Midwest
Wisconsin Supreme Court agrees to hear Gov. Evers' suit against GOP Legislature for blocking 'basic functions'
- The Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed Friday to hear a lawsuit by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers against the Republican-controlled state Legislature.
- Evers’ suit claims lawmakers are obstructing basic functions of the state government.
- The court’s stark ideological divide was apparent in its decision, where its four liberal justices sided with Evers, and its three-justice conservative minority sided against him.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ lawsuit against the Republican-controlled Legislature arguing that it is obstructing basic government functions.
The court’s liberal majority agreed to hear the case, with the three conservative justices dissenting. It set oral arguments for April 17.
The court only agreed to immediately hear one of the three issues Evers brought forward in the complaint. That issue relates to the Legislature’s Republican-controlled budget committee blocking funding for state conservation programs.
WISCONSIN CONSULTANTS LABEL GOP’S REDISTRICTING MAP PROPOSALS AS GERRYMANDERS
Evers had also challenged a committee made up of legislative leaders not approving pay raises for University of Wisconsin employees. But after the lawsuit was filed, the panel did approve the raises. Evers had also challenged a legislative committee blocking updates to the state’s commercial building standards and ethics standards for licensed professionals.
The court said it was keeping both of those issues on hold pending a future order.
Liberal justices Janet Protasiewicz, Rebecca Dallet, Jill Karofsky and Ann Walsh Bradley agreed to take the case. Conservative Chief Justice Annette Ziegler and justices Brian Hagedorn and Rebecca Bradley dissented.
Rebecca Bradley, in her dissent, accused the majority of “needlessly engulfing this court in the morass of politics.”
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers gives his annual State of the State address on Jan. 23, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
“By accepting only one of the issues raised by the Governor and holding the other two issues in abeyance, the majority refashions this court as the Governor’s avenue for imposing policy changes without the consent of the governed,” she wrote. “When the majority’s political allies say jump, the new majority responds: ‘How high?’ “
Hagedorn, who dissented separately, said the case was consequential and questioned taking it directly rather than have facts established through proceedings in lower courts first.
“A decision in this case could occasion a historic shift — both in the operation of state government, and in how this court interprets the boundary lines between the branches of government,” Hagedorn wrote. “Thoughtful lower court decisions usually improve the clarity of our work by framing the arguments and telling the parties what worked and what didn’t.”
Evers and the Republican legislative leaders Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu did not return messages seeking comment.
Evers argued in the lawsuit that committees controlled by a few Republican lawmakers are being used by the Legislature to “reach far beyond its proper zone of constitutional lawmaking authority.”
Evers cites the Legislature’s budget-writing committee’s rejection of dozens of conservation projects selected by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources under the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Republicans have long been critics of the program, which protects land from development.
LeMahieu dismissed the lawsuit as frivolous at the time it was filed, saying in a statement that Evers was “working to diminish the voice of Wisconsinites by limiting the authority of the legislature and unduly strengthening his own administration.”
Evers and the GOP-controlled Legislature have been at odds from the moment Evers was elected in November 2018. He has issued more vetoes than any other Wisconsin governor, including blocking numerous bills changing how elections would be run in the key presidential battleground state.
The Legislature convened a lame duck session just weeks before Evers took office to weaken the incoming governor’s powers. They have repeatedly rejected appointees Evers has made to boards and commissions, including firing a majority of the Natural Resources Board in October.
In another sign of their strained relationship, Evers has rarely met with Republican legislative leaders. Evers is in the second year of his second term.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court flipped to majority liberal control in August. In December, it struck down Republican-drawn legislative maps on a 4-3 decision. The Evers lawsuit is one of several high-profile cases filed by Democrats since the court’s majority changed
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Midwest
Criminal illegal immigrant allegedly rams ICE vehicle in Minnesota as attacks on agents surge
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A criminal illegal immigrant was detained Saturday after allegedly ramming his car into a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle in Minnesota, according to federal authorities.
Tranquilino Sixto-Anorve, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested after allegedly striking an ICE vehicle and a civilian car Saturday morning in St. Paul, officials said.
According to ICE, Sixto-Anorve has multiple DUI convictions and was being targeted for arrest because his criminal history indicated he was a “public safety threat.”
“This ramming highlights increased risks our brave men and women of ICE face amid hostile rhetoric and actions from anti-ICE agitators and politicians,” ICE said in a statement.
CONVICTED PEDOPHILES, SEX PREDATORS ARRESTED IN MINNESOTA IMMIGRATION SWEEP WITHIN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Mexican national Tranquilino Sixto-Anorve was arrested in Minnesota after allegedly ramming an ICE vehicle during an attempted arrest, federal authorities said. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
A spokesperson with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to Fox News Digital that Sixto-Anorve entered the country illegally at an unknown date and location.
