Baylor Spears
@bspears.bsky.social
📤 573
📥 348
📝 119
Reporter @WIExaminer || medill alum || tennessean || she/her || ✉️
[email protected]
reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
3 days ago
The Wisconsin Examiner will be publishing a series of profiles of candidates in this year's primary and general elections.
@bspears.bsky.social
is up first with a look at Mandela Barnes, running two years after his near-miss Senate race.
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Barnes leans on statewide experience to make case for Democratic nomination • Wisconsin Examiner
At a forum hosted by the Madison West High School civics club, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes told students that he would be the strongest Democratic candidate for governor because of his previous…
https://buff.ly/umMmvGm
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
4 days ago
Some high-profile election hopefuls fall short of ballot requirements
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/06/03/m...
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Some high-profile election hopefuls fall short of ballot requirements • Wisconsin Examiner
Hundreds of candidates filed signatures with the Wisconsin Elections Commission this week to get on the ballot for this year's elections.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/06/03/more-than-300-candidates-file-to-run-for-office-with-some-high-profile-mia/
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
6 days ago
State Rep. Francesca Hong, one of the leaders in the Democratic primary for governor, was sued last week by Capital One Bank over nearly $30,000 in credit card debt her campaign says has since been paid in full,
@henry-redman.bsky.social
reports.
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/06/02/c...
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Credit card company sues Hong for $30k in since paid debt • Wisconsin Examiner
State Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison), a leader in the Democratic primary for governor, was sued last week for nearly $30k in credit card debt
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/06/02/credit-card-company-sues-hong-for-30k-in-since-paid-debt/
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hi folks, i'm back from vacay, back to the leg and election season
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12 days ago
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I'm out of state the rest of this week for my sister's graduation, so really thankful
@henry-redman.bsky.social
could stay late at the Capitol to follow this wild day.
add a skeleton here at some point
25 days ago
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
28 days ago
Gov. Evers, Wisconsin GOP leaders announce $1.8B tax relief and school funding deal via
@bspears.bsky.social
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/05/11/g...
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Gov. Tony Evers and GOP announce $1.8 billion tax relief and school funding deal • Wisconsin Examiner
The $1.8 billion deal announced Monday to would provide funding to schools for general aid and special education and provide tax relief.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/05/11/gov-tony-evers-and-gop-announce-1-8-billion-tax-relief-and-school-funding-deal/
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Story to come via
@wisconsinexaminer.com
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28 days ago
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Evers in Barneveld this morning. He'll talk with reporters soon about the $1.8 billion tax/school funding deal reached w/ GOP lawmakers It includes $300 million for school aids, $300 million to reach a 50% special ed reimbursement, $300 tax refunds for individuals, no tax on tips/overtime
28 days ago
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Madison May Day march is making its way to the Wisconsin State Capitol.
@wisconsinexaminer.com
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about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
about 2 months ago
A GOP-led committee that fancies itself as a state version of DOGE is scrutinizing the Department of Public Instruction's conference a couple of years ago. Democrats aren't impressed.
@bspears.bsky.social
has the details.
buff.ly/OMYECRi
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Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction argues it didn’t violate law with waterpark meeting • Wisconsin Examiner
Andrew Hoyer-Booth, DPI legislative liaison, told lawmakers at the start of the hearing that it’s a “distraction” from DPI’s work.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/04/16/wisconsin-department-of-public-instruction-argues-it-didnt-violate-law-with-waterpark-meeting/
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
about 2 months ago
Senate Democrats lay out affordability agenda, criticize GOP for suspending special session.
@bspears.bsky.social
has the story.
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Senate Democrats lay out affordability agenda, criticize GOP for suspending special session • Wisconsin Examiner
Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein said her caucus is committed to working to improve affordability in the next legislative session.
https://buff.ly/lIpW1CP
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And more GOP retirements this week
wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/gop-s...
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GOP Sen. Jesse James drops challenge against Democratic Sen. Jeff Smith • Wisconsin Examiner
Sen. Jesse James is the the fifth Senate Republican to announce his retirement from office in 2024. Rep. Scott Allen is also retiring.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/gop-sen-jesse-james-drops-challenge-against-democratic-sen-jeff-smith/
about 2 months ago
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in case you missed it, yesterday's special session on gerrymandering was left open by GOP lawmakers
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/04/15/l...
