https://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/guns-candlelight-s5.jpgGreen Bay area Representative says universal criminal background checks can save lives by preventing dangerous individuals from illegally purchasing guns.

In Wake of Mass Shootings Democrats Push for Background Checks

MADISON – After another uptick in deadly mass shooting deaths, Senator LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) and Representative Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) are introducing legislation that would close the gun show loophole that enables individuals with criminal convictions to purchase a firearm.

As Republican politicians refuse to even discuss solutions to the threat of gun violence, Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling released the following statement:

“Wisconsin families should have the opportunity to feel safe in community spaces like schools, parks, places of worship, workplaces, and grocery stores free from the threat of deadly weapons and dangerous individuals. Too many men, women and children have already died as a result of gun violence. Failing to address the growing threat of gun violence and mass shootings will only lead to more tragedies. Like the vast majority of Wisconsin residents, I support universal background checks and find it appalling that Republican politicians are refusing to take even the most basic steps to prevent gun violence.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Israel on Thursday announced that it would block Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) entry to the territory during an upcoming overseas trip, according to multiple reports.

The decision was announced moments after President Trump tweeted that it would show "great weakness" for Israel to allow the two congresswomen into the country. The president has been an outspoken critic of both Omar and Tlaib, who last year became the first two Muslim women elected to Congress.

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http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/guncontrol-protest-s5.jpgGov. Evers, Lt. Gov. Barnes, Attorney General Kaul join Rep. Sargent and Sen. Johnson in supporting universal background checks, call on Republicans to act.

It should be illegal for a member of law enforcement to have sex with a person in their custody and completely at their mercy.

MADISON – The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety held a public hearing Wednesday on Senate Bill 104, prohibiting law enforcement officers from having sexual contact with persons under their custody.

Author of the bill, Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) gave impassioned testimony about the case of Anna Chambers, an 18-year-old from Brooklyn who was raped inside of a police van while under the custody of two NYPD detectives. Although the officers were charged with rape, a “consensual sex” defense was offered and the officers were acquitted. At the time, New York had no law barring sexual contact between a subject in custody and the officers involved.

Taylor became familiar with the case in 2017 and quickly learned that Wisconsin also had no law that made sexual contact between law enforcement and persons under their custody illegal. Following the press conference, Senator Taylor issued the following statement:

“In an ideal world, we would not need to create a law that makes it illegal for a member of law enforcement to have sex with a person in their custody and completely at their mercy. Unfortunately, this is no ideal world and the inappropriate actions of a few demand this legislation.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/mc-courthouse-jail-s5.jpgState Senator says, in Milwaukee County Jail alone, at least 40 women were shackled while giving birth since 2011.

U.S. trade war with China has been a central concern.

NEW YORK - U.S. stock markets had their worst drop of the year Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 800 points, or 3 percent.

The U.S. trade war with China has been a central concern for economic forecasters who in recent days had raised the odds of a recession in the coming year.

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http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/sherman-park-cops-s5.jpgState GOP now ducking simple questions while 81 percent of Wisconsinites support universal background checks and efforts to close gun show loophole.

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Stocks sunk sharply Wednesday morning after the U.S. bond market signaled an impending recession.

The Dow Jones industrial average, S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq composite all dropped more than 1 percent as trading opened Wednesday, with shares of banks leading the losses.

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MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers announced Tuesday his appointment of Angeline Winton to be Washburn County Circuit Court Judge. The appointment fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Eugene Harrington.

“Ms. Winton is a hard-working, fair district attorney who understands the challenges facing Washburn County. She will be a dedicated judge who treats everyone with dignity and respect,” said Gov. Evers.

Winton is currently the district attorney of Washburn County. She was elected to the position in 2016. Winton previously worked in private practice and served as an assistant district attorney for Washburn and Burnett counties. As a prosecutor, Winton has handled thousands of criminal cases, ranging from homicide to methamphetamine distribution to traffic offenses.

Winton graduated from Hayward High School. She graduated summa cum laude from UW-Eau Claire and magna cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law. She resides in Springbrook.