Yearly Archives: 2023

(The Center Square) – One of Wisconsin's congressmen says he wants to get ahead of any policy that may invite Palestinian refugees into the U.S.

Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wisconsin, introduced a piece of legislation that would not allow people fleeing the Gaza Strip to be brought to America.

“It prevents people that have a Palestinian Authority visa from being able to come into the United States,” Tiffany told Jay Weber on News Talk 1130-WISN.

Tiffany says the legislation is necessary after how the Biden Administration handled the evacuation of U.S. troops and allies out of Afghanistan.

“We saw what happened in Afghanistan a little over two years ago when you had about 100,000 people that came-in unvetted. This would be the same thing,” Tiffany said.

Tiffany, who has long been a critic of President Biden and his immigration policies, said the United States must do a much better job of vetting the people who come into this country.

“When you have children that are given maps without Israel on it. When they are taught ‘death to the Jews.’ I mean that type of stuff, is that who you want to bring into our country?” Tiffany asked. “We've always been a great melting pot here in America, but it requires you to accept American values.”

Tiffany said he would rather see the United States work with other Middle Eastern countries like Egypt or Jordan to take in Palestinian refugees as opposed to giving them carte blanche to come to the United States.

“I would say as soon as Iran and Egypt and some of those other countries say ‘Hey, we're going to do our part,’ then America should consider doing its part,” Tiffany explained. “But until they do something – and they have sealed their borders to the Palestinians – let's have them do their job first before you come and say let's fly them across the ocean to America.”

Tiffany says he doesn't know if the Biden Administration is working on a policy to accept Palestinian refugees but wants to make sure that Republicans are ready with a response if the president does.

In an interview Sunday, President Joe Biden told Israeli forces not to occupy Gaza.

The comments come as the U.S. sent two aircraft carriers into the region, and Israeli forces prepare for a ground invasion of northern Gaza, which has been bombarded in recent days since the terrorist group, Hamas, killed more than 1,400 Israelis.

"I think it'd be a big mistake," Biden said in an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" when asked about an Israeli occupation of Gaza. "Look, what happened in Gaza, in my view, is Hamas and the extreme elements of Hamas don't represent all the Palestinian people. And I think that...It would be a mistake to...for Israel to occupy...Gaza again.

"But going in but taking out the extremists the Hezbollah is up north but Hamas down south…is a necessary requirement," he added.

Gaza residents have been evacuating south after Israel gave advance notice that the northern half of Gaza would not be safe for civilians. While Israel has steadily taken out Hamas targets with aerial attacks, it has not yet begun the larger invasion many expected.

Biden's comments, and the U.S. position generally, have a major impact on Israel's decisions, since nearby Arab nations could become involved at any time. Iran, which is a major financial backer of Hamas, could also be involved. The U.S. stance could encourage or deter those nations.

Biden has taken fire from Republicans since the conflict broke out, especially for taxpayer funding sent to Iran in recent years as well as the $6 billion the Biden administration released to Iran just weeks before the Hamas attack.

"Hamas's terror attack on Israel was paid for by Joe Biden," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "In the last two and a half years, the Biden admin has allowed $50 billion to flow to Iran and hundreds of millions to Gaza. That money went to fund Hamas's genocidal terrorism against Israel and terrorist groups globally."

The Biden administration has said that the recently released $6 billion has not been spent yet. After ongoing criticism and calls from lawmakers, the U.S. and Qatar agreed to block the U.S. from accessing that money, which had been previously frozen by U.S. sanctions.

In the CBS interview, Biden went on to say he wants to eventually find a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, though he admitted Israel would "not now" be interested in that since Israel's efforts to work with and make concessions to Gaza have been met with ongoing violence.

The Biden administration cut a $7 billion check on Friday to launch its vision for a hydrogen-fueled future.

The money augments $40 billion in private investment to build seven hydrogen hubs across the nation that will decarbonize transportation and industrial manufacturing, slashing 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

The amount “roughly” equates to removing 5.5 million gasoline-powered vehicles from the road, or just under 2% of the estimated 286 million operational cars in the United States.

After calling climate change “the only existential threat to humanity” during a news conference in Philadelphia, President Joe Biden touted federal infrastructure spending as the key to reigning in greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning away from fossil fuel reliance.

“Today’s announcement is all part of a bigger vision to do just that,” he said.

The hubs expand across seven regions and 16 states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware, California, Texas, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Washington, Oregon, and Montana.

Together, the network of pipelines, storage facilities and refueling stations will use natural gas to produce energy and capture the resulting carbon emissions underground, creating 3 million metric tons of hydrogen annually – or about 30% of the federal government’s “clean hydrogen” goal for 2030.

“I found that when the government invests in the needs of the American people, guess what? The private sector jumps on real quick,” Biden said.

