Preston Cole

City Official Double Dips to Earn $250,000

Department of Administration head Preston Cole awarded $73,700 raise.

Committee Marks Up Milwaukee Budget With Amendments, Footnotes

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

Mayor Pledges To Get Involved in Schools

Johnson vows to make Milwaukee a city that attracts people because of its schools.

Mayor Names Three to Senior Positions in City Government

Promotions Elevate Current Employees into New Responsibilities

Gov. Evers Announces New Appointments to Newly Reformed Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District Board

District Board changes part of bipartisan deal to keep Milwaukee Brewers, Major League Baseball in Wisconsin through 2050

Milwaukee’s Chief Building Inspector Takes New Job

Erica Roberts swaps building code for computer code.

Fight At City Hall Over Control of Board of Zoning Appeals

Council wants board to be independent of administration, but responsive to aldermanic input.

Council Might Hold Up Mayor’s Changes To Zoning Board

At issue is new chair, two new appointments and oversight by Department of Administration.

City Attorney Pumps Brakes On Council’s Lobbying Changes

Decision is on hold until at least after the August recess.

Council Demands Control of Lobbying, Despite Mayoral Pushback

Mayor and council president at impasse, council set to take more control.

Council, Mayor At Odds On City Lobbying

Council members feel they were left out of state revenue deal, want more control over city lobbyists.

Supreme Court Ruling Will Negatively Impact Wisconsin Wetlands

But perhaps not as much as other states.

Republicans Holding Confirmation Hearings For Gov. Evers’ New Appointees

Agriculture, DNR secretaries get hearings, a marked change from Evers' last term.

Preston Cole Will Lead Department of Administration

Former DNR Secretary and City Hall veteran returning to city government.

Water Quality Is The Priority For New DNR Secretary

Secretary-designee Adam Payne focused on addressing PFAS, other contamination

Evers Appoints New State DNR Leader

Sheboygan County Administrator Adam Payne to replace outgoing Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston Cole.

Senator Agard Applauds Appointment of Adam N. Payne to DNR Secretary

Gov. Evers Appoints Adam N. Payne to Serve as DNR Secretary

DHS Leader Karen Timberlake Leaving Gov. Evers Administration

Timberlake has led Department of Health Services since January 2021.

DNR Secretary Preston Cole Retiring

Cole rose through ranks of Milwaukee's Department of Public Works before taking state job.

Senator Agard Recognizes DNR Secretary Preston D. Cole’s Contributions to Our State

Gov. Evers Announces DNR Secretary Cole Retirement

Proposed 2022 Wolf Management Plan Available Now

Public Comment Period Nov. 10, 2022-Jan. 10, 2023

Wisconsin DOJ Announces $1.65 Million Agreement with Container Life Cycle Management LLC Resolving Air and Hazardous Waste Violations

October 18, 2022

DNR Releases 2022 Air Quality Trends Report

Success In Some Areas, Challenges In Others

Massive Tree Planting & Wetland Restoration Program Inaugural Event to Reduce Flooding Risks in the Region

DNR, WHEDA Host Home And Habitat Fest At Havenwoods State Forest

Event Unites Housing And Natural Resources

Federal Grant To Fund New Lapham Lodge At Kettle Moraine State Forest

Grant Accelerates Construction

Gov. Evers Receives 2022 US Water Prize from the US Water Alliance

DNR Releases Climate Action Report

New DNR Program Promotes Climate Change

State agency help businesses, communities, nonprofits achieve their environmental goals.

Gov. Evers Announces $10 Million to Improve Access to Clean Drinking Water Across the State

Governor's investment and expanded eligibility could help more than 1,000 private well owners

Find Your Adventure; Visit The DNR At Wisconsin State Fair

Wisconsin Bike Fed Releases Wisconsin Bikeways Report

DNR Awarded $2 Million To Assess Brownfields

Gov. Evers, Evers Administration Cabinet Take ‘Cabinet on the Road’ to Western Wisconsin

Gov. Tony Evers, together with members of his cabinet, hosted ‘Cabinet on the Road’ events in Osseo, Altoona, Menomonie, and Eau Claire.

Wisconsin Planted 9M Trees in 2021

Gov. Evers' pledged 75 million by 2030 as part of global initiative.

