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AG Frey Joins Coalition Condemning DOJ Coercion Against Minnesota

Maine Attorney General Aaron M. Frey joined a coalition of 22 state attorneys general in condemning the Department of Justice's use of armed federal agents to coerce Minnesota officials into turning over protected resident data including Medicaid, SNAP, and voter information. The coalition, led by New York AG Letitia James, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on January 29, 2026, asserting the demands intrude on state sovereignty and conflict with ongoing court-ordered protections. The attorneys general warned they will continue to defend state sovereignty and resident rights against unlawful federal interference.

Bank Holding Company Merger Applications Notice

The Federal Reserve published a notice announcing bank holding company merger applications under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. GEBSCO, Inc. of Mondovi, Wisconsin applied to acquire Rushford State Bank of Rushford, Minnesota. The public comment deadline is May 22, 2026.

GEBSCO Inc Acquires Rushford State Bank Application

The Federal Reserve System published a notice that GEBSCO Inc., Mondovi, Wisconsin, has applied to the Board for approval under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to acquire Rushford State Bank (Incorporated), Rushford, Minnesota. The application is available for public inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and interested persons may submit written comments on the standards enumerated in the BHC Act. Comments must be received by May 22, 2026.

Wisconsin APRN Modernization Act Relating to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

2025 Wisconsin Act 17, enacted August 8, 2025, significantly modernizes the state's advanced practice registered nurse regulatory framework. The act amends, repeals, and creates numerous Wisconsin statutes to update APRN practice authority requirements and expand recognition of APRN credentials across state law. Affected parties including Wisconsin APRNs, healthcare employers, and organizations credentialing advanced practice providers should review their current compliance structures against the new statutory requirements.

US12606798B2 - Stem Cell Differentiation Methods and Compositions

USPTO granted US Patent 12606798B2 to Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation covering methods and compositions for differentiating pluripotent stem cells into endothelial and hematopoietic lineages under defined conditions. The patent lists Igor Slukvin and Gene Ichiro Uenishi as inventors and contains 9 claims.

Zorina K. Reed v. Sentry Select Insurance Company, Civil Case

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals released an opinion in Zorina K. Reed v. Sentry Select Insurance Company (Case No. 2024AP002132) on April 22, 2026. The case originates from Kenosha County, District 2. The opinion is available in PDF format and is subject to further editing and modification before publication in the official reports.

State v. Elizabeth A. Erickson Criminal Case Opinion

Wisconsin Court of Appeals released a criminal case opinion styled State v. Elizabeth A. Erickson, Case No. 2025AP001150-CR, on April 22, 2026. The opinion originates from District 2 and was filed in Fond du Lac County. The PDF document is available for download through the court's electronic opinions system.

State v. Jacquelyn R. Harris

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals released its opinion in State v. Jacquelyn R. Harris, case number 2025AP000489-CR, on April 22, 2026. The case was decided in District 2, Ozaukee County. The opinion is available in PDF format through the court's electronic opinions system.

Nina Liang, 17, Texas, Wins 2026 National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest

Nina Liang, 17, of Texas won the 2026 National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest with an oil painting of a blue-winged teal pair titled 'Sailors of Mustard Algae.' The winning artwork will appear on the 2026-2027 Junior Duck Stamp, which raises funds for youth wildlife and wetlands conservation education programs. Second place went to Jisun Yoon, 14, of New Jersey; third place to Thora Larson, 14, of South Dakota; and the Conservation Message Contest was won by Iris Lovett, 13, of Wisconsin. The program sold approximately 3,000 Junior Duck Stamps at $5 each in the prior year.

Port Washington State Bank v. Roxanne D. Hendon

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals published opinion 2025AP002276 in the matter of Port Washington State Bank, a Wisconsin Banking Corporation v. Roxanne D. Hendon. The opinion was released on April 22, 2026, in District 2, Ozaukee County. Electronic opinions are made available in PDF format.

Virtual Ethics Meeting, April 23, 3:30 p.m.

The Wisconsin Ethics Commission will hold a virtual open session meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. The meeting will proceed from open session directly into closed session under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(c), (g), (h) and § 19.851 for consideration of complaints, investigations, employment matters, legal counsel consultations, and confidential advisory opinion requests. Members of the public may attend the brief open session via Microsoft Teams or by phone before being excused.