Hydrogen can be produced in three ways – referred to as gray, blue or green. Gray hydrogen is produced with natural gas and steam; blue is produced the same way, but its carbon gets captured and stored underground; and green is produced with renewable energy, such as wind or nuclear.

Critics say the greenhouse gas footprint of blue hydrogen outweighs any benefit over burning natural gas, while green – although promising – is too expensive and technical to produce at scale.

Others warn that relying on federal subsidies may waste taxpayer money, especially since the promised benefits of carbon capture, in particular, haven’t panned out.

Despite this, the administration said two-thirds of the projects will work with green hydrogen, in some capacity, and has publicized a four-year timeline to complete construction on the hubs.

House Republicans have nominated Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to be speaker of the House, but it remains unclear if Jordan can get the needed 217 votes from his own fractured party.

Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., a lesser known member, threw his name in the hat for the position as well and got significant support in the nomination vote, though possibly only as a vote against Jordan instead of a true vote for Scott.

Later, though, Scott threw his support behind Jordan.

"I highly respect Jim Jordan. He is an asset to the Republican Party and our nominee for Speaker," Scott wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Our conference has spoken, and now we must unite behind Jordan so we can get Congress back to work."

Jordan has conservative chops and support from the party base, but many moderates may not be willing to go his way.

"For years, I've stayed out of House leadership elections, but this time I endorsed [Jordan]," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, wrote on X. "Jim is a good friend and a strong conservative. My philosophy on political endorsements is to support the strongest conservative who can win. That is Jim Jordan."

U.S. House Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., was the leading contender to be the speaker of the House Thursday morning, but he later withdrew his bid before taking it to a public vote after he failed to get enough support.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in the House face a partial government shutdown in mid-November along with growing pressure to supply funds, ammunition, and weapons to both Ukraine and Israel, which has declared war on the terrorist group Hamas.

Until lawmakers land on a speaker, legislation cannot move forward.

As The Center Square previously reported, another key issue for lawmakers to handle is whether one lawmaker will still be able to file a motion to vacate the speaker, an unusual allowance given by McCarthy to secure the needed votes after the series of speakership votes earlier this year. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., used that very allowance to file the motion that led to the ousting of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

The current Speaker Pro Tempore is Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who will determine the times of any speaker votes until a lawmaker wins the speakership.

"The DC Uniparty does not want a Speaker who would threaten their status quo," Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., wrote on X. "We need a strong conservative for Speaker of the House!"

(The Center Square) – The plan to spend more than $500 million in taxpayer money on the Milwaukee Brewers’ stadium is headed for a vote next week, even though there continues to be opposition at the Wisconsin Capitol.

An assembly panel approved the framework for the public funding of American Family Field. The latest plan has a lower price tag. Milwaukee and Milwaukee County will now have to pay $67 million over the next 27 years, as opposed to the $200 million that was originally proposed.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said that's a price tag he can afford.

“The Milwaukee Brewers are an important asset for our community. That’s why I’m pleased to see the progress that has been reached thus far to keep the organization in Wisconsin,” Crowley said in a statement. “While we’ve secured a positive agreement in the Wisconsin State Assembly, I now look ahead to engaging with members of the state senate on a path forward. My main priority has not changed: to deliver a bipartisan solution that allows Milwaukee and the state to retain the Brewers, while providing Milwaukee County with additional resources to support our residents and communities in the years ahead.”

But not everyone is happy with the ballpark funding plan.

State Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, questioned what taxpayers outside of the Milwaukee-area get as part of the deal.

“Taxpayers from all over Wisconsin will be forced to funnel $411 million towards a stadium maintenance deal that provides little in return to the hardworking taxpayers of Wisconsin,” Nass said. “The big winners currently in this rushed deal: the Brewers, the city and county of Milwaukee, Gov. [Tony] Evers, Wisconsin Democrats and powerful special interests. The big losers are the taxpayers and Wisconsin Republicans.”

The agreement calls for the Brewers to spend $100 million of their own money on the ballpark as well. In exchange for the public money, the Brewers are agreeing to stay in Milwaukee until 2050.

Nass said he fears the team will come back to the state and ask for a new stadium.

Nass said he intends to try and get something better when the ballpark funding deal shifts to the senate.

“If Republican leaders believe that the Brewers’ Stadium Bills must pass then at least amend the bill to include something for state taxpayers. I am prepared to offer an amendment that would insert the $2.9 billion middle class and retiree tax cut that has been blocked by Evers. A plan that would provide the average taxpayer a $772 income tax cut,” Nass added.

The Assembly is expected to approve the ballpark package next week. No one is saying when it could see a vote in the State Senate.

A former IRS contractor accused of leaking former President Donald Trump's tax returns and disclosing tax return information for some of the nation's wealthiest people pleaded guilty Thursday.