Sixto-Anorve is in ICE custody.
The incident comes amid heightened concern over illegal immigration and reports of anti-ICE agitators attempting to violently disrupt federal law enforcement operations.
VIRAL VIDEO SHOWS ICE AGENT TELLING AGITATORS THEY’RE DISRUPTING ARREST OF CHILD SEX OFFENDER IN MINNESOTA
Tranquilino Sixto-Anorve was arrested in Minnesota after an ICE vehicle was struck during an enforcement operation, federal authorities said. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
DHS said earlier this month that ICE officers are facing a 3,200% increase in vehicular attacks.
According to DHS, from Jan. 21, 2025, to Jan. 7, 2026, ICE officers experienced 66 “vehicular attacks,” compared to two during the same period the previous year.
ICE also arrested an illegal immigrant in San Antonio, Texas, earlier this month whom the agency said “weaponized” his vehicle by ramming two ICE vehicles and nearly running over an agent.
‘SCOURGE’ OF SEXUAL PREDATORS, VIOLENT CRIMINALS BEING REMOVED FROM MINNEAPOLIS STREETS DESPITE BACKLASH
Federal authorities say an illegal immigrant with a criminal history rammed an ICE vehicle in Minnesota amid a reported surge in attacks on immigration officers. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
Cuban illegal immigrant Robyn Argote Brooks is accused of ramming two ICE vehicles in a San Antonio parking lot in an attempt to evade arrest during a targeted vehicle stop, according to DHS.
Video of the incident shows Brooks driving a sedan that was boxed in by agents’ vehicles when he allegedly defied law enforcement commands and suddenly reversed, narrowly missing an agent and striking a federal SUV.
After unsuccessfully accelerating into the larger vehicle, Brooks then sped forward into another ICE sedan positioned in front of him, continuing to accelerate as agents attempted to stop him.
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The confrontation ended when an agent broke through the driver-side window and pulled Brooks from the vehicle to place him under arrest.
Fox News Digital has reached out to ICE for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Peter Pinedo contributed to this report.
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(WXYZ) — Potholes are appearing earlier than expected across metro Detroit roads and freeways because of the recent temperature fluctuations.
We’re on pothole patrol, looking for some of the worst problem spots on our area roads.
If you want us to check out a pothole near you, email a photo and location to tips@wxyz.com.
Many of you have already started sounding off on problem potholes on our Facebook page.
Remember, you can always report potholes to MDOT for I, M or US routes by filling out an online form or calling their voicemail line.
CLICK HERE TO REPORT A POTHOLE TO MDOT
To report potholes on other roads, reach out to your county road commission or local municipality.
Nashville, Tenn. (Feb. 4, 2026) – Nashville Predators General Manager Barry Trotz announced today that the team has recalled forward Reid Schaefer from Milwaukee (AHL).
Schaefer, 22 (9/21/03), has six points (4g-2a), 13 penalty minutes and 22 shots on goal in his first 25 games as a rookie this season after making his NHL debut on Nov. 28 at Chicago. Schaefer scored his first career NHL goal and notched his first fighting major on Dec. 2 vs. Calgary. He additionally has 18 points (6g-12a) in 21 games for the Admirals in 2025-26.
Originally selected by Edmonton in the first round (32nd overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Schaefer was acquired by the Predators on Feb. 28, 2023 along with, among other pieces, a first-round pick (Tanner Molendyk) in the 2023 NHL Draft from the Oilers. Now in his third full professional campaign, he owns 53 points (21-32a) in 103 career AHL games with Milwaukee; he also has three points (1g-2a) in 14 Calder Cup Playoff contests. He recorded 14 points (8g-6a) as part of an injury-shortened season in 2024-25 and, as a rookie in 2023-24, tallied 21 points (7g-14a) in 63 appearances. Prior to turning pro, Schaefer spent parts of four seasons with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, winning the league title in 2023. The Edmonton, Alta., native also won gold with Canada at the 2023 World Junior Championship.
Single-game tickets for all 2025-26 home games at Bridgestone Arena are available at Ticketmaster.com. Become Smashville Loyal with full, half or quarter season tickets to maximize your benefits and secure the best seats or take advantage of the Preds 5-Game Plans that allow you to choose your five games and get two free! For more information about season ticket plans, group tickets or premium suite rentals for the 2025-26 season, call 615-770-7800, visit NashvillePredators.com or text PREDS to 833-453-2488 to begin receiving ticket offers directly to your phone.
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