Gov. Evers Celebrates Arbor Day, Announces Wisconsin Has Planted More Than 9.3 Million Trees Since Signing Trillion Tree Pledge

Gov. Evers Announces Contractor for the Design and Construction of Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower Project, Commits to Funding Project in Next Capital Budget

Joint Finance Committee Meets, Refuses to Discuss Knowles-Nelson Grants

Republicans Demand Transparency While Hiding Behind “Anonymous Objections”

Gov. Evers Announces Funding Available for Municipalities to Voluntarily Test for PFAS in Drinking Water Supplies

Wisconsin DNR Joins Stoughton Utilities For National Imagine A Day Without Water To Celebrate The Removal Of The Last Lead Service Line In The City Of Stoughton

DNR Won’t Meet With Natural Resources Board in September

The Walker appointed chair of the board refuses to step down for Evers' appointee.

Preston D. Cole, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, a panelist for “The Future of Green Jobs,” on August 24 at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society.

Kaul Lawsuit Seeks to Force Walker Appointee Off DNR Board

Fred Prehn’s six-year term expired May 1. AG argues governor can remove him.

Natural Resources Board Doubles Recommended Wolf Kill Quota

DNR recommended 130 wolves for fall hunt, board approved 300.

Sen. Carpenter Blasts DNR Over Wolf Hunt Plans

The Department of Natural Resources is planning a fall 2021 wolf harvest.

DNR Takes On Water Quality Issues Despite Opposition From GOP, Industry

The state regulator is launching a water quality awareness campaign.

Environmental Groups Seek to Intervene in PFAS Case

State’s largest business group challenges DNR’s authority to require testing for toxic pollutant.

Find Your Adventure During Free Fun Weekend

No Park Stickers, Fishing Licenses Or Trail Passes Required June 5-6

DNR Secretary Says PFAS Efforts Need Funding

PFAS identification and cleanup and public land purchases are budget priorities for the agency.

AG Kaul, DNR Secretary Cole Remind Wisconsinites of Tribal Right to Spearfish, Consequences for Interfering

April 1, 2021

WILL Sues Wisconsin DNR for Ignoring State Law Requirement to Schedule Wolf Hunt

DNR is required by 2011 state law to hold wolf hunt between November and February

Representative Stubbs Issues Statement Kicking Off Black History Month

First Female Chief Forester Sees Challenges

Chief State Forester Heather Berklund manages 17 million acres of forest.

State PFAS Plan Would Charge Polluters

Testing public water supplies for "forever chemicals,” then charging polluters to clean up contaminated sites.

Wisconsin PFAS Action Council Releases PFAS Action Plan

Latest Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine Spotlights Seasonal State Park Walks And Outdoors For Everyone

DNR Secretary Appoints Todd Ambs Deputy Secretary; Steven Little Assistant Deputy Secretary

2020 Sustainability And Business Support Report Released

Report Highlights Successful Partnerships Positively Impacting The Environment

Heather Berklund Named New Chief State Forester

First Woman In Wisconsin’s History To Hold Position

Lower Menominee River Area Of Concern Delisted

Significant Milestone Achieved To Clean Up Historical Pollution In The Great Lakes

Historic Cleanup Of Lower Fox River Completed After 17 Years

Millions Of Yards of Contamination Cleaned From Riverbed

Green Tier Program Celebrates Milestone Anniversaries

State’s Largest Brownfield Now Clean

After years of remediation, a highly-contaminated site in the Menomonee Valley is certified as clean by the DNR.

DNR Issues Final Site Closure for State’s Largest Brownfield Cleanup Project

Attorney General Kaul Unfairly Hurts Farmers & Food Processors as COVID-19 Crisis Continues

Kaul Backs DNR On High Capacity Wells

Reverses opinion by former AG Brad Schimel; Supreme Court to rule on whether DNR can weigh environmental impact of wells.

Wisconsin Closes State Parks, Including Lakeshore in Milwaukee

Havenwoods State Forest on city's north side also closed.

How to Enjoy State Parks Safely

Visit parks and natural areas, DNR Secretary says, but keep your distance.

DNR, OCI Urge Wisconsinites To Consider Flood Insurance After Record Rain And Snow In 2019

$29 Million Partnership to Clean Up Harbor

DNR, city, county, MMSD want to take harbor off the list of polluted waterways.

