Wisconsin
Wisconsin clerk who failed to count November votes violated multiple policies, investigators say
MADISON, Wis. — The former clerk who somehow failed to count nearly 200 ballots in Wisconsin’s capital city didn’t break any laws but did violate multiple policies and her contractual duty to supervise elections and maintain professional standards, the results of a city-led investigation released Tuesday show.
Madison City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl resigned earlier this month amid city and state investigations into her conduct during the November elections. She hasn’t spoken publicly about the uncounted ballots since they came to light in January, and it is unclear if she has hired an attorney. A possible telephone listing for her has been disconnected. She did not immediately respond to a Facebook message from The Associated Press on Tuesday seeking comment on the city findings.
According to the investigation, Dane County canvassers discovered 68 uncounted absentee ballots in a tabulator bin on Nov. 12, a week after the election, and another 125 uncounted ballots in a courier bag the first week of December.
The investigation did not shed any light on how the ballots were missed, saying the mistake appears to have been “primarily a process and training failure that could have been avoided” by keeping logs of courier bags and sealed envelopes at the polling place and training poll workers on the types of courier bags used to transport absentee ballots.
Witzel-Behl’s office still had opportunities to count the ballots after they were discovered but never did, the investigation concluded. The office didn’t notify the Wisconsin Elections Commission of the oversight until Dec. 18, almost a month and a half after the election and well after results were certified on Nov. 29.
Witzel-Behl told investigators that she told two staff members to contact the commission on Nov. 12. But the staffers said she never directed them to do that. A staffer whose name was redacted from the investigative summary said that he tried to inform the Dane County Clerk’s office in-person on Nov. 13 but that office had no evidence that anyone presented the issue.
Witzel-Behl told investigators she wasn’t aware of any uncounted votes until the week of Dec. 10, even though she apparently sent an email to her staff on Nov. 27 to keep the ballots sealed and record the voters as having participated.
She said that her deputy clerk told her there were uncounted ballots during the week of Dec. 10. The deputy told investigators no such conversation took place.
The investigation concluded that Witzel-Behl failed to demonstrate care and efficiency in the performance of her duties, prepare her office to deal with significant election administration issues, provide clear direction on handling uncounted ballots and maintain processes that allow every legal vote to count.
Her failure to directly notify the county clerk, the state elections commission, the city attorney and the mayor’s office amounted to violations of polices requiring employees to work efficiently and barring them from preventing others from carrying out their duties, the investigation concluded.
The uncounted votes would not have made a difference in any race or referendums question, but the investigators still called the oversight “an unprecedented failure of the election process.” Four voters whose ballots weren’t counted have filed claims for $175,000 each, the first step toward a class-action lawsuit.
The state elections commission’s investigation continues. Commission leaders announced earlier this month that they had deposed Witzel-Behl and planned to question more city workers.
Wisconsin
Northeast Wisconsin high schoolers jam in 2026 ‘Rockonsin’ contest at Summerfest
MILWAUKEE (WLUK) — Four Northeast Wisconsin garage bands took to the Aurora Pavilion Stage at Summerfest Friday in hopes of winning the 2026 edition of ‘Rockonsin.’
The bands include:
- “Mania” composed of students from East De Pere High School
- “The Danios” composed of students from Mayville High School
- “The Doorknobs” composed of students from Sheboygan North High School and Étude High School
- “Krusher” composed of students from Campbellsport High School
The local bands and six others were the finalists selected from 54 middle and high schools across across Wisconsin for the 2026 contest.
All of them performed 20 minute showcases for an audience, including a trio of music industry panel judges. The bands were judged on technique, rhythm and vocals, primary beats, and synergy among other aspects.
Rockonsin announced “Krusher” won the grand prize Saturday night. Winning the contest nets the band a 12 hour recording session at Blast House Studios in Madison. The runner up band is “Candy Cigarette” from Oconomowoc High School, which wins a shorter 8 hour recording session at Blast House Studios.
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The contest is in its 22nd year.
Wisconsin
Missing endangered 24-year-old in Wisconsin, search ongoing
LAKE MILLS, Wis. (WFRV) – The City of Lake Mills Police Department alerted the public that they are looking for a missing endangered person early Saturday morning.
Police say that 24-year-old Alfred, “Al,” Pellatt of Lake Mills was last seen at approximately 2:45 a.m. on Friday, June 19. It was detailed that Pellatt left a bar in the 100 block of N. Main Street in Lake Mills heading north on foot. At around 2:43 a.m., Pellatt was viewed on foot in the 500 block of N. Main Street.
It was noted that Pellatt has special needs and is on medication, but does not have it with him.
Police describe Pellatt as a 6’0″ white male, weighing 215 pounds. He was last seen wearing a floral dress.
Lake Mills is located west of Milwaukee in Jefferson County.
Any information pertaining to Pellatt’s whereabouts should be shared with the City of Lake Mills Police Department.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for June 19, 2026
Manuel Franco claims his $768 million Powerball jackpot
Manuel Franco, 24, of West Allis was revealed Tuesday as the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 19, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 19 drawing
13-16-21-26-50, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 19 drawing
Midday: 0-2-5
Evening: 5-1-1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 19 drawing
Midday: 1-2-0-1
Evening: 5-6-2-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from June 19 drawing
Midday: 01-05-07-11-13-14-15-17-18-21-22
Evening: 01-02-08-09-12-14-17-18-20-21-22
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from June 19 drawing
09-13-14-30-31
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from June 19 drawing
04-05-13-14-16-27, Doubler: N
Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
- Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
- Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?
No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.
When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
- Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **
WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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