Bruce Murphy

Board Approves Unprecedented Pay Raise For Elected Officials

Board approves unprecedented 36% salary increases for elected officials without saying a word.

This Is First Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court In Living Memory

Media says court was liberal 15 years ago. Dead wrong. This is a radical change.

Wisconsin Center Pauses Art Removal

CEO says he thought matter was resolved with grant, only for conflict to emerge.

Writers Decry Wisconsin Center District CEO’s Imminent Cultural Erasure

Rep. Myers Responds to Urban Milwaukee Article Alleging “Double Dipping”

Gov. Evers Proposes $290 Million For American Family Field Upgrades

Proposal would keep Milwaukee Brewers in stadium through 2043, 13 more years.

Religious Attacks Have No Place in a Public Office Campaign

Famed Art Museum Architect Returns For 20th Anniversary

Santiago Calatrava returns to Milwaukee. Free admission Friday at MAM .

No New Third Ward Concert Venue

FPC is considering other sites away from Summerfest grounds.

How Alex Lasry Rose in the Polls

Labor support, personal wealth helps Bucks exec in Democratic primary for US Senator.

How Gerrymandered Is New State Map?

Let’s measure how the two parties will fare under maps approved by state Supreme Court.

East Side Forum for Milwaukee County Board 3rd District Race Set For March 22

Neighborhood Associations Encourage Residents to Submit Questions for Candidates

Big Bucks Back Trucking Industry Handout

Business, manufacturing, agricultural, and trucking interests behind bill gave $7.1 million to legislators since 2015.

Trump’s Lies Corrupting Wisconsin

His claims about elections shot down by courts, but WILL and Republicans working to turn those lies into laws.

County Pension Plan’s Costs Still Rising

Annual costs rose by 163%, may not be paid off until 2040s. First story in a series.

Pension Backdrop Costs Hit $354 Million

Total cost rose $58 million since 2016, may hit $460 million before all eligible workers retire.

City Can Do More to Plant Trees

Too much concrete in Downtown and other areas. City codes must change, developers should spend more.

GOP Governors Have Higher COVID-19 Rates

More cases, more deaths per capita in states run by Republicans.

Boycott the Uline Corporation

Company gave millions to group sponsoring Capitol insurrection, opposed pandemic measures, endangered employees’ health.

Downtown Parcel Draws No Takers

WisDOT, city trying to sell land near train station.

How to Spend Less On Police

Milwaukee has a huge opportunity to consolidate law enforcement costs.

Liberal WRRD-AM to End Broadcasts

Liberal talk radio station will close Milwaukee office and concentrate on Madison station.

A Mask Mandate is Not Enough

It's a step in the right direction, but not enough to suppress the virus.

Help Us Expand Our Team!

Urban Milwaukee will add a staffer but could use your help to make it happen.

What Comes Next in the Fight Against the Coronavirus?

Will individual choices be enough to keep a spike in cases and deaths at bay?

The Politics of the Pandemic

Republican push to reopen state economy depends on distorting the data.

Why The MPS Referendum Is Needed

The data shows MPS trails other metro area districts in per-pupil spending.

Local Skepticism Grows On Foxconn’s Future

Opinions in Racine County shifting as company’s plans keep changing.

Why Foxconn Contract Is In Dispute

Both sides may have reason to renegotiate contract.

How We View Undocumented Immigrants

Polls show even state’s Republican voters overwhelmingly oppose current policies.

Taylor Slams Barrett Over Residency

Mayoral candidate cites losses since residency requirement ended by Legislature.

Lurie’s Bay View Proposal Revived

Plus: MPS unveils new schoolyards, Cambria hotel opens, Athea expanding chemical plant

Choose Life Program Still a Mystery

President says group had nothing to do with bill that would give it $500,000 from the state.

The Couture Getting New Signage

Plus: Walker's Point brewery may become climbing gym, funding for Soldiers Home project.

How Democrats Can Beat Trump

And win the state. Polls show which issues are winners — or too leftist.

High CEO Pay Due to Stock Buybacks?

It’s definitely one cause. It may also make the American economy less productive.

The Anti-Gas Tax Gang

Why just five Republican naysayers could kill a gas tax hike.

Urban Milwaukee Celebrates 11th Anniversary

Readers and writers mingle and celebrate at Villa Terrace's Renaissance Garden.

City Should Change Police Pursuit Policy

940 pursuits in one year? Police should return to using effective GPS technology tracking program.

Episode 011 – Bruce Murphy on We Energies, Foxconn

Why does We Energies advertise? And how can someone keep up on ever-changing Foxconn deal?

