JoCasta Zamarripa

The Rise of José Pérez

How high school dropout rose to become first Latino Common Council president in Milwaukee history.

Street Lighting Still Burning Issue For City

Lights are frequently out. Council allocates $20 million to replace them, but effort may take years to complete.

MPD Temporarily Lost More Than 8,000 Citations

Offenses including speeding, disorderly conduct, assault and battery had no follow-up after ticket issued.

How Alex Lasry Rose in the Polls

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

Perez Shakes Up Committee Assignments

Musical chairs game has new leaders at the helm of city's most powerful committees.

Community Land Trust Comes To Town

Nonprofit creates affordable housing and equity through land leases, initial subsidies.

Perez Elected Common Council President

Ald. Jose Perez is first Latino to lead council. Fills vacancy created by Johnson's election as mayor.

Workers Seeking Raises Find Open Ears, Empty Pockets

Pension cliff and stagnant wages are pushing city toward a 'tipping point.'

JoAnna Bautch Hired to Lead VIA CDC

Bautch replaces Brianna Sas-Pérez at helm of near-southside nonprofit.

Milwaukee Mask Mandate Expires

Lasted less than six weeks. But businesses and organizations can still require masks on their premises.

Dimitrijevic’s Parental Leave Policy Passed

Council votes 10-2 in favor, but measure reduced from 12 to six weeks paid leave.

City Suspends Southside Bar

Failure to address nuisance designation leads to two-week suspension for La Caleta.

Anti-Harassment Policy Expanded After City Attorney Case

Effort took more than a year, from investigation to enactment.

Mask Mandate Anticipated To Go Into Effect Saturday

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson signs measure into law. Lasts until Mar. 1.

Council Ends Redistricting With Anger, Tears

Council members call process unfair, unjust and infuriating. How did things go wrong?

Milwaukee Enacts (Soft) Mask Mandate

Largely ceremonial rule applies to publicly-accessible buildings and businesses, ends March 1.

City Moving Toward Cash Vaccination Incentives, Free Rapid Tests

But first the city must figure out how it can purchase the tests.

Milwaukee Starts Over On Redistricting, Only To Adopt Same Map Again

Effort to expand Latino influence won't stand up to legal challenges says City Attorney. Alderwoman says council "hoodwinked" and "railroaded."

Council Moving To Institute Mask Mandate With No Enforcement

Would apply to all publicly-accessible, indoor businesses and organizations in the City of Milwaukee.

Council Suspends Downtown’s ELMNT Lounge For 60 Days

Action taken after police and others argue over how a homicide near bar was handled.

Council Halts Redistricting After Latino Pushback

After approving a map in November, council rejects it, to allow more community feedback.

City Could Make Speed Humps Cheaper

Committee approves slashing cost for property owners by 69% to combat reckless driving.

Barrett Vetoes Redistricting Map

Voces de la Frontera lobbied for a veto to push council to create third Hispanic district.

Group Introduces Nine Options To Create Three Latino-Majority Council Districts

But none have majority Latino voting age populations today. Will Barrett veto?

Barrett Pushed To Veto New Council Map

Voces de la Frontera calls for creation of third majority-Hispanic district.

Council Okays ‘Warp Speed’ Redistricting

City officials forced to work quickly, with one council member objecting to new plan.

Committee Recommends Few Budget Amendments

No fee increases and few changes as council braces for next year's fiscal cliff.

Council Strikes Deal On How To Spend $179 Million ARPA Allocation

Housing, lead abatement, child care, police recruits, violence prevention, a new MLK library and more.

Common Council Has 7 Times The Ideas As It Has Funding

82 ideas for how to spend $394.2 million federal grant. What will council choose?

Latest City Attorney Controversy Causes Council Infighting

Dodd vs Zamarripa is an extension of Tearman Spencer vs City Hall

Democrats Lose Experience In Legislature

10 years of Republican control helps creates Legislature with less experienced Democrats.

Turmoil, Toxic Work Environment at City Attorney’s Office

Resignation forms cite ethical violations, poor treatment of women & more by Tearman Spencer.

Census Data Shows Changing Milwaukee Demographics

Fewer white residents citywide, but shrinking population totals in many majority-Black neighborhoods.

Committee OK’s ARPA Funding for Ambulances, Reckless Driving and Eviction Prevention

Finance & Personnel Committee recommends spending $14 million of city's $394 million ARPA allocation.

Proposal Requires Vaccinations for City Employees

More than 6,000 city workers would need to get vaccinated or face weekly testing.

Six Council Members Want Tougher Pandemic Rules

Push mayor for indoor mask mandate and mandatory vaccinations for city employees.

New Ordinance Could Remove Elected Officials

For undefined 'inefficiency' or 'neglect of duty.' Alders slam the proposal.

Should Milwaukee Eliminate Fine for Small Amounts of Marijuana?

Council tables a proposed policy change, but could pass measure on July 7th.

