Wednesday, 3.7
The state Republican Party files a complaint against Dane County Judge David Flanagan, arguing he should have disclosed that he'd signed a recall petition against Gov. Scott Walker before ruling on the state's new voter ID law, which Walker supported. Flanagan issued a temporary restraining order against the law the day before.
Thursday, 3.8
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Madison Mounted wants a separate Ride the Drive to allow horseback riders to enjoy Madison streets with no cars.
Friday, 3.9
Gov. Walker announces he has formed a legal fund to help pay expenses for the ongoing John Doe investigation that has ensnared some of his aides. He denies this is because he is being investigated.
Saturday, 3.10
Tens of thousands of protesters rally at the Capitol to mark the year anniversary of the passage of Gov. Walker's law that ended most rights of public workers to collectively bargain.
Sunday, 3.11
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne will allow DNA testing of evidence in the 1994 murder of 21-year-old Sarah Gonstead. The Wisconsin Innocence Project believes the tests could vindicate Penny Brummer, who was later convicted of the killing despite no physical evidence.
Monday, 3.12
Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess becomes the second judge to rule that the state's new voter ID law is unconstitutional. Niess also issues a permanent injunction. "Without question, where it exists, voter fraud corrupts elections and undermines our form of government," Niess writes. "But voter fraud is no more poisonous to our democracy than voter suppression. Indeed, they are two heads on the same monster."
Wednesday, 3.14
Early in the morning, the state Assembly approves a bill allowing hunting of wolves in Wisconsin. The bill could face a court challenge, however, because the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Game Commission, which represents 11 tribes of the Ojibwe, opposes the hunt.
The state Assembly approves legislation requiring schools to teach abstinence as the only reliable way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. It also bans abortion coverage in policies obtained through the health insurance exchange expected to start in 2014. Both measures have already been approved by the Senate and now head to Gov. Walker.
Judge Niess approves additional time for the Government Accountability Board to check recall petitions, setting up a likely May 8 primary and June 5 election. The targets for recall - including Gov. Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and four Republican state senators - and the groups seeking the recalls had agreed to the extension Tuesday.
Compiled, in part, from local media.
