Matthew DeFour
@mattd4th.bsky.social
I'm the state bureau chief for Wisconsin Watch.
Great work from @addiecostello.bsky.social shedding light on an overlooked problem in Wisconsin!
‘They are squeezing everybody in this park to death’: Owners of manufactured homes get little protection as private equity moves in wisconsinwatch.org/2025/09/wisc...
‘They are squeezing everybody in this park to death’: Owners of manufactured homes get little protection as private equity moves in wisconsinwatch.org/2025/09/wisc...
‘They are squeezing everybody in this park to death’: Owners of manufactured homes get little protection as private equity moves in
Wisconsin regulators rarely inspect parks and allow many to go unlicensed — all while frustrations simmer with unresponsive landlords.
wisconsinwatch.org
September 30, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Great work from @addiecostello.bsky.social shedding light on an overlooked problem in Wisconsin!
‘They are squeezing everybody in this park to death’: Owners of manufactured homes get little protection as private equity moves in wisconsinwatch.org/2025/09/wisc...
‘They are squeezing everybody in this park to death’: Owners of manufactured homes get little protection as private equity moves in wisconsinwatch.org/2025/09/wisc...
BREAKING: Wisconsin judge will resign, won’t face criminal charges for jailing cement contractor wisconsinwatch.org/2025/08/wisc...
Wisconsin judge will resign, won’t face criminal charges for jailing cement contractor
Outagamie County Judge Mark McGinnis acknowledged through an attorney that he could have handled the matter differently
wisconsinwatch.org
August 28, 2025 at 4:23 PM
BREAKING: Wisconsin judge will resign, won’t face criminal charges for jailing cement contractor wisconsinwatch.org/2025/08/wisc...
How's this for a quick turnaround? The LFB published its update on the state's finances today and we were ready to include the info in this fact brief.
Is Wisconsin facing a structural deficit in the 2027-29 state budget? wisconsinwatch.org/2025/08/is-w...
Is Wisconsin facing a structural deficit in the 2027-29 state budget? wisconsinwatch.org/2025/08/is-w...
Is Wisconsin facing a structural deficit in the 2027-29 state budget?
Yes. The state is spending more than it is taking in, and the Legislative Fiscal Bureau projects the state is on pace to have a -$1.4 billion general fund deficit by June 30, 2029.
wisconsinwatch.org
August 1, 2025 at 9:00 PM
How's this for a quick turnaround? The LFB published its update on the state's finances today and we were ready to include the info in this fact brief.
Is Wisconsin facing a structural deficit in the 2027-29 state budget? wisconsinwatch.org/2025/08/is-w...
Is Wisconsin facing a structural deficit in the 2027-29 state budget? wisconsinwatch.org/2025/08/is-w...
Video: life, death and resilience at Wonderfarm wisconsinwatch.org/2025/07/wisc...
Video: life, death and resilience at Wonderfarm
The view from a small Dane County farm affected by Trump administration cuts to the Local Food Purchase Assistance program.
wisconsinwatch.org
July 17, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Video: life, death and resilience at Wonderfarm wisconsinwatch.org/2025/07/wisc...
Powerful storytelling from Trisha Young and @wisconsinwatch.org
‘Harder to rebuild than it is to destroy’: AmeriCorps regroups in Wisconsin after judge restores funding that Trump cut wisconsinwatch.org/2025/06/wisc...
‘Harder to rebuild than it is to destroy’: AmeriCorps regroups in Wisconsin after judge restores funding that Trump cut wisconsinwatch.org/2025/06/wisc...
‘Harder to rebuild than it is to destroy’: AmeriCorps regroups in Wisconsin after judge restores funding that Trump cut
Leaders of member organizations discuss what’s next for AmeriCorps in an uncertain future.
wisconsinwatch.org
June 26, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Powerful storytelling from Trisha Young and @wisconsinwatch.org
‘Harder to rebuild than it is to destroy’: AmeriCorps regroups in Wisconsin after judge restores funding that Trump cut wisconsinwatch.org/2025/06/wisc...
‘Harder to rebuild than it is to destroy’: AmeriCorps regroups in Wisconsin after judge restores funding that Trump cut wisconsinwatch.org/2025/06/wisc...
@tomkertschernews.bsky.social uncovered a lot of new details about Michael Gableman's career, including an incident at the 2016 RNC.
Wisconsin’s Supreme Court has become hyper political. The rise and fall of Michael Gableman’s career shows how that happened. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/04/wisc...
Wisconsin’s Supreme Court has become hyper political. The rise and fall of Michael Gableman’s career shows how that happened. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/04/wisc...
