Nik Kovac

Bauman Wins Preservation Funding By Sacrificing Deconstruction Funds

Did he open the door to the council taking the remainder of the deconstruction fund?

The Tire Bounty Is Back

Bauman again pushes idea to end tire dumping. Will the proposal pass this time?

Milwaukee Officials Trying To Understand Impact of Trump’s Federal Aid Freeze

Freeze could have massive impact, causing service cuts, layoffs and shutdowns.

Streetcar Confronts Limited Funding, Operations Challenges

System manager Andrew Davis-Lockward was forced to resign in 2024.

Meet The Eight Candidates Running To Replace Brostoff

Special election for third district aldermanic seat draws large field.

District 3 Aldermanic Candidate Narrowly Survives Nomination Challenge

Election Commission reverses decision. Eight candidates are running for eastside seat.

Snow Plowing Debate Airs Grievances, Floats Ideas

Council members want better service, maybe even gold-plated streets you can eat off of.

Proposed East Side Apartments Will Go Before The Neighbors

For the second time in 20 years, developer trying to turn parking lot into housing.

Milwaukee Creates Economic Hardship Waiver For Keeping Chickens

After budget amendment failed, Ald. Burgelis finds new way to issue free chicken coop permits.

Bauman Fighting Bureaucracy On Restoring Vacant Homes

A web of state laws, legal opinions and politics slows effort to renovate blighted homes.

Council Rejects Mayor’s Vetoes, Finalizes 2025 Budget

In less than 5 minutes, council restores money for its operations and for road repair.

Daniel Bauman Enters Race to Replace Brostoff With Major Endorsements

Bauman announces campaign with endorsements of Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Diana Vang Brostoff.

Mayor Johnson Issues Several Budget Vetoes

And council pays out $3 million in legal claims and settlements.

Special Election Called For Brostoff’s Third District Seat

Open race in city's highest-turnout aldermanic district could draw many candidates.

New City Sales Tax Compounds Challenge Recruiting Police and Fire Fighters

Under Act 12 Milwaukee could lose funding if it can't hire enough recruits.

Council Boosts Road Repair In Adopting 2025 Milwaukee Budget

City services maintained through increases to property taxes and fees.

Committee Marks Up Milwaukee Budget With Amendments, Footnotes

Council raids personnel accounts to pay for services it says constituents demand.

Milwaukee To Issue More Parking Tickets at Higher Prices in 2025

Strategy part of effort to fund other city services, improve parking access. But is it a stealth way to fund The Hop?

Milwaukee Planning Innovative Fire Repair Shop, Suburbs Could Join

Milwaukee is at a 'blinking red light hazard zone' with its current facility.

Despite Mayor’s Objections, Council Reallocates More Than $4 Million

But the big question remains - how will council spend its transformation fund?

Amendment Would Shift Money From Demolishing Homes To Fixing Them

And deconstruction effort again on the drawing board.

Alderman Spiker invites residents to town halls focused on the 2025 City Budget

Policy Forum Says Milwaukee’s Future Finances Are “Precarious”

But Act 12 has delivered substantial benefits to city's fiscal health.

6th District budget town hall meeting happening tomorrow

Mayor Johnson’s Budget Hikes Fees, Taxes In 2025, Maintains Services

See what's included in budget to be presented Tuesday morning.

New Council Most Diverse In Milwaukee History

The largest number of Black, women and LBGTQ+ members in history. Meet all 15.

Meet the Candidates For City Office

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

Elected Officials Pay Hike Wins First Endorsement, Opposition

Multi-million dollar proposal also includes raises for dozens of department, division leaders.

Will There Be a City Attorney Race?

Candidates must collect 1,500-3,000 signatures. Where is the incumbent?

New Couple Attempting To Build House On Tricky Historic Site

But commission indicates it will eventually approve design.

2024 Milwaukee Budget Increases Services, Taxes

New sales tax allows city to avoid drastic cuts, but comes at a cost.

Tentative Deal Would Salvage Milwaukee’s Deconstruction Program

Northcott Neighborhood House could step in to do work for long-delayed program.

Budget Amendment Would Boost Libraries, Streets, Voting and Lead Abatement

Proposal from Alderwoman Dimitirjevic and Council President Pérez aims to boost services across city.

