Your Daily Guide

🗳️ Mandela Barnes Suspends Campaign For Governor

• Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes dropped out of the race for governor on Thursday, 12 days ahead of the Aug. 11 primary.
• His decision came after multiple polls showed state Rep. Francesca Hong with a commanding lead. “It’s very clear who the nominee is going to be,” Barnes said in a video message posted on social media, though he never explicitly said Hong’s name in the announcement.
• Already voted for Barnes? A Dane County judge ruled that voters who have already turned in their absentee ballots cannot change their vote, even if their preferred candidate has since left the race. In addition to Barnes, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out of the race after absentee ballots were mailed out. [AP, Facebook, FOX47]

🚨 Arrest Made For Battery at Ruiz Protest Site

• Madison police arrested a 31-year-old man for causing a disturbance at the memorial site for police shooting victim Corey Ruiz.
• The suspect reportedly entered the site at the intersection of Williamson and South Baldwin streets Wednesday and began shouting racial slurs at the crowd, kicking signs, and pushing and punching people. He was charged with substantial battery, battery, and disorderly conduct with a hate crime enhancer.
• Tensions build: Meanwhile, the Madison City Council announced it will be moving its Aug. 4 meeting online due to “heightened security concerns.” City officials said multiple members in city government have received threatening communications over the last week. [WKOW, 🔒WSJ]

⚖️ Act 10 Upheld. But For How Long?

• A Wisconsin appeals court upheld portions of the Act 10 law that ended union rights for most public sector employees in 2011. But the case will almost certainly be appealed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which will have a 5-2 liberal majority next month.
• The appeals court decision overturned a 2024 ruling by a Dane County judge who said parts of Act 10 were unconstitutional because it exempted police and fire officials from collective bargaining restrictions.
• 🎧 Another busy week: On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling talk about the Act 10 ruling and what comes next. Plus, they interview UW-Madison associate professor of law Ion Meyn about the legal questions surrounding the Corey Ruiz case. [WPR, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

Meet Pretzel! According to her human, “She’s two, and with all of the crazy energy that comes with the age.” We feel ya, Pretzel.

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