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Republicans argue the fast-tracked bills are in response to deficiencies identified by a nonpartisan audit and a review by a conservative group. But the proposals go far beyond those recommendations and would fundamentally change how votes are cast and elections are run in the battleground state.
Republicans don't have enough votes to override an Evers veto, making the votes this week largely about providing campaign fodder heading into November and setting the stage for what the Legislature in battleground Wisconsin may take up again next year.
Evers rarely meets with GOP leaders and Republicans are advancing a conservative agenda that they know Evers will veto but that will give them fodder to use on the campaign trail. In areas where the governor and lawmakers have come together, such as the two state budgets Evers signed into law, they have squabbled over who can take credit.
"We have seen the rights of parents eroded over time and replaced by heavy-handed bureaucracy," Sen. Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) said. Senate Republicans say a slate of bills they've put forward empower parents, who they believe have been sidelined in their kids' education.
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, also a purveyor of false claims that Trump won the 2020 election, endorsed Ramthun, telling the crowd that filled a high school auditorium he would be "the greatest governor Wisconsin has ever seen."
Republican pressure on state and local elections officials increased exponentially after Donald Trump refused to concede his defeat to President Joe Biden in Wisconsin. Biden won by nearly 21,000 votes, an outcome that has withstood recounts, investigations and lawsuits. There is no evidence of widespread fraud, as Trump and others have falsely claimed.
One bill would define a riot as a public disturbance that involves an unlawful assembly and an act of violence or a threat of violence committed by at least one person.
Both measures would face a likely veto from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. The governor last year vetoed a GOP bill that would have barred public health officials from requiring people get vaccinated.
The governor is asking for $120 million for bridge repairs, $260 million for infrastructure at state colleges and universities, $450 million for affordable housing, and $940 million for climate change projects.
The ruling from Dane County Circuit Judge Rhonda Lanford is a partial victory for Michael Gableman, a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice who was hired last year by Republicans to investigate the 2020 election.
A state attorney representing Wisconsin's chief elections administrator worked Thursday to persuade a judge to block a subpoena demanding she turn over reams of documents and submit to a private interview with a former state Supreme Court justice investigating the 2020 elections for Assembly Republicans.
Republicans have a 61-38 majority in the Assembly and 21-12 majority in the Senate. They also hold five of eight congressional seats.
Republicans unveiled legislative and congressional maps last week that are largely based on the current districts. Democrats argue those are so unfairly drawn, the new maps should be started from scratch. Democrats and other opponents to the GOP maps want Republicans to consider alternate proposals, including ones drawn by the Gov. Evers commission.
The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly was poised to give final approval Wednesday to a package of anti-abortion bills that Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is all-but certain to veto.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul asked a court to block subpoenas issued by an attorney hired by Republicans to lead an investigation into the 2020 presidential election that was won by President Joe Biden.
David Hann won an election Saturday for the job after Jennifer Carnahan was forced out of the role in August. Hann, a former state Senate minority leader from Eden Prairie, won the final vote over businessman Jerry Dettinger.
The ousted head of the Minnesota Republican Party says she may run to get her old job back. Jennifer Carnahan was forced to resign as party chair over her ties to accused child sex trafficker Tony Lazzaro.
Kleefisch took aim at Evers in her campaign launch video released Thursday, accused him of "siding with rioters" and not doing more to quell violence that erupted last summer in Kenosha after Jacob Blake, a Black man, was shot by police.
"It is still very male-dominated. You never want to rub people the wrong way or burn a bridge." It took coming into a position of leadership for Nia Moore to feel safe enough to come forward about her experience thus far in politics.
The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature wants to intervene in a second federal lawsuit brought by advocacy groups that seeks to have a court set a timeline and be prepared to draw new legislative maps.
Republican and DFL leaders at the state capitol say they have reached a bipartisan agreement on a public safety spending package that includes more police accountability measures.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and how Wisconsin's schools and the state education department have responded to it dominated the Department of Public Instruction hearing.
McCarthy slammed Rep. Eric Swalwell for previous interactions with an alleged Chinese spy, though Swalwell says he cut off contact after being told who she was.
Overall, Democratic candidates and outside groups spent more than $16 million in their unsuccessful attempt to retake control of the Senate from Republicans, who spent just $7.7 million defending their one-vote majority.
Many Republicans, particularly those in Washington, are eager to move on from the former president and his personality-driven, racially divisive politics.
Concessions workers at Target Field have voted to authorize a strike as they seek higher wages and better benefits.
Two teenagers were injured in a shooting in Bloomington, Minnesota, Monday night, police said.
Minnesota animal rescues are stepping up to take in dogs from a Wisconsin research facility accused of animal abuse.
Tuesday will be cool and dry in the Twin Cities, with highs in the 50s.