Michael Gableman's career shows how court went hyper political
The former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice was a loyal Republican with a history of ethical complaints that went unpunished until now.
wisconsinwatch.org
April 16, 2025 at 1:01 PM
@tomkertschernews.bsky.social uncovered a lot of new details about Michael Gableman's career, including an incident at the 2016 RNC.
Wisconsin’s Supreme Court has become hyper political. The rise and fall of Michael Gableman’s career shows how that happened. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/04/wisc...
Wisconsin’s Supreme Court has become hyper political. The rise and fall of Michael Gableman’s career shows how that happened. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/04/wisc...
Here's my take on the election from our Wednesday Report newsletter:
Since last November’s election there has been a gloom over liberal Madison.
Since last November’s election there has been a gloom over liberal Madison.
April 2, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Here's my take on the election from our Wednesday Report newsletter:
Since last November’s election there has been a gloom over liberal Madison.
Since last November’s election there has been a gloom over liberal Madison.
Here’s what Susan Crawford’s state Supreme Court win means for Wisconsin wisconsinwatch.org/2025/04/here...
What Susan Crawford’s Wisconsin Supreme Court win means
The Dane County Circuit Court judge’s victory guarantees that liberals will control the court until at least 2028.
wisconsinwatch.org
April 2, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Here’s what Susan Crawford’s state Supreme Court win means for Wisconsin wisconsinwatch.org/2025/04/here...
There were many signs that Susan Crawford was on track to win this election, but when it became a referendum on Elon Musk there was really no amount of money that could change the outcome. People are literally burning Teslas in the streets.
April 2, 2025 at 2:46 AM
There were many signs that Susan Crawford was on track to win this election, but when it became a referendum on Elon Musk there was really no amount of money that could change the outcome. People are literally burning Teslas in the streets.
A reader asked whether something Elon Musk did was illegal. We got sidetracked checking whether another thing he did was illegal. Both answers here:
Are the cash giveaways from Elon Musk’s America PAC ahead of the April 1 Wisconsin Supreme Court election legal? wisconsinwatch.org/2025/03/wisc...
Are the cash giveaways from Elon Musk’s America PAC ahead of the April 1 Wisconsin Supreme Court election legal? wisconsinwatch.org/2025/03/wisc...
Are cash giveaways from Elon Musk’s PAC ahead of election legal?
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said he would take action against Elon Musk’s latest giveaway, which Musk deleted.
wisconsinwatch.org
March 28, 2025 at 8:17 PM
A reader asked whether something Elon Musk did was illegal. We got sidetracked checking whether another thing he did was illegal. Both answers here:
Are the cash giveaways from Elon Musk’s America PAC ahead of the April 1 Wisconsin Supreme Court election legal? wisconsinwatch.org/2025/03/wisc...
Are the cash giveaways from Elon Musk’s America PAC ahead of the April 1 Wisconsin Supreme Court election legal? wisconsinwatch.org/2025/03/wisc...
If you missed my conversation with Wisconsin statehouse reporter Jack Kelly about next Tuesday's #wisupremecourt race, you can watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6gg...
What's at stake in Wisconsin's April 1 Supreme Court election?
YouTube video by Wisconsin Watch
www.youtube.com
March 28, 2025 at 2:47 PM
If you missed my conversation with Wisconsin statehouse reporter Jack Kelly about next Tuesday's #wisupremecourt race, you can watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6gg...
There's a great story behind this @wisconsinwatch.org story behind the story. Hallie Claflin found Larry by cold-calling names in the phone book!
'Just plain old Larry': A Wisconsin man's testimony about gender-affirming care went viral. Here's his story. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/03/wisc...
'Just plain old Larry': A Wisconsin man's testimony about gender-affirming care went viral. Here's his story. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/03/wisc...
Wisconsin man's testimony about gender-affirming care went viral
Retired Milwaukee prison maintenance worker Larry Jones sat through seven hours of committee testimony before changing his mind.
wisconsinwatch.org
March 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
There's a great story behind this @wisconsinwatch.org story behind the story. Hallie Claflin found Larry by cold-calling names in the phone book!
'Just plain old Larry': A Wisconsin man's testimony about gender-affirming care went viral. Here's his story. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/03/wisc...
'Just plain old Larry': A Wisconsin man's testimony about gender-affirming care went viral. Here's his story. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/03/wisc...
Join the discussion next Wednesday about the April 1 election!
Live event: What’s at stake in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election? wisconsinwatch.org/2025/03/wisc...
Live event: What’s at stake in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election? wisconsinwatch.org/2025/03/wisc...
