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Democratic Proposal Would Bar Fake Electors From Serving As Election Officials
Republicans who signed official-looking paperwork suggesting that former President Donald Trump won the state of Wisconsin in 2020 would be barred from serving as election officials under a proposal Democrats introduced at the state Capitol. The 2020 false electors also could not serve on the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission, under...
Milwaukee Election Official Guilty of Election Fraud
A Milwaukee County jury found a former election official guilty of election fraud involving absentee ballots Wednesday afternoon. Kimberly Zapata, the former deputy director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, was also found guilty of misconduct in public office, a felony, after she admitted to using fake names to request military absentee ballots on her work laptop in 2022. Zapata then sent those ballots to the home of Republican state Rep. Janel Brandtjen, who was promoting false theories about election fraud.
MKE County: See The 2024 Traveling Beer Garden Schedule
Milwaukee County Parks‘ annual traveling beer garden returns May 15 with a stop at Greenfield Park. The traveling beer garden is a refurbished vintage firetruck rigged up as a rolling beer dispenser. It will stop at eight parks this summer, spending a little over a week at each park. Along with beer, the traveling beer garden also sells non-alcoholic beverages, hot dogs, hot pretzels and brats.
New Bar and Hookah Lounge Opening Near 76th and Florist
A new bar and hookah lounge is preparing to open this weekend on the Northwest Side. Lush Social Lounge, 5938 N. 76th St., will host a grand opening brunch on March 23, inviting guests to partake in bottomless mimosas, discount hookahs and live music. The event, set to begin at...
Marquette University Plans Budget Cuts
Marquette University announced it’s planning for budget cuts. Although the specifics are unknown, the university plans to cut the annual operating budget by $31 million in six years. This comes after the most recent University Faculty Committee for Budgets and Financial Planning report was presented to the University Academic...
Milwaukee Election Official Testifies in Defense of Accused Worker
Milwaukee’s top election official said she believes her former deputy, who admitted to using fake names to request absentee ballots reserved for military members, did so to redirect a state lawmaker away from false election conspiracy theories. Kimberly Zapata, 47, is on trial in Milwaukee County after she admitted...
New Cafe in Sherman Park Will Include Gathering Space
A pair of entrepreneurs are looking to venture into the hospitality industry, with plans to open a new restaurant and cafe in the Sherman Park neighborhood. But the owners hope to provide more than coffee, tea and pastries, envisioning a safe space for community members to gather, socialize, celebrate and mourn.
Demolition Starting At Northridge Mall
The first major piece of the former Northridge Mall has a date with a wrecking ball. “Exterior, structural demolition of the city-owned Boston Store at the former Northridge Mall is expected to begin as early as Wednesday,” said the Department of City Development in a statement. Contractor HM Brandt...
Will Wisconsin Supreme Court Legalize Absentee Ballot Boxes?
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of drop boxes became a very popular way to submit absentee ballots. Wisconsin voters viewed drop boxes as having several virtues. These included avoiding the danger of contracting Covid from polling place crowds and avoiding the long lines seen in Wisconsin’s April 2020 elections. Ballots deposited in the drop boxes would be counted so long as they were deposited before the close of voting.
After Deadly Shooting, Council Tightens Requirements For Security Guards
City leaders are taking action to boost requirements for security personnel after a gas station guard shot and killed a resident in Garden Homes last summer. The Milwaukee Common Council on Tuesday adopted an ordinance which requires security personnel to be licensed, bonded and insured. The ordinance also necessitates a thorough background check for those seeking security-oriented positions.
Wisconsin Home Prices Rising Faster Than Median Incomes
Home prices in Wisconsin have grown faster than incomes in recent years, creating challenges for prospective first-time homebuyers. That’s according to a new report released Wednesday by the Wisconsin Policy Forum. The report examined the change in incomes, home and rent prices from 2017 to 2022. It found that...
Robin Vos Calls Recall Organizers ‘Whack Jobs’ and ‘Morons’
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos unleashed a string of insults Tuesday to describe the people who organized a recall effort against him, calling them “whack jobs,” “morons” and “fraudsters” who had waged their campaign in the name of “grift.”. The attacks were some of...
County’s Paratransit Service Shows Improvement
The system Milwaukee County uses to provide transportation for people with disabilities is improving after a disastrous end to 2023, according to the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) In late 2023, MCTS switched contractors for its paratransit program, Transit Plus. A French multinational called TransDev was taking over for two...
Indeed Rolls Out THC Drinks
The launch of two new beverages has elevated Indeed Brewing Company‘s offerings in more ways than one. THC-infused drinks officially hit the shelves in the Walker’s Point taproom last week, bringing a different type of buzz to the brewery’s lineup. The sparkling drinks are available in two...
8 Takeaways From Crowley’s State of the County Speech
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley took a victory lap today in his first State of the County speech since last year’s sales tax deal with the state. Revenue from the new 0.4% sales tax allowed county policymakers to lower property taxes and increase spending in the 2024 budget, increasing revenue for county departments and infrastructure after more than a decade of austerity. This funding built on the millions in federal funding supplied by pandemic-era stimulus bills.
Visiting Eau Claire, Evers Chides Legislators for Blocking Hospital Funds
Money to help western Wisconsin health care providers respond to the loss of two hospitals in the region has gotten snagged as Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican lawmakers wrangle over how it should be spent. Evers called on Republican leaders of the Legislature’s powerful budget committee Monday to release...
Marquette Madness Membership Special
Another great year for the Marquette Golden Eagles men’s basketball team has us excited. Perhaps a little too excited. We’re offering a steal of a deal. In recognition of the Marquette’s number two seed in the tournament, we’re offering membership to Urban Milwaukee for $2 per month for the first six months.
BadgerCare Recipients Can Get Free Over-The-Counter Birth Control
People with Wisconsin’s Medicaid-funded insurance will now be able to get the new over-the-counter birth control pill at no cost. Gov. Tony Evers announced on Tuesday he had directed the state Department of Health Services to issue a standing order to allow BadgerCare Plus members to access Opill. It’s the first oral contraceptive pill available without a prescription in the U.S.
Trial Underway for Former Milwaukee Official Charged With Election Fraud
A jury will decide this week whether a former Milwaukee elections official committed fraud, or whether — as her attorney argues — she acted as a whistleblower. Kimberly Zapata, 47, was deputy director of the Milwaukee Election Commission when she admitted to her supervisor in 2022 that she had used false names to request absentee ballots reserved for military members, directing those ballots to the home of a Wisconsin legislator who was promoting false theories about election fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
Two Downtown Bars Getting New Owners
For the past five years, Tim Sluga has been a friendly face at Nomad World Pub, where he serves as general manager and slings drinks during soccer matches. With additional experience at SportClub, O’Lydia’s and Monkey Bar, there’s no doubt that Sluga has found his niche in the service industry; however, he never envisioned himself as a tavern owner — much less the managing partner of two downtown bars.
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