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Gen-Z protests sweep across continents
Friday, October 10, 2025
Nobel Committee Chair Attempts to Justify Snubbing Trump
Racine man sentenced to prison for child porn possession
Milana Doné
RACINE — A Racine man was sentenced to four years in prison Tuesday in connection to child pornography charges.
Dustin Heddings, 37, faced nine counts of child pornography possession.
He pleaded guilty to three counts and the remaining charges were dismissed but read into the court record.exploit
Heddings also was ordered to serve four years of extended supervision.
According to previous Journal Times reporting, investigators connected Heddings to the possession of child sexual abuse material via a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that was received in November 2024.
According to a news release from the RCSO, investigators seized numerous devices on which a computer analyst reportedly found multiple depictions of child sexual abuse material.
Heddings reportedly admitted to downloading and viewing the content.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
4 years into faith leader investigation, Wisconsin DOJ has received over 300 reports
Laura Schulte
MADISON - Four years after the launch of an investigation to look at the breadth of abuse by faith leaders in Wisconsin, Attorney General Josh Kaul is still collecting reports from the public.
Since its launch, the clergy and faith leader investigation has brought charges against several people, and resulted in hundreds of reports gathered from religious organizations across the state.
"We've taken a consistent approach throughout the initiative, which is to follow the information where it leads," Kaul said in an interview. "And what we are committed to doing is ensuring that any report and any information we put out is based on the facts."
But as the years stretch on, some have started to question why the investigation is taking so long, and when a final report will be released.
Here's what we know about the ongoing investigation.
What exactly is the investigation looking at?
The Department of Justice launched the inquiry to look at claims of sexual abuse by faith leaders of all denominations, with a particular interest in the Catholic Church.
Advocates pushed for Kaul to open the investigation after attorneys general in other states launched inquiries and revealed findings that some denominations of churches knew about sexual abuse by leaders in positions of power, but did not report them.
So far, many of the reports have related to Catholic priests, but there have also been reports from several other denominations.
How many reports has the DOJ received?
As of Sept. 29, the Department of Justice has received 326 reports about abuse.
That number is up from 274 in April 2024.
What's been accomplished so far?
Charges have been filed against several current or former clergy members or counselors. Instances of abuse have also been reported to a religious authority, and the abuser added to the list of credibly accused abusers.
In April of this year, former youth pastor James Lane, 53, pleaded guilty in Wood County to repeated sexual assault of a child. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and five years of extended supervision.
According to a release from the DOJ, the abuse occurred between September 2002 and December 2003, when Lane was driving the child home from Faith Reformed Church in Wisconsin Rapids.
Theodore McCarrick, a former cardinal of the Catholic Church, was charged with one count of fourth-degree sexual assault for an incident that occurred in 1977. The former cardinal allegedly engaged in repeated sexual abuse of the victim over time, including once fondling the victim while staying as a guest at a Lake Geneva residence.
In January, the court determined McCarrick was not competent to stand trial. He died earlier this year.
In addition, abuse by John Cullinan, a deceased Catholic priest who served in the La Crosse diocese, was reported for the first time. The DOJ worked with the diocese to add his name to its list of clergy with substantiated allegations of abuse.
In May 2022, an arrest warrant was issued for 61-year-old Jeffrey Anthony Charles, who police say sexually assaulted a minor at a cabin in Douglas County between 2005 and 2010.
Charles served as the pastor for the nondenominational church Neighbors to Nations in Princeton, Minn., at the time of the assaults, but routinely traveled to his Wisconsin cabin with parishioners. He is accused of assaulting the victim four times in five years, while the victim was between the ages of 3 and 7.
In February 2022, Remington Jon Nystrom, 33, was charged with one count of first-degree sexual contact with a child under 13 in connection with an incident that occurred in 2009. Nystrom was a counselor at a Mount Morris camp in Waushara County when, police say, he inappropriately touched a sleeping child. The camp is affiliated with the Moravian Church of America.
Nystrom was convicted of second-degree sexual abuse of a child, and sentenced to seven years of prison, followed by 10 years of extended supervision.
Two cases have also been handed over to Brown County investigators, but no charges have yet been filed there.
What's the role of the Catholic dioceses in the investigation?
So far, the Catholic dioceses of Wisconsin have declined to share information with the DOJ. But they did say when the investigation launched that if there was a specific allegation for a current, living member of the clergy, information would be shared with investigators.
In 2023, Kaul sought access to court documents sealed a decade ago as a part of a bankruptcy filing by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The bankruptcy was related to a $21 million settlement to compensate victims of sexual abuse by clergy.
A federal judge in October 2024 denied access to Kaul and his team of investigators, saying the DOJ failed to make a valid case for revisiting the bankruptcy decision and did not provide a sufficient plan for notifying clergy abuse victims of its request for the records.
