Cavalier Johnson

Milwaukee Tool Deal Gets First Approval

But labor leaders call for community benefits agreement for service sector workers.

City Must Decide How To Spend $405 Million

Latest federal COVID-19 stimulus plan creates pleasant challenge for mayor, council.

Milwaukee Could Suspend Street Lighting Fee

But property owners will need to pay at least once.

Police Chief Search Loses a Top Candidate

Malik Aziz will become police chief in Maryland. Will this benefit Acting Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman?

City Rejects Hawley Rd. Flood Settlement

Residents left soaked with costs after settlement agreement falls apart. Their attorney thinks it might cost even more to sue.

Top Local Elected Officials Get Vaccinated

County Executive and Board Chair and Common Council President urge everyone to get their shots.

Council Approves New Deal for The Couture

After infighting, City Hall clearing way for $188 million tower.

Deal on The Couture Pending

Common Council will review revised agreement for $188 million tower Friday morning.

Redevelopment Authority Wants Riverfront Parking Lot Developed

Plus: Bucks get permission to continue to use Park East land for parking for two more years.

City Attorney Blocking The Couture

Spencer won't sign off on revised deal for downtown tower, saying Ald. Bauman overstepped his authority.

Council Closes Gene’s Supper Club

Multiple shootings in past year drive police, neighbors and alderman to seek bar's closure.

Another Council Committee Opposes Wilson

Majority of council opposes Ann Wilson's reappointment to Fire & Police Commission.

City Pushes Century City to Make USPS Trucks

Council members and mayor urge Oshkosh Corporation to consider Milwaukee location.

It’s Official, Old World Third Will Be MLK Drive

Barrett and council members reflect on racial division and what the renaming symbolizes.

Alex Lasry Files To Run for Senate

Bucks VP is one of many Democrats interested in seat.

FPC Members, City Attorney Blew Off Inspector General Interview Requests

Fallout and confusion from the Morales fiasco gets worse.

Evers’ Budget Proposal Would Allow Milwaukee Sales Tax

City and county officials have been pursuing option for over a year.

Attorney Didn’t Want Inspector General Report Made Public

Publication threatens the city's defense in Morales case argues Spencer.

Hunger Task Force Targets Food Deserts

Mobile Markets makes two stops every week day bringing fresh, affordable foods to neighborhoods.

Mayor Could Lose Control of Historic Preservation Commission

Bauman and council committee support council president appointing HPC members.

Fire Department HQ Being Renamed For Wisconsin’s First Black Architect

Alonzo Robinson was a trailblazing architect

City Bans Discrimination Based on Hairstyle

In unanimous vote, Milwaukee passes local version of CROWN Act.

Council Overrides Mayoral Veto, Wants Power To Fire Police Chief

Council wants Legislature to give it firing power. Mayor's veto of this fails.

Council Confirms Avalos, Adds Tie-Breaking Vote to Fire & Police Commission

But a potential issue awaits with looming rejection of Ann Wilson's reappointment.

Council Okays Federal COPS Grant, But…

Police department agrees to certain conditions for grant intended to reform operations.

The Election Official Behind Milwaukee’s Recount

How Claire Woodall-Vogg got through an unprecedented election.

Milwaukee’s Traffic Fatalities Surge in 2020

Despite big decrease in traffic. Do emptier roads encourage reckless driving?

Council Wants Control Over Police and Fire Chiefs

Seeking changes to state law to give city's elected officials control.

Council Moves To Reject Federal COPS Grant

Means 30 fewer officers, leaving Milwaukee down by 150 officers in 2021.

Waukesha, Milwaukee Celebrate Huge Water Project

$286 million, 36-mile-long project begun, will bring Milwaukee water to Waukesha.

Council Delays on Federal COPS Grant

Would fund 30 positions, prevent more police reductions, but presents future fiscal issues.

How Nate Hamilton Became a Leader

The late Dontre Hamilton's brother takes responsibility for his family and his city.

Troubles at Fire & Police Commission

12 staff vacancies, no director, three board vacancies. Committee grills Barrett aides for answers.

$1.6 Billion Adopted Budget Raises Fees, Cuts Police

City's fiscal challenges continue to mount under state restrictions, rising costs.

Alders Want Police Chief Search Paused Following FPC Resignations

City struggles to find stability in police oversight body.

Committee Approves Over 20 Amendments To Milwaukee Budget

Amendments target violence prevention, housing, lead abatement and more.

Almost Half of Budget Amendments Are Policy Footnotes

Footnotes call for a racial equity audit, benches in vacant lots, lead-safe property database and much more.

Lead Poisoning and a Listening Session

More funds needed to protect city’s children. And more media attention to the issue.

Barrett, Others Stump for Biden-Harris

State's Democrats debut new "bus" today as part of get-out-the-vote push.

New Commission Seeks Police Reforms

Led by Nate Hamilton, Community Collaborative Commission will work with MPD and FPC.

City Leadership Weak on Police Reforms?

Serious reform of race-based stops by Milwaukee police not happening, report on federal court settlement finds.

Have You Made Your Voting Plan?

City uses Voter Registration Day to encourage people to prepare for November election.

Admiral’s Wharf Project Targeting December Groundbreaking

RACM approves $1.5 million loan for environmental cleanup.

Census Bureau Says 92% of State Households Counted

But Milwaukee count much lower. AG Josh Kaul joins lawsuit to block Census Bureau from quitting early.

Miller Park, Fiserv Forum Will Be Early Voting Sites

Pro sports facilities will serve as two of the city's 18 early voting sites.

Police Cuts Could Hit Minority Officers

Milwaukee Police Department’s Black and Hispanic officers tend to have less seniority.

Black Elected Officials Slam GOP, Kanye West

Leaders from some of the highest offices in the area call it a disrespectful, cynical move.

