Jim Malewitz
@jmalewitz.bsky.social
Managing editor of @wisconsinwatch.org and amateur old man baseball player. Alum: Bridge Michigan, Texas Tribune, Stateline, Iowa Watch.
Following Vanilla Ice's call to collaborate and listen.
Following Vanilla Ice's call to collaborate and listen.
With its minimum wage frozen at $7.25 since 2009, Wisconsin lags most states, shrinking the buying power of the lowest-wage workers while fueling debate over economic trade-offs. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/wisc... (via @wisconsinwatch.org)
DataWatch: Wisconsin hasn’t raised its minimum wage for 17 years. What does that mean for workers and the economy?
With its minimum wage frozen at $7.25 since 2009, Wisconsin lags most states, shrinking the buying power of the lowest-wage workers while fueling debate over economic trade-offs.
wisconsinwatch.org
February 2, 2026 at 3:07 PM
With its minimum wage frozen at $7.25 since 2009, Wisconsin lags most states, shrinking the buying power of the lowest-wage workers while fueling debate over economic trade-offs. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/wisc... (via @wisconsinwatch.org)
"He stabbed Morales Reyes with a box cutter before stealing the bike and riding away. Scott was arrested hours later. While he was in jail, Scott wrote multiple letters posing as Morales Reyes to state and federal officials threatening to kill Trump at a rally." wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/jury...
January 31, 2026 at 6:34 PM
"He stabbed Morales Reyes with a box cutter before stealing the bike and riding away. Scott was arrested hours later. While he was in jail, Scott wrote multiple letters posing as Morales Reyes to state and federal officials threatening to kill Trump at a rally." wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/jury...
"It wasn’t until the pastor made a final trip to retrace Kalonji’s commute that he spotted his car — a black Ford Fusion — two minutes away from Kalonji’s home. It was parked on Westbrook Street in South Portland. The car was unlocked, he said, and the keys were on the floor."
Evaristo Kalonji, an #asylumseeker from Angola who has no criminal record, vanished from South Portland, #Maine. He turned up in one detention center, then another. Read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social for free below 👇
themainemonitor.org/missing-cong...
themainemonitor.org/missing-cong...
A pastor's search for missing congregant amid ICE activity in Maine
Evaristo Kalonji, an asylum seeker from Angola, vanished from South Portland. He turned up in one detention center, then another.
themainemonitor.org
January 31, 2026 at 5:08 PM
"It wasn’t until the pastor made a final trip to retrace Kalonji’s commute that he spotted his car — a black Ford Fusion — two minutes away from Kalonji’s home. It was parked on Westbrook Street in South Portland. The car was unlocked, he said, and the keys were on the floor."
Nope — Wisconsin’s voter roll figures aren’t a sign of "fraud waiting to happen"
People on Wisconsin’s inactive list aren’t eligible to vote, but their records stay on file indefinitely. That actually helps reduce the likelihood of fraud, election officials say. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
People on Wisconsin’s inactive list aren’t eligible to vote, but their records stay on file indefinitely. That actually helps reduce the likelihood of fraud, election officials say. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
No, Mr. President. Wisconsin’s voter roll figures aren’t a sign of ‘fraud waiting to happen’
People on Wisconsin’s inactive list aren’t eligible to vote, but their records stay on file indefinitely — a practice that actually helps reduce the likelihood of fraud, election officials say.…
wisconsinwatch.org
January 31, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Nope — Wisconsin’s voter roll figures aren’t a sign of "fraud waiting to happen"
People on Wisconsin’s inactive list aren’t eligible to vote, but their records stay on file indefinitely. That actually helps reduce the likelihood of fraud, election officials say. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
People on Wisconsin’s inactive list aren’t eligible to vote, but their records stay on file indefinitely. That actually helps reduce the likelihood of fraud, election officials say. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
“The young Muslim woman detained in a locked Whipple bathroom with three men said she never thought this could happen to her. She saw America as a land of opportunity after a childhood in a refugee camp.” www.startribune.com/no-humanity-... (via @startribune.com - gift link)
January 31, 2026 at 1:35 PM
“The young Muslim woman detained in a locked Whipple bathroom with three men said she never thought this could happen to her. She saw America as a land of opportunity after a childhood in a refugee camp.” www.startribune.com/no-humanity-... (via @startribune.com - gift link)
A Dec. Tom Tiffany campaign ad contains irregularities that “point toward an AI-generated video,” an AI expert told @liamberan.bsky.social of @isthmusmadison.bsky.social.
