Lawrence Andrea
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Asia Pacific desk editor @AFP | @uwmadison alum | Signal: landrea.30
Articles by Lawrence Andrea
In Bangkok, a Wisconsinite's dive bar stands out from the pack
Fatty's Bar & Diner is a beer, burger and wing joint that also sells cheese curds.
In Bangkok, a Wisconsinite’s dive bar stands out from the pack
Wisconsin native Matthew Fischer operates Fatty's Bar Bar & Diner in Bangkok, Thailand. Fatty's was named "Best Dive Bar" by Bangkok Magazine for three straight years. Fatty's walls feature Wisconsin paraphernalia and the diner serves cheese curds and brats. Fischer worked bars and restaurants in Milwaukee and Door County before moving to Thailand in 2012.
Sean Duffy's son-in-law announces GOP bid for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District Original
Michael Alfonso, son-in-law of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, is running for Congress in Wisconsin. Alfonso is seeking the 7th Congressional District seat previously held by his father-in-law. He joins a growing Republican primary for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany. Alfonso is campaigning as a "Pro-Trump conservative" and aims to bring a new generation of leadership to Washington.
Ashland Attorney Paul Wassgren enters race for 7th Congressional District, setting up a GOP primary
WASHINGTON – Ashland attorney Paul Wassgren on Tuesday announced a campaign for the congressional seat being vacated by Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a move that sets up a GOP primary for the red northwestern Wisconsin district. Wassgren, 49, said he was kickstarting his campaign with a $1 million personal investment. Paul Wassgren, Republican candidate for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District His entrance into the race sets up a Republican primary.
Senate confirms Trump's pick for Court of Appeals, a longtime assistant US attorney in Milwaukee
WASHINGTON – The Senate on Monday confirmed Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Taibleson as a judge on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Her nomination was approved on a 52-46 party-line vote. Wisconsin's two senators, Democrat Tammy Baldwin and Republican Ron Johnson, split on the confirmation after Baldwin for weeks declined to back Taibleson's nomination.
Measures to pay federal workers fail as members of Congress draw checks during shutdown
A government shutdown, the second-longest in U.S. history, has entered its fourth week with no resolution in sight. Democrats and Republicans are at a stalemate over funding, with Democrats seeking an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are furloughed or working without pay, while members of Congress continue to receive their salaries. Both parties have blocked competing proposals to pay federal workers and active-duty military during the shutdown.
Gov. Tony Evers warns food assistance will run out in 9 days without federal funds
Wisconsin's FoodShare program funding is set to run out in about a week due to the federal government shutdown. Governor Tony Evers has urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide stopgap funding to prevent a lapse in benefits. Nearly 700,000 Wisconsin residents who rely on the food assistance program could be affected. The federal government shutdown has continued for 22 days amid a stalemate between Democrats and Republicans in Congress.
Wisconsin Republican Party treasurer resigns over 'dysfunctional leadership,' latest GOP discord
WASHINGTON – The discord within the Republican Party of Wisconsin has reached a new level. The party's treasurer and longtime executive committee member, Kelly Ruh, resigned from her post Oct. 19 over what she described as "dysfunctional leadership" and a lack of direction for the party that she said has led Republicans in the state to "repeat the same mistakes time and again."
Wisconsin Republican Party treasurer resigns over 'dysfunctional leadership,' latest GOP discord Original
The Republican Party of Wisconsin's treasurer, Kelly Ruh, resigned over what she called "dysfunctional leadership." Ruh's resignation letter cited a lack of strategic planning, budgetary issues, and poor election results. Wisconsin GOP Chairman Brian Schimming has faced calls to step down amid concerns over fundraising and party direction. The state party has experienced internal clashes between longtime members and conservative newcomers.
Turning Point seeks to regain footing in Wisconsin following Charlie Kirk's assassination
The conservative group Turning Point has seen a surge in national support following the assassination of its founder, Charlie Kirk. Despite national growth, the organization has faced internal resistance and setbacks within the Republican Party of Wisconsin. Following Kirk's death, some Wisconsin Republicans say internal friction has lessened, and the group is undergoing a major restructuring.
Turning Point seeks to regain footing in Wisconsin following Charlie Kirk's assassination
The conservative group Turning Point has seen a surge in national support following the assassination of its founder, Charlie Kirk. Despite national growth, the organization has faced internal resistance and setbacks within the Republican Party of Wisconsin. Following Kirk's death, some Wisconsin Republicans say internal friction has lessened, and the group is undergoing a major restructuring.
Turning Point seeks to regain footing in Wisconsin following Charlie Kirk's assassination
The conservative group Turning Point has seen a surge in national support following the assassination of its founder, Charlie Kirk. Despite national growth, the organization has faced internal resistance and setbacks within the Republican Party of Wisconsin. Following Kirk's death, some Wisconsin Republicans say internal friction has lessened, and the group is undergoing a major restructuring.
