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Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Suspect admits to posing as a migrant and sending threats to kill Trump and ICE agents, cops say
A suspect admitted to posing as a Mexican migrant and sending death threats to President Donald Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, according to police and prosecutors. Wisconsin man Demetric D. Scott was behind a plot to get Ramón Morales-Reyes deported so the migrant could not testify against him in a criminal case, Milwaukee prosecutors said. Late last month, Homeland Security officials celebrated the arrest of Morales-Reyes, 54, who they said was an 'illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump.' But Scott, 52, was charged Monday with identity theft, intimidating a witness and two counts of bail jumping for allegedly pretending to be Morales-Reyes and writing the threatening message about Trump. In an interview in May, Scott 'admitted that he wrote everything on the letters' and 'believed the letters were the simplest way to get Morales-Reyes 'off his back,' according to court documents obtained by Wisconsin Public Radio. 'We are tired of this president messing with us Mexicans – we have done more for this county than you whites – you have been deporting my family and now I think it is time Donald J. Trump get what he has coming to him,' the letter said, according to the complaint. 'I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president in his head.' Scott was allegedly recorded on a call from a Milwaukee County jail detailing the scheme to frame the immigrant to prevent him from testifying about a 2023 robbery in which authorities say Morales-Reyes was the victim. '[I]f he gets picked up by ICE, there won't be a Jury Trial so they will probably dismiss it that day,' Scott said in court records. Attorneys and family members challenged the validity of the letter, which Trump administration officials shared with the public, soon after the Mexican man's May 22 arrest, noting that Morales-Reyes can't read or write in English. The Independent has contacted Scott's public defender and the Department of Homeland Security for comment. 'I'm just glad that they have identified who it was or have a better sense of who it was,' Morales-Reyes' attorney Kime Abduli told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 'And that Ramon is being cleared of any involvement in this.' Scott is accused of armed robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated battery, second-degree recklessly endangering safety and bail jumping over a 2023 incident in which he allegedly attacked Morales-Reyes with a corkscrew while he was riding a bicycle, leaving him with a lung abrasion. Scott insisted the bicycle had been stolen from him and Morales-Reyes had previously threatened him. DHS said in a statement that Morales-Reyes entered the U.S. unlawfully at least nine times between 1998 and 2005, and that he has a criminal record that includes a felony hit and run, criminal property damage, and disorderly conduct linked to domestic abuse. He remains in custody and may still face removal. At the time of his arrest, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said: 'Thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars. This threat comes not even a year after President Trump was shot in Butler, Pennsylvania and less than two weeks after former FBI Director Comey called for the President's assassination.'
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wisconsin celebrates 50th anniversary of Hmong resettlement
[Source] Wisconsin commemorated the 50th anniversary of Hmong resettlement on May 14, celebrating a statewide community that has grown to over 55,000 people since the first refugee families arrived following the Vietnam War in 1975. Finding a new home: Hmong families first sought refuge in the U.S. after facing persecution for their alliance with American forces during covert operations in Laos. 'Our families fled Laos and Thailand because of the American war in Southeast Asia,' Tammie Xiong, executive director of the Hmong American Women's Association in Milwaukee, told the Wisconsin Public Radio. Many navigated dangerous escapes across the Mekong River into Thailand before spending time in refugee camps. 'We have to go through this hardship so we can live a better life in the U.S.,' Tsu Lor Xiong told WUWM, reflecting on his family's journey. A celebration of community: The Legislative Asian Caucus held ceremonies at the State Capitol last Wednesday, with community leaders honoring veterans and reflecting on their collective journey. As of 2024, just 3.3% of Wisconsin's population identifies as Asian, though it is now home to the third-largest Hmong population in the U.S. Trending on NextShark: The state Assembly also passed two resolutions, including one 'celebrating 50 years of strength and resilience of the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian and Vietnamese people.' Ongoing challenges: The anniversary represents both achievement and ongoing challenges for the state's Hmong residents. For one, community leaders say the milestone calls for continued investment in housing and culturally appropriate services. 'As a medical anthropologist researching my own community, it has been a work of mourning,' UW-Madison professor Mai See Thao told WKOW, 'to see that even after resettlement, Hmong people continue to face disparities and hardship as they age in their place of refuge.' Looking ahead, a traveling exhibition presenting Hmong American experiences through interactive domestic spaces — titled 'Los Tsev, Cia Siab,' meaning 'Home, Hope' — will continue its journey to University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in September. Trending on NextShark: This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe here now! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Officials celebrate after making sweeping changes to traffic, street lights: 'Significantly lower electricity bills'
Residents of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, have something to be excited about. As of early March, the municipality has achieved 100% renewable power for all of the city's electric operations, as reported by WMTV 15 News. "Now we have significantly lower electricity bills," Rose Daily, Sun Prairie sustainability manager, told the local outlet. The Madison suburb is moving away from oil and coal in favor of solar and other clean energy sources to power its municipal systems, "from traffic lights to street lights." The effort is in line with similar projects across the state. Last month, Wisconsin Public Radio reported on communities like Sun Prairie that are committed to switching to renewable energy sources, including River Falls, which reached its own goal of powering municipal buildings with 100% renewable energy in 2020. The sizable cities of Madison and Milwaukee are also working to run on renewables. Though Daily said Sun Prairie's solar panels made for a large initial investment — mainly funded by grants — the cost savings over time should be significant. According to WMTV, the city's electricity bill has already dropped by $40,000 since the solar panels "and other renewable energy infrastructure" were installed. These savings have the potential to translate to lower tax bills for residents. Sun Prairie is also seeing more homes and businesses choosing to run on renewables, Daily shared with the local news. Installing solar panels or