For years, rumors have swirled about the bankruptcy filings including the names of additional abusive clergy members, but that claim has never been substantiated.
What's the status of the final report?
Kaul said in a Sept. 25 interview he did not know when the final report would be released.
When did Kaul launch the inquiry?
Kaul announced the start of his investigation in April 2021, surrounded by advocates and the loved ones of Nate Lindstrom, a man who took his life after being abused as a child by a priest.
What have critics of the investigation said?
Critics of the investigation have put pressure on Kaul to push for documents and information from the Catholic Church, and in particular, the Milwaukee Archdiocese.
Though Kaul has tried to access files from the Archdiocese, he has not been successful.
Critics also are worried about the length of time the inquiry has been ongoing with no report. Other states took considerably less time.
"We're committed to conducting a thorough comprehensive review, and our goal is not to put out a report on some particular date, but rather to put out a report we feel does justice to the work that's been done," Kaul said when asked about the criticism.
What happens when someone makes a report?
When a survivor or someone with knowledge of abuse makes a report to the hotline or online, they're put into contact with a victim services worker who can steer them to resources, if needed.
Then each claim is looked into by a team of people across different specialties, who decide if the claim can be forwarded to local authorities.
How can I report abuse or knowledge of abuse?
To file a report, call 877-222-2620 or use the online reporting tool at supportsurvivors.widoj.gov. Both options provide the ability to file an anonymous tip.
The department is still accepting reports and said survivors have control of what happens after their report is received.
Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on X @SchulteLaura.
"So far, the Catholic dioceses of Wisconsin have declined to share information with the DOJ." So, it's business as usual at the Catholic Church, where the Pope says one thing, but his minions do otherwise. Children are sex fodder for the Catholic Church. It was that way 60 years ago when a priest put his hands on me and it's that way today despite the Catholic Church's ongoing lies and deceit. A "religion" of swine. They've been diddling kids for over 2,000 years. Disgusting!
Microsoft withdraws land rezone request for data center from Caledonia
Holly Gilvary
CALEDONIA — Microsoft has withdrawn its application for a land rezoning for a potential data center in Caledonia, the company announced Wednesday.
"Based on the community feedback we heard, we have chosen not to move forward with this site," a Microsoft spokesperson said. "We remain committed to investing in Southeast Wisconsin and look forward to working with the Village of Caledonia and Racine County leaders to identify a site that aligns with community priorities and our long-term development goals."
Caledonia Village Administrator Todd Willis said he received official confirmation of Microsoft's application withdrawal Wednesday afternoon.
The village, the Racine County Economic Development Corporation and regional economic development platform Milwaukee7 said in a joint release that they appreciate Microsoft's collaboration in working with them to bring new development opportunities to the Racine County region.
"While Microsoft will no longer be considering the originally proposed site, we look forward to continuing our conversations and partnerships to strengthen our local economy and support the essential services that make Racine County and southeastern Wisconsin a great place to live and work," the statement said.
The Caledonia Village Board was set to vote on a rezoning and land use plan amendment for 244 acres for the potential data center project at the board's Oct. 14 meeting.
Willis said any future development on the land would be the decision of WE Energies, which owns the parcel.
"It would be up to them if they felt that there was some other suitable use or suitable user, and they would, more than likely, have to come and talk to village staff to see what the feeling is on that application, should something come," he said.
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Microsoft drops Caledonia data center after facing opposition. Company looking for new site
Ricardo Torres
Microsoft Corp. has pulled its plans for a Caledonia data center after opposition from area residents and elected officials.
"Based on the community feedback we heard, we have chosen not to move forward with this site," according to a Microsoft statement provided to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
"We remain committed to investing in Southeast Wisconsin and look forward to working with the Village of Caledonia and Racine County leaders to identify a site that aligns with community priorities and our long-term development goals," the Oct. 8 statement said.
Microsoft is still planning a second data center in Mount Pleasant — where there's been little opposition.
A Microsoft spokesperson said it's possible a data center could be built in a different area of Caledonia or in a different part of Racine County. The change likely impacts the development timeline.
The Caledonia Plan Commission had recommended rezoning the data center site — 244 acres of farmland along Douglas Avenue and Botting Road, near the We Energies power plant in neighboring Oak Creek.
The Village Board was to consider the rezoning proposal on Oct. 14.
Microsoft change surprises critic
Village Trustee Fran Martin, a data center critic, was surprised about the change in plans.
“I commend Microsoft for listening to the community,” Martin said. “And for also addressing the concerns that the community had and that I had about that particular site.”
Martin has suggested the company build a data center along Interstate 94.
