued in a written statement, Northam called the costume he wore “clearly racist and offensive,” but he didn’t say which one he had worn.
