State News
New Online Tool for Survivor Protection
A new online tool can simplify getting a restraining order in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Court System has launched a pilot program for a new mobile-friendly portal that guides users through filing domestic abuse temporary restraining order petitions. The plain-language system helps people complete forms and submit them electronically in one process. Chief Justice Jill Karofsky says the goal is to make court process more accessible and supportive for survivors seeking protection. The pilot is underway in eight counties, with a statewide rollout planned by the end of August.
DHS Reports Increase in Lone Star Ticks
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services warns of an increase in invasive ticks that cause serious illnesses. D H S reports an increase in Lone Star ticks this year. The agency has a service where residents can send in ticks to get them identified and so far this year 33 Lone Star ticks have been submitted. There were only six in all of 2025. Lone Star ticks can carry a parasite that causes an allergy to red meat called alpha-gal syndrome. The Department of Natural Resources says Wisconsin winters are still too cold to allow Lone Star ticks to reproduce successfully here.
Evers Argues for DACA Renewals
Evers urges action on delays affecting DACA recipients (UNDATED) Governor Tony Evers is urging action on delays affecting DACA recipients. The Democratic governor has sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Wisconsin’s congressional delegation, requesting answers on delays in processing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals renewals. Evers says the backlog is creating uncertainty for so-called Dreamers who rely on the program to live and work legally in the U.S. The governor argues the delays could also affect Wisconsin’s workforce and economy. DACA was created in 2012 for people brought to the country illegally as children.
Protests Following Madison Shooting
Protests in Madison Wednesday night after a man was shot and killed by police.
Protesters interrupted a Madison police news conference Thursday, demanding accountability after an officer shot and killed a man the day before. Police Chief John Patterson was cut off as demonstrators criticized city officials and the investigative process. The Wisconsin Department of Justice is leading the investigation into the shooting and says it will turn its findings over to the Dane County District Attorney’s Office. Community members have identified the man killed as 38-year-old Corey Ruiz and say he was homeless.
Protestors marched downtown Madison Thursday, calling for justice for the man shot by officers in the middle of one of Madison’s busiest neighborhoods. Among those in the streets was Madison state representative and candidate for governor Francesca Hong who says the state cannot protect a system that continues to reign harm and terror. Madison police say the man pulled a knife and injured an officer during a scuffle. Four officers are on administrative leave while the state Justice Department investigates.
Devils Lake Hiker Dies
A hiker died Tuesday afternoon after falling from the Devil’s Doorway area at Devil’s Lake State Park.
The Baraboo Fire Department was dispatched around 2:15 p.m. to reports of a hiker who had fallen near the popular rock formation along the East Bluff Trail. Firefighters initially did not know how far the person had fallen or exactly where they were located.
Assistant Chief Mark Willer said firefighter-paramedics trained in rope rescue rappelled from above while another crew searched from below the bluff.
About 15 minutes into the operation, crews located the hiker dead at the bottom of the bluff. According to Willer, the hiker had left the marked trail and gone onto the rocks before falling.
Devil’s Doorway is one of the park’s most recognizable landmarks, attracting visitors for its scenic overlook and views of the surrounding valley. Willer said the formation itself is not meant to be climbed.
The rescue took about three hours due to the landscape at the scene. DNR is handling the death investigation. The DNR said it could not give any other information at this time, including the identity of the person who fell.
Man Dies from Madison Police Shooting
A man in his 30s died after being shot by a Madison police officer during a struggle in the Marquette neighborhood Wednesday afternoon, according to Madison Police Chief John Patterson.
Officers were dispatched before 1 p.m. for a report of a person allegedly stealing bicycles and checking parked vehicles. When officers located the man and attempted to contact him, he fled on a bicycle and went through backyards in an attempt to get away, Patterson said during a news conference.
Officers confronted the man again around Baldwin and Williamson streets around 1:30 p.m. The man either fell off or was taken off his bicycle by officers, which is still being investigated. A physical struggle ensued with officers in the middle of the street.
During the struggle, the man pulled out a large fixed blade knife and an officer was injured. A Taser was deployed but was unsuccessful, Patterson said.
The officer injured by the knife fired his gun at the man, Patterson said. The shooting was reported at 1:35 p.m. A second officer was also injured, though it’s not clear how that occurred but is not thought to be by the knife.
Officers at the scene attempted life-saving measures, Patterson said. Four officers were involved in the incident, but only one officer fired his weapon, according to Patterson. The officer who fired the weapon is a veteran officer, Patterson said. He said that officer was treated for his injuries.
