Law Enforcement
Don’t erase history
A bill racing through the state Legislature would greatly expand the availability of expungement for people convicted of minor offenses. Read more
Seriously, enough is enough
Chronic drunk drivers, who are immune to rational deterrents, pose a unique danger to society. But there are still many ways to prevent them from driving. Read more
David Michael Miller
Enough is enough
There are plenty of things Wisconsin could do to reduce alcohol-related traffic fatalities. But lowering the BAC limit to .05 would be among the more effective Read more
Joe Tarr
Four days of terror
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 83 immigrants in Wisconsin during a four-day “enforcement surge.” Local leaders say the operation was a breach of normal protocol. And for Madison’s immigrant community, it was an act of terror. Read more
Chali Pittman
WORT DJs vow to continue show after shooting
WORT FM DJs “uneasy” but not fearful following shooting at the community radio station. Read more
Keeping the faith
Spirituality can help many incarcerated people turn their lives around. So faith leaders want Dane County officials to prioritize providing sacred space in the renovated jail. Read more
Fitchburg mayor faces attorney malpractice lawsuit
Fitchburg Mayor Jason Gonzalez is being sued by a former legal client who spent over 200 days in jail for felony charges that were ultimately overturned. Read more
David Michael Miller
Abolish ICE
U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan traveled to the United States-Mexico border where he saw the facilities holding immigrants whose families have been torn apart by border agents. He is right to call for the abolition of ICE. Read more
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. Read 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. Read 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. Read 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. Read 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. Read 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? Read 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. Read 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. Read 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. Read 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. Read 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. Read 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. Read more
