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Feuding Supreme Court Justices Need a Break
Wisconsin’s seven Supreme Court justices need this summer break more than ever. There won’t be an evening in which all seven roast s’mores over a lakeside campfire, trading term-ending memories. Instead, the justices will soon step away from their Capitol chambers more divided and angry than ever.
Parks Plans Removal of Holler Park Pool, Other Disused Buildings
There are two ways to reduce the backlog of infrastructure needs in the Milwaukee County Parks system: fix or demolish. The parks system is about to pursue the demolition route. Milwaukee County Parks does not have the funding necessary to maintain all of the system’s buildings and assets. The backlog...
Disability Rights Wisconsin Faces Huge Funding Cut
Kristina Jackson, a survivor of domestic violence who has struggled with depression, said Disability Rights Wisconsin held her hand through her court process and for some of the time after it was finished. The support, which came through DRW’s Victim Advocacy Program, came in the form of Pam Malin, her advocate, and a DRW attorney who attended court hearings with her, helped her get connected with community resources and helped her move after her son started reexperiencing trauma in their home.
Wisconsin Democrats Back Biden After Shaky Debate
Wisconsin’s Democratic leaders supported President Joe Biden Friday, following a shaky debate performance that left some in their party openly questioning whether a new candidate should take his place. During the first presidential debate Thursday night, Biden lost his train of thought at times and spoke with a noticeably...
Wehr Nature Center Plans Improvements
Milwaukee County Parks and the Friends of the Wehr Nature Center are planning a series of improvements to the 220-acre nature preserve over the coming years. Nature center staff worked with the friend’s group to develop a list of projects to complete over the next five years, ranging from trail improvements to a new outdoor classroom. The center is located in Whitnall Park in southwest Milwaukee County.
New Apartment Building Rises In Summerfest’s Shadow
Summerfest attendees might be surprised to see the Historic Third Ward inching ever closer to the festival grounds. Kaeding Development Group is getting close to completing the five-story Evoni Apartments atop a long vacant lot. The 261-unit complex is being developed on a 2.85-acre site at the southeast corner of...
Vel Phillips Plaza Opens To Great Fanfare
It’s a park, it’s a transit hub, it’s a gathering place. As of Friday morning, Vel R. Phillips Plaza is officially open. A cafe is expected to join it later this year, and a large public art installation in 2025. “Isn’t this development fantastic?” said area Alderman...
Opioid Settlement Will Fund 7 New, Expanded Abatement Efforts
A massive lawsuit continues paying dividends for Milwaukee County’s effort to address the opioid epidemic. Government officials are planning to move more than $8 million in settlement funds — paid out by companies that have played a role in the opioid epidemic –into government programs and services in the coming months.
Look For New Art Exhibits Next Time You Fly Out of MKE
A new partnership between Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design aims to enliven Milwaukee’s airport and create a place for college artists and recent graduates to showcase their work. Liz Geoffrey created “Project Timeframe” for her senior exhibition in 2021. The work is comprised...
Second Vos Recall Rejected by Wisconsin Elections Commission
For the second time this year, the Wisconsin Elections Commission has ruled conservative activists failed to gather enough valid signatures to recall Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos from office, this time finding that some of the signatures were collected after the legal deadline. In a 4-2 vote, the commission found...
U.S. Supreme Court Halts Cross-State Pollution Regulations, Impacting Wisconsin
Federal regulations limiting air pollution that crosses state lines won’t be enforced in Wisconsin after a U.S. Supreme Court decision placed the rule on hold in 11 states Thursday. The Environmental Protection Agency issued its “good neighbor” plan last year, which aims to reduce smog pollution from power plants...
Surveillance Technology Never Left Milwaukee After the DNC
In 2020, Milwaukee had high hopes that the Democratic National Convention would boost the local economy — then missed out when COVID-19 transformed the DNC into a mostly virtual event. While it didn’t attract tourists, the city was flooded with new gear for law enforcement in anticipation of the DNC. Much of that technology, including an expanded surveillance network, remains in Milwaukee as the city prepares to host the Republican National Convention (RNC) in July.
Milwaukee Receives $2.1M From HUD For Growing MKE Plan, Affordable Housing
Milwaukee received $2.1 million in federal funding Wednesday to increase the amount of affordable housing options across the city. The money — from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD — will mainly be used to expand the Growing MKE plan. That’s an effort to update the city’s zoning code to expand housing options and increase the number of new developments throughout the city.
Chicago City Exchange Sees Milwaukee Leaders Discuss Big Ideas in Windy City
“This isn’t a Milwaukee thing, this isn’t a Madison thing, this is a Wisconsin thing and together we can get things done.”. That was Hoan Group founder Ian Abston‘s message, told at 79 mph on the Amtrak Hiawatha Service as a group of young and mid-career civic leaders barreled toward Chicago Wednesday.
Chief Justice Seeks Probe After Leak of Draft in Wisconsin Abortion Case
The chief justice of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court says she’s asking law enforcement to investigate following the leak of a draft order in a high-profile case over the status of abortion in Wisconsin. That leaked document indicates the state Supreme Court will eventually hear a lawsuit filed by Planned...
Court Rules Voters With Disabilities Can Get Absentee Ballots by Email
Wisconsin voters with print disabilities will be able to receive absentee ballots by email in November, a Dane County Circuit Court judge ruled Tuesday. Voters who certify they have a print disability — including voters who are blind or have a physical disability that impairs manual dexterity — will be able to request their municipal clerks email their absentee ballot.
Kaul Finds Private Vendors Can Help With Elections
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul issued a formal opinion Tuesday, finding that a constitutional amendment approved by voters in April that forbids non-election officials from performing election related work does not prevent local election clerks from hiring private vendors for tasks such as printing ballots. The formal opinion had been...
Home Affordability in Wisconsin Hits All-Time Low
Waukesha County residents Meagan Hitney and Nathan Jaeger have been struggling for months to purchase their first home. The couple met about seven years ago while attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After four-and-a-half years of living together and saving money, they finally felt ready to buy a house. “We’ve been...
Large Milwaukee Buildings Will Be Required To Conduct Energy Benchmarks
A proposal advancing through Milwaukee City Hall hopes to substantially reduce building energy use by requiring owners of large buildings, including the city itself, to compare energy use to peer buildings. If the effort succeeds, it could make a notable dent in Milwaukee’s emissions. According to an Environmental Collaboration Office...
Marcus Performing Arts Center Struggling Financially
The Marcus Performing Arts Center is not ready to sever its relationship with Milwaukee County taxpayers. MPAC, the 55-year-old, downtown art center, is reporting that it has spent the last few years spending down its cash reserves as it struggles to bring in revenue. It was supposed to cut financial ties with the county in 2026, but it’s unlikely the organization will be ready to do so.
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Urban Milwaukee is a daily publication covering real estate, politics, arts & entertainment and food & drink in the city of Milwaukee.
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