Sean Duffy stands and gestures with his left hand while speaking into two microphones mounted to the top of a podium with a placard of an illustration showing an IndyCar in front of a dome with the words Freedom 250 Grand Prix mounted to its front, with an out-of-focus top of an IndyCar with a Chevrolet logo in the foreground, and an out-of-focus neoclassical masonry building with two wings flanking a central dome.

Elections

Transportation lobbyists have donated thousands to Sean Duffy’s son-in-law as he runs for Congress

Industry money has been pouring into the congressional campaign of Michael Alfonso, a 26-year-old political unknown who is running for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District seat in the 2026 election — the candidate's father-in-law is U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.

March 20, 2026

The yellow Inside Wisconsin Politics logo, the Wisconsin Public Radio logo, the PBS Wisconsin logo, and a man in a tan blazer speaking into a microphone.
The yellow Inside Wisconsin Politics logo, the Wisconsin Public Radio logo, the PBS Wisconsin logo, and a man in a tan blazer speaking into a microphone.

Inside Wisconsin Politics

Lawmaker retirements, online sports betting and data centers

The state Senate ends a session with lawmakers announcing retirements and weighing bills addressing online sports betting, UW athletes and data centers — Inside Wisconsin Politics breaks it down.

March 19, 2026

Devin LeMahieu holds his left hand's index and middle fingers to the left side of his face while seating at a desk, with a high-backed leather chair to his side and other people seated on either side in a room with marble masonry.
Devin LeMahieu holds his left hand's index and middle fingers to the left side of his face while seating at a desk, with a high-backed leather chair to his side and other people seated on either side in a room with marble masonry.

Elections

Republican Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu to retire from office

Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu announced he would not seek a fourth term in the 2026 election, another sign of a seismic shift in politics in the state as the two highest-ranking Republicans in the Legislature are retiring along with the Democratic governor.

March 19, 2026

Brad Schimel speaks into a microphone mounted on a stand while standing in front of an out-of-focus U.S. flag.
Brad Schimel speaks into a microphone mounted on a stand while standing in front of an out-of-focus U.S. flag.

Courts

Bondi appoints Schimel to different US attorney title

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has appointed Brad Schimel, a former state attorney general and state Supreme Court candidate, as first assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Wisconsin as his 120-day term as its U.S. attorney expires.

March 19, 2026

Maria Lazar, Chris Taylor on Wisconsin’s abortion ban ruling
Maria Lazar, Chris Taylor on Wisconsin’s abortion ban ruling

Elections

Maria Lazar, Chris Taylor on Wisconsin’s abortion ban ruling

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor discuss their perspectives on the high court's 4-3 decision in 2025 that overturned an 1849 state law that had banned abortions.

March 18, 2026

Stephen Webster on white corn cuisine and barters for trade
Stephen Webster on white corn cuisine and barters for trade

Indigenous

Stephen Webster on white corn cuisine and barters for trade

Ukwakhwa Director of Farm & Culinary Operations Stephen Webster describes how white corn grown by the project is used to prepare multiple Indigenous recipes and is distributed through a barter system.

March 18, 2026

A screen shows multiple lines for the Pro Football Championship between the Chiefs and Eagles, with an adjacent screen showing a sports broadcast on the FOX network, with the silhouettes of standing people in the foreground.
A screen shows multiple lines for the Pro Football Championship between the Chiefs and Eagles, with an adjacent screen showing a sports broadcast on the FOX network, with the silhouettes of standing people in the foreground.

Policy

Wisconsin lawmakers approve measure to allow tribes to offer online sports betting

The Wisconsin Legislature gave final approval to a bill that would allow tribal gambling casinos to offer online sports betting to people anywhere in the state, but the measure is contingent on the support of Gov. Tony Evers and would take effect only after updated deals with tribal governments.

March 18, 2026

Zara Fakhri on anti-war protests against US strikes on Iran
Zara Fakhri on anti-war protests against US strikes on Iran

Politics

Zara Fakhri on anti-war protests against US strikes on Iran

Milwaukee resident Zara Fakhri, who has family in Iran, describes the importance of considering complex feelings among Iranian people over the war between their ruling regime and the United States.

March 17, 2026

State senators sit at wood desks arranged in a semi-circle while other staff sit and stand at a wooden legislative dais, in a room with marble masonry and pillars, large paintings, and a second-story observation gallery.
State senators sit at wood desks arranged in a semi-circle while other staff sit and stand at a wooden legislative dais, in a room with marble masonry and pillars, large paintings, and a second-story observation gallery.

Policy

Wisconsin Senate passes $133 million package to address PFAS contamination

The Wisconsin Senate has passed a $133 million bipartisan package to combat contamination by PFAS "forever chemicals" after the February passage of corresponding bills in the state Assembly, which will go to Gov. Tony Evers for an expected signature.

March 17, 2026

Stephen Webster on cultivating Ukwakhwa from the ground up
Stephen Webster on cultivating Ukwakhwa from the ground up

Indigenous

Stephen Webster on cultivating Ukwakhwa from the ground up

Ukwakhwa Director of Farm & Culinary Operations Stephen Webster describes how a program that promotes and serves Indigenous foods in the Oneida Nation was inspired by growing white corn in a garden.

March 17, 2026