Tom Barrett

Judge Rules Northridge Mall Must Be Demolished

City scores victory in bid to take control of vacant mall.

Wisconsin Politicos Respond to Safer At Home Ruling

Politicians, lobbyists and activists fall back on party line in attacking or praising decision.

Suburban “Safer at Home Orders” Are Less Restrictive Than Milwaukee’s

Wisconsin becomes patchwork quilt of health orders.

Milwaukee’s “Safer at Home” Order Remains in Effect

Bars and restaurants in Milwaukee must remain closed.

Statement Regarding the Supreme Court’s Decision to Overturn Wisconsin’s Stay at Home Order

Supreme Court Strikes Down “Safer at Home”

Decision goes into effect immediately. Milwaukee's order remains in effect.

8 City Nursing Homes Have COVID-19 Cases

State releases names, locations of 38 active investigations for the first time.

National Guard Tests 1,919 at City Sites

'Phenomenal' response to two COVID-19 test sites yesterday, more guard members had to be added.

Free Testing Sites Open to Large Crowds

Lines nearly a mile long at both sites as individuals wait to be tested for COVID-19.

Free COVID-19 Testing Sites Open Monday Morning

Individuals do not need to exhibit symptoms or make an appointment.

“Active Streets” Will Close City Streets, Parkways In Favor of Pedestrians, Cyclists

This campaign aims to create more public space in Milwaukee, closing off parkways and some city streets to traffic.

Free COVID-19 Testing Sites Will Be at UMOS, Midtown Center

Sites are on border of areas of city with highest number of COVID-19 cases.

Milwaukee Launching Two Free COVID-19 Testing Sites

Individuals will be able to receive free test without appointment or symptoms.

For Now, Milwaukee Must ‘Learn To Live With’ COVID-19

Local officials dealing with the pandemic look back on past two months of COVID-19.

Election’s Impact on County’s COVID-19 Cases Unclear

Final report shows 54 cases, but might be low or high, many questions remain.

City To Furlough, Cut Hours For 750 Employees

Revenue down $27 million in pandemic and city forced to make cuts.

State Makes Progress on Bounce Back Plan

Two of six criteria have now been met. More work remains before state can reopen.

Library Will Lend Books Again

Milwaukee Public Library will start offering a drive-thru book lending service.

Domestic Violence Surging In Milwaukee

Reports up 28% in April. Officials urge those in unsafe homes to turn to community resources for help.

Up From 53206

New generation of leaders in their early 30's, Crowley, Nicholson, Johnson, all raised in poorest ZIP code.

City Trails State, Nation in Census Response

Each non-response could cost Milwaukee $1,600 per year for next decade.

Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers Draws Praise for Work Addressing COVID-19

Organization provided tests for over two-thirds of cases on south side. Officials say it is slowing spread.

Assessments Up 9% to $30.5 Billion

New values were calculated prior to COVID-19 pandemic.

Council Okays Fines for “Safer at Home” Violators

107 arrests so far by Milwaukee Police; now can issue fines of $500 to enforce state order.

How Hamilton Lost Council Presidency

Will bad feelings linger over Cavalier Johnson’s victory?

The Rise of Cavalier Johnson

Up from poverty and getting crushed in his first two runs for office, he's the upstart winner for council president.

Johnson Elected Council President

Second-term Ald. Cavalier Johnson defeats Ashanti Hamilton and Milele Coggs.

BMO Tower Opens

Plus: Former Boston Store Building lands office tenant, MAC deal could lose hotel.

Lamenting the Loss of Eugene Kane

“Incredibly talented” columnist for Journal Sentinel, dead at 63, mourned by community.

24 Groups Win Healthy Food Grants From City

New grant program focused on increasing access to, providing education on healthy foods.

Officials Want Physicians To Request More COVID-19 Tests

Testing capacity is more than triple what's being requested. Officials want doctors to test more people.

White City Worker Wins Racial Bias Payout

Health department employee's claims involve former interim commissioner Patricia McManus.

City Approves Wisconsin Center Deal

Expansion approved and could pay $1 million per year to Milwaukee. But Bauman, others doubt it.

Will “Safer at Home” Be Policed Fairly?

Some areas most impacted by COVID-19 have also been victims of excessive policing.

Testing Slowing, But Death Rate Hasn’t

170 deaths from disease as week-over-week testing total falls.

Council Bids Farewell to Bob and Tony

Aldermen Bob Donovan and Tony Zielinski attend their last council meeting and get a warm sendoff.

12 Election Takeaways

How high was turnout, lawyers will be busy, girl power, streetcar wins again and a new council president?

