Wisconsin

Wisconsin GOP candidate calls for ‘pitchforks and torches’

Published

2 years ago

September 2, 2022

Wisconsin GOP candidate calls for ‘pitchforks and torches’

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican candidate for governor in Wisconsin endorsed by Donald Trump is looking for individuals to take up “pitchforks and torches” in response to a narrative that detailed his giving to anti-abortion teams, church buildings and others — rhetoric that Democrats say quantities to threatening violence.

Tim Michels, who co-owns the state’s largest building firm, faces Democratic Gov. Tony Evers within the battleground state. If Michels wins, he will likely be in place to enact a bunch of GOP priorities handed by the Republican-controlled Legislature main into the 2024 presidential election. Evers has vetoed extra payments than any governor in fashionable state historical past and is campaigning on his capability to function a verify on Republicans.

Michels, a multimillionaire, this week reacted strongly to a narrative revealed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel detailing charitable giving by he and his spouse’s basis, a few of which went to anti-abortion teams and church buildings which have taken anti-gay positions.

For the reason that story’s publication, Michels has gone after not simply Evers and Democrats, but in addition the Journal Sentinel and, extra broadly, all reporters.

“I imagine individuals ought to simply, simply be able to get out on the streets with pitchforks and torches with how low the liberal media has grow to be,” Michels mentioned Thursday on a conservative speak radio present. “Folks must determine ‘Am I going to place up with this? Am I going to tolerate this, taking someone that offers cash to church buildings or most cancers analysis and use that as a success piece within the media?’ I’m appalled. It’s disgusting.”

That is additional than he went in a marketing campaign web site posting on Thursday when he inspired individuals to “Become involved. Push again. Communicate up. Volunteer. Donate. Vote.”

Evers’ spokesman, Sam Roecker, tweeted Friday that Michels had gone too far.

“As an alternative of explaining why he’s funding teams working to ban entry to abortion and contraception, Tim Michels is encouraging violence,” Roecker wrote. “He’s too radical for Wisconsin.”

Hannah Menchhff, a Wisconsin Democratic Occasion spokesperson, accused Michels of threatening violence in an “excessive try and pander to Donald Trump and the MAGA base.”

Michels’ marketing campaign spokesperson, Anna Kelly, on Friday downplayed his feedback.

“Solely political hacks and media accomplices would freak out about Tim utilizing a determine of speech to emphasise the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s ridiculous characterization of his donations to church buildings, nuns, and charitable causes as ‘radical,’” she mentioned.

Michels, who has used the Journal Sentinel article in fundraising pleas, posted a prolonged response to the piece on his marketing campaign web site Thursday. He accused Evers and the “corrupt media” of turning his charitable giving and religion “into one thing malicious.”

“I’ll by no means, ever apologize for giving to charitable causes, or for being a Christian,” Michels wrote. “Nevertheless, the Journal Sentinel ought to be ashamed of their anti-religious bigotry.”

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel govt editor George Stanley defended the article, noting that the paper ran a bit on the identical day about safety prices for the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate that his Republican opponent was urging individuals to learn.

“Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters are impartial of all political events and particular curiosity teams,” Stanley mentioned. “We’re dedicated to accuracy so residents could make up their very own minds and keep in control of their authorities.”

The Timothy and Barbara Michels Household Basis donated $1.66 million in 2020 alone, the Journal Sentinel reported. The majority of it, $1 million, went to Cornell College in New York. the place a college member pioneered a uncommon surgical procedure that saved the lifetime of Michels’ daughter, who had a mind tumor at age 11.

The Journal Sentinel revealed a narrative in March about that donation and the surgical procedure that Michels’ daughter had. That was one month earlier than Michels introduced his run for governor.

Michels additionally gave $175,000 to Wisconsin Proper to Life, Professional Life Wisconsin Schooling Process Drive and Avail NYC, a New York Metropolis disaster being pregnant heart.

Professional Life Wisconsin needs to outlaw abortion and ban commonest types of contraception and contraception. It additionally needs to ban in vitro fertilization.

The Michels’ basis additionally donated $10,000 to Christ Fellowship in Miami. The Journal Sentinel’s story famous that the church’s pastor, Omar Giritli, in June known as arguments for exception to abortions in instances of rape or incest “misleading reasoning.”

The couple additionally donated $50,000 to Spring Creek Church in Pewaukee. Its pastor, Chip Bernhard, has recommended that individuals who have an abortion want forgiveness, and permitting transgender youngsters to make use of the toilet of their selection is “terrible.”