FoodShare, WIC benefits won't be fully funded come November if federal shutdown continues Original
MADISON – The shutdown of the federal government could affect Wisconsin residents relying on food assistance programs as early as next month, federal officials said Friday. Benefits through Wisconsin's federally-funded programs known as FoodShare and the Women, Infants, and Children program, or WIC, will no longer be fully funded come November if the shutdown continues, a U.S. Department of Agriculture official warned in a letter to state officials.
FoodShare, WIC benefits won't be fully funded come November if federal shutdown continues
MADISON – The shutdown of the federal government could affect Wisconsin residents relying on food assistance programs as early as next month, federal officials said Friday. Benefits through Wisconsin's federally-funded programs known as FoodShare and the Women, Infants, and Children program, or WIC, will no longer be fully funded come November if the shutdown continues, a U.S. Department of Agriculture official warned in a letter to state officials.
Trump’s pick for U.S. Court of Appeals advances, but faces opposition from two fronts Original
WASHINGTON – Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Taibleson's nomination to fill an upcoming vacancy on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals is nearly teed up for Senate confirmation. Taibleson's nomination advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 12-10 party-line vote on Thursday. But whether she will win support from both of Wisconsin's senators at a final confirmation vote is still up in the air. Democratic U.S. Sen.
Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy says air traffic controllers could be fired for not showing up during shutdown
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Thursday said air traffic controllers who do not show up to work during the government shutdown will not get paid and could be fired from their jobs. Duffy in an interview on Fox Business' Varney & Co. said he’s seen an uptick in air traffic controllers calling in sick to work since the government shutdown Oct. 1 and attributed flight disruptions across the country to the staffing issues.
FBI targeted Ron Johnson's phone records as part of Jan. 6 investigation, Republicans say
WASHINGTON – Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson was among a handful of Republican senators whose phone data was obtained by the FBI as part of a Biden-era investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election, GOP senators announced this week. Johnson and seven other GOP senators were singled out during the now defunct investigation under former special counsel Jack Smith, Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley said. The FBI in 2023 sought the lawmakers' phone data from between Jan. 4 and Jan.
Sean Duffy's son-in-law considers running for the Wisconsin congressional seat Duffy once held
MADISON – The son-in-law of former Wisconsin congressman and current U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is considering running for the Northwoods congressional seat Duffy held for eight years. Michael Alfonso, who is married to Duffy's daughter Evita, is considering whether to join the Republican primary in the 7th Congressional District, according to multiple GOP sources. The seat is currently held by U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is running for governor in the 2026 election.
Sean Duffy's son-in-law considers running for the Wisconsin congressional seat Duffy once held
Michael Alfonso, son-in-law of former Rep. Sean Duffy, is considering a run for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District. The seat is opening as current U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany is running for governor in 2026. Alfonso's ties to Duffy and former President Donald Trump could make him a formidable candidate in the Republican primary.
How a government shutdown could hit Wisconsin, home to 18,000 federal workers
WASHINGTON – Thousands of federal workers in Wisconsin are facing the prospect of furloughs under a potential government shutdown — with federal funding set to expire Tuesday night and leaders on Capitol Hill at a crossroads on a temporary patch. If the government shuts down, it would be the first since 2018 and would mean hundreds of thousands of federal workers deemed nonessential across the country could miss paychecks.
How a government shutdown could hit Wisconsin, home to 18,000 federal workers
WASHINGTON – Thousands of federal workers in Wisconsin are facing the prospect of furloughs under a potential government shutdown — with federal funding set to expire Tuesday night and leaders on Capitol Hill at a crossroads on a temporary patch. If the government shuts down, it would be the first since 2018 and would mean hundreds of thousands of federal workers deemed nonessential across the country could miss paychecks.
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany enters the 2026 race for Wisconsin governor, 3rd Republican in the field
Lawrence Andrea, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Tue, September 23, 2025 at 8:10 PM UTC 5 min read WASHINGTON – Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany on Tuesday became the third Republican to launch a 2026 campaign for governor, formally jumping into the race after long teasing a bid. Tiffany, 67, is now the highest profile Republican in the contest. Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and former Navy SEAL and Whitefish Bay manufacturing CEO Bill Berrien are already on the campaign trail.
Tom Tiffany looks poised to enter Wisconsin governor's race after flyer for 'very special event' posts
WASHINGTON – Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany appears poised to finally enter the Wisconsin gubernatorial race. Wisconsin College Republicans on Thursday tweeted a flyer advertising "a very special event in Wausau" hosted by Tiffany on Sept. 24, and multiple Republicans in the state told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Tiffany is planning to officially jump into the 2026 governor's race next week.
Tom Tiffany looks poised to enter Wisconsin governor's race after flyer for 'very special event' posts
WASHINGTON – Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany appears poised to finally enter the Wisconsin gubernatorial race. Wisconsin College Republicans on Thursday tweeted a flyer advertising "a very special event in Wausau" hosted by Tiffany on Sept. 24, and multiple Republicans in the state told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Tiffany is planning to officially jump into the 2026 governor's race next week.
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