Milwaukee Common Council

7 COVID-19 Cases From In-Person Voting?

Likely to rise as Health Department reviews all data. Council pushes for absentee voting.

The Rise of Cavalier Johnson

Up from poverty and getting crushed in his first two runs for office, he's the upstart winner for council president.

Five Women Make Council History

The Milwaukee Common Council now looks more like the city it represents.

New Board Sworn In at a Parking Lot

Nicholson and Johnson, Jr. vying for leadership position of County Board Chairperson.

Council Bids Farewell to Bob and Tony

Aldermen Bob Donovan and Tony Zielinski attend their last council meeting and get a warm sendoff.

12 Election Takeaways

How high was turnout, lawyers will be busy, girl power, streetcar wins again and a new council president?

Common Council Candidates

Ten contested races could reshape 15-member council.

Council Delays Convention Expansion?

9-4 vote seeks to prevent convention center expansion during pandemic.

Barrett Calls for Mail-In Only Election, Delay

Calls on governor to move back election "or this issue is going to explode."

Milwaukee Cancels Early Voting

UPDATE: Barrett calls for election to be postponed or switched to mail-in only voting.

State Wins $27 Million For Hiawatha Line

Federal grant will help fund expansion needed to add trips to and from Chicago.

The Man Who Made Milwaukee

Fur trader Solomon Juneau arrived here in 1818 and saw the potential of Milwaukee.

11 Key Details About the Convention Center Expansion

Plus: Rite-Hite moving to city, Mitchell Street mystery, Lower East Side projects still alive.

Husch Blackwell Hosts Local Leaders, Executives in Construction Academy Symposium

Coronavirus Likely to Hit Milwaukee, Officials Say

Health Department officials are planning for response to outbreak.

City Wants $5 Million of Hotel Tax Per Year

Council may rescind support for convention center expansion without its historic cut of tax restored.

Ballots Won’t Have Duplicate Gerrymandering Questions

City rescinds its referendum question after Milwaukee County passed a similar measure.

Streetcar Kiosks Could Bring In $500,000 Annually

System of 35 interactive kiosks could be online as early as May.

Mystery Deepens on Leaked Police Video

More than the video was leaked. Police Department avoids comment. City Attorney helping FPC investigation.

Common Council Races

Six of 15 Common Council seats feature three or more candidates.

MTEA Announces Endorsements in Milwaukee Spring Elections

Citizen Action of Wisconsin Endorses Peter Burgelis for 11th District Alderman

Wisconsin Center Expansion Project Receives Milwaukee Common Council approval to receive moral obligation bonds from the state

Streetcar Ridership Up in January Versus 2019

The Hop records better ridership in January, buoyed by warmer weather.

Nicholson Proposal to Coordinate City, County, MPS Services Adopted

"ONE Milwaukee" Initiative Will Bridge Infrastructure Gaps and Align Services to Improve Outcomes for Residents

Brett Blomme Announces Key Endorsement in Race for Judge

Progressive Champion, Congresswoman Gwen Moore endorses Blomme

Barrett, Hamilton Demand Probe of Leaked Police Video

Chief Morales says he didn’t leak it; mayor, council leader want investigation, find out who did.

Citizen Action endorses Chris Larson for Milwaukee County Executive

Announces more key endorsements in Milwaukee area spring elections

Downtown House Being Deconstructed For Apartments

Plus: City planning third cruise ship dock

Plan Will Build City’s Largest Solar Array

City, We Energies partner on eight-acre solar farm, enough electricity to power 400 homes.

Crane Added to City Plan Commission

Menomonee Valley Partners deputy Catrina Crane has long worked on economic development.

Nicholson Calls for Better City-County Coordination of Services

Proposed "ONE Milwaukee" Task Force will bridge infrastructure gaps and align services to improve outcomes for residents.

Council Inches Toward Universal Basic Income

Proposal will create a framework, needs philanthropic support.

Did Chief Morales Target His FPC Boss?

Common Council concerned. “Borderline frightening” use of police power, Bauman charges.

Another Big Endorsement for Ed Fallone

Streetcar Ridership Up in December

System outpaces November ridership and annual estimates.

