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.
Category: Crime and safety
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.
Madison man accused of strangling person at UW Arboretum
UW-Madison Police Department arrested a man after a person reported being strangled last week in the UW Arboretum.
An aggravated assault was reported to UWPD the morning of Monday, March 31, explained UWPD. The victim reported being strangled and forced to wait in a vehicle during the attack.
Everyone deserves access to a basic legal education
Whether or not you plan on heading to law school or end up with an “incarceration, conviction or arrest record” like one in every three American adults, you interact with the law every day. You deserve to have a basic understanding of it.
Faculty Senate condemns police violence against last spring’s encampment, calls for restoration of shared governance involvement
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Faculty Senate condemned the police violence against protesters at last May’s pro-Palestine encampment during a packed meeting Monday, with proponents arguing the demonstration was non-violent and the police disproportionately harmed students and faculty of color.
UW international students and alumni face visa cancellations
Several international students and alumni from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have had their visas canceled from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, the university said in a statement Monday.
13 UW-Madison visas terminated by U.S. government, Mnookin says it’s not tied to ‘protest activity’
The United States government terminated six University of Wisconsin-Madison student visas and seven alumni visa employment extensions, the university announced in a statement Monday.
Several UW-Madison students, alumni have visas terminated by U.S. government
Six University of Wisconsin–Madison students had their visas terminated by the U.S. government, the university announced Monday.
In addition, seven alumni on employment extensions were also affected. A terminated visa status requires the individual to leave the United States immediately.
International students at UW-Madison have visas terminated amid nationwide crackdown at colleges
A handful of international students and alumni staff at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have had their visas terminated, according to the university.
Deported over a speeding ticket? Dozens of US students’ visas abruptly revoked
Lisa is an international student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, just one month away from graduation. She asked to use a pseudonym due to concerns about retaliation and an ongoing legal case. She is one of several students across states who found their legal status revoked by the US government on 4 April, without prior notice or clear explanation. University statements show that at least 39 students have been affected, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, Stanford, Ohio State, the University of Tennessee, the University of Kentucky, Minnesota State University and the University of Oregon.
Three detained at UW-Madison event Tuesday night, one arrested in unrelated incident
Three people were detained and one person was arrested in an unrelated incident on UW-Madison’s campus Tuesday night.
Driver of Tesla Cybertruck drives onto UW-Madison mall, arrested on election day
The driver of a Tesla Cybertruck drove onto Library Mall on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus Tuesday night, before the 31-year-old driver was arrested for disorderly conduct and the vehicle towed away.
Individual arrested after driving Cybertruck across Library Mall, shattering glass objects
At approximately 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday evening, an individual who was identified as male was seen proclaiming he was voting for Wisconsin Supreme Court conservative candidate Brad Schimel and encouraging others to do so in front of the University Club, according to College Democrats volunteer Thomas Erwin, who was volunteering on Library Mall at the time.
Cybertruck drives onto Library Mall on Wisconsin Supreme Court election night
A Tesla Cybertruck drove onto Library Mall Tuesday evening near at least two student polling stations, about thirty minutes before polls closed, according to a police dispatch call.
Man drives Cybertruck onto Library Mall at UW-Madison, yells ‘free weed’
A 31-year-old man from Stevens Point was arrested Tuesday night after driving his Tesla Cybertruck onto Library Mall on Election Day
Disruptions at UW-Madison events lead to an arrest, three others detained
Three people were detained after disrupting a planned, authorized and ticketed public event on UW-Madison’s campus.
Suspect arrested after WiscAlerts sent to students about individual with a knife early Monday morning
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department (UWPD) issued multiple WiscAlerts to students early Monday morning notifying students and staff about reports of a man who brandished a knife at a victim on 105 East Campus Mall.
Aggravated assault reported at UW Arboretum Monday morning, police investigating
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department (UWPD) is actively investigating an aggravated assault that occurred early Monday morning in the UW Arboretum.
Man arrested after incident involving knife near East Campus Mall
The UW-Madison Police Department announced an arrest Monday morning after people were asked to avoid the area around East Campus Mall for reports of a man with a knife.
