Michael McCann

Chisholm Reflects on Time as Milwaukee’s Top Prosecutor

He has served for 17 years as DA, overseeing turbulent times in city's history.

District Attorney John Chisholm Won’t Seek Reelection

Chisholm has served as Milwaukee County District Attorney since 2007.

‘Tangled Series’ of Abortion Laws Since 1849

Wisconsin has had many laws passed on abortion which could cause confusion if Roe overturned.

Governor Walker Appoints Paul Dedinsky to Serve as Milwaukee County Judge

Paul Dedinsky has over 25 years of legal practice including over 20 years serving as a prosecutor in Milwaukee County from 1997-2017.

John Chisholm On the Hot Seat

DA addresses police-community relations, death penalty, other questions in Q&A at MATC.

Can Dallet Win Supreme Court Primary?

Outspoken Madison liberal Tim Burns stands in her way.

Eliminating community prosecutors very, very bad for Milwaukee

Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan - July 24, 2017

Bruce O’Neill, longtime trial attorney, dies

The John Chisholm Road Show

He discusses his handling of crime, staff turnover and that "partisan witch hunt."

How the old Ad Lib nightclub rewrote the rules of Milwaukee nightlife

The Bizarre War Against John Chisholm

What’s more peculiar, his opponent, or the complicated plot to defeat him?

Herb Kohl endorses Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm for re-election

“John Chisholm has proven to be an innovative and effective leader as District Attorney,” said Senator Kohl.

How Community Prosecutors Prevent Crime

Special unit focuses on collaborating with community and crime prevention.

Milwaukee’s Massive Pedophile Priest Problem

Boston gets all the attention in the movie ‘Spotlight’, but Milwaukee’s problem may be just as bad.

Will County Pass Another Pension Giveaway?

Board members favor a “grandfather clause” protecting retirees with illegal payments that could cost taxpayers $10 million.

Why Didn’t Chisholm Go After Democrats?

Republicans say the John Doe probe proves bias. So does the federal suit against DA. Are they right?

Recall Effort Targets John Chisholm

DA targeted by right wingers outraged by John Doe and liberal blacks angered by suspects killed in custody.

America Discovers Sheriff Clarke

Clarke appears on Piers Morgan with Tom Barrett and gets beat up by both Morgan and the mayor.

Sykes’ Suspicious Smokescreen

Charlie Sykes uses anonymous interview to claim the “family” putting up voter fraud billboards fears for its safety.

Why Photo ID is Dead

The Republican law will never become legal, because of Wisconsin’s unique constitution

Donovan Plays to His Base

"They said he should be governor."

The Governor and the Empire Builder

The Inaugural

Marvin Pratt did not stand up with the crowd when Tom Barrett was inaugurated mayor, and the press has made a good deal of the slight. However, just after Judge Louis Butler administered the oath of office to the new mayor, Barrett’s first comments were to commend Pratt, and the former acting mayor did stand up and take a bow. The ceremonies were held April 20th outside of City Hall in some perfectly dreadful Milwaukee spring weather. So, who was the idiot who came up with that idea? “I’m the idiot who thought to hold it outside,” fessed up Kris Martinsek. After all, the president is inaugurated outdoors in January. However, January in Washington is not nearly as unpleasant as Milwaukee in April. The stage was set up on Wells Street, facing east. Upon the stage sat Milwaukee’s new leaders, including the mayor, the common council, the comptroller, treasurer, city attorney, city clerk and a municipal judge. Their families sat out in the street and in the adjacent park next to the Frank P. Zeidler Municipal Building. Frank P. Zeidler was there himself, sandwiched between Marvin Pratt and Senator Herb Kohl. Kohl was dressed as he always is around here. He wore a shirt, a tie, a Milwaukee Bucks cap and a windbreaker. Except for the tie, he pretty much looked like the guy who harvests aluminum cans from my recycling bin. If he tried to walk on to the floor of the United States Senate in that getup, the sergeant-at-arms would toss him out. But this is Milwaukee, the “come as you are” capital of America, and he fit right in. Barrett has made a list of 18 things he wants to accomplish in his first hundred days in office. I don’t know if reducing the police overtime budget is one of them, but the men in blue were certainly racking up the hours during the interminable ceremony. The aldermen were sworn in sequentially according to district. Each alderman then gave a little speech. The last district, the 15th, is occupied by Willie Hines, who is now the Common Council president. He then gave a big speech. He began by saying, “my ascent to the Council Presidency is not a compromise or consolation prize for the African-American community.” This was an effective way to defuse speculation that his election was a compromise or consolation prize, and was a rather sharp thing to do. Hines also insisted that corruption will not taint his council. (We’ll check back on that in four years.) His delivery was generally quite good, and had a hint of religious fervor to it. Moments earlier, he did have a slip up. When Valarie Hill was about to be sworn in as municipal judge, Hines said, “The City Clerk will now come to the altar – er, the podium – to take the oath.” Also, when Hines introduced the new mayor he called him “Mayor Marvin Pratt – er, Mayor Barrett.” These things happen. The Common Council […]

Why Scott McCallum Is In Big Trouble

It was amusing to see the photo of Gov. McCallum that ran on the front page of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last week.

Has the Teacher’s Union Taken Over the GOP?

It was not long ago that the state teacher's union was the designated villain for Republicans.

How The County’s Pension Fund Grew And Benefited A Few

Last year was a terrible year for stock funds, but it wasn't so bad for Milwaukee County's pension fund.

How Tom Ament Gave Himself a Golden Parachute

Observers have often described county government as an "old boy's club," where veteran politicos and long-term county employees get preferential treatment.

Why Republicans are Dumping on Jim Doyle

Republicans are squirming about a state investigation of the legislative caucuses, and their attack dogs are going after Attorney General Jim Doyle to try to prevent it.