Vos requests increased security for Wednesday floor session (MADISON)
At the Capitol, a request for increased security ahead of a scheduled floor session this week. A spokesman for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos confirmed Monday that increased security presence has been requested prior to Wednesday’s Assembly floor session. That follows the weekend assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband and the wounding of a second lawmaker and his wife, all at their residences. Unlike the majority of state Capitol buildings and many county courthouses in Wisconsin, visitors to the Capitol in Madison can enter through numerous doors and are not subject to metal detectors or security searches. Security is provided by officers with the Capitol Police.
Kaul: opioid settlement moving forward (UNDATED)
A nationwide opioid settlement is moving forward. Attorneys general from all 54 U.S. states and territories have reached a sweeping, multibillion-dollar settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family over marketing and distribution of opioids, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announced Monday. The $7.4 billion agreement with the makers of oxycontin has not been finalized, and Kaul said the next step in the process is that local governments will be asked to join the settlement contingent on bankruptcy court proceedings. Under this settlement, Wisconsin’s state and local governments would receive as much as $80 million over the next 15 years.
Baldwin among multiple Wisconsin lawmakers on Minnesota shooter’s list (UNDATED
Wisconsin U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin was included in a list of names found in the vehicle of a man accused in the shooting of Minnesota lawmakers. Baldwin’s office has confirmed that law enforcement informed the Senator that her name was on the list. Vance Boelter is accused of posing as a police officer and killing Democratic Minnesota state Representative and former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and shooting and injuring Democratic state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. Democrats U.S. Congressman Mark Pocan and State Senator Kelda Roys have also confirmed they were on the list.
Second audit shows continued systemic issues at Milwaukee Public Schools (MILWAUKEE)
A newly released audit of Milwaukee Public Schools shows a systemic staffing and management breakdown. The audit is the second of two commissioned by Governor Evers’ office a year ago. It found that M P S is understaffed in key locations and grades, has been disrupted by repeated relocations due to lead remediation in district buildings, and that teachers report not receiving the support they need from administrators and their principals. A majority of teachers told auditors that they spend too much time disciplining students and not enough actually teaching. The 52-page audit report released by MGT of America Consulting includes 40 recommendations for MPS to improve. Auditors said new MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius has met with them and is in the process of making strategic plans to implement recommendations.
WEC sends out inactive voter notices (UNDATED)
The Wisconsin elections commission is checking up on Wisconsinites who haven’t voted in several years. 200-thousand notices were sent out to the address of voters who have not cast a ballot in the past four years.That’s so W E C can find out if those voters still live there, and if they are still interested in voting. If you get one of these letters, you have 30 days to respond before you are taken from the active voter rolls. A reminder that Wisconsin voters can always register at the poll, so if you do end up voting again, that option exists.
Man dies from fall off a silo in Jefferson County (LAKE MILLS)
The fall death of a farm worker in southern Wisconsin is being investigated. It happened Friday near Lake Mills in Jefferson County. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that according to the Jefferson County Sherriff’s office, a 70-year-old man was roughly 50 feet up on the outside of a silo to open a door to allow feed to be removed. Investigators say what happened wasn’t witnessed, but it was clear the man had fallen at some point. Other farm employees found him on the ground and life-saving measures were attempted but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim’s name hadn’t been released as of Monday.