Jim Malewitz
@jmalewitz.bsky.social
Managing editor of @wisconsinwatch.org and amateur old man baseball player. Alum: Bridge Michigan, Texas Tribune, Stateline, Iowa Watch.
Following Vanilla Ice's call to collaborate and listen.
Following Vanilla Ice's call to collaborate and listen.
Wis Supreme Court races are everything they were never meant to be — partisan, astronomically expensive national political battles in which candidates’ ideologies overshadow their qualifications.
Why, and what can we do about it? Read our series Supreme Costs wisconsinwatch.org/supreme-cost...
Why, and what can we do about it? Read our series Supreme Costs wisconsinwatch.org/supreme-cost...
Supreme Costs: Wisconsin’s pricey and partisan high court elections
Wisconsin Watch examines record spending in state Supreme Court elections, how Wisconsin became a national outlier and what can be done about it.
wisconsinwatch.org
December 8, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Wis Supreme Court races are everything they were never meant to be — partisan, astronomically expensive national political battles in which candidates’ ideologies overshadow their qualifications.
Why, and what can we do about it? Read our series Supreme Costs wisconsinwatch.org/supreme-cost...
Why, and what can we do about it? Read our series Supreme Costs wisconsinwatch.org/supreme-cost...
Wisconsin refugee advocates brace for impact from federal limits on food aid.
Aid groups wonder how long refugees and asylees will continue receiving FoodShare now that a Trump ban on assistance has taken effect. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/refu...
Aid groups wonder how long refugees and asylees will continue receiving FoodShare now that a Trump ban on assistance has taken effect. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/refu...
Refugee advocates brace for impact from federal limits on food aid
Aid groups wonder how long Wisconsin refugees and asylees will continue receiving FoodShare now that a Trump ban on assistance has taken effect.
wisconsinwatch.org
December 8, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Wisconsin refugee advocates brace for impact from federal limits on food aid.
Aid groups wonder how long refugees and asylees will continue receiving FoodShare now that a Trump ban on assistance has taken effect. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/refu...
Aid groups wonder how long refugees and asylees will continue receiving FoodShare now that a Trump ban on assistance has taken effect. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/refu...
Good name for a Wisconsin-specific dating app.
December 6, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Good name for a Wisconsin-specific dating app.
This story is so random and fun. www.theatlantic.com/science/2025...
No NFL Game Has Ever Ended in a Score of 36–23
A scoreboard mystery
www.theatlantic.com
December 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
This story is so random and fun. www.theatlantic.com/science/2025...
Foxconn, Trump’s ‘America first’ factory, is moving to AI. It’s giving lawmakers some pause.
A rare example in which Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan and Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden are sharing similar concerns/sentiments.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
A rare example in which Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan and Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden are sharing similar concerns/sentiments.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
Foxconn, Trump’s ‘America first’ factory, is moving to AI. It’s giving lawmakers some pause.
Members of Congress said Wisconsin should first address serious concerns from constituents about manufacturers’ energy and water use, which could strain existing infrastructure and leave consumers …
wisconsinwatch.org
December 6, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Foxconn, Trump’s ‘America first’ factory, is moving to AI. It’s giving lawmakers some pause.
A rare example in which Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan and Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden are sharing similar concerns/sentiments.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
A rare example in which Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan and Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden are sharing similar concerns/sentiments.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
Reposted by Jim Malewitz
Sick of those Wisconsin Supreme Court campaign attack ads?
Nonpartisan commissions nominate top judges in 11 states. And 12 states use independent performance reviews by experts to help voters determine judges’ competence. Part 3 @wisconsinwatch.org wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
Nonpartisan commissions nominate top judges in 11 states. And 12 states use independent performance reviews by experts to help voters determine judges’ competence. Part 3 @wisconsinwatch.org wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
Sick of those state Supreme Court campaign ads, Wisconsin? Here’s how other states avoid them
Polls show Wisconsin prefers to elect justices, but the timing, term limits and vetting of candidates could be different.
wisconsinwatch.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Sick of those Wisconsin Supreme Court campaign attack ads?