Council Wants New Deal, Says Convention Center ‘Outsmarted’ City

No revenue sharing payments to city expected for next two years under 2020 deal.

Fire Department Debating Which Station To Reopen

For first time in years, MFD thinks about growth. Down to three options.

District 3 residents invited to town hall meetings regarding 2024 city budget

Milwaukee Could Get $5 Million Citizen-Led Transformation Fund

But council members have plenty of questions about Mayor Cavalier Johnson's proposal.

Mayor Unveils 2024 Budget With New Sales Tax

But a massive deficit still looms for Milwaukee.

City Sees 1.14% New Construction Growth

Such growth is critical for cities like Milwaukee if they hope to increase the tax levy.

Food Trucks Banned On Portion of W. Silver Spring Drive

Alderman says grills, pop-up shoe sales have occurred on busy street.

Mayor Johnson Signs 2% Sales Tax Into Law

"Something huge, something major, something extraordinary," says Johnson of revenue deal, averting fiscal cliff.

Common Council Approves 2% Milwaukee Sales Tax

But members blast policy provisions state is imposing. Mayor says vote was equal to one to create city in 1846.

Town Hall Meeting To Discuss Sales Tax Proposal Set For Monday

EIGHTEEN87 Adding Riverfront Affordable Housing

Permit filing indicates new building will soon rise immediately to its west.

Joint town hall meeting to discuss sales tax proposal set for July 6

Council Committee Endorses 2% Sales Tax

And blasts state policy restrictions while insisting tax is far from a 'Milwaukee bailout.'

Milwaukee Has Very Ambitious Climate and Jobs Plan

Alderwoman Dimitrijevic and ECO director Erick Shambarger seek to transform the city.

The Ins and Outs of Milwaukee’s Financial Future

Republican legislators can't agree on how many strings to attach to funding proposal.

Assembly Republicans Have Plan To Help Milwaukee, Will It Work?

Proposal would increase shared revenue and enable sales tax for Milwaukee, with strings attached.

City May Close Libraries, Cut 25% of Police and Fire Departments

Milwaukee faces $156 million fiscal cliff without state help.

Council Bans Food Trucks Along Four Blocks of Water Street

Unanimous vote for stretch north of bar district may be precursor to citywide regulations.

Milwaukee Could Ban TikTok

Security-driven decision could end free advertising medium for public library and other uses by city.

City Faces Problems With 911 Call Center?

Millions spent, repeated delays and hours of closed door meetings suggest a problem launching system.

Court Strikes Down City’s Towing Policy

No more public filing of towing costs required of companies. But ruling allows drop fees.

Gas Station Porn Video Spurs Revamp of City’s Licensing Process

It's a strange tale, with three suits against the city forcing council to change its process.

Council Approves Vape Shop Moratorium

No new e-cigarette stores until August. City must now craft a regulatory framework.

City Residents Push for Lead Cleanup at ARPA Meeting

Coalition on Lead Emergency questions how last $92 million in federal funds will be spent.

City Seeks To Limit New Vape Shops

But questions abound on the legality and strategy of any bans or limits.

Council Overrides Mayor Johnson’s First Vetoes

Actions finalize 2023 budget with no cuts to libraries or fire department.

Chambers, Brostoff Sworn In As Aldermen

New council members welcomed by colleagues, face budget veto override vote next week.

Mayor Vetoes Library, Fire Service Cut Restorations in 2023 Milwaukee Budget

In making first veto, Johnson offers compromise to Common Council.

Mark Chambers, Jr. Wins Aldermanic Seat Last Held By Cavalier Johnson

State Rep. Jonathan Brostoff also wins seat on Common Council.

New House Hits Snag With Historic Commission

Home owners must come before commission a third time with revised plan in December.

When Will Nikiya Dodd Resign?

Alderwoman returns after six-week absence, declines to answer any questions from press.

Council Reverses Cuts, Raises Fees In Adopting 2023 Milwaukee Budget

But police will still see service reduction and drastic cuts will come in future years without changes at state level.

Where Is Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd?

Alderwoman is expected to resign, has missed last two council meetings.