All involved officers will be placed on administrative leave. The Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation will handle the investigation.
DATCP Issues Public Health Alert for Gunderson Food Service Beef Grillers Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is issuing a public health alert for Beef Grillers raw beef patties produced by Gunderson Food Service in Mondovi. This alert is due to product being misbranded and containing an undeclared allergen.
The aforementioned product contains milk, a known food allergen which was not declared on the product’s label. The product was sold frozen at Gunderson Food Service’s establishment in Mondovi on or before July 16, 2026.
DATCP is issuing this public health alert to ensure consumers with an allergy to milk are aware that this product should not be consumed. No illnesses have been reported as a result of consuming this product. Anyone with signs or symptoms of a foodborne illness or allergic reactions should contact their doctor. Consumers who have this product can discard it. Consumers and media with questions about this public health alert can contact Jon Seipel, Gunderson Food Service, at (715) 926-4903.
Man remains at large following meatball motivated wedding shooting
A Milwaukee man remains at large after police say he shot two people at a wedding reception in fight about meatballs. Police say during the reception on June 20th, 41-year-old Thomas Williams of Milwaukee was told by the bride’s cousin to stop eating meatballs with his hands and use a plate. That’s when Williams reportedly punched her in the face, which caused her brother-in-law to get involved. According to a criminal complaint, Williams shot them both. The woman was shot in the arm and leg, while the male victim was shot in the back of the neck. Both had to go to an area hospital for treatment.
$100,000 All or Nothing TicketSold in Richland Center
Lottery retailer sells its second $100,000 winning ticket
Who doesn’t love a game where the player matches 0 out of 11 and wins $100,000? A winning $100,000 All or Nothing ticket was sold at the Eastside BP on 2407 Hwy 14 E in Richland Center for the Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Midday drawing. The winning ticket matched 0 out of 11 numbers.
All or Nothing players can win the $100,000 top prize by matching 0 out of 11 numbers or by matching 11 out of 11 numbers. Including the Eastside BP win, three of the four All or Nothing top prize winners in 2026 have matched 0 out of 11 numbers.
For Eastside BP, it is the second time in recent years the store has sold a $100,000 winning ticket. Previously, the Lottery retailer sold a winning $100,000 scratch ticket.
Angela, the District Manager of Eastside BP said, “This is crazy. Half the fun now is trying to figure out who we might’ve sold that winning ticket to.”
Wisconsin Lottery retailers who sell winning tickets over $599 receive a two percent Retailer Performance Program Winning Ticket Incentive, up to $100,000.
Players have 180 days from the draw date to claim their winnings. Information on how to claim a prize is available at wilottery.com. Players can also see if their ticket is a winner by using the Lottery’s mobile app, available on the App Store or Google Play.
The odds of winning the All or Nothing $100,000 top prize are 1:352,716. Tickets are $2 per drawing. Drawings are held seven days a week, twice daily. Tickets must be purchased before 1:30 p.m. for the Midday drawing and before 9:00 p.m. for the Evening drawing.
Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Application Period OpenThrough February 23
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
(DATCP) invites Wisconsin meat processors to apply for the Meat Processor Infrastructure
Grant through February 23, 2026. The meat processor grant program aims to grow Wisconsin’s
meat industry and improve the long-term viability of the state’s livestock sector.
“By creating the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant program, Governor Evers and the
legislature have spurred investment in this important Wisconsin economic driver,” said
DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “The grants have strengthened Wisconsin’s meat industry
by assisting processors in modernizing their establishments, improving capacity and
throughput, and improving employee retention.”
Eligible applicants must operate a meat processing establishment in Wisconsin licensed by
DATCP or the U.S. Department of Agriculture and be engaged in livestock harvest or meat
processing. Projects must increase harvest capacity or production, with a goal of increasing
harvest or production by 20 percent. Funding from these grants can be used for operating
expenses directly related to the grant project, including expenses for engineering, architectural
design, construction, food safety consultation, equipment, and equipment installation.
DATCP will award grants for up to $50,000 for projects that last up to two years and help
expand capacity or increase throughput. Processors must provide a match of 100% of the grant
amount. The selection process is competitive, and there is $700,000 available for the 2026
grant program.
Access the grant application and materials at
https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/AgDevelopment/MeatProcessorInfrastructureGrants.aspx.
Questions related to the grant application can be submitted to datcpdadgrants@wisconsin.gov.
Grant recipients will be announced in the coming months.

