Supervisors oppose BECI transmission line (JANESVILLE)
Rock County supervisors oppose a controversial transmission line project. The proposed BECI high-voltage transmission line would cut through the county. Thursday night the Rock County Board approved a resolution in opposition to the project. Critics say the design of the transmission line would create more obstacles in farm fields by adding ground anchors and tension wires, which farmers would have to maneuver around, increasing the risk of collisions. The line would also run through northeastern Dane County. Last month, the Dane County Board passed a resolution requesting an extended review of the project.
Three finalists named to lead Universities of Wisconsin (MADISON)
Finalists are announced to lead the Universities of Wisconsin. The Presidential Search Committee has named three finalists for UW System President. None have previous ties to UW or Wisconsin. Dr. Steven Gareth Holley is executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer at the University of Mississippi. Dr. Tonjanita L. Johnson is senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at the University of Alabama System. Dr. Bernard J. Savarese is vice president for academic affairs, research, and student success at the University of Tennessee System. Public forums in person and via Zoom are scheduled for this coming Monday at UW-Parkside in Kenosha and Tuesday at UW-Madison. The public can also submit feedback to the search committee at https://www.wisconsin.edu/about/
Guilty verdict in 2024 homicide (SUPERIOR)
A guilty verdict in a Superior homicide. The Superior Telegram reports Douglas County Court jurors on Thursday found 32-year-old Aaron Donald Johnson guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and related charges in the death of 41-year-old Derek Walczak just over two years ago. Johnson claimed he was acting in self-defense when he emptied his handgun after breaking into a garage and fighting with Walczak, who he shot at least 13 times. Key testimony came from Cody Berg, who was ending a relationship with Johnson and was in the garage with Walczak the night of October 6, 2024. Superior Police officers responding to a 911 call from Walczak arrived to hear the fatal shots being fired. Sentencing for Johnson is scheduled for January 20th.
Rhodes-Conway will not seek third term (MADISON)
Madison’s mayor will not seek a third term. First elected in 2019, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced in July that she would run for a third term. But in an emailed statement Friday, she cited “credible threats” to her safety and personal attacks on her character in her decision to reverse course. She calls her time leading Wisconsin’s second largest city a “tremendous honor,” but Rhodes-Conway says she “did not expect the level of threats to myself, council members, my staff, and my family,” and said she’s been subjected to “implicit and explicit sexism.” Her departure follows a contentious city council meeting in which Interim Independent Police Monitor Aeiramique (arrow-meek) Glass was fired and leaves a still crowded field with eight announced candidates.