University of Wisconsin-Madison Police advised students Monday morning just after 10 a.m. to stay clear of the area around the east side of the UW Arboretum due to a ‘suspicious object’ under investigation.
Category: Crime and safety
Discovery of grenade at UW-Madison Arboretum deemed safe
The discovery of a training grenade closed the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum for a couple hours as authorities investigated.
The incident took place Aug. 4 at about 9:30 a.m. when a university police officer on routine patrol in the arboretum was flagged down by a passerby who reported they saw a grenade sitting on a railing on the boardwalk near Mills Street entrance, according to a news release from UWPD.
Students for Justice in Palestine face suspension from UW
Students for Justice in Palestine announced in a social media post Sunday that the Registered Student Organization had been suspended from the University of Wisconsin campus for violating university policies at an April protest.
UW-Madison suspends SJP for alleged policy violations at April protest
The University of Wisconsin-Madison suspended Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) for violating five university policies following an April protest at a campus event hosting a former U.S. Ambassador.
UW police investigating assault involving pepper spray at Memorial Union Terrace
UW-Madison police are investigating an assault involving pepper spray at Memorial Union Terrace on Wednesday night.
At about 8:45 p.m., UW police were sent to a disturbance involving seven to 10 people at the Memorial Union Terrace, spokesperson Marc Lovicott said in a statement.
UWPD investigates aggravated assault at Memorial Union Terrace
University of Wisconsin students were notified via email Thursday morning of an aggravated assault that occurred on Wednesday at about 8:45 p.m. at the Memorial Union Terrace.
The UW-Madison Police Department was notified of a disturbance involving seven to 10 juveniles at the Terrace. An investigation found that the juveniles consisted of two groups and the incident was sparked by an altercation between them on State Street earlier that day, according to UWPD’s incident report.
Police intervention during Terrace altercation prompts internal review
A University of Wisconsin-Madison PhD student said Thursday, UWPD officers heightened a conflict between two groups of juveniles through the use of physical force Wednesday evening at the Memorial Union Terrace.
UWPD is investigating the incident, which stemmed from an earlier altercation between the two groups on State Street. One group arrived at the Terrace prior to the second group, upon which the conflict escalated, according to an email sent to the campus community. One suspect used pepper spray on members of the other groups, and at least one individual punched another group member.
Juvenile cited after altercation at Memorial Union Terrace
University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department responded to a report of 7 to 10 juveniles causing a disturbance at Memorial Union Terrace at about 8:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Only two people arrested, and no others caught red-handed, at Coldplay concert in Madison
All in all, Coldplay at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison July 19 went off without a hitch — and without a viral moment.
There were only two arrests and no other ejections at the concert, according to Marc Lovicott, the executive director of communication for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department.
Lawsuit over UW-Madison’s reinstatement of former Badger football player can proceed
A lawsuit that targets UW-Madison’s decision to reinstate a former Badgers football star accused of sexual assault will go back to a lower court.
The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judges on July 11 overturned the dismissal of a lawsuit a woman brought against the University of Wisconsin-Madison over its decision to reinstate the player.
Appeals court rules against UW-Madison, in favor of woman who accused football player of sexual assault
A federal appeals court sided with a woman who accused a former Badger football star of sexual assault, overturning a lower court’s dismissal of her lawsuit against the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Judges rule against UW-Madison in sexual assault lawsuit filed by Quintez Cephus accuser
A federal appeals court has reversed a lower court’s dismissal of a woman’s lawsuit against the University of Wisconsin-Madison over how it reinstated a Badgers football star after he had been expelled for sexual assault.
Homes of Universities of Wisconsin regents vandalized with pro-Palestinian messages
Homes belonging to members of the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents were vandalized over the weekend.
Body found in Lake Mendota near Memorial Union Sunday
UW-Madison police are investigating after the discovery of the body of a middle-aged man in Lake Mendota early Sunday.
Homes owned by several UW Regents vandalized with pro-Palestinian slogans
At least four homes owned by members of the UW Board of Regents, including two in Madison, were vandalized early Friday with pro-Palestinian slogans, police and university officials said.
Dead body found on Lake Mendota, UWPD investigating
The Madison Fire Department and the UW-Madison Police Department have confirmed that a body was found on Lake Mendota early Sunday morning.
UW-Madison Police investigating body of middle-aged man found in Lake Mendota
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department (UWPD) said it’s investigating the discovery of a body in Lake Mendota found Sunday morning.
UW Regents homes vandalized with pro-Palestinian messages
The residences of several University of Wisconsin Board of Regents members were vandalized with pro-Palestinian messages overnight on July 3, according to interviews and photos provided to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Why is the Trump administration focused on undocumented immigrants, not their employers?
While the Wisconsin dairy industry is known to rely on unauthorized workers (it’s believed about 70% of the workforce is working illegally), the majority in the state actually work elsewhere, said Laura Dresser, a labor economist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
From Dresser’s perspective, undocumented workers are especially vulnerable when law enforcement agencies focus more on immigration status and less on violations of workers’ rights.
That culture of fear can create “incentives for some employers to find a way to drive wages and standards down,” Dresser said.
