Tom Barrett

Remembering Musician Mary Davis

A keyboard legend and singer who performed R&B, jazz, blues and soul dies at age 73.

Trump Picks Camp David Over Milwaukee

G7 summit to be held at Presidential retreat, not downtown Milwaukee site Barrett offered.

Stunned Council Grills FPC Director

"It all doesn't add up" two aldermen say, while Hamilton says questions were answered.

Mayor Tom Barrett released the following statement regarding American Family Insurance’s announcement that it has selected the Mandel building as its new Milwaukee office:

"The company is committed to Milwaukee, and Milwaukee is very pleased with its growing presence here."

“Officer Ray’s” FPC Appointment Okayed

Committee approves appointment of retired officer to police oversight board.

Taylor Blames FPC Problems on Mayor

Mayoral opponent accuses Barrett of mismanagement, corruption, cronyism.

American Family Unveils Downtown Office Plan

Insurance company to redevelop century-old Mandel Graphics building near Fiserv Forum.

Senator Taylor calls for Barrett to resign over confusion and mismanagement of Fire and Police Commission

Police community relations continue to deteriorate and there is a serious lack of transparency with the FPC and no real dialogue between the board, executive director and the people of Milwaukee.

Mayor Barrett Proposes $2.2 Million in Block Grant Funds for Lead Abatement

“We will continue to act proactively to reduce the number of Milwaukee children with lead poisoning.”

Public Meeting for Board of Fire and Police Commission Appointee

The public event will take place on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Washington Park Senior Center.

Council to Review Fire & Police Commission

Sudden review comes after FPC cancels meeting and troubles at commission reported.

“Westown Gets Lit” with Holiday Spirit on Thursday, December 5

Business leaders to light West Wisconsin Avenue during new holiday event

Grant Langley Will Run for Reelection

City attorney's decision sets up race against his old friend, attorney Vince Bobot.

Trouble at Fire & Police Commission?

Second public resignation and much staff turnover under new executive director.

City Creating Green Project Under I-794

MMSD-funded infrastructure on state land to capture 150,000 gallons of stormwater in a heavy rain.

Who Lost the City Residency Rule?

Lena Taylor blames Mayor Barrett. But did she fight the state law killing residency?

Council Bans Most Plastic Straws

Use by bars and restaurants prohibited unless customers request them.

Council Overrides Every Barrett Veto

Without debate Common Council overrides mayor, keeps 59 amendments to budget

Summerfest Pays No Net Rent

Charges ethnic festivals more rent than it pays city, like “a greedy landlord,” alderman charges.

New MillerCoors Jobs Coming by June

But company, state vague on details, number of jobs to move from Denver.

Straws, Bathrooms, and Mascots – Is That Really All We Have Left to Worry About?

Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan November 25, 2019

American Heart Association commends Mayor & Common Council for continued investment in healthy food access

The Coordinator will organize community food systems and focus on increasing access to healthy and affordable food for all Milwaukee residents.

RACM Okays $3.4 Million Reed Street Yards Fix

New sewers being built to help attract future tenants, possibly Rite-Hite HQ.

Summerfest Got $48 Million in Gifts

Total donations from 2010 to 2018 helped pay for CEO Don Smiley’s "caviar lifestyle"?

New Initiative Challenges Metro Milwaukee Creative Industry To Diversify by Hiring At Least 1,600 Minority Employees By 2030

Initiative Launches With Free Dec. 4 Event, Participation in Mayor’s Summer Youth Internship Program

Team Taylor Welcomes Tom To The 2020 Mayoral Race

We are in crisis and I am calling upon every person in the city to join me in the movement to better serve Milwaukee!

Barrett Officially Declares Re-Election Bid

Mayor running for 5th term, hopes to serve 20 years as city's leader.

Bucks Beat Hiring Targets on Fiserv Forum

Team "won the championship" in hiring city residents, businesses says Mayor Barrett.

Barrett Issues 8 Budget Vetoes

Vetoes attack borrowing, garbage truck replacement, blight elimination.

John Norquist’s 70th Birthday Party

A host of Milwaukeeans and former city officials attend gala party in Chicago.

Cafe-Cop House Coming to Clarke Square

Unique center is a partnership of city, non-profit Journey House and police department.

St. Paul a Model for MPS Funding Effort?

That city's successful school funding referendum was backed by local officials.

Milwaukee the Nation’s Worst City for Blacks?

Delaware-based financial company ranks Milwaukee worst, Racine second worst.

