http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/las-vegas-shooting2-2017-s5.jpgSen. Smith talks about legislation to expand the background check requirement for all firearm purchases as a way to fight against gun violence.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Robert Mueller’s Russia report has largely faded from the airwaves less than a month after the former special counsel’s high-profile congressional testimony, a possible warning sign to Democrats that most voters have lost interest in the probe.

Read the full story here

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/disabled-mentally-s5.jpgGroup will study strategies to attract and retain a strong direct care workforce, support families providing caregiving.

Emily I. Lonergan is an Appleton native, and an attorney with Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C.

MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers announced Monday his appointment of Emily I. Lonergan to be Outagamie County Circuit Court Judge. The appointment fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Nancy Krueger.

“Ms. Lonergan is a very talented attorney who understands that decisions made by circuit court judges have a tremendous impact on the lives of the people who appear before them,” said Gov. Evers. “As a judge, Ms. Lonergan will ensure that everyone that appears before her is heard and treated fairly.”

Lonergan, an Appleton native, is an attorney with Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C. in Appleton. She previously was an attorney with Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP of Milwaukee. Lonergan specializes in criminal defense and personal injury law. She also has extensive experience with complex business and contract litigation, professional licensing, juvenile matters, appellate litigation, and healthcare law. Lonergan has received numerous professional accolades. She received the Gordon Sinykin Award of Excellence from the Wisconsin Law Foundation (2017), was recognized as a Rising Star by Wisconsin Super Lawyers (2013 to 2019), and was recognized as an Up and Coming Lawyer by the Wisconsin Law Journal (2015).

Lonergan is a graduate of Xavier High School of Appleton, Marquette University, and Marquette University Law School. She lives in Appleton with her family.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/highway-crowded-s5.jpgBudget investments include $320 million for state and local roadways, coupled with the lowest level of borrowing in 20 years.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/flood-wi-field-s5.jpgState government demonstrates its commitment to clean energy, joins lawsuit against Trump EPA efforts to roll back climate protections.

Trump rant reverberates across Washington, as pro-Israel groups condemned the president for threatening U.S.-Israel relations.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - He has sided with foreign autocrats over his own intelligence community; backed foreign dictators over his own military commanders; and supported foreign despots over his own allies abroad.

But President Trump broke new ground on Thursday when he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deny two Muslim-American congresswomen entrance to the country for a fact-finding visit, accusing them of harboring hatred toward “Israel & all Jewish people.”

The move reverberated across Washington like a shot, as pro-Israel groups condemned the president for threatening U.S.-Israel relations; foreign policy experts chimed in with warnings of frayed diplomatic ties; and stunned Democrats issued waves of statements denouncing Trump for pressuring a foreign government to deny his American political opponents rights of free passage.

Read the full story here

We need universal background checks for all gun purchases, something over 90% of Americans, and 81% of Wisconsinites support, says Hintz.

MADISON – On Thursday, Governor Tony Evers, along with Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, Attorney General Josh Kaul, and legislative Democrats, introduced legislation to create a universal background check system in Wisconsin. Currently, background checks are only required under federal law for sales conducted by licensed dealers. This legislation closes the loophole for firearms purchased at gun shows and from strangers online. Representative Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) and Senator LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) introduced this legislation today for co-sponsorship. Assembly Democratic Leader Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statement:

“The public has an expectation that government should do everything possible to reduce the likelihood of gun violence, which has become far too common across the country. Republicans in Washington D.C. and even the President himself, have publicly stated that background checks are necessary to reduce gun violence and promote gun safety. Yet the vast majority of Wisconsinites are currently represented by politicians who won’t even discuss the most basic steps that can be taken to protect the public.

“Democrats believe in safe gun ownership, and understand that our 2nd amendment rights come with a responsibility to reduce gun violence and promote firearm safety. Governor Evers did the right thing by reaching out to Republican leadership to pursue universal background checks in a bipartisan effort moving forward. It’s disappointing, but not surprising, to see Republicans punt yet again when faced with concrete policies to make our communities safer.”

Last session, Assembly Democrats brought a bill to the floor that would implement universal background checks for all gun purchases, something over 90% of Americans, and 81% of Wisconsinites support. Every single Republican voted against it.

DENVER, CO - Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary on Thursday, fueling speculation that he will launch a Senate bid in his home state.

He becomes the second candidate after Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) to drop out of the crowded primary field, leaving 23 still vying for the nomination.

Read the full story here

Green Bay's Denise Gaumer Hutchison is among those appointed. Group will work to disseminate information on the status of women and issues of concern to women in the state.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced on Thursday seven appointments to the Wisconsin Women’s Council. The Council’s mission is to identify barriers to women’s social and economic participation in the state and work with public and private-sector partners to develop initiatives and identify solutions and to disseminate information on the status of women and issues of concern to women in the state.

The seven appointments to the Women’s Council include:

• Ze Yang (Madison, Wisconsin), Governor’s Designee, is a bilingual educational assistant with the Verona Area School District, who is currently attending graduate school to earn an elementary teaching license. For over a decade, she has worked to serve underprivileged and underrepresented children and families in the Hmong community, where she often finds herself serving as a gatekeeper, mentor, advisor, cultural bridge, and community leader.
  
  
• Patty Cadorin (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Board Chair, is Vice President and Senior Advisor of BMO Harris Bank.  Cadorin previously served on the Women’s Council and chairs the Council’s Trailblazer Awards for Women’s in Business.  She serves on the board of directors of the United Community Center; Building Brave; the Milwaukee Urban League; and is a member of the United Way Women’s Leadership Council. Among her numerous awards and recognitions, in 2016, she was awarded the Ally Award from the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee.
  
  
• Dr. Lisa Armaganian (Brookfield, Wisconsin) is a leading cardiologist with Ascension Medical Group, whose primary expertise includes cardiac diagnostic imaging, disease management, and preventive cardiology.  She is passionate about advocating for women and children statewide, and, in particular, for further education in cardiovascular disease prevention.
  
  
• Denise Gaumer Hutchison (Green Bay, Wisconsin) is a Communication and Event Production Consultant. Previously, she worked for WEAC (Wisconsin Education Association Council) as an outreach coordinator and WEA Trust as a Field Representative where she worked with over 100 school districts in northeast Wisconsin. Ms. Gaumer Hutchison serves on the board of the League of Women Voters of Greater Green Bay.
  
  
• Alderwoman Chantia Lewis (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) was elected to the Milwaukee Common Council in 2016, representing her neighbors in the city’s the 9th District. Alderwoman Lewis served in the United States Air Force and currently attending graduate school to earn a master’s degree in theology.
  
  
• Dr. Rosalyn McFarland (Brown Deer, Wisconsin) is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, and the CEO and Founder of MyNP Professionals Family Medical Clinic, providing primary care to patients across the lifespan.
  
  
• Nerissa Nelson (Stevens Point, Wisconsin) is a Librarian and Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and has been a professional librarian for over 20 years. Ms. Nelson is active shared governance and other service work on the UWSP campus, and in the arts including serving on the boards of area non-profit arts organizations.

More information about the Women’s Council is available at https://womenscouncil.wi.gov.