Where the Midwest Meets the Facts
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Iowa K-12 Enrollment Continues Gradual Decline as School Choice Expands
Iowa’s K-12 enrollment declined to 515,221 students in fall 2025, with public school districts experiencing a 1.53% drop. This aligns with national trends driven by demographic shifts, not policy changes. Alternative education options like open enrollment and ESAs grew significantly, reflecting parental demand for choice in education amidst these declines.
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Top 5 Biggest Scandals and News Stories That Rocked Wisconsin in 2025
From a record-breaking Supreme Court election and a federal judge’s conviction to historic flooding, soaring school property taxes, and a shocking campus tragedy, 2025 exposed deep cracks in Wisconsin’s institutions—raising urgent questions about accountability, governance, and public trust across the Badger State.
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Voices From Within: Anonymous Minnesota DHS Account Alleges Massive Fraud and Retaliation Under Walz Administration
An anonymous social media account, @Minnesota_DHS, claims to represent over 480 current Minnesota Department of Human Services employees, alleging severe welfare and Medicaid fraud amounting to $9-$14 billion. The account criticizes state leadership and oversight, coinciding with confirmed fraud scandals. Its legitimacy is disputed, raising broader concerns about social service programs and public trust.
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When Compassion Waits for a Crime: Wisconsin’s Mental Health Law Faces a Hard Question
A Milwaukee mental health crisis that ended with children placed in danger is forcing Wisconsin to confront a hard question: should the law wait for a crime before allowing intervention, or can public safety and civil liberties be balanced sooner?
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When Elder Care Goes Corporate: Why Privatizing Nursing Homes Feels Like Privatizing Justice
As Wisconsin counties move to sell publicly owned nursing homes to for-profit operators, communities are pushing back—warning that privatizing elder care risks the same profit-over-people failures seen in private prisons and outsourced justice.
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Ohio Family Court Scandal Deepens Trust Crisis in Domestic Relations System
Leslie Ann Celebrezze’s resignation and felony charge for tampering with court records have sparked nationwide concerns about integrity in family courts. Accusations include bias in case assignments and undisclosed romantic ties to a court receiver. The scandal highlights the need for reform in court practices to restore public trust and accountability.
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Lawsuit Alleges Detroit Hospital Lost Patient’s Skull Fragment, Offered $25 Gas Card as Compensation
A Detroit hospital is facing a medical negligence lawsuit after allegedly losing a stroke patient’s skull fragment and offering the family a $25 gas card as compensation. The case raises serious questions about hospital accountability, patient safety protocols, and how medical systems respond when life-altering mistakes occur.
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Francesca Hong Enters Wisconsin Governor’s Race as Progressive Wild Card in Wide-Open 2026 Primary
Francesca Hong, a Democratic State Rep. from Madison, positions herself as a progressive candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial race in Wisconsin. Emphasizing a working-class agenda, her platform includes universal childcare and expanded healthcare. While she energizes young voters, concerns over funding and viability in a purple state persist.
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Minnesota’s Medicaid Fraud Crisis Raises Alarms Across the Midwest
Minnesota faces a massive public-assistance fraud scandal possibly exceeding $9 billion, implicating Medicaid-funded programs. Federal prosecutors highlighted rampant fraudulent billing following the Feeding Our Future scandal. Critics argue state oversight was lacking, leading to harm for legitimate recipients. Neighboring states, like Wisconsin, are advised to heed these lessons to prevent similar issues.
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Wisconsin Judge Convicted of Obstruction Raises Hard Questions About Power, Process, and the Rule of Law
A federal jury convicted Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan of felony obstruction of justice, reigniting debates about judicial authority and immigration enforcement. Dugan’s actions to shield an undocumented immigrant from arrest raised concerns about a judge’s impartiality and the integrity of the legal system. Appeals are anticipated.
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