Candidates for governor are being asked about where they stand on AI data centers (UNDATED)
As they campaign around Wisconsin, candidates for governor are giving voters an idea of where they stand on the hot button issue of AI data centers. Republican congressman Tom Tiffany says the taxpayers of Wisconsin should not be subsidizing data centers nor should utilities raise residential or business rates to install new facilities. Democrat Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley says local governments need to have the power to put guard rails in place on construction, and that any data center needs to pay its full taxes and not get handouts during construction. Numerous local governments are considering or have adopted moratoriums on data center developments. Neither Crowley or Tiffany has specifically committed to enacting a statewide moratorium.
Healthcare experts voice concerns with new federal vaccine recommendations (UNDATED)
Doctors are raising concerns about new childhood vaccine recommendations from the Trump administration. UW Health Immunization Program Medical Director Dr. Jim Conway says the changes could create confusion for parents heading into the school year and add to declining trust in public health. He says families should rely on healthcare providers and established medical organizations for vaccine information, rather than social media. Last week, President Trump signed an executive order recommending the M-M-R vaccine be given as three separate shots.
Bonus antlerless deer tags now for sale (UNDATED)
Bonus antlerless deer tags are on sale for the fall hunt in Wisconsin. Tags are available through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Go Wild system. Sales are staggered by management zone during the first three days, with all remaining authorizations available statewide beginning August 20th. Hunters logging into Go Wild will be randomly assigned a place in a virtual queue. Hunters should know their deer management unit and whether they’ll hunt on public or private land before purchasing. Bonus tags cost $12 for residents and are available until sold out.
Grothman joins California Democrat on PERM Backlog Reduction Act (UNDATED)
A bipartisan US House bill could address an immigration status backlog. Eastern Wisconsin Congressman Glenn Grothman and California’s Lou Correa have introduced the PERM Backlog Reduction Act, which they say will reduce costly delays in the Department of Labor’s Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) system. Employers use the PERM system to obtain permanent labor certifications required for certain permanent employment-based immigration petitions. Rep. Grothman explained, “The PERM Backlog Reduction Act provides employers with an optional, self-funded way to receive timely decisions while giving the Department of Labor the resources it needs to reduce backlogs and modernize the system.” More details on the PERM Backlog Reduction Act can be found at Grothman dot House dot gov.
More people are losing more money to AI scams, says BBB (UNDATED)
Watch out for fake AI images and videos online. Lisa Schiller with the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin says criminals are increasingly using AI technology to confuse victims. Scammers have been using AI to mimic loved ones over the phone to creating entirely phony products online and even selling fake timeshares to people. The number of scams reported to the BBB jumped by 238 compared to last year, with victims losing on average over 55-hundred dollars. Schiller says, as always, keep a skeptical mind when people start asking you for money over the phone or social media.
Owners of Sun Badger Solar face theft charges (MADISON)
The owners of a Wisconsin solar panel installation company face theft charges. Trevor Sumner and Kristopher Sipe appeared in Dane County Thursday on felony theft by contractor charges. The pair founded Sun Badger Solar – which received over 146 complaints to Wisconsin Consumer Protection before it closed abruptly in 2023 without completing scheduled installations. The two are also accused of embezzling company funds to pay for personal credit cards, luxury items and other purchases. Both men entered not guilty pleas to the charges.
Woman accused of stealing day care van with kids inside takes plea deal (MILWAUKEE)
A woman accused of stealing a Milwaukee day care van with kids inside of it takes a plea deal. 28-year-old Katelyn Librizzi pleaded guilty in July to taking a vehicle without consent. Child abduction charges were dropped as part of the deal with prosecutors. Police say Librizzi jumped into the parked van and drove off with the kids inside. The day care owner called police who were able to track down the van via the owner’s phone which was still inside. A judge sentenced Librizzi to 18 months’ probation, with a year in jail if she violates the order.
Republican state senate candidate accused of voting in two states (UNDATED)
More questions have emerged about a state Senate candidate in western Wisconsin. Voting records show Michele Magadance Skinner has voted in both Wisconsin and Georgia in recent years. She’s a Republican Eau Claire County supervisor who is challenging incumbent Democrat Jeff Smith in the 31st state Senate District. The State Journal reports online voting records showed Skinner voted absentee in Wisconsin in the November 2020 election and 2 weeks later, she registered to vote in Georgia using her family’s lake house as her address and voted in a high stakes federal run off election for US Senate in Georgia in January of 2021. Skinner last year also reportedly claimed primary residence in both Wisconsin and Georgia.
Data center proposal continues to draw heat in Wisconsin Rapids (WISCONSIN RAPIDS)
Data center debate continues in Wisconsin Rapids where Mayor Matt Zacher (zacker) says city staff are working on a 12-month moratorium on new developments. However that won’t stop an application from PNK Industries for a 150 megawatt hyperscale data center. “We don’t want the city getting sued if at all possible, so we have to figure out the best way forward.” Zacher says he’s trying to be as front-facing as possible through his weekly chats at the city library, which have at times turned heated. The La Crosse City council last week approved a temporary block on any data centers entering the community, joining a growing list of local governments hitting the pause button. AI data center developments also look to be a major issue in the race for governor.