Asbestos Management Planner Certification Requirements, Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services publishes certification requirements for asbestos management planners under Wis. Stat. ch 254 and Wis. Admin. Code ch DHS 159. Applicants must complete a three-day asbestos inspector initial training course followed by a two-day asbestos management planner initial training course, be at least 18 years old, and pay $125 annually. Certifications are valid for one year and require both a half-day annual asbestos inspector refresher training and a half-day annual asbestos management planner refresher training to renew.

Asbestos Company Certification Requirements, $400 Fee, 2-Year Duration

Wisconsin requires certification for any person or group that performs, oversees, or advertises asbestos work, including removal, abatement, air sampling, inspection, bulk sampling, and asbestos management. The certification costs $400 for a two-year period and can be obtained online or via paper application form F-44002. State and local government agencies are exempt from the fee.

February 2026 Local Employment Unemployment Data Released for Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development released U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates of employment and unemployment statistics for metropolitan areas, major cities, and counties in Wisconsin for February 2026. Nonseasonally adjusted data shows unemployment rates increased in all 13 metropolitan areas over the month and over the year. Of Wisconsin's 35 largest cities, unemployment increased in 34 over the year (Superior was the only city with a year-over-year decrease). Among counties, 71 saw month-over-month increases while Clark County was the sole county with a monthly decrease.

FBI Milwaukee Warns Parents About Online Predators Targeting Children

FBI Milwaukee issued an open letter dated April 22, 2026, alerting parents, guardians, and caregivers to a concerning increase in online predatory activity targeting children across the United States, including Wisconsin. The advisory describes Sadistic Online Exploitation (SOE) tactics, lists potential signs of victimization such as behavior changes, unexplained injuries, and signs of animal cruelty, and provides practical tips for monitoring children's online activities. The FBI advises reporting suspicious activity to 1-800-CALL-FBI or ic3.gov and encourages use of NCMEC's Take It Down service for victims seeking removal of exploited content.

Asbestos Inspector Certification Requirements and Fees

Wisconsin requires asbestos inspectors to be certified under Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 159. The certification costs $175 per year and is valid for one year. Applicants must be 18 or older, complete an initial three-day asbestos inspector training course, and be associated with a certified asbestos company. Renewal requires a half-day annual refresher training.

State v. Peter C. Buntrock, Criminal Appeal

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals released its opinion in State v. Peter C. Buntrock (case 2024AP000933-CR) on April 21, 2026. The criminal appeal was decided by District 3 sitting in Marathon County, with the full opinion available in PDF format through the court's document system.

Ball v. United States — Probation Revocation Remanded to Mississippi District

The Fifth Circuit granted the government's unopposed motion to remand Ball v. United States (No. 25-60396) back to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. The remand followed the court's own identification, under Anders v. California, of a sentencing policy statement (U.S.S.G. § 7B1.4(a)) recommending a three-to-nine-month range that had been missed by defense counsel, the government, and the district court during probation revocation proceedings.

State v. Michael K. Justice, 2023AP002265-CR

Wisconsin Court of Appeals published opinion in State v. Michael K. Justice, case number 2023AP002265-CR, released April 21, 2026. The case was decided in District 3, Marathon County, Wisconsin. The full opinion text is available in PDF format through the court's document system.

State v. Peter C. Buntrock, 2024AP000471-CR Published

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals released a published opinion in State v. Peter C. Buntrock, case number 2024AP000471-CR, on April 21, 2026. The case was decided in District 3, Marathon County. The opinion is available in PDF format from the court's electronic opinions system. No substantive content from the opinion itself is displayed on this page.

BigShot Awards Honor 162 Wisconsin Providers for Vaccinations

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced its tenth annual BigShot awardees, recognizing 162 Wisconsin healthcare providers for achieving high childhood vaccination rates. Providers were honored in four categories based on benchmarks for DTaP, poliovirus, MMR, Hib, HepB, varicella, PCV, Tdap, meningococcal, and HPV vaccines. DHS noted that childhood vaccinations are declining in Wisconsin amid a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles.

Wisconsin DNR Monitors Manure Spill in Buffalo County

The Wisconsin DNR is monitoring a manure runoff event in Buffalo County near the Village of Waumandee that has impacted Danuser Creek, a Class 2 Trout Stream and tributary to Waumandee Creek. On April 19, an angler reported dead trout to a local Conservation Warden; DNR staff confirmed the finding during a site visit and discovered manure runoff from saturated farm fields. The DNR continues to monitor the situation as the farm works to address the discharges.

