Milele A. Coggs

The Election Official Behind Milwaukee’s Recount

How Claire Woodall-Vogg got through an unprecedented election.

Vote No on COPS Grant

We don't want the grant today, tomorrow or next month.

Council, Mayor Clash Over Police Grant

Nine council members blast Barrett, claiming he's not committed to police reform.

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.

Committee Backs Leon Todd to Lead FPC

Attorney gets council committee approval to run troubled Fire & Police Commission.

Forest Home Library Not Historic, Alders Vote

Committee overturns historic designation for 1960s building, full council vote to come

Dilapidated Building To Become Community Resource Hub

Plus: A recap of the week's real estate news.

Council Delays on Federal COPS Grant

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

Council Overrides One of Two Barrett Vetos

Veto of added funding for lead abatement program was overriden on 11-4 vote.

Melissa Allen Planning Harambee Development

Plus: A rundown of the week's real estate news.

Barrett Issues Two Budget Vetoes

Mayor targets funding source for lead abatement, neighborhood watch programs.

New Plan To Replace MLK Library

City hoping fourth time's the charm for Martin Luther King Library.

Troubles at Fire & Police Commission

12 staff vacancies, no director, three board vacancies. Committee grills Barrett aides for answers.

$1.6 Billion Adopted Budget Raises Fees, Cuts Police

City's fiscal challenges continue to mount under state restrictions, rising costs.

Alders Want Police Chief Search Paused Following FPC Resignations

City struggles to find stability in police oversight body.

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.

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.

Police Chief, Alderman Fight Over Use of Canines

Chief says it's an infrequently used safety tactic, Rainey say it's "barbaric."

MPD Survey Shows Police Perception Divided Along Racial, Economic Lines

Researcher says key takeaway is for MPD officers to exercise compassion in any interaction.

Community Groups Propose Changes

Twelve groups invited to speak and push less spending on police and more on lead abatement, other programs.

City Could Lose 30 More Police Officers

Federal grant rules could mean cutting 30 more than proposed cut of 120 cops.

Council Backs New Handling of 911 Calls

Wants MPD and FPC to develop approach where unarmed professionals handle non-violent social issues.

City’s Ballot Boxes Getting Heavy Use

The 15 drop boxes for early voting getting heavy use. Poll worker recruitment going well.

Boys & Girls Clubs Close 6 Locations

Families lost childcare following closures.

Council Okays Expanded King Dr. Business District

14-0 vote by Common Council. Neighborhood association had opposed it.

How Much Did DNC Cost Milwaukee?

Audit pending. Officials hope all security costs of convention are reimbursed by federal government.

120 Officer Cut May Be Just The Beginning

The Milwaukee Police Department will have fewer officers in 2021, but the question is how many?

$85 Million Bronzeville Project Now “ThriveOn Collaboration”

Project on track to open in early 2022.

A Future Vision for Villard Avenue

Plans call for protected bike lanes, new park, food halls and pet-friendly beer garden.

MLK Drive Business District Bullies Property Owners

Voices of property owners ignored in rush to expand business improvement district.

See All of Downtown Milwaukee’s New Murals

From otters to activists, Milwaukee is awash in new public art.

Mural of Black Leaders Unveiled

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

Community Trust in Police Is Broken

Activists say police profiling and violence in communities of color must stop.

Assessment Commissioner Keeps His Job

Once expected to face a close vote, Steve Miner gets council approval on 13-2 vote.

Council’s Police Reform Wish List Grows

Council wants still more changes, but can only request Fire & Police Commission to enact them.

Milwaukee Federal Agent “Surge” Nothing New?

Different than Portland, continues past help, Chisholm and DeSiato explain.

Ald. Coggs Wants To Increase Internet Access

Remote work and education has made internet access a necessity.

Developers Will Rehab Locust St. Building

Buyers making jump from homes to commercial buildings, will rehab vacant 1875 building.

Plumber Buying City Owned Property

City acquired 96-year-old building on Atkinson through tax foreclosure. Owner to rehab for office and apartment.

$1 Million For ‘Really Unique Project’

Headline: Journal Sentinel building from 1960s would become housing for MATC students.

Council Might Fire Assessor Steve Miner

Assessment Commissioner finds little support from Judiciary & Legislation Committee.

