Wisconsin
A Republican proposal to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin is coming soon
![A Republican proposal to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin is coming soon](https://gray-wbay-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QHG366ENXVEDCYFXFKRPWZ3EWU.jpg?auth=3cb3ccc01646d55708a31aa37e3119418f0d5f160579b506d57bfdf985c4b020&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans plan to unveil a proposal soon to legalize medical marijuana in the state and could vote on it sometime in 2024, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said.
Republicans have been working behind closed doors for years on a medical marijuana bill. Along the way, they have rejected calls from Gov. Tony Evers and other Democrats to legalize all uses of marijuana, including medical and recreational.
Vos, in an interview Wednesday, said the proposal will be limited and modeled after the medical marijuana law that had been in place in neighboring Minnesota before it moved to full legalization.
“It is not going to be widespread,” he said. “We are not going to have dispensaries on every corner in every city.”
He said Assembly Republicans are on board in concept, but no one has seen the actual proposal yet. He expected to unveil it in January. Vos had said in April that he hoped to have the bill by the fall of 2023, but he said it took more time to find consensus.
“In concept most people are there, but I don’t want to guarantee anything until we have a wider discussion,” he said. “I feel pretty good that we’re in a place where I think it can get through our chamber.”
Democratic state Sen. Melissa Agard, who has advocated for full marijuana legalization, said Thursday that she could support a more limited medical marijuana program, but “I remain skeptical as to whether or not this is it.” Agard, who has traveled the state calling for legalization, said she has offered to work with Republicans on the bill but has been rejected.
Democratic Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer said Democrats were open to discussing the Republican bill.
“We hope that it’s a serious proposal from our colleagues that addresses the past harms that have been caused by the criminalization of marijuana and that really allows access for the people who need it,” she said Thursday.
If passed by both the Senate and Assembly, it would have to be signed by Evers before taking effect. His spokesperson did not return a message Thursday seeking comment.
Senate Republicans have been less open to pot legalization than those in the Assembly. But in January, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said a bill to create a medical marijuana program could pass this legislative session — as long as regulations are put forward to ensure it’s for those in serious pain.
Vos has long backed some form of medical marijuana program, but no bill has ever received a vote in either the GOP-controlled Assembly or Senate.
Wisconsin remains an outlier nationally, with 38 states legalizing medical marijuana and 24 legalizing recreational marijuana. The push for legalization in Wisconsin has gained momentum, as its neighbors have loosened laws.
Marquette University Law School polls have shown large majority support among Wisconsin residents for legalizing marijuana use for years. Given that broad, bipartisan support, there should be full legalization, Agard said.
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Wisconsin
Unemployment claims in Wisconsin declined last week
![Unemployment claims in Wisconsin declined last week](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/84782def0a8168006e51cc1bbaed01bd1f204c58/c=0-38-724-445/local/-/media/2021/06/29/Newport/gda-unemployment-2021-06-24-img.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=1200)
Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Wisconsin dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.
New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 3,905 in the week ending June 28, down from 4,787 the week before, the Labor Department said.
U.S. unemployment claims rose to 238,000 last week, up 4,000 claims from 234,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.
North Dakota saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 83.8%. Vermont, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 56.9%.
The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report.
Wisconsin
Southeast Wisconsin weather: Hit or miss showers and storms Monday
![Southeast Wisconsin weather: Hit or miss showers and storms Monday](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c5d66be/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1008+0+36/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx-default-stgec.uplynk.com%2Fause%2Fslices%2F2eb%2F44c3f81cadf84cf5a6f4e6d100388208%2F2eb309d1cc054e5a93157cc36c771a7a%2Fposter_03d4faab785240168462e894eabffbf1.jpg)
There will be more hit or miss isolated to scattered showers and storms today. Our weather pattern stays the same today with higher humidity levels and highs in the low 80s. Any showers or storms the develop will die down this evening as we lose daytime heating past sunset.
Tuesday is looking mainly dry as clouds increase turning mostly cloudy. The leftovers of Beryl will start to move north as the low-pressure center is expected to track across southern Illinois in central Indiana on Wednesday.
Some models bring rain as far north as the state line on Wednesday with cloudy skies. Heavier rainfall will be likely south of Chicago.
Behind what is left of Beryl will be a warming trend heading into the weekend. Things will heat up with highs near 90 by Sunday. With high humidity levels heat index values will climb well into the 90s.
MONDAY: Hit Or Miss Showers/StormsHigh: 82
Wind: SW 10 mph
TONIGHT: Evening Storm Chance Ends, Mostly Cloudy
Low: 66
Wind: W 5 mph
TUESDAY: Mostly Cloudy
High: 80
WEDNESDAY: Mostly Cloudy, Chance Rain, Beryl Passes South
High: 76
THURSDAY: Mostly Sunny, Isolated Storm Chance
High: 80
FRIDAY: Mostly Sunny
High: 83
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Wisconsin
Wisconsin State Patrol to increase presence for annual campaign
![Wisconsin State Patrol to increase presence for annual campaign](https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/07/08/d119de26-89c2-46a3-b52c-d0b23b4f4cfa/thumbnail/1200x630/70cc10bb51da6c4a8dc69009cac2d474/34e213141e48a9886f6636d99e646f18.jpg?v=57e8061b2038d609da26e467de5ddfb8)
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