Thomas “Tom” Barrett served as mayor of Milwaukee from 2004 through December 2021. He resigned to become U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg.
Barrett, a resident of the Washington Heights neighborhood, is married to Kris Barrett. The couple has four adult children.
Content referencing Tom Barrett - Page 4
Barrett Will Become Ambassador to Luxembourg
Mayor's appointment means Cavalier Johnson will serve as acting mayor, special election will be called.
Aug 25th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett Imposes Vaccine Mandate For City Workers
All except police and fire fighters must have proof of COVID-19 vaccination by October 29.
Aug 24th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
IKON Hotel Gets Loan Extension
No interest period on city loan being extended one year.
Aug 19th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Could Guaranteed Income Close Racial Wealth Gap?
Wisconsin cities, including Milwaukee, are participating in guaranteed income pilot program.
Aug 19th, 2021 by Harrison Freuck and Zhen Wang
2022 City Budget Process Kicks Off
Several chances for citizens to learn about budget, as city braces for nearly impossible 2023 budget.
Aug 17th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Jeffers, MATC Celebrate Student Housing Complex
Ribbon cutting for new $29.1 million, 195 student bedroom complex, Westown Green.
Aug 17th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Should Milwaukee Have a New Emergency Health Order?
MTEA is asking for more COVID-19 guidelines and private schools pushing back.
Aug 12th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
FPC Restarting Police Chief Search
Jeffrey Norman remains a favorite among some city officials.
Aug 11th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Cleans Up From Storm, Braces For Another Difficult Night
Tens of thousands of Milwaukee residents remain without power Wednesday afternoon.
Aug 11th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Judge Agrees To Plead Guilty To Child Pornography Charges
Brett Blomme faces up to 20 years in prison.
Aug 6th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
310W Owner Sues City for $5 Million For Sewer Backup
Massive 2020 rainstorm caused damage but city attorney says city wasn't negligent.
Aug 4th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Sees ‘Extreme’ COVID-19 Transmission
Hospitalizations statewide have quadrupled over the past month.
Aug 3rd, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Milwaukee Invited To Apply For 2024 DNC
But some aren't happy the city must bid for convention in the first place.
Aug 3rd, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Proposal Requires Vaccinations for City Employees
More than 6,000 city workers would need to get vaccinated or face weekly testing.
Aug 2nd, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Six Council Members Want Tougher Pandemic Rules
Push mayor for indoor mask mandate and mandatory vaccinations for city employees.
Jul 27th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Officials Urge a Return to Mask Wearing
Dangerous Delta variant leads to rising cases. Local officials recommend masks at indoor public places.
Jul 27th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Council Holds ARPA Spending Until September
Mayor's $93 million "summer plan" delayed, along with proposals by alders.
Jul 27th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Streetcar Study Draws Controversy
Study of Walker’s Point extension moves forward.
Jul 27th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Approves Morales Settlement
Former chief will get $500,000 and now a finalist for job in Dane County suburb.
Jul 27th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Scott Walker’s Right, Get Vaccinated Now
As variants cause new rise in COVID-19, more Republicans urging people to get the vaccine.
Jul 27th, 2021 by Bill Kaplan
The Race Is On For Lt. Governor
The last time there was no incumbent, back in 2010, nine candidates ran for the position.
Jul 26th, 2021 by Steven Walters
Health Commissioner Says Lead Crisis is Top Priority
Commissioner Johnson said she can fix department's troubled lead program.
Jul 22nd, 2021 by Matt Martinez
Milwaukee Bucks Parade, Celebration
Crowd estimated in excess of 100,000.
Jul 22nd, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Crosswalk Murals as Reckless Driving Deterrent
Murals along North Ave. are intended to raise awareness of reckless driving.
Jul 22nd, 2021 by Edgar Mendez
Community Mourns Man Killed By Police
Criticism of police and solidarity and respect for Roberto Zielinski and his grieving family.
Jul 21st, 2021 by Isiah Holmes
Bucks Parade Scheduled For Thursday Morning
Parade will snake through Downtown en route to Fiserv Forum.
Jul 21st, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
The Remarkable Growth Of The GMC
Julia Taylor grew the budget and staff and grants. But what exactly was accomplished?
Jul 21st, 2021 by Bruce Murphy
Southside Streetcar Study, Street Improvements Approved
Walker's Point would be targeted for expansion.
Jul 20th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Urbal Tea Opens Cafe On South Side
Health-focused cafe in transformed building located on revived commercial strip.
Jul 20th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Morales Payout Rises Still Higher
City must also pay its private legal team. Total cost of lawsuit will exceed $668,000.
Jul 19th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
$98 Million Plan Targets Lead Poisoning
Proposal addressing lead poisoning of children backed by the Coalition on Lead Emergency.
Jul 19th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Coastal Damage Costs State $245 Million
Climate change causes extensive damage in 48 communities on Lake Michigan, Lake Superior.