Charles Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty Thursday to disclosing tax return information without authorization. He faces up to five years in prison at a sentencing hearing set for Jan. 29, 2024

Littlejohn, while working at the IRS as a contractor, stole tax return information associated with Trump and others. Littlejohn accessed tax returns associated with Trump on an IRS database "after using broad search parameters designed to conceal the true purpose of his queries," according to the U.S. Department of Justice. He then evaded IRS protocols to detect and prevent large downloads or uploads from its systems.

Prosecutors said Littlejohn then saved the tax returns to multiple personal storage devices, including an iPod, before contacting a news outlet. Between around August 2019 and October 2019, Littlejohn provided the news outlet with the tax return information associated with Trump. Littlejohn then stole additional tax return information related to Trump and provided it to the same news organization, which is not named in the indictment.

In September 2020, The New York Times published a series of articles about Trump's returns.

In July and August 2020, prosecutors said Littlejohn separately stole tax return information for thousands of the nation's wealthiest people, again evading IRS detection. In November 2020, Littlejohn disclosed this tax return information to another unnamed news organization, which published more than 50 articles using the stolen data. Littlejohn then obstructed the forthcoming investigation into his conduct by deleting and destroying evidence of his disclosures, according to prosecutors.

ProPublica published a series of articles on wealthy taxpayers during the same time frame.

"By using his role as a government contractor to gain access to private tax information, steal that information, and disclose it publicly, Charles Littlejohn broke federal law and betrayed the public's trust," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

(The Center Square) – Most of Thursday’s debate in the Wisconsin Assembly focused on science and feelings.

Republicans in the State Assembly approved two bills that declare girls sports in the state for biological girls only and a third bill that would ban gender affirming care for children.

Gov. Tony Evers has promised to veto all three, but Assembly Speaker Robin Vos defended the ideas as what is right for Wisconsin and Wisconsin families.

Vos also said claims the “science is settled” about transgendered youth are off base.

“I think we are now seeing around the world that other countries have begun to look and say what science said should be done to minors clearly is wrong and other countries are beginning to transition to a way that is a much more affirmative care model that is not focused on trying to do things that are potentially harmful in the long run,” Vos said. “Hopefully Gov. Evers has a change of heart ,and we have the ability to send these bills to be at the forefront of the effort that's happening around our country.”

The trans-athlete legislation has passed the Assembly before and would ban biological males from competing against girls both at the high school level and in the University of Wisconsin System.

The gender affirming care ban for children would do just that, ban sex change surgeries and/or hormone therapy on anyone under 18.

Rep. Scott Allen, R-Waukesha, calls the legislation The Help Not Harm Act.

“What this bill does is it grants minors the time for their minds to develop in order to make the right choice for them at the appropriate developmental age,” Allen said. “I want to make clear that this bill does not prohibit social transitioning and it does not affect adults. It allows minors the chance to hit the pause button before making a significant choice.”

Democrats called all three bills anti-trans.

“I am distraught that members of this body have decided that the best use of our time is to use the full weight of the government to bully, yes bully, the transgender community in this state,” Alex Joers, D-Middleton, said. “There is absolutely no evidence that this bill is even remotely relevant or necessary. But you know what we do have the evidence for the impact of these bills having a huge mental health impact on our LGBTQ+ young people.”

Rep. Barb Dittrich, R-Oconomowoc, said her bills to declare girls sports for biological girls only are pro-women.

Evers took to social media to promise to scuttle them.

“I will keep working every day to build a Wisconsin that is more welcoming, more inclusive, and more just for everyone, and that includes vetoing every single one of these bills,” Evers wrote.

Newly released federal inflation data shows consumer prices rose significantly in September, further undoing a trend of slowing inflation that had begun earlier this year.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Thursday released its Consumer Price Index, a key marker of inflation that tracks the cost of a range of consumer goods and services. That index rose 0.4% in September alone, a notable increase that is higher than months earlier this year.

"The index for shelter was the largest contributor to the monthly all items increase, accounting for over half of the increase," BLS said. "An increase in the gasoline index was also a major contributor to the all items monthly rise. While the major energy component indexes were mixed in September, the energy index rose 1.5 percent over the month."

Food prices rose as well.

"The food index increased 0.2 percent in September, as it did in the previous two months," BLS said. "The index for food at home increased 0.1 percent over the month while the index for food away from home rose 0.4 percent."

The rate of CPI had begun to slow until August, when it rose 0.6% in August, more than expected and the highest increase so far in 2023. Those figures flew in the face of hopes that inflation was on a steady trajectory to continue slowing, thus ending the recent years of high inflationary increase.

This increase comes after a series of interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve, which have put interest rates on mortgages well over 7%. Those hikes, which have been paused at least for now, are meant to rein in inflation.

