Wisconsin’s Minority Teacher Loan Program target of new lawsuit (UNDATED)
Wisconsin’s Minority Teacher Loan Program is the target of a new lawsuit. Wisconsin Public Radio reports that conservative legal group Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty argues the state-funded program unlawfully excludes non-minority students. The program provides up to $30,000 in loan forgiveness based on race. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Citizens Defending Liberty, comes after a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling striking down minority-focused college grants. Supporters of the teacher loan program say it helps address the lack of diversity in classrooms, with research showing students often benefit from having teachers who share their background. The state has set aside nearly $260,000 for the program this school year.
Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear arguments over state congressional maps (UNDATED)
The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear arguments this week on the state’s congressional maps. Two lawsuits claim the state’s congressional districts are illegally gerrymandered. Liberal legal groups argue the maps are unfairly drawn and have helped Republicans maintain a 6-2 advantage in Wisconsin’s U.S. House delegation. One lawsuit claims the maps amount to partisan gerrymandering, while another argues they’re designed to protect incumbents and reduce electoral competition. Republican lawmakers and congressional representatives oppose the challenges and say lower court panels were right to dismiss them. For now, the Supreme Court is only deciding whether those dismissals should stand.
State board suspends Kenosha County DA’s law license (MADISON)
Kenosha County’s district attorney has lost his law license. The state Office of Lawyer Regulation announced Monday it has suspended D A Xavier Solis’ license. The memo states Solis willfully failed “to cooperate with one or more OLR investigations into alleged misconduct.” There’s no explanation as to who was being investigated or why in the memo. The suspension could force Solis to step down as D A, since Wisconsin law requires district attorneys to carry a license to hold their position.
Green Bay announces new policy for license plate camera data (GREEN BAY)
Green Bay Police Department released a new policy on how officers can use Automated License Plate Reader technology policy. Green Bay Police Chief Chris Davis says this will increase privacy protection and includes stricter requirements for searches. Additionally there is a reduced data retention period from 30 days to 7 days, limited data sharing with outside law enforcement agencies, expanded public reporting and more. Green Bay uses both Flock Safety and Axon cameras and the new policy will apply to both systems.