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 9
State Fair Park Selected for Overflow Care Facility
Exposition Center will house extra hospital beds. Local leaders requesting state and federal government act quickly.
Apr 2nd, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Absentee Ballot Deadlines Extended, Election Not Delayed by Federal Judge
Ballots must now be received by April 13th at 4 p.m., a six day delay.
Apr 2nd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
1,730 COVID-19 Cases in Wisconsin, 869 in Milwaukee County
Milwaukee County reports 20 deaths from disease, 17 were African Americans.
Apr 2nd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
DNC Postponed To Mid-August
"I consider this extremely good news," says Mayor. Democratic Party remains committed to Milwaukee.
Apr 2nd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Convention Center District Authorizes $420 Million Expansion, Raises Hotel Tax
District still aiming for 2023 opening even though bonds can't be sold.
Apr 2nd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Vote Absentee, Local Officials Plead
Barrett, Abele warn that crowds at polling centers represent a threat to public health.
Apr 1st, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
DNC “Should Not Be Our Priority,” Barrett Says
Mayor says he's focused on pandemic and city has halted work on Democratic Convention.
Apr 1st, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Republicans Risk Public Health With Election
Refusal of Vos and Fitzgerald to postpone election could cause more disease, deaths.
Apr 1st, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
Milwaukee Prepares for COVID-19 Surge
More hospital capacity, ventilators, protective equipment needed for coming onslaught.
Mar 31st, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
City Forecasts Election Results Two Days Late
180 polling sites to become no more than 12 because so few poll workers available.
Mar 31st, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Shut-Off Proposal Called ‘Dictator Like’
Ald. Rainey wants water, electric shut off for businesses violating shutdown. Mayor, governor disagree.
Mar 30th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett, Taylor Debate Remotely for Mayor
Barrett says he's a stable hand in tumultuous time. Taylor she's already leading.
Mar 30th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Wisconsin Center Faces 50% Revenue Cut
But CEO Marty Brooks still pushing to expand center, issue bonds during pandemic.
Mar 30th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Archdiocese To House Homeless During Crisis
Facility that once housed nuns will provide housing for COVID-19 recovery, prevention.
Mar 29th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayoral Candidates
Barrett versus Taylor for a four-year term leading the Cream City.
Mar 29th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Over 1,000 COVID-19 Cases in Wisconsin
State reports over 2,000 tests processed in one day for the first time.
Mar 28th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Dark-Money Group Slings Mud in Comptroller Race
Group backing Rep. Jason Fields produces attack ads against his opponent, Aycha Sawa.
Mar 28th, 2020 by Michael Horne
Milwaukee County Circuit Court – Branch 5
Blomme vs Dedinsky in one of two contested Milwaukee County circuit court races.
Mar 28th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
842 COVID-19 Cases in Wisconsin, “Crisis Within A Crisis” in Milwaukee
Evers acknowledges disparate racial impact in Milwaukee, says CDC is studying matter.
Mar 27th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
City Will Accept Absentee Ballots, Serve as Required Witness at Five Sites
56,000 absentee ballots requested already. Lawsuits pending in court could change election.
Mar 26th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Metro Area Ranks 6th Nationally for COVID-19 Case Rate
Four-county area has more cases per 100,000 residents than Chicago and San Francisco.
Mar 26th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Mixed Results on ACLU Settlement Compliance
Settlement monitor praises commitment by FPC and MPD to getting into compliance.
Mar 26th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
City To Do Video Inspections of Projects
With drop-off location for plans. Goal to protect workers yet keep construction going.
Mar 25th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Will Legislature Delay Election?
Life-and-death issue poses the most danger for Milwaukee. Only the Legislature can act.
Mar 25th, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
Jimmy Harris’s Long Struggle for Justice
Pulled over by police and beaten, he filed and won — finally — a civil rights lawsuit.
Mar 25th, 2020 by Paul Mozina
Council Overrides Mayor’s Veto
Should Friends of Housing contract be terminated? Did mayor violate attorney-client privilege or council violate city charter?
Mar 25th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
African-Americans Hit Hard by COVID-19
Majority of cases in the City of Milwaukee are African Americans.
Mar 24th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
State Reports 457 COVID-19 Cases, Up From 416
But officials say actual total is higher. "We have a limited window into the number of cases."
Mar 24th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Governor Issues “Safer at Home” Order
Starting Wednesday no playdates or team sports. People must "start taking this seriously."
Mar 24th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett Calls for Mail-In Only Election, Delay
Calls on governor to move back election "or this issue is going to explode."
Mar 24th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
City Issues “Stay at Home” Order For Wednesday
"Essential" activity allowed is broadly defined, but message clear: please stay home.
Mar 24th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Why Flattening The Curve Matters
Mayor Tom Barrett lays out how Wisconsin could be short by 56,000 hospital beds.
Mar 23rd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
County Asks for Equipment Donations
Help save healthcare workers' lives; donate masks, gloves, disinfectants, safety glasses.