The price increases varied across different goods and services.

"The medical care index rose 0.2 percent in September, as it did in August," BLS said. "The index for hospital services increased 1.5 percent over the month, and the index for physicians' services was unchanged. The prescription drugs index fell 0.7 percent in September. The index for used cars and trucks fell 2.5 percent in September, after decreasing 1.2 percent in August. The apparel index declined 0.8 percent over the month, and the communication index was unchanged."

The federal pricing data comes one day after the BLS released its Producer Price Index, another inflation marker that rose 0.5% last month. That increase was driven in large part because of gas prices, according to BLS.

Leaders in Washington, D.C. have taken fire for the increased inflation since federal debt spending, which has soared in recent years, is offset in part by printing money.

Experts now say that gas prices could rise because of the conflict between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas, especially if other world powers get involved in the fight.

"Historically, any tensions in the Middle East cause market volatility, and I don't see this being any different especially if Israel takes direct action against Iran," Daniel Turner, executive director of the energy workers advocacy group, Power the Future, told The Center Square.

(The Center Square) – There is another request to join the pending lawsuit about Wisconsin's electoral maps.

The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty on Wednesday filed a motion to intervene in the case.

WILL president and general counsel Rick Esenberg said overturning the current maps would deny voters rightful representation.

“Make no mistake, this is a political assault on democracy. The petitioners want the Court to ‘discover’ that our Constitution suddenly prohibits longstanding practices and seeks maps they believe will favor their preferred candidates. Courts should not insert themselves into partisan controversies,” Esenberg said.

WILL's request to join the case comes after Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday filed his own motion to intervene.

“Wisconsinites deserve fair maps – not the gerrymandered maps we have now that I already vetoed two years ago – and I will not stop fighting until we have a fair, independent, and nonpartisan redistricting process that ensures the people get to choose their elected officials in this state,” the governor said in a statement.

A number of progressive groups have asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to redraw the state’s current electoral maps. Legal filings in that case are due next week, and the high court has scheduled oral arguments for next month.

Evers says the current maps have elected officials picking voters, as opposed to voters picking elected officials.

WILL's Luke Berg says the request to draw new maps is simply an attempt to get around the Republican-controlled legislature.

“This lawsuit is a transparent attempt to use the new Wisconsin Supreme Court majority to reshape Wisconsin’s political landscape. The claims raised in the lawsuit are meritless. WILL stands ready to defend Wisconsin’s voters from this attack.”

The Wisconsin Supreme Court last week said it would take up the redistricting case to answer questions about whether Wisconsin's legislative districts are contiguous and whether there is a separation of power concern with the maps.

In addition to drawing new maps, the case before the Wisconsin Supreme Court could mean a new election for more than a dozen state senators who were elected two years ago. WILL said that part of the case would unconstitutionally disenfranchise voters across the state.

Members of the American Sheriff Alliance are calling for immediate action due to heightened terrorist threats they fear exist because of U.S. border policies.

Their call comes as a record number of known, suspected terrorist (KSTs) were apprehended by federal Customs and Border Patrol agents in fiscal 2023, the largest number in recorded history.

Alliance members recently met to discuss “the continued pressure and strain on resources due to the lack of border enforcement throughout the United States, including the alarming statistics of encounters with individuals found to be on the Terrorist Watch List, also known as the Terrorist Screening Dataset,” as well as the influence of the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

The alliance cites apprehensions of KSTs between ports of entry along the southwest border as cause for concern, stating in the last two years there’s been a 906% increase in encounters. However, a significantly larger number is coming through the northern border. This fiscal year, 432 KSTs were apprehended at the northern border compared to 227 at the southwest border.

They also cite the arrests of individuals with criminal convictions or those wanted by law enforcement, which increased from 6,562 encounters in 2021 to 16,992 in 2022, to 18,586 in 2023, indicating a 183% increase in two years, as previously reported on by The Center Square. The crime data is actually higher when including ICE Enforcement Removal Officer actions.

In fiscal 2022, ICE ERO agents arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories, including 198,498 associated charges and convictions for 21,531 assault offenses; 8,164 sex and sexual assault offenses; 5,554 weapons offenses; 1,501 homicide-related offenses; and 1,114 kidnapping offenses.

The alliance also points to an unknown number of gotaways, arguing CBP estimates 600,000 this year “but there is no way of knowing the exact numbers. These alarming statistics are extremely concerning to the Alliance, and there are major homeland security concerns with these individuals especially, with the lack of information and vetting as to their intentions, criminal histories, or connections to our adversaries worldwide.”

The gotaway estimate is closer to 1.6 million since January 2021, according to data obtained by The Center Square.