Episode 010 – Jeremy Fojut of NEWaukee and Bruce Murphy

What's Milwaukee’s social architecture firm up to? And how does a stadium naming rights deal signal a wealth gap?

Episode 001

Guests Bruce Murphy and Alderman Nik Kovac join Jeramey Jannene to talk city issues.

7 Numbers That Explain Election

The election results would have been completely different if not for this.

Symphony Breaks Ground on New Hall

$89 million music hall means "rebirth of a neighborhood" and "rebirth of the symphony."

Urban Milwaukee Celebrates 10th Birthday

Crowd packs Pabst Brewery & Taproom for publication's 10th anniversary.

Police Reform Needed, Say Council Members

Brown incident proves problem, changes needed, Hamilton, Coggs say at press conference.

City, State Selling Site Near Train Station

Alderman wants to see transit-oriented development.

Mayor, Council Play Musical Chairs

New appointments open door for Ald. Jim Bohl to leave his elected position for lobbyist job.

Urban Milwaukee Wins 7 Press Club Awards

6th straight year the publication is honored by state-wide journalism contest.

Gorman Building Affordable Housing for Veterans

Another project by developer that mixes good business and social impact.

Symphony’s Grand Theatre Plan Moves Forward

Council, Plan Commission okay separate parts of development transforming W. Wisconsin Ave.

Is the Downtown Apartment Boom Over?

Wangard hesitates over river-side apartment complex, while other projects push ahead.

Kaul calls Schimel’s expanded investigation into now-defunct GAB unjustified

Kaul says investigation is "yet another waste of our tax dollars by our current AG"

Your Favorite Stories of 2017

Huge tax benefits for Foxconn, Diane Hendricks, and state senators led the way.

The City Christmas Tree House

Each year a city resident donates a spruce for City Hall. Here's the home of 2017's winner.

Who Wants To Market The Streetcar?

City hiring outside vendor to brand and promote "The Hop."

Fire Fighter Lives Far Far Away

Union leader Seager lives In McMansion Jr.-style home worth $475,000 in Town of Jackson.

Zielinski Bashes Barrett, Flynn

And Ald. Borkowski joins in, bashing the budget of "Rip Van Barrett."

Neighbors Fight for Brady St. Fire Station

But by the end of public meeting held by Ald. Kovac many seemed resigned to its loss.

Committee Approves East Side Tower

Real test will come at the Common Council next week.

Leah Vukmir Welcomes Your Hate

Or how to run for U.S. Senate in the land of scorched-earth politics.

Has Barrett Driven Up City Debt?

Conservative MacIver Institute says yes. Let’s look at the data.

The $400 Million Pension Problem

Infamous county pension plan's cost may hit $400 million, make many wealthy.

Road Map to an Aerotropolis

New plan released for municipalities near airport. Will they seize the future?

Hendricks Not Paying Property Taxes?

The billionaire's Rock County mansion doesn't appear on tax rolls.

Urban Milwaukee Wins Press Club Awards

Fifth-straight year the publication is honored by state-wide contest.

Will County Give Pension to State?

Board approves work group to study state takeover of pension system.

My 5 Milwaukee Valentines

From rising stars to an angry sheriff, the Milwaukeeans who most deserve some love.

Urban Harvest Hosts Urban Milwaukee

Urban Milwaukee's first members-only event tapped into a lot of fun.

Millennials Flocking to Milwaukee

Data shows Milwaukee ranks second in the Midwest in attracting millennials.

Hammes Moving Downtown in 2018

Another company moving from suburbs to Downtown and with unusual architectural style.

The Decline of Reaganism

The Church of the Gipper is defied by Donald Trump. Will Republicans adjust their ideology?

Rocky Marcoux Keeps His Job

In a dramatic turnabout, the once-dead DCD head gains 11 of 15 council member votes.

Committee Again Says Yes to Rocky

DCD head Rocky Marcoux once again endorsed at committee, but his fate is still uncertain.

All Lives Matter? Yes and No.

Criticism of Black Lives Matter ignores the history behind the protests.

Come Meet the Urban Milwaukee Gang

Our annual party is Tuesday, 5 p.m. And oh, the stories we could tell.

The Power of Common Ground

Nonprofit advocacy group has had huge impact on city, though some grumble about their tactics.

Donald Baumgartner’s Princely Mansion

The generous plutocrat's River Hills home is fit to entertain a prince, and actually did.

Bamberger Wins Press Club Award

Wins award for architecture review, third year in a row Urban Milwaukee wins Press Club awards.

