Wisconsin

Wisconsin Crime Labs’ Turnaround Times Slowed Last Year

Published

3 years ago

April 14, 2022

Wisconsin Crime Labs’ Turnaround Times Slowed Last Year

By TODD RICHMOND, Related Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin crime labs took longer to ship check outcomes final yr throughout various disciplines, as analysts continued to face the added difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and spent extra time testifying in courtroom than the earlier yr, based on a state Justice Division report launched Thursday.

The common turnaround time to develop a DNA profile jumped from three months to 4; the time to research proof for the presence of an unlawful drug elevated from 44 days to 61; and time to research bodily fluids or tissue for alcohol or medication elevated from 39 days to 48, based on the division’s annual lab efficiency report.

The one areas the place turnaround occasions improved have been ballistics, instrument mark and footwear evaluation. The labs shaved nearly 100 days off their ballistics turnaround time, from 247 days in 2020 to 157 days final yr, though they dealt with 14 fewer circumstances. The time for instrument mark evaluation dropped from 1,164 days to 763. The variety of instrument mark circumstances, nevertheless, dropped from 23 to seven. Turnaround time for footwear evaluation fell from 140 days to 12, with the labs dealing with two fewer of such circumstances than in 2020.

Delays have plagued crime labs throughout the nation for years, pushed largely by prosecutors and police flooding labs with proof submissions within the hopes of growing DNA profiles to find out suspects’ identifies and construct air-tight circumstances.

Political Cartoons

Nonetheless, the Wisconsin numbers might be a headache for Democratic Legal professional Basic Josh Kaul on the marketing campaign path this summer time. Kaul hammered his predecessor, Republican Brad Schimel, over sluggish turnaround occasions in 2018 to the purpose that Schimel employed a advisor to search out methods to hurry issues up.

Two Republicans, former state Rep. Adam Jarchow and Fond du Lac County District Legal professional Eric Toney, are set to face off in an Aug. 9 major for the prospect to problem Kaul within the Nov. 8 normal election. Neither of their campaigns instantly responded to messages Thursday morning.

Kaul stated in an interview with The Related Press that analysts spent a lot of 2021 doing what they may from dwelling and dealing staggered shifts because the pandemic dragged on. Additionally they spent extra time testifying in courtroom as judges labored to remove a backlog of trials that constructed up after the pandemic pressured courts to shut in 2020, earlier than vaccines have been obtainable.

He additionally identified that Republican legislators have refused to fund all of the lab positions he requested within the final two state budgets. He requested for 20 positions throughout each spending plans however received solely 7.4, he stated.

Nonetheless, Kaul stated the labs are trending in the fitting path. The variety of items of proof submitted to the labs for DNA evaluation has dropped significantly since early 2021 — as of March 31, the labs had solely 600 circumstances of their queue in contrast with nearly 1,200 a yr earlier. Meaning police are gaining a greater understanding of what submissions may yield one of the best outcomes, he stated.

“What that reveals is what we have been doing is working,” Kaul stated. “You possibly can see over time the downward development. That to me is the signal that for the long-term we’re transferring in the fitting path.”

Gov. Tony Evers has allotted $5 million in federal pandemic reduction funds to the crime labs, Kaul added. That cash shall be used to outsource testing to non-public labs and maybe rent extra analysts, he stated.

“Anyone can cherry-pick the numbers in a report like this and spin them the best way they need, and I do not doubt that folks will,” Kaul stated.

Observe Todd Richmond on Twitter: https://twitter.com/trichmond1

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Wisconsin

Better Know A Badger – 2025 four-star lineman Hardy Watts

Published

7 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Better Know A Badger – 2025 four-star lineman Hardy Watts

MADISON, Wis. – It turned out that Luke Fickell had no reason to worry.

The University of Wisconsin head coach was hopeful that the results on the field wouldn’t cause members of his highly ranked third recruiting class to start rethinking their commitment or, worse yet, reopen their decision-making process entirely.

From the time the Badgers’ 2024 season ended without a bowl game for the first time in 23 years to the first day of the early signing period, Wisconsin’s staff only saw one prospect de-commit. Twenty-three kids signed paperwork to join Fickell’s program, a class that ranks 20th in the Rivals.com rankings with 10 four-star recruits from eight different states.

“To see guys not waver,” Fickell said. “That faith and belief that the games and what you see on Saturday isn’t everything. For those guys to hold with us and believe in us … relationships, trust, and belief in this process still win out.”

Adding depth to the offensive line, we look at the signing of Brookline (MA) Dexter’s Hardy Watts and how his addition improves the program.

Stats

Watts worked all over the offensive line during his high school career, but he spent this past season working primarily at right tackle. It was a position that his school needed him to play and the spot where he felt the most comfortable. It benefited him, as Watts earned all-conference recognition.

“I think I improved my chemistry and my ability to work as part of a unit, rather than making plays and flashy blocks,” Watts said. “I was learning the footwork of certain types of blocking and steps. I really refined what was already there and brought it back to working as part of a unit, making sure I am not messing up any assignments, and consistency.”

Recruiting Competition

The 17th commitment in Wisconsin’s 2025 class, Watts committed to the Badgers over a top group that included Clemson and Michigan. Watts also had two dozen offers from Power-Four schools like Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Penn State, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.

“There were a few schools that never stopped pursuing me,” Watts said. “They were some new schools that came forward with an offer, but I just politely declined, explained to them the situation that I was locked in and wasn’t going anywhere.”

Recruiting Story

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 24, 2024

Published

15 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 24, 2024

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 24, 2024, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

11-14-38-45-46, Mega Ball: 03, Megaplier: 3

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 7-9-6

Evening: 2-0-2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 9-8-7-5

Evening: 6-3-7-0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 03-04-06-07-09-10-14-16-17-18-19

Evening: 02-05-07-08-12-13-17-18-19-20-21

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

05-19-22-23-24

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

02-03-06-30-31-34, 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.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

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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Wisconsin

Wisconsin RB enters transfer portal. NCAA waiver gives senior another year of eligibility

Published

23 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Wisconsin RB enters transfer portal. NCAA waiver gives senior another year of eligibility

MADISON – A recent court ruling has opened the door for former junior college players to gain another year of NCAA eligibility.

It appears that Tawee Walker is going to take advantage of the opportunity.

According to On3, Wisconsin’s senior running back will enter the transfer portal in search of a home for next season. The news came one day after the NCAA approved a blanket waiver granting one more year of eligibility to athletes who competed at a non-NCAA school for one or more years and would have otherwise exhausted their eligibility during the 2024-25 school year.

Walker fits the bill. He played the the 2021 season at Palomar College. a junior college in San Marcos, California, before competing for Oklahoma in 2022 and ’23 and Wisconsin this season. The NCAA counts his junior college season towards his four years of college eligibility.

The waiver stems from a case brought forward by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. A Tennessee court ruled that counting the two seasons he played at a junior college toward his NCAA eligibility violated the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Walker, a 5-foot-9, 218-pound Las Vegas native, led the Badgers with 864 yards in 190 carries, a 4.5-yard average, and scored 10 touchdowns.

He begin the season sharing the No. 1 tailback role with Chez Mellusi and blossomed after Mellusi took what proved to be a permanent leave Oct. 3.

As Wisconsin’s primary ball carrier Walker ran for 718 yards in 152 carries, a 4.7-yard average, with nine touchdowns.

His best stretch was a three-game run against Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern when he gained 418 yards in 66 carries, a 6.3-yard average, and scored six times.

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