With an influx of people and crime, the alliance says, “the strain on local resources both for border sheriffs and law enforcement across the country who do not have the adequate staffing or funding to respond to this influx of migrants is troubling. The continued effect on communities across the country who are left to deal with violent criminals, illicit narcotics and the increase in overall criminal activity is straining public safety resources, … including housing, medical services, and the judicial system.”

The head of the National Sheriffs’ Association compared the number of fentanyl deaths to a large plane crashing daily.

“When the number of people dying from drug poisonings is equivalent to a 737-airplane crashing each day, and the number of migrants that we are aware of coming across the border could fill the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans weekly, we have to sound the alarm,” Sheriff Greg Champagne of St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, president of the association, said. “If a plane crashed daily, there would be immediate action taken, and yet instead of seeing numbers decrease, we continue to set records for those who are dying from illicit narcotics mostly originating from the drug cartels in Mexico.”

Sheriff Leon Wilmot of Yuma County, Arizona, said the Mexican drug cartels are taking advantage of the border situation.

“The pressure on law enforcement at the local level is unsustainable with the continued daily increases at the southern ports of entry,” Wilmot, also a member of the Western States Sheriffs’ Association, said. “With the sustained unrelenting flow of migrants coming from all over the world and the limited background checks and vetting process, it is concerning who is being released into the interior. The cartels are actively promoting the weak border policies through social media networks, and it is clear they have been, sadly, very successful in their mission.”

Sheriff Tom Schmerber of Maverick County, Texas, and president of the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition, noted, “While federal, state, and local law enforcement are doing everything they can to keep their local communities secure and ensure humane conditions for migrants who are truly seeking asylum, there is no doubt that the asylum system is being abused and the traditional avenues are overwhelmed to keep up requests forcing the release of these individuals without any accountability. El Mencho, El Mayo, and other troubling cartel criminals will continue to exploit these easy loopholes without action from our elected officials.”

The alliance is calling on elected officials “at every level of government to speak out and draw attention to the need of making proper reforms to these extreme challenges.

“With hundreds of violent criminals entering communities every day around the country as well as the flow of illicit narcotics poisoning our citizens, the Alliance is demanding the rule of law in this country be followed and that all available sanctions and statutes be used to help alleviate the pressure the men and women of law enforcement are facing during this unprecedented period in our nation’s history.”

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin's assembly speaker is talking about taking Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz at her word, while looking at a limited review of the state’s redistricting process.

Speaker Robin Vos issued a statement after Protasiewicz announced she would not recuse herself from two redistricting cases.

“Justice Protasiewicz should have recused herself,” Vos said.

Republicans have been calling for Protasiewicz to recuse herself after she said during last spring's campaign for the high court that Wisconsin's political maps are “unfair” and “rigged.”

Protasiewicz didn't address those concerns but rather dismissed concerns from Republicans who worried about her campaign donations from the Wisconsin Democratic Party.

Vos said Wisconsin lawmakers likely won't make the final decision on Protasiewicz’s decision not to recuse herself.

“We think the United States Supreme Court precedent compels her recusal, and the United States Supreme Court will have the last word here,” Vos said.

Vos also said Protasiewicz’s decision not to recuse herself could have a limited impact on the redistricting cases, because the specific challenges are limited themselves.

“Justice Protasiewicz is asking to be taken at her word that she will apply the law. Given the Wisconsin Supreme Court is limiting its review of the redistricting case to two questions, legal contiguity and separation of powers, applying the law should be straightforward,” Vos explained. “The Wisconsin Supreme Court addressed these very questions less than two years ago, and the law remains the same.”

The Wisconsin Supreme Court voted 4-3 on Friday to fast track the challenge to Wisconsin's electoral maps.

The group Law Forward, which is suing to challenge the maps, said the decision to review the maps is a win for everyone in Wisconsin.

“For democracy to work for us all it must include us all, and we are very proud to be a part of this important effort to ensure our elected representatives represent us instead of trying to rule over us,” Dan Lenz, staff counsel at Law Forward said in a statement, “We look forward to presenting our incredibly strong case in court.”

Vos and other Republicans say Wisconsin's electoral maps have been reviewed by both the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the federal court and have been upheld. The only map that was rejected because of gerrymandering was Gov. Tony Evers’ map that was rejected by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2021 for racial gerrymandering and violating the Voting Rights Act.

Briefs in Law Forward’s maps challenge are due to the state supreme court next week. Oral arguments are set for next month.

Law Forward is asking the new liberal-majority Wisconsin Supreme Court to redraw the state's political maps ahead of next November's elections.

(The Center Square) – Nearly 60% of students in Wisconsin's Public Schools continue to be unable to read, write or do math at grade level.

The State's Department of Public Instruction released the latest standardized test scores Tuesday, and they show 39.2% of public school students are proficient or better in reading, while 41.1% are proficient or better in math.

But those are the statewide averages.

