Poor Governor Evers.
He began last week wading through the developing scandal at Milwaukee Public Schools. Then, mid-week, news emerged that one of the wardens within his prison system was arrested, along with eight other state employees, in connection with prison deaths (including one homicide) at Waupun Correctional Institution. Then he had to end the week sucking up to the Governor of Illinois because the failed leader of that state is a major investor of Democrat and left-learning campaigns here in Wisconsin.
Perhaps the media’s empathy for Evers explains why they continue to give him a pass? We may never know.
In any event, it’s a new week, so let’s get right to the news and today’s Key Reads.
Wisconsin Democrats had a buzz-filled weekend stuck inside their state convention while the Milwaukee area was enjoying an amazing weekend. Their delegates voted support for Hamas, while ignoring the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel, their keynote speaker was the leader of one of the most dysfunctional states in America and their slate of delegates to their national convention this summer includes the supposedly non-partisan Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jill Underly.
This is yet another reason why any study of the abysmal performance of MPS should be conducted by nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau, (whose reputation is impeccable) and not DPI, which is clearly a partisan body complicit with the problems at MPS
The news hit hard yesterday, especially among students, faculty and alumni. Our prayers go out to his family and all those who loved him.
Marquette President Michael Lovell dies at 57, leaves legacy of love for campus, community | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Marquette University President Michael Lovell died in Italy Sunday after a three-year battle with cancer and a decade at the helm of Wisconsin’s largest private institution, the university announced. He was 57.
“President Lovell’s decade of leadership at Marquette was marked by a deep commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and community renewal and development — consistent with the university’s Catholic, Jesuit mission that animated him,” a university statement said. “An entrepreneur at heart, President Lovell pushed Marquette and Milwaukee to ask what could be rather than settling for the status quo.”
Lovell was the first lay president in the Jesuit school’s 133-year history and deeply committed to his faith. He was recently in Rome on a Jesuit formation pilgrimage with his wife, members of the Society of Jesus and the university’s Board of Trustees when he became sick. He was transported to a hospital in Rome.
Lovell revealed he was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, in September 2021. He began chemotherapy shortly after he announced his diagnosis and continued working, even through the monumental challenge of running a 12,000-student university through the COVID-19 pandemic.
…In Lovell’s last campus-wide address this past winter, he said he was in his 22nd round of chemotherapy.
“Some days are harder than others,” he said, throwing in a joke: “This round of treatment, I get to keep my hair.”
In a more recent interview with the Marquette Wire, the student newspaper, Lovell said his doctors had initially predicted he had just two years to live…
The diagnosis strengthened Lovell’s relationship with God, he told the Wire. It made him better appreciate birthdays. And it prompted him to dust off his bucket list.
Lovell and his wife had planned to travel to Portugal this month to walk the El Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage route leading to the shrine of the apostle James. Next month, he had planned to participate in Milwaukee’s 5K “Race to Cure Sarcoma.”
Lovell is survived by Amy and four children. Planning for a campus prayer vigil is underway. Funeral arrangements will be shared at today.marquette.edu.
These trends are always interesting. The name of the township only adds to the story.
Voting in Harmony: A Wisconsin township sets itself apart and has a knack for picking winners | Associated Press
It’s hard living in harmony during these politically divisive times.
But residents of a tiny Wisconsin town say they have the simple answer: actually live in Harmony.
Residents of Harmony Township — spread out on rich farmland and residential subdivisions on the outskirts of Janesville — tend to live up to the name of the 24-square-mile town near the Illinois state line. They also offer a reliable barometer of the political leanings of the swing state of Wisconsin.
Since 2000, Harmony voters have sided with the winner in all 13 presidential and gubernatorial races.
…given Wisconsin’s recent political volatility, Harmony’s knack for picking winners is uncanny. Four of the past six presidential elections in the swing state of Wisconsin have been decided by less than a point. The only other of Wisconsin’s 1,800 towns, villages and cities that share the distinction is Merrimac, a village of about 500 people roughly 75 miles (121 kilometers) from Madison, according to research by Marquette University professor John D. Johnson.
We don’t regularly focus on local crime reports. But this news is extraordinary.
The city of Madison was rocked by two mass shootings this weekend.
On Friday, according to police records:
More than 40 shell casings have been recovered. Multiple buildings in the area were damaged by bullets…
MPD responded to a report of shots fired in the 1300 block of Williamson St. Upon arrival, despite lifesaving efforts a 27 year old male was found deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
Then, early on Sunday Morning...
Multiple people were injured during a shooting at a party early Sunday morning.
The incident occurred around 12:45 a.m. at the Lux, a high-rise apartment building located on Johnson Street.
Officers were initially dispatched for a large party taking place on the rooftop of the building. They were pulling up to the building when dispatchers alerted them shots had been fired.
Dozens of people were screaming and running out of the building as officers approached. Officers ran up 12 flights of stairs in order to reach and help people.
At least ten people were hurt. Not all of their injuries are gunshot wounds. The victims are between 14 and 23-years-old. People are still contacting dispatch to report injuries or showing up at area hospitals for medical care. None of the injuries are considered life-threatening.
The week ahead should provide some developments to some ongoing stories, including the farce that is the Vos Recall, as well as the scandals within the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and Milwaukee Public Schools.
We will keep you posted.