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Lawmakers leave conversations with Evers on gerrymandering, tax relief, school funding open • Wisconsin Examiner
GOP lawmakers left open a special session on gerrymandering Tuesday, saying they want to have further conversations with Evers.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/04/15/lawmakers-leave-conversations-with-evers-on-gerrymandering-tax-relief-school-funding-open/
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
about 2 months ago
ICYMI: Gov. Tony Evers signs sports betting, NIL and internet crimes bills into law, citing his belief in tribal sovreignty. But he also includes a rare signing statement that expresses reservations and says "the real work begins" now. Via
@bspears.bsky.social
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Gov. Tony Evers signs sports betting, NIL and internet crimes bills into law • Wisconsin Examiner
“This legislation is the beginning of a conversation, not the end of one,” Gov. Tony Evers said about the sports betting bill.
https://buff.ly/JgaqE7z
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Erika Colón, president of the Milwaukee Chapter of the Hispanic Nurses Association, said she knows at least two nurses who could come back to Wisconsin bc of the law: “This will be able to bring two people back to the workforce here and to care for our communities that greatly need it."
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about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
about 2 months ago
Regents' Prez says Rothman "knows that it was ongoing situations that we had many discussions with him about.” The info led lawmakers to put off vote on firing the regents. Via
@bspears.bsky.social
buff.ly/rQr4qGm
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UW Regents tell lawmakers about dissatisfaction with president they fired • Wisconsin Examiner
Regent President Amy Bogost and Regent Timothy Nixon said President Jay Rothman had been told about the changes the regents wanted to see.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/04/10/uw-regents-tell-lawmakers-about-dissatisfaction-with-president-they-fired/
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Election day again Wisconsin!
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2 months ago
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
2 months ago
UW regents meet today to talk about ousting President Jay Rothman. Evers and state lawmakers react to their recent action putting him on notice that he could quit or be fired. Via
@bspears.bsky.social
buff.ly/P6IvSNd
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UW Board of Regents to meet Tuesday to consider terminating Jay Rothman • Wisconsin Examiner
Gov. Tony Evers, who previously sat on the Board, did not take a position Monday morning on whether Rothman should be ousted.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/evers-and-state-lawmakers-react-to-uw-regents-effort-to-oust-president-jay-rothman/
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UW Board of Regents to meet Tuesday to consider terminating Jay Rothman
wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/evers...
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UW Board of Regents to meet Tuesday to consider terminating Jay Rothman • Wisconsin Examiner
Gov. Tony Evers, who previously sat on the Board, did not take a position Monday morning on whether Rothman should be ousted.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/evers-and-state-lawmakers-react-to-uw-regents-effort-to-oust-president-jay-rothman/
2 months ago
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
2 months ago
UW President Jay Rothman says Regents told him to resign or be fired without clear reasons. Via
@bspears.bsky.social
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/04/02/u...
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UW President Jay Rothman says Regents told him to resign or be fired without clear reasons • Wisconsin Examiner
Rothman is refusing to go as he says he has not been given any clear reasons for the regents' loss of confidence in him.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/04/02/uw-president-jay-rothman-says-regents-told-him-to-resign-or-be-fired-without-clear-reasons/
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
2 months ago
ICYMI: UW President Jay Rothman says Regents told him to resign or be fired without clear reasons.
@bspears.bsky.social
has the backstory.
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UW President Jay Rothman says Regents told him to resign or be fired without clear reasons • Wisconsin Examiner
Rothman is refusing to go as he says he has not been given any clear reasons for the regents' loss of confidence in him.
https://buff.ly/nIeR3w1
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In case anyone is curious at all about what's happening on X, Azaelia Banks is currently recommending Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the GOP candidate for guv, run for president
2 months ago
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
2 months ago
Gov. Tony Evers vetoes Wisconsin's participation in a new federal school choice tax credit program via
@bspears.bsky.social
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/30/g...
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Gov. Tony Evers vetoes Wisconsin participation in federal school choice tax credit program • Wisconsin Examiner
AB 602 directed Evers to have Wisconsin to join the federal school choice tax credit program, but he expressed several concerns.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/30/gov-tony-evers-vetoes-wisconsin-participation-in-federal-school-choice-tax-credit-program/
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Lots of American flags out today at Madison's protests, including some upside down ones, a sign of distress.
2 months ago
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Madison protestors just started making their way to the state Capitol from Brittingham Park. "One, two, three, four, we don't want your bloody war! Five six seven eight stop the killings, stop the hate!"
2 months ago
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Henry Redman
2 months ago
I’m in Viroqua this morning covering today’s No Kings protest for
@wisconsinexaminer.com
from the closely watched 3rd Congressional District where a few hundred people have lined a high traffic intersection downtown
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I'm headed over to Brittingham Park to cover today's No Kings protest in Madison for
@wisconsinexaminer.com
. Before that though, over on X, Wisconsin Republicans are trying to use the day as an opportunity to criticize Gov. Evers and his use of the state's partial veto power.