Kelly, Michels’ marketing campaign spokesperson, didn’t instantly reply to questions on whether or not Michels supported these positions.

Michels defended his giving to being pregnant useful resource facilities, Wisconsin Proper to Life and Professional Life Wisconsin, saying “we imagine girls who might really feel overwhelmed by an unplanned being pregnant want and deserve compassion, love, assist and choices aside from abortion.

“I apologize for none of it,” Michels wrote.

___

This story was up to date to right that George Stanley is the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s govt editor, not its managing editor.

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Wisconsin

Gas prices drop lower during busy holiday travel season in Wisconsin

Published

5 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Press Room

Gas prices drop lower during busy holiday travel season in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Gas prices are the cheapest they’ve been since the pandemic, just as people prepare to travel for the holidays.

According to AAA Wisconsin, the average gas prices is $2.86 per gallon in the state, a new low since 2020.

”We’ve had so many disruptions in the last four to five years between Covid and then the Ukraine conflict that has sent prices either far down or bringing them to historic highs,” AAA Director of Public Affairs Nick Jarmusz said. “We kind of forget what normal is.”

He said the low cost at the pump is a result of peak summer travel season ending, an even supply and demand for fuel and fewer global crises.

”Right now we’re in a pretty favorable balance between lower demand and pretty plentiful supply and no real disruptions to speak of,” he said.

Gas prices drop lower during busy holiday travel season(Marcus Aarsvold)

People can save more money at the pump if they drive the speed limit.

”By sticking closer to the speed limit, avoiding aggressive driving in situations, you can actually increase your fuel efficiency by about 40% or up to 40%,” Jarmusz said. “Which can add up to pretty significant savings.”

If trends continue, he also said prices might drop even more. ”Really, I would not be surprised to see these prices continue to go down,” Jarmusz said. “I don’t think we’ve seen the lowest prices we’ll see this year yet.”

According to AAA the best times to travel before Thanksgiving on Thursday is in the morning hours on Tuesday and Wednesday. Roads will be busiest in the afternoons.

Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.

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Wisconsin

Game 12 Wisconsin football two-deep for Minnesota Gophers game Nov. 29 at Camp Randall Stadium

Published

13 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

Game 12 Wisconsin football two-deep for Minnesota Gophers game Nov. 29 at Camp Randall Stadium

MADISON – A look at the unofficial two-deep for the Wisconsin football team heading into its game against Minnesota at 11 a.m. Friday at Camp Randall Stadium.

OFFENSE

Quarterback

1 – Braedyn Locke, 6-1, 205, redshirt-soph.

2 – Mabrey Mettauer, 6-4, 230, fr.

Running back

1 – Tawee Walker, 5-9, 218, sr.

2 – Darrion Dupree, 5-10, 205, fr.

Receiver

1 – Bryson Green, 6-3, 213, sr.

2 – C.J. Williams, 6-2, 196, jr.

Receiver

1 – Vinny Anthony II, 6-0, 188, jr.

2 – Quincy Burroughs, 6-2, 212, r-soph.

Slot recever

1 – Will Pauling, 5-10, 187, r-jr.

2 – Trech Kekahuna, 5-10, 187, r-fr.

Tight end

1 – Riley Nowakowski, 6-1, 243, r-sr.

2 – Tucker Ashcraft, 6-5, 255, soph.

Left tackle

1 – Jack Nelson, 6-7, 316, sr.

2 – Barrett Nelson, 6-6, 302, r-soph.

Left guard

1 – Joe Brunner, 6-5, 313- r-soph.

2. – James Durand, 6-5, 305, r-fr.

Center

1 – Jake Renfro, 6-3, 302, r-sr.

2. – Kerry Kodanko, 6-2, 308, r-sr.

Right guard

1 – Joe Huber, 6-5, 310, r-sr.

2 – JP Benzschawel, 6-6, 312, r-jr.

Right tackle

1 – Riley Mahlman, 6-8, 308, r-jr.

2 – Kevin Heywood, 6-8, 325, fr.

DEFENSE

Line

1 – Ben Barten, 6-5, 308, r-sr.

2 – Elijah Hills, 6-3, 282, sr.

Line

1 – Curt Neal, 6-0, 290, r-soph.

2 – Cade McDonald, 6-6, 285, r-sr.

Outside linebacker

1 – Darryl Peterson, 6-1, 248, r-jr.