But it contains no disclaimer that generative AI was used, as is required by Wisconsin law.
isthmus.com/news/news/di...
But it contains no disclaimer that generative AI was used, as is required by Wisconsin law.
isthmus.com/news/news/di...
Disclaimer missing on likely AI-generated Tom Tiffany campaign ad
Though a campaign ad for gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany contains irregularities that ‘point toward an AI-generated video,’ the ad contains no disclaimer, as is required by Wisconsin state law.
isthmus.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:00 PM
A Dec. Tom Tiffany campaign ad contains irregularities that “point toward an AI-generated video,” an AI expert told @liamberan.bsky.social of @isthmusmadison.bsky.social.
But it contains no disclaimer that generative AI was used, as is required by Wisconsin law.
isthmus.com/news/news/di...
But it contains no disclaimer that generative AI was used, as is required by Wisconsin law.
isthmus.com/news/news/di...
A Ukrainian anesthesiologist and cardiologist gave up their careers to save their daughter from war. Nearly four years later, they’re on the long road to practicing their professions in Wisconsin.
Heartbreaking, beautiful storytelling from @wisconsinwatch.org wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
Heartbreaking, beautiful storytelling from @wisconsinwatch.org wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
The transplants: 2 doctors fled Ukraine for Wisconsin. They’re still trying to get their careers back.
An anesthesiologist and a cardiologist gave up prestigious careers to save their daughter from war. Nearly four years later, they’re still on the long road to practicing their professions in the Da…
wisconsinwatch.org
January 29, 2026 at 1:40 PM
A Ukrainian anesthesiologist and cardiologist gave up their careers to save their daughter from war. Nearly four years later, they’re on the long road to practicing their professions in Wisconsin.
Heartbreaking, beautiful storytelling from @wisconsinwatch.org wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
Heartbreaking, beautiful storytelling from @wisconsinwatch.org wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
NEWS: DeForest says it will drop controversial $12 billion data center plan.
The village president had said the board had known about the project for only weeks, but @tomkertschernews.bsky.social obtained records showing it had been discussed for months. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/defo...
The village president had said the board had known about the project for only weeks, but @tomkertschernews.bsky.social obtained records showing it had been discussed for months. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/defo...
DeForest announces it won’t move forward with controversial $12 billion data center
The village president had said the board had only known about the project for weeks, but records obtained by Wisconsin Watch showed it had been discussed by staff for months.
wisconsinwatch.org
January 28, 2026 at 5:52 PM
NEWS: DeForest says it will drop controversial $12 billion data center plan.
The village president had said the board had known about the project for only weeks, but @tomkertschernews.bsky.social obtained records showing it had been discussed for months. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/defo...
The village president had said the board had known about the project for only weeks, but @tomkertschernews.bsky.social obtained records showing it had been discussed for months. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/defo...
The White House’s effort to blame Alex Pretti for the Border Patrol shooting that killed him in Minnesota has renewed a national conversation around gun rights. Here are the parameters for open and concealed carry in Wisconsin. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
Guns and protests: What are Wisconsin’s laws on open and concealed carry?
The White House’s effort to blame Alex Pretti for the Border Patrol shooting that killed him in Minnesota has renewed a national conversation about Second Amendment rights. Here are the parameters …
wisconsinwatch.org
January 28, 2026 at 2:59 PM
The White House’s effort to blame Alex Pretti for the Border Patrol shooting that killed him in Minnesota has renewed a national conversation around gun rights. Here are the parameters for open and concealed carry in Wisconsin. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
The Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt runs a free, confidential helpline for borrowers and prospective borrowers. @wisconsinwatch.org spoke to its executive director about wage garnishment, the end of the popular SAVE repayment plan and how to avoid default. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
Student loan borrowers are ‘confused and overwhelmed.’ Here’s what Wisconsinites should know.
The Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt runs a free, confidential helpline for borrowers and prospective borrowers. Wisconsin Watch spoke to Executive Director Carole Trone about wage garnishment, …
wisconsinwatch.org
January 28, 2026 at 12:21 AM
The Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt runs a free, confidential helpline for borrowers and prospective borrowers. @wisconsinwatch.org spoke to its executive director about wage garnishment, the end of the popular SAVE repayment plan and how to avoid default. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
Muskego man fights court case over writing ‘Jan. 6’ on sidewalk with chalk www.wpr.org/politics/mus...
