Dane County, Wisconsin

Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor, said during a debate that private election funding dubbed "Zuckerbucks" — grants from a Mark Zuckerberg-backed nonprofit that helped Wisconsin communities run elections during the pandemic — was a key reason he objected to certifying the state's 2020 results and backed Trump's bid to disqualify absentee ballots from Milwaukee and Dane counties. Democratic opponent David Crowley called the explanation inadequate, noting Tiffany alleged no actual fraud, and questioned whether Tiffany could be trusted to certify 2028 results. Tiffany pledged he would certify the 2028 election regardless of outcome. Wisconsin voters later banned private election grant funding via constitutional amendment.

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor, said in a debate that private election grants funded by Mark Zuckerberg — dubbed "Zuckerbucks" by critics — drove his support for Trump's efforts to overturn Wisconsin's 2020 results. Tiffany also cited Milwaukee and Dane County clerks allowing "indefinitely confined" voters to skip photo ID requirements. Over 200 Wisconsin communities received roughly $10 million from the Zuckerberg-funded Center for Tech and Civic Life during the pandemic; voters later banned such private election funding via a 2024 constitutional amendment. Democratic opponent David Crowley argued Tiffany's explanation was inadequate and questioned his trustworthiness to certify 2028 results, though Tiffany pledged he would certify regardless of outcome.

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor, said during a debate that his 2020 objection to certifying Wisconsin's presidential election results stemmed from private election-administration grants funded by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, dubbed "Zuckerbucks" by critics. More than 200 Wisconsin communities received about $10 million from the Zuckerberg-backed Center for Tech and Civic Life during the pandemic. Tiffany also cited Milwaukee and Dane county clerks allowing "indefinitely confined" voters to skip photo ID for absentee ballots. He backed Trump's failed bid to disqualify 220,000 absentee ballots and voted against counting Pennsylvania and Arizona electoral votes. Democratic opponent David Crowley questioned whether Tiffany can be trusted to certify 2028 results; Tiffany said he would.

In a Wisconsin governor's race debate, Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany said his 2020 objections to certifying Wisconsin's election results stemmed from concerns over election funding from Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, often called "Zuckerbucks." Tiffany pointed to grants from the Zuckerberg-funded Center for Tech and Civic Life, which sent about $10 million to more than 200 Wisconsin communities during the pandemic, and to Milwaukee and Dane county guidance letting voters claim "indefinitely confined" status to get absentee ballots without photo ID. Democratic opponent David Crowley argued Tiffany identified no actual fraud and questioned whether he would certify the 2028 results; Tiffany said he would, "regardless of who the winner is."

The Madison Common Council voted 14-6 to remove interim independent police monitor Meeka Glass after a marathon meeting that began Tuesday evening and ran past 7 a.m. Wednesday, with public comment lasting over seven hours and about 140 people registered to speak. The removal resolution, introduced by Alder Ochowicz, cited concerns over Glass's handling of her duties, including hiring for the permanent monitor role. Glass disputed the allegations and accused the mayor, city attorney, and HR director of misconduct, while the Police Civilian Oversight Board had recently rated her performance highly. The vote follows months of conflict involving a police altercation, a restraining order, and ongoing litigation over a fatal police shooting.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Dane County Executive Melissa Agard marked Indigenous Peoples' Day, observed on the second Monday of October, with messages honoring the state's tribal nations. Evers, who established the observance via executive order in 2019, said he planned to spend the day with tribal leaders and communities, noting that Wisconsin is home to 12 Native Nations, each with distinct history, culture, and language.

Agard directed her remarks to the Ho-Chunk Nation, whose ancestral homeland includes present-day Dane County, which replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day in 2019. She pointed to a recent conservation deal in which the county acquired 165 acres near Babcock County Park with plans to preserve and return the land to the Ho-Chunk Nation, calling the move part of ongoing efforts to build relationships with tribal communities.

Small rural townships across Michigan are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain the local clerks who administer elections, maintain voter rolls and process absentee ballots. In Hillsdale County's Fayette Township, no clerk has served since January after the previous clerk resigned, citing burnout compounded by public backlash over a contested solar farm proposal. No candidates filed for a special election, and the township board found no one willing to be appointed, forcing a neighboring city clerk to manage both jurisdictions' elections and a second special election planned for May.

Officials in Michigan, one of eight states that administer elections locally rather than through counties, say rising workloads, low part-time pay often under $12,000 a year, and increased harassment of election workers are driving clerks out. A bipartisan bill passed the state House that would let townships contract with any accredited Michigan resident to run elections, but it has stalled in the Democratic-led state Senate, leaving the staffing crisis unresolved ahead of future elections.

Madison police discovered about 30 partially clothed young men, mostly 18 years old, covered in food, condiments and other liquids in the basement of an Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house after responding to an anonymous tip. The room's thermostat was reportedly set to 81 degrees, and several of the men had visible injuries consistent with physical abuse. Officers escorted the men outside to check for incapacitation and injuries.

Brayden J. Klein and Samuel N. Vane, both 20, were arrested on hazing and disorderly conduct charges and booked into Dane County Jail. Police noted the fraternity's president and vice president were present and spoke with officers, though it was unclear if the arrested men held those roles.

The Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter is unrecognized by the University of Wisconsin but remains affiliated with the national organization, which said it takes the allegations seriously and will cooperate with investigators, pledging to expel anyone found responsible for criminal conduct. The university is separately investigating the incident under its nonacademic misconduct process. The investigation remains ongoing.