Children Gun Victims, Staying Active During Winter, Yearly Review Of Wisconsin News

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It’s been a big year in state news. We look back at Wisconsin’s biggest news stories this year, including the increase in the number of children affected by gun violence. We also get some suggestions on how to enjoy the outdoors during the cold winter months.

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  • Weekly News Roundup: Looking At The Year In Wisconsin News


    Photo: Photo Phiend (CC-BY-NC-ND).

    State Supreme Court Upholds Act 10

    The legal fight over Act 10 officially came to an end in July when the state Supreme Court upheld Gov. Scott Walker’s signature collective bargaining law in its entirety. The law had already survived two federal lawsuits.

    Writing for the majority in a 5-2 decision, state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman said that public-sector collective bargaining remains “a creation of legislative grace and not constitutional obligation.”

    The role of unions in the state will likely be tested in 2015 in the form of right-to-work legislation, which would essentially ban mandatory union shops in the private sector. While some conservatives have said the law would help the state’s economy, Walker has said it’s not part of his agenda, and would not comment on whether he would sign the bill should it reach his desk.


    Photo: Michael Newman (CC-BY-NC-ND).

    U.S. Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks State’s Voter ID Law

    Less than a month before the midterm elections, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked Wisconsin’s voter ID law, allowing residents to vote without having to show any forms of identification at the polls.

    The Supreme Court overruled an earlier decision in the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that said the law was to be implemented for the Nov. 4 election.

    The Supreme Court’s decision, however, had no bearing on the constitutionality of the law, and didn’t strike down voter ID requirements in the future.


    Photo: OLB (CC-BY-NC).

    Federal Court Decisions Make Same-Sex Marriage Legal In Wisconsin

    In October, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a review of Wisconsin’s same-sex marriage lawsuit, paving the way for marriage equality and clearing up any ambiguity on the issue.

    By refusing to review the case, the Supreme Court justices let stand two lower court decisions that had already ruled Wisconsin’s same-sex marriage ban to be unconstitutional. Wisconsin voters had added the same-sex marriage ban to the state’s constitution in 2006.


    Photo: Wisconsin National Guard (CC-BY-NC-ND).

    Scott Walker Wins Reelection

    In a race that gained national attention and political star power, Republican Gov. Scott Walker won a second term as Wisconsin’s governor by defeating Democratic challenger Mary Burke.

    Walker’s win marked his third victory in four years. He won a first term in 2010 and a recall election in 2012 prompted by anger over Act 10 legislation.

    The victory keeps Walker in the mix for a potential 2016 GOP presidential bid. Both gubernatorial candidates centered their campaigns around jobs and the economy. Analysts said the Republican tide that swept the nation helped Walker defeat Burke, as Democrats continue to be haunted by the low voter turnout trend during non-presidential elections.


    Photo: OLB (CC-BY-NC).

    Milwaukee Officer Not Charged In Dontre Hamilton Shooting

    In one of the most anticipated legal decisions in years, Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm announced that former Milwaukee Police Officer Christopher Manney wouldn’t face charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Dontre Hamilton at a downtown park last April.

    Manney encountered Hamilton, a 31-year-old mentally ill man, in Red Arrow Park. A physical struggle subsequently occurred between Manney and Hamilton, during which Manney fired his gun approximately 14 times, killing Hamilton.

    The decision followed several other high-profile cases throughout the country in which prosecutors decided not to indict police officers for using fatal use of force on African-American men.


    Photo: Roy Luck (CC-BY-NC-ND).

    Explosions Calls Railway Safety Into Question

    An oil train explosion last January in North Dakota sparked a debate about freight rail safety in Wisconsin.

    The safety of some rail bridges along the Mississippi River has some residents concerned and federal officials questioning the integrity of the structures.

    The railroads follow the entire stretch of the Mississippi River along Wisconsin. Trains travel next to highways, pass through towns and cross the river on lines owned by BNSF Railway.

    An average of 36 trains carrying more than one million gallons of crude Bakken oil travel these rails weekly.

  • How To Stay Active And Enjoy The Outdoors During The Winter

    During the long, cold winter months, you might be tempted to hibernate and stay inside until Spring. An outdoors expert shares his favorite ways to get you out of the house and enjoying the outdoors.

  • State News Round-Up For 2014

    WPR’s assistant news director joins us for a look back at the year that was, and recaps the top state news stories of 2014.

Episode Credits

  • Veronica Rueckert Host
  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Noah Ovshinsky Guest
  • Tom Held Guest
  • Amanda Magnus Producer

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