Midwest
Obama judge mocks top Dem law firm in Wisconsin election lawsuit: 'Makes no sense'
A federal judge ripped into a top Democratic law firm that was attempting to challenge an absentee ballot witness requirement in Wisconsin.
“Normally, the court would begin by searching for other textual clues in the statute. But in this case, the most obvious problem with plaintiffs’ interpretation is that it simply does not make any sense,” U.S. District Judge James Peterson said in a ruling against the Elias Law Group, the firm founded by Democratic super lawyer and former Clinton campaign general counsel Marc Elias, which was attempting to challenge the Wisconsin law.
At the heart of the issue is Wisconsin’s state statute under § 6.87(2), which lays out absentee voting requirements in the state.
WISCONSIN BECOMES 28TH STATE TO PASS A BAN ON ‘ZUCKERBUCKS’ AHEAD OF 2024 ELECTION
James Peterson testifies during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Jan. 8, 2014, on Capitol Hill.
The Wisconsin law requires voters to both certify that they meet the requirements to vote and that they have followed the correct process for filling out an absentee ballot, which includes a section that requires “witness certification.”
Elias said the witness requirement violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and Civil Rights Act of 1964, arguing that a witness would be forced to verify the eligibility of the voter filling out the ballot.
“Under plaintiffs’ interpretation, every witness would have to determine the voter’s age, residence, citizenship, criminal history, whether the voter is unable or unwilling to vote in person, whether the voter has voted at another location or is planning to do so, whether the voter is capable of understanding the objective of the voting process, whether the voter is under a guardianship, and, if so, whether a court has determined that the voter is competent,” Peterson, an Obama appointee, wrote.
Attorney Marc Elias outside of the Sandra Day O’Connor U.S. Courthouse in Phoenix, Arizona, on Aug. 3, 2016. (David Jolkovski for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WISCONSIN GOV. EVERS VETOES GOP VOTING, ELECTION AUDIT BILLS; GREENLIGHTS POLITICAL AI CRACKDOWN
“Many witnesses would be unable to independently verify much of the required information,” Peterson continued. “The statute allows any adult U.S. citizen to serve as a witness, suggesting that a wide variety of people should be able to do the job… It makes no sense to interpret § 6.87 in a way that would make compliance virtually impossible.”
The decision follows the top firm’s failure in another Wisconsin case, which saw Elias attempt to force the state to redraw its congressional maps. But the Wisconsin Supreme Court opted not to hear the case, a victory for Republicans in the state.
Jonathan Turley, Fox News Media contributor and the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University, noted that Elias himself has been at the center of several controversies and courtroom losses in recent memory.
An example of an absentee ballot.
“Elias has been sanctioned in past litigation. Yet, other Democrats have continued to hire Elias despite his checkered past,” Turley wrote Saturday. “Elias unsuccessfully led efforts to challenge Democratic losses. Elias also was the subject of intense criticism after a tweet that some have called inherently racist.”
The Elias Law Group did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.
Read the full article from Here
Nebraska
Erstad joins Nebraska golf program
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Like his father, Zack Erstad is a Husker. Erstad, the son of Hall of Fame baseball player Darin Erstad, joined the Nebraska men’s golf program on Tuesday.
Zack signed with the Huskers one month after winning a state championship at Lincoln East. With the Spartans, Erstad was a two-time NSAA champion. He was Class A’s individual runner-up in 2026. The previous year, Erstad claimed the Nebraska Junior PGA Championship title.
Erstad said joining the Huskers is a dream come true. The Nebraska newcomer grew up playing baseball and hockey. However, he focused solely on golf while in high school.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
North Dakota
June ND severe weather recap: 5 tornadoes, damaging winds impact numerous towns
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Rounds of severe thunderstorms impacted many parts of North Dakota in June.
June 3 saw damaging straight-line winds in Rolette County, estimated up to 95 mph based on the damage observed.
June 7 brought two tornadoes to northern North Dakota, one of which caused damage to a property. The complexes of storms that Sunday evening also caused extensive wind damage, with 80-100 mph gusts estimated in many towns.
June 9 delivered more damaging wind, especially to the town of Sawyer, where lots of trees were knocked down. 90 mph winds were estimated there, as well as in rural northwest McHenry County at a property that sustained damage.
- Storm cleanup underway in Sawyer as questions raised over warning siren
- Sawyer declares wind emergency as storm cleanup continues

After a break from widespread severe thunderstorms in the middle of the month, the final weekend of June brought more activity.
A tornado touched down north of Belfield on June 27, doing damage to a property. Meanwhile, another swath of damaging winds moved across the region, with western ND seeing the worst of it. Damage west of Williston was estimated to be caused by near 100 mph winds.
- NWS completes surveys of tornado & t-storm wind damage from the weekend
- Severe weather causes damage, displaces residents in Williston area

June 28 also saw a tornado touch down near Riverdale and Coleharbor amid another severe weather outbreak, bringing the month’s tornado total to five.
Hail was also a common threat during the month, with June 29 delivering large hail to towns like Mandan, north Bismarck, and Max.
Copyright 2026 KFYR. All rights reserved.
Ohio
‘Pure evil’: Adults arrested after 16 children found in deplorable conditions in Ohio home
Authorities arrested four adults on felony child endangerment charges after discovering 16 children in dire need of medical treatment Tuesday in a rural southern Ohio home.
The Ohio Bureau of Investigation and local sheriff’s department searched a home in the small village of Hamden, where they found the kids in what officials called “deplorable” conditions.”
“Conditions you cannot even imagine people being in, let alone children being in,” Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said at a news conference.
Law enforcement arrested Gary Siders Jr., Gary Siders Sr., Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders. They have not yet been arraigned and assigned public defenders.
Vinton County prosecuting attorney William Archer said they were being charged with second-degree felony child endangering because it involves “serious physical harm.”
Officials did not confirm if the children were related but said it was not a human trafficking situation. They said the adults were not locals and appeared to have been traveling.
Hamden has a population of less than 1,000 people and is about 60 miles southeast of Columbus.
The children ranged from ages 1.5 to 18 and included both boys and girls, officials said. Several were in serious conditions when found, and two had to be flown to level one trauma centers because of their injuries.
Wilson said it was the worst scene he had ever encountered in his entire career, describing what he saw as “pure evil.”
Law enforcement were also executing a secondary search warrant at the home Tuesday, and the investigation is ongoing. The four adults will appear in court Wednesday morning.
“Justice will be served for these children,” Wilson said.
-
Montana2 minutes ago
Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Big Sky Bonus results for June 30, 2026
-
Nebraska9 minutes agoErstad joins Nebraska golf program
-
Nevada12 minutes ago‘Arrive Alive’ initiative with Nevada Department of Public Safety, FOX5
-
New Hampshire17 minutes agoThis NH Short Film Festival Returns in July, and Every Film Clocks in at 15 Minutes or Less
-
New Jersey24 minutes agoNew Jersey’s $60.7 billion budget signed into law by Gov. Mikie Sherrill • The Jersey Vindicator
-
New Mexico27 minutes agoCommunity Champions: New Mexico’s Flo Valdez inducted into NFHS
-
North Carolina32 minutes agoNorth Carolina mail carrier kidnapped and killed while on her route, authorities say
-
North Dakota39 minutes agoJune ND severe weather recap: 5 tornadoes, damaging winds impact numerous towns






