Cavalier Johnson

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.

Council Overrides Every Barrett Veto

Without debate Common Council overrides mayor, keeps 59 amendments to budget

117-Year-Old School Getting Transformed

Developer will turn MPS school he once attended into 40-unit apartment complex.

City’s Millennial “Brain Drain” Raises Concerns

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

Proposal Aims To Eliminate Plastic Straws

Would prevent restaurants from providing straws, unless customers request them.

Aldermen Push Gender Neutral Bathrooms

Council members working with Equal Rights Commission to advance inclusive policy.

Snow Delays Leaf Collection Until 25th

Snow storms extend cutoff. You now have 11 more days to sweep leaves into the street.

Council Cuts Police, Adopts $1.6 Billion Budget

Council wrestles with huge fiscal challenges due to rising police costs, declining state aid.

Council Okays St. Augustine’s $30 Million Plan

One of city's fastest-growing schools plans substantial expansion.

Remembering Mildred Harpole

Beloved activist for education equity, equal rights, dies in her 80s.

Who Will Run for County Executive?

The list is long and could get longer. Handicapping the favorites. 

RACM Approves Land Use for Meat Processing Plant

While council stalled financing package, RACM okays land use change affecting Strauss Brands.

City Voters Will Get Gerrymandering Referendum

Common Council adds question on nonpartisan legislative districts to the April ballot.

Anonymous Crime Reporting Service Launches

"Crime doesn't pay, but Crime Stoppers does," says Alderwoman Chantia Lewis.

Council Debates Indigenous Peoples’ Day

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

Is The City Ready to Plow Snow?

City has 28,405 tons of salt and 414 pieces of equipment ready to clear 1,472 miles of city streets.

Should Milwaukee Ban Plastic Straws?

Some alderman seem in favor. It's one of the few single-use plastics the city could ban.

Alderman Urges Gun Control After Attack

Ald. Cavalier Johnson’s car struck by reckless gun fire, cites emotional trauma for his child.

Spiker Wins Seat on Common Council

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

Aldrete Will Lead Police-Fire Commission

Attorney, third FPC leader in three years, brings diverse background to challenging job.

Take It EZ, Donovan Urges

New public-private initiative targets reckless driving in the city.

Alderman Seeks Fireworks Restrictions

Citing rampant fireworks use, Johnson pushes state law to prevent sales across county lines.

Aldermen Blast City’s Call Center

Should you call 286-City to report a pothole? Don't bother, some aldermen say.

Five Takeaways from Yesterday’s Election

The race for Terry Witkowski's seat had surprises -- and key lessons.

Free Streetcar Rides Planned for 2020

City hopes to maintain free rides to keep up ridership but this could leave funding gap.

City Confident Couture Won’t Block Streetcar

Federal grant at risk if lakefront extension to The Couture isn't running by end of 2020.

Council Rejects Barrett’s FPC Appointee

Fire and Police Commission appointee gives "petulant" presentation, rejected by council.

Oh, Those Dreaded Plastic Bags

Council debates what to do with bags that clog up recycling process.

A Town Square for Downtown Milwaukee

City proposes Vel R. Phillips Plaza along W. Wisconsin Ave. with cafe and streetcar stop.

Council Says Marcus Center Not Historic

Votes down designation and compromise to save Kiley grove with a friends group.

11 Key Facts About Streetcar Extensions

Love the idea? Hate it? Either way we have all the details.

The Cold War With We Energies

Bauman, other aldermen believe city is charging too little for utility's use of city land.

Meet the City’s Pothole Patrol

Turns out those frequently maligned parking checkers do more than issue tickets.

Will Mayor’s Veto of Food Truck Ban Stand?

Council could override but two aldermen have switched to Barrett’s side.

City Approves DNC Contract

City expects $50 million from federal government to pay for security.

Any City Progress on Affordable Housing?

Has Barrett's 10,000 homes initiative had an impact? Council members give mixed grades