WNA Member Content

richard niess

Pull the plug on shadowy business courts

In the latest "Your Right to Know" column, Attorney Richard Niess says that anyone who doubts that secrecy in government breeds poor public policy should take a look at the Business Court Pilot Project launched by our Wisconsin Supreme Court.

"For the last five years, the project has granted large commercial interests outsized influence over our court system’s handling of their cases," he writes. The business court pilot debuted in 2017 in Waukesha County and the 8th judicial district (encompassing Brown, Marinette, Kewaunee, Oconto, Door, Outagamie and Waupaca Counties). It was expanded to other districts and, in a surprise move, to Dane County in 2020.

state bar of wisconsin, legal rights, legal advice

Determining child custody in Wisconsin

I recently re-watched “Mrs. Doubtfire” – a classic, family-friendly comedy from the 1990s that also deals with the serious topics of divorce and child custody.  (Spoilers ahead.) 

bears

Bears awaking a sign of spring

Even when the icy grip of winter keeps holding on, there are signs of spring around us. One sign of spring in the woods is the waking up of the bears.

capitol report, wispolitics

State GOP endorsement process drawing criticism

The state Republican party endorsement process in Wisconsin is drawing criticism from some of its candidates as just two GOP governor and four lieutenant governor hopefuls have so far met campaign finance thresholds needed to qualify for the party’s endorsement.

state bar of wisconsin, legal rights, legal advice

‘Know Your Legal Rights’ column coming soon from State Bar of Wisconsin

A variety of legal topics will be the focus of a new twice-monthly column — Know Your Legal Rights — produced by lawyers at the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service.

The stories will be made available to WNA members for republication at no cost, beginning April 1.

gas prices

Poll results show mixed impact of higher gas prices

Polco users and readers visiting WNA member websites from March 9 to 22 were asked how they were adjusting to higher gas prices, which hit record highs earlier this month. More than half of respondents said they hadn't made any changes, while 29% were driving less and 13% said they were spending less elsewhere.

This poll question and results were made available through a partnership between the WNA and Polco to help Wisconsin newspapers better engage readers and access enhanced data and insights.

Wisconsin Newspaper Association