Wisconsin DPI Recognizes 95 Schools of Recognition for 2024-25

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced that 95 schools have earned 2024-25 Schools of Recognition honors across three categories: High Achieving Schools (16 schools ranking in the top 10% for reading and mathematics achievement), High Progress Schools (15 schools showing significant growth in student outcomes or graduation rates), and High Impact Schools (71 schools serving high percentages of economically disadvantaged students with above-average achievement). The program, launched in 2003, recognizes Title I schools that demonstrate significant strides in student growth and achievement.

Gasket LLC v. Cancellation — Court Denies Nullification of LLC Certificate

The Delaware Court of Chancery denied a petition to nullify the certificate of cancellation of Reinz Wisconsin Gasket LLC (C.A. No. 2022-0859-MTZ), filed by asbestos claimant Linda A. Cook. The court concluded that the insurance policies the receiver identified are not company assets under Section 18-804 because the petitioner failed to prove two policies exist, failed to prove the company had acquired rights to coverage under others, and failed to prove the policies would compensate for pending claims. The court also held that litigable claims the receiver identified offer no value and are largely exculpated by the company's operating agreement or otherwise not viable. A certificate of cancellation will not be nullified based on hypothetical litigable claims that would yield no reasonable recovery.

Estate of John Holman v. General Casualty Company of Wisconsin - Insurance Coverage Dispute

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals issued a published opinion in case 2023AP002423 on April 2, 2026, addressing an insurance coverage dispute captioned Estate of John Holman v. General Casualty Company of Wisconsin. The case was filed in Milwaukee County, District 1. Published appellate opinions are subject to further editing and modification before appearing in the official reports, and represent final judicial determinations that may establish precedent for future insurance coverage disputes in Wisconsin.

Jerry Friedman v. Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals released an opinion on April 2, 2026, in Jerry Friedman v. Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, case number 2024AP002630. The case was decided by District 2/1 and originated in Sheboygan County. The opinion is available in PDF format through the court's electronic opinions system. As a published appellate decision, this ruling is subject to further editing before appearing in the official reports.

Attorney General Davenport Sues EPA Over Mercury Emissions Standards Repeal

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a coalition of 18 states in filing a lawsuit challenging the EPA's repeal of standards limiting mercury and toxic pollutants from power plants. The states argue the repeal is unlawful because the EPA failed to provide a reasoned basis and did not adequately consider developments in pollution control technologies. The coalition is asking the court to determine the rule is unlawful and must be reversed.

Kevin Schneider v. Wisconsin Health Care Liability Insurance Plan

Kevin Schneider appealed a decision by the Wisconsin Health Care Liability Insurance Plan in case 2024AP002143 before District 1 (Milwaukee County). The Wisconsin Court of Appeals released its opinion on March 31, 2026. The published opinion is available in PDF format and subject to further editing before inclusion in the bound volume of official reports.

Whitewater Tax Preparer Sentenced for Felony Theft and Filing False Tax Returns

Mauricio Castaneda, who operated El Nevado Taxes in Whitewater, was sentenced to 4½ years in the Wisconsin State Prison System in Walworth County on March 6, 2026, for felony theft charges and filing false income tax returns. From February 2021 to February 2022, Castaneda filed 33 false returns and received $33,356 in refunds to which he was not entitled. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue Office of Criminal Investigation identified 307 additional fraudulent returns Castaneda filed, preventing $298,300 in fraudulent refunds from being issued. Castaneda was also ordered not to prepare or file tax returns for anyone but himself.

States Challenge EPA Rollback of Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

Minnesota Attorney General Ellison co-led a coalition of 21 states and local governments in filing a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's repeal of the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule, which had tightened emission limits on mercury, arsenic, lead, and other hazardous air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants. The coalition argues the repeal is unlawful because EPA failed to provide a reasoned basis and did not adequately consider advances in pollution control technologies, while continuing to give lignite coal plants a free pass from emissions standards. The action seeks judicial reversal of the rollback, which the states contend will increase dangerous emissions and harm public health and the environment.

AG Rayfield, 20 States Sue Over Mercury Pollution Rule Rollback

Attorney General Dan Rayfield and 20 other states and local governments filed a lawsuit on March 31, 2026 challenging the Trump administration's rollback of the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule. The MATS Rule limits emissions of mercury, arsenic, lead, acid gases, and other toxic pollutants from coal and oil-fired power plants. The coalition argues the administration failed to provide a reasoned basis for the rollback and did not adequately consider developments in pollution control technologies. The lawsuit seeks a court determination that the rule reversal is unlawful and must be reversed. Mercury emissions from power plants contaminate waterways including the Columbia River and pose neurodevelopmental risks to pregnant women and children.