January 27, 2012

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Racine Co. Sheriff downplays impact of concealed carry

June 28, 2011 By

Local law enforcement agencies around Wisconsin have a lot of unanswered questions about a bill legalizing concealed carry. However, at least one sheriff does not expect much risk to public safety once it’s signed into law by the governor.

Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling says he has nothing to fear about law abiding citizens carrying a concealed gun, since the bill does require a permit, background check, and training. Schmaling says that will prevent the average citizen from just “strapping a weapon on their hip” without really knowing what kind of gun they have. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Legislature Tagged With:

Dueling sing-a-longs in the Capital City

June 27, 2011 By

Three to four dozen Walker supporters sing in the Capitol (PHOTO: Jackie Johnson)

A different sound coming from the Capitol Rotunda Monday at noon, as a group of conservatives displace the regular pro-union lunch time singers. Blogger David Blaska got a permit from the Capitol Police specifically for his one-time, pro-Walker sing-a-long in the Rotunda. “We want to be completely legal because the fact of the matter is this is everyone’s Capitol, not just theirs … we just wanted to make use of it for one half hour.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous, Politics & Government

GAB bumps Nygren from recall

June 27, 2011 By

There will be no primary in the state Senate recall race targeting Democratic Senator Dave Hansen of Green Bay. The Government Accountability Board eliminated Republican Representative John Nygren from the race Monday. Nygren, of Marinette, submitted 424 signatures to get on the ballot but 26 were thrown out after a challenge, leaving him two short of the required 400. That means the general election will be held July 19th between Hansen and recall organizer David VanderLeest. Hansen says it will be a quick campaign, but he’s ready for it. “I had hoped that all the elections would have happened in July,” said Hansen. “Prolonging to August, I don’t think was a good thing.”

Vanderleest thinks avoiding the primary works in his favor too. “This is absolutely perfect for our campaign. The internal polling that we’ve conducted shows that we’re ten points up if the election were to happen tomorrow, and I think that’s a heck of a mountain for Senator Hansen to climb in three short weeks,” said VanderLeest. In a statement, Nygren said he’s disheartened by the GAB decision and he is weighing his legal options.

Rick Schuh, WHBY

Filed Under: Legislature, Politics & Government

Restoration at the Capitol

June 27, 2011 By

Buffing limestone PHOTO: WRN

Some damage at the Capitol requires expert care. A couple of spots on the interior limestone of the state Capitol have been buffed out and refinished after being defaced during the budget unrest. Ron Blair, a building manager with the state Department of Administration, pointed out an already repaired area of interior wall. “This is where they put some vulgarities about the governor or someone else,” he said of the spot which was defaced back in February. “Within a half an hour, somebody from one of the organizations cleaned it themselves.” But the cleaner used, likely vinegar or something containing vinegar, etched the limestone. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Human Interest, Politics & Government

Alleged Supreme Court attack prompts investigations

June 27, 2011 By

Investigations are underway into an alleged physical confrontation between two state Supreme Court Justices. They’re based on claims that Supreme Court Justice David Prosser put Justice Ann Walsh Bradley in a chokehold during a confrontation in her office.

The incident allegedly took place on the evening of June 13th in front of other Justices, as they met to discuss a court opinion on the Governor’s controversial collective bargaining law. That opinion was released the day after and invalidated a lower court ruling that had blocked the law from taking effect. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts
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