2 – Aaron Witt, 6-6, 247, r-jr.

Inside linebacker

1 – Jake Chaney, 5-11, 233, sr.

2 – Tackett Curtis, 6-2, 228, soph.

Inside linebacker

1 – Christian Alliegro, 6-4, 240, soph.

2 – Jaheim Thomas, 6-4, 245, r-sr.

Outside linebacker

1 – Leon Lowery, 6-3, 252, r-sr.

2 – Sebastian Cheeks, 6-3, 230, r-soph., or John Pius, 6-4, 250, r-sr.

Cornerback

1 – Ricardo Hallman, 5-10, 185, r-jr.

2 – R.J. Delancy III, 5-11, 193, r-sr., or Jonas Duclona, 5-10, 190, soph.

Strong safety

1 – Hunter Wohler, 6-2, 218, sr.

2 – Owen Arnett, 5-11, 210, r-jr.

Free safety

1 – Preston Zachman, 6-1, 212, r-sr.

2 – Austin Brown, 6-1, 210, jr.

Cornerback

1 – Nyzier Fourqurean, 6-1, 190, r-sr.

2 – R.J. Delancy, 5-11, 193, r-sr., or Xavier Lucas, 6-2, 198, fr.

Nickel back

1 – Austin Brown, 6-1, 210, jr.

2 – Max Lofy, 5-10, 188, r-sr.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter

1 – Atticus Bertrams, 6-3, 225, soph.

2 – Gavin Meyers, 6-1, 198, r-sr.

Field goal kicker

1 – Nathanial Vakos, 6-1, 205, jr.

2 – Gavin Lahm, 6-0, 213, jr.

Kickoffs

1 – Gavin Lahm, 6-10, 213, jr.

2 – Nathanial Vakos, 6-1, 205, jr.

Long snapper

1 – Cayson Pfeiffer, 6-0, 205, sr.

2 – Duncan McKinley, 6-2, 222, r-sr.

Holder

1 – Gavin Meyers, 6-1, 198, r-sr.

2 – Atticus Bertrams, 6-2, 225, soph.

Punt returner

1 – Vinny Anthony II, 6-0, 188, jr.

2 – Hunter Wohler, 6-2, 218, sr.

Kickoff returner

1 – Vinny Anthony II, 6-0, 188, jr.

2 – Trech Kekahuna, 5-10, 197, r-fr.

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Wisconsin

Where Wisconsin's class of 2025 ranks nationally after big-time addition of QB Carter Smith

Published

21 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

Where Wisconsin's class of 2025 ranks nationally after big-time addition of QB Carter Smith

Wisconsin football’s recruiting performance is far better than the current on-field product, to say the least.

Luke Fickell’s team has now lost four straight games after Saturday’s 44-25 defeat at Nebraska. It is just 5-6 on the season and 3-5 in Big Ten play, desperately needing a season-closing victory over Minnesota to clinch bowl eligibility.

There is more context behind that on-field performance, including the recent firing of offensive coordinator Phil Longo and historic blowout losses to rivals Iowa and Nebraska sandwiching hard-fought losses to top-ranked teams. That context doesn’t help the general trend of poor play.

But for those still optimistic about the Badgers’ future under Luke Fickell, the biggest calling card is his recruiting performance.

Wisconsin made headlines on Sunday when it landed a commitment from four-star class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith. Smith is ranked as 247Sports’ No. 15 quarterback in the class and No. 164 overall player. Beating Florida State for his commitment was a statement for Fickell and his staff — even doing so after firing Longo just seven days earlier.

The addition of Smith brings Wisconsin’s class of 2025 to 25 total commitments — eight of which coming from blue-chip players. Notably, it rose the group four spots up to No. 21 in 247Sports’ national rankings.

The Badgers now boast the eighth-highest-rated class in the Big Ten, trailing just Ohio State (No. 2 overall), Oregon (No. 8), Michigan (No. 9), USC (No. 11), Penn State (No. 15), Washington (No. 18) and Nebraska (No. 20). The No. 21 ranking is an impressive follow-up after Luke Fickell finished the 2024 class with 247Sports’ No. 25 overall class and a Blue-Chip Ratio of 50%.

Smith’s addition continues a growing debate about how to weigh Wisconsin’s on-field struggles with its recruiting success. In reality, the 2025 football season will be somewhat defined by the performance of the 2024 recruiting class and another crop of transfers. If that strong recruiting doesn’t lead to improved on-field play, the clock may start ticking on his tenure.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

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