Lena Taylor

Senate Passes New Reading Test for Early Grades

Modeled on Mississippi plan. Democrats call it meaningless without more spending on education.

Still No Facility To Replace State’s Youth Prisons

Two deadlines to close the prisons have been missed, and plans for new facility have stalled.

Catalytic Converter Thefts Prompt State Legislation

New bill would require ID and proof of ownership upon sale.

Lena Taylor Is Running For Lieutenant Governor

Veteran state senator would be first Black woman to hold the position.

So Much For An Independent Redistricting Process

County committee rejects its own independent redistricting committee's recommendations.

Big Changes Needed In Political Districts

Population changes in Madison, metro Milwaukee require redrawn legislative and congressional seats.

Kaul Supports Gun Bills Proposed by Democratic Legislators

Bills includes increased background checks and new court orders blocking individuals from gun possession.

Leaders Celebrate New Mental Health Center

Huge gathering of officials for project lauded as momentous, exciting and historic.

Mayor’s Race Looks Like a Wild One

Wide open, with lots of candidates, no obvious favorites and so much at stake.

Donovan, Taylor Eyeing Mayoral Runs

Former alderman, state senator lead pack of those likely to join Cavalier Johnson in special election.

Lawmakers Back Milwaukee Youth Prison

Bipartisan group seeks $43 million to fund replacement for scandal-plagued Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake facilities.

Lawmakers Request Civil Rights Probe of Tosa PD

Rep. Gwen Moore and Sen. Tammy Baldwin ask Justice Department for investigation.

Mandela Barnes Enters Senate Race

Long-rumored run by Lt. Governor becomes official and targets Ron Johnson.

Milwaukee Legislators Push Legalizing Fentanyl Test Strips

Community advocates working with addicts say test strips would save lives.

State Senate Debates Anti-Defund Police Bill

Bill cuts state aid to cities at same level as any reductions in law enforcement spending.

Bowen Introduces Package of Policing Bills

The Milwaukee representative introduced a slate of legislation titled "Enough is Enough."

9 Takeaways on Local Marijuana Laws

City and county moving toward reform but arrests and convictions still happening.

Bill Would End ‘Municipal Shuffle’ of Police Officers

Legislation by Rep. Moore Omokunde would decertify police officers trying to avoid firing, investigation.

Legislative Committee Reviews Policing Bills

Wanggaard, Taylor push legislation on use-of-force policies, chokeholds and whistleblower protections.

Bill Would Expand Community-Oriented Policing

Bipartisan legislation funds additional COP houses in high-crime neighborhoods.

Bill Punishes Milwaukee, Madison

GOP bill backed by Lena Taylor gives police power in FPC disciplinary actions of cops.

Legislature Passes Many Bills

Full agenda on Tuesday of mostly partisan legislation, much of it heading for governor’s veto.

Bill Would Limit Police Chokeholds

But not a total ban. Bipartisan legislation supported by Sen. Lena Taylor.

Bill Bans Discrimination Against Black Hairstyles

CROWN Act expands racial discrimination protections to hairstyles like braids, locs, twists.

Meet the District 4 School Board Candidates

Aisha Carr and Dana Kelley both have a flock of endorsements.

Bay View’s Most Valuable House Has New Owner

Former alderman Tony Zielinski sells both of his houses, now lives in Florida.

State Senate Beset by Culture Wars

Rush Limbaugh vs. Black history, LGBT protectors vs GOP objectors, the arguments get ugly.

Senate Passes Bill To Prevent Rape Kit Backlog

Bipartisan bill passed one year ago, but Assembly resisted.

GOP Bill Cuts Funding for Cities that ‘Defund Police’

Any reduction in law enforcement spending would be matched by a reduction in state funding.

Honoring Limbaugh But Not Black History

Republican legislators back resolution to honor Rush, resist celebrating Black History Month.

Shorewood Chooses Affordable Housing

Suburb makes history with its use of TIF district. Could this influence other suburbs?

Where Are Act 10 Players Today?

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

The Education of Sherwin Hughes

Talk show host for 101.7 The Truth talks about growing up in Milwaukee.

Assembly Passes Business Tax Waiver on Pandemic Aid

And Senate passes GOP COVID-19 bills that could be vetoed by Gov. Evers.

Vos ‘Behaving Like a Bully,’ Democrats Charge

After 10 months with no COVID-19 response bill, frustrated Democrats condemn their colleagues.

Wisconsin’s 4th Branch of Government

COVID-19 may have more influence on governing than the executive, legislative and judicial branches.

Legislators Argue Over Masks, Capitol Access

And much more. Senate allows virtual attendance but Vos requires in-person Assembly.

Republican Legislators Unveil COVID-19 Plan

Speedy passage expected. Evers spokesman chides legislators for not working on bipartisan bill.

Meet the Man Behind ‘Milwaukee in Pain’

Documentary, “Milwaukee In Pain,” by Theo Rogers explores how COVID-19 has affected the Black community.

Half Of Legislative Seats Already Decided?

Probably. And why? Gerrymandering.

Mural of Black Leaders Unveiled

New mural on 14th and Vliet depicts leaders young and old, alive and dead.

Suburb’s Equity Leader Seeks ‘Good Trouble’

Wauwatosa Equity and Inclusion Commission chair Sean Lowe fights for change in the city.

The Curious Campaign of Michele Bryant

Why is a Democratic state senator’s chief of staff running against another Democratic senator?

Ten Years After Act 10

Most of those who voted for it are gone. How has the Capitol changed?

Can Police Be Defunded?

Milwaukee spends 125 times more on cops than violence prevention. Chief Morales fights call to change funding priorities.

Stop Denying Systematic Racism

It’s real and affects all our policies and institutions.

