Law Enforcement
David Michael Miller
Legalize it all
Fatal opioid overdoses are on the rise in Dane County. It’s time to legalize cannabis and opioid use and treat drug abuse as the public health problem it is. more
Pain relief
Thousands of Dane County residents have struggled with addiction from opioids. Dane County has also struggled to cover the costs of dealing with the epidemic. Now the county is joining a national effort to get Big Pharma to help pay for the fallout. more
What did Scoles know?
Andrew Scoles insisted he had information about Brittany Zimmermann’s murder. Recently unsealed documents show he was trying to reach a deal with the Dane County District Attorney to share it. Prosecutors appeared uninterested. Now Scoles is dead. more
Circuit court redux
Two well-known attorneys with solid progressive credentials are facing off for a seat on the Dane County Circuit Court. Get to know them before the April 3 election. more
Shielded
Officer Stephen Heimsness harassed a female officer a month before he fatally shot Paul Heenan. Madison Police launched an investigation but initially, only Heimsness’ victim was scrutinized. more
Time Magazine
Diarrhea diaries and dead drug dealers
Trump floats the idea of the death penalty for drug dealers. But what about when its big pharmaceutical companies that are the dealers? more
David Michael Miller
Nothing to see here
Madison Police is embracing most recommendations made by consultants who spent a year studying the department. Just not the ones that are most critical of the department. more
David Michael Miller
Where the lawyers aren’t
The exploding opioid epidemic is being exacerbated by the growing shortage of attorneys. The crisis is most evident in the courtrooms of rural Wisconsin. One solution: raise the pay for public defenders. more
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David Michael Miller
Reality check
The Derail the Jail coalition says Dane County doesn’t need to spend $76 million consolidating jail operations. But officials say the group is ignoring the facts and putting inmates lives at risk. more
David Michael Miller
Death tax
Civil rights lawsuits stemming from police shootings in Madison are raising the city’s insurance costs. The city’s share of just two recent multimillion dollar lawsuits cost taxpayers $600,000. more
Prosecute this!
Judge William Hanrahan tossed another case because the DA’s office was unprepared to proceed. It’s another sign of frayed relations between the Dane County District Attorney’s Office and the local judiciary. more
DA’s office “messed up,” charges dropped
Judge William Hanrahan forces the dismissal of cases against three alleged armed robbers after the Dane County District Attorney’s Office fails to produce a witness list on time. more
“You deserve a break today”
A Sun Prairie police officer, Matt McElroy, didn’t think it was fair to issue tickets for more serious violations while he was working on a grant intended for seatbelt enforcement. And so he wrote tickets for violations that didn’t occur. more
Judge, Ozanne clash in court
What played out in Judge Josann Reynolds’ courtroom on April 24 was an epic clash, suggesting deep fissures between District Attorney Ismael Ozanne’s office and some local judges. more
WISC Channel 3
Secrets and lies in Sun Prairie
Numerous citations were dismissed in Sun Prairie after the arresting officer was caught lying. But the city kept a lid on it. more
Let’s (maybe not) make a deal
On April 3, District Attorney Ismael Ozanne began requiring his roughly two dozen assistants to obtain prior approval before offering to waive a preliminary hearing, dismiss criminal charges or amend charges to a lower category of offense, among othe more
David Michael Miller
County expands opioid deferment program
For three years, Dane County has given a select number of addicts a chance to avoid prosecution, provided they complete a rigorous deferment program. The county is now looking to double the program’s capacity. more
Mary Langenfeld
School assignments
Madison’s educational resource officers are cops who work in high schools. Viewed with suspicion by many, their role has been scrutinized. The four officers all came to police work in roundabout ways and are driven by a desire to help children. more
Seeking guidance
Madison has approved spending up to $400,000 on an independent review of its police department. But how many firms are qualified to do such a review? more
