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Is Demolishing High Life Theatre A Good Idea? Even Consultant Won’t Say

Is Demolishing High Life Theatre A Good Idea? Even Consultant Won’t Say

More questions than answers as 'highest and best use committee' starts its work.

MKE County: Supervisors Want Audit After Health Care Fiasco
MKE County

Supervisors Want Audit After Health Care Fiasco

In wake of the contracting scandal, elected officials seek answers.

MKE County: Who Screwed Up the County Health Care Contract?
MKE County

Who Screwed Up the County Health Care Contract?

Lots of blame on the county employee who was fired. But there's more to the story.

MKE County: Supervisors Tentatively Approve Suspicious Health Contract
MKE County

Supervisors Tentatively Approve Suspicious Health Contract

Crowley administration pushes approval though not sure of financial details and employee who oversaw contract was fired.

Convention Hotel, Theater Demolition Plan Gets Cold Reception

Convention Hotel, Theater Demolition Plan Gets Cold Reception

Skepticism about viability, quality of report.

MKE County: ‘Red Flags’ Abound in Suspicious $450 Million County Health Contract
MKE County

‘Red Flags’ Abound in Suspicious $450 Million County Health Contract

Board members blindsided by massive contract. Attorneys warn of 'catastrophic risk.'

MKE County: MCTS Didn’t Report Deficit to County Board For Two Months
MKE County

MCTS Didn’t Report Deficit to County Board For Two Months

Crowley administration denies it was informed. Transit system now plans cuts.

Transportation: MCTS Hires Outsider As New Leader
Transportation

MCTS Hires Outsider As New Leader

Beleaguered transit system just saw its third director in three years depart.

Transportation: Who Will Lead MCTS?
Transportation

Who Will Lead MCTS?

Have recent resignations affected the search for a new CEO?

Transportation: Transit Union Gives Leader Strike Authority
Transportation

Transit Union Gives Leader Strike Authority

MCTS is facing a budget deficit, political blowback and, now, labor unrest.

Transportation: Budget Deficit Fallout Grows, Head of MCTS Resigns
Transportation

Budget Deficit Fallout Grows, Head of MCTS Resigns

Transit system CEO is second official to resign since surprise deficit announcement.

Transportation: County Transportation Director Resigns
Transportation

County Transportation Director Resigns

Donna Brown-Martin resigns after shocking MCTS budget deficit revealed.

Transportation: After Shocking Budget Shortfall, County Orders Up MCTS Audit
Transportation

After Shocking Budget Shortfall, County Orders Up MCTS Audit

County executive, board and comptroller all caught off guard by $11 million deficit.

MKE County: County Faces $47 Million 2026 Budget Deficit
MKE County

County Faces $47 Million 2026 Budget Deficit

Comptroller report shows county short of solutions to chronic structural deficit.

Murphy’s Law: Mayor, Democrats Target Rep. Ryan Clancy
Murphy’s Law

Mayor, Democrats Target Rep. Ryan Clancy

Why are they opposing incumbent Democrat? In a word, they hate him.

MKE County: Elected Officials Lobbied Board for 36% Pay Hike
MKE County

Elected Officials Lobbied Board for 36% Pay Hike

Actions by constitutional officers raises ethical concerns, county executive's office says.

MKE County: Meet The New Milwaukee County Board
MKE County

Meet The New Milwaukee County Board

When the next legislative cycle begins, there will be four new supervisors.

MKE County: Liz Sumner Wins County Comptroller Race
MKE County

Liz Sumner Wins County Comptroller Race

Two-term county supervisor will replace longtime comptroller Scott Manske.

2024 Spring Election Results

2024 Spring Election Results

MPS referendum and county exec, mayor, Common Council and County Board races all on ballot.

Vote April 2: Meet the Candidates for County Office
Vote April 2

Meet the Candidates for County Office

And read the analysis of each race and bios for each candidate.

Vote April 2: Meet the Candidates for County Office
Vote April 2

Meet the Candidates for County Office

And read the analysis of each race and bios for each candidate.

MKE County: County Board Wants Ceasefire In Gaza, But Only By A Narrow Margin
MKE County

County Board Wants Ceasefire In Gaza, But Only By A Narrow Margin

Fight over underlying language divides board.

MKE County: Committee Backs Housing Voucher Incentives
MKE County

Committee Backs Housing Voucher Incentives

Program would incentivize landlords to accept tenants receiving rental assistance.