Body found in Madison’s Lake Mendota early Sunday morning
A passerby contacted the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department after spotting what appeared to be a body about 50 feet offshore near the school’s Memorial Union, according to police.
UW-Madison Police Dept. continues to search for answers in 1982 deadly stabbing of student
UW-Madison Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect as Wednesday marked 43 years since a student was stabbed to death behind Camp Randall.
UWPD seeks help solving 1982 murder of UW student Donna Mraz
The University of Wisconsin Police Department (UWPD) is seeking the community’s help in solving the 1982 murder of UW-Madison student Donna Mraz.
Crossing the line: UW-Madison investigating police officer who students say acted inappropriately
The officer’s behavior has persisted for at least four years, but was never the subject of a formal complaint, according to the UW-Madison Police Department. None of the students alleged the officer made any physical advances, and none agreed to go on a date with him.
Is abortion now permanently legal in Wisconsin? What the Supreme Court ruling means.
“We could see future cases that argue there is a constitutional right to abortion in Wisconsin and challenge other laws that we have in the state related to abortion,” said Bryna Godar, a staff attorney with the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School. “But those would be a bit more nuanced than challenging an outright ban.”
Dozens ejected during Morgan Wallen concerts at Camp Randall Stadium
Dozens of people were ejected during the two Morgan Wallen concerts at Camp Randall Stadium over the weekend, a UW-Madison Police Department spokesperson said.
For one night, international soccer game in Madison helped fans forget immigration anxiety
Diego Adame just finished his freshman year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He’s from Monterey, so he and his dad were excited to attend the match, both wearing Tigres jerseys and calling out to players they knew.
Recently, the Trump administration tried to revoke the student visas of at least 27 Wisconsin students. Adame said his visa remained valid and he tries not to worry about what could happen.
“I just put the work in with studying and that’s about it,” Adame said. “Just stay focused on the grades.”
More than 20 ejected from each Morgan Wallen concert at Madison’s Camp Randall Stadium
More than 20 people were ejected from each of country music star Morgan Wallen’s concerts at Madison’s Camp Randall Stadium, on June 28 and 29, according to University of Wisconsin-Madison police.
23 people ejected from Camp Randall during Morgan Wallen show Saturday, police say
UW-Madison police had 24 contacts at Saturday night’s Morgan Wallen concert at Camp Randall Stadium, according to police.
Police investigate Pride flags torn down at Madison church
A downtown Madison church reported having its Pride flags torn down sometime over the last few weeks, the Madison Police Department said Monday.
Madison police investigating after Pride flags torn down at UW campus-area church
Madison police were investigating Monday after a church in the UW-Madison campus area reported that their Pride flags were torn down.
Has a Canadian journalist found bombing fugitive Leo Burt?
The bombing, an act of protest against U. S. involvement in the Vietnam War, killed a young researcher, Robert Fassnacht, and injured several others. Three of the four bombing suspects — Karl Armstrong, Dwight Armstrong, and David Fine — were captured and served prison sentences long ago.
Burt, however, has remained at large.
5 major red flags that you’re about to be the victim of a senior scam
There’s got to be a convincing reason you’re going to give money to a total stranger, so the “police” text or call you to say that your college kid is in jail, and if you want them out, pay up bail money (which happened earlier this year to parents of University of Wisconsin-Madison students). Or a fake lawyer will contact an immigrant and say they can help them become citizens for very real fees.
Authorities release little information about 3 hazmat investigations, 2 arrests
For the second time in two days, authorities accompanied by hazardous materials teams swarmed a residential area in Madison Tuesday, this time just west of Camp Randall Stadium. A third hazmat investigation happened on Schroeder Road.
Minnesota shootings, Wisconsin hit list prompt increased security in state Capitol
Reached on June 16, Kapenga told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he looked at a few security systems after the 2023 incident and put together a proposal to implement a weapons detection system used by the University of Wisconsin.
“There was not enough support in my caucus to get that put in place, unfortunately, but I hope this opens their eyes to the real, unfortunate threat that’s out there,” Kapenga said. “We live in a different world.”
Man sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting UW-Madison student
Brandon A. Thompson, the man accused of physically and sexually assaulting a University of Wisconsin-Madison college student in Sept. 2023, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, according to court records.
Man gets 30 years in prison for brutal assault of UW-Madison student
A Dane County judge sentenced a man who brutally attacked a University of Wisconsin-Madison student to 30 years in prison, calling him an “extreme risk” to the public.
Driver arrested for alleged OWI after hitting bicyclist near UW-Madison campus
A person was arrested for allegedly driving a vehicle while drunk after hitting a bicyclist near the UW-Madison campus on Wednesday, the Madison Police Department reported on Thursday.
‘Good days are over’: Chinese students despair as US cracks down on visas
“The iron fist has come down,” wrote an anonymous Chinese PhD student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison on RedNote on Thursday.
“The good days are over and a new round of hard times will begin for international students.”
‘It’s finally over:’ Brittany Zimmermann’s mom reflects on the death of her daughter’s killer
The man charged with the death of a University of Wisconsin-Madison student died in prison Tuesday.