Jul 18th, 2021 by Danielle Kaeding
Update Expected Soon on Criminal Investigation Into Health Department
City officials and council members want to know status of DOJ, Milwaukee County DA investigation.
Jul 16th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Anger and Frustration With Milwaukee’s Lead Program
Even the Milwaukee Health Department doesn't like what's happened since 2018.
Jul 15th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Arnitta Holliman Is Fighting Violence with Love
The director of the Office of Violence Prevention wants to heal people to stop violence.
Jul 15th, 2021 by Matt Martinez
Federal Funds Could Be Used for Milwaukee Universal Basic Income Program
Funds would establish program infrastructure, city would still need to raise $450,000 from private donors.
Jul 14th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Morales Reaches Tentative, $626,000 Settlement With City
Ousted chief won't return to Milwaukee Police Department.
Jul 13th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett Plan Combats Reckless Driving
$28.2 million in federal grant targeted at reckless driving, violence, early childhood education and small business support.
Jul 13th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Bucks, NBA Donate to Running Rebels
The 1,772nd project for NBA Cares program goes to local youth program, wins praise from local officials.
Jul 13th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Barrett Calls For $44 Million In Workforce And Housing Spending
Funds would come from $394 million federal ARPA grant.
Jul 12th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
No Settlement Yet, Morales Will Be Police Chief Again On July 15th
Demoted police chief Alfonso Morales will return to old job.
Jul 9th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
City Proposes Study of Streetcar to Walker’s Point
Proposed extension would run from Third Ward south to 6th and National.
Jul 8th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Health Department Begins Door to Door Vaccinations
City and volunteers targeting neighborhoods with lowest levels of vaccination.
Jul 8th, 2021 by Corrinne Hess
Council Okays Huge Change in FPC Board
Majority of Fire & Police commissioners who voted to demote Chief Morales have now been replaced.
Jul 7th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Ends City Attorney’s Review Power
Unanimous vote strips Spencer's ability to halt contracts and overrides Barrett veto.
Jul 7th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
EPA Administrator Tours Pulaski Park
Michael Regan calls MMSD and county project to revitalize KK River a national model.
Jul 6th, 2021 by Angeline Terry
Morales Potential Return As Police Chief Delayed Until July 12th
Extension gives parties more time to negotiate settlement.
Jul 3rd, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Plan To Renovate Every City-Owned Home Gains Traction
Council now embraces Bauman proposal. Barrett's plan will include elements of it.
Jun 30th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Morales Or Milwaukee, Who Will Blink First?
Former chief continues to gain leverage for any potential settlement.
Jun 25th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Summerfest, City Strike Deal On Police Costs
Costs had climbed to more than $800,000 annually for MPD, but festival paid for little of it.
Jun 24th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Committee Loves New FPC Nominees
Ramey, Kessler and Fallone draw unanimous support from council members.
Jun 24th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
The Ann Wilson Problem
Mayor's chief of staff promises she will be replaced on Fire & Police Commission. But when?
Jun 24th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Bauman Blasts Mayor on Water Street Chaos
Alderman wants stronger actions. "The mayor is basically whistling past the graveyard."
Jun 23rd, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Bauman’s $150 Million Affordable Housing Plan
Plan would save every city-owned single-family home and duplex.
Jun 18th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee’s Lead Program Fails Again
Scale of problem currently limited to one family in Bay View, but full review planned.
Jun 17th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett, Officials Celebrate Couture Groundbreaking
Nine years after building was first proposed. 'Like making sausage. It's not pretty.'
Jun 16th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayor Backs $15 Minimum Wage For City Workers
More than 400 city employees would get a raise under Barrett's proposal.
Jun 16th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
City Offering $5,000 Down Payment Grants
Live in the city? Want to buy your first house in Milwaukee? New program aims to help.
Jun 16th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
How Does Police Reform Compare To Other Cities?
New report finds four areas for improvement.
Jun 14th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayor Creates Pension Crisis Task Force
City needs to find an additional $77 million annually starting in 2023.
Jun 11th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Bus Rapid Transit Construction Beginning Soon
The Milwaukee County Transit System held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for the long planned project.
Jun 10th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Barrett Replacing FPC Chair, Vice Chair
Three new appointments by mayor would reshape the Fire & Police Commission.
Jun 9th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Bauman’s Demolition Moratorium Killed
Two council members whose districts would be most affected are strongly opposed.
Jun 8th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Should Millions in Federal Aid Be Split Up By Aldermanic District?
Council members float idea that would allocate some of the money by district instead of citywide.
Jun 4th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee’s “Active Streets” Are Back
Program selects streets and parkways to prioritize pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Jun 4th, 2021 by Angeline Terry
Supervisor Ryan Clancy Suing City After 2020 Arrest
Clancy's suit seeks to prohibit city from using curfews in the future and argues 2020 curfew violated due process.