MKE County: Huge Turnout Supports Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Resolution
MKE County

Huge Turnout Supports Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Resolution

But committee rejects language accusing Israel of 'genocide' and can't agree on resolution.

Cavalier Johnson Is All In On Growing Milwaukee

Cavalier Johnson Is All In On Growing Milwaukee

Annual State of the City speech places growth plan front and center.

MKE County: Board Funds Crisis Housing in Uptown Neighborhood, Demurs On Southside Dog Park
MKE County

Board Funds Crisis Housing in Uptown Neighborhood, Demurs On Southside Dog Park

Plus: A controversial penguin project is funded, funding for southside dog park is paused and 'high-impact' parks projects are funded.

MKE County: Second Candidate Joins Race for County Comptroller
MKE County

Second Candidate Joins Race for County Comptroller

Capital Midwest Fund partner Michael Harper will run against Sup. Liz Sumner.

MKE County: Board Extends Racine Jail Transfer Contract
MKE County

Board Extends Racine Jail Transfer Contract

Sheriff's office says it needs this option in case of overcrowding.

MKE County: Board Approves Affordable Housing Funding, Bike Trail, Solar Study
MKE County

Board Approves Affordable Housing Funding, Bike Trail, Solar Study

Plus: A new overlook for the improved Kletzsch Dam.

MKE County: Supervisor Pushes Kletzsch Park Dam Overlook
MKE County

Supervisor Pushes Kletzsch Park Dam Overlook

$309,000 project would increase access to river, allow portage for canoes, kayaks.

MKE County: Anne O’Connor Running for North Shore County Board Seat
MKE County

Anne O’Connor Running for North Shore County Board Seat

O'Connor is co-founder of Bay Bridge, an advocacy organization focused on racism and segregation.

MKE County: Board Adopts 2024 Budget, Setting Up Battle With Crowley
MKE County

Board Adopts 2024 Budget, Setting Up Battle With Crowley

The county executive's administration has already pushed back against some of the amendments.

Transportation: Supervisors Recommend Funding for On-Demand Paratransit, Despite Objections
Transportation

Supervisors Recommend Funding for On-Demand Paratransit, Despite Objections

Though the funding is likely not enough, and would be realized by issuing debt.

MKE County: Board and County Exec At Odds Over Debt, Spending
MKE County

Board and County Exec At Odds Over Debt, Spending

Board wants to surpass debt limit given new sales tax, surplus.

MKE County: What’s The Future of The Charles Allis Art Museum?
MKE County

What’s The Future of The Charles Allis Art Museum?

One county budget amendment funds safety repairs, another seeks to end future contributions.

MKE County: Milwaukee Is First County To Recognize ‘Rights of Nature”
MKE County

Milwaukee Is First County To Recognize ‘Rights of Nature”

County Executive Crowley signs resolution, backed by Native American tribes.

MKE County: Budget Committee Recommends Correction Officer Raises
MKE County

Budget Committee Recommends Correction Officer Raises

Budget amendment would raise starting pay to $30 an hour.

MKE County: Comptroller Manske Won’t Seek Reelection
MKE County

Comptroller Manske Won’t Seek Reelection

A county employee since 1992, Manske became the county's first elected financial officer in 2011.

MKE County: Supervisors Waste $300,000
MKE County

Supervisors Waste $300,000

Three supervisors stall parks project at McKinley Marina, costing taxpayers $300,000.

MKE County: Board Halts Medical Travel Subsidy For Abortions
MKE County

Board Halts Medical Travel Subsidy For Abortions

With abortions resuming in state, supervisors hold off on medical travel program.

MKE County: Supervisors Support ‘Rights of Nature’ Policy
MKE County

Supervisors Support ‘Rights of Nature’ Policy

Committee approves it. Full board could become first in state to endorse the movement.

MKE County: South Shore Breakwater Getting Emergency Repairs This Fall
MKE County

South Shore Breakwater Getting Emergency Repairs This Fall

But 2023 budget politics may have killed appetite for long-term repairs.

MKE County: Supervisors Engage in the Great Sales Tax Debate
MKE County

Supervisors Engage in the Great Sales Tax Debate

See how and why each supervisor voted the way they did for new tax.

MKE County: Supervisors Debate Sales Tax Hike
MKE County

Supervisors Debate Sales Tax Hike

Does the board have the 12 votes needed to approve this critical measure?

MKE County: County Sales Tax Hike Gets First Approval
MKE County

County Sales Tax Hike Gets First Approval

County officials detail future cuts without sales tax plan, as Parks Department is halved and senior centers eliminated.