Convention Center Moves Forward

District board hires Atlanta-based architectural firm for $300 million project.

Council Mulls Next Move on “Racist” Hotel Policy

Ald. Lewis considering license options. Three hotels have policies rejecting area residents.

Ridership Falls for The Hop

Begins 2nd year of operation with November ridership down from November 2018.

ACLU Pushes City On Stop-and-Frisk

“Little progress,” group charges, on $3.4 million court settlement and mandated reform of police practices.

Calling All Entrepreneurs & Hopefuls!

Free workshop teaches business startup basics.

New Area for South Shore Beach Chosen

One of most polluted beaches in U.S. could be fixed -- if funding can be secured.

Council Okays Admiral’s Wharf Project

11-story, 133-unit complex in Walker's Point gets a green light from city.

New MillerCoors Jobs Coming by June

But company, state vague on details, number of jobs to move from Denver.

10 Steps to Stop Reckless Driving

Mayor, council need to crack down. Here’s how.

American Heart Association commends Mayor & Common Council for continued investment in healthy food access

The Coordinator will organize community food systems and focus on increasing access to healthy and affordable food for all Milwaukee residents.

Two Efforts Target Climate Change

State and county task forces are separate but overlapping efforts responding to crisis.

City’s Millennial “Brain Drain” Raises Concerns

State reports shows Milwaukee has problem. Alderman proposes task force to find solutions.

Police Overtime Costs a Budget Problem

Council discusses how to trim annual cost of $17 million. Unfunded service for Summerfest an issue.

The Charter School Dilemma

They perform better and are supported by most black voters — but opposed by most white Democrats.

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 212 Endorses Peter Burgelis for Common Council, District 11

“Local 212 has an incredible record of fighting for progressive causes, from education to immigration.”

Alderman Cavalier Johnson on Running for Milwaukee County Executive

I believe that my focus should remain on the work at hand in City Hall at this time.

Climate and Economic Equity Taskforce Co-chairs Announce Members

News Release from Alderman Nik Kovac

Deconstruction Effort Is Underway

After a year of false starts by the city, a $1.2 million, 50-home effort is underway.

Climate and Economic Equity Taskforce Co-chairs Announce Members, Set First Meeting for Nov. 11

"I'm confident that my colleagues on the taskforce share my sense of enthusiasm and urgency, and I know we're all eager to roll up our sleeves and get to work."

City Lands Second Streetcar Sponsor

Everstream, business internet provider, joins Potawatomi in backing The Hop.

City Asks Evers’ Help on Reckless Driving

Mayor Barrett, council ask governor for funding or more state troopers to combat problem.

Mayor Tom Barrett released the following statement regarding the passing of William Ryan Drew:

"Bill was a remarkable man whose legacy will continue to live on."

Council Debates Indigenous Peoples’ Day

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be forced to defend the Catholic Church," Donovan thundered.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Endorse Marina for Alderwoman!

"The support of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin is a tremendous addition to the diverse support we have received in my campaign for Alderwoman."

NBA Player Plans Downtown Apartments

Big week in real estate with Couture taxes, Strauss, Marchese, Airbnb, Scott Lurie and more making headlines.

Streetcar Ridership Drops with Temperature

Doors Open Milwaukee boosted ridership, but overall Sunday traffic continues to sag.

Deconstruction Program Expected to Restart Next Week

Contractor will start after months of delays.

State Republican Lawmakers Oppose Barrett’s Budget

Seven Republicans take aim at proposal to reduce police staffing, but don't mention sales tax request.

Zielinski for Mayor Bus Ads Debut

21 MCTS buses now highlight Tony Zielinski's campaign for mayor.

Bay View’s White House Tavern Coming Back

Allison Meinhardt is working to open new business in historic building.

Vote Mama Endorses Marina for Alderwoman!

"The endorsement of Vote Mama means so much to me and my family."

Statement from ACLU of Wisconsin on Milwaukee Police Collaboration with ICE

On September 23rd, 2019, officers from the MPD assisted ICE in the arrest of Alejandro De La Cruz Espinoza as he returned home with his wife and three young children.

Council Approves Ikon Hotel Deal Despite Objections

Plus: Council unanimously endorses host of other development projects.