Muskego man fights court case over writing 'Jan. 6' on sidewalk with chalk
Jim Brownlow wrote "Jan. 6" on the sidewalk outside of of his local post office on the anniversary of the attack in 2025. A month later, police showed up to arrest him for criminal damage to property....
www.wpr.org
January 27, 2026 at 3:43 AM
Muskego man fights court case over writing ‘Jan. 6’ on sidewalk with chalk www.wpr.org/politics/mus...
“Sagging morale and declining standards are a constant theme I picked up, problems that these sources say have been festering long before the deaths of Pretti and Renee Good (and ones that very much contributed to these outcomes).”
I interviewed over half a dozen ICE and Border Patrol agents about Alex Pretti's death and every single one of them blame the Border Patrol agent
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/ice-unloads
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/ice-unloads
ICE Unloads
Immigration officers speak out: “Fuck this.”
www.kenklippenstein.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:18 AM
“Sagging morale and declining standards are a constant theme I picked up, problems that these sources say have been festering long before the deaths of Pretti and Renee Good (and ones that very much contributed to these outcomes).”
How did a $1 billion, 520-acre data center proposed by one of the world’s richest companies go unnoticed in Beaver Dam?
A key reason: In a city that lists “communication matters” atop its core values, officials kept the project hidden for more than a year. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
A key reason: In a city that lists “communication matters” atop its core values, officials kept the project hidden for more than a year. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
At least four Wisconsin communities signed secrecy deals for billion-dollar data centers
Massive data center proposals are often developed in secret. Wisconsin has now joined several states with legislative proposals to make the process more transparent.
wisconsinwatch.org
January 26, 2026 at 2:59 PM
How did a $1 billion, 520-acre data center proposed by one of the world’s richest companies go unnoticed in Beaver Dam?
A key reason: In a city that lists “communication matters” atop its core values, officials kept the project hidden for more than a year. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
A key reason: In a city that lists “communication matters” atop its core values, officials kept the project hidden for more than a year. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
‘It has to stop now’: Wisconsin communities protest Border Patrol killing of Alex Pretti wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/it-h... (via WPR)
‘It has to stop now’: Wisconsin communities protest Border Patrol killing of Alex Pretti
In Madison, Oshkosh, Superior and elsewhere, protesters spoke out against federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.
wisconsinwatch.org
January 26, 2026 at 1:25 AM
‘It has to stop now’: Wisconsin communities protest Border Patrol killing of Alex Pretti wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/it-h... (via WPR)
“Checking for a pulse and administering CPR is standard practice. Instead of doing either of those things, the ICE agents appeared to be counting his bullet wounds. I asked the ICE agents if the victim had a pulse, and they said they did not know.”
NEW: Another declaration you have to read! Alex Pretti was shot near the apartment of a doctor, who saw the shooting occur and rushed to provide emergency aid as he lay dying on the street.
They describe what they saw: "The victim had at least three bullet holes in his back."
They describe what they saw: "The victim had at least three bullet holes in his back."
January 25, 2026 at 4:48 AM
“Checking for a pulse and administering CPR is standard practice. Instead of doing either of those things, the ICE agents appeared to be counting his bullet wounds. I asked the ICE agents if the victim had a pulse, and they said they did not know.”
Reposted by Jim Malewitz
Since July, I've tracked at least 2,300 cases in which federal judges have ruled ICE has illegally detained people without bond or due process.
This is one that stands out:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
This is one that stands out:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 25, 2026 at 2:36 AM
Since July, I've tracked at least 2,300 cases in which federal judges have ruled ICE has illegally detained people without bond or due process.
This is one that stands out:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
This is one that stands out:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Checking in with the Libertarians...
Here's the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin calling for ICE's abolition.
Here's the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin calling for ICE's abolition.
January 25, 2026 at 3:19 AM
Checking in with the Libertarians...
Here's the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin calling for ICE's abolition.
Here's the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin calling for ICE's abolition.
Alex Pretti, shown performing in a Preble High School play — Green Bay Press-Gazette, May 12, 2006.
January 25, 2026 at 3:07 AM
Alex Pretti, shown performing in a Preble High School play — Green Bay Press-Gazette, May 12, 2006.
"Alex Pretti grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he played football, baseball and ran track for Preble High School. He was a Boy Scout and sang in the Green Bay Boy Choir."
