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Record-breaking ballots cast in Wisconsin, only one week into in-person absentee voting

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Record-breaking ballots cast in Wisconsin, only one week into in-person absentee voting


MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – In-person absentee voting began on Tuesday the 22nd, and one week later, over 405,000 in-person absentee ballots have been reported.

“It’s been busy, we’ve been setting records on early voting here and around the country too,” said Dane County Clerk, Scott McDonell.

Across the United States, this year has been record-breaking for early voting. And, there is still another week until Election Day.

Early voting continues until Sunday, but McDonell says early voting hours differ by community so be sure to check when they are open before going to vote.

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“For me, early voting is probably the best way to vote, you know, who knows what’s going to happen on Election Day, you could be sick, it could be pouring rain,” McDonnell explained. “You know that it’s received, you don’t have to worry about the mail being delayed, and then your witness is the clerk, so you know that part of it was handled correctly, so I think that’s part of why we’re seeing record numbers.”

McDonell also says lines on Election Day may be shorter due to the increase of people voting early, and lines are already getting shorter after the first few days.

Jade Braxton in Fitchburg voted Tuesday and said it only took her five to ten minutes to register and vote.

“This was my first time early voting, I always vote the day of, I’m doing this forever and ever now, this is great,” explained Braxton.

McDonell encourages everyone to have a plan to vote. He says that on Election Day, a lot can happen which could hinder your opportunity to vote on Election Day.

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“This is an election that you’re vote is definitely going to matter, I know some people don’t think it’s going to matter, well you’re in a swing state, so it’s going to matter,” explained McDonnel.

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Wisconsin announces UW Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2025 inductees

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Wisconsin announces UW Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2025 inductees


This past Thursday, Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh announced the UW Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The list of inductees included notable athletes, staff, and even broadcasters.

These names include Mohammed Ahmed (Track & Field and Cross Country, 2009-14), Dorcas Akinniyi Jansen (Track & Field, 2008-13), Molly Engstrom (Women’s Hockey, 2001-05), Travis Frederick (Football, 2009-12), Frank Kaminsky (Men’s Basketball, 2012-15), Mary Massei Landini (Softball, 2010-14), Joe Pavelski (Men’s Hockey, 2004-06), Cara Walls (Women’s Soccer, 2011-14), James White (Football, 2010-13), Tom Shipley (Baseball, 1970-74), Martin Smith and Matt Lepay (Broadcasting).

The biggest names on the list include former National Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky, multiple-time Super Bowl winner James White, and Matt Lepay, who has served as the play-by-play announcer for Wisconsin Badgers basketball since 1988 and Wisconsin football since 1994.

The class of 2025 will be officially inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame during Hall of Fame weekend on September 5th and 6th. The inductees will also be honored inside Camp Randall Stadium during Wisconsin football’s Week 2 game against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

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Wisconsin judge who shielded illegal migrant from ICE shares latest defense: ‘I am absolutely immune’

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Wisconsin judge who shielded illegal migrant from ICE shares latest defense: ‘I am absolutely immune’


A Wisconsin judge indicted for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade ICE is now claiming ‘absolute judicial immunity’ in a broader legal effort to dismiss all charges.

Hannah Dugan, 66, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, was arrested by FBI agents on April 25 for allegedly preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from detaining a man in her courtroom. 

The man, 31-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, was reportedly subject to a federal detainer at the time.

Federal prosecutors allege Dugan directed ICE officers to the chief judge’s office while allowing Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit through a door typically used by jurors. 

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The long-time judge was later indicted on May 13 on charges of obstructing a federal agency and aiding Flores-Ruiz’s escape. 

However, in a 37-page memorandum filed May 14, her attorneys argued the indictment is an ‘ugly innovation’ that threatens long-standing legal precedent.

They claim Dugan is protected by ‘absolute judicial immunity’ for actions taken as part of her official duties, even if those actions are later contested. 

‘Judges can be and are charged for actions wholly unrelated to their role, like taking bribes or kidnapping,’ the memo notes, adding that Dugan’s conduct occurred squarely within her judicial capacity.

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Hannah Dugan (pictured), 66, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, was arrested by FBI agents on April 25 for allegedly preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from detaining a man in her courtroom

The long-time judge was indicted on May 13 on charges of obstructing a federal agency and aiding 31-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz's escape. Pictured: Surveillance footage shows Hannah Dugan outside her courtroom on April 18, confronting federal agents who were there to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz

The long-time judge was indicted on May 13 on charges of obstructing a federal agency and aiding 31-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz’s escape. Pictured: Surveillance footage shows Hannah Dugan outside her courtroom on April 18, confronting federal agents who were there to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz

Her high-powered legal team, including attorney Dean Strang, warned the case could set a ‘dangerous precedent,’ undermining judicial independence. 