UW-Platteville shooting puts gun policies back in the spotlight
The May 19 shootings that killed two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students put campus gun policies back in the spotlight about a decade after lawmakers considered a bill loosening restrictions.
UW-Platteville deaths being investigated as murder-suicide
The residence hall deaths of two UW-Platteville students are being investigated as a murder-suicide, according to an update from campus police.
Officers were dispatched to a disturbance in Wilgus Hall, a student housing building, on Monday, where they found two people injured by gunfire.
UW-Platteville deaths being investigated as murder-suicide
The two deaths at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville are being investigated as a murder-suicide, campus officials said.
University police responded to Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall, Monday afternoon for reports of a disturbance.
Here’s what we know, and don’t know, about the shootings at UW-Platteville that left 2 students dead
Two University of Wisconsin-Platteville female students died May 19 of gunshot wounds, the university announced May 20.
The university announced May 20 that Kelsie Martin, of Beloit, died from a gunshot wound, and Hallie Helms, of Baraboo, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Wilgus Hall, a dormitory.
Community still processing UW-Platteville shooting that left two students dead
More details are emerging about a shooting at UW-Platteville Monday which left two students dead. In a statement released Tuesday, the university said the UW-Platteville Police Department had responded to a call at Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall, for a “disturbance.” When officers arrived, they found two individuals with gunshot wounds.
UW-Platteville students return to Wilgus Hall dorm after emergency incident
After an emergency incident at Wilgus Hall dormitory at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville that prompted a shelter-in-place order, people attend a church service at Rolling Hills Church, May 19, 2025 in Platteville, Wisconsin.
Two UW-Platteville female students, both 22, die in ‘targeted and isolated’ dorm incident
Two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students died in a residence hall incident that a school email describes as a “targeted and isolated” incident on May 19.
One year later: Pro-Palestinian protesters reflect on 2024 campus encampment
Library Mall on UW-Madison’s campus looks much different than it did one year ago as pro-Palestinian protests were stationed there for nearly two weeks.
Protesters were demanding that UW disclose its investments and divest from companies that profit from the war in Gaza. They met with university leaders over the span of their encampment to reach an agreement.
‘What were you wearing?’ exhibit highlights UW sexual assault survivors
In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) this April, five University of Wisconsin-Madison students partnered with University Health Services (UHS) to organize a ‘What Were You Wearing?’ art installation, an effort to challenge victim-blaming toward sexual assault survivors.
Madison police investigating attempted aggravated assault
A suspect attempted an aggravated assault with a weapon early Sunday morning in the pedestrian tunnel on East Campus Mall, prompting an ongoing investigation by the City of Madison Police Department.
UW-Madison hosts Denim Day event
April 30th is known as Demin Day which is a day dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence and supporting victims by wearing denim.
Mifflin Street Block Party brings sunshine, good times before finals begin
By the end of the day Saturday, 42 people were cited for offenses ranging from having open intoxicants to carrying glass in a glass-free zone to depositing human waste. Other arrests are still possible, police said.
‘One of the largest crowds we have seen’: Thousands descend on Mifflin Street for 56th annual block party
University of Wisconsin-Madison students and out-of-town visitors flocked to Mifflin Street on Saturday for the event.
No citations for underage drinkers seeking help in Madison under new policy
The policy also gives immunity to someone who’s a victim of a crime, such as sexual assault or violence.
There’s already a similar policy in place at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Another UW-Madison international student gets court protection from deportation
A second University of Wisconsin-Madison student from overseas who had their visa revoked by the Trump administration has won a victory in the courts.
Madison Police policy would shield people from underage drinking tickets if they call for help in an emergency
The new procedures for city police mirror a policy that has already been adopted by University of Wisconsin-Madison Police.
Wisconsin’s name-change law raises safety risks for transgender people
This is less privacy than the legal system typically affords young people, confirmed Cary Bloodworth, who directs a family law clinic at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Bloodworth said both child welfare and juvenile courts tend to keep records confidential for a number of reasons, including that what happens in a person’s youth will follow them for a lifetime.
“I certainly think having a higher level of privacy for kids is a good thing,” Bloodworth said, adding that she thinks the publication requirement is unnecessary for people of any age.
Letter to the Editor: Speech for me, but not for thee: How disruption has replaced campus dialogue
The disruption of Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield’s (’75 MPA) talk reveals a growing trend of selective free speech among pro-Palestinian activists.
Man arrested in UW Arboretum assault on UW-Madison student Anna Hansen 5 hrs ago
A Madison man was arrested Friday after allegedly strangling a UW-Madison student in the UW Arboretum earlier in the week.
ACLU attorney raises concerns over terminated student visa
The recent visa record terminations of six University of Wisconsin students and seven alumni have caused concerns regarding international students.
The Wisconsin Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union Senior Staff Attorney Tim Muth says it is unclear what allowed the federal government to terminate these visas.
Update: UW-Madison discovers another 13 student visas have been canceled
UW-Madison has found 13 more international student visas canceled by President Donald Trump’s administration, bringing the total number up to 40 announced across the Universities of Wisconsin this week.