Since Monday, February 14, CMD reporters have been on the streets providing live coverage of the historic protests in Madison, Wisconsin and related legal and political battles. We focus on the corporations and spinmeisters pulling the strings. CMD is supported by small contributions from people like you. Consider making a contribution today. [3] If you have scheduling information or tips for our reporters please contact us at (608) 260-9713 or editor@prwatch.org.

GOODBYE FOR NOW

On July 13, 2011 CMD ended this on-going report into the Wisconsin protests which we have maintained since February 14, 2011. It has been an honor to report on the historic events from Wisconsin from our office 4 blocks from the Capitol and have this reporting picked up on so many sites across the country. Today we launch a new chapter in our reporting on the shadowy front groups and corporations behind the recent assault on workers rights and democracy. Visit our new website ALECexposed.org [4] to learn more about the corporate agenda in Wisconsin and continue to visit PRWatch.org for reporting on Wisconsin. -- The CMD team.

MONDAY, JULY 11TH NEWS ROUNDUP

Wisconsin State Journal: Democrats cry foul over Republican redistricting maps

Democratic leaders expressed shock and anger Friday after Republicans unveiled their proposal for redrawing the state's congressional and legislative districts, saying the new lines favor the majority party and target Democrats involved in upcoming recall elections. But according to Republicans, 22 legislators will be affected, either by being drawn out of their district or by being paired with another legislator in their district. Of that group 12 are Republican, GOP leaders say. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE. [5]

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Was senator threatened on budget vote?

A prominent business leader from state Sen. Rob Cowles' district was stunned when the veteran lawmaker explained why he voted in favor of Gov. Scott Walker's controversial budget-repair plan. Cowles had contacted the business leader earlier this year to ask for the person's support in his upcoming recall election. "He said, 'I didn't like this (bill) either. I didn't like being put in this position. I didn't like anything about the way it was done,'" the business leader quoted Cowles as saying. "'But the governor's office told us if we didn't give them our support, they would run a tea party candidate against us.'" READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE. [6]

Wisconsin State Journal: State gears up for recall season opener

On Tuesday, Wisconsin begins the largest recall season in its history. By the time the final vote is tallied on Aug. 16, there will have been nine recall elections; six for Republican senators and three for Democratic senators. If Democrats can hold onto their seats and take three more, they return to power in the state Senate and have a formidable weapon to use against Walker. Passage of Republican-authored legislation, which has seen virtually no opposition in the GOP-controlled Legislature, will slam to a halt. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE. [7]

La Crosse Tribune: Primary to be soft test for new voter ID law

Voters in Tuesday's primary election and next month's state Senate recall won't have to show a picture ID. But they will be asked. "It's a soft implementation to give everybody a chance to get used to it," said Reid Magney, spokesman for Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board, which oversees elections. "The idea was because this was such a big change we don't want to disenfranchise anyone by springing this on voters. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE. [8]

Bloomberg: Senator Johnson Says U.S. Can Avoid Default If Debt Ceiling Not Raised

The U.S. won't have to default on its obligations to bondholders even if Congress fails to raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by an August deadline, Republican Senator Ron Johnson said. "If we don't increase the debt ceiling, we'll have to live within our means," the freshman from Wisconsin said in an interview on Bloomberg Television's "Political Capital with Al Hunt" airing this weekend. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE. [9]

Wisconsin Protests photo gallery [10]

LIVE REPORT ARCHIVES

• Monday, July 4 - Sunday, July 10, 2011 [11]
• Monday, June 27 - Sunday, July 3, 2011 [12]
• Monday, June 20 - Sunday, June 26, 2011 [13]
• Monday, June 13 - Sunday, June 19, 2011 [14]
• Monday, June 6 - Sunday, June 12, 2011 [15]
• Monday, May 30 - Sunday, June 5, 2011 [16]
• Monday, May 23 - Sunday, May 29, 2011 [17]
• Monday, May 16 - Sunday, May 22, 2011 [18]
• Monday, May 9 - Sunday, May 15, 2011 [19]
• Monday, May 2 - Sunday, May 8, 2011 [20]
• Monday, April 25 - Sunday, May 1, 2011 [21]
• Monday, April 18 - Sunday, April 24, 2011 [22]
• Monday, April 11 - Sunday, April 17, 2011 [23]
• Monday, April 4 - Sunday, April 10, 2011 [24]
• Monday, March 28 - Sunday, April 3, 2011 [25]
• Monday, March 21 - Sunday, March 27, 2011 [26]
• Monday, March 14 - Sunday, March 20, 2011 [27]
• Friday, March 11 - Sunday, March 13, 2011 [28]
• Thursday, March 10, 2011 [29]
• Wednesday, March 9, 2011 [30]
• Tuesday, March 8, 2011 [31]
• Monday, March 7, 2011 [32]
• Sunday, March 6, 2011 [33]
• Saturday, March 5, 2011 [34]
• Friday, March 4, 2011 [35]
• Thursday, March 3, 2011 [36]
• Wednesday, March 2, 2011 [37]
• Tuesday, March 1, 2011 [38]
• Monday, February 28, 2011 [39]
• Sunday, February 27, 2011 [40]
• Saturday, February 26, 2011 [41]
• Friday, February 25, 2011 [42]
• Thursday, February 24, 2011 [43]
• Wednesday, February 23, 2011 [44]
• Tuesday, February 22, 2011 [45]
• Monday, February 21, 2011 [46]
• Sunday, February 20, 2011 [47]
• Saturday, February 19, 2011 [48]
• Friday, February 18, 2011 [49]
• Thursday, February 17, 2011 [50]
• Wednesday, February 16, 2011 [51]