Change.
Today’s Key Reads touch on how different politicians and institutions deal with change.
College sports is becoming almost unrecognizable. The latest sign? The Wisconsin Badgers just hired a Director of Player Development. In the age of NIL money and a transfer portal, big conference programs are trying every thing imaginable to compete.
The new hire is no stranger to the Badgers. Welcome Home, Greg Stiemsma
Stiemsma hired as Director of Player Development | UW Athletics
Greg Stiemsma has been named the director of player development for the Wisconsin men’s basketball staff, as announced by head coach Greg Gard on Wednesday.
A player at Wisconsin from 2004-08, Stiemsma went on to enjoy a professional basketball career in the NBA and internationally before transitioning to player development roles in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves and most recently the San Antonio Spurs.
“We are excited to welcome Greg Stiemsma and his family back to Wisconsin,” Gard said. “Having Stiemsma in this position is another step to meet the ever-changing needs of our program and make sure that we stay at the forefront in this new age of college athletics.
“Stiemsma brings multiple years of professional experience in a variety of roles to our staff. He will be a tremendous asset to our team, having worked in-depth with some of the NBA’s best players and coaches centered specifically around player development. As a former NBA player himself, he also knows firsthand what it takes as an athlete to reach the pro level and then ultimately succeed. As a player at Wisconsin, Stiemsma competed at a championship level with traits and qualities that we value in our program.”
Stiemsma most recently worked with the San Antonio Spurs in player development. He started with the Spurs in 2021 as a video assistant in the film room before being promoted. Stiemsma also served on the coaching staff for the Spurs at the 2022 NBA Summer League.
From 2019-21, Stiemsma worked for the Minnesota Timberwolves in player development.
Stiemsma brings a wealth of NBA experience and knowledge to Wisconsin. Players he helped develop include Naz Reid, Karl-Anthony Towns, Doug McDermott, Georgi Dieng and Victor Wembanyama. As a player, Stiemsma learned from teammates that included Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio, Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, and more.
Hardened criminals need to know that they no longer only need to worry about local law enforcement.
U.S. Marshals Arrest 260 in Southeast, WI | U.S. Marshals Service
Between April 1, and June 30, 2024, the U.S. Marshals Service Eastern District of Wisconsin Fugitive Task Force, engaged in an operation labeled “Big Top” to target violent criminals in Southeast Wisconsin. Operation Big Top focused enforcement activities occurring in four of the larger cities/urban areas of the district. Our mission is to assist local law enforcement in reducing violent crime and creating safe communities for all who work, live, and recreate in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. While the Fugitive Task Force works every day on finding and arresting fugitives, this operation intensified the work to coincide with the months leading up to summer when we know there is an influx of visitors to these cities.
Operation Big Top resulted in the following:
- Total Arrests: 260 (29 on Homicide)
- Warrants Cleared: 437
- Gang members: 28
- Firearms seized: 83
- Narcotics seized: 132.8 kg
- U.S. Currency seized: $84,547.00
- Vehicles seized: 1
The U. S. Marshals Service of the Eastern District of Wisconsin would like to thank our partner agencies that have task force officers assigned and assisting in this operation, Milwaukee, Racine, and Wauwatosa Police Departments, Milwaukee and Waukesha Sheriffs Offices, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, and Federal partners ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) and HSI (Homeland Security Investigations).
“I could not be prouder of the collaborative work our Task Force does,” said U.S. Marshal Anna Ruzinski, “Day after day this group is relentless on hunting and arresting violent fugitives, while keeping the community and all involved safe. It does have a positive impact on combatting crime.”
The appointed Secretary of State needs to change her ways, respect the law, and take care of public records.
Wisconsin secretary of state settles open records lawsuit brought by conservatives | The Associated Press
Wisconsin’s Democratic secretary of state settled an open records lawsuit brought by a conservative policy group on Wednesday, agreeing to respond to all future requests even when her office has no responsive records.
The Institute for Reforming Government sought records in 2023 related to Democrat Sarah Godlewski’s appointment as secretary of state.
…Godlewski did not respond to the request for 189 days. Godlewski initially said she didn’t have to respond because she had no responsive records, but after the lawsuit was filed she turned over communication sent from her private email…
Under the settlement, Godlewski agreed to respond to future open records requests as soon as practicable and without delay
After a recent ruling by the new Wisconsin State Supreme Court, the Legislature is going to have to find new ways to exercise oversight and maintain the balance of power at the State Capitol.
Republican committee members seek new strategy | The Center Square
Top Republicans on Wisconsin’s powerful budget committee say they are going to have to find other ways to accomplish goals following a state Supreme Court ruling.
State Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, on Tuesday said he’s disappointed in last week’s ruling on authority for the Joint Finance Committee when it comes to the state’s stewardship spending.
“We have to make sure that there’s accountability in those investments,” Born said. “And taking the Legislature out of that conversations is a real problem. Going forward, we’ll have to look at other ways that we can accomplish the similar goals.”
Born, however, didn’t say what those other ways may be.
The court ruled 6-1 that the Joint Finance Committee overstepped its bounds when it withheld money that was earmarked for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
Republican lawmakers say the stewardship program takes too much land off the books, and out of production.
The court said that, whatever their concerns or complaints, committee members do not have the power to control stewardship spending once the money has been authorized to be spent.
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