10 Ways to Make City More Sustainable

Climate change task force plan offers 'big ideas' to make Milwaukee more sustainable and equitable.

Council Beefing Up Negotiation Team In Advance of Public Safety Contract Talks

Funding comes from City Attorney's Office.

Mayor, Council At Odds Over How To Prepare For Fiscal Cliff

But there is unanimous agreement that city faces a looming crisis.

Milwaukee Spending $1.5 Million On Lawsuits, Including Two Police Conduct Cases

And another $1.5 million in settlements is pending.

Library Poised To Cut Services At 5 Branches In 2023

Council debates what libraries and if service could be restored.

Cream City Brick House Proposed For East Side

Developer Juli Kaufmann would build new residence with reclaimed brick.

Neighbors Give Up, Historic Commission Rules Summit Homes Not Historic

But proposed apartment building still needs zoning change.

What Two Fire Stations Will Milwaukee Fire Department Cut?

Or will an influx of Medicaid money stave off cut?

City Loses Again In Bid To Prevent Columbia Hospital Demolition

All of the windows now gone from the building while city seeks appeals court ruling.

Treasurer Coggs Rejects Budget Cuts

Mayor's proposed budget eliminates temporary workers, could begin eliminating practice of paying taxes in person.

Juneteenth Now An Official City Holiday

Ald. Milele Coggs leads the charge for full city recognition after 2014 'halfway measure'.

Mayor Johnson Introduces First Budget

Budget raises fees, taxes, cuts police, library hours as a result of 'broken' state funding system.

Fight Over Former Columbia Hospital Heads Back To Court

City appeals ruling, seeks to block UWM's further demolition of hospital.

It’s City Budget Education Week

Why does Milwaukee face a fiscal crisis? What can be done? Virtual events will provide answers.

Who Will Run To Replace Hamilton and Lewis?

Four of 15 Common Council seats are vacant or due to be. Is Rep. David Bowen running?

UWM Demolishing Former Columbia Hospital

City could still sue, but time is running out.

Chambers vs. Ballard For Common Council Seat

Chambers gets 60% of vote in three-way primary to fill mayor's former council seat.

All The Candidates In Aug. 9 Primary Election

Including contested races for governor, U.S. senator, Congress, sheriff, clerk of circuit court.

Mayor Johnson Goes To Harvard

Milwaukee's leader among 40 mayors participating in Harvard City Leadership Program.

Work Underway on East Side Affordable Apartments

New building located at the northern end of Water Street

Historic Commission Okays 55-Unit East Side Apartment Building

But St. Mark's church project may face a more contentious zoning hearing.

Court Says UWM Can Demolish Columbia Hospital

City loses suit opposing this and may decide not to appeal decision.

Mayor Johnson’s New HR Director Gets Committee Endorsement

Harper Donahue would move from the City of Madison to Milwaukee.

ARPA Funds Can’t Plug City Budget Hole

Deficit keeps growing and even devoting every ARPA dollar to it won't solve problem.

Thurman’s Is Back From The Dead

Closed for more than a year, the baseball/Grateful Dead-themed bar off Brady Street returns.

How to Make Your Voice Heard Without An Alder

2nd and 3rd districts, formerly held by Mayor Johnson and Nik Kovac, now lack representation.

Ieshuh Griffin Booted From Ballot In Two Aldermanic Races

Griffin attempted to run to replace both Cavalier Johnson and Nik Kovac.

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.

Special Election Called For Kovac’s Seat

Veteran alderman is now the city budget director. Primary would be on August 9

Three Candidates Running To Replace Cavalier Johnson On Council

Including one candidate that just challenged Johnson for mayor.

Committee Backs Kovac For Budget Director

A unanimous vote for alderman, whose resignation is expected to occur May 9.

Milwaukee Adding 37 New Wards

Supreme Court ruling changed state legislators for some city residents, requiring additional map revisions.

Ryan Clancy Launches Campaign For State Assembly

County supervisor is backed by Rep. Brostoff, who he is running to replace.

Mayor, Students Celebrate Arbor Day With Tree Planting

Mayor Johnson, DPW plant trees along 30th Street corridor with students from nearby schools.

Contribution to David Crowley of $30