Tuesday, January 13, 2026
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Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Milwaukee Press Club 'Excellence in Wisconsin Journalism' 2020 & 2021 Award Winners

Jason Zehe Charged With Homicide in Death of Megan Voss in Waukesha

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Jason Zehe was criminally charged with homicide in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Jan. 3. for allegedly blowing through a stop sign while intoxicated, killing Waukesha West high honors student and cheerleader Megan Voss.

Zehe’s words were slurred, and he seemed confused, according to the complaint, which says he registered a .238 BAC. “I am the one driving, and yeah, I should get charged” for “smashing into another f*ckng person,” the complaint accuses him of saying.

Voss was only 17.

A GoFundMe page set up to help Voss’s family says: “Megan was a wonderful and beautiful young woman who touched the lives of those around her. If you ever met Megan then you know she had the biggest smile ever! She was a light to all who knew her. Megan was a 4.0 high honors senior at Waukesha West, on the cheerleading team and had a scholarship to a private Christian college in Arizona where she planned to pursue a nursing degree in hopes to become a doctor one day. She had strong Christian beliefs and values and we are comforted knowing that she is in the presence of the Savior.”

According to court records, Jason J. Zehe, 19, of West Allis, was charged with the following:

Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle, a felony

2nd Degree Reckless Homicide, a felony

Cause Injury/Operate While Under the Influence, a misdemeanor

2nd Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, a felony

Possession of THC

The criminal complaint says that Zehe’s girlfriend was also injured in the crash and that a crying, bloodied Zehe told police, “All of the sudden, I don’t know, I don’t know what happened,” adding, “I am not some f*cking drunkard all the time. I-I-crashed.”

Another person described Zehe driving “very fast” while flashing his brights as he “flew” into the intersection through a stop sign, where he crashed into Voss’s vehicle, the court documents say. He’s accused of blowing through the stop sign while driving 40 to 50 miles per hour.

Zehe gave contradictory accounts of whether he drank alcohol but stated at one point, “I just wish I wasn’t drunk,” the complaint says.

Megan Voss Was a ‘Strong Believer in Christ’ Who Will Be ‘Remembered for Her Beautiful Smile, Unwavering Faith, Exceptional Intelligence & Boundless Kindness’

Jason zehe

Voss’s obituary says she was involved in the Random Acts of Kindness Club, National Honor Society, a Bible Study Club and more.

“Megan E. Voss, age 17, of Waukesha, passed away unexpectedly on December 30, 2024, due to injuries sustained in a tragic accident with her beloved dog, Bleu by her side. She was born in West Allis on May 11, 2007 the daughter of Troy Voss and Julie (Miksch) Voss. Megan excelled academically as a senior at Waukesha West High School, achieving a 4.0 GPA with High Honors and AP courses,” the obituary reads.

“She was known for her bright intelligence and active participation in various school activities, including the National Honor Society, Random Acts of Kindness Club, Bible Study Club, cheerleading, and playing the viola. Megan was proud to receive a scholarship to Grand Canyon University in Arizona, where she intended to pursue a degree in nursing with aspirations of becoming a doctor. Additionally, she worked as a hostess at Michael’s Restaurant in Waukesha before transitioning to ChiroMed as part of Waukesha West’s Co-op program,” the obituary says.

“A strong believer in Christ, Megan recently attended Lakewood Baptist Church in Pewaukee. She was a loving daughter and sister, deeply cherished by her family and friends. Megan will be remembered for her beautiful smile, unwavering faith, exceptional intelligence, and boundless kindness,” it adds.

Previous OWI Citation Against Jason Zehe & Why It Was Dismissed

Jason zehe

Jason Zehe was previously accused in April of OWI in Waukesha County but the citation was dismissed after prosecutor Jack Rieder told the court that he did not believe he could prove the case due to Wisconsin laws that make it legal to drive drunk on private property in some cases.

This is a separate and earlier case from the incident that resulted in Voss’s death.