Mar 23rd, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
City May Use Hotels for Quarantine
Modeled on Chicago's program to slow COVID-19's spread, provide economic support.
Mar 23rd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
State Has One-Day Drop in COVID-19 Tests
For first time in a week, the growth rate of new cases, positive and negative, slows.
Mar 23rd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
City Will Also Issue “Stay at Home” Order
The goal: to "send a message about how serious this is," said Mayor Barrett.
Mar 23rd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Cancels Early Voting
UPDATE: Barrett calls for election to be postponed or switched to mail-in only voting.
Mar 22nd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Ron Johnson Is Not Helping
Action is needed on virus and we’re taking it in Wisconsin. Johnson’s comments insult our efforts.
Mar 21st, 2020 by Tom Nelson
Online Voter Registration Reinstated by Federal Judge
You still have time to register to vote absentee. Republican Party sought to have suit dismissed.
Mar 21st, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
First Responders React To Supply Shortage, Change Operations
Police officers and firefighters are having trouble accessing the personal protective equipment they need.
Mar 20th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Mayor Tom Barrett Exposed to COVID-19, In Self-Quarantine
Barrett will continue to work from home for the next 14 days.
Mar 19th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee County Releases Interactive Map of COVID-19 Outbreak
64 cases confirmed in Milwaukee County. Tracker allows public to better monitor outbreak.
Mar 19th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Voters Wanting Absentee Ballot Must be Registered by March 18th
But the deadline for registered voters to request absentee ballots is April 2nd.
Mar 18th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Common Council Transforms Meetings
For social distancing: no full council meetings, remote voting allowed, no media on site.
Mar 18th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Bars, Restaurants Ordered to Close
Milwaukee and 10 suburbs order no in-house service. Carryouts and delivery only.
Mar 17th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Officials Ask Public to Stay Home, As Much as Possible
As cases of COVID-19 grow in Milwaukee County and the state, preventive measures now will save lives in the future.
Mar 16th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Evers Says State Bars, Restaurants Can Stay Open
But must operate at 50 percent of their fire code capacity or 50 people maximum.
Mar 16th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
47 Cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin
One had recovered and 504 negative tests. Cases and testing resources continue to grow.
Mar 16th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Please Vote Absentee In Spring Election
Mayor Barrett urges voters to use mail-in ballots, seeks legislative changes to improve access, safety.
Mar 16th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Leaders Plead for 1% Sales Tax
Stark statistics presented at legislative hearing. But some GOP lawmakers unmoved.
Mar 16th, 2020 by Steven Walters
Want $130? City Needs Poll Workers
More than 50% of 1,800 poll workers are over 60, city wants them to stay home.
Mar 15th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Preparing for COVID-19 Outbreak
Local officials, healthcare providers are discussing, readying the city's capacity to treat those infected by Coronavirus.
Mar 13th, 2020 by Corrinne Hess
Milwaukee Will Cut Down 900 of Its Ash Trees
Federal grant funds replacement of trees ravaged by Emerald Ash Borer.
Mar 12th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Preparing for the Arrival of Coronavirus
Scale of virus outbreak in Wisconsin doubles during press conference as Barrett asks Evers to declare statewide emergency.
Mar 11th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Moving to Biweekly Recycling Pickup
$1 million grant from non-profit will kickstart program. Change would start in early 2021.
Mar 10th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
City Shines Light On Solar Project
Largest solar array in Milwaukee could be operational by end of 2020.
Mar 3rd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Community Honors Shooting Victims
300 people, local pastors, government officials attend vigil for those killed at Molson Coors.
Mar 2nd, 2020 by Alana Watson
What the DNC Could Mean for Locals
Volunteering, traffic and doing business.
Feb 29th, 2020 by Sam Woods
DNC Host Committee Hires New Leaders
Board picks two prominent female leaders to lead Milwaukee 2020.
Feb 28th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Police Association Files Ethics Complaint Against FPC Chair
MPA files ethics complaint against Steven DeVougas, chairman of the Fire & Police Commission
Feb 27th, 2020 by Edgar Mendez
Shooting at Molson Coors Left 6 Dead, Including Gunman
Law enforcement and elected officials lament the tragedy.
Feb 27th, 2020 by WPR Staff
Hmong Leaders Rally Against Deportation
Efforts by Trump administration to deport Hmongs to Laos condemned at rally in Wausau.
Feb 25th, 2020 by Rob Mentzer
Federal Policing Money Flowing to City
Relentless Pursuit grant, Tougher on Crime grant, DNC funding lead the list.
Feb 25th, 2020 by Isiah Holmes
City’s African American Auto Deaths Soar
Up by 93% in five years, report finds. Statistic is “shocking,” says Ald. Murphy
Feb 24th, 2020 by Corrinne Hess
Strauss Closes Door on Milwaukee Move
Plus: An abandoned basement discovered in former Grand Avenue Mall.