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/man-... (via @apnews.com)
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/man-... (via @apnews.com)
Man killed by Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis was an ICU nurse who grew up in Green Bay
Alex Pretti attended Preble High School, was a Boy Scout and sang in the Green Bay Boy Choir. He worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and had no criminal record.
wisconsinwatch.org
January 25, 2026 at 1:06 AM
"Alex Pretti grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he played football, baseball and ran track for Preble High School. He was a Boy Scout and sang in the Green Bay Boy Choir."
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/man-... (via @apnews.com)
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/man-... (via @apnews.com)
Reposted by Jim Malewitz
The StarTribune live blog is paywall free:
- The man shot by federal agents this morning has died
- Several witnesses have already been transported to the Whipple building.
- ICE attempted to order local police from the scene, but O’Hara refused, sources said.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
- The man shot by federal agents this morning has died
- Several witnesses have already been transported to the Whipple building.
- ICE attempted to order local police from the scene, but O’Hara refused, sources said.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
January 24, 2026 at 4:47 PM
The StarTribune live blog is paywall free:
- The man shot by federal agents this morning has died
- Several witnesses have already been transported to the Whipple building.
- ICE attempted to order local police from the scene, but O’Hara refused, sources said.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
- The man shot by federal agents this morning has died
- Several witnesses have already been transported to the Whipple building.
- ICE attempted to order local police from the scene, but O’Hara refused, sources said.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
‘Nursery to nursing home’: Walworth County group envisions shared care across generations wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc... (via @dailyyonder.bsky.social )
‘Nursery to nursing home’: Walworth County group envisions shared care across generations
Research shows intergenerational interaction improves well-being, social skills and community connection. A Walworth County community group is working to make those benefits a reality through a sha…
wisconsinwatch.org
January 23, 2026 at 2:13 PM
‘Nursery to nursing home’: Walworth County group envisions shared care across generations wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc... (via @dailyyonder.bsky.social )
“Friday’s temperatures will likely make it the third-coldest Jan. 23 on record, going back to 1886, he said, noting temperatures will be roughly 30 degrees colder than the state’s average at this time of year.” www.wpr.org/news/arctic-...
How to prepare for travel during Wisconsin's upcoming cold snap
“Yes it’s Wisconsin, yes it’s January, yes it gets cold, we know all of that. But this is much colder than what we’re used to dealing with. It’s a big difference in these temperatures coming than what...
www.wpr.org
January 22, 2026 at 1:28 PM
“Friday’s temperatures will likely make it the third-coldest Jan. 23 on record, going back to 1886, he said, noting temperatures will be roughly 30 degrees colder than the state’s average at this time of year.” www.wpr.org/news/arctic-...
"Mr. Trump also mistook the two countries a day earlier, while speaking to reporters at the White House for 90 minutes to mark the anniversary of his return office." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/u...
Trump Appears to Confuse Iceland and Greenland
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:20 PM
"Mr. Trump also mistook the two countries a day earlier, while speaking to reporters at the White House for 90 minutes to mark the anniversary of his return office." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/u...
ICE's surge in neighboring states has prompted some in Wisconsin to wonder: Might we be next?
As @wisconsinwatch.org continues to report on the White House's immigration crackdown, we want to hear from readers. What questions would you like us to answer? wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
As @wisconsinwatch.org continues to report on the White House's immigration crackdown, we want to hear from readers. What questions would you like us to answer? wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
As ICE surges next door, share your questions about immigration enforcement in Wisconsin
Here’s how Wisconsin Watch has covered immigration so far. What should we report on next?
wisconsinwatch.org
January 21, 2026 at 7:18 PM
ICE's surge in neighboring states has prompted some in Wisconsin to wonder: Might we be next?
As @wisconsinwatch.org continues to report on the White House's immigration crackdown, we want to hear from readers. What questions would you like us to answer? wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
As @wisconsinwatch.org continues to report on the White House's immigration crackdown, we want to hear from readers. What questions would you like us to answer? wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
Leaders of data center developer Cloverleaf Infrastructure have decided against pursuing land to build a data center in the town of Carlton in Kewaunee County after local residents opposed the idea, @mirandadunlap.bsky.social reports. wisconsinwatch.org?p=1313353
Kewaunee County town staves off interest from data center developers
Cloverleaf Infrastructure is no longer pursuing land to build a data center in the town of Carlton, town and company officials said.
wisconsinwatch.org
January 21, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Leaders of data center developer Cloverleaf Infrastructure have decided against pursuing land to build a data center in the town of Carlton in Kewaunee County after local residents opposed the idea, @mirandadunlap.bsky.social reports. wisconsinwatch.org?p=1313353