Sign in

The Badger Project

@thebadgerproject.org
2.1K followers 116 following 875 posts

We are an INDEPENDENT news nonprofit in #WISCONSIN investigating the powerful - politics, wealthy donors, police, etc. PMs open. Send us tips. READ OUR WORK: thebadgerproject.org SUPPORT US: donate.thebadgerproject.org

PostsRepliesMedia
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 6h
The Antigo Times ran one of our recent stories.
antigotimes.com
Gun found in Antigo courthouse renews security/cost debate in rural Wisconsin - Antigo Times
Several courthouses in north-central Wisconsin do not screen people coming into the building for weapons, an investigation by The Badger Project has found. A firearm discovered recently in one of &he...
000
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 29/09/2026
The Shawano Leader, Oconto County Times Herald, and Wittenberg Enterprise & Birnamwood News ran one of our recent stories.
newmedia-wi.com
Gun in courthouse renews security, cost debate | NEW Media Inc.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 28/09/2026
Austin Sukowatey is facing charges after an investigation alleged he illegally shipped prescription drugs to his home in Montello in Marquette County....
thebadgerproject.org
Ex-Columbia Co Sheriff’s deputy pleads not guilty to drug charges
Austin Sukowatey is facing charges after an investigation alleged he illegally shipped prescription drugs to his home in Montello in Marquette County.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 25/09/2026
The Wausau Pilot & Review ran one of our recent stories.
wausaupilotandreview.com
Gun found in courthouse renews security/cost debate in rural Wisconsin - Wausau Pilot & Review
A gun found hidden inside the Langlade County Courthouse has renewed debate over security at rural Wisconsin courthouses, where screening visitors can carry significant costs.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 25/09/2026
donate.thebadgerproject.org
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 23/09/2026
The Wisconsin Law Journal ran one of our recent stories.
wislawjournal.com
Gun discovery raises Wisconsin courthouse security concerns - Wisconsin Law Journal - WI Legal News & Resources
A gun found in the Langlade County Courthouse is raising concerns about courthouse security and the cost of weapon screening in rural Wisconsin.
001
Reposted by The Badger Project
Wisconsin Watch @wisconsinwatch.org · 20/09/2026
A firearm recently discovered in the Langlade County Courthouse is highlighting the lack of security in rural public buildings. But local officials are reluctant to pass the high cost of upgrades on to taxpayers. More from @thebadgerproject.org: wisconsinwatch.org/2026/09/many...
Courthouse entrance showing security signs — "All bags & persons subject to search" and a crossed-out gun with "No firearms or weapons allowed" — illustrating concerns about weapon screening at rural Wisconsin courthouses.
032
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 20/09/2026
Wisconsin Watch ran one of our recent stories.
wisconsinwatch.org
Many rural Wisconsin courthouses lack weapon screening. A hidden gun highlights the issue.
Several courthouses in the northern Wisconsin do not regularly screen visitors for weapons, The Badger Project found. But adding scanning machines would cost a lot.
011
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 19/09/2026
donate.thebadgerproject.org
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 19/09/2026
Headspring covering the Iola and Scandinavia area ran one of our recent stories.
headspringis.com
Deputies driving squads to homes outside Waupaca County are the sheriff’s call - HeadspringIS
The central Wisconsin sheriff’s office has 50 take-home vehicles, nine of which travel beyond the county, Sheriff Tim Wilz says. The take-home policy is excessive and should be reined in, a contender ...
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 17/09/2026
Sgt. Zach Gunderson was the winner of the Republican Party’s primary for Waushara County Sheriff. He faces a write-in Democratic challenger in the November general election....
thebadgerproject.org
At least 9 Waushara Co Sheriff’s employees donated to GOP candidate
Sgt. Zach Gunderson was the winner of the Republican Party’s primary for Waushara County Sheriff. He faces a write-in Democratic challenger in the November general election.