Why the Wisconsin Supreme Court election matters
Wisconsin Watch statehouse reporter Jack Kelly answers your questions about the Wisconsin Supreme Court election.
wisconsinwatch.org
March 19, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Join the discussion next Wednesday about the April 1 election!
Live event: What’s at stake in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election? wisconsinwatch.org/2025/03/wisc...
Live event: What’s at stake in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election? wisconsinwatch.org/2025/03/wisc...
What an honor for @phoebepetrovic.bsky.social to be a finalist for the prestigious Toner Prize for National Reporting in her first year as a ProPublica Local Reporting Network fellow. We are so grateful for @propublica.org supporting local nonprofit journalists! newhouse.syracuse.edu/centers/robi...
Toner Prizes
The Toner Prizes for Excellence in Political Reporting recognize the best U.S. national or local political reporting in any medium or on any platform—print, broadcast or online.
newhouse.syracuse.edu
March 6, 2025 at 3:29 PM
What an honor for @phoebepetrovic.bsky.social to be a finalist for the prestigious Toner Prize for National Reporting in her first year as a ProPublica Local Reporting Network fellow. We are so grateful for @propublica.org supporting local nonprofit journalists! newhouse.syracuse.edu/centers/robi...
Scoop from Jack Kelly @wisconsinwatch.bsky.social on the latest effort to channel Trump/DOGE energy in Wisconsin.
Republican uses GOAT Committee authority to investigate local government diversity efforts wisconsinwatch.org/2025/02/wisc...
Republican uses GOAT Committee authority to investigate local government diversity efforts wisconsinwatch.org/2025/02/wisc...
Republican uses GOAT Committee power to probe diversity efforts
Rep. Shae Sortwell sent requests for information about DEI activities to multiple Democratic cities, but the committee hasn’t even met yet.
wisconsinwatch.org
February 26, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Scoop from Jack Kelly @wisconsinwatch.bsky.social on the latest effort to channel Trump/DOGE energy in Wisconsin.
Republican uses GOAT Committee authority to investigate local government diversity efforts wisconsinwatch.org/2025/02/wisc...
Republican uses GOAT Committee authority to investigate local government diversity efforts wisconsinwatch.org/2025/02/wisc...
UPDATE: Children’s Wisconsin hospital reinstates gender-affirming care for trans teen after canceling in wake of Trump’s executive order wisconsinwatch.org/2025/02/wisc...
UPDATE: Children’s Wisconsin hospital reinstates gender-affirming care for trans teen after canceling in wake of Trump’s executive order
The order is being challenged in court as illegal and unconstitutional.
wisconsinwatch.org
February 7, 2025 at 3:52 PM
UPDATE: Children’s Wisconsin hospital reinstates gender-affirming care for trans teen after canceling in wake of Trump’s executive order wisconsinwatch.org/2025/02/wisc...
Reposted by Matthew DeFour
BREAKING:
A unanimous Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the swing state’s nonpartisan top elections official, who has been targeted for removal by Republican lawmakers over the 2020 presidential election, can remain in her post despite not being reappointed and confirmed by the state Senate.
A unanimous Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the swing state’s nonpartisan top elections official, who has been targeted for removal by Republican lawmakers over the 2020 presidential election, can remain in her post despite not being reappointed and confirmed by the state Senate.
February 7, 2025 at 2:32 PM
BREAKING:
A unanimous Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the swing state’s nonpartisan top elections official, who has been targeted for removal by Republican lawmakers over the 2020 presidential election, can remain in her post despite not being reappointed and confirmed by the state Senate.
A unanimous Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the swing state’s nonpartisan top elections official, who has been targeted for removal by Republican lawmakers over the 2020 presidential election, can remain in her post despite not being reappointed and confirmed by the state Senate.
Reposted by Matthew DeFour
This is the first documented report of a Wisconsin clinic halting gender affirming care in the wake of Trump’s executive order ⬇️ the hospital has not responded to requests from me or a state representative
SCOOP from me @wisconsinwatch.bsky.social: Wisconsin youth gender clinic cancels appointment for hormone replacement therapy after Trump’s anti-trans executive order. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/02/wisc...
Children’s Wisconsin hospital cancels gender-affirming care for trans teen after Trump’s executive order
The Gender Health Clinic at Children’s Wisconsin hospital in Milwaukee canceled a transgender teenager’s appointment this week — the first reported case of a Wisconsin hospital pausing gender-affir…
wisconsinwatch.org
February 7, 2025 at 1:51 AM
This is the first documented report of a Wisconsin clinic halting gender affirming care in the wake of Trump’s executive order ⬇️ the hospital has not responded to requests from me or a state representative
Reposted by Matthew DeFour
SCOOP from me @wisconsinwatch.bsky.social: Wisconsin youth gender clinic cancels appointment for hormone replacement therapy after Trump’s anti-trans executive order. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/02/wisc...