Nonpartisan commissions nominate top judges in 11 states. And 12 states use independent performance reviews by experts to help voters determine judges’ competence. Part 3 @wisconsinwatch.org wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
Nonpartisan commissions nominate top judges in 11 states. And 12 states use independent performance reviews by experts to help voters determine judges’ competence. Part 3 @wisconsinwatch.org wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
🧑⚖️🧵
In 2007, every WI Supreme Ct Justice, conservative and liberal, asked for public financing of Court elections. They worried a $5 million negative ad campaign had left the impression that justices would be more beholden to their sponsors' interests than the law wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
Unlimited donations, weak recusal rules led to record Wisconsin Supreme Court spending
Democrats seek to revive public financing of Supreme Court elections after previous attempts failed.
wisconsinwatch.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:47 PM
🧑⚖️🧵
Wisconsin Supreme Court to weigh sheriffs’ cooperation with ICE.
The ACLU sued on behalf of the immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera. The lawsuit challenges detention practices in Brown, Kenosha, Marathon, Sauk and Walworth counties. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
The ACLU sued on behalf of the immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera. The lawsuit challenges detention practices in Brown, Kenosha, Marathon, Sauk and Walworth counties. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
Wisconsin Supreme Court to weigh sheriffs’ cooperation with ICE
The ACLU sued on behalf of the immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera. The lawsuit challenges detention practices in Brown, Kenosha, Marathon, Sauk and Walworth counties.
wisconsinwatch.org
December 4, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Wisconsin Supreme Court to weigh sheriffs’ cooperation with ICE.
The ACLU sued on behalf of the immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera. The lawsuit challenges detention practices in Brown, Kenosha, Marathon, Sauk and Walworth counties. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
The ACLU sued on behalf of the immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera. The lawsuit challenges detention practices in Brown, Kenosha, Marathon, Sauk and Walworth counties. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
" Kiel Ald. Kathy Schuette resigned Tuesday, ending a month-long dog poop scandal." fox11online.com/news/local/k...
Kiel alderperson resigns after month-long dog poop scandal
It comes after her husband was determined to have been leaving dog feces on the doorstep of a local pet store.
fox11online.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:15 AM
" Kiel Ald. Kathy Schuette resigned Tuesday, ending a month-long dog poop scandal." fox11online.com/news/local/k...
Wisconsin Supreme Court elections have drawn an ‘obscene’ amount of spending. Here’s why & what can be done about it.
Loose campaign finance laws, lax recusal rules, a purple electorate and the spring election cycle help explain record spending on these races.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
Loose campaign finance laws, lax recusal rules, a purple electorate and the spring election cycle help explain record spending on these races.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
Wisconsin Supreme Court elections have drawn an ‘obscene’ amount of spending. Here’s why and what can be done about it.
Loose campaign finance laws, lax recusal rules, a purple electorate and even the spring election cycle all help explain why high court races have become so expensive.
wisconsinwatch.org
December 3, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Wisconsin Supreme Court elections have drawn an ‘obscene’ amount of spending. Here’s why & what can be done about it.
Loose campaign finance laws, lax recusal rules, a purple electorate and the spring election cycle help explain record spending on these races.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
Loose campaign finance laws, lax recusal rules, a purple electorate and the spring election cycle help explain record spending on these races.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
“One hundred and fifty one children under the age of 18 have been arrested between January and October, with a steep increase beginning in May.”
A 6-year-old boy is missing after ICE arrested him and his dad in NYC last week and shipped them off to separate facilities. www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/02/i... @thecity.nyc @gwynnefitz.bsky.social
ICE Arrested and Separated Chinese Father From 6-Year-Old Son, Advocates Say
The father and son were detained at an ICE check-in on Nov. 26, advocates say. The son’s location is currently unknown, while the father is being held at an upstate ICE facility.
www.thecity.nyc
December 3, 2025 at 2:55 AM
“One hundred and fifty one children under the age of 18 have been arrested between January and October, with a steep increase beginning in May.”