drawing on a community solar program are impactful ways to reduce a building's environmental impact. Solar power can help replace the dirty energy that releases heat-trapping pollution into our atmosphere and harms human health. In addition to reducing pollution from sources like oil, coal, and gas, using solar panels can save consumers money on their electric bills, just as it has for Sun Prairie. EnergySage's solar calculator is one tool that might help determine that savings potential. For additional savings, U.S. residents may also be eligible for tax benefits through the Inflation Reduction Act. It's worth noting that the Trump administration has expressed the intention to undo IRA programs, so acting sooner rather than later may be the best bet for anyone hoping to utilize related rebates or credits. However, it would take an act of Congress to repeal the act. Anne Rodriguez of the not-for-profit WPPI Energy told WPR, "Often in the background there is a sustainability committee in the community that is advising the municipality and its utility on what it is they want to achieve." Community members looking to encourage their city or town to prioritize renewable energy might consider getting involved in this kind of initiative. Do you think your city has good air quality? Definitely Somewhat Depends on the time of year Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Sun Prairie's sustainability efforts are expected to have positive impacts on the environment and the economy. WMTV says the city's next goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Deaths of 2 prisoners at Taycheedah occurred during uptick in flu cases
Wisconsin's Department of Corrections has confirmed the deaths of two women who had been incarcerated at Taycheedah Correctional Institution. Shawnee Reed, 36, died Feb. 23, and Brittany Doescher, 33, died March 6, according to Beth Hardtke, an agency spokeswoman. The women had been transported to an unnamed area hospital on Feb. 22 where they later died, Hardtke said. Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Watch reported that family members of the two women said hospital staff linked their cause of death to pneumonia. Fond du Lac County's chief medical examiner, Adam Covach, said the cause and manner of both deaths remain under investigation. DOC declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding their deaths, citing medical privacy laws. The women's deaths come as DOC has taken steps to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses inside the state's prisons, as Wisconsin experiences one of its worst flu seasons in the past decade. Hardtke shared a memo from Taycheedah's warden, Michael Gierach, that said a unit there was placed under "modified operations" on Feb. 28 because of reported respiratory illnesses. Changes included requiring unit staff and prisoners to wear masks, keeping prisoners in the unit and having prisoners eat meals in their cells. Hardtke confirmed the restrictions were lifted on March 6. DOC did not say if the women who died had been living on that unit. Prisoners at Taycheedah also were not charged a co-pay to see a medical provider for respiratory symptoms between Feb. 28 and March 11, according to Hardtke. The co-pay was re-instated as cases declined at the prison. Prisoners at different DOC institutions, including Taycheedah, also have recently been tested and received treatment for Influenza A, Hardtke said. DOC did not immediately have numbers available for the total number of flu diagnoses across the state's prison system. Hardtke confirmed that Reed and Doescher's deaths bring the total number of DOC in-custody deaths to 15 since the start of the year. Fifty-five people died in the custody of Wisconsin's prison system in 2023 and 59 deaths were reported in 2024, according to records obtained by the Journal Sentinel. The DOC does not notify the public when a prisoner dies in its custody, and families and advocates for prisoners have long criticized the agency for its lack of transparency when it comes to reporting in-custody deaths. During the pandemic, the department published data about prisoners' deaths related to COVID-19, a decision that came after months of outcry from advocates and civil liberties organizations. It has since taken that data off its website. Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or vswales@ Follow her on X @Vanessa_Swales. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Deaths of 2 women at Taycheedah prison came amid rise in flu cases
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Deaths of 2 prisoners at Taycheedah occurred during uptick in flu cases
Wisconsin's Department of Corrections has confirmed the deaths of two women who had been incarcerated at Taycheedah Correctional Institution. Shawnee Reed, 36, died Feb. 23, and Brittany Doescher, 33, died March 6, according to Beth Hardtke, an agency spokeswoman. The women had been transported to an unnamed area hospital on Feb. 22 where they later died, Hardtke said. Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Watch reported that family members of the two women said hospital staff linked their cause of death to pneumonia. Fond du Lac County's chief medical examiner, Adam Covach, said the cause and manner of both deaths remain under investigation. DOC declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding their deaths, citing medical privacy laws. The women's deaths come as DOC has taken steps to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses inside the state's prisons, as Wisconsin experiences one of its worst flu seasons in the past decade. Hardtke shared a memo from Taycheedah's warden, Michael Gierach, that said a unit there was placed under "modified operations" on Feb. 28 because of reported respiratory illnesses. Changes included requiring unit staff and prisoners to wear masks, keeping prisoners in the unit and having prisoners eat meals in their cells. Hardtke confirmed the restrictions were lifted on March 6. DOC did not say if the women who died had been living on that unit. Prisoners at Taycheedah also were not charged a co-pay to see a medical provider for respiratory symptoms between Feb. 28 and March 11, according to Hardtke. The co-pay was re-instated as cases declined at the prison. Prisoners at different DOC institutions, including Taycheedah, also have recently been tested and received treatment for Influenza A, Hardtke said. DOC did not immediately have numbers available for the total number of flu diagnoses across the state's prison system. Hardtke confirmed that Reed and Doescher's deaths bring the total number of DOC in-custody deaths to 15 since the start of the year. Fifty-five people died in the custody of Wisconsin's prison system in 2023 and 59 deaths were reported in 2024, according to records obtained by the Journal Sentinel. The DOC does not notify the public when a prisoner dies in its custody, and families and advocates for prisoners have long criticized the agency for its lack of transparency when it comes to reporting in-custody deaths. During the pandemic, the department published data about prisoners' deaths related to COVID-19, a decision that came after months of outcry from advocates and civil liberties organizations. It has since taken that data off its website. Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or vswales@ Follow her on X @Vanessa_Swales. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Deaths of 2 women at Taycheedah prison came amid rise in flu cases
