Wisconsin

Trump supporters trying to recall Wisconsin GOP leader failed, elections review concludes

Published

2 years ago

April 10, 2024

Trump supporters trying to recall Wisconsin GOP leader failed, elections review concludes

Scott Bauer
| Associated Press

Madison, Wis. – The effort by supporters of former President Donald Trump to recall Wisconsin’s top elected Republican did not gather enough signatures to trigger the recall election and therefore should be rejected, state elections officials said Wednesday.

Trump backers angry with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos launched the recall effort, citing his refusal to decertify President Joe Biden’s narrow win in the state in 2020. Vos further angered Trump supporters when he did not back a plan to impeach Meagan Wolfe, the state’s top elections official.

Trump also renewed his criticism of Vos and Wolfe this week.

Vos dismissed petition organizers as “whack jobs and morons” and said previously that the effort had failed after challenging the validity of thousands of signatures.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission was expected to formally reject the Vos recall effort for not gathering enough valid signatures on Thursday.

Staff at the commission said in a memo released Wednesday that based on their review the effort did not collect enough valid signatures. The effort was complicated over what district should be used for any recall election, given that new boundary lines take effect in November.

But the staff review found that no matter what district is used – the one Vos was elected to serve in 2022 or either of the two new ones that comprise parts of the old district – the recall did not gather enough signatures.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court last week declined a request from the elections commission to clarify what district boundaries should be used in any recall.

Vos is the most powerful Republican in the GOP-led Legislature. He was first elected in 2004 and is the longest-serving Assembly speaker in state history, holding the post since 2013.

He did not return a message seeking comment. Recall organizers also did not return a message.

Recall organizers, recognizing that their initial effort was likely short of the needed signatures, launched a second recall effort last month.

Trump, in an interview on The Regular Joe radio show on Tuesday lobbed more criticism at Vos and renewed calls for Wolfe to be removed.

“I’ve heard so much about Meagan Wolfe, and it’s like unanimous, she shouldn’t be there,” Trump said. “And Robin Vos, who’s a Republican, is allowing her to be there. I don’t understand it. I can’t imagine it.”

Wolfe is one of the most respected elections officials in the nation. She has served as president of the National Association of State Election Directors and chair of the bipartisan Electronic Registration Information Center, which helps states maintain accurate voter rolls.

Vos has blocked efforts by five Republicans in the Assembly to impeach Wolfe. Senate Republicans voted in September to fire Wolfe, despite objections from Democrats and the Legislature’s nonpartisan attorneys, who said the Senate didn’t have the authority to vote at that time because Wolfe was a holdover in her position and had not been reappointed.

Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul sued to challenge that vote, and in court filings, Republican legislative leaders changed course and claimed their vote to fire Wolfe was merely “symbolic” and had no legal effect.

A judge later ruled that Wolfe is legally holding her position.

Source link

Click to comment

Wisconsin

Search for missing kangaroo in central Wisconsin captures online attention

Published

7 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Search for missing kangaroo in central Wisconsin captures online attention

The search for a pet kangaroo that escaped from its home outside of Necedah has captured media attention across the country.

Chesney is a 16-month-old kangaroo owned by Debbie Marlund, who operates Sunshine Farm Petting Zoo. He and his brother Kenny live in Marlund’s home, along with her five labradors, and often visit the residents of nursing homes and senior centers in the region.

“Chesney actually sleeps in bed with me every night,” Marlund said. “They’re both home bodies. They do get plenty of outside time when it’s nice. They don’t particularly care for cold weather.”

Understanding Wisconsin, Together.

WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” newsletter keeps you connected to the state you love without feeling overwhelmed. No paywall. No agenda. No corporate filter.

The kangaroo was in his outdoor enclosure Wednesday morning when he was spooked by an unfamiliar dog and escaped. He’s been spotted multiple times in the area around his home but has so far evaded several attempts to catch him.

News of the search has been picked up by several TV news stations, including as far away as Seattle, and even made a British-based publication.

Marlund said she has not stopped searching for Chesney since Wednesday morning.

Chesney has been missing since Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Sunshine Farm – Necedah’s Facebook page

“I have been asking neighbors to let me go on their property and walk trails, walk paths, and get close to the vicinity,” said Marlund, adding that friends have been driving local roads to make sure he isn’t spotted leaving the area.

Colton Johnson of Midwest Aerial Drone Services has also aided in the search using a drone and thermal camera.

He often uses the equipment to search for lost pets but said tracking a kangaroo is more difficult because of its speed.

“It’s hard to keep up with him,” Johnson said. “He slipped us last night, but we’re going to head back out there tonight and see if we can get eyes on him.”

Johnson said there have been plenty of people in the area showing up to try to get a look at Chesney. But he urged residents to avoid going after the kangaroo because it could drive the scared animal further into the wooded area.

Marlund asked locals to keep an eye out for Chesney and report any sightings.

“He’s not going to come to a stranger, he’s too spooked,” she said. “But I think it is beneficial for people who are staying in the area or driving by to keep their eye out.”

A kangaroo wearing a teal harness sits in a car seat and drinks from a plastic cup held by a person. — Kangaroo Chesney enjoys a taste of Culver’s. *Photo courtesy of Sunshine Farm – Necedah’s Facebook page*

Source link

Wisconsin

These Wisconsin Rapids restaurants are offering Easter specials

Published

20 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

These Wisconsin Rapids restaurants are offering Easter specials

If you’re looking to make reservations for an Easter meal, check out these Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Calendars are quickly filling up with Easter services, egg hunts, photos with bunnies and brunch plans.