Anthony Edwards scored 18 points in his unexpected return from injury and the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a huge game by Victor Wembanyama and held on to beat the San Antonio Spurs 104-102 in the opener of the Western Conference semifinals.
Concessions workers at Target Field have voted to authorize a strike as they seek higher wages and better benefits.
Two teenagers were injured in a shooting in Bloomington, Minnesota, Monday night, police said.
Minnesota animal rescues are stepping up to take in dogs from a Wisconsin research facility accused of animal abuse.
So far this decade, the Twin Cities metro has, on average, added about 17,000 housing units per year, according to data from the Metropolitan Council.
Two men are injured and three people are in custody after a shooting in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, on Monday evening, according to police.
Gas in the Twin Cities can be up to $4.20 a gallon these days, and it's happening as Minnesota is revving up for summer.
The past couple years have been challenging for Minnesota farmers, prompting many to seek help navigating their mental health.
The Itasca County Sheriff's Office says a deputy is injured and officials are investigating after at least one law enforcement officer fired their weapon during an incident in Max, Minnesota, on Monday.
Law enforcement in an east-central Minnesota community is asking for the public's help to find those responsible for throwing large rocks and vehicle oil off an Interstate 35 overpass.
The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office says deputies received a report at around 9:15 p.m. of a Merrifield man who had been shot by a family member during a domestic dispute.
Minnesota animal rescues are stepping up to take in dogs from a Wisconsin research facility accused of animal abuse.
You may have heard of Give to the Max Day, where people donate millions of dollars to hundreds of nonprofits and organizations across Minnesota on a single day. That idea has spread to western Wisconsin, called Give Big Valleys.
Federal prosecutors say a small-town Wisconsin police chief tried to help California gun dealers import illegal armor-piercing rounds from Europe.
Local and federal law enforcement are investigating after nearly 50 firearms and "a large quantity of ammunition" were stolen from a sporting goods store in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Friday.
Two Minnesotans were killed in a motorcycle crash Wednesday evening in western Wisconsin.
Bobby Rogers once came to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to sketch and study; now he leads its design and editorial work, shaping what visitors see and experience.
Moses Cooper, who has cerebral palsy, met running partner Mark Hulsey through My Team Triumph Minnesota two years ago and the pair qualified for the Boston Marathon at Grandma's Marathon last summer.
Mackenzie Reed, head custodian at Shakopee East Middle School, has painted large-scale murals throughout the building she once attended as a student, creating a more welcoming space for current students.
Kristi comes to the Salvation Army not only to get food, but to shine her light. She talks with and encourages people waiting in line.
The way Mary Hernandez describes it, the effort to keep families off the street in Shakopee, Minnesota, is like trying to keep your head above water.
Tensions seem to be escalating in the Middle East after the United States and Iran exchanged gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Minnesota Senate on Monday passed the strongest measures the state has ever seen while sharing opinions just as powerful. The bill would ban semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines, along with other measures designed to prevent mass shootings. The legislation now faces a big hurdle in the evenly divided House. Ubah Ali shares what may happen next.
Gas in the Twin Cities can be up to $4.20 a gallon these days, and it's happening as Minnesota is revving up for summer.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill that would block people from buying certain high-powered guns and high-capacity magazines. The move was pushed by Annunciation parents following the August shooting at their Minneapolis church. Esme Murphy reports from the Capitol in St. Paul where she heard reaction from one of those parents.
Gov. Tim Walz has announced changes in leadership at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, 70 days after he appointed Shireen Gandhi as commissioner of the agency.
Gas in the Twin Cities can be up to $4.20 a gallon these days, and it's happening as Minnesota is revving up for summer.
According to the letter, enforcement will be done by police and plainclothes officers, with businesses themselves being held accountable for repeat violations.
Some Twin Cities rideshare drivers say they may have to leave the road as gas prices continue to increase.
A large investment company is warning anyone with stocks to hold on to your hats. Information from JP Morgan says uncertainty is fueling inflation, but so far the market has been more resilient than expected.
Some Trader Joe's shoppers will get a payout after a lawsuit alleged that the retailer's customer receipts put shoppers at risk of ID theft.
Two teenagers were injured in a shooting in Bloomington, Minnesota, Monday night, police said.
Law enforcement in an east-central Minnesota community is asking for the public's help to find those responsible for throwing large rocks and vehicle oil off an Interstate 35 overpass.
The Minnesota Star Tribune was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news for its coverage of a mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school that killed two children and injured more than a dozen others.
The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office says deputies received a report at around 9:15 p.m. of a Merrifield man who had been shot by a family member during a domestic dispute.
A Twin Cities man is accused of shooting his father in the head on Friday using ammunition he stole from a gun store, according to court documents.