DNR, EPA Sign Agreement to Proceed on Milwaukee Estuary Cleanup to Eliminate 32-Year-Old Area of Concern Designation

Great Lakes Legacy Act Agreement Accelerates Contaminated Sediment Cleanup in Milwaukee

DNR Announces New Chief Conservation Warden

Newest Public Land Atlas Now Available

Wisconsin Natural Resources Board Approves DNR Scope Statement for Manure Regulations Aimed at Protecting Drinking Water

Approval of the scope statement allows the department to develop detailed rules that require final approval from the Legislature.

Gov. Evers Hosts 2019 Capitol Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony with DNR Sec. Cole and Wisconsin Students

“The best part about the holiday season at the Capitol is that it is a collaborative effort of folks all over our state that makes this season such a success.”

Where Have All The Hunters Gone?

Millennials less likely to hunt. To counter decline state looks to women and children.

Why PFAS Pollution Is So Scary

The chemicals are all over and very toxic. Evers has created two teams to target problem.

Gasp, It’s a Holiday Tree!

So says Gov. Evers about Capitol tree, with the added theme, “Celebrate Science.”

Gov. Evers Announces Support for the Wisconsin-Lake Michigan National Marine Sanctuary Designation Project

“These shipwrecks help tell the story of Wisconsin and they are a reminder of the enduring relationship between the people of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes.”

State Board Okays Rules on PFAS Pollution

Wisconsin Natural Resources Board will create stricter rule making process for PFAS levels in water.

Wisconsin Natural Resources Board Taking More Steps to Protect Drinking Water

PFAS Rulemaking Process Moves Forward

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #52 Relating to Climate Change in Wisconsin

"For too long we've been ignoring science, and frankly, we can't afford to do it any longer."

EPA Proposes Updates to Rules Impacting Lead and Copper in Drinking Water

DNR to Review Proposed Updates to Lead and Copper Rule

DNR to Back Pro-Climate Policies

Unlike the previous administration, Evers Administration pledges to address climate change.

DNR Reaffirms Commitment to Addressing Impacts of Climate Change on Wisconsin’s Natural Resources During Climate Week

"Climate change is one of the defining issues of our time."

Mr. Mayor: Who in Heaven’s Name is Watching the Store?

Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan September 6, 2019

Gov. Evers Directs DNR to Address PFAS Contamination in Drinking, Ground and Surface Waters

"I am committed to protecting our state's natural resources and ensuring every Wisconsinite has access to clean drinking water."

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #40 Relating to PFAS in Wisconsin

Executive Order #40 directs the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to take additional steps to address PFAS contamination.

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #38 Relating to Clean Energy in Wisconsin

“A transition to a clean energy economy will generate thousands of family-supporting jobs in Wisconsin.”

Evers Respects His Agency Leaders

Walker at times ignored cabinet, made decisions for his political career.

DNR announces results of Madison PFAS contamination pilot study

"Clean drinking water is a public health priority."

Rep. Shankland: Governor Evers Leads on Preventing Nitrate Contamination

"These new efforts by the Governor, DNR, and DATCP tackle the root of our pollution runoff problems and will help to prevent future nitrate contamination."

Gov. Evers Directs Agencies to Address Nitrate Contamination in Ground and Surface Water

"I am committed to protecting Wisconsin’s waters and ensuring every Wisconsinite has access to clean drinking water."

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order 36 Relating to Measures to Abate and Prevent Lead Exposure in Drinking Water

"Lead poisoning is a statewide risk not just in Kenosha and Milwaukee, but in communities around the state."

DNR taking more steps to protect Wisconsin drinking water

The DNR will ask 125 municipal wastewater treatment facilities to begin sampling and analyzing water flowing in and out of the facilities for PFAS compounds.

New DNR Head Has Agenda of Change

Climate change, lead laterals and CAFO-polluted private wells are top concerns.

New DNR Staff Will Probe Pollution

Added scientists will look at impact of “forever chemicals” contamination by Tyco company.

DNR Secretary Appoints Beth Bier To Deputy Secretary

Beth began her career at the DNR in 2001 in the Secretary's Office.

Washington Nominated To City Plan Board

Town Bank VP Ranell Washington would replace his former coworker on commission.

Sas-Pérez Appointed to City Plan Commission

Mayor appoints south side leader to design and zoning oversight board.

About That Climate Change Report

2011 report by 200 state scientists and experts made predictions Republicans are still ignoring.