“Even for Mr. Trump — who has a long history of insulting Black people, particularly those from African countries — his outburst was shocking in its unapologetic bigotry.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
Trump Calls Somalis ‘Garbage’ He Doesn’t Want in the Country
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:14 AM
“Even for Mr. Trump — who has a long history of insulting Black people, particularly those from African countries — his outburst was shocking in its unapologetic bigotry.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
This day — it’s giving…Tuesday.
December 2, 2025 at 8:56 PM
This day — it’s giving…Tuesday.
WI leaders want to offer more college-level courses to high schoolers. But teachers need the same qualifications as college instructors.
Many would be required to enroll in grad school, even if they already have a master’s degree. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc... (via @wisconsinwatch.org)
Many would be required to enroll in grad school, even if they already have a master’s degree. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc... (via @wisconsinwatch.org)
Wisconsin high schools want to offer more college classes. First, teachers must go back to school.
School officials statewide want to give more students a jump start on college with dual enrollment classes. But they say they lack qualified teachers, and for busy teachers, grad school is a hard s…
wisconsinwatch.org
December 2, 2025 at 3:04 PM
WI leaders want to offer more college-level courses to high schoolers. But teachers need the same qualifications as college instructors.
Many would be required to enroll in grad school, even if they already have a master’s degree. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc... (via @wisconsinwatch.org)
Many would be required to enroll in grad school, even if they already have a master’s degree. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc... (via @wisconsinwatch.org)
Reposted by Jim Malewitz
Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday. Free, independent local news supports every other worthy cause by helping communities stay informed and connected. Will you help us do more for Wisconsin in 2026? Thanks to matching funds, whatever you can afford to give will have twice as much impact. ❤️
Support Wisconsin Watch
Now more than ever, Wisconsin needs fearless, independent reporting. When you support Wisconsin Watch, you are fueling nonpartisan investigative journalism that holds power to account and connects …
wisconsinwatch.org
December 1, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday. Free, independent local news supports every other worthy cause by helping communities stay informed and connected. Will you help us do more for Wisconsin in 2026? Thanks to matching funds, whatever you can afford to give will have twice as much impact. ❤️
As living costs soar, tax relief shrinks for low-income Wisconsin residents.
The homestead credit, a crucial source of property tax relief, has withered due to inflation and legislative inaction.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
The homestead credit, a crucial source of property tax relief, has withered due to inflation and legislative inaction.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
As living costs soar, tax relief shrinks for low-income Wisconsin residents
The homestead credit, a crucial source of property tax relief, has withered due to inflation and legislative inaction.
wisconsinwatch.org
December 1, 2025 at 5:31 PM
As living costs soar, tax relief shrinks for low-income Wisconsin residents.
The homestead credit, a crucial source of property tax relief, has withered due to inflation and legislative inaction.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
The homestead credit, a crucial source of property tax relief, has withered due to inflation and legislative inaction.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
Why do so many local officials run for reelection unopposed?
How a Madison woman’s question sparked the Wisconsin Civics Games — a growing contest to get young people interested in government. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/11/how-... (@wisconsinwatch.org)
How a Madison woman’s question sparked the Wisconsin Civics Games — a growing contest to get young people interested in government. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/11/how-... (@wisconsinwatch.org)
How a Madison woman’s question sparked a growing statewide civics contest
The annual quiz game about government and democracy has doubled in size since the Wisconsin Newspaper Association started it. The brainchild of a retired teacher-turned-reporter, it encourages youn…
wisconsinwatch.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Why do so many local officials run for reelection unopposed?
How a Madison woman’s question sparked the Wisconsin Civics Games — a growing contest to get young people interested in government. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/11/how-... (@wisconsinwatch.org)
How a Madison woman’s question sparked the Wisconsin Civics Games — a growing contest to get young people interested in government. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/11/how-... (@wisconsinwatch.org)
Another deeply reported and beautifully told story from Eli Saslow.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
Two Men. One Identity. They Both Paid the Price.