Council Spending Hours Reviewing Barrett’s Appointments

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

Marlene Johnson-Odom Park Proposed

Committee approves naming children's park after council's longest serving woman and Black member.

Milwaukee Adopts Mask Mandate

Council unanimously adopts indoor and outdoor mandate. Goes into effect Thursday.

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.

Election Commission Leader Barely Confirmed

Approved by 8-7 vote, with council members charging she lied during approval process.

What Should Or Shouldn’t Be in Milwaukee Mask Mandate?

Council debates ordinance before its written.

Council Grilling, But Advancing Mayoral Appointees

Most being confirmed unanimously after long meetings.

Crump Wins Committee Support to Head DCD

New commissioner would serve in one of most visible, influential administration roles.

Election Director Appointee Pulls Out

Says she was working 18-hour days in worst year of her life and told to be less honest to be confirmed.

Fire & Police Commission Director Wins Committee Support For Reappointment

Griselda Aldrete gets committee support, but needs to pick up five votes from the full council to keep her job.

Council Committee Debates Oversight For Police Military-Grade Purchases

Would require approval for all purchases.

BLACK WMNZ Emancipation March

March honors Black women, protests injustice.

Black Lives Matter Mural Covers Milwaukee Intersection

MLK and Locust now sports colorful mural with powerful message.

Juneteenth Flag Flies Over City Hall Complex

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

Community Paints Black Lives Matter Mural at MLK and Locust

“Black Lives Matter” To Be Painted on Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.

Artist Vedale Hill leads Juneteenth community mural creation.

Council Wants No Pay for Suspended Officers

Seeks change in state law so city can stop paying suspended cops charged with felonies.

Council Okays Planning for 10% Police Cut

Requires city budget office to model what cut would look like, in time for fall budget debate.

Common Council Threatens City Shakeup

Votes to hold every Barrett cabinet appointment, wants systemic change in all city operations.

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.

Chief’s Crucifixion Message Panned by Council

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

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.

King Drive Cleanup Draws Hundreds

De facto center of George Floyd protests spiffed up. "This is our city," says volunteer Pamela Bell.

Suburbs’ Policies Ignore Science, Kowalik Charges

Suburban elected officials overruling health officers on COVID-19, city official charges.

86 Homeowners Getting Property Tax Help

Foundation's anti-displacement fund gives $38,356 to owners in four city neighborhoods.

Assessment Appeal Deadline Extended

City board gives three week extension, to June 8, for homeowners appealing new assessments.

Over 6,000 Get Tested At Free Milwaukee Testing Sites In Three Days

Demand remains strong each day as Milwaukeeans embrace no-appointment, drive-thru testing.

Council Debates Assessment Process

Alders unhappy. Assessor gets grilled about home value hikes in certain neighborhoods.

Five Fifty Ultra Lofts in Deer District

Apartment building provides activation to Deer District that is unusually quiet.

City To Furlough, Cut Hours For 750 Employees

Revenue down $27 million in pandemic and city forced to make cuts.

Johnson Chooses Powerful Committee Chairs

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

Assessments Up 9% to $30.5 Billion

New values were calculated prior to COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

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.

City Approves Wisconsin Center Deal

Expansion approved and could pay $1 million per year to Milwaukee. But Bauman, others doubt it.

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.

Mayoral Candidate Sues To Delay Election

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

Common Council Candidates

Ten contested races could reshape 15-member council.

Convention Center District Authorizes $420 Million Expansion, Raises Hotel Tax

District still aiming for 2023 opening even though bonds can't be sold.

City Could Get Cash From Convention Center Expansion

Wisconsin Center District still pushing for expansion even though it can't sell bonds.

Council Overrides Mayor’s Veto

Should Friends of Housing contract be terminated? Did mayor violate attorney-client privilege or council violate city charter?

Council Delays Convention Expansion?

9-4 vote seeks to prevent convention center expansion during pandemic.

National Ave. Affordable Housing Moves Forward

But is it ugly? Committee debates design of Thirteen31 building at 13th and National.

Milwaukee on 70-Year Pace To Replace Lead Laterals

What will the city do for property owners that want to voluntarily replace their laterals?

City Wants $5 Million of Hotel Tax Per Year

Council may rescind support for convention center expansion without its historic cut of tax restored.

Black Women Business Owners Seek Success

Sherman Phoenix business incubator helps them overcome obstacles in challenging city for black women.