MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel has taken the unusual step of revealing the state Department of Justice is investigating opioid manufacturers to see what role they may have played in creating addicts, a day after Senate Democrats pushed him to exact compensation from the companies.

Schimel has been on the forefront of Wisconsin Republicans' efforts to stem opioid addiction but he has signaled that he's reluctant to go after drug makers in the past. Word of the investigation could indicate a more aggressive stance toward the companies as he heads into an election y...