021
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 17/09/2026
The Waunakee Tribune Lodi Enterprise ran one of our recent stories.
hngnews.com
Columbia County deputy sued, accused of unconstitutionally delaying traffic stops
Brendan Cutrell, a deputy and police chief in central Wisconsin, is being sued in federal court for three different traffic stops his accusers say violated their constitutional rights.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 15/09/2026
A sheriff's deputy and small-town police chief, Brendan Cutrell, is the subject of three federal lawsuits alleging he violated the Fourth Amendment rights of individuals he pulled over....
thebadgerproject.org
Wisconsin police chief sued, accused of unconstitutionally delaying traffic stops
A sheriff's deputy and small-town police chief, Brendan Cutrell, is the subject of three federal lawsuits alleging he violated the Fourth Amendment rights of individuals he pulled over.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 14/09/2026
The Racine County Eye ran one of our recent stories.
racinecountyeye.com
Ex-Racine Co Sheriff's investigator pleads guilty, gets jail time in wife abuse case
Former Racine County Sheriff's investigator Jonathan Bechman pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors in a domestic abuse case and was sentenced to six months in jail.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 13/09/2026
The Wausau Pilot & Review ran one of our recent stories.
wausaupilotandreview.com
Ex-Racine Co Sheriff’s investigator pleads guilty, gets jail time in wife abuse case - Wausau Pilot & Review
By Annie Pulley, THE BADGER PROJECT Jonathan Bechman, an ex-investigator for the Racine County Sheriff's Office, got six months in jail after he
012
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 12/09/2026
donate.thebadgerproject.org
002
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 11/09/2026
donate.thebadgerproject.org
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 11/09/2026
Several courthouses in the northern part of the state do not regularly screen visitors for weapons, a review by The Badger Project found. Adding scanning machines would cost these counties hundreds of thousands of dollars....
thebadgerproject.org
Gun found in courthouse renews security/cost debate in rural Wisconsin
Several courthouses in the northern part of the state do not regularly screen visitors for weapons, a review by The Badger Project found. Adding scanning machines would cost these counties hundreds of thousands of dollars.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 10/09/2026
The suspect says the man making the accusation was trying to avoid deportation. The Sauk County Jail assists other law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as #ICE, by holding inmates.
thebadgerproject.org
Sauk Co Jail inmate charged with sexual assault, accused of raping cellmate
The suspect says the man making the accusation was trying to avoid deportation. The Sauk County Jail assists other law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known...
012
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 09/09/2026
The suspect says the man making the claim was in the country illegally. The Sauk County Jail assists other law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as I.C.E., with holding inmates....
thebadgerproject.org
Sauk Co Jail inmate charged with sexual assault, accused of raping cellmate
The suspect says the man making the claim was in the country illegally. The Sauk County Jail assists other law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as I.C.E., with holding inmates.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 08/09/2026
The central Wisconsin sheriff’s office has 50 take-home vehicles, nine of which travel beyond the county, Sheriff Tim Wilz says. The take-home policy is excessive and should be reined in, a contender for sheriff says....
thebadgerproject.org
Deputies driving squads to homes outside Waupaca County are sheriff’s call
The central Wisconsin sheriff’s office has 50 take-home vehicles, nine of which travel beyond the county, Sheriff Tim Wilz says. The take-home policy is excessive and should be reined in, a contender for sheriff says.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 07/09/2026
Meister owns a cabin in Barron County. #SaukCounty #BarronCounty #Wisconsin
thebadgerproject.org
Sauk Co Sheriff spent at least $4500 in last 2 years gassing up along route to northwoods cabin with county funds
Outgoing Sheriff Richard "Chip" Meister has repeatedly used a county fuel card to fill his department truck at spots as far as 220 miles from Sauk County on the route to his cabin, according to an inv...
011
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 05/09/2026
donate.thebadgerproject.org
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 05/09/2026
The Baldwin Bulletin ran one of our recent stories.
baldwin-bulletin.com
$35 million (so far): Uihleins, Hendricks load up Wisconsin GOP thru loophole
Before 2015, the most a person could give in annual political donations in Wisconsin was $10,000.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 04/09/2026
donate.thebadgerproject.org
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 04/09/2026
The Barron News-Shield ran one of our recent stories.
news-shield.com
Sauk Co Sheriff has spent at least $4,500 gassing up in NW Wisconsin with county credit card
Long-time Sauk County Sheriff Richard “Chip” Meister has used a county fuel card to fill his department-issued truck at least 16 times this year in northwestern Wisconsin, hours from Sauk
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 03/09/2026
Our managing editor was on WCLO Janesville Your Talk Show on Tuesday to discuss the current campaign finance situation in Wisconsin elections.
wclo.com
9/1/26 Peter Cameron – Badger Project – election updates focusing on spending
Democrats have most recently dominated state election spending. But not so far in 2026 where the GOP's heavy hitters are vastly outspending their democrat counterparts. The Badger Project's Peter Came...