Individual schools saw differing results, and the numbers show low-income students did worse across the board.

DPI's numbers show 22.6% of low-income students are proficient in reading, and 23.1% are proficient in math. The numbers also show 42.2% of low-income students are rated minimal in reading, while 45.9% of low-income students are rated as minimal in math.

Wisconsin’s worst in the nation racial learning gap also remains unclosed.

DPI communications director Abigail Swetz said learning gap is just “one window” into student performance.

“I'm sure you read it or heard in our State of Education address we are talking again and always about making sure that our students are feeling affirmed and welcomed in our schools. That includes our black indigenous and students of color, that includes our LGBTQ+ students, and it really goes to what we believe so strongly about the whole student making sure that they are very safe and supported in our schools,” Swetz said, “That is not the only thing that is going to change the disparities we're seeing, but it is a thing that we think can go a long way towards really pushing that needle.”

The new scores, from last spring, are better than the test scores from the year before, but Wisconsin public school students are not back to where they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quinton Klabon with the Institute For Reforming Government said the poor test scores come after a billion dollars in federal coronavirus aid, and hundreds of millions of dollars more from Wisconsin taxpayers.

“Wisconsin is quickly becoming a state where disadvantaged students do not succeed. Cities like Green Bay and Janesville are failing to recover from the pandemic and the number of Black students below grade level would overflow Fiserv Forum. When we look at how federal COVID relief was allocated, our state’s struggles are no surprise,” Klabon said.

Will Flanders with the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty said the poor test scores are even more striking when you look at the success that students in choice schools in Wisconsin are having.

“Private Choice in Milwaukee continues to enjoy a significant proficiency advantage in reading. Private Choice in Racine enjoys a significant proficiency advantage in reading,” Flanders told the Center Square. “Private Choice statewide enjoys a slight proficiency advantage when compared to low-income students, which is the most fair comparison due to the low-income limits on statewide choice.“

Prosecutors don't see any reason to push back the start of former President Donald Trump's trial for allegedly mishandling classified documents.

The case is set to go to trial in May 2024. Trump's legal team wants that delayed until mid-November 2024, after the presidential election.

"None of the issues raised in the defendants' motion warrants the continuance they request," prosecutors wrote in their response.

Prosecutors disputed claims from defense attorneys that Trump and his defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, hadn't been provided discovery materials in a timely manner.

"The Government’s production of unclassified discovery has been prompt, comprehensive, thorough, and organized. The defense has complete access to it today, more than seven months before trial," prosecutors wrote. "In no way does the Government’s record of unclassified discovery production in this case support a continuance."

Trump's attorneys said they haven't had a place to review the classified documents in the case.

Prosecutors say that's not the issue either.

"That the classified materials at issue in this case were taken from the White House and retained at Mar-a-Lago is not in dispute; what is in dispute is how that occurred, why it occurred, what Trump knew, and what Trump intended in retaining them – all issues that the Government will prove at trial primarily with unclassified evidence," prosecutors wrote. "Whether the highly classified documents Trump retained at Mar-a-Lago contain national defense information is a fact Trump can try to dispute, but it will hardly be the centerpiece of the trial."

Prosecutors did acknowledge some special evidence handling requirements for classified discovery.

"A small collection of highly sensitive and classified materials that Trump retained at the Mar-a-Lago Club are so sensitive that they require special measures, including enhanced security protocols for their transport, review, discussion, and storage," prosecutors wrote. "The special measures documents constitute a tiny subset of the total array of classified documents involved, which is itself a small subset of the total discovery produced."

Those documents, prosecutors say, are so sensitive additional precautions are needed, but those precautions aren't holding up the case.

"The defendants’ allegations regarding clearances and secure facilities vastly overstate the impact on their access to classified discovery and their ability to prepare for trial, and do not justify a continuance," prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said all but a tiny portion of the evidence has already been made available to the defense.

Trump, 77, is the front-runner for the Republican nomination for president. He faces legal challenges across the country as he seeks the GOP nomination, including four criminal cases, two of which were filed in federal court by special counsel Jack Smith.

In June, Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 counts that allege he kept sensitive military documents, shared them with people who didn't have security clearance, and tried to thwart the government's efforts to get them back. In August, Trump's attorneys entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf to additional charges in the documents case. Charges in a superseding indictment allege Trump attempted to delete surveillance video at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Monday he would run for president in 2024 as an independent.

RFK Jr., who was previously running for the Democratic nomination before Monday’s announcement, has grown in popularity through his online presence attacking both typically Democratic and Republican positions in the U.S. RFK took off in notoriety for his outspoken criticism of COVID-19 policies and the COVID vaccine.