Council’s Police Reform Wish List Grows

Council wants still more changes, but can only request Fire & Police Commission to enact them.

Citizen Group Unhappy with MPD’s Community-Oriented Policing

Community Collaborative Commission says MPD's latest report falls short of recommendations.

City Announces Upgrades for Fall Election

Steps to improve voting by mail, higher pay for poll workers, plan for 171 polling places.

Council Seeks Police Reform, But Will It Happen?

Common Council has a growing wish list. Will Fire & Police Commission act?

Mask Mandate Passes Committee

Proposal would require masks indoors and outdoors, but with limited enforcement.

Black Members Blast Council President

Chevy Johnson won't take on 'status quo and complacency,' says former president Hamilton and six others.

Milwaukee Mask Mandate Scaled Back

Special council committee to debate it. Outdoor requirement scaled back, minimum age raised.

Election Commission Leader Barely Confirmed

Approved by 8-7 vote, with council members charging she lied during approval process.

What Is And Isn’t In Milwaukee’s Mask Mandate

Proposal requires a mask indoor and outdoors, fines up to $500 for repeated violations.

Milwaukee’s Homicide Rate Has Doubled

86 homicides already in 2020, versus 43 at same point in 2019.

Should Police Report Every Time They Draw Weapon?

MPD says it's a paperwork burden. Alderman says he's not looking for a Master's thesis.

Dimitrijevic Introduces Mask Mandate

Mayor Barrett and council President Johnson endorse a city-wide mandate.

75 Businesses Demand a City Mask Mandate

Pabst Theater Group, Colectivo, Fiserv Forum, Bartolotta join call for action.

Villard Commons Rises

New apartment building rises on Old North Milwaukee main street.

Juneteenth Flag Flies Over City Hall Complex

City flies flag for the first time as county and state follow suit.

Homicides Way Up In County This Year

Up from 47 to 80 at this time last year, with most (73) in the city.

Council Proposes 10% Police Budget Cut

11 council members back $30 million cut and investing in other programs.

Police Blame Mayor, Council For Murder Rate

Department uses official account to say budget cuts driving murder rate higher. Data doesn't prove link.

City Holds Emergency Council Meeting To Approve Voting Sites, Why?

Move expands early voting access from three to 16 sites.

Is Chief Morales Doing a Good Job?

Council members ask for citizens' views in preparation for performance review of police chief.

City Officials Grill Police on Tactics

Still more questions on 6th and McKinley, as council, mayor disagree with police tactics.

State, City Elected Officials Call for Police Reform

Activists, Alders, lawmakers and the governor are calling for policy changes.

Council President Chevy Johnson Joined the Protest

Are Police Overreacting to Protests?

So says ACLU, others. Others want a tougher response. What’s the proper balance?

Community Leaders List Changes Protestors Want

Demands push for more racial equity, major changes in state, local and police policies.

Many Milwaukee Leaders Support Protests

Community leaders, politicians release statements, Common Council calls for Milwaukee Police reforms.

8 Ways to Democratize Milwaukee

There never was a better time to think big for this city.

Johnson Chooses Powerful Committee Chairs

Not every supporter rewarded. New council president says picks reflect experience, not politics.

Up From 53206

New generation of leaders in their early 30's, Crowley, Nicholson, Johnson, all raised in poorest ZIP code.

City Trails State, Nation in Census Response

Each non-response could cost Milwaukee $1,600 per year for next decade.

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.

City Clerk Faces Surprise Opposition

Nikiya Dodd leads charge to replace Jim Owczarski with Theodore Lipscomb.

Five Women Make Council History

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

Johnson Elected Council President

Second-term Ald. Cavalier Johnson defeats Ashanti Hamilton and Milele Coggs.

Proposal Would Mail Milwaukee Voters Absentee Request Forms

Proposal from incoming Dimitrijevic would make it easier for people to vote in November election.

White City Worker Wins Racial Bias Payout

Health department employee's claims involve former interim commissioner Patricia McManus.

Plastic Straw Ban Went Into Effect, Did Anyone Notice?

As of yesterday, city restaurants and bars must obey. Which is the least of their concerns.

City Approves Wisconsin Center Deal

Expansion approved and could pay $1 million per year to Milwaukee. But Bauman, others doubt it.

Council Delays Convention Expansion?

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

Milwaukee Will Cut Down 900 of Its Ash Trees

Federal grant funds replacement of trees ravaged by Emerald Ash Borer.

Ballots Won’t Have Duplicate Gerrymandering Questions

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

Committee Approves Large Solar Deal After Contentious Debate

Ald. Bob Bauman's amendments attempt to set baseline, grow value of deal.

Crowley Rising in County Exec Race

He and Chris Larson look likely to make it through the February primary.

Meet the City’s Millennial Task Force

Presenting the 15 members and challenges (Millennial brain drain!) they must address.

Is Tire Disposal Fee Causing Illegal Dumping?

Council wants data, raises concerns.

Committee Debates Snow Plowing Performance

Are the city's strategies working? Council members want changes.

Proposal Targets “Forever Plastics”

Proposal by Supervisors Dimitrijevic and Nicholson bans use of non-biodegradable plastics in county facilities.

Council Inches Toward Universal Basic Income

Proposal will create a framework, needs philanthropic support.

Meet the Candidates for City Offices

Packed spring election features 46 candidates for 19 city offices.

Officials Advance $500/Month Basic Income Plan

Are you low-income and want $500 per month? The city has a pilot plan, almost.

Could Strauss Plant Deal Be Revived?

Ald. Johnson working to save deal, Barrett holds out hope, community meeting planned.

Council Bans Most Plastic Straws

Use by bars and restaurants prohibited unless customers request them.