CALEDONIA, Wis. (AP) - Authorities in southeastern Wisconsin are removing animals from an animal rescue operation.
Caledonia police say the shelter is under investigation for allegedly housing too many animals and having unsafe conditions.
The Journal Times (https://bit.ly/1mNiwXnhttps://bit.ly/1mNiwXn ) reports police went Thursday morning to Orphan Kanines.
Police Lt. Gary Larsen says the initial count of animals was 57 dogs, 10 cats and one pig.
Wisconsin Humane Society spokeswoman Angela Speed says conditions at the shelter “are absolutely deplorable.” The Humane Society was called in to assist.
Several police officers going into Orphan Kanines were dressed in protective jumpsuits with oxygen masks.
Attorney Jerry Delcore, representing the family who owns the property, declined to comment and said the family also did not wish to comment.
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MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Legal wrangling continued Thursday over the investigation of Gov. Scott Walker and conservative groups, even as the Republican tried to distance himself from reported negotiations to end the probe.
Walker’s recall campaign and other conservative groups have been investigated since 2012 as part of the secret probe, known as a John Doe. The investigation focused on alleged illegal campaign fundraising, spending and coordination between conservative groups, Walker’s campaign and others during recall elections in both 2011 and 2012.
A person close to the investigation told The Associated Press on Wednesday that lead investigator Francis Schmitz is talking with Walker about a possible settlement that would end the probe.
That news set off a flurry of activity from Wisconsin Club for Growth, which filed a lawsuit challenging the investigation, and Schmitz. Earlier this month U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa sided with the conservative advocacy group, saying the probe violated its free speech rights. The judge granted a preliminary injunction halting the probe.
Prosecutors have appealed the issuing of the preliminary injunction and asked the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to put it on hold.
Walker’s campaign is not a party to that lawsuit but has been a target of the investigation. Walker’s campaign released an unsigned statement Thursday that did not address the status of any possible settlement of the investigation, but instead reiterated that Walker is not a part of the Wisconsin Club for Growth lawsuit.
Wisconsin Club for Growth lead attorney David Rivkin on Wednesday sent Schmitz a letter warning him that discussions with Walker to settle the investigation could be a violation of the judge’s order.
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MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A Republican candidate for secretary of state is dropping out of the race because he believes the Legislature wouldn’t work with him to restore power to the office.
Bill Folk was one of three Republicans signed up to challenge longtime Democratic Secretary of State Doug La Follette.
The office under La Follette has come under attack by lawmakers who are considering eliminating the position entirely. Wisconsin’s secretary of state has only one meaningful duty left.
Folk was running a campaign to return elections oversight and state licensing to the office. Republican Julian Bradley is running a similar campaign.
La Follette says he wants most of the position’s power restored. Rep. Garey Bies says if elected he’ll do what the Legislature and voters want of him.
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MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is headed to New York City next month to host a fundraiser for Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino.
Walker is scheduled to host the fundraiser on June 9 at the Union League Club in Manhattan. According to an invitation for the event, tickets begin at $500.
Walker himself is running for re-election this year in Wisconsin and is eyeing a possible 2016 presidential bid. He’s made frequent appearances at fundraisers across the country as he builds name recognition and courts wealthy donors.
Astorino is the Westchester county executive and is taking on Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Walker is being challenged by Democrat Mary Burke, a former state commerce secretary and executive at Trek Bicycle Corp.
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