The Hop Records 80,113 Rides in August

Third best month on record, but down from July high.

Tom Barrett’s Black Voter Challenge

His support solid in black community. But 2020 could be different.

Milwaukee Area Elected Officials and Community Leaders Propose a New Revenue Solution to Invest in our Communities

An unprecedented partnership will move forward to pursue new revenue solutions that provide property tax relief to residents through a local option sales tax

Council Okays Settlement to Sterling Brown

City would pay $400,000. But the Bucks guard isn't expected to accept the offer.

KinetiK Climbs on KK

New apartment building will anchor north end of Bay View.

Gov. Evers Announces Appointments to the Wisconsin Women’s Council

The Council’s mission is to identify barriers to women’s social and economic participation in the state and work with public and private-sector partners to develop initiatives and identify solutions and to disseminate information on the status of women and issues of concern to women in the state.

Spiker Wins Seat on Common Council

Legislative aide Scott Spiker will replace his former boss Terry Witkowski.

July Was The Hop’s Best Month Yet

Events along the route, led by Bastille Days, boost ridership numbers to over 3,300 daily rides.

Urban Stables Take Shape

Project combines police horses with equine therapy for veterans and children.

The Milwaukee Kitchen Cabinet to Host “Back to School Celebration”

Local restaurant community organization hosting carnival for MPS students

Council Okays $2.45 Million for Western Building’s Move

Millwork distributor will relocate from suburb, bring 200 jobs to city's far northwest side.

Council Okays Symphony, Broadway Projects

City to spend $6.9 million more on rebuilding streets and helping move theater wall.

City May Sue Opioid Manufacturers

Murphy wants city attorney to consider suit for damages from opioid epidemic.

Board of Supervisors Creates City-County Joint Taskforce on Climate and Economic Equity

The Milwaukee Common Council passed a companion resolution to create the taskforce at its Tuesday, July 9 meeting.

Lime Demos Scooters In Advance of Launch

Milwaukee rollout "could be today" or "next couple of days... It's imminent," says Lime rep.

Three Scooter Companies Apply to Operate in Milwaukee

Lime, Bird and Spin could all have scooters on city streets in the coming weeks.

The Diplomat on Brady Now Serves Lunch

And: That Brady St. burger place. Plus: Uncle Buck's locates near Deer District.

Committee Okays City Pedestrian Plan

98 pages with 100 actions suggested. But will any of it be funded?

A Grand Update on The Avenue

Plus: downtown streetscaping improvements and lots of historic preservation news.

Council Protects Tenants Seeking Lead Hazard Remedies

Ordinance prohibits evictions of tenants seeking advice or service for lead hazards.

New Burger Shop for Brady Street

Serving "Milwaukee fare": Butter burgers, custard, sausages and sandwiches.

Council Passes New Tow Truck Rules

Private operators must must file forms regarding any "drops". Next could be report cards.

Scooters Legalized But Not on Sidewalks

City's action means scooters could be back on streets soon, but fined for using sidewalks.

Evers Signs Bill Legalizing Scooters

Mayor says scooters could be back on Milwaukee streets in a few weeks.

Mayor Barrett Nominates Griselda Aldrete to be Director of the Fire and Police Commission

Most recently, Aldrete has served as President and CEO of Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee.

State funding for youth summer jobs wisely restored by Governor Evers

A statement by Alderman Cavalier Johnson July 3, 2019

Supervisor Moore Omokunde Calls for Joint City-County Effort on Climate and Economy

"Some of the challenges we face economically can be solved by addressing our challenges with climate change."

Timing of Wisconsin Conservatory of Music renovation positions it as unique DNC entertainment venue

Construction of the Conservatory's back lot expansion, expected to cost $1.3 million to $1.6 million, will begin in July.

Eduardo Loera Announces Bid to Succeed Ald. Bob Donovan

Loera’s experience as a pastor and helping serve the homeless is a great foundation to replace Ald. Donovan.

Council Grabs More Design Oversight

Bauman reaches compromise with Marcoux. Council gets some say on new overlay zones.

Will Streetcar be Extended by the DNC?

Mayor, aldermen differ on whether rail extension can be completed for national convention.