WISCONSIN (MacIver Institute) -- Don't look now, but summer is half over. Seven weeks in the books since Memorial Day, only eight to go until Labor Day. If you haven't already been camping, enjoying the lake, golfing, hiking or whatever else you like doing during the summer months, you better get going.
In the meantime, here's this week's newsletter.
Spotlight
JD Vance In Wisconsin: The War on Fraud
Dylan Wilder covers Vice President JD Vance’s recent visit to Milwaukee, where he highlighted the need to crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse in government programs. Vance emphasized that hardworking Wisconsin taxpayers are tired of seeing their dollars misused through lax oversight in areas like Medicaid and other public assistance initiatives.
This message resonates strongly amid MacIver’s ongoing investigations into questionable contracts and repeated examples of fraud in state programs. Real accountability and tighter controls are essential to protect limited resources for those who truly need them.
Deep Dive
On Science, Johnson Asks the Right Question
Richard Moore praises U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson for pressing the journal Toxicology Reports and its publisher Elsevier over the quiet removal of a peer-reviewed 2021 article analyzing potential links between vaccines and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) using VAERS data. The article, which found a strong temporal association between vaccination and infant deaths, was taken down years after publication following anonymous online criticism — raising serious questions about transparency, scientific integrity, and institutional suppression of inconvenient research.
Moore argues that legitimate science demands open inquiry and further investigation rather than erasure of published work, especially as grieving families continue to seek answers. Johnson’s letter underscores the need for transparency and honest debate on vaccine safety signals instead of narrative protection.
Your support makes the difference!
As MacIver continues to expose risky contracts like the $1.4 billion IRIS deal, demand real election integrity, and fight back against wasteful government spending, your contribution fuels the independent research and fearless accountability Wisconsin taxpayers deserve.
If you believe in protecting Wisconsin’s future from bigger government and more taxes, please consider making a contribution today to help us expand this vital work.
Coming Soon
Hong Leads Latest Wisconsin Dem Gov’s Race Poll
Benjamin Yount reports on the latest Democratic gubernatorial primary polling, showing Rep. Francesca Hong maintaining a lead in the crowded field. MacIver will continue tracking how the candidates’ positions on taxes, spending, regulation, and election issues shape up against Republican priorities.
You Should Know
Green Bay Clerk On Leave As Double-Ballot Investigation Rolls On
Green Bay City Clerk Cellestine Jeffreys has been placed on leave after her office mailed duplicate ballots to voters for the second straight election. This recurring error, along with prior violations noted by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, further erodes public confidence and highlights the urgent need for stronger safeguards in election administration.
Quick Click
No Prison, No Probation For Hannah Dugan
Benjamin Yount reports on the sentencing of former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, who received no prison time or probation after her conviction related to helping an illegal immigrant evade federal authorities.
For Your Commute
The latest MacIver News Minute brings attention to the Green Bay election issues. For the second time this year, the Green Bay City Clerk’s office mailed duplicate absentee ballots to voters due to yet another printing error. As MacIver CEO Annette Olson argues, voters deserve a full investigation by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, full public disclosure of the numbers involved, and concrete steps to ensure only one ballot per voter is counted. Give it a listen.
Last Update: Jul 13, 2026 2:05 pm CDT