Children’s Wisconsin hospital cancels gender-affirming care for trans teen after Trump’s executive order
The Gender Health Clinic at Children’s Wisconsin hospital in Milwaukee canceled a transgender teenager’s appointment this week — the first reported case of a Wisconsin hospital pausing gender-affir…
wisconsinwatch.org
February 7, 2025 at 1:34 AM
SCOOP from me @wisconsinwatch.bsky.social: Wisconsin youth gender clinic cancels appointment for hormone replacement therapy after Trump’s anti-trans executive order. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/02/wisc...
Reposted by Matthew DeFour
If you're feeling bewildered right now, if you're curious about how journalists are responding to this moment (and what it's like to do this work behind the scenes) please join me at 4pm CT today on Zoom for a free, live chat about covering extremism! Register ⬇️ wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/wisc...
Live event: Reporting on extremism in Wisconsin and the nation
On Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. Central time, Wisconsin Watch will host a free, live Zoom event on the topic of covering political extremism.
wisconsinwatch.org
January 29, 2025 at 6:42 PM
If you're feeling bewildered right now, if you're curious about how journalists are responding to this moment (and what it's like to do this work behind the scenes) please join me at 4pm CT today on Zoom for a free, live chat about covering extremism! Register ⬇️ wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/wisc...
Vital reporting from @phoebepetrovic.bsky.social. The Madison and Nashville school shootings are connected to an online network spreading terror through teenagers.
Madison and Nashville school shooters appear to have crossed paths in online extremist communities wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/madi...
Madison and Nashville school shooters appear to have crossed paths in online extremist communities wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/madi...
Madison and Nashville school shooters appear to have crossed paths in online extremist communities
A month after a student opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School, another killed a classmate in Nashville. Both were active in an internet subculture that glorifies mass shooters.
wisconsinwatch.org
January 25, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Vital reporting from @phoebepetrovic.bsky.social. The Madison and Nashville school shootings are connected to an online network spreading terror through teenagers.
Madison and Nashville school shooters appear to have crossed paths in online extremist communities wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/madi...
Madison and Nashville school shooters appear to have crossed paths in online extremist communities wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/madi...
Here's an ace reporter move: Robin Vos told reporters something false. Our reporter pressed his office afterward and he acknowledged the error. Nice job Hallie Claflin!
Republicans and Democrats agree on postpartum Medicaid expansion — Robin Vos says it’s unlikely wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/wisc...
Republicans and Democrats agree on postpartum Medicaid expansion — Robin Vos says it’s unlikely wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/wisc...
Republicans and Democrats agree on postpartum Medicaid expansion — Robin Vos says it’s unlikely
The fate of postpartum Medicaid expansion, a bipartisan effort in the Wisconsin Legislature, yet again falls in the hands of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who said it’s “unlikely” his chamber will ge…
wisconsinwatch.org
January 20, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Here's an ace reporter move: Robin Vos told reporters something false. Our reporter pressed his office afterward and he acknowledged the error. Nice job Hallie Claflin!
Republicans and Democrats agree on postpartum Medicaid expansion — Robin Vos says it’s unlikely wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/wisc...
Republicans and Democrats agree on postpartum Medicaid expansion — Robin Vos says it’s unlikely wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/wisc...
The end of Facebook fact-checking program means it's up to all of us to spread the truth wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/wisc...
The end of Facebook fact-checking program means it’s up to all of us to spread the truth
Wisconsin Watch’s fact briefs weren’t affected by Mark Zuckerberg’s decision. In fact, they can still be posted to social media to combat misinformation.
wisconsinwatch.org
January 15, 2025 at 10:10 PM
The end of Facebook fact-checking program means it's up to all of us to spread the truth wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/wisc...
How a tip helped us understand rural homelessness in Wisconsin wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/wisc...
How a tip helped us understand rural homelessness in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Watch values tips from the public about issues affecting people’s lives. That’s what sparked our investigation of rural homelessness.
wisconsinwatch.org
January 9, 2025 at 8:25 PM
How a tip helped us understand rural homelessness in Wisconsin wisconsinwatch.org/2025/01/wisc...
Reposted by Matthew DeFour
UPDATE: MPD now says they shared in error that 5 people had died. In fact, 3 people have died. Three people have died including the suspected shooter. www.facebook.com/share/p/12Fs...
December 16, 2024 at 7:13 PM
UPDATE: MPD now says they shared in error that 5 people had died. In fact, 3 people have died. Three people have died including the suspected shooter. www.facebook.com/share/p/12Fs...