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Michigan House Republican Leader: Pass FOIA Reform During Sunshine Week

Mar 13, 20244 min read
House Republican Leader Matt Hall urged House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, to pass reform to records requests during Sunshine Week, which celebrates government transparency. Sunshine Week, observed this year from March 10-16, highlights the need for transparency and accountability at all levels of government.

Wisconsin GOP Lawmakers Blast State as Committee OKs New Reading Standards

Mar 13, 20243 min read
Wisconsin’s push to help children in the state’s schools read better took its next step forward Monday. The budget-writing Joint Finance Committee approved four new reading programs for the state’s public schools.

Gov. Evers OKs Millions for University of Wisconsin Construction, Tuition Distribution Changes

Mar 9, 20242 min read
There’s going to be a building boom on some University of Wisconsin campuses across the state. Gov. Tony Evers on Wednesday signed a new law that clears the way for a new engineering building at UW-Madison, as well as classroom renovations in both Madison and Whitewater. The new law also includes nearly $200 million for central plant renovations and demolition projects.

Hotels Paid by Hennepin County to House Migrants at Locations Across Twin Cities

Mar 9, 20246 min read
Hundreds of migrants are staying at “shelter sites” across the Twin Cities metro. Having been sheltered in Minnesota for months, these migrants are largely families who are staying at various Minneapolis area hotels. Alpha News traveled to multiple shelter sites and talked with migrants and hotel staff on the ground.

Spending Up, Michigan Test Scores, Public School Enrollment Remain Low

Mar 9, 20243 min read
Despite more spending on public education, test scores remain flat in Michigan, according to a recently released report. The free market-focused Reason Foundation released its Public Education at a Crossroads study, analyzing the lack of correlation between increased spending and improved test scores in American schools between 2002 and 2020. 

Minnesota DFL Legislators Want to Enshrine Trans Sports in State Law, Ban Removal of LGBT Flags

Mar 6, 20243 min read
A group of Democrats are putting forward legislation to enshrine transgender sports in state statute and ban the removal of LGBT flags in many public places. Dozens of Democratic lawmakers have signed on to HF 4394 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Authored by Rep. Leigh Finke, D-St. Paul, this bill would require the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) commissioner to develop a “gender inclusion policy” that must be adopted in some form by school districts across the state.

Wisconsin Republican Lawmaker Wants Local Voice on Wind, Solar Projects

Mar 6, 20242 min read
New legislation at the Wisconsin Capitol would put local communities in charge of local wind and solar projects. State Rep. Ty Bodden, R-Stockbridge, has introduced a plan that would require local leaders to sign off on wind and solar farms before regulators at Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission could move forward.

Michigan Lawmakers Want Mass Transit Between Grand Rapids, Detroit, Ann Arbor

Mar 6, 20243 min read
Michigan Democratic lawmakers want mass transit between Grand Rapids, Detroit and Ann Arbor but don’t know how to pay for it. State Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia, majority caucus chair & Education Committee chair, posted on social media that mass transit would prevent young people from leaving the state.

Democrats Advance Two Gun Control Bills in Minnesota House

Mar 2, 20245 min read
Democrats in the Minnesota House of Representatives advanced two gun control bills on Thursday that have Republicans, gun groups, and private citizens concerned. HF 4300, authored by Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn, D-Roseville, would set new laws for how firearms must be stored. Under the proposed law, gun owners must either leave their firearms unloaded with a locking device, or store their firearms in a legitimate “firearm storage unit” such as a safe. Citizens who fail to do so will face legal consequences ranging from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the offense.

Eligible Michigan Residents to Receive Additional Tax Credit

Mar 2, 20242 min read
by Carly Moran   Michigan plans to send $219 million in tax credits back to taxpayers over the next few weeks, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced. Whitmer said a supplemental Working Families Tax Credit will be sent to Michigan families who already received a 2022 tax year Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit for Working Families. […]

Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson Doesn’t Rule Out Senate Minority Leadership

Mar 2, 20242 min read
Wisconsin’s Republican U.S. Senator says he’s not looking to become the next Republican leader, but he’s not ruling it out either. Sen. Ron Johnson told News Talk 1130 WISN’s Jay Weber he is focused right now on organizing the search for someone to replace Mitch McConnell when McConnell leaves Senate leadership in November.

Green Bay School Superintendent Resigns After Calling Colleague ‘Witch,’ Wisconsin ‘Lily’ White on Hot Mic in Atlanta Radio Interview

Mar 1, 20243 min read
A Green Bay, Wisconsin school superintendent resigned on Tuesday after he was captured on a hot mic describing the district as "lily" white and expressing his displeasure at working in a "white district" during an appearance on WAOK-AM as he visited Atlanta to recruit educators. Former Green Bay Area Public School District (GBAPS) Superintendent Claude Tiller Jr.'s hot mic comments were broadcast on YouTube while the radio station broadcast was on a commercial break.

Team Biden Reportedly ‘Freaking Out’ That President is Bleeding Key Support from Arab Voters in Michigan

Feb 28, 20244 min read
The White House and Biden 2024 reelection campaign are concerned that President Joe Biden is hemorrhaging support from voters in Arab and Muslim communities in Michigan amid his support for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, Politico reported Tuesday. Biden has publicly backed Israel’s war effort against Hamas even as many of his supporters and voters demand he call for a ceasefire in favor of protecting the Palestinian population in Gaza. Multiple uncommitted voter campaigns have sprung up against Biden as he continues to lose support from Arab and Muslim communities threatening not to back him in the state’s Tuesday primaries, according to Politico.

Expansion of Teacher Apprenticeship Program Awaits Evers’ Decision

Feb 28, 20242 min read
Expansion in the way Wisconsin prepares new teachers has passed the state Assembly and awaits a decision from second-term Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. His decision has yet to be signaled.

Minnesota School Board Votes to Leave Sexually Graphic Book in School Library

Feb 28, 20244 min read
The Osseo school board voted Tuesday to leave a sexually explicit graphic novel in the Maple Grove High School library. “It does have the potential, as a parent mentioned earlier, to help some students,” board member Thomas Brooks said while explaining why he would be voting to leave the book on the shelves.