A Jewish middle school teacher in Wisconsin was arrested for making terrorist threats toward students who drew swastikas on a paper in his classroom, police said.
Read More »Tag Archives: free speech
Free speech, racial equity battles are playing out on Wisconsin campuses
The fight over racial equity and free speech on Wisconsin college campuses is intensifying, mirroring a national battle as Republicans work to close campus diversity offices and demand that students and faculty treat conservative speakers with respect.
Read More »Editorial: Mixed results from student speech survey
There’s reason to be concerned about some of the responses in the UW System’s survey of student views on free speech, but we’re not convinced the results are as revealing as some might claim.
Read More »US Supreme Court signals sympathy with web designer opposed to same-sex marriage in free speech case
In front of the U.S. Supreme Court justices on Dec. 5 was 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis – a major case regarding LGBTQ rights and free speech.
Read More »Is Alex Jones’ trial about free speech rights?
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones arrived at a Texas courthouse for his defamation trial for calling the Sandy Hook Elementary School attack a hoax with the words "Save the 1st" scrawled on tape covering his mouth.
Read More »Free speech fumbles at UW
What to make of the current University of Wisconsin System brouhaha over a free speech survey? It sure doesn’t feel like all the facts are known yet. A handful of details are clear. The system planned to send students a survey asking their thoughts on how free speech rights are handled on campus. Jim Henderson, the former interim chancellor at ...
Read More »Public access isn’t negotiable
National Freedom of Information Day isn’t a holiday. But there can be no doubt today’s reminder of how important government openness and transparency are is something Americans should mark well.
Read More »Teenager wins lawsuit over COVID social media post
A Wisconsin high school student on Friday won a federal lawsuit she brought against a sheriff who threatened her with jail time early in the COVID-19 pandemic if she didn't remove social media posts saying she had the virus.
Read More »Judge: Man who harassed officers was exercising free speech (UPDATE)
An appellate judge on Thursday dismissed disorderly conduct charges against a man who stood outside a police garage in Wisconsin and insulted off-duty officers, saying he was exercising his free speech rights.
Read More »Justices rule for cursing cheerleader over Snapchat post
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a Pennsylvania public school wrongly suspended a student from cheerleading over a vulgar social media post she made after she didn't qualify for the varsity team.
Read More »Lawsuits test limits of political speech
President Trump, through his campaign, is suing television station WJFW-TV in Rhinelander for airing a political ad that allegedly defamed him.
Read More »Assembly passes punishments for disrupting campus speeches
Republican lawmakers continued their drive Tuesday to punish students who disrupt conservative speakers on college campuses, pushing through the state Assembly a bill that calls for suspensions and expulsions.
Read More »Board backs away from free speech restrictions
A county board in southern Wisconsin has backed away from a plan to prosecute journalists over their reporting on a water quality study and discipline elected officials for how they handle information about the research.
Read More »Republicans resurrect UW free-speech bill
Republican legislators are re-introducing a bill that would punish students with suspensions and expulsions for interfering with campus speeches and presentations
Read More »US high court urged to take up texting suicide appeal
A woman who encouraged her suicidal boyfriend in a barrage of text messages to take his own life should have her involuntary manslaughter conviction thrown out because it violated her right to free speech, her lawyers told the nation's highest court on Monday.
Read More »Wisconsin, Illinois sued over transgender name-change laws (UPDATE)
Attorneys are suing Wisconsin and Illinois over laws that forbid transgender individuals from changing their names if they have certain criminal convictions.
Read More »SCOTUS strikes down voter clothing law
The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a Minnesota law that barred voters in the state from wearing a wide range of political hats, T-shirts and pins to the polls.
Read More »State to pay $30,000 to settle sign theft lawsuit
State taxpayers will pay $30,000 to settle a federal lawsuit filed against a lawmaker who stole a sign from a protester referring to President Donald Trump as "sadistic," ''racist" and a "serial groper."
Read More »Liberal group sues Republicans over Twitter blocks
A liberal advocacy group filed a federal lawsuit against three top Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, alleging they are infringing on the group's free speech rights by blocking it from commenting on their Twitter feeds.
Read More »View from around the state: Making civility part of education
We are unapologetic defenders of the First Amendment — free speech, free press, freedom to assemble and ask the government to redress grievances, and religious freedoms.
Read More »Regents to adopt free speech resolution, set up punishment
University of Wisconsin System leaders are poised to adopt a policy that would punish students who disrupt speeches and presentations.
Read More »Judge halts Wisconsin county rule for apps like Pokemon Go (UPDATE)
A Wisconsin county is likely violating the U.S. Constitution's free-speech protection with its requirement that game developers obtain permits for augmented-reality apps like Pokemon Go to be played in parks, a federal judge says.
Read More »Court voids $289K judgment for protesters
A Wisconsin appeals court has voided a nearly $300,000 judgment for demonstrators who were cited for holding signs during massive protests at the state Capitol over Republican Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining restrictions in 2011.
Read More »Court decision puts candidate contribution limits at risk
The U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling, which allowed unlimited corporate and union election spending, is now being used six years later to fight state limits on how much money individuals and groups can contribute directly to candidates.
Read More »CRITIC’S CORNER: A call to arms (so to speak)
Free speech is under attack — including at our nation’s colleges.
Read More »UW regents approve freedom of speech resolution
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents has approved a resolution affirming the system's commitment to free speech.
Read More »Federal court shoots down Illinois sheriff’s crusade against Backpage.com
A federal court has ruled that an Illinois sheriff violated a classifieds website’s First Amendment right to freedom of expression by pressuring credit card companies to cut ties with the website.
Read More »Assembly committee OKs hunting anti-harassment bill (UPDATE)
Wisconsin lawmakers edged closer to passing a bill that would prohibit people from bothering hunters in the woods, pushing the measure through a committee Tuesday despite questions about whether it is necessary or constitutional.
Read More »Court upholds order against harassing abortion volunteer (UPDATE)
A Milwaukee judge properly issued a restraining order against an activist accused of harassing an abortion clinic volunteer, a state appeals court ruled Tuesday.
Read More »Court says crime lab scientist’s lawsuit properly dismissed
A state appeals court says a judge properly dismissed a former state Justice Department crime lab analyst's retaliation lawsuit.
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