Rite-Hite May Move to Reed Street Yards

Plus: Water leak delays BMO Tower, city exploring Plan B for former Schlitz tavern.

Statement from the Barrett for Milwaukee Campaign: Lena Taylor’s Misinformation Campaign

Statement by Patrick Guarasci, Senior Advisor at Barrett for Milwaukee

Police Overtime Costs a Budget Problem

Council discusses how to trim annual cost of $17 million. Unfunded service for Summerfest an issue.

Taylor Slams Barrett Over Residency

Mayoral candidate cites losses since residency requirement ended by Legislature.

The Devastating Results of Residency Law Change

Under Barrett's watch, too many city employees moved out to the suburbs, and even outside of Milwaukee county.

Proposal Aims To Eliminate Plastic Straws

Would prevent restaurants from providing straws, unless customers request them.

City Encourages Safe Gun Storage by Offering Gun Locks to Residents

From 1999 to 2014, over 400 Wisconsin children were killed by guns, including 167 in Milwaukee County, according to Wisconsin-based Kids Forward.

Security Will Be Tight At DNC

City officials working with Secret Service, security a primary concern.

City of Milwaukee offers its Support to Camille Mays and Family

The Health Department’s Office of Violence Prevention calls on the community to come together for justice in this case and an end gun violence in our city.

The Brewery Celebrates Its Completion

New gateway tops off transformation from abandoned brewery to real neighborhood.

Poll Shows Barrett Way Ahead

Zielinski, Taylor do poorly and more voters favor streetcar.

The Quiet Plan to Save Grand Avenue

Actually written 10 years ago. Civic leaders discuss how public private partnerships revived Downtown.

Mayor Signs Homeless Proposal on Veterans Day

Development would house up to 48 veterans while providing supportive services.

The Salvation Army To Host Red Kettle Kick Off

Red kettles will be out in Milwaukee County from November 15 to December 24

Park East Apartments Cleared for Takeoff

Plus: Why Molson Coors picked Milwaukee over Denver.

Council Cuts Police, Adopts $1.6 Billion Budget

Council wrestles with huge fiscal challenges due to rising police costs, declining state aid.

Veterans Day signing ceremony set for tiny homes initiative

News Release from Alderwoman Chantia Lewis

As Temperatures Drop, the Milwaukee Continuum of Care Will Provide Warming Rooms for Milwaukee’s Homeless

The Continuum of Care’s emergency shelters, Guest House of Milwaukee and Salvation Army of Milwaukee, have also recently expanded overnight shelter capacity to keep more people safe out of the cold weather.

Summerfest CEO Awarded $2.33 Million

Don Smiley’s 2017 pay package includes $1.3 million deferred from prior years. City officials “shocked.”

Time’s Up Tom Barrett

"Tom is ineffective."

Construction Starts on Villard Commons

Five ACRE grads turn classroom project into reality.

Deconstruction Effort Is Underway

After a year of false starts by the city, a $1.2 million, 50-home effort is underway.

State’s Talgo Trains Still Sit Idle

Since Republicans killed deal with manufacturer, trains have sat unused in Beech Grove, Indiana. Part 6 of series.

Summerfest Blows Off City Meeting

No festival official attends scheduled meeting. Partnership with city “broken”, Ald. Murphy says.

Man Charged With Hate Crime In Acid Attack

Clifton Blackwell accused of attack on Hispanic man, case has gotten national attention.

Street Safety Funding Passes Committee

DPW would get $1.2 million in new, dedicated funding for complete streets.

Full Council Approves Tiny Homes Project

Veterans rehabilitation project, 48 tiny homes, is cleared for spring construction.

“Westown Gets Lit” Shines Light on Neighborhood Revitalization

Business leaders to light West Wisconsin Avenue during event on December 5, 2019

Film Fans Turn Out in Record Numbers for 2019 Milwaukee Film Festival

Audience award winners include documentaries on Toni Morrison, Molly Ivins

How Hispanics Have Saved Milwaukee

Acid attack against man for “invasion” of Hispanics couldn’t be more wrong about their impact.

Mayor, Officials Denounce Acid Attack

Barrett says Trump’s rhetoric has fed anger leading to such attacks.

Where the Gun Shot Victims Go

Froedtert Hospital treats 90 percent of city’s gun-related injuries, passed 320 this year.

Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee Partners with Northwestern Mutual for Three Historic Summits

Host Committee opens community application for “Ensuring Economic Equity” summit, set for Nov. 22

Journal Sentinel Complex Sold

Plus: Badger Mutual moving downtown, Northridge security deal, Lion House has a buyer and much more.