Back in the News: Actually, County Comptroller Could Get $1.3 Million Backdrop
Back in the News

Actually, County Comptroller Could Get $1.3 Million Backdrop

Or $815,000 if Scott Manske is not reelected. That would save taxpayers $485,000.

MKE County: Supervisors Holding Town Halls on Sales Tax
MKE County

Supervisors Holding Town Halls on Sales Tax

Four town halls scheduled this month

Murphy’s Law: County Comptroller Could Get $1 Million Backdrop
Murphy’s Law

County Comptroller Could Get $1 Million Backdrop

Or about $700,000 if Scott Manske is not reelected for another four years.

MKE County: Will County Board Approve Sales Tax Hike?
MKE County

Will County Board Approve Sales Tax Hike?

It's unclear if there's the needed two-thirds majority of board willing to vote for it.

MKE County: Liz Sumner Announces Candidacy for County Comptroller
MKE County

Liz Sumner Announces Candidacy for County Comptroller

Supervisor plans run for county's chief financial officer.

MKE County: Board Approves Jail Probe, Opposes Brewers Subsidy
MKE County

Board Approves Jail Probe, Opposes Brewers Subsidy

Plus: Board sends abortion proposal to attorney's for additional review

Estabrook Beer Garden Sets Grand Opening

Estabrook Beer Garden Sets Grand Opening

2023 kickoff on April 21 will feature free beer, live music and stein holding contest.

Transportation: While Future Uncertain, County Extends Paratransit Taxi to September
Transportation

While Future Uncertain, County Extends Paratransit Taxi to September

County initially planned to discontinue service due to new federal regulations.

MKE County: Board Releases Funds for Park Projects
MKE County

Board Releases Funds for Park Projects

County board approves $1.3 million in maintenance, repairs and new projects for parks.

MKE County: Board Almost Blocks Juvenile Justice Funding
MKE County

Board Almost Blocks Juvenile Justice Funding

A majority of supervisors voted to hold on a $42 million contract without appearing to know what the impact would be.

MKE County: Milwaukee Youth Commission Appointments Confirmed
MKE County

Milwaukee Youth Commission Appointments Confirmed

18 high school students appointed to new youth commission.

Transportation: County Board Rejects The ‘Fix at Six’
Transportation

County Board Rejects The ‘Fix at Six’

Board still maintains a policy of opposition to I-94 expansion, but won't support this alternative.

MKE County: Board Considering Abortion Referendum, Again
MKE County

Board Considering Abortion Referendum, Again

Board would place question on April ballot after failing to approve November election proposal.

MKE County: Will Public Pools Open in 2023?
MKE County

Will Public Pools Open in 2023?

Board adds funding to budget, but lifeguard shortage could still be a problem.

MKE County: Board Adopts 2023 County Budget
MKE County

Board Adopts 2023 County Budget

Board spent nearly 12 hours debating amendments, what passed?

MKE County: Lake Park Neighbors Seek Control of Bluff
MKE County

Lake Park Neighbors Seek Control of Bluff

Wahl Ave. residents have already clear cut top of bluff, now want special access to all of it.

MKE County: Disabled Riders Decry End To Taxi Service
MKE County

Disabled Riders Decry End To Taxi Service

Transit Union demands more funding, others push sheriff budget cuts at public budget meeting.

MKE County: Board Considers Abortion Rights Proposal
MKE County

Board Considers Abortion Rights Proposal

After protests at his home, Sup. Rolland pushes resolution asking county lobbyists to advocate for state abortion law.

MKE County: Crowley Vetoes Downtown Roller Rink
MKE County

Crowley Vetoes Downtown Roller Rink

Roller rink in Red Arrow Park won't happen this summer, but idea may not be dead.

MKE County: Board Approves Two Fall Referendums
MKE County

Board Approves Two Fall Referendums

A third referendum gauging public support for legal abortion did not pass.

MKE County: Downtown Roller Rink Looks Unlikely
MKE County

Downtown Roller Rink Looks Unlikely

Board struggles to find funding, plan lacks true budget and rink won't be ready for this summer.

MKE County: Nicholson Shuffles Board’s Leadership
MKE County

Nicholson Shuffles Board’s Leadership

Chairwoman resets board's balance of power, and punishes a rival, with new committee assignments.

MKE County: Crowley Signs Paid Parental Leave Bill
MKE County

Crowley Signs Paid Parental Leave Bill

Bill expected to have small fiscal impact and big payoff for families and social equity.

