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Wisconsin man fired for refusing to use preferred pronouns appeals to Trump administration

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Wisconsin man fired for refusing to use preferred pronouns appeals to Trump administration

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EXCLUSIVE: Spencer Wimmer, a Wisconsin man, is asking the Trump administration to intervene after he says he was fired for refusing to use preferred pronouns that conflict with a person’s biological sex—forcing him, he claims, to choose between his livelihood and his faith.

While the Trump administration has moved to roll back DEI and gender ideology workplace requirements, Wimmer, a devout Christian, argues that private citizens are still experiencing workplace discrimination tied to such policies.

Now, after filing a religious discrimination complaint through the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) to the Trump U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), he said he hopes President Donald Trump will do something about it. 

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Wimmer said that he had worked hard to be a “model employee” during his five years at Generac and was in good standing with the company, having received several positive performance reviews and promotions. He said he expected to have a long, fruitful career at the power equipment company. That is, until he was suddenly pulled into a meeting with human resources and confronted about his refusal to use someone’s preferred pronouns.

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‘UNLAWFUL DEI-MOTIVATED’ WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION TO BE ROOTED OUT BY TRUMP’S NEW ACTING EEOC CHAIR

Wisconsin man Spencer Wimmer is asking the Trump administration to fight on his behalf after he says he was forced to choose between his livelihood and “love for God,” and was ultimately fired for his religious belief in not using “preferred pronouns” that conflict with a person’s biological sex.   (Fox News Digital and Andrew Harrer/Getty Images)

Wimmer says that his refusal to use preferred pronouns is rooted in his deeply held Biblical, religious belief that there are only two genders and that a person cannot switch between one and the other.

He explained that he had prior experience working with transgender people and even had a good working relationship with one of his colleagues who was transgender. However, after Wimmer had to clarify with HR that he could not in good conscience use his transgender colleagues’ preferred pronouns, he was reprimanded for “unprofessional” conduct.

According to WILL, the firm representing Wimmer, Generac HR representatives told him that his request to refrain from using transgender pronouns on religious grounds “did not make any sense.” Wimmer was issued a written disciplinary action note that stated “refusal to refer to an employee/subordinate by their preferred name/pronouns is in violation of the company’s Code of Business Conduct and No Harassment Policy.”

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After an entire month in which he said he felt both targeted and bullied for his religious beliefs, Wimmer was fired from his supervisor role at Generac Power Systems on April 2. According to WILL, he was not allowed to collect his personal belongings and was escorted out of the building.

Wimmer described the entire episode as “heartbreaking.”

THE SUPREME COURT APPEARS TO SIDE WITH PARENTS IN RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DISPUTE OVER STORYBOOKS

Andrea Lucas, President Donald Trump’s pick to serve as acting chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), vowed to make rooting out diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices in the workplace a priority.  (Getty/EEOC )

“I was asked to choose between my livelihood and my love for God and my beliefs,” said Wimmer, adding that it was very emotional having everything kind of ripped out from under me.”

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In its complaint to the EEOC, WILL argues that Generac violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. WILL asserts that Generac violated Wimmer’s rights despite there being no harassment complaints filed against him.

Cara Tolliver, an attorney with WILL, told Fox News Digital that she believes his case carries a broader significance that could impact Americans across the country.

She said that Wimmer’s case puts recent Supreme Court precedent set in a 2023 case called Groff v. DeJoy to the test, challenging the validity of an employer’s compelled gender affirmation policy against an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs.

“Employers, I think, have kind of become seemingly fixated on a lot of identity politics in the workplace, including the topic of gender identity,” she said. “But it’s crucial to keep in mind that even where Title VII may provide some protection to employees against workplace discrimination and harassment on the basis of a gender identity, this does not supersede or eliminate Title VII protections against religious discrimination and the fact that religious discrimination is illegal.”

SUPREME COURT ALLOWS TERMINATIONS OF INDEPENDENT AGENCY BOARD MEMBERS FOR NOW

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The U.S. Supreme Court is shown at dusk on June 28, 2023, in Washington, DC (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Wimmer told Fox News Digital that he “never asked Generac to choose between me and then this other individual.”