“A Hero For the Entire Country”

Bruce Murphy talks to WTMJ-AM about Donald Baumgartner's inspiringly generous treatment of employees.

Remembering Jon Erickson

The late performance artist and professor had a big impact on Milwaukee’s cultural scene.

Meet the New Boss

Ashanti Hamilton is new Common Council president, but how did he get the votes?

Wells Building, 1915

Built in 1902 by Daniel Wells, building still stands, but stripped of roofline ornamentation.

“Evicted” in Milwaukee

Go inside the world of poverty and evictions.

Water Is a “Life and Death” Matter

Bruce Murphy talks on TMJ about bill easing private firms' purchase of water utilities.

Was It Political Correctness Run Amok?

Bruce Murphy talks about removal of Shorewood public sculpture on TMJ radio.

9 Most Commented-On Stories of 2015

Crime, the streetcar, teacher pay, the Bucks bailout and other issues left readers battling.

10 Most Popular Stories of 2015

The bus strike, Scott Walker’s meltdown, a sneaky Bucks arena plan -- readers flocked to these and other stories.

Marcus Center Cast Into Limbo

No one seems to agree with Abele's plan to have it absorbed by sprawling Wisconsin Center District.

Urban Milwaukee Drive Raises $30,590!

Thank you, Milwaukee. Our crowdfunding drive raised 153% of goal.

Urban Milwaukee Ups Its Campaign Goal

Crowd funding campaign tops $20,000, new goal is $30,000.

Urban Milwaukee’s Impact On The Streetcar

Ald. Bauman talks about publication’s impact and how its expansion will help the community.

How Talk Radio Hurt The Journal Sentinel

Sykes’ continual bashing -- allowed by corporate bosses -- badly wounded their own newspaper.

“I’m your Lt. Governor. I know my job.”

Rebecca Kleefisch offers coy banalities while “On the Issues with Mike Gousha.”

Why GAB Must Be Disbanded

Government Accountability Board abused its power and had secret email system.

Urban Milwaukee Announces Crowdfunding Drive

Free online daily seeks support from readers to take publication to the next level.

Wisconsin Falling Behind on Renewable Energy

These businesses spend much of their time battling political opposition in Wisconsin, an expert notes.

Scott Walker Aids Milwaukee Streetcar

In an unexpected move, Walker helps avoid messy situation between city and county.

Milwaukee’s New Train Shed

It's 50 years old and serves nearly 600,000 people annually, and its long-awaited replacement is finally being built.

Urban Milwaukee Wins Press Club Awards

Publication claims two of three awards for criticism and Michael Horne wins for House Confidential column.

Presenting the Posner Building Apartments

Huge, almost entirely vacant building transforming into 105 apartments on key downtown corner

Downer Avenue Stalled by Joel Lee?

City officials meet with neighbors about Downer Avenue, a thriving retail strip with one huge problem: Landlord Joel Lee's foreclosed properties.

De Blasio Descends on Milwaukee

New York's mayor and crew of handlers and security came for his speech to state Democrats. Later he partied with local pols and local brews at Nick's House.

Journal Sentinel 20 Years Later

What is it about April Fool's Day? 20 years after the Journal-Sentinel merger comes its absorption into a chain of dailies.

John Shannon’s Marvelous Marietta Mansion

One of the great East Side homes, its history includes a remarkable cast of characters, almost a mini-history of Milwaukee elites.

Huge Growth for Brady and Water

Three different developments will add 740 apartments and tremendous urban density to the area.

Milwaukee Streetcar Approved

After years of debate, streetcar will finally move forward. Final engineering will begin immediately, and construction by the end of the year.

Who is “Lobbying” For the Streetcar?

Money is being spent and wild rumors are flying. So what’s the truth?

Crowd Celebrates City Birthday Party

Politicians, PR people and other notables schmoozed away. The best rumor was that Chief Flynn might be retiring.

Koch Agenda Wants No Federal Funds for Walking, Biking, Transit

All federal transportation dollars should go for auto transportation, Koch-funded groups demand. They've also opposed streetcars in cities like Milwaukee.

Millennials And The Streetcar

Will it attract young professionals?

Streetcar Responses Shows Wide Support

Eleven out of 15 aldermanic districts, and 76 percent of all respondents support the proposed streetcar starter system.

Streetcar Approved, but Held

Large majority votes to approve streetcar, but parliamentary maneuver puts issue on hold until February 10th meeting.

Streetcar Backers Say They Have the Votes

Aldermen Witkowski and Perez now favor it, and touted plan to extend the line into their south-side districts.