The past couple years have been challenging for Minnesota farmers, prompting many to seek help navigating their mental health.
When devoted Vikings fan Steven Clarkin died unexpectedly in March, he alone likely saved the lives of several people.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services head Dr. Mehmet Oz notified Minnesota that the department is deferring $91 million in Medicaid payments, citing systemic fraud risks and ongoing audits.
HCMC is on life support, as leaders warn the state's busiest trauma hospital could be just months away from closing without an infusion of cash. Two demonstrations in downtown Minneapolis tried to spotlight the problem on Thursday.
There is bipartisan support to help save the hospital, but the state Senate is proposing less money than the House. One former patient has something to say to those lawmakers.
A trial in the lawsuit between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni was set to begin later in May.
The Minnesota Star Tribune was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news for its coverage of a mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school that killed two children and injured more than a dozen others.
Mononymous country music star Hardy is set to kick off the final weekend of the 2026 Minnesota State Fair.
Jake was at the funeral for one of his closest friends when he learned of his parents' deaths, he said.
A previously unreleased song is one of many ways Prince is being honored a decade after his death.
Concessions workers at Target Field have voted to authorize a strike as they seek higher wages and better benefits.
Anthony Edwards scored 18 points in his unexpected return from injury and the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a huge game by Victor Wembanyama and held on to beat the San Antonio Spurs 104-102 in the opener of the Western Conference semifinals.
The league has never seen someone quite like Wembanyama. He's an MVP finalist and won the Defensive Player of the Year award over Gobert. The two are similar in countless ways.
Captain Amanda Her wants to add to the long legacy the team has built: 13 total team state championships and 14 individual and doubles champions.
Minnesota Frost forward Britta Curl-Salemme will serve a suspension for "an illegal check to the head" that occurred during Game 1 of the PWHL semifinals, the league announced Monday.
Sen. Tina Smith is using her last months in office to vocally campaign for progressive and environmental causes. She hopes that a progressive will succeed her when Minnesotans go to the polls next November.
Sen. Tina Smith, who is retiring from the U.S. Senate, is a major presence in the race to succeed her.
In the last election, President Trump saw record support from Black and Latino voters. But will those new supporters stick with the President’s party in the upcoming midterm?
With the Midterm Elections just six months away, will historic support from minority voters hold strong for Republican candidates.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services head Dr. Mehmet Oz notified Minnesota that the department is deferring $91 million in Medicaid payments, citing systemic fraud risks and ongoing audits.
The carillon has 56 bells, and the Mayo Clinic said that makes it one of the largest instruments in the world and the largest instrument in Minnesota.
When you think of masterful, memorable works of art, grain elevators don't typically come to mind. But in towns across the country, including in Minnesota, they're becoming an unlikely canvas for creativity.
At Arnie Lillo's Creations in Blue Earth County, you can visit a metal-scaled version of the Eiffel Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge. The works of art have taken on a shape of their own.
It's one of the largest musky hatcheries in the entire world. John Lauritsen shows us how the Spooner hatchery keeps fish healthy and anglers happy.
Shattuck-St. Mary's is more than a hockey school, but hockey has helped put the school on the map. They have banners and big names to prove it, though the real evidence lies with a man called Rooster.
So far this decade, the Twin Cities metro has, on average, added about 17,000 housing units per year, according to data from the Metropolitan Council.
A symbolic change is bothering some Minnesotans. Now their local leaders are listening; several cities are voting to fly the old state flag instead of the new one. While it was a drastic redesign, it wasn't the first.
Construction season has arrived, potentially adding several minutes to your daily drive to work. So, how bad is the commute in the Twin Cities? Good Question.
The media we consume and how long we spend consuming it can impact our mental health. In a world where screens are scrutinized, what is the worst kind of screen time?
The pet insurance industry is relatively new, and experts say that's partly why there's a low number of policies, but it is growing.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
Cloud cover will increase throughout the day Tuesday, and the next couple of days will be dry and cool.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
Tuesday will be cool and dry in the Twin Cities, with highs in the 50s.
Tuesday will be cool and dry in the Twin Cities, with highs in the 50s.
High temperatures on Tuesday will be in the 40s and 50s across the majority of Minnesota, with many parts of the state seeing cloudy conditions, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Mike Augustyniak.
Cloud cover will increase throughout the day Tuesday, and the next couple of days will be dry and cool.
Gov. Tim Walz has announced changes in leadership at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, plus more of the day’s top stories.
Tensions seem to be escalating in the Middle East after the United States and Iran exchanged gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tuesday will be cool and dry in the Twin Cities, with highs in the 50s.
Two young men were injured in a downtown St. Paul shooting on Monday evening. Police arrested three people in connection with the incident and are working to find out what led up to it.