Republican lawmakers argue for bill reversing DPI standards (MADISON)
At the Capitol, a Republican bill would reverse state Superintendent Jill Underly’s overhaul of how the Department of Public Instruction measures student achievement on state tests. Watertown Senator John Jagler co-authored the legislation and says we need to be expecting more out of our kids, not less. Deputy State Superintendent Tom McCarthy defended the changes, saying they were made with input from educators. The bill would reset state report card standards to levels set in 2019-20, align grades 3-8 with national standards, and restore high school testing standards to levels set in the 2021-22 school year.
Election observers rule receives committee hearing (MADISON)
A new rule for election observers in Wisconsin is awaiting action by lawmakers. The Wisconsin Elections Commission has drafted 12 pages of what observers may and may not do at polling places. Commission chair Ann Jacobs told the Assembly Elections Committee that there’s not a lot WEC can do if poll workers or voters have complaints regarding observers. But Republican legislative staffer and former state Representative Janel Brandtjen argued that the 60 day process to investigate complaints will take too long. Commissioner Don Millis, a Republican, told the Assembly Elections Committee that current state law is too vague, and could allow Republican observers to feel intimidated. Republican state Representative Paul Tittl of Manitowoc said the rule lacks any punishment for violations. Millis said WEC lacks authority to propose consequences, that’s up to lawmakers. Tittl drafted a bill doing that last session, but it was vetoed by Democratic Governor Tony Evers. The Committee can request changes to the rule or forward it to the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules.
Wisconsin couple sues Walgreens over son’s asthma death (APPLETON)
Shannon and William Schmidtknect’s 22-year-old son Cole died in January of last year. According to the lawsuit, their son stopped at a Walgreens pharmacy in Appleton and was told that the price of his inhaler had jumped from $66 to $539 out of pocket. He left the pharmacy without the medication and tried to manage his condition with a rescue inhaler. The lawsuit says he suffered a fatal asthma attack a few days later. The couple alleges Optum Rx violated Wisconsin law by raising the cost of the medication without a valid medical reason, and failed to notify their son so that he could talk to his doctor about alternatives.
Former coach to be sentenced for taking nude images of students (WISCONSIN RAPIDS)
A former coach at Assumption High School in Wisconsin Rapids will be sentenced Monday for taking naked images of students. Seth Milkey faces up to seventeen and a half years in prison after he pled guilty to five counts of capturing an intimate representation. Investigators say the images featured students that Milkey was coaching or mentoring, and were taken with a camera hidden in a clock in his bathroom. That camera was discovered by a family member last spring, and when Milkey was confronted with it he became defensive and threatened suicide, leading police to a welfare call and police investigation. The images were taken between 20-19 and 20-23, Milkey’s sentencing is scheduled for 11 AM. The Catholic Diocese of La Crosse, which oversees Assumption High School, released a statement after the charges came to light saying Milkey passed all background checks, and that staff members hosting students in their homes for mentoring or counseling sessions is a violation of policy.
Vehicles fall through crack in Lake Winnebago ice (OSHKOSH)
The Department of Natural Resources missing warnings to people spearing sturgeon on Lake Winnebago. Wardens say a major crack formed in the ice on Saturday, sending multiple vehicles into the water. You’re reminded that no ice is safe ice, especially in a season where multiple ATVs and snowmobiles have fallen through the ice across Wisconsin. Four people have already died on the Lake Winnebago system this year.
Man arrested after high speed chase through Madison suburbs (MONONA)
A Madison man is under arrest for weapon and gun charges after a high speed chase in Monona over the weekend. The 23-year-old man was arrested Saturday, following a chase through both Fitchburg and Monona. Officers tried to pull him over for having windows that were too tinted, but he fled and allegedly tossed items out the window as he drove. The man fled on foot after his vehicle was disabled, and was caught in a department store. Officers say he had a handgun, marijuana and dozens of counterfeit 100 dollar bills in his vehicle when he was arrested. He’s currently booked into the Dane County jail, awaiting an initial appearance.