Wisconsin Elections Commission see no signs of federal interference in upcoming election (UNDATED)
The Wisconsin Elections Commission is pushing back on concerns about possible federal interference in next month’s election. Administrator Meagan Wolfe says state and federal laws prohibit voter intimidation, and there have been no indications of anything outside normal election procedures. Wolfe says Wisconsin is accustomed to election observers because of its battleground state status, and local clerks are trained to protect voters’ rights while managing outside observers. She says polling places are prepared for unexpected situations and no unusual problems are expected on Election Day.
Wisconsin investing in advanced technology workforce training (UNDATED)
Wisconsin is investing in advanced technology workforce training. Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Workforce Development are awarding $6.6 million in grants to 84 Wisconsin employers through the new WisTRAIN program. The funding will help train more than 3,800 workers in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and other high-demand skills. Employers receiving grants include manufacturers in Dane, Milwaukee, Fond du Lac, and Marathon counties, along with a consortium of Tribal-owned construction companies.
Communities rally at Capitol to oppose major power line project (MADISON)
Leaders from communities across southern Wisconsin rallied at the Capitol on Tuesday in opposition to proposed high capacity transmission lines. Viroqua (VER-oh-kwa) mayor Krista Browne says the MariBell and BECI lines are a threat to the landscape. Viroqua is one of 69 communities that have passed measures opposing the project. Dairyland Cooperative, one of the groups behind the proposed lines, says people should participate in any formal application process once they petition the Public Service Commission.
DNR letter to Enbridge alleges violations on Line 5 project (MADISON)
The Wisconsin DNR notifies Enbridge of alleged violations on its line 5 reroute. The DNR on Tuesday issued a formal notice of violation in a letter to Enbridge concerning its project to construct a new 41-mile stretch of pipeline in Ashland and Iron counties. The letter alleges violations from March 30 through September 21 including an August 25 gas leak in the Town of Saxon that released over 1.3 million gallons of natural gas liquids into the air. The agency’s environmental enforcement specialist wrote that Enbridge “caused significant air pollution and did not use good operating practices nor take reasonable precautions to prevent the release from occurring.” In a statement, Enbridge spokesperson Juli Kellner said the company is reviewing the notice of alleged violation and has worked closely with the DNR through the permitting process and construction project as well as the response to the line strike incident near Saxon.
Former Madison priest convicted on charges related to child sex crimes (WAUPACA)
A former Madison priest is convicted on charges related to child sex crimes. Online Court records show 38-year-old Andrew Showers pleaded no contest in Waupaca County Court on Tuesday to attempted child enticement-exposing intimate parts, attempted second-degree sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography. A count of attempting to use a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and a second count of child pornography possession were dismissed but read in. Showers will be sentenced in January. According to the criminal complaint, Showers was arrested at a Clintonville park in August of 2025 after privately messaging an undercover police officer posing as a 14-year-old girl to meet and engage in sexual activities.
Five probable measles cases in Rock County (JANESVILLE)
Five probable measles cases in a Rock County family are unrelated to the ongoing outbreak in southwestern Wisconsin. Bethlehem Solomon is Public Health Supervisor for the Communicable Disease Unit at Rock County Public Health. She said there are no local public exposure locations that have been identified, and reiterated that the best way to prevent measles is the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine which is a very safe and a very effective vaccine. The number of cases reported in Wisconsin continues to climb and the Rock County cases would bring the total to 268.