The prosecutor’s motion says that, at the time, Jason Zehe was 18 and “has no prior criminal record. The defendant has one prior traffic offense with a date of violation of November 6, 2022.”

The defense attorney Finn had provided the state “with numerous affidavits as well as photographs of the crash scene immediately following the collision on April 5, 2024.”

The evidence provided by the defendant “leads the state to believe the defendant did not operate his motor vehicle on a ‘highway’ as defined by Wis. Stat. 340.01 (22). Instead, there is plausible evidence supporting that the defendant only operated his vehicle on private property prior to and during the incident in question,” Rieder wrote in the motion.

Jason zehe

“The state is required to establish the defendant operated his motor vehicle on a ‘highway’ in order to prove the underlying offense,” the motion reads. “Given all of the circumstances, it is the position of the State of Wisconsin that there is a significant likelihood that a jury will not convict the defendant. Further, given all of the circumstances, dismissal of the charge will not diminish the seriousness of the offense. Additionally, the State respectfully asserts that the defendant does not appear to pose an ongoing danger to the community, and the community will not be harmed by the dismissal of the pending charges,” the state’s motion continues.

The defense motion alleged that Zehe was “on private property owned by his girlfriend’s parents” in Eagle and “any alcohol he consumed was while he was at the private residence and he had no intention to leave that private residence.”

Jason zehe

The defense attorney also said Zehe was turning his car around to check for a noise he heard when he hit a stone pillar and the neighbor called police.

As a point of bio, documents previously submitted to the Wisconsin Election Commission alleged Zehe was a Robin Vos recall petition circulator. According to CCAP, he previously lived in New Berlin.

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Walz Will Not Run for Reelection in Minnesota

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday he will not seek a third term in 2026.

Walz was first elected to the position of Minnesota governor in 2018 after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives beginning since 2007. He ran unsuccessfully as Vice President alongside Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in 2024.

Walz decision not to seek a third term comes amidst allegations of fraud with federal dollars in Minnesota. In November, a report alleged millions of taxpayer dollars were stolen from Minnesota's welfare system and sent to a Somali-based terror group.

Fraud allegations intensified when independent journalist Nick Shirley posted a video that claimed to reveal $110 million in fraudulent federal support sent to Minnesota day cares.

The Minnesota governor is expected to testify before Congress on Feb. 10 in response to allegations of fraud in the state.

Without an incumbent Democrat in the race for Minnesota governor, the 2026 primary election will likely be a heated contest as contestants vie for their parties nomination to the governor's mansion.

The Republican primary for governor already includes Minnesota Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth; CEO of the pillow company MyPillow, Mike Lindell; and former state senator and 2022 gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen.

Demuth criticized Walz's decision to step down and pointed to the allegations of financial fraud plaguing the state in a post on social media.

"Democrat in Minnesota has spent years enabling criminals who stole our tax dollars, with still no meaningful accountability and no end in sight to the billions in fraud that still plagues nearly every government program imaginable thanks to 16 years of Democrat control," Demuth wrote on social media.

Minnesota's primary election is set for Aug. 11.

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Milwaukee Sees Homicide Jump, Other Violent Crimes Drop in 2025

(The Center Square) – 2025 was a deadlier year in Milwaukee after the city’s police department reported a jump in homicides last year.

Milwaukee’s homicide database shows 142 people were killed in the city in 2025, compared to 132 in 2024. That is an 8% increase.

Milwaukee Police are not offering any thoughts as to why more people were killed in 2025 than 2024.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson told The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the spike in homicides is “vexing.”

The murder increase in Milwaukee stands out, in part, because 2025 saw fewer murders in most big cities. Washington, D.C reported a 31% drop in homicides, while Chicago reported 30% fewer killings. New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and New Orleans also reported a drop in homicides in 2025.

Nationwide, the FBI said homicides fell almost 20% in the last year.

Milwaukee did see a double digit drop in other crimes, however.

The police database shows a 19% drop in non-fatal shootings. Milwaukee Police say 515 people were shot and survived in 2025, down from 637 in 2024.