Senator Tiffany’s Statement on Hunting Fee Increases

"I remain supportive of the Governor and the DNR Secretary’s position to not include fee increases in the state budget..."

Fishing and Fun at the Washington Park Pond

Dozens of Milwaukee children learned about the joys of fishing and the great outdoors at a how-to event at Washington Park.

DNR Secretary announces leadership change

Tim Cooke, current deputy division administrator, will assume the administrator role.

DNR Won’t Back Frac Sand Wetland Permit

Reverses stand, supports judge’s ruling invalidating Meteor Timber’s DNR permit to fill high-quality wetland.

Trump Policies on Great Lakes Opposed

Conservation groups resist proposed changes in wetland, stream protections, note impact on Great Lakes.

DNR and DHS Work Together to Improve Water Quality in Wisconsin

This week the DNR worked with Department of Health Services to ask the health agency to review 40 contaminants for possible groundwater quality standards.

Good News for State’s Environment

Evers administration is turning around the decline in DNR staff morale and mission under Walker.

Legislators Resist Many Evers Proposals

GOP push back on minimum wage, water quality, corrections worker wages, unemployment compensation and more.

Judge Rules Against Kohler Golf Course

Concludes DNR permit to fill wetland invalid, significant environmental damage could be caused.

Gov. Evers Appoints Fred Clark to Natural Resources Board

Fred Clark is a forester and conservationist who is marking his 30th year working outdoors in Wisconsin.

Summit Credit Union Coming to Walker’s Point

New branch of growing credit union will be located along S. 1st St. at Freshwater Plaza.

12 Reasons The Foxconn Deal Is Dying

The company is cutting back plans. Will it walk away entirely?

DNR Secretary Cole announces additional appointments to leadership team

Todd Ambs has been named DNR Assistant Deputy Secretary.

Karen Dettmer Will Lead Water Works

Committee puts veteran engineer through the ringer before endorsing her appointment.

DNR Secretary Cole makes first appointments to leadership team

Cole said he would announce additional appointments as they are made.

8 GOP Laws Evers Could Target

There’s much new governor opposes. But which issues will he take on?

Evers Embraces Expertise

Hiring talented people, appointing expert advisors, who knew you could govern that way?

Governor-elect Evers Announces Key Cabinet Appointments

"I’ve said all along that my goal is to build a Wisconsin where people come together to invest in a brighter future for everyone..."

Governor-elect Tony Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Mandela Barnes Announce Agriculture, Energy, and Natural Resources Policy Advisory Council

"We’re going to bring science back to decision-making in Wisconsin."

Coalition Pushes Efforts to Prevent Evictions

I in 10 renters evicted in city's worst census tracks, study found.

Wangard, City Again at Odds on Freshwater Plaza

Size of sign at issue. Meanwhile developer planning two more developments at the plaza.

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $400

Commissioner Cole honored with Lifetime Achievement Award from Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful

Much of Cole’s record of success was created while working for the City.

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $400

Will South Korea Partner With City?

Daegu, South Korea wants to be a water tech sister city. City panel says yes.

2017 State of the City

As Delivered by Mayor Tom Barrett

Bucks Unveil New Signs for Arena

Two huge signs will add life to arena, but will trees grow on concrete plaza?

City Department Paints the Town

Painted curbs will denote no-parkng areas. And new parking checkers will ride bikes.

Contribution to Michael Murphy of $100

Behold The ECO Mayor

Barrett touts green efforts, changes name of environmental sustainability office to ECO.

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $400

All Hail Our Business Improvement Districts

City party celebrates work of 35 BIDs, which have helped improve many city neighborhoods.

DNR board tables sale of lakefront land to Walker donor

Contribution to Robert Bauman of $100

Barrett’s Birthday Party

The mayor's celebration is 11 days late. And Lakefront Brewery shatters its record for annual barrels manufactured.

Entrants & Winners for Wisconsin Avenue Placemaking

The "Tournavation" event at City Hall included an expert panel and audience, which selected two winners from among 12 finalists.

Citizens, Cut Your Grass!

Common Council is considering a proposal by Ald. Davis with tougher restrictions against overgrown lawns.

McGee’s Folly

If you want to get a chuckle and a “no comment” out of a Milwaukee alderman these days, just tell him that Ald. Michael McGee, Jr. “certainly has a way with words.”

“Groundbreaking” for Bridge