Police searching for man with knife near East Campus Mall
People are being asked to avoid the area around East Campus Mall after a man was reported to have a knife. At 11:59 p.m. Sunday, University of Wisconsin-Madison sent out a WiscAlert that the suspect was in the area of 105 East Campus Mall.
New UW-Madison police chief discusses ICE, pro-Palestinian encampment
After nearly 20 years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Brent Plisch officially became the new leader of campus police Sunday.
Plisch temporarily led the department after Kristen Roman resigned last year amid an investigation into her conduct as chief. Plisch then competed against a handful of outside candidates to fill the permanent position.
Release of Brady lists to 15 Investigates sparks debate between law enforcement over what it means to be on one
15 Investigates found Jenks is one of 25 names listed on Dane County’s Brady list. Out of those officers, four are still employed with agencies in Dane County. University of Wisconsin Police Detective Sergeant Peter Grimyser is one of them.
MPD shares update on State Street stabbing
The Madison Police Department is investigating a stabbing in the city’s downtown area just before 2 p.m. on Saturday. University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department sent out an alert through the BadgerSAFE app telling students to avoid the area.
MPD investigating State Street stabbing, no arrests made
The University of Wisconsin Police Department alerted community members to an alleged stabbing on the 500 block of State Street around 2 p.m. Saturday.
Downtown apartment fire displaces five, including two UW-Madison students
Five people, including two University of Wisconsin-Madison students, were displaced in an apartment fire in downtown Madison Monday afternoon, according to the Madison Fire Department (MFD).
UW-Madison announces new police chief
The UW Police Department has named its interim leader, Brent Plisch, as its permanent police chief, its third in more than three decades.
UW Police Department names new chief
University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department announced its new police chief Thursday. Brent Plisch will officially become chief March 16.
UWPD investigating attempted bike robbery outside Sellery Hall
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department (UWPD) is investigating an attempted strong-armed robbery outside Sellery Residence Hall that allegedly occurred on Saturday, according to a UWPD crime warning email sent to UW-Madison students and faculty on Thursday.
Trigger warnings in the classroom: Helping or hindering students? UW professor weighs in
Halverson-Bascom and Douglas Kelly professor of French Jan Miernowski said he began placing trigger warnings in his course syllabi for two reasons.
For one, Miernowski observed his students placing content warnings in their assigned essays when there is explicit content present. The second reason is that his students reached out saying they were extremely affected by the content of his course books.
UWPD investigating attempted bike theft outside Sellery Hall
The UW-Madison Police Department is investigating an attempted strong-armed robbery which occurred March 1 and was reported March 5, according to a Crime Warning emailed to University of Wisconsin students Thursday afternoon.
UW-Madison Police Department announces next police chief
The interim police chief of the UW-Madison Police Department has been selected to lead the department permanently.
The University of Wisconsin- Madison announced Thursday that Brent Plisch has been named UWPD chief of police, starting on March 16.
Brent Plisch named chief of UWPD
Current interim University of Wisconsin–Madison Police Department (UWPD) Chief Brent Plisch was named chief of police, UWPD announced Thursday.
UWPD investigating increase in electric bike and scooter thefts over 2 week period
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department received five reports of stolen electric bicycles and scooters over the past 10 days, according to a crime warning email sent to UW-Madison students and faculty Tuesday.
UWPD reports surge in e-bike, e-scooter thefts on campus
UWPD investigating five reported thefts, urges campus community to stay alert.
UWPD in final stages of selecting new police chief, final candidate presents – The Daily Cardinal
The four finalists for the position are: Benjamin Newman, chief of police at Southern Illinois University; Bobby Cuthbertson, deputy chief of police at North Carolina A&T State University; Brent Plisch, interim chief of police at UW-Madison; and Nicole Waldner, assistant chief of police at the Milwaukee Police Department.
UW police caution about scam targeting Badger parents
“Badgers, we’re giving you a great reason to check in with loved ones at home,” UW-Madison police said in a Facebook post warning about a scam targeting parents of UW students.