Aggravated assaults fell 22%, and robberies dropped 28%. But the biggest year-over-year decline in crime in Milwaukee came from carjacking cases.

The police database reported a 49% drop in carjackings, from 513 in 2024 down to 264 in 2025.

Tom Tiffany, Derrick Van Orden Support Venezuela Strikes, Maduro Capture

Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are reacting to President Donald Trump's announcement of the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

In a post to social media, Trump announced the U.S. carried out a "large scale strike" against Venezuela, capturing Maduro and his wife.

The two are in U.S. custody and charged with "narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the U.S.," according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., praised Trump's decision-making and called Maduro an illegitimate dictator. He said the Venezuelan leader was running a "vast drug-trafficking operation."

Cotton also said he was briefed on Maduro's capture by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He said Rubio confirmed Maduro was in U.S. custody.

"The interim government in Venezuela must now decide whether to continue the drug trafficking and colluding with adversaries like Iran and Cuba or whether to act like a normal nation and return to the civilized world," Cotton said. "I urge them to choose wisely."

Similarly, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said she fully supports Trump's actions in Venezuela.

"Nicolas Maduro will face justice on American soil," Blackburn said. "I fully support the Trump administration for doing what is needed to protect American lives."

House Republican chair Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., also emphatically backed President Trump's decision-making in a post on social media.

"President Trump has cracked down on drug trafficking harder than any President in history," McClain wrote. "Maduro is a narco-terrorist. Period. His illegitimate regime floods our country with deadly drugs and Americans pay the price. President Trump didn’t look the other way; he acted. That’s what leadership looks like, and it’s how you protect the American people."

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Assembly Leaders Call for Dugan’s Resignation, Threaten Impeachment

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s Republican Assembly leaders say they will begin impeachment proceedings if Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan does not resign from her post immediately following a felony obstruction conviction Thursday evening.

Dugan was found guilty of obstructing as Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were attempting to arrest a defendant in her court outside of the courtroom.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August, R-Walworth, sent a statement Friday noting that the last Wisconsin judge was impeached in 1853 but that the Assembly would begin impeachment proceedings if Dugan doesn’t resign.

Dugan’s legal team indicated Thursday that she would appeal the jury’s decision.

“Under a 1976 Attorney General Opinion, Democrat Bronson La Follette stated that when a State Senator was convicted of a felony, a vacancy was created, and the Senator ‘was effectually divested of any right or title to the office. His status with reference to the office was fixed at the time of his conviction,’ the leaders wrote. “Such is the case here, and Judge Dugan must recognize that the law requires her resignation.

“Wisconsinites deserve to know their judiciary is impartial and that justice is blind. Judge Hannah Dugan is neither, and her privilege of serving the people of Wisconsin has come to an end.”

The jury found Dugan not guilty of a misdemeanor charge of concealing related to defendant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was later arrested on the street outside the courthouse and has since been deported.

The obstruction charge could lead to up to five years in prison.

The Assembly leaders cited the Wisconsin constitution, which says “‘[n]o person convicted of a felony, in any court within the United States, no person convicted in federal court of a crime designated, at the time of commission, under federal law as a misdemeanor involving a violation of public trust and no person convicted, in a court of a state, of a crime designated, at the time of commission, under the law of the state as a misdemeanor involving a violation of public trust shall be eligible to any office of trust, profit or honor in this state unless pardoned of the conviction.”

“While we are disappointed in today’s outcome, the failure of the prosecution to secure convictions on both counts demonstrates the opportunity we have to clear Judge Dugan’s name and show she did nothing wrong in the matter,” her legal team said after the verdict was read. “We have planned for this potential outcome and our defense of Judge Dugan is just beginning.”

Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan Guilty of Felony Obstruction During ICE Arrest

(The Center Square) – Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan was found guilty of a felony charge of obstruction by a jury Thursday in a case involving the judge’s actions related to a defendant in her court that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were attempting to arrest outside of the courtroom.

The jury returned the verdict at 8:38 p.m. Central Time.