2 months ago
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
3 months ago
Milwaukee senators call for traffic cameras to deter reckless driving, prevent deaths and injuries. Via
@bspears.bsky.social
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Milwaukee senators call for traffic cameras to deter reckless driving, prevent deaths and injuries • Wisconsin Examiner
Milwaukee lawmakers advocated Monday for a measure that allowing the city to use cameras to catch speeders and other traffic law violators.
https://buff.ly/WkNgFhu
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
3 months ago
ICYMI: via
@bspears.bsky.social
Evers vetoes GOP efforts to limit rulemaking, prohibit rights of nature ordinances
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Evers vetoes GOP efforts to limit rulemaking, prohibit rights of nature ordinances • Wisconsin Examiner
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed Republican bills Friday that would have limited state agencies’ rulemaking abilities.
https://buff.ly/8hvmM46
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
3 months ago
Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu announces exit, joining other Republicans who won't seek reelection via
@bspears.bsky.social
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/19/w...
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Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu announces exit, joining other Republicans • Wisconsin Examiner
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu retirement marks the departure of yet another top leader in Wisconsin state politics.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/19/wisconsin-senate-majority-leader-devin-lemahieu-announces-exit-joining-other-republicans/
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
3 months ago
'Gail's Law' will now require additional breast cancer screening coverage for high-risk women in Wisconsin.
@bspears.bsky.social
covers the emotional bill signing
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/19/g...
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'Gail’s Law' will now require additional breast cancer screening coverage for high-risk women • Wisconsin Examiner
The law will require health insurance policies to provide coverage for additional screenings for women with dense breast tissue.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/19/gails-law-will-now-require-additional-breast-cancer-screening-coverage-for-high-risk-women/
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
3 months ago
The potential for Republicans to lose the Senate majority in the next election cycle cast a shadow over the Wisconsin State Senate’s last regular day of work.
@bspears.bsky.social
reports
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/18/w...
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With majority at stake this fall, WI Senate GOP’s divisions and departures mark last session day • Wisconsin Examiner
A top GOP Senate leader brought bills to a vote without a majority of support from his caucus and one GOP Senator announced his retirement.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/18/with-majority-at-stake-this-fall-wi-senate-gops-divisions-and-departures-mark-last-session-day/
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A retirement and GOP tensions over Senate Majority Leader LeMahieu bringing bills to the floor without 17 GOP votes marked the Senate's floor session Tuesday. Includes some outlooks on what could hurt GOP chances for keeping the Senate majority in fall
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/18/w...
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With majority at stake this fall, WI Senate GOP’s divisions and departures mark last session day • Wisconsin Examiner
A top GOP Senate leader brought bills to a vote without a majority of support from his caucus and one GOP Senator announced his retirement.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/18/with-majority-at-stake-this-fall-wi-senate-gops-divisions-and-departures-mark-last-session-day/
3 months ago
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Ruth Conniff
3 months ago
Want a break from bad news?
@bspears.bsky.social
covers this young activist's push for legislation ending animal cruelty in cosmetics testing
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/11/w...
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Wauwatosa middle school student leads charge for a state ban on animal tests for cosmetics • Wisconsin Examiner
“We need Wisconsin to be the 13th,” Wurzburger said at the press conference. “This is an issue that is very near and dear to my heart."
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/11/wauwatosa-middle-school-student-leads-charge-for-a-state-ban-on-animal-tests-for-cosmetics/
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Wauwatosa middle school student leads charge for a state ban on animal tests for cosmetics via
@wisconsinexaminer.com
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/11/w...
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Wauwatosa middle school student leads charge for a state ban on animal tests for cosmetics • Wisconsin Examiner
“We need Wisconsin to be the 13th,” Wurzburger said at the press conference. “This is an issue that is very near and dear to my heart."
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/11/wauwatosa-middle-school-student-leads-charge-for-a-state-ban-on-animal-tests-for-cosmetics/
3 months ago
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Baylor Spears
Brian Lyman
3 months ago
My column from Monday. Alabama plans to execute a wheelchair-bound, 75-year-old man who did not kill anyone. There is no reason to do so except a cruel and pig-headed insistence on process, one that a daughter of the victim opposes. It’s another example of the injustice of the death penalty.
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Alabama provides the greatest arguments against the death penalty | Alabama Reflector
The state wants to execute a 75-year-old man for being present at a murder he did not commit. It's not justice. It's bloodlust.
https://alabamareflector.com/2026/02/23/alabama-provides-the-greatest-arguments-against-the-death-penalty/
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
4 months ago
Assembly fights over 400-year veto, school funding and protecting children online via
@bspears.bsky.social
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/02/20/a...