If cooking isn’t your thing, or you’ve been too busy to plan and cook this year, you have options in the Wisconsin Rapids area. Several local restaurants and businesses have you covered with all of your favorite Easter treats.

The following Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants and businesses will be offering Easter breakfast, brunch or dinner.

Branding Iron Supper Club will offer an Easter Dinner from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 5 at 9721 State 13 S. in Saratoga. The Easter menu includes a ham dinner, a prime rib dinner, Branding Iron’s full menu, salad bar and a fresh fruit mimosa bar. The Easter Bunny will also visit from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations are available at 715-325-8102.
Lake Arrowhead Association will host an Easter Brunch Buffet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 5 at Lake Arrowhead, 1195 Apache Lane in Rome. The menu will include a variety of options including a carving station for prime rib and smoked ham, mahi mahi with a Korean glaze, sliced pork loin, chicken Alfredo, chicken tenders, mac & cheese, french fries, baby red potatoes, carrots, a build-your-own omelet station, biscuits and gravy, french toast sticks, pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit, vegetables and more. Reservations are required, including a $25 non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot and can be made at 715-325-2915 or banquets@lakearrowheadgolf.com or events@lakearrowheadgolf.com.
Nekoosa Court will host an Easter Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 4 at Nekoosa Court, 145 N. Cedar St. in Nekoosa. Breakfast will include all-you-can-eat eggs, sausage, pancakes and beverages with an Easter Egg Hunt to follow.
Olympic II will host Easter Weekend Specials from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 4 and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5 at 2520 Eighth St. S. in Wisconsin Rapids. The Easter specials include a breakfast special of an 8-ounce New York strip steak and eggs, hashbrowns and toast, as well as a tenderloin and jumbo shrimp dish, a roast turkey and ham combo, chicken breast and four shrimp, ham steak, roast chicken and roast turkey. Reservations and orders for takeout can be placed at 715-424-4744.
Quality Foods is offering a complete Heat & Serve Easter Dinner, including a ham dinner for eight people with off-the-bone ham, mashed potatoes and beef gravy or eight three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, homemade stuffing, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and eight slices of cheesecake. The store also will offer an Easter prime rib dinner for four, including prime rib, four three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and cheesecake while supplies last at 1021 W. Grand Ave. and 1811 Baker Drive in Wisconsin Rapids. Orders must be placed by April 1 at 715-423-8350 for Baker Drive and at 715-423-9750 for West Grand Avenue. Orders must be picked up by noon April 5.
Slice of Heaven Bakery will host a free Easter dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5 at 1158 Snow Pass in Rome. Guests can eat at the event or order for takeout. Reservations are not needed, but those who need a delivery should contact rebeccalacount@gmail.com or call 608-449-0702.
The Whitney will offer an Easter Breakfast Buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 5 at Hotel Mead Resorts & Convention Centers, 451 E. Grand Ave. in Wisconsin Rapids. Hot dishes include pancakes, pumpkin spice pancakes, french toast casserole, cheesy hashbrown casserole, quiche, frittatas, breakfast burritos, scrambled eggs, poached eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, breakfast sandwiches, eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy and chicken and wild rice soup. Cold dishes include a yogurt bar, fruit skewers, deviled eggs, muffins, cranberry bread, croissants, biscuits and an English muffin. Desserts include fruit pie, carrot cake, peach cobbler and coffee cake. The buffet is available by reservation only at 715-423-1500.

Want to add your business to the list? Please email cshuda@usatodayco.com with the name of your restaurant, your Easter hours, what your Easter menu will include, and whether reservations are required.

Source link

Wisconsin

How to live stream Wisconsin vs Dartmouth: NCAA hockey, TV channel

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

How to live stream Wisconsin vs Dartmouth: NCAA hockey, TV channel

March continues on the ice as Dartmouth Big Green takes on Wisconsin Badgers in a regional semifinal matchup in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament.

MORE: How to live stream NCAA men’s hockey tournament 2026: TV channel, schedule

How to Watch Wisconsin vs Dartmouth

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026

Wisconsin enters the tournament as one of the more complete teams in the field, combining strong defensive structure with high-end offensive talent. The Badgers have leaned on forward Cruz Lucius, a dynamic scorer capable of creating chances in transition, along with Kirsten Simms, who has been a consistent offensive presence throughout the season. On the blue line, Wisconsin’s physicality and ability to limit quality scoring chances have made it a difficult matchup.

Dartmouth arrives as a disciplined and well-coached group that thrives on structure and goaltending. The Big Green will look to slow the game down and rely on key contributors like John Fusco and Cade Webber to control play in their own zone while generating offense through efficient puck movement.

This matchup will likely come down to pace and execution. Wisconsin prefers to push tempo and create scoring opportunities off the rush, while Dartmouth will aim to keep things tight, limit mistakes, and capitalize on special teams opportunities.

Fans can watch the NCAA hockey tournament across the ESPN family of networks, with games airing on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU, while select matchups stream exclusively on ESPN+.

Watch Wisconsin vs Dartmouth Live on Fubo

Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.