The jury found Dugan not guilty of a misdemeanor charge of concealing related to defendant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was later arrested on the street outside the courthouse and has since been deported.

The obstruction charge could lead to up to a $100,000 fine and a year in prison.

“While we are disappointed in today’s outcome, the failure of the prosecution to secure convictions on both counts demonstrates the opportunity we have to clear Judge Dugan’s name and show she did nothing wrong in the matter,” her legal team said. “We have planned for this potential outcome and our defense of Judge Dugan is just beginning.”

Video from the courthouse depicts Dugan speaking with ICE officers in the hallway outside her courtroom and defendant Flores-Ruiz walking through a back hallway with a person identified in an affidavit as his attorney before heading to an elevator and then being chased down and arrested on the street outside of the courthouse.

FBI, DOJ Foil Plot For New Year’s Eve Bombings in Southern California

Four alleged members of a pro-Palestine terror group were arrested in connection with alleged plans for New Year’s Eve bombings across Southern California.

Authorities announced the arrests during a news conference Monday with First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis and Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

Essayli said all four suspects are from the Los Angeles area. He said one suspect created a plan to bomb five or more locations across Los Angeles and Orange County, with step-by-step instructions on building improvised explosive devices.

The arrests were made last week in Lucerne Valley, which is east of Los Angeles.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI prevented the bombings.

“The Turtle Island Liberation Front — a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group — was preparing to conduct a series of bombings against multiple targets in California beginning on New Year’s Eve,” Bondi posted on X. “The group also planned to target ICE agents and vehicles.”

Bondi credited “an incredible effort” and "intense investigation" by the FBI and the U.S, Attorney’s Offices for foiling the plot.

“We will continue to pursue these terror groups and bring them to justice,” Bondi said.

Wisconsin All-Terrain, Utility Vehicles Registration Loophole Closed

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin all-terrain and utility task vehicle drivers now must follow Wisconsin laws on where they can drive the vehicles and must pay trail registration fees regardless of where the vehicle is registered.

The bill was recently signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers and it became Wisconsin Act 64.

The law requires any ATV or UTV to follow state law based upon how Wisconsin would classify the vehicle regardless of what the title says for the state where the vehicle is registered.

Lawmakers said the goal of the bill was to close a loophole where Wisconsin UTV and ATV owners would register a vehicle in South Dakota and Montana but drive it in Wisconsin.

“They’re contacting people in Wisconsin and saying ‘Hey, if you register your UTV to an LLC in Montana or South Dakota, we can license that as a motor vehicle, not as an ATV or UTV,’” sponsor Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, said during a public hearing on the bill. “And, because of that, they tell Wisconsin residents that you can now use this motor vehicle on any road in the state of Wisconsin.”

The current system of UTV and ATV routes and trails in the state and laws on using those vehicles are locally regulated and usage is determined on the local level.

The new law allows nonresidents access to all Wisconsin ATV and UTV trails and approved routes with a nonresident trail pass.

The registration system is a tax that allows ATV and UTV owners to pay their way by paying for the trail system, Wisconsin ATV Association President Randy Harden said during a public hearing. This means it is important that out-of-state vehicle owners also pay for using the system.

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Thousands of Afghan Refugees Qualified For Slew of Costly Benefits

Tens of thousands of Afghan evacuees, including the gunman charged in the shootings of two National Guard members, killing one just blocks from the White House, were eligible for a slew of benefits, including housing and medical at the expense of the American taxpayer.

Following the pullout of American forces from Afghanistan in 2021, the Biden administration admitted nearly 200,000 evacuees between 2021 and 2023, including two recently arrested on terrorism charges. Through various reports and testimony by government officials, it was revealed that many of the Afghan nationals couldn’t be properly vetted.

Afghans who entered the U.S. on a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), under a special immigrant parole (SQ/SI), and were granted humanitarian parole as part of the Biden Administration’s Operation Allies Welcome were eligible for over a dozen taxpayer benefits, many continuing four years later.