MKE County: Election Shakes Up County Board
MKE County

Election Shakes Up County Board

Five of 18 supervisors will be new. Longtime Sup. John Weishan, Jr. upset by Peter Burgelis. A sixth new face could be coming.

2022 Milwaukee Spring Election Results

2022 Milwaukee Spring Election Results

Election results for mayor and county board.

Vote Tuesday: County Board Candidates
Vote Tuesday

County Board Candidates

Seven districts out of 18 have competitive races. See who is on your ballot.

MKE County: County Set to Pass Paid Family Leave
MKE County

County Set to Pass Paid Family Leave

8 weeks paid leave for employees has support of board and county executive.

MKE County: Red Arrow Park Could Be Summer Roller Rink
MKE County

Red Arrow Park Could Be Summer Roller Rink

Parks will develop a plan to operate a roller rink for when winter ice skating shuts down.

2022 Spring Primary Election Results

2022 Spring Primary Election Results

Election results for race for mayor and three county supervisor races.

MKE County: Supervisors Push Federal Review of State Funding
MKE County

Supervisors Push Federal Review of State Funding

Is huge decline in state aid to county a violation of residents' civil rights?

MKE County: Proposal Aims To Recruit More Lifeguards
MKE County

Proposal Aims To Recruit More Lifeguards

Major lifeguard shortage closed pools in 2021.

MKE County: Sheriff Projects $3.9 Million Overtime Deficit
MKE County

Sheriff Projects $3.9 Million Overtime Deficit

Sheriff blames understaffing. Finance Committee does not accept his report.

MKE County: Lake Park Bridge Needs $1 Million More
MKE County

Lake Park Bridge Needs $1 Million More

Cost now at least $3.4 million to repair historic footbridge designed by Olmsted.

MKE County: Wilson Park ‘Car Garden’ Approved
MKE County

Wilson Park ‘Car Garden’ Approved

27th Street BID would create unique garden with plantings, paths and shells of classic cars and trucks.

Sherman Park Could Get New Basketball Court

Sherman Park Could Get New Basketball Court

Dallas-based Nancy Lieberman Charities has offered to fund a "dream court."

MKE County: Supervisors Push To Be Bike Trail Czars
MKE County

Supervisors Push To Be Bike Trail Czars

Parks committee approves resolution giving it approval power over bike trails maintenance, alterations.

MKE County: Resolution Cuts Pot Possession Fine to $1
MKE County

Resolution Cuts Pot Possession Fine to $1

Sup. Ortiz-Velez's county resolution will be mirrored by Glendale proposal, says Mayor Kennedy.

County Supervisors Back $1 Pot Penalty

County Supervisors Back $1 Pot Penalty

8 board members push plan slashing $500 penalty for possession.

MKE County: Bradford Beach Restaurant Advancing
MKE County

Bradford Beach Restaurant Advancing

Concessionaire plans to add full-service restaurant to historic beach house.

MKE County: Board Adopts 2021 Budget
MKE County

Board Adopts 2021 Budget

Tax levy increase of 0.59%, many amendments and delays to electric buses and hemp growing.

Committee Rejects Sheriff Cuts

Committee Rejects Sheriff Cuts

But it also passed a widely supported increase in spending for services like housing and youth justice.

The Rock Sports Complex: Noise Pollution at Suburban Stadium?
The Rock Sports Complex

Noise Pollution at Suburban Stadium?

Franklin's Rock Sports Complex is partly on county land. County proposal would study the noise level.

Nicholson Elected County Board Chairwoman

Nicholson Elected County Board Chairwoman

Marcelia Nicholson beats Willie Johnson, Jr. out for leadership of the county board.

MKE County: New Board Sworn In at a Parking Lot
MKE County

New Board Sworn In at a Parking Lot

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

MKE County: Fox Point Trustee to Run for County Board
MKE County

Fox Point Trustee to Run for County Board

"Relatively frugal" liberal Democrat Liz Sumner to run for seat Lipscomb is vacating.

The State of Politics: Democratic Program Recruits Women Candidates
The State of Politics

Democratic Program Recruits Women Candidates

Emerge program’s training give women the confidence to run for office.

Campaign Cash: Unions Go Big for Mahlon Mitchell
Campaign Cash

Unions Go Big for Mahlon Mitchell

No candidate got more from outside groups, who spent $412,300 on Democratic candidate for governor.