Jun 4th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett’s Annual Address Cites Challenges
Delayed by pandemic, his 2021 state-of-the-city-style speech strikes optimistic tone for future.
Jun 2nd, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Ends Its Mask Mandate
City mask mandate and capacity restrictions discontinued as public health order allowed to expire.
Jun 1st, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Local Officials Unveil Pride Bus, Streetcar
PrideFest canceled (for now), but rainbow designs added to local transit.
Jun 1st, 2021 by Angeline Terry
U.S. Labor Secretary Visits Milwaukee
Marty Walsh visits building trades and manufacturing trainees, hears from immigrant rights advocates.
May 27th, 2021 by Erik Gunn
Vaccination Rate Below 20% in One Milwaukee Neighborhood
But your sewage doesn't lie, COVID-19 case rates are declining in the city.
May 26th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Area Mass Vaccination Clinics End This Week
The federally-run Wisconsin Center clinic and the county-run Kosciuszko Community Center will administer their last shots this week.
May 25th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Brewers, City Unveil Negro Leagues Streetcar
Vehicle, sponsored by Associated Bank, honors Milwaukee Bears.
May 25th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Lipski Appointed Fire Chief For One Year
Fire & Police Commission could open up internal search process next year.
May 24th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Reggie Moore’s Calling Has Always Been His Community
The former director of the Office of Violence Prevention is still working for a safer Milwaukee.
May 24th, 2021 by Matt Martinez
Barrett Backs Lipski For Fire Chief
Acting chief gains remarkably broad array of support for permanent fire chief.
May 20th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Arnitta Holliman Is New Head of Violence Prevention
She succeeds Reggie Moore as director of city's Office of Violence Prevention.
May 20th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Stimulus Funds Won’t Cancel Streetlighting Fee
Sorry taxpayers, money from fee can't be replaced by pandemic aid, federal rules say.
May 19th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
City Mask Mandate Ends June 1st
Following new CDC guidelines, city will allow its health order to expire.
May 18th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Royal Capital Celebrates Start of 53206 Housing Development
See inside former school as redevelopment work starts.
May 13th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Removing Most COVID-19 Restrictions on June 15th
Health order expected to be reduced to a focus on masks.
May 13th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Bill Punishes Milwaukee, Madison
GOP bill backed by Lena Taylor gives police power in FPC disciplinary actions of cops.
May 12th, 2021 by Bruce Murphy
A County Opinion on City Legal Dispute?
Dispute between council and City Attorney gets ever stranger, as committee requests county corp counsel's opinion.
May 10th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
It’s ‘The Trade Milwaukee’ Hotel
Marriott Hotel in Bucks Deer District will 'honor calloused hands that built' the city
May 5th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
City Must Apologize to Sterling Brown
Council approves settlement, which includes apology and changes in how police are trained.
May 4th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Okays $20 Million Milwaukee Tool Deal
Approved unanimously. Company wants to move quickly on occupying Westown building.
May 4th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
City Will Increase Recycling Pickups
Every-other-week recycling pickups will begin in June for most households.
May 3rd, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
The Couture Construction Begins May 5th
After years of delays, financing secured for complicated project to build 44-story lakefront tower.
May 3rd, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
10 Milwaukee Parks Get Free Wi-Fi
City using CARES Act funding to expand free internet access to underserved communities.
Apr 29th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Pension Costs Will Cause Huge Worker Layoffs
One-sixth of city workforce projected for cuts by 2026, with added cuts in future years.
Apr 28th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
City Resuming Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Wednesday
Milwaukee also using more community clinics to make vaccinations more convenient.
Apr 27th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Council Committee Amends Milwaukee Tool Deal
Reporting requirements on employee race, gender, residency and wages added.
Apr 27th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Curfew Tickets During Protests Look Biased
Black residents hit by 64% of curfew violations during Milwaukee’s Spring 2020 protests.
Apr 25th, 2021 by Clara Neupert and Jim Malewitz
Barrett Pushes Council To Accept Milwaukee Tool Deal
Council seeking labor agreement for contracted service workers.
Apr 24th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Join the Return of the Spring River Cleanup
Plus, a virtual dinosaur safari, an international cooking seminar and the return of Rock the Green.
Apr 22nd, 2021 by Michael Holloway
Jury Finds Officer Derek Chauvin Guilty
Minneapolis cop guilty on all charges, including second degree murder of George Floyd.
Apr 20th, 2021 by WPR Staff
Vaccination Numbers Going Down
Fewer people in Milwaukee and Wisconsin are seeking the vaccine.
Apr 15th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
State Delaying Interstate 94 Expansion For New Study
Project opponents applaud the move.
Apr 15th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Biden Plan Is a Lead Pipe Cinch
His infrastructure proposal could provide enough funding to replace all lead pipes in Milwaukee.
Apr 14th, 2021 by Dan Shafer
City Must Decide How To Spend $405 Million
Latest federal COVID-19 stimulus plan creates pleasant challenge for mayor, council.
Apr 14th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