The benefits include: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC), HUD Public Housing and Section 8 housing vouchers, emergency Medicaid, Affordable Care Act health plans and subsidies, full-scope Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), federal student aid and Pell grants, REAL ID, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act services, refugee resettlement programs through the Office of Refugee Resettlement and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), according to the National Immigration Law Center.

For those who didn’t qualify for SSI or TANF, refugees were eligible for up to 12 months of Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) through the ORR.

In addition, many refugees qualified for employment assistance through Refugee Support Services, which included: childcare, transportation, “employability services,” job training and preparation, job search assistance, placement and retention, English language training, translation and interpreter services and case management, according to the Administration for Children and Families Office of Refugee Resettlement.

The ORR also noted that “some clients may be eligible for specialized programs such as health services, technical assistance for small business start-ups and financial savings.”

Many refugees also qualified for “immigration-related legal assistance” to assist them “on their pathway to obtaining a permanent status.”

Despite the multitude of services provided to Afghan refugees, “they are less likely to be proficient in English, have lower educational attainment, and lower labor force participation” compared to other immigrants in the U.S., according to the Migration Policy Institute. Additionally, “compared to both the native born and the overall foreign-born population, they are much more likely to be living in poverty.”

The institute noted that Afghans “tend to have lower educational attainment” compared to American and foreign-born populations, citing a 2022 statistic showing 28% of Afghan immigrants age 25 and older “reported having at least a bachelor’s degree” as compared to 36% of Americans and 35% of all foreign-born populations.

While 29% of Afghan adults reported having less than a high school diploma, compared to 25% of other immigrant populations, there were some slight improvements among those who arrived in the U.S. between 2020 and 2022, with 36% having at least a four-year degree. However, that figure is 12 points less than other immigrant populations arriving during the same period.

The institute highlighted the “relatively low labor force participation rate” of Afghan immigrants ages 16 and older, showing that in 2022, 61% were in the civilian labor market, compared to 67% of other immigrant populations and 63% of U.S.-born individuals.

Afghan immigrants have a higher poverty rate compared to the American and foreign-born populations. As of 2022, 39% of Afghan nationals were living in poverty, compared to 12% of Americans and 14% of other immigrant populations.

Among the many benefits Afghan refugees are eligible to receive, one of the most costly may be housing in the form of public housing and the Section 8 program.

The institute showed that a majority of immigrants from Afghanistan are concentrated in some of the regions with the highest housing costs in the nation, including the metro areas of Washington, D.C., Sacramento, San Fransico, Los Angeles, New York City, Seattle and San Diego.

When asked if Afghan refugees are still receiving housing benefits, a HUD official told The Center Square that the department “is working in coordination with appropriate agencies to align the Department’s guidance related to immigration status to ensure taxpayer-funded benefits are not used for any unintended purpose.”

Adding to housing benefits, The Center Square reported Tuesday exclusively that amid a national housing crisis, the Biden administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development produced guidelines encouraging property owners to forgo some fair housing practices to favor Afghan refugees, which the Trump administration directed to be terminated.

The Center Square obtained a HUD directive from the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity rescinding the Biden-era guidance document, “Operation Allies Welcome: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Fair Housing Issues,” and withdrawing from a FHEO guidance document “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Renting to Refugees and Eligible Newcomers,” which the agency claims violates the Fair Housing Act.

HUD Secretary Scott Turner argues the Biden-era guidelines prioritized nearly 200,000 Afghan refugees who were admitted following the 2021 pullout of American forces from Afghanistan by encouraging landlords and property owners to forgo credit checks, occupancy limitations, and engage in targeted marketing toward Afghans.

“After President Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, his administration made a bad situation worse by prioritizing housing assistance for Afghan refugees, who we now know were unvetted and unchecked,” Turner told The Center Square. “Since day one, our mission has been clear: to serve the American people and end the misuse and abuse of American taxpayer-funded resources. That is why we rescinded this Operation Allies Welcome guidance, which encouraged landlords and property owners to violate federal civil rights law to protect Afghan refugees. Under President Trump’s leadership, the days of putting Americans last is over.”

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