"People stop me everywhere, at hotels, at the airport, on the street, and they remind me that this country is ready for a history-making change," RFK Jr. said during his announcement speech at Independence Mall in Philadelphia. “They are ready to reclaim their freedom, their independence.”

RFK Jr. pointed to a litany of problems facing the U.S., including suicide, mental health issues, infrastructure problems, chronic disease, political corruption and wealth inequality. He argued that people are tired of the traditional system, which has not solved those problems, and are ready for a change.

“I’m here to join you for making a new declaration of independence for our entire nation,” RFK Jr. said. “We declare independence from the corporations that have hijacked our government, and we declare independence from Wall Street, from Big Tech, from Big Pharma, from Big Ag, from the military contractors, and their lobbyists.

“And we declare independence from the mercenary media that is here to fortify all of the corporate orthodoxies from their advertisers and to urge us to hate our neighbors and to fear our friends,” he added.

RFK Jr. went on to call out the “cynical elites” and the two-party political party system.

“And finally, we declare independence from the two political parties and the corrupt interests that dominate them and the entire rigged system, of anger, of rage, of corruption, of lies that has turned government officials into indentured servants for their corporate bosses,” RFK Jr. said.

President Joe Biden is leading the Democratic presidential primary race with no substantive opposition, and former President Donald Trump is far and away the frontrunner for the Republican nomination. How RFK Jr.’s announcement will impact their support remains unclear.

Immediately, RFK Jr. came under fire from Republican leadership.

“Make no mistake – a Democrat in Independent’s clothing is still a Democrat,” Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, said in a statement. “RFK Jr. cannot hide from his record of endorsing Hillary, supporting the Green New Deal, fighting against the Keystone Pipeline, and praising AOC’s tax hikes – he is your typical elitist liberal and voters won’t be fooled.”

As The Center Square previously reported, Gallup polling released earlier this month showed that 63% of surveyed Americans say both the Democratic and Republican parties do a “poor job” and that a third political party is needed.

Both Democrats and Republicans have increased their support for the idea of a third party.

“Most often, support for a third party among Democrats and Republicans is below the majority level,” Gallup said. “However, this year’s poll shows 58% of Republicans endorsing a third U.S. political party, up from 45% a year ago. The only other time more Republicans than now expressed support for a third party was in a late January/early February 2021 conducted after the Jan. 6 riots, the second impeachment of Donald Trump, and the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden.

“There has also been an uptick in support for a third party among Democrats this year, from 40% to 46%, though still less than a majority back the idea,” Gallup added.

Texas has bused more than 50,000 people who’ve illegally entered the U.S. and were unlawfully released into the U.S., Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday.

The majority have been bused to New York City, followed by Chicago, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Denver and Los Angeles.

Abbott began the busing strategy in April 2022. He first sent foreign nationals who illegally entered the U.S. in Texas to Washington, D.C. Since then, over 12,500 people chose to be transported to the nation’s capital.

Last year, he expanded the strategy to send people to New York City, Chicago and Philadelphia. Since last August, Texas bused more than 18,500 people to New York City and over 13,500 people to Chicago. Since last November, Texas bused over 3,200 people to Philadelphia.

This year, he began busing people to Denver and Los Angeles. So far, more than 3,200 people have arrived in Denver since May 18 and over 940 to Los Angeles since June 14.

The governor recently directed additional buses to Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, after a surge of people came roughly two weeks ago. He said he was sending them to self-declared sanctuary cities to provide much-needed relief to overrun Texas border towns.

“Until President [Joe] Biden upholds his constitutional duty to secure America's southern border, Texas will continue to deploy as many buses as needed to relieve the strain caused by the surge of illegal crossings,” Abbott said.

Adults must sign a waiver for themselves and minors under their care, provide their Department of Homeland Security documentation, and choose which of the six self-described sanctuary cities they want to go to.

Texas border mayors and county judges have been instructed to notify the Texas Department of Emergency Management of any DHS-facilitated drop-off in their communities so the agency can help move people out of Texas.

The majority seeking Texas-taxpayer funded transportation north are choosing to go to the cities of New York and Chicago, according to state data. The same is true for those arriving in El Paso. Chicago and New York City remain the primary destinations, however, Denver has been added as a third destination.

The Democratic-led city of El Paso began its own busing strategy over a year ago but it’s funded through money it receives from FEMA. The city says the current wave of people began arriving in April 2022; “the sudden surge began in late August.” The overwhelming majority are coming from Venezuela, roughly 70%; the remainder are from Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua and Cuba.

As of Friday, Oct. 6, the city of El Paso was releasing 1,534 border crossers into the community every day. Roughly 480 people are being bused to Chicago, New York City and Denver every day from El Paso.

Every day, five charter buses full of people are leaving El Paso and arriving in Chicago. New York City and Denver are each receiving three charter buses full of people a day, according to city data.

