Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates to face off in March debate ahead of general election

MADISON, Wis. — Candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court will face off in a debate on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, just a few weeks before the April general election.

Appeals Court Judges Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor are the two candidates vying for a spot on the court, which was left open after incumbent conservative Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley announced she would not seek another 10-year term.

Though the upcoming election won’t be for control of the court in the battleground state, it could still shift the balance, eithering reducing or expanding the existing liberal majority.

Liberals won the majority of the court in 2024, when Democratic-backed Susan Crawford defeated conservative candidate Brad Schimel. That majority will hold it until at least 2028.





https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/madison/news/2026/01/29/wisconsin-supreme-court--candidates--debate--election--april

Even the San Francisco Bay Area has idiots.

The San Francisco Department of Public Health is investigating an active outbreak of tuberculosis at a local high school that has sickened at least three individuals.

In an emailed statement to SFGATE, department officials said all students and staff at Archbishop Riordan High School are being tested for TB and they have implemented contact tracing to stop the outbreak from spreading.

“SFDPH is also providing ongoing medical and public health guidance to reduce the risk of transmission, including recommendations for symptom monitoring, masking indoors, and adjustments to certain indoor activities while screening continues,” department officials said in the statement. “These measures are being implemented in close consultation with the school and will be updated as new information becomes available.”

The San Francisco Department of Public Health said the risk of TB transmission at the high school was “moderate” during the testing phase.



https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/san-francisco-tuberculosis-school-21320252.php

WI-GOV: In governor's race, GOP coalesces around Tiffany while Democrats navigate crowded field

With just over six months to go until the primary election, the Democratic race for Wisconsin governor is shaping up to be crowded.

That’s in stark contrast to the GOP side of the race, where Republicans have coalesced around a single candidate.

This week, Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann dropped out of the GOP race after U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany nabbed President Donald Trump’s endorsement.

Two-term Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is not running for reelection, and seven Democrats have announced their campaigns to replace him:



https://www.wpr.org/news/governor-race-gop-tiffany-democrat-crowded-primary-2026-election-wisconsin

Michigan sees record cougar reports in 2025

Cougars were detected 31 times in Michigan in 2025, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

That’s the highest number of confirmed observations since the predator was wiped out of the state in the early 1900s.

And the count is expected to increase.

“That number will go up once we get our DNR cameras in there, as well,” said Brian Roell, a large carnivore specialist with the department. “There’s like 6 million images to go through.”




https://bridgemi.com/outdoors-life/michigan-sees-record-cougar-reports-in-2025/

First look: The midterm congressional races to watch in PA

Pennsylvania has at least four congressional districts that are going to be closely contested,” Yost said. “In 2024, they were decided by narrow margins. Those are going to be the places where both parties look to either defend the majority, in the case of Republicans, or to take control of the majority, in the case of Democrats,” he added.

Political observers expect Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, 8th Congressional District and 10th Congressional District to be the most hotly contested races of the cycle. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has Mackenzie and Perry’s districts rated as toss-ups, while Bresnahan’s seat is rated as “Lean Republican.”

Democrat Chris Deluzio’s 17th Congressional District seat is rated “Likely Democrat” by Cook, though to date, no Republicans have announced a run for Deluzio’s seat. Cook rated the 1st Congressional District seat, held by Fitzpatrick, as “Likely Republican.”

Eli Cousin, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told City & State that the DCCC believes that seats held by Bresnahan, Fitzpatrick, Mackenzie and Perry are all winnable for Democrats.


https://www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/2026/01/first-look-midterm-congressional-races-watch-pa/411048/?oref=ng-homepage-top-story

NJ-11: Early voting in special primary begins today. Polls are open from 10 AM to 8 PM

Good morning, New Jersey.

Early voting starts today in the February 5 special primary election for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Jersey’s 11th district, where Democrats and Republicans will nominate candidates to compete in an April 16 special general election.

The state’s six-day early voting period begins at 10 AM, with early voting locations open until 8 PM. Early voting is open on Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM.

If you arrive at the early voting center by 8 PM – or 6 PM on Sundays – you will be permitted to vote no matter how long the line is. Do not leave.




https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/early-voting-in-nj-11-special-primary-begins-today-polls-are-open-from-10-am-to-8-pm/

NJ-07: Michael Roth (D) reaches $1 million raised for campaign, including some self-funding

Michael Roth is one of seven Democrats running for the 7th congressional district against Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) – and he’s now one of four who has raised more than a million dollars.

Roth’s campaign announced today that it has hit the $1 million milestone, a total that includes a recent $400,000 investment of his own money. Fellow Democratic candidates Rebecca Bennett, Tina Shah, and Brian Varela have also surpassed $1 million raised, with Bennett’s $1.9 million leading the pack.

Roth, who briefly served as a top official in President Joe Biden’s Small Business Administration and now lives in Westfield, said in a statement that his fundraising totals reflect his commitment to the 7th district.

“I won’t be going to Congress to learn how it works. I am the only candidate in this who can show up on day one and deliver real results for New Jerseyans,” he said. “And my fundraising reflects that – almost 80% of donations from the last half a year have been from New Jersey voters. This is the vision folks can get behind, and I’m excited to keep spreading our message far and wide across this district, and earn the trust and vote of the folks we need to win this race.”




https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/roth-reaches-1-million-raised-for-nj-7-campaign-including-some-self-funding/

Democrats Lead the Generic Ballot by Six Points

A new Fox News poll finds that if the midterm election were today, 52% of voters would back the Democratic candidate in their House district and 46% the Republican.

The current 52% Democratic support is the highest recorded for either party; the previous high was 50% for the Democrats in October 2017.




https://politicalwire.com/2026/01/29/democrats-lead-the-generic-ballot-by-six-points/

Sir Douglas Quintet - She's About A Mover

DLCC Spotlights Majority-Deciding Special Election Candidates in Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON — Today, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) announced Ana Tiburcio and Jen Mazzocco as Spotlight candidates ahead of their majority-deciding special elections for the Pennsylvania House on February 24th. The DLCC has played a key role in protecting this chamber’s single-seat majority, including through eight majority-making special elections last cycle.

The Pennsylvania House is a top priority on the DLCC’s 2026 target map as we aim to protect Democratic power through special elections and defend this critical majority in November. There are more special elections to watch happening soon in Texas, New York, Georgia, and Maine, including majority-deciding races later this spring.

“The calendar of special elections is heating up in state legislatures – including a set of specials in Pennsylvania that will make or break the House majority. While Pennsylvania Republicans’ MAGA agenda is raising costs and stripping away rights, Democrats like Ana Tiburcio and Jen Mazzocco are putting working families first. The DLCC and state Democrats don’t have the luxury of waiting until the fall to ramp into campaign mode – we are laser-focused on every opportunity between now and November to flip seats and set the tone for the midterms.”




https://www.dlcc.org/press/release-dlcc-spotlights-majority-deciding-special-election-candidates-in-pennsylvania/