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 02/09/2026
donate.thebadgerproject.org
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 02/09/2026
A deputy for the Forest County Sheriff’s Office resigned amid an investigation into his conduct, which included an incident where he was accused of refusing to back up a female deputy during a welfare check on a man known to dislike women and law enforcement.
thebadgerproject.org
Forest Co K9 deputy who was forced out after investigation back in policing
Adam Boney quit the Forest County Sheriff’s Office after accusations, which he said were false, that he refused to assist a deputy on a potentially dangerous call. He now works for a small police depa...
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 01/09/2026
Adam Boney quit the Forest County Sheriff’s Office after accusations, which he said were false, that he refused to assist a deputy on a potentially dangerous call. He now works for a small police department in the same county....
thebadgerproject.org
Forest Co K9 deputy who was forced out after investigation back in policing
Adam Boney quit the Forest County Sheriff’s Office after accusations, which he said were false, that he refused to assist a deputy on a potentially dangerous call. He now works for a small police department in the same county.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 31/08/2026
The Waupaca County Post ran one of our recent stories.
waupacanow.com
Jailer resigns after arrest for fight with brother - Waupaca County Post
STEVENS POINT – A Portage County corrections officer resigned days after he was arrested under suspicion of assaulting his brother with a thermos during an argument in July. Todd Domres, the …
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 31/08/2026
The Wausau Pilot & Review ran one of our recent stories.
wausaupilotandreview.com
$35 million (so far): Uihleins, Hendricks load up Wisconsin GOP thru loophole - Wausau Pilot & Review
By Peter Cameron, THE BADGER PROJECT Before 2015, the most a person could give in annual political donations in Wisconsin was $10,000. So far this year,
004
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 28/08/2026
donate.thebadgerproject.org #wipolitics
042
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 28/08/2026
A famous musician, the former CEO of the Green Bay Packers and members of the Soros, Pritzer and Walton families have all given #RebeccaCooke the maximum allowed by federal law. #wipolitics
thebadgerproject.org
Max donors (so far) to Rebecca Cooke, Democrat of western Wisconsin
A famous musician, the former CEO of the Green Bay Packers and members of the Soros, Pritzer and Walton families have all given the challenger the maximum allowed by federal law.
021
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 28/08/2026
The U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, a major Silicon Valley billionaire and many others have given #DerrickVanOrden the maximum donation allowed in this election cycle. #wipolitics
thebadgerproject.org
Max donors (so far) to Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Republican of western Wisconsin
The U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, a major Silicon Valley billionaire and many others have given Van Orden the maximum donation allowed in this election cycle.
002
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 27/08/2026
A famous musician, the former CEO of the Green Bay Packers and members of the Soros, Pritzer and Walton families have all given the challenger the maximum allowed by federal law....
thebadgerproject.org
Max donors (so far) to Rebecca Cooke, Democrat of western Wisconsin
A famous musician, the former CEO of the Green Bay Packers and members of the Soros, Pritzer and Walton families have all given the challenger the maximum allowed by federal law.
011
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 27/08/2026
The U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, a major Silicon Valley billionaire and many others have all given Van Orden the maximum donation allowed in this election cycle....
thebadgerproject.org
Max donors (so far) to Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Republican of western Wisconsin
The U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, a major Silicon Valley billionaire and many others have all given Van Orden the maximum donation allowed in this election cycle.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 26/08/2026
A veteran deputy at the #PortageCounty Sheriff’s Office got a one-day unpaid suspension after fighting with a man in April while off-duty.
thebadgerproject.org
Portage Co sergeant suspended after brawl outside neighbor's house
Kevin Flick, a veteran at the Portage County Sheriff's Office, got a one-day suspension after fighting with a man in April while off-duty.