“There was absolutely a way for us to work together and have a compromise where we continue to have a professional environment,” he said. “Unfortunately, there are individuals and there are organizations and structures in place that won’t let you have compromise. The fact that you have these beliefs is unacceptable to them. So, no amount of compromise is possible.”

In response to Fox News Digital’s request for comment, a spokesperson said: “We do not comment on employment matters nor comment on pending litigation.”

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Lions NFL Draft roundtable: Favorite pick

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Detroit Lions NFL Draft roundtable: Favorite pick


With the Detroit Lions’ 2026 draft now nearly a full week in the rear-view mirror, it’s time for the Pride of Detroit staff to take inventory of what transpired. We’ve had time to read the scouting reports, listen to what Lions general manager Brad Holmes had to say about each pick, and do our own dive into the college film.

So over the next week, our staff will be sharing their thoughts on the Lions’ draft class in a roundtable-like discussion. To kick the series off, we’re going to talk about our favorite pick from the Lions’ NFL Draft.

And as a fun exercise, I’m going to include a link to last year’s answers to see how wrong/right we were.

2025: Best Detroit Lions draft pick discussion

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What was your favorite pick from the Lions’ 2026 NFL Draft?

Ryan Mathews: Blake Miller

Miller was easily my favorite pick of the draft. Holmes didn’t have to sacrifice any future capital to bolster an offensive line that desperately needed to be improved after last season’s noticeable step back. Instead, he let the board come to him on Day 1, and when it did, Holmes drafted a player who fits in terms of both football character and play style.

Brandon Knapp: Blake Miller

Despite the rumors of the Lions liking Kadyn Proctor, he thankfully was off the board. For me, Miller was my 1B to Francis Mauigoa as my top twoo options in the first round. The OT spot was the most important position that needed to be addressed and the team taking one at 17 was music to my ears. I wanted the experience and consistency Miller brought.

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John Whiticar: Blake Miller

There was some thought (fear?) that the Lions might get cute and pass on tackle in the first round. Instead, not only did the Lions get a perfect culture and scheme fit, they also did so without trading up from pick 17. Miller will technically battle Larry Borom for the right tackle spot, but it would be a major surprise if he doesn’t win it outright. For a team that just parted ways with Taylor Decker, adding Miller to the roster is just about a perfect way to replace—and potentially improve upon—the veteran. It was an easy and obvious choice, and the Lions went for it.

Erik Schlitt: Blake Miller

I haven’t been shy about my desire to see Miller in Honolulu Blue, as I believe he was a perfect combination of skill set, character, and need for the Lions at pick No. 17 in the first round. I firmly believe that the Lions have found the ideal replacement for Taylor Decker; a starting tackle who can deliver reliable production for the next 10 years.

Jeremy Reisman: Miller/Keith Abney

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I discussed this earlier in Sunday’s Question of the Day. But in short: Miller was the most logical pick, and I’m glad the Lions stayed relatively patient and took him without spending extra draft capital—even if they tried. But more impressively, they may have gotten their future starting nickel in Abney all the way in the fifth round. For a team with minimal draft capital, landing a potential starter that late in a “thin” draft class should be considered a huge triumph. If the Lions are going to stay competitive long-term, it’s not just imperative they hit on the early picks, but they’ll need to find late-round steals and that’s exactly what Abney is.



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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee apartment building fire; 5 jump from balconies, 6 rescued

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Milwaukee apartment building fire; 5 jump from balconies, 6 rescued


Firefighters responded to the scene of an apartment building fire on Fond du Lac Avenue near Bourbon Street in Milwaukee on Friday morning, May 1. 

What we know:

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According to the Milwaukee Fire Department, crews responded to the scene shortly before 3 a.m. Upon arrival, they found fire on the first and second floors. 

Five occupants jumped from second floor balconies and were taken to the hospital. Six other occupants were rescued from the structure by the Milwaukee Fire Department. 

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Milwaukee apartment building fire on Fond du Lac Avenue near Bourbon Street

Milwaukee apartment building fire on Fond du Lac Avenue near Bourbon Street

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No additional details have been released – including the cause of the fire or the amount of damage sustained. 

The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Fire Department. 

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis high school swimmer invents device that detects harmful pool chemicals

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Minneapolis high school swimmer invents device that detects harmful pool chemicals


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