Milwaukee Overdose Map Shows Deadly Toll of Fentanyl

Despite rising deaths, a treatment clinic faces community opposition in West Allis.

Milwaukee’s Lead Program Fails Again

Scale of problem currently limited to one family in Bay View, but full review planned.

Vaccination Rate Below 20% in One Milwaukee Neighborhood

But your sewage doesn't lie, COVID-19 case rates are declining in the city.

Stimulus Funds Won’t Cancel Streetlighting Fee

Sorry taxpayers, money from fee can't be replaced by pandemic aid, federal rules say.

Council Closes Junior’s Cocktail Lounge

After 22 police calls, $26,500 in COVID-19 fines and many neighbor complaints, council votes to shut down bar.

Council Wants New Harassment Policy

In wake of report chastising city attorney, council unanimously votes to create policy for elected officials.

Barrett Pushes Council To Accept Milwaukee Tool Deal

Council seeking labor agreement for contracted service workers.

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.

Spencer’s Conduct Could Spur New City Harassment Law

Six employees accuse City Attorney but report finds city law doesn't cover elected officials.

Milwaukee Could Suspend Street Lighting Fee

But property owners will need to pay at least once.

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.

Council Committee Rejects MPD Request To Be Featured on Crime Show

MPD sees it as public relations improvement. Alderman sees it as "trauma porn."

Where Are Act 10 Players Today?

Governor and three-fourths of legislators engaged in 2011 battle over law crushing public unions have moved on.

Alex Lasry Files To Run for Senate

Bucks VP is one of many Democrats interested in seat.

Six Steps To Improve Fire Safety

After three fatal fires in two weeks, Fire Department and city officials offer safety tips.

Council Reduces Mayoral Power

A Barrett slap down. 15-0 vote restricts mayor's power over Historic Preservation Commission.

Committee Okays City Funds for Convent Project

School Sisters of St. Francis transforming south-side home into 63 apartments.

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 Okays Federal COPS Grant, But…

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

New City HR Director Impresses Alders

Makda Fessahaye's appointment as employee relations director wins unanimous committee approval.

Crowley Calls Special Election for Supervisor

Board seat open with Sup. Supreme Moore Omokunde's election to State Assembly.

The Election Official Behind Milwaukee’s Recount

How Claire Woodall-Vogg got through an unprecedented election.

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.

Why Republicans Won’t End Election Complaints

It’s no longer about electing Trump. It’s laying the groundwork for voter suppression.

Democrats Slam Assembly Elections Committee

A ‘forum for debunked conspiracies’?

Council Delays on Federal COPS Grant

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

Legislator Pushes Illegal Election of Trump

Committee chair wants to order electors to ignore state vote and give Trump the state’s electoral votes.

Democratic Committee Members Reject Speaker’s Manufactured Controversy

Budget Amendment Would Move Milwaukee Towards “Vision Zero”

Proposal start of an effort to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Committee Approves Over 20 Amendments To Milwaukee Budget

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

The Return of Alternate Side Parking

Mayor insists. council agrees. Beginning in November, residents must again move cars each day.

Special Meeting in Police Chief Search Results in “Chaos”

Chair calls executive director out of order repeatedly, then another commissioner calls chair a dictator.

Night Parking Rules a Tax on the Poor?

Or good public policy? Reinstating night parking is a $13 million question for city.

South Side Mourns Death of Jason Cleereman

Immigration attorney, neighborhood leader lost to senseless killing.

Latinx Community Divided Over Morales’ Exit

Some still support the former police chief, others glad to see him go.

Nine Election Takeaways

Big turnout, delayed votes, new faces in the Assembly and the Constitution Party.

Council Spending Hours Reviewing Barrett’s Appointments

Plenty of praise and criticism for department heads, including Jeff Polenske and Jeanette Kowalik.

Child Care Providers Question Mask Mandate for Kids

The city's new ordinance applies to children three and up.

Zamarripa Defends Her Double Dipping

Alderwoman will collect second full-time salary as state legislator for eight months.

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.

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.

Council Proposes 10% Police Budget Cut

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

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

Move expands early voting access from three to 16 sites.

Chief’s Crucifixion Message Panned by Council

13 members sign letter urging Morales: stop chiding protesters and listen to their message.

City Officials Grill Police on Tactics

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

Bring Your Tires and TVs, Drop Off Centers Are Still Free

Milwaukee's two drop-off centers are now open Sundays, with no fees through at least the end of May.

Johnson Chooses Powerful Committee Chairs

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

How Hamilton Lost Council Presidency

Will bad feelings linger over Cavalier Johnson’s victory?

7 COVID-19 Cases From In-Person Voting?

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

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.

COVID-19 Cluster Growing on City’s South Side

Hispanic community being hard hit by fast growing cluster.

Proposal Would Mail Milwaukee Voters Absentee Request Forms

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

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?

2020 Spring Election Results

Live City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County results for the April 7th Spring Election.

Common Council Candidates

Ten contested races could reshape 15-member council.

Common Council Races

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