Feb 23rd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Committee Approves Large Solar Deal After Contentious Debate
Ald. Bob Bauman's amendments attempt to set baseline, grow value of deal.
Feb 20th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Cullen Healthy Heart Run/Walk a Success
24th Annual Steve Cullen fundraiser raised more than $500,000 for heart research.
Feb 19th, 2020 by Erol Reyal
14 Election Winners, Losers
Beyond the ballot totals, behind the scenes, who were the other election winners and losers?
Feb 19th, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
9 Election Takeaways
What did we learn? The results versus 2016. And the coming ad blitz and voter turnout.
Feb 19th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
2020 Spring Primary
The results from Tuesday's election.
Feb 18th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Circuit Court Candidates
Three candidates competing for judgeship.
Feb 17th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
City to Rebuild National Avenue
City to partner with state, rebuild street from 1st to 39th, add safety improvements.
Feb 17th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayoral Candidates
Four candidates vying to advance to general election. First in our series of previews.
Feb 14th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Wisconsin Ethanol By-Product To Feed the World
First-of-its-kind export facility on the Great Lakes will take trucks off the road, make Midwest ethanol more competitive.
Feb 13th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Presenting the “Real State of the City”
Mayoral candidate, State Sen. Lena Taylor, offers stinging rebuttal to Barrett's speech.
Feb 12th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Poll Shows Surprising Support for MPS
Most think MPS needs more funding and would back it in the referendum, poll shows.
Feb 12th, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
Council Bans “Racist” Hotel Policies
Metro residents must be allowed to stay in Milwaukee hotels says new ordinance.
Feb 11th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
We Energies Will Sponsor Streetcar
4th sponsor streetcar has attracted, $100,000 deal during DNC not finalized.
Feb 10th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
10,000 Affordable Homes Effort On Track
Two years into it, mayor's initiative driven by new houses, home repairs, home sales.
Feb 10th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett Will Tout Public Safety, Jobs, DNC
State of the City speech to note a special DNC Doors Open and positive national press.
Feb 9th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
DNC Delegate Welcome Party To Be Held at Summerfest Grounds
Delegates and guests will be treated to lakefront experience night before convention opens.
Feb 7th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
GOP Adds More “Tougher On Crime” Legislation
New bills increase penalties for offenses like car theft and reckless driving.
Feb 7th, 2020 by Isiah Holmes
Milwaukee DNC Leaders Fired by Board
Liz Gilbert and Adam Alonso terminated as part of investigation into toxic work environment.
Feb 4th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
“Toxic” Work Environment at DNC Cited
Investigation launched, top two officials barred from entering DNC offices.
Feb 4th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Nath Kicked Out Of Voces Event
In interview with Urban Milwaukee, Nath gives her version of events.
Feb 3rd, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
27 Apartments Planned Near Marquette
Plus: MU plans new business school, Rivecca brothers buy out disgraced Ganos, Abele gives $300,000 to new project.
Feb 2nd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Good Hope Commons Opens
Apartment building is now open, library could soon follow.
Jan 31st, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
DNC Needs 15,000 Volunteers
Volunteers will do everything from back office support to helping delegates.
Jan 30th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
‘Fair Deal’ Sales Tax Referendum Blocked From April Ballot
But there's still a chance for the November ballot.
Jan 30th, 2020 by Corrinne Hess
Barrett, Hamilton Demand Probe of Leaked Police Video
Chief Morales says he didn’t leak it; mayor, council leader want investigation, find out who did.
Jan 29th, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
$29 Million Partnership to Clean Up Harbor
DNR, city, county, MMSD want to take harbor off the list of polluted waterways.
Jan 28th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Plan Will Build City’s Largest Solar Array
City, We Energies partner on eight-acre solar farm, enough electricity to power 400 homes.
Jan 23rd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
City Plans 2nd Round of Housing Rehab
MERI 2.0 to sell homes for $1 and developers must hire under- or unemployed workers.
Jan 23rd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Crane Added to City Plan Commission
Menomonee Valley Partners deputy Catrina Crane has long worked on economic development.
Jan 21st, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Did Chief Morales Target His FPC Boss?
Common Council concerned. “Borderline frightening” use of police power, Bauman charges.
Jan 21st, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
Lakefront Tower Loses A Few Floors
Plus: Northridge Mall trial starts, Foxconn bailing on project could cause up to $120 million state bailout.
Jan 19th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Museum Week Offers Special Events at 17 Locations
Second annual event brings cultural giants together with overlooked institutions.
Jan 17th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
DNC Security Zone Includes Almost All of Westown
Expect travel delays, but zone is not hard perimeter says Secret Service, MPD.
Jan 17th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Seeking $50 Million To Pay for DNC Security
Federal grant covers costs of police and fire during convention. 4,000 police officers expected.
Jan 16th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Council, Aldrete Again Spar Over FPC
Shouting, an open letter, highly-sensitive leak. The mess at Fire & Police Commission continues.
Jan 16th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