‘This is an extraordinary prosecution that poses a threat to federalism and judicial independence,’ the filing states. 

‘Dismissal here flows from a straightforward application of long-settled law. The indictment itself is an ugly innovation. Its dismissal will not be.’

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The filing continues: ‘Nothing in the Constitution allows the federal government to superintend the administration and case-by-case, daily functioning of state courts as this indictment proposes.’

This latest motion expands on an earlier filing with more detailed arguments about federal overreach and the constitutional role of judges. Dugan’s attorneys maintain she acted within her jurisdiction and broke no laws in declining to facilitate the detention.

The US Department of Justice, however, characterizes the incident as obstruction of federal law, triggering a contentious legal and political debate.

An amicus brief filed on Friday by 138 former state and federal judges supports Dugan, arguing she is entitled to ‘absolute immunity for her official acts.’ 

The brief compares this protection to that granted to members of the legislative and executive branches. 

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Dugan's high-powered legal team claims Dugan is protected by 'absolute judicial immunity' for actions taken as part of her official duties, even if those actions are later contested. Pictured: Dugan leaves after appearing in court in Milwaukee on May 15

Dugan’s high-powered legal team claims Dugan is protected by ‘absolute judicial immunity’ for actions taken as part of her official duties, even if those actions are later contested. Pictured: Dugan leaves after appearing in court in Milwaukee on May 15

Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 31, appeared in Dugan's court on April 18 for a status conference in a misdemeanor battery case. He is accused of repeatedly hitting and briefly strangling his roommate, and also striking two women who tried to intervene

Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 31, appeared in Dugan’s court on April 18 for a status conference in a misdemeanor battery case. He is accused of repeatedly hitting and briefly strangling his roommate, and also striking two women who tried to intervene

It calls the prosecution an ‘egregious overreach by the executive branch’ that ‘threatens public trust in the judicial system and the ability of the public to avail themselves of courthouses without fear of reprisal.’ 

But, the Justice Department maintains that no one – including judges – is above the law when it comes to obstructing federal immigration operations.

‘Since President Trump was inaugurated, activist judges have tried to obstruct President Trump and the American people’s mandate to make America safe and secure our homeland – but this judge’s actions to shield an accused violent criminal illegal alien from justice is shocking and shameful,’ Assistant Secretary Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

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Dugan, who was released after her arrest, pleaded not guilty earlier this month. Her trial is set to begin the week of July 21.

If found guilty of both charges, she could face up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines. 

She has served as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge since 2016, winning election with about 65 percent of the vote and running unopposed for reelection in 2022, according to CBS News.

As for Flores-Ruiz, he had appeared in Dugan’s court on April 18 for a status conference in a misdemeanor battery case, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 

He is accused of repeatedly hitting and briefly strangling his roommate, and also striking two women who tried to intervene.

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Flores-Ruiz has pleaded not guilty to three battery charges and to a separate federal charge of illegally re-entering the US after being deported to Mexico 12 years ago. 

Six federal agents were present at the courthouse on April 18 to arrest him. He was ultimately taken into custody after a short chase outside the courthouse.



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WATCH: Wisconsin Badgers RB discusses ‘pretty surreal moment’ of being Hall of Fame inductee

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WATCH: Wisconsin Badgers RB discusses ‘pretty surreal moment’ of being Hall of Fame inductee


MADISON, Wis. – What seemed like an ordinary chat with Chris McIntosh eventually took James White by surprise.

McIntosh, the University of Wisconsin athletic director, announced White among 11 other inductees for the UW Athletic Hall of Fame class of 2026 on Thursday. White played for the Badgers from 2010-13 and currently ranks sixth all-time in program history in career yards rushing (4,015), third in yards per carry (6.24, with a minimum of 300 attempts) and tied for fourth in career rushing touchdowns (45).

Up until Braelon Allen’s 96-yard touchdown run against Illinois State in 2022, White also held the school record for longest run – a 93-yard burst against Indiana in 2013.

“It’s a pretty surreal moment for me,” White said. “I still remember getting the phone call from Chris McIntosh, initially having a normal conversation with him, not expecting him to tell me that I’m gonna be inducted into the Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame.

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“This place means a ton to me. It’s being far away from home, from South Florida, coming all the way out to Wisconsin. The best decision I ever made in my life, as far as not only football, but growing as a man, making friends for a lifetime, learning academics and everything that comes along with being a college student. It’s truly an honor.”

Watch and listen to White talk more with reporters Thursday about being inducted, if it’s weird being back in Madison now that he’s assistant running backs coach for Bret Bielema at Illinois, and if he talked to Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell.



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