A group of protestors march along a street at night while holding a fabric banner on two poles with the words Justice for Corey Ruiz, with buildings and trees on either side, and with an illuminated theater marquee sign reading New Orpheum and an illuminated dome of Beaux-Arts style building topped by a gilt statue in the background.

Politics

Madison grapples with Ruiz shooting as signature city events get canceled

The fatal shooting of Corey Ruiz by a Madison police officer has sparked renewed calls for policing reforms and is forcing the city to once again reckon with calls from community members to address racial justice.

July 26, 2026

Ben Crump speaks and gestures with his right hand while standing behind a wood podium with multiple microphones with the flags of different media organizations affixed to its surface, with Veronica Ruiz standing to his side holding her face in her hands and Sheila Stubbs holding Ruiz's left arm, in a room with a carved fireplace lintel, the Wisconsin flag, an electric wall sconce and toile wallpaper.
Ben Crump speaks and gestures with his right hand while standing behind a wood podium with multiple microphones with the flags of different media organizations affixed to its surface, with Veronica Ruiz standing to his side holding her face in her hands and Sheila Stubbs holding Ruiz's left arm, in a room with a carved fireplace lintel, the Wisconsin flag, an electric wall sconce and toile wallpaper.

Courts

Attorney for the Ruiz family says Madison police officer should be criminally charged

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who appeared with the family of Corey Ruiz at a news conference at the Wisconsin State Capitol, says a Madison police officer should face criminal charges after shooting and killing the 38-year-old man during a struggle with four officers on a busy city street.

July 26, 2026

A still image shows a crowd of people marching on the steps of the state Capitol, with a woman wearing a black graphic t-shirt in the foreground holding a sign that reads 'Justice for COREY!!!
A still image shows a crowd of people marching on the steps of the state Capitol, with a woman wearing a black graphic t-shirt in the foreground holding a sign that reads 'Justice for COREY!!!

Social Issues

Fallout from fatal Madison police shooting of Corey Ruiz

A Madison police officer fatally shot Corey Ruiz, a 38-year-old Black man, on July 22, prompting a series of protests and vigils while reopening old wounds from previous police shootings in the city.

July 24, 2026 • South Central Region

A still image shows Charles Franklin seated at the 'Here & Now' set featuring wood paneling, with a graphic at bottom reading 'Charles Franklin' and 'Marquette Law School Poll.'
A still image shows Charles Franklin seated at the 'Here & Now' set featuring wood paneling, with a graphic at bottom reading 'Charles Franklin' and 'Marquette Law School Poll.'

Elections

Charles Franklin on 2026 Wisconsin governor primary matchups

Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin discusses 2026 primary races for Wisconsin governor, from progressives supporting Francesca Hong to Democratic matchups with Republican Tom Tiffany.

July 24, 2026

A still image shows Bryna Godar seated at the 'Here & Now' set featuring wood paneling, with a graphic at bottom reading 'Bryna Godar' and 'State Democracy Research Initiative.'
A still image shows Bryna Godar seated at the 'Here & Now' set featuring wood paneling, with a graphic at bottom reading 'Bryna Godar' and 'State Democracy Research Initiative.'

Elections

Bryna Godar on WEC’s ruling on ‘spoiling’ absentee ballots

University of Wisconsin Law School State Democracy Research Initiative attorney Bryna Godar discusses the state Elections Commission barring requests for new absentee ballots if a candidate drops out.

July 24, 2026

A still image shows Ryan Graham in front of a blurred background, with a graphic at the bottom that reads 'Ryan Graham' and 'Wisconsin Balance of State Continuum of Care.'
A still image shows Ryan Graham in front of a blurred background, with a graphic at the bottom that reads 'Ryan Graham' and 'Wisconsin Balance of State Continuum of Care.'

Social Issues

Ryan Graham on northeast Wisconsin’s homeless resources

Wisconsin Balance of State Continuum of Care homeless systems manager Ryan Graham discusses filling a gap left by a nonprofit's closure as a summer statewide Point in Time homelessness count is held.

July 24, 2026 • Northeast Region

A sedan with a driver raising their left arm in a fist out the window and an open driver-side rear door as two people sit on its roof and hold a U.S. flag in the air drives along one side of a boulevard, with a large group of people walking behind across multiple lanes of the street, with trees and multi-story buildings on either side, and the a Beaux-Arts style building with a dome at the top of a low hill in the background.
A sedan with a driver raising their left arm in a fist out the window and an open driver-side rear door as two people sit on its roof and hold a U.S. flag in the air drives along one side of a boulevard, with a large group of people walking behind across multiple lanes of the street, with trees and multi-story buildings on either side, and the a Beaux-Arts style building with a dome at the top of a low hill in the background.

Courts

Fatal police shooting of Corey Ruiz roils Madison, sparking protests in the city

The police shooting death of Corey Ruiz has roiled Madison and prompted protests and calls for justice, with local officials issuing calls for transparency and accountability while 2026 candidates for governor of Wisconsin weigh in on the turmoil.

July 24, 2026 • South Central Region

Chaos in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary race for governor
Chaos in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary race for governor

Inside Wisconsin Politics

Chaos in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary race for governor

David Crowley re-entered the 2026 Democratic primary for governor and received an endorsement by Gov. Tony Evers — Inside Wisconsin Politics examines shifts in the campaign and what polls are showing.

July 23, 2026

A bus and other vehicles drive along a city street through and past an intersection where traffic lights are illuminated yellow, with brick buildings on either side of the street, with trees and utility poles and traffic signs along the sidewalks.
A bus and other vehicles drive along a city street through and past an intersection where traffic lights are illuminated yellow, with brick buildings on either side of the street, with trees and utility poles and traffic signs along the sidewalks.

Courts

Madison police officer shoots and kills a man in a street on the city’s east side

A Madison police officer shot and killed a man at the intersection of Williamson and Baldwin streets on the city's east side, with the department's chief saying the man injured the officer with a knife while resisting arrest — cellphone video of the shooting circulated on social media shortly later.

July 22, 2026 • South Central Region

A $20 bill, $10 bill and $1 bill folded in half sit on top of two student loan repayment plan application forms.
A $20 bill, $10 bill and $1 bill folded in half sit on top of two student loan repayment plan application forms.

Education

Student loan defaults surge in Wisconsin, US after federal payment pause ends

Wisconsin student loan borrowers are struggling to repay after a pandemic-related grace period ended along with the most generous repayment plan — those who attended for-profit colleges in the state are twice as likely to be delinquent on making payments on loans.

July 22, 2026