Black Lives Matter Has LGBTQ+ Voices

Two of local movement’s founders who identify as queer say it's also about LGBTQ+ Black lives.

Juneteenth Flag Flies Over City Hall Complex

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

272 Candidates Running for State Legislature

Highest number since 2012, many contested primaries.

Thousands March While Attorney In Custody For Spitting In Protester’s Face

Giannis and other Bucks players show up at one of seven marches.

Elected Officials Join the Protest

8th Night of Marches Leads To South Side

Nitty and Coleman lead marchers through the south side and back.

Sen. Taylor Blasts Mayor Barrett’s Police Commission Plan

State, City Elected Officials Call for Police Reform

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

Nitty Leads Peaceful March While Protecting Against Assassination

Seventh-day is a charm as two large marches take place without incident

12 Election Takeaways

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

21 Winners and Losers

Beyond the candidates, what was the election about, who were the other winners and losers?

2020 Spring Election Results

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

Lena Taylor’s Aide Suspended by WNOV

Michele Bryant accuses station’s owner of selling out to Mayor Barrett.

Mayoral Candidate Sues To Delay Election

Lena Taylor's suit alleges African Americans disenfranchised by city's changes to early voting.

Barrett, Taylor Debate Remotely for Mayor

Barrett says he's a stable hand in tumultuous time. Taylor she's already leading.

Mayoral Candidates

Barrett versus Taylor for a four-year term leading the Cream City.

Dark-Money Group Slings Mud in Comptroller Race

Group backing Rep. Jason Fields produces attack ads against his opponent, Aycha Sawa.

Do Probation Agents Need Protection?

Legislators debate bill adding penalties, possible jail time, if probation agents or their families threatened.

Molson Coors Shooting Restarts Gun Debate

Democrat legislators speak up about gun safety reforms.

Two Opposite Visions of Criminal Justice

State Reps. Evan Goyke and Joe Sanfellipo espouse different visions for law enforcement in Wisconsin.

Police Association Files Ethics Complaint Against FPC Chair

MPA files ethics complaint against Steven DeVougas, chairman of the Fire & Police Commission

Strauss Closes Door on Milwaukee Move

Plus: An abandoned basement discovered in former Grand Avenue Mall.

14 Election Winners, Losers

Beyond the ballot totals, behind the scenes, who were the other election winners and losers?

9 Election Takeaways

What did we learn? The results versus 2016. And the coming ad blitz and voter turnout.

2020 Spring Primary

The results from Tuesday's election.

Mayoral Candidates

Four candidates vying to advance to general election. First in our series of previews.

Presenting the “Real State of the City”

Mayoral candidate, State Sen. Lena Taylor, offers stinging rebuttal to Barrett's speech.

Fight Looms Over Tough-on-Crime Bills

Republican bills would jail more people. Democrats resist, align themselves with Trump.

GOP Adds More “Tougher On Crime” Legislation

New bills increase penalties for offenses like car theft and reckless driving.

Gerrymandering Has Racial Bias, Evers Says

Black disenfranchisement still happening, governor declares at Black History Month event.

Meet the Candidates for City Offices

Packed spring election features 46 candidates for 19 city offices.

Conservative in Mayor Race Ejected

Republican David King failed to submit enough valid signatures, vows court appeal.

Delivery Tax Isn’t Legal, Says City Attorney

But Lena Taylor disagrees. Is 60 cent fee on food deliveries a tax or a fee?

Delivery Tax Could Help Fix Potholes

Ald. Dodd's proposal imposes 60 cent fee on third-party deliveries like Uber Eats.

Milwaukee Legislators Target Racial Inequality

'Disrupting Disparities’ proposals by African American lawmakers include criminal justice reforms.

Chief Morales Reappointed for Four Years

Commission grants police chief a full term, requires public meeting, reports.

FPC Fumbles Police Residency Points

Months of confused meetings fail to pass residency points for police promotions.

Could Strauss Plant Deal Be Revived?

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

Stunned Council Grills FPC Director

"It all doesn't add up" two aldermen say, while Hamilton says questions were answered.

Taylor Blames FPC Problems on Mayor

Mayoral opponent accuses Barrett of mismanagement, corruption, cronyism.

Who Lost the City Residency Rule?

Lena Taylor blames Mayor Barrett. But did she fight the state law killing residency?

Barrett Officially Declares Re-Election Bid

Mayor running for 5th term, hopes to serve 20 years as city's leader.

Taylor Slams Barrett Over Residency

Mayoral candidate cites losses since residency requirement ended by Legislature.

Evers, Democrats Tackle Discrimination

Executive order requires state agencies to review workplace policies, set equity goals.

Poll Shows Barrett Way Ahead

Zielinski, Taylor do poorly and more voters favor streetcar.

Proposal Lets County Workers Staff the Polls

Board supports employees getting paid time off to work at polling sites.

Republicans Dismiss Governor’s Special Session

Two houses immediately adjourn session on guns. They lack “the courage” to take on issue, Evers says.

Senate Votes to Kill Governor Veto Power

Approves putting constitutional amendment on ballot to restrict partial veto power.

Campaigning on the Taxpayer’s Dime?

Changes in state law open door to abuses, campaigning by government workers.

Business Leader Blasts Council on Strauss Deal

Hamilton and council members are to blame for losing hundreds of jobs, Sheehy says.

Lurie’s Bay View Proposal Revived

Plus: MPS unveils new schoolyards, Cambria hotel opens, Athea expanding chemical plant

Pipeline Bill Opponents Hope for Veto

Republican-created bill would limit protests of oil, water, fuel pipelines. If it passes, will Evers veto it?

Who Lost the Strauss Brands Deal?

State Sen. Lena Taylor helped kill a deal bringing hundreds of jobs to depressed Century City area.

Who Will Run for County Executive?

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