Urban Milwaukee Announces Huge Growth

Readership has grown by 1200% in less than three years, with most of that coming in the last year.

The Modest Ranch Home of Ald. Joe Davis

The mayoral candidate lives in the Hampton Heights neighborhood where assessments have declined and crime has risen. Small wonder he's concerned about that issue.

Public Event: Marquette University Debate Today on Upcoming BadgerCare Referendums

Tuesday October 14th at 2:30 PM, Citizen Action of Wisconsin will participated in the only public debate scheduled on the upcoming Milwaukee County referendum on BadgerCare funding.

Will Liberal Democrats Undermine Mary Burke?

Opposition to a pro-business Democrat could help Walker win reelection.

Abele Goes O-fer On Election Night

Sheriff Clarke wins democratic primary. Plus: The rest of election night's winners and losers.

Gimbel Gets Reappointed to Wisconsin Center Board

Will continue after 3 decades as board chair! Did mayor and governor swap appointments to make this happen?

Supreme Court May Disappoint Conservatives

Their past decisions may force them to rule against those appealing the John Doe investigation.

Gary George’s Grafton Mansion

He lives far outside Gwen Moore's congressional district, but is running for the seat anyway.

Adams Talks Hard Truths About Milwaukee’s Future at Forum

Last night, Dan Adams participated in the East Side Neighborhood Associations Forum, moderated by Urban Milwaukee editor Bruce Murphy.

Dan Adams Vows to Take on the Status Quo

Yesterday morning, Dan Adams submitted 644 nominating signatures to the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.

Assembly Hopefuls To Discuss Issues, Take Questions From Voters June 5 at East Side Candidate Forum

The four Democratic candidates for Wisconsin Assembly District 19 will discuss their positions and take questions from voters at a candidate forum 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday June 5 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2618 N. Hackett Avenue.

Assembly Hopefuls To Discuss Issues, Take Questions From Voters June 5 at East Side Candidate Forum

The four Democratic candidates for Wisconsin Assembly District 19 will discuss their positions and take questions from voters at a candidate forum 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday June 5 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2618 N. Hackett Avenue.

Sheriff Clarke’s Bizarre New Radio Ads

They combine campaign ads and a pitch for a private company and appear to be in violation of state laws.

Urban Milwaukee Wins Press Club Honors

The nation's oldest press club honors Urban Milwaukee for the second year in a row.

Downtown Power Brokers Mull Expanded Convention Center

Leaders of Wisconsin Center and the Bradley Center consider key changes for downtown facilities.

Eyon Biddle’s Rescued Rental

The candidate for alderman lives in Triangle North neighborhood, on a block rescued by investor Yusuf Dahl.

Get Your Vote On

Early voting already underway for spring election, and memorials planned for Debra Usinger and Donna Schlieman.

The House of Hank the Dog

The Brewer's canine mascot has a nine-room Whitefish Bay home and 10,000 square foot lot to roam in, all worth $570,000.

Bruce Murphy’s Home for Editors

His home along the Milwaukee River was previously owned by another editor and Carl Sandburg lived just down the street.

Bombshell New Report Casts Doubt on Gov. Walker’s Denial of Secret Email System in Governor’s Office

Report Cites Source Confirming Use of Laptops and Personal Emails by Key Members of Governor’s State Staff

We Need Better Transit!

Suburban officials and business leaders at Downtown conference on transit call for better connections to the city.

Huge Turnout for City Birthday Party

Lots of politicians, journalists, lobbyists and others glad-handed each other and drank free beer to salute the city's 168th birthday.

Urban Milwaukee Purchases Third Coast Daily

ThirdCoastDaily.com, the online arts and entertainment publication has agreed to a purchase by UrbanMilwaukee.com.

More Improvements on Milwaukee River

Environmental group upgrades river banks and creates orientation center near Humboldt Avenue.

Mike Grebe’s Conservative Cudahy Condo

It's just a short walk from the Bradley Foundation, where Grebe battles daily to turn us all conservative.

Why We Should Move the War Memorial

Veterans are poorly served there; the War Memorial and MacArthur statue should both move to west-side Veterans Center campus.

Daglas Does Dallas

After a brief stay as Milwaukee Magazine editor, Cristina Daglas is off to become editor of D Magazine!

Humility hogs all the attention at “Envisioning the Seen”

Is Milwaukee too modest?

Envisioning the Seen: Milwaukee’s Future

Milwaukee's future, in photos.

Milwaukee’s Future – Today, June 18th

The Pabst Theater plays host to Envisioning the Seen: Milwaukee's Future tonight, June 18th. Ten Milwaukeeans and two moderators will hold an open-ended, fireside-style discussion, followed by an audience question and answer period.

