WJI's Daily Reads for June 15, 2022

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service: Milwaukee Municipal Judge Derek Mosley receiving social-justice award from Milwaukee Jewish Federation council.

WPR: Federal agencies appeal court order blocking transmission line across Mississippi River from Wisconsin to Iowa.

The U.S. DOJ filed the appeal June 8 on behalf of federal agencies that granted approvals for the 345-kilovolt Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line. American Transmission Co., ITC Midwest and Dairyland Power Cooperative are building the line that would run 101 miles from Dane County to Dubuque County in Iowa.

The U.S. DOJ joins utilities in their appeal of a ruling by U.S. District Judge William Conley, who sided with conservation groups that are challenging the project’s approvals. Those groups include the Driftless Area Land Conservancy and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.

The New York Times: Bipartisan work on gun control.

The proposal, which still has a long way to go before becoming law, focuses less on the “gun” part of gun control and more on other factors, such as a buyer’s mental health or violent tendencies, in a concession to Republican hesitation and the hard political reality that tough limits on sales, let alone outright bans on firearms, are far out of reach.

Though it would not raise the age to buy assault rifles from 18 to 21, the plan would enhance background checks on those under 21 before they could take possession of a gun — perhaps the most significant element of the emerging measure. 

Ed Markey: U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) renews investigation into Ring doorbell surveillance.

Marijuana Moment: Environmental Protection Agency reminds employees that regardless of state law they are prohibited from using marijuana or investing in the industry.

WPR (Associated Press): "Dead-suspect loophole" in Texas open-records law may prevent victims' families from obtaining info on police actions at Uvalde school.

Huff Post: Spokane County prosecutor pressing to keep black man in prison notwithstanding statutory reforms.

(Thomas) Butler, who is Black, was convicted in Spokane County, which is 2% Black. His case falls under the jurisdiction of Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Haskell, who is married to a woman who has publicly described herself as a “proud white nationalist.” Last month, Butler’s lawyer asked Superior Court Judge Julie McKay to remove Haskell’s office from the case, citing concerns that Butler would be treated more harshly because of his race.