Hughes v. Allstate Indemnity Co. (Coverage Exclusion)

In Hughes v. Allstate Indemnity Co. (2019AP1234), the Court of Appeals District IV held that homeowner’s insurance policy exclusions precluded coverage for water damage to the plaintiff’s basement. Hughes’s basement sustained water damage after someone turned on a spigot and left it running without Hughes’s knowledge or permission. Hughes filed this lawsuit seeking coverage from […]

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Christus Lutheran Church of Appleton v. DOT (Condemnation of Property)

In Christus Lutheran Church of Appleton v. DOT (2018AP1114), the Court of Appeals District III held that when the Department of Transportation (DOT) independently decides to include additional items of compensation in a jurisdictional offer for property condemnation, DOT must obtain a new appraisal supporting the new items in the offer. DOT sought to take […]

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Latest MU Poll Finds Changes in Voter Opinion on Impeachment, Wisconsin Gov. and Legislature

After a newsworthy month in both the state and federal government, the latest Marquette University (MU) Law School poll asked 801 Wisconsin voters their opinions on state and national politicians. The November poll covers approval of President Donald Trump amid impeachment proceedings, approval of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and the state legislature after several contentious […]

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DNR Holds Public Hearing on PFAS Scope Statements

On Nov. 12, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) held a preliminary public hearing on three scope statements seeking to regulate PFAS chemicals in Wisconsin. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made chemicals that are found in many everyday products, including nonstick pans, cleaning products, paints, and firefighting foam. The most extensively studied PFAS compounds […]

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Floor Report: November Senate & Assembly Floor Periods

The Wisconsin Senate and Assembly met this month for what is expected to be the last floor sessions of 2019. The Senate met on Nov. 5, and the Assembly met on Nov. 7 and 12. Both chambers also met very briefly in accordance with Gov. Tony Evers’s call for a special session on gun reform […]

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Wis. Congressional Candidates: Who’s In and Who’s Out

UPDATED 12/4/19 7th Congressional District Nomination papers for this race were due on Dec. 2. Two Democrats and two Republicans are on the ballot for the Feb. 18, 2020 primary. State Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst), Republican Jason Church, northwest region director for U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, Republican Tricia Zunker, Wausau School Board president and attorney, Democrat Lawrence Dale, […]

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Hands-Free Driving Bill Introduced

Wisconsin legislators have introduced a bill (SB 522/AB 582) that would ban use of wireless communication devices while driving, except for hands-free use. The bill would put Wisconsin in line with nearly 20 states that ban handheld cell phone use while driving, including neighboring state Minnesota, which recently passed a similar law. The bill provides […]

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New Opioid Legislation Circulating

Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) and various co-authors have circulated a new package of bills to address substance use disorder. Nygren has led the legislative effort to combat Wisconsin’s opioid epidemic with his Heroin, Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) agenda starting in the 2013-14 session and continuing through 2018. Read more about Wisconsin’s work in fighting […]

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New CMS Rule Changes How PAs May Work with Physicians

The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized its 2020 Physician Fee Schedule Rule, which changed Medicare supervision requirements for physician assistants (PAs) by largely deferring to state law on how PAs practice with physicians. Recently, 11 states have replaced the outdated term “supervision” with other terms, such as collaboration, to better […]

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Bills on Notice of Claim, Pleading Procedures Pass Legislature

Two bills that would make changes to Wisconsin procedures for service of certain documents are moving in the Wisconsin Legislature. The bills, authored by Rep. Ron Tusler (R-Harrison) and Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison), passed the Senate this week after passing the Assembly in June. Now, the bills go to the governor’s desk for signature before […]

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