Bruce Murphy signs on as Editor

Urban Milwaukee is happy to announce that Bruce Murphy has come aboard as our new editor and columnist, where he will revive his well-known column Murphy’s Law. Among the state’s best-known journalists, Murphy is most celebrated for his stories exposing the Milwaukee County pension scandal, which led to the resignation of County Executive F. Thomas Ament and the recall of seven county supervisors. No scandal in Milwaukee history resulted in more politicians being thrown out of office.

Raclaw to Challenge Veteran in 14th Supervisory District

Supervisor Nyklewicz will face a rare challenge for his seat when Milwaukee Police detective Sebastian C. J. Raclaw announces his candidacy for the Milwaukee County Supervisor for the 14th District

Trial Set Figures in New Orleans Scandal; U.S. Attorney Says Johnson Controls Duped

Since indictments were handed down last January, the U.S. Attorney in New Orleans, Jim Letten, has secured six convictions in the wide-ranging case.

Journal Board Member Stanek, Figure in Baird Suit, Ignored in Paper’s Story

Daily's Story of Baird Suit Ignores Stanek Connection

Another Fortis Feud

The Shepherd Express has lost yet another regular contributor.

Crisses Averted

Barrett and Walker Announce Plan for Ballots in Milwaukee

Selig Take A Hit

Washington Post Trashes Commissioner and Journal Communications. Plus: The Mea Culpa of Charles J. Sykes and Thompson’s Boycott of Miller Park.

On the Fundraiser Trail

David Riemer held a fundraiser and art auction to advance his bid for County Executive. Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design was the place, and over a hundred people showed up to look at the art (a Guido Brink retrospective) and to meet with the candidate March 8th. Wine was served, and the food was perhaps the finest of the larger-scale campaign events this year. The snacks included hummus and all sorts of veggie-cheesy items nicely prepared and tastefully presented. Everybody had to shut up for a brief speech by the candidate. Riemer is getting better at these, and unlike certain other candidates for president or even for mayor, he is able to adjust the message to his audience with a reasonable degree of spontaneity. The crowd at MIAD learned that Riemer has two brothers who are actors, and mom was too. In college (as an undergraduate) he studied poetry. “Art is not just an add-on. Art is essential to a metropolitan area. It is essential to its success.” No argument from the crowd on that account. Marvin Pratt showed up, and that created a mild buzz for a while. Riemer campaign guru Bill Christofferson wants us all to know that his candidate’s “Last Blast” fundraiser will be held in Turner Hall on March 23rd, 5-7 p.m. The Riemer campaign sent out a news release encouraging its supporters to cast absentee ballots. Election Day, April 6th is Passover, he reminds us. It is also a time when many of us might be out of town on Spring break. Riemer would appreciate it if we voted before fleeing this miserable weather. It is all about turnout, at this point. Molly Christofferson, Bill’s daughter, did campaign work for Sandy Folaron. She now works for Marvin Pratt. Strange bedfellows. Bob Weiss held a fundraiser for Acting Mayor Pratt March 10th, at his restaurant, Shakers, 422 S. Second St. He sent me a note: “Clueless staffers, no signage, no promo materials, NO candidate, when promised 6-8 p.m. for His fundraiser.” Weiss said the event coordinator “sat by self in back corner, left after an hour. Some big hitter clients of mine left in disgust since Marvin not there. … Overall, hardly our greatest political experience.” Weiss is planning a solstice party this week (good timing), with plenty of food and booze. Forget the politics! Unopposed and Raising Money: Musings on the Common Council Presidency It is tough to draw a crowd in an election year when you have no opponent, and it’s nice for a candidate to not have to sweat his election. “I only hold one fundraiser a year and this is it,” said Ald. Michael Murphy at Derry Hegarty’s Pub, an event that perhaps saw about 75 people. The event was Thursday, March 11th, close enough to St. Patrick’s Day, which is appropriate since Murphy claims to be of Irish heritage. Since the money wasn’t absolutely necessary, and since the candidate seemed destined to win, the fundraiser easily lurched into its secondary […]

Five Budget Items the Media Has Missed

By now, everybody knows what's in the budget right?

How Democrats Are Growing the Economy

The recent state budget debate provided insights and displayed the dramatic differences between the parties as to how we answer questions about our state's economic future and how we compete for the high-paying jobs of the 21st Century.

Personal Foul – Norquist Loses Points With the Business Community

The Greater Milwaukee Committee thinks it's found a way to get more revenue for the Milwaukee Bucks.