At least nine Americans were killed in the surprise Hamas attack on Israel over the weekend, the State Department has confirmed.

Over the weekend, Hamas terrorists fired thousands of rockets from Gaza to multiple locations in Israel as militants infiltrated Israel, killing and capturing Israelis. Israeli media reported hundreds dead and thousands wounded, and Israeli forces quickly struck back.

Among those casualties were at least nine dead Americans, State Department spokesman Matt Miller said on MSNBC Monday morning.

"We can confirm that there are nine American citizens who have lost their lives as a result of these horrific attacks," Miller said.

Miller also said there are reports of Americans who are unaccounted for, something the agency is looking into. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on "Meet the Press" Sunday that there could be American hostages.

Casualties are almost certain to increase as Hamas terrorists have reportedly continued to attack Israelis, and Israel has signaled a total seizure of the Gaza strip, possibly setting up a prolonged war.

Reports from multiple news outlets and governments say Hamas terrorists killed, raped and captured civilians, with at least dozens of hostages likely in Gaza.

The attack comes just weeks after the Biden administration released $6 billion to Iran, the main backer of Hamas. Those funds came as part of deal last month where the Biden administration released $6 billion of dollars that had been frozen by U.S. sanctions as well as releasing five Iranian nationals detained in the U.S. in exchange for the release of five Americans detained in Iran.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani praised Hamas after the attack.

Republicans quickly blasted President Joe Biden Saturday, raising questions of whether those funds could have been used for the terrorist killings.

"Just weeks ago, the Biden administration handed over $6 billion to Iran, and today, innocent Israelis were murdered by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists," Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said in a statement over the weekend. "We must continue to support our strongest ally in the Middle East and their right to defend themselves against these unprovoked, horrific attacks. I stand with Israel and join many around the world in praying for the safety and security of its people."

As The Center Square previously reported, U.S. Treasury Under Secretary Brian Nelson said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the funds that were part of the September deal had not yet been spent and were reserved for humanitarian purposes only. Critics quickly pointed out that the money is fungible, and Iran's knowledge of the coming money could have impacted how it spent other funds not under the U.S.' watch.

President Joe Biden addressed the attacks on Saturday.

"You know, when I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning, I told him the United States stands with the people of Israel in the face of this terrorist assaults," Biden said. "Israel has the right to defend itself and its people. Full stop. There is never justification for terrorist acts. And my administration's support for Israel's security is rock solid and unwavering."

The Iranian-backed terrorist group Hamas killed hundreds of Israelis and injured hundreds more in a barrage of surprise attacks early Saturday morning, just weeks after the Biden administration authorized $6 billion to the group’s biggest backer: Iran.

The Hamas attack included a combination of thousands of missiles fired into Israel as well as Hamas terrorists who infiltrated Israel, killing and capturing civilians, according to reports from multiple news outlets and relevant governments.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani praised Hamas after the attack.

Immediately after the attacks, President Joe Biden took fire for releasing billions of dollars to Iran, a known backer of Hamas that funnels money to the terrorist group.

“Just weeks ago, the Biden administration handed over $6 billion to Iran, and today, innocent Israelis were murdered by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said in a statement after the attacks. “We must continue to support our strongest ally in the Middle East and their right to defend themselves against these unprovoked, horrific attacks. I stand with Israel and join many around the world in praying for the safety and security of its people.”

The Biden administration told Congress last month it released the billions of dollars that had been held up by U.S. sanctions as well as releasing five Iranian nationals detained in the U.S. in exchange for the release of five Americans detained in Iran.

“Biden's decision to release $6 billion in frozen assets to Iran serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that took place following the Iran Nuclear Agreement under the Obama/Biden administration,” Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “This pattern is clear: each time funds are released to Iran, the largest state sponsor of terrorism, proxy militias in the region persistently launch attacks, aiming to destabilize and target Western allies and Americans.

“Examining the precision and coordination of the recent attack, it's highly plausible that the recent $6 billion, in addition to the many more billions made available to Iran after Biden lifted sanctions, provided the necessary funding to execute this assault,” Mills added.

U.S. Treasury Under Secretary Brian Nelson said on X that the funds that were part of the September deal had not yet been spent and were reserved for humanitarian purposes only. Critics quickly pointed out that the money is fungible, and Iran’s knowledge of the coming money could have impacted how it spent other funds not under the U.S.’ watch.

“All of the money held in restricted accounts in Doha as part of the arrangement to secure the release of 5 Americans in September remains in Doha,” he said. “Not a penny has been spent.”

President Joe Biden addressed the attacks before reporters on Saturday.

“You know, when I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning, I told him the United States stands with the people of Israel in the face of this terrorist assaults,” Biden said. “Israel has the right to defend itself and its people. Full stop. There is never justification for terrorist acts. And my administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.”