City Lands Second Streetcar Sponsor

Everstream, business internet provider, joins Potawatomi in backing The Hop.

Everstream Providing Free Fares for Hop Riders this Holiday Season

Fiber network provider furthers investment in Milwaukee through streetcar partnership including a festive holiday-themed streetcar debuting this month

$575,000 Building Helped By Streetcar

Long-vacant 1877 building on Milwaukee and Mason saw value hop partly due to streetcar.

Remembering Mildred Harpole

Beloved activist for education equity, equal rights, dies in her 80s.

MillerCoors Will Change Name, Add Local Jobs

In global shakeup Milwaukee a winner over Denver and could gain hundreds of jobs.

Mayor Tom Barrett released the following statement regarding the passing of Mildred Harpole

"ll of us here at the City send our thoughts and prayers to husband Reuben and Mildred’s family and friends. Milwaukee will always remember the remarkable woman she was."

Hamilton Keeping Door Open for Strauss

Council president halts move to officially kill deal. "Let's continue the process," he says.

Greater Milwaukee Complete Count Committee Holds Community Kick-Off to Prepare for the 2020 Census

"The more people we count means more federal money and fairer elections."

City Asks Evers’ Help on Reckless Driving

Mayor Barrett, council ask governor for funding or more state troopers to combat problem.

Evers, Barrett Kick Off 2020 Census

They were joined by "Captain Census." Milwaukee could lose millions if Census undercounts population

Business Leader Blasts Council on Strauss Deal

Hamilton and council members are to blame for losing hundreds of jobs, Sheehy says.

Milwaukee Film Doubles Cash Support for Brico Forward Fund Winners

Global filmmakers and local champions recognized at annual Filmmaker Awards Brunch

Lurie’s Bay View Proposal Revived

Plus: MPS unveils new schoolyards, Cambria hotel opens, Athea expanding chemical plant

Barrett, Moore to Lead Growing DNC Team

19 honorary chairs round out Milwaukee 2020 leadership.

Who Lost the Strauss Brands Deal?

State Sen. Lena Taylor helped kill a deal bringing hundreds of jobs to depressed Century City area.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Now A Holiday

Mayor signs legislation into law making it a holiday for city of Milwaukee.

How Walker and Sykes Killed the Train

With constant support from talk radio, Walker rejected fully funded, $810 million rail project. Part 3 in a series.

Hoppy Birthday!

The Hop to celebrate its first year of service with free public event on Friday, Nov. 1

Strauss debacle a reflection of Mayor’s overall fiscal irresponsibility and failure to plan

Statement of Alderman Tony Zielinski October 23, 2019

Senator Taylor Continues To Bring Attention to High Levels of Lead and its Connection to Violence

The city of Milwaukee must aggressively work to reduce lead exposure in our kids if we want to move forward and improve the safety of our communities.

Mayor Barrett Reasserts His Invitation to Host the 2020 G7 Meetings

“I want world leaders to see how international trade practices can affect local economies like Milwaukee’s.”

Barrett Blasts Council On Strauss Deal

They let "malarkey" of disinformation campaign kill meat processing plant deal, he charges.

Who Will Run for County Executive?

The list is long and could get longer. Handicapping the favorites. 

Barrett Offers City for G-7 Summit

Urges President Trump to host 2020 meeting of leading industrial nations in Milwaukee.

Evers Calls Special Session on Guns

Governor says only Vos and Fitzgerald prevent common sense gun reforms.

Lead Exposure Linked to Gun Violence

UWM study finds kids exposed to lead are more likely to later commit gun violence.

Anonymous Crime Reporting Service Launches

"Crime doesn't pay, but Crime Stoppers does," says Alderwoman Chantia Lewis.

Community Outpouring Over City Budget

Dozens of residents object to nearly half of budget paying for police.

Puerto Rican Cafe Opens in Walker Square

Johanna's Cakes & Desserts Cafe offers sweet treats, custom cakes and sandwiches.

Police Seize Almost $1 Million From THC Vaping Operation

Department looking for a connection to the outbreak of vaping-related lung disease.

Behind Wisconsin’s Abandoned High Speed Rail

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson laid groundwork for the project that Gov. Scott Walker killed.

Milwaukee Becoming a Cruise Ship Destination

Milwaukee is an increasingly important port of call for cruising on the Great Lakes, visits to city up 100 percent this year.

Deconstruction Program Expected to Restart Next Week

Contractor will start after months of delays.

Contribution to Justin Bielinski of $100