011
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 26/08/2026
Jonathan Bechman worked for the #RacineCounty Sheriff’s Department for 15 years before he pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors in a domestic abuse case involving his wife.
thebadgerproject.org
Ex-Racine Co Sheriff’s investigator pleads guilty, gets jail time in wife abuse case
Jonathan Bechman worked for the sheriff’s department for 15 years before he pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors in a domestic abuse case involving his wife.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 25/08/2026
Jonathan Bechman worked for the sheriff’s department for 15 years before he pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors in a domestic abuse case involving his wife....
thebadgerproject.org
Ex-Racine Co Sheriff’s investigator pleads guilty, gets jail time in wife abuse case
Jonathan Bechman worked for the sheriff’s department for 15 years before he pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors in a domestic abuse case involving his wife.
011
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 25/08/2026
Kevin Flick, a veteran at the Portage County Sheriff's Office, got a one-day suspension after fighting with a man in April while off-duty....
thebadgerproject.org
Portage Co sergeant suspended after brawl outside neighbor’s house
Kevin Flick, a veteran at the Portage County Sheriff's Office, got a one-day suspension after fighting with a man in April while off-duty.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 24/08/2026
Using a big loophole in state law, the Wisconsin Democratic Party has dominated fundraising in recent years. But this year, its regular heavy hitters have been vastly outdone by the state’s trio of billionaire Republican megadonors....
thebadgerproject.org
$35 million (so far): Uihleins, Hendricks using loophole to load Wisconsin GOP’s accounts for midterms
Using a big loophole in state law, the Wisconsin Democratic Party has dominated fundraising in recent years. But this year, its regular heavy hitters have been vastly outdone by the state’s trio of billionaire Republican megadonors.
012
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 23/08/2026
The Baldwin Bulletin ran one of our recent stories.
baldwin-bulletin.com
The top 2025 per diem collectors in the Wisconsin State Senate
Two Democrats and three Republicans round out the top five. Senators who live outside Dane County can claim $140 per day they are in Madison on official business.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 22/08/2026
donate.thebadgerproject.org
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 22/08/2026
Todd Domres, now a former corrections officer in the #PortageCounty Jail, faces charges after he was accused of assaulting his brother during a fistfight in late July. Domres quit his job at the jail a few days later.
thebadgerproject.org
Portage County jail officer resigns after arrest for fight with brother
Todd Domres, now a former corrections officer in the Portage County Jail, faces charges after he was accused of assaulting his brother during a fistfight in late July. Domres quit his job at the jail ...
011
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 20/08/2026
Todd Domres, now a former corrections officer in the Portage County Jail, faces charges after he was accused of assaulting his brother during a fistfight in late July. Domres quit his job at the jail a few days later....
thebadgerproject.org
Portage County jail officer resigns after arrest for fight with brother
Todd Domres, now a former corrections officer in the Portage County Jail, faces charges after he was accused of assaulting his brother during a fistfight in late July. Domres quit his job at the jail a few days later.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 19/08/2026
Christopher Cheek quit the #Grafton Police Department after exchanging sexual messages with a victim in a pending criminal case. His current chief says the interactions were consensual.
thebadgerproject.org
Grafton cop who quit after sexting with victim still in policing
Christopher Cheek was forced to resign from the Grafton Police Department after exchanging sexual messages with a victim in a pending criminal case. His current chief says the interactions were consen...
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 18/08/2026
donate.thebadgerproject.org
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 18/08/2026
Christopher Cheek quit the #Grafton Police Department after exchanging sexual messages with a victim in a pending criminal case. His chief says the interactions were consensual. #WanderingOfficers #WanderingCops #Milwaukee
thebadgerproject.org
Milwaukee-area cop who quit job after sexting with victim still in policing
Christopher Cheek quit the Grafton Police Department after exchanging sexual messages with a victim in a pending criminal case. His chief says the interactions were consensual.
001
The Badger Project @thebadgerproject.org · 17/08/2026
Christopher Cheek quit the Grafton Police Department after an investigation revealed he exchanged sexual messages with a victim in a pending criminal case. Cheek and his current chief say the interactions were consensual....
thebadgerproject.org
Milwaukee-area cop who quit after sexting with victim remains in law enforcement
Christopher Cheek quit the Grafton Police Department after an investigation revealed he exchanged sexual messages with a victim in a pending criminal case. Cheek and his current chief say the interactions were consensual.
011