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Another deeply reported and beautifully told story from Eli Saslow.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
"The subpoena seeks contact information for employees who have filed complaints about discrimination based on Jewish faith, those who belong to Jewish clubs or groups on campus, and anyone who works in the university’s Jewish studies program." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
Federal Suit Seeking Names of Some Jewish Employees at Penn Sparks Backlash
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:23 PM
"The subpoena seeks contact information for employees who have filed complaints about discrimination based on Jewish faith, those who belong to Jewish clubs or groups on campus, and anyone who works in the university’s Jewish studies program." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
"Vos did not respond to multiple requests for comment." isthmus.com/news/news/ad... (via @liamberan.bsky.social)
Vos is blocking breast cancer screening bill, advocates say
The bill would require insurance companies in Wisconsin to cover supplemental diagnostic examinations for women with dense breast tissue.
isthmus.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:52 PM
"Vos did not respond to multiple requests for comment." isthmus.com/news/news/ad... (via @liamberan.bsky.social)
As ICE ramps up enforcement nationwide, Wisconsin courts are increasingly left with loose ends: defendants without their day in court, victims without a chance to testify and thousands of dollars in forfeited bail paid by family, friends and employers.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/11/wisc...
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/11/wisc...
Courts left with loose ends when ICE detains criminal defendants
When defendants sit in ICE custody, their criminal cases generally continue without them — sometimes with no explanation of their absence to the court.
wisconsinwatch.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:46 PM
As ICE ramps up enforcement nationwide, Wisconsin courts are increasingly left with loose ends: defendants without their day in court, victims without a chance to testify and thousands of dollars in forfeited bail paid by family, friends and employers.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/11/wisc...
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/11/wisc...
“Wisconsin taxpayers bear the highest financial burden of any state for supervision violations and revocation, at $72 per resident.”
www.jsonline.com/story/news/2...
www.jsonline.com/story/news/2...
Wisconsin pays more than any state for recidivism. Could addiction treatment change that?
The bill would provide case management, medication for behavioral health therapy and, upon prison release, a 30-day supply of prescription medication.
www.jsonline.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:41 AM
“Wisconsin taxpayers bear the highest financial burden of any state for supervision violations and revocation, at $72 per resident.”
www.jsonline.com/story/news/2...
www.jsonline.com/story/news/2...
A Midwest Standoff and Midwest Paradox: A politeness forcefield surrounds the last uneaten snack.
But if everyone leaves it for someone else, it’s essentially left to no one. 🤔
But if everyone leaves it for someone else, it’s essentially left to no one. 🤔
November 19, 2025 at 7:42 PM
A Midwest Standoff and Midwest Paradox: A politeness forcefield surrounds the last uneaten snack.
But if everyone leaves it for someone else, it’s essentially left to no one. 🤔
But if everyone leaves it for someone else, it’s essentially left to no one. 🤔
[email protected] spent months visiting manufactured homes across Wisconsin — a vital yet overlooked source of affordable housing. Here’s what she learned.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/11/wisc...
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/11/wisc...
Wisconsin’s forgotten homes: Takeaways from investigating manufactured housing
Addie Costello spent months visiting manufactured homes — a vital yet overlooked source of affordable housing. Here’s what she learned.
wisconsinwatch.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:03 PM
[email protected] spent months visiting manufactured homes across Wisconsin — a vital yet overlooked source of affordable housing. Here’s what she learned.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/11/wisc...
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/11/wisc...
News that makes Madison folks (like me) exclaim: "Let's goooooooo!!!!" madison.com/news/local/s...
Six more canoes found this year in Lake Mendota, one is 5,200 years old
The canoe is now the oldest dugout canoe recorded from the Great Lakes region and the third-oldest in eastern North America.
madison.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:22 PM
News that makes Madison folks (like me) exclaim: "Let's goooooooo!!!!" madison.com/news/local/s...