An overhead skylight illuminates marble masonry and two columns with Composite order capitals that flank a carved sign above reading Supreme Court.

Courts

Unlimited donations, weak recusal rules led to record Wisconsin Supreme Court campaign spending

Efforts to implement and maintain public financing for Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates and attempts to tighten recusal rules for justices continue as spending on judicial campaigns in the state skyrockets.

December 9, 2025

A sign reading County Courthouse and a stylized flat, wire sculpture of Lady Justice are mounted on the masonry wall of a Brutalist-style building with a row of pillars in front of glass windows.
A sign reading County Courthouse and a stylized flat, wire sculpture of Lady Justice are mounted on the masonry wall of a Brutalist-style building with a row of pillars in front of glass windows.

Courts

Dane County judge refuses to step aside as requested by former Trump attorney

A Dane County judge rejected a motion to step aside from presiding over a case in which a former attorney for President Donald Trump and two others face 11 felony charges in Wisconsin over a fake electors scheme following the 2020 election.

December 9, 2025

Barry Burden on congressional redistricting going into 2026
Barry Burden on congressional redistricting going into 2026

Elections

Barry Burden on congressional redistricting going into 2026

UW-Madison political science professor and Elections Research Center Director Barry Burden considers implications of multiple states seeking to redraw congressional district maps by the 2026 election.

December 9, 2025

An illustration shows a gavel, a pen, and a folded, torn piece of fake United States currency with a value of 144.5M with the words State of Wisconsin at the top and Supreme Court at bottom, with an abstract portrait of a judge in profile at center.
An illustration shows a gavel, a pen, and a folded, torn piece of fake United States currency with a value of 144.5M with the words State of Wisconsin at the top and Supreme Court at bottom, with an abstract portrait of a judge in profile at center.

Elections

Why Wisconsin Supreme Court elections are so expensive

More than $140 million was spent on the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election — loose campaign finance laws, lax recusal rules, a purple electorate and the spring election cycle all help explain why the state's high court races see such high spending.

December 8, 2025

Three side-by-side photos show Mike Roman, Jim Troupis and Kenneth Chesebro posing for a portrait, speaking and listening, respectively, in rooms with out-of-focus backgrounds.
Three side-by-side photos show Mike Roman, Jim Troupis and Kenneth Chesebro posing for a portrait, speaking and listening, respectively, in rooms with out-of-focus backgrounds.

Courts

Former Trump aides allege misconduct by judge in Wisconsin fake elector case

Jim Troupis, Kenneth Chesebro and Mike Roman, who face 11 felony charges related to the fake electors scheme in support of President Donald Trump in the 2020 election, asked for the preliminary hearing in their case to be postponed, alleging misconduct by the Dane County judge presiding over the case.

December 8, 2025

Side-by-side still images from video show Tom Tiffany and Josh Schoemann seated with an ombre backdrop in the background.
Side-by-side still images from video show Tom Tiffany and Josh Schoemann seated with an ombre backdrop in the background.

Politics

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: US Rep. Tom Tiffany, County Exec. Josh Schoemann, Barry Burden

Here's what guests on the Dec. 5, 2025 episode said about the Republican primary for governor in 2026 and two lawsuits challenging Wisconsin's congressional voting district maps.

December 8, 2025

A still image shows a finger pointing to a map of Milwaukee on the wall, the map has speckles of green showing where racial covenants historically existed in the city.
A still image shows a finger pointing to a map of Milwaukee on the wall, the map has speckles of green showing where racial covenants historically existed in the city.

History

Mapping a history of covenants and segregation in Milwaukee

Researchers and volunteers with the Mapping Racism and Resistance project in Milwaukee County are examining millions of documents to chronicle where and how racial covenants shaped the community.

December 5, 2025 • Southeast Region

A still image shows Josh Schoemann seated on the 'Here & Now' satellite set featuring a gradient background.
A still image shows Josh Schoemann seated on the 'Here & Now' satellite set featuring a gradient background.

Elections

Josh Schoemann on the 2026 primary for governor of Wisconsin

Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann discusses why he is running in the Republican primary for Wisconsin governor in 2026 and how both state and national politics factor in the race.

December 5, 2025

A still image shows U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany seated on the 'Here & Now' satellite set featuring a gradient background, with a graphic at the bottom that reads 'Tom Tiffany' and '(R) Candidate for Governor.'
A still image shows U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany seated on the 'Here & Now' satellite set featuring a gradient background, with a graphic at the bottom that reads 'Tom Tiffany' and '(R) Candidate for Governor.'

Elections

Tom Tiffany on the 2026 primary for governor of Wisconsin

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-7th Congressional District, discusses why he is running in the Republican primary for Wisconsin governor in 2026 and how both state and national politics factor in the race.

December 5, 2025

Barry Burden on lawsuits over Wisconsin’s congressional maps
Barry Burden on lawsuits over Wisconsin’s congressional maps

Courts

Barry Burden on lawsuits over Wisconsin’s congressional maps

UW-Madison political science professor and Elections Research Center Director Barry Burden explains the premise and status of two lawsuits that seek to redraw Wisconsin's congressional district maps.

December 5, 2025