NewsMatch
Help us reveal problems and explore solutions to Wisconsin’s biggest issues
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In our 10 years of operation, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism has brought you news that you will not find anywhere else.
Broken Whistle
Critics call Wisconsin’s Medicaid fraud crackdown ‘bullying’
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The state claims tens of millions in fraud in the Medicaid program, but some home care and family planning providers say their expenses are legitimate.
Your Right to Know
Your Right to Know: Wisconsin lawmakers embrace secrecy, fast-tracking
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Many people in Wisconsin feel state government is moving in the wrong direction, away from the citizenry and toward the interests of politicians and their financial backers.
NewsMatch
Help us help democracy; support investigative journalism in Wisconsin!
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Democracy relies on an informed electorate. At the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, we help achieve that by providing nonpartisan, fact-checked stories that help you make important decisions on Election Day and beyond. Support journalism that protects the vulnerable, exposes wrongdoing and explores solutions.
Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Last-minute surprises and secretive moves hide Wisconsin lawmakers’ actions from public view
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Anonymous budget amendments and ‘Body Snatcher’ bills give power to special interests and change the scope of legislation with no chance for public input.
Your Right to Know
Your Right to Know: In survey Dems back more openness, GOP mostly mum
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In advance of the Nov. 6 elections, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council surveyed candidates for state Assembly and Senate to gauge support for initiatives to require more openness by public officials, including the Legislature. We sent surveys to 204 candidates: 106 Democrats, 84 Republicans and 14 third-party contenders. We received 75 responses from 60 Democrats, eight Republicans and seven third-party candidates, for a 37 percent response rate. Most of the Democrats who responded offered conditional support for many of the ideas.
Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Voter fraud — what voter fraud? Studies contradict photo ID rationale
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Voter impersonation — the reason voter ID laws were passed in the first place — has largely been debunked as a pervasive problem in U.S. elections, according to a summary of investigations and studies compiled by the Brennan Center for Justice.
Government
Wisconsin takes steps to avoid voter data breach that happened in Illinois
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Wisconsin officials say they have taken multiple steps to guard against attacks on the election system. But the August rollout of vote tallying through the WisVote system shows more work needs to be done.
Opinion
Why we analyzed the speed of bills in the Wisconsin Legislature and what we learned
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This column is a companion to our story revealing that the length of time bills were deliberated dropped significantly soon after Gov. Scott Walker and Republican legislators took control in 2011. In this piece Center managing editor Dee J. Hall explains the origins and methodology of the analysis.
Wisconsin to force parents to work for FoodShare, despite doubts about effectiveness
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Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-run Legislature expand work mandate to parents of school-age children and increase requirement to 30 hours a week
Flawed Forensics
Wisconsin man, casualty of flawed hair forensics, latest to be exonerated
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Charges against Richard Beranek were dropped after DNA proved hair and semen from rape were not his; junk hair analysis cause of numerous wrongful convictions.
Broken Whistle
Long-time judge: Some ‘independent’ doctors routinely rule against injured workers
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As an administrative law judge hearing worker’s compensation cases in Wisconsin for three decades, Joe Schaeve said he often knew how certain doctors hired by employers and insurance companies would rule even before opening their reports.