Editor’s Letter


The federal government has been shut down by Republican actions in Congress three times in the past ten years. Now Congress itself is crippled by a House of Representatives that cannot begin operating while Republicans remain deadlocked over choosing a Speaker. (Image via Shutterstock)
It’s Not That ‘Nobody Wants to Work’ — It’s That Too Many GOP Politicians Won’t Show Up for Work

The Republicans’ battle for Speaker of the House is the natural result of wanting to “prove” government doesn’t work—by refusing to do the actual work of governing.

Campaign Checklist Years
Here Are 3 Takeaways from the 2022 Election and 3 Things to Watch

Democracy is a journey, so the work will ramp up again shortly to plan for races in 2023 and 2024.

Jeff Smith Truck Sign
Evers’ Victory Shows How Ideas and Conversations Can Overcome Cynicism and Nonstop Ads

Never underestimate the power of simply telling people what you plan to do and basing it in the search for common ground.

The interior of the first floor of the Haymarket Landing building in downtown Eau Claire sits empty. Foxconn Technology Group announced plans in summer 2018 to locate 150 jobs at the Haymarket building and a former Wells Fargo bark site. Nearly two years later, Foxconn has backed out of buying the bank building and has done no work on the Haymarket building. (Photo by Julian Emerson)
Evers’ Main Street Approach to Pandemic Relief Is a Welcome Change After Foxconn and Trump

Home run hitters make a lot more outs than the small-ball specialists who string a bunch of singles and doubles into a higher score.

Romney Johnson
Ron Johnson Working Overtime for Big Banks Means Many Wisconsin Workers Aren’t Getting Overtime Pay

Votes and quotes from Wisconsin’s Republican senator show a preference for policies that favor businesses, banks, and credit card companies over workers and consumers.

Capitol Riot Investigation The Targets
The Jan. 6 Insurrection Was Not an Isolated Event. In Wisconsin, the List of Suspicious or Illegal Activities Is Long.

The hearings by a special congressional committee should be treated as a warning—complacency only helps those who want to tear down our democracy.

Get Our Daily Newsletter and Catch Us on the Radio

Get a quick read on Wisconsin's top headlines, stories, and commentary