Racine County Executive Ralph Malicki said the county is committed to helping Microsoft find a location in Caledonia or somewhere in Racine County.
“We believe them to be an excellent partner and a good steward of our resources and whatnot in our community,” Malicki said.
Hope Otto, director of human services for Racine County, who spoke on behalf of Malicki at the Plan Commission meeting, said the majority of people who spoke at the meeting were against the project in that location.
“(Microsoft) has a high degree of social responsibility to the community that they’re investing in, so I think they heard the message that that location was not going to be a desired spot for them,” Otto said.
“And they want to make sure that they are respected and wanted in the areas in which they’re investing. And we’re committed to finding that for them and hopefully still in Caledonia.”
In a joint statement, the Racine Economic Development Corp. and Milwaukee 7 regional economic development organization said:
"We appreciate Microsoft’s collaboration in working with the Village of Caledonia, RCEDC and M7 to bring new development opportunities to the Racine County region.
"While Microsoft will no longer be considering the originally proposed site, we look forward to continuing our conversations and partnerships to strengthen our local economy and support the essential services that make Racine County and southeastern Wisconsin a great place to live and work."
Using AI to organize against Microsoft
Caledonia resident Chris Atkinson said the work isn't done for data center opponents.
“Regardless of people’s national politics, locally, people have been able to unify and find a common objective that they're working together to achieve,” Atkinson said. “The fight is not over.”
Atkinson helps run the website nodata.center which pushed against the Caledonia project and could be a model for other communities.
“I think I’m going to use that one going forward to help other people in the country rally and maybe create a unified plan,” Atkinson said. “Without the strategic plan that was implemented under a common directive, you don’t win against giants like Microsoft.”
Nodata.center includes these notes: “Developed using Gemini AI deep research and Grok 4 deep research. All facts sourced from public documents and news reports.”
The Caledonia data center was planning to assist Microsoft’s AI operations in Mount Pleasant.
“That’s hilarious and yeah, definitely the definition of irony,” Atkinson said about the notes. “You can leverage AI to do deeper searches and connect dots that no human mind can ever do.”
Microsoft's decision was announced one day after hundreds of people attended a Port Washington Common Council meeting to oppose a data center planned for that community.
The council on Aug. 19 unanimously approved a development agreement with that data center's operator, Denver-based Vantage.
The agreement covers a new tax incremental financing district that would reimburse Vantage for fronting $175 million in infrastructure improvements and other project costs. The financing district funds would come from property tax revenue generated by the data center.
(This story was updated with new information).
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Monday, October 6, 2025
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he's considering not running for reelection in 2026
Francesca Pica
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, the longest serving assembly speaker in Wisconsin history, said he's considering not running for reelection in 2026 on WISN-TV's "Upfront."
Vos, a Republican from Rochester who has served as assembly speaker since 2013, said in an interview aired on Oct. 5 he will decide whether or not to seek reelection in 2026 early next year.
"I'm trying to think through, like, I've done this for a long time," Vos said. "How long am I going to do it? I don't know. Now that Tony Evers is leaving, I'm kind of excited about the fact of working with a different governor, so I just have to decide."
"I won't decide until sometime in January," he added.
Vos previously considered retiring in 2024, but he said a recall effort, backed by supporters of President Donald Trump, "reengaged" him and motivated him to seek another term.
Should Vos choose not to run, his seat will be one of many up for grabs up in 2026. Gov. Tony Evers announced in July he will not seek another term. Eight Democrats and two Republicans have formally entered the race. Races for lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer are also expected to be wide open.
Meanwhile, Democrats are hoping to gain control the state Assembly and Senate chambers after new district maps put them in play for the first time since 2011.
After GOP lawmakers passed a set of district maps drawn by Evers in January 2024, Democrats broke the Republican supermajority in the Senate and shaved the Assembly majority down to 54-45. Democrats will need to flip five Assembly seats and two Senate seats to win majorities.
Still, Vos said the public shouldn't read into his decision.
"I have won in so many circumstances," Vos said. "I think we're going to win the Assembly again. I really don't worry about that."
Vos has consistently won reelection by safe margins. He won the newly redrawn 33rd district race with 57% of the vote in 2024. In 2022, Vos narrowly survived a Trump-backed primary challenge, winning 73% of the vote in the general election.
Despite being a frequent target of Trump, Vos told WISN-TV he's "excited" for the next four years of the second Trump administration.
Vos also said he will likely vote against a bill introduced by GOP lawmakers to legalize medical marijuana, saying previous efforts to pass a more limited bill have failed to find enough support.
"I still think there is the hope to try to find some consensus, but it looks to me like the version that was released is just way to broad and way too wide ranging," he said.
Assembly lawmakers will return to the floor on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
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