Of note: This week we highlight our latest Democracy on the Ballot story, which examines claims by various conservative political groups that “thousands” of ineligible voters remain on Wisconsin’s voter rolls. Wisconsin Watch reporters Matthew DeFour, Matt Mencarini and Jacob Resneck discovered there are flaws in the way the state removes some voters declared “incompetent” to vote from Wisconsin’s rolls. But they found no evidence the problem is widespread enough to tip an election — or that it is part of a plot to commit voter fraud.
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In search for illegal Wisconsin votes, activists uncover gaps — but no plot
Wisconsin Watch — October 7, 2022
Conservative activists are pushing officials to remove thousands of people from Wisconsin’s voter rolls, pointing to holes in maintenance of the state’s voter database, allowing some ineligible voters to cast a ballot. But their efforts also have spread misleading information, conflating ineligible and eligible voters and sowing doubts about the upcoming election during a volatile time for American democracy.
Related coverage from the Racine Journal Times: Racine Co. man charged with intentionally committing election fraud raises flurry of defenses
They escaped the Taliban. Now these women in Wisconsin face a new foe: the high cost of college.
Wisconsin Watch — October 13, 2022
Ten Afghan evacuees at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee thought they had been offered full scholarships to get a bachelor’s degree. But the offer was only for an immersive English program. Now the women are struggling to figure out how to pay for the education they risked their lives to get.
Nitrate pours into Mississippi River and other U.S. waterways, report says
Wisconsin Watch — October 8, 2022
Nitrate compounds were the top toxic substances released into U.S. waterways in 2020, including the Mississippi River, according to a recent study conducted by an environmental policy and advocacy group.
More Mississippi River coverage from the Courier Journal and St. Louis Post Dispatch: The Mississippi River basin is getting wetter as climate change brings era of extreme rain, floods
In Milwaukee, Latinos fed up with crime weigh GOP appeal
Associated Press — October 13, 2022
In two decades of street outreach on Milwaukee’s south side, evangelical pastor Marty Calderon has offered Bible study, gang prevention, a safe place to stay for those battling addiction, and help getting jobs for those newly released from prison. Lately, Calderon has started bringing Republican politicians to his ministry, God Touch.
Medical debt lawsuits, paused early in pandemic, ramping up in Wisconsin, report says
Wisconsin State Journal — October 12, 2022
Some Wisconsin health care providers that stopped or greatly reduced medical debt collection lawsuits early in the COVID-19 pandemic have escalated actions this year, according to a report Tuesday.
See previous coverage from Wisconsin Watch’s Costly Care series.
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