Bob Hague

Missing woman found dead in domestic violence related case (MILWAUKEE)\

A long-time Wisconsin Democratic politician is running for Congress. Peter Barca is challenging Republican Congressman Bryan Steil in his bid for a fourth term representing the 1st Congressional District. He made his announcement at an event in Racine County on Thursday. Barca is a veteran of Wisconsin politics and his announcement was not unexpected, after he recently resigned as state Revenue Secretary. Barca was elected to the state Assembly five times before winning a special election to Congress in 1992. He lost to Republican Mark Neuman in 1994. He again served in the Assembly beginning in 2008, taking leadership roles with both Democratic majorities and minorities. Barca was one of Governor Tony Evers’ first cabinet appointments upon his election in 2018. He’s the first big name Democrat to enter the race in what is viewed as a competitive district. The primary will be held in August.

There will be no charges against a state lawmaker accused in a scheme to evade campaign finance rules. Waukesha County District Attorney Susan Opper on Friday declined to fire charges against state Representative Janel Brandtjen. A referral from the state Ethics Commission recommended felony charges against the Menominee Falls Republican for activities related to a campaign to defeat Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. Opper did not clear Brandtjen of wrongdoing, but cited a lack of evidence that she could use in court. The Ethics Commission also recommended charges against Vos’ challenger Adam Steen’s campaign committee; workers for Donald Trump’s fundraising committee; three Republican county parties; and several others over the alleged scheme.

Two fatal crashes in two days involving Milwaukee County Transit buses. In the first crash, a speeding car ran a red light and collided with the bus around midnight Friday on Milwaukee’s west side. The driver of the car, identified as Brandon Lewis, died at the scene. Two passengers in the car were seriously injured, while the bus driver and two passengers were hospitalized but are expected to survive. The second crash Saturday night on Milwaukee’s northwest side killed a passenger in the car that hit the bus, while the car’s driver and another passenger suffered life-threatening injuries. The seven riders on the bus received non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the car is in custody with charges pending.

VP Harris announces new federal nursing home rules during Wisconsin stop (LA CROSSE)

At the Capitol, an appeal to close the state’s Green Bay Prison. Allouez Village President Jim Rafter among those participating in a roundtable on Tuesday. Rafter said local officials have done everything they can to highlight the challenges posed by Green Bay Correctional Institution, but have “ kind of hit a roadblock.”

Pocan concerned Gaza war hurting Biden in Wisconsin (MADISON)

Potential flooding in southern Wisconsin this weekend, says NWS (SULLIVAN)

Walking the state of Wisconsin for a cause. Greg Studzinski routinely takes long walks as a part of his recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. This August, he’ll connect several long walks across the state, from Superior to his hometown of Cudahy. Studzinski hopes his trek from August 10 th through the 31st will raise $10,000 for the substance use disorder treatment program at Milwaukee’s United Community Center. Find out more at the Facebook page Packer2Packer 120.

Students at the two largest Universities of Wisconsin campuses have joined pro-Palestinian protests. Hundreds of people have turned out on Library Mall in Madison. UW-Madison Students for Justice in Palestine has issued six demands, including an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. UW policy prohibits camping on campus, but several tents have been put up. At UW Milwaukee, protesters pitched tents on a grassy lawn they’re referring to as a “liberated zone.”