Top 10 Stories of 2016
Grand Ave changes, inside Paul Ryan's home, JS archive vanishes and much more.
The biggest political stories of the year in the state, from Trump carrying Wisconsin to the Republicans’ increase in power in the legislature and the end of the John Doe investigation, were detailed by our columnist Steven Walters.
But what were the most popular stories with our readers? In 2016, Urban Milwaukee totaled more than 5.5 million page views, a new record. Generally speaking, our most popular stories detailed the remarkable pace of development in the City of Milwaukee, including new plans for the Grand Avenue Mall (most-read story of the year) to the plan for The Couture along the lakefront (7th most popular) to our photo essay documenting changes in the city’s landscape (8th most popular).
Huge readership numbers were also seen for stories about the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel eliminating its online archive of stories (two stories on this were in the Top 10), the controversy over the allegedly anti-semitic sculpture in Shorewood, and a House Confidential (always popular with readers) about the home of Republican congressman and House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Here is the complete list of our Top 10 most popular stories. If you haven’t yet read them, here’s another chance to join the crowd.
10. Why Rural Residents Resent Us
The Politics of Resentment: Rural Consciousness in Wisconsin and the Rise of Scott Walker.
UW Prof listens to people in 29 rural communities, learns why they like Gov. Walker.
9. Big Plans for West Side Unveiled
Vliet Street Market. Rendering by Engberg Anderson Architects.
Plan envisions public market and major grocery, movie theater and indoor sports complex.
8. 10 Images of a Changing City
Park Lafayette Towers Transformation
Think Milwaukee moves slowly? These dramatic interactive images will change your mind.
7. The Couture is Finally Happening
The Couture
County to move bus routes off site at end of month, demolition of building imminent.
6. The Man Who Cried Anti-Semitism
Spillover II. Photo by Michael Meidenbauer
How the media amplified dumb attack on public sculpture and why Shorewood took it down.
5. Library Charged $1.5 Million for Journal Archive
Milwaukee Sentinel Indexes. Photo by Michael Horne.
Library turned down NewsBank offer; Journal Sentinel promises archive, but when?
4. Millionaire Paul Ryan’s Magnificent Home
Millionaire Paul Ryan’s Magnificent Home. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
House Speaker’s Georgian home might befit a founding father. Take that, Donald Trump.
3. DNR Censors All Climate Change Info
Gov. Scott Walker. Photo from the State of Wisconsin.
Key facts, scientific consensus on climate change and Great Lakes removed.
2. Journal Sentinel Archive Disappears
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Entire Google archive of more than a century of stories is gone. Why?
1. Meet the New Grand Avenue
New entrance and The Kilbourn restaurant at N. 3rd St. and W. Wisconsin Ave.
From dead mall to vibrant city center, see the plan for Grand Avenue Mall