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Assembly fights over 400-year veto, school funding and protecting children online • Wisconsin Examiner
Lawmakers passed proposals that were introduced in reaction to the 400-year veto and to implement a "bell-to-bell" ban on phones in school.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/02/20/assembly-fights-over-400-year-veto-school-funding-and-protecting-children-online/
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
4 months ago
Wisconsin Assembly passes bill to ban soda and candy from SNAP and fund positions to keep error rate low via
@bspears.bsky.social
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/02/20/a...
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Assembly passes bill to ban soda and candy from SNAP and fund positions to keep error rate low • Wisconsin Examiner
An amendment included about $69 million and 70 positions for the agency to help ensure quality control of SNAP and keep the error rate low.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/02/20/assembly-passes-bill-to-ban-soda-and-candy-from-snap-and-fund-positions-to-keep-error-rate-low/
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Another ICYMI: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is retiring.
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/02/19/a...
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Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Wisconsin’s longest serving speaker, announces retirement • Wisconsin Examiner
Vos, Wisconsin’s 75th Assembly speaker, announced his retirement ahead of Assembly lawmakers’ last floor session scheduled for this session.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/02/19/assembly-speaker-robin-vos-wisconsins-longest-serving-speaker-announces-retirement/
4 months ago
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ICYMI: The Assembly voted yesterday to send Gov. Tony Evers a bill to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to a year and a bill to expand health care coverage for screenings for women with dense breast tissue, which puts women at a higher risk of breast cancer.
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/02/19/w...
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Wisconsin close to being the 49th state to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to a year • Wisconsin Examiner
The bills already passed the Senate in nearly unanimous votes, and the Assembly's concurring votes will send them to Gov. Tony Evers.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/02/19/wisconsin-close-to-being-the-49th-state-to-extend-postpartum-medicaid-coverage-to-a-year/
4 months ago
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Vos said a heart attack in November pushed him towards retirement. “My service in this chamber will end when the new class of freshmen are sworn in,” he said. “I’ve been so honored to serve with all of you in this chamber." Story here:
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/02/19/a...
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4 months ago
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Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who has held the position for the longest amount of time in Wisconsin's history, announcing that he will not be seeking reelection this year.
4 months ago
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Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who has long held up these bills, declined to comment on why he changed his mind. GOP authors happy the bills are getting done, saying personal stories helped change minds, but angry at Democrats who pushed for a vote. Story here:
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/02/19/v...
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4 months ago
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Rep. Todd Novak and a handful of other Republican lawmakers announcing that a bill to extend postpartum coverage to a year and a bill to cover cancer screenings for women with dense breast tissue will receive a vote in the state Assembly on Thursday.
4 months ago
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No action would likely leave decisions about the budget surplus until after the November elections when the makeup of the next Legislature could look quite different with control up for grabs and the next governor could be either a Republican or a Democrat and will be new to the office.
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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reposted by
Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
4 months ago
Evers and legislators negotiate property tax relief; Assembly passes WisconsinEye bill. Via
@bspears.bsky.social
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Evers and legislators negotiate property tax relief; Assembly passes WisconsinEye bill • Wisconsin Examiner
Vos said lawmakers intended to announce a property tax relief package last week, but delayed due to discussions with Evers.
https://buff.ly/ubm3LBm
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Baylor Spears
Minnesota Reformer
4 months ago
The ongoing immigration surge has created a climate of fear — not just for the criminals and undocumented immigrants they claim to be targeting — but for ordinary families trying to maintain the routines and normalcy of childhood.
minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/10/t...
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The kids are not alright — ICE threatens children's short-term health, long-term prospects • Minnesota Reformer
The long-term impacts extend beyond academic outcomes.
https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/10/the-kids-are-not-alright-ice-threatens-childrens-short-term-health-long-term-prospects/
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Baylor Spears
Wisconsin Examiner
4 months ago
Scoop from
@henry-redman.bsky.social
, who has been in Western Wisconsin & Minneapolis all week: Twin Cities ICE presence extends into Wisconsin
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/02/06/t...
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Twin Cities ICE presence extends into Wisconsin • Wisconsin Examiner
ICE agents involved in the agency's surge into Minnesota have regularly crossed the border into nearby western Wisconsin communities.
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/02/06/twin-cities-ice-presence-extends-into-wisconsin/
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Baylor Spears
ProPublica
4 months ago
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken. Hundreds of kids are still detained. We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
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Baylor Spears
Henry Redman
4 months ago
The Whipple Federal Building is still drawing protesters, read more about it in my report from the Twin Cities, where I've been all week helping out with the
@minnesotareformer.com
minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/04/e...
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Every day, day after day, protesters gather at the Whipple Building • Minnesota Reformer
It’s become a safe place for new people to come express their frustration with the federal presence, demonstrators say.
https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/04/every-day-day-after-day-protesters-gather-at-the-whipple-building/
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