21 Winners and Losers

Beyond the candidates, what was the election about, who were the other winners and losers?

Rep. David Crowley declares victory in County Executive race

2020 Spring Election Results

Live City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County results for the April 7th Spring Election.

Letter to Attorney Generals

Grants Target COVID-19 Racial Disparities

More than $1 million in grants will fund programs in Milwaukee County.

Milwaukee County Hospitals Increase Capacity

50 percent more hospital beds, double ICU beds as hospitals convert spaces to prepare for the worst.

Port Renaming Boat “Larry Sullivan” After 53-Year City Employee

Sullivan retired last week after nearly three decades as port's chief engineer.

Milwaukee’s Voter Turnout Is Way Down

18,803 voted in person. Total current turnout less than half that in April 2016.

Why Does Madison Have More Voting Sites Than Milwaukee?

It's less than half the size, but has 13 times the voting sites and three times the workforce.

Lena Taylor’s Aide Suspended by WNOV

Michele Bryant accuses station’s owner of selling out to Mayor Barrett.

Where Are the Missing Ballots?

While municipalities search for missing ballots, voters can still go to the polls Tuesday.

Supreme Court Reinstates Election, Overrules Evers

April 7th in-person election will occur as scheduled says court.

Wisconsin Reports 2,122 Positive COVID-19 Cases, 56 Deaths

Despite record increases, officials believe curve is flattening, "safer at home" working.

Mayoral Candidate Sues To Delay Election

Lena Taylor's suit alleges African Americans disenfranchised by city's changes to early voting.

Resist Spring Fever

Practice social distancing, avoid leaving home when possible.

Milwaukee Will Have Only Five In-Person Voting Sites

As city is short over 1,000 poll workers, polling sites reduced from 180 to 5.

State Fair Park Selected for Overflow Care Facility

Exposition Center will house extra hospital beds. Local leaders requesting state and federal government act quickly.

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.

1,730 COVID-19 Cases in Wisconsin, 869 in Milwaukee County

Milwaukee County reports 20 deaths from disease, 17 were African Americans.

DNC Postponed To Mid-August

"I consider this extremely good news," says Mayor. Democratic Party remains committed to Milwaukee.

Convention Center District Authorizes $420 Million Expansion, Raises Hotel Tax

District still aiming for 2023 opening even though bonds can't be sold.

Vote Absentee, Local Officials Plead

Barrett, Abele warn that crowds at polling centers represent a threat to public health.

DNC “Should Not Be Our Priority,” Barrett Says

Mayor says he's focused on pandemic and city has halted work on Democratic Convention.

Republicans Risk Public Health With Election

Refusal of Vos and Fitzgerald to postpone election could cause more disease, deaths.

Milwaukee Prepares for COVID-19 Surge

More hospital capacity, ventilators, protective equipment needed for coming onslaught.

City Forecasts Election Results Two Days Late

180 polling sites to become no more than 12 because so few poll workers available.

Shut-Off Proposal Called ‘Dictator Like’

Ald. Rainey wants water, electric shut off for businesses violating shutdown. Mayor, governor disagree.

Local Governments Partner with the Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee to Provide Temporary Shelter for Residents with Housing Instability as Part of COVID-19 Response

Barrett, Taylor Debate Remotely for Mayor

Barrett says he's a stable hand in tumultuous time. Taylor she's already leading.

Wisconsin Center Faces 50% Revenue Cut

But CEO Marty Brooks still pushing to expand center, issue bonds during pandemic.

Archdiocese To House Homeless During Crisis

Facility that once housed nuns will provide housing for COVID-19 recovery, prevention.

Mayoral Candidates

Barrett versus Taylor for a four-year term leading the Cream City.

Over 1,000 COVID-19 Cases in Wisconsin

State reports over 2,000 tests processed in one day for the first time.

Dark-Money Group Slings Mud in Comptroller Race

Group backing Rep. Jason Fields produces attack ads against his opponent, Aycha Sawa.

Milwaukee County Circuit Court – Branch 5

Blomme vs Dedinsky in one of two contested Milwaukee County circuit court races.

842 COVID-19 Cases in Wisconsin, “Crisis Within A Crisis” in Milwaukee

Evers acknowledges disparate racial impact in Milwaukee, says CDC is studying matter.

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.

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.

Mixed Results on ACLU Settlement Compliance

Settlement monitor praises commitment by FPC and MPD to getting into compliance.

City To Do Video Inspections of Projects

With drop-off location for plans. Goal to protect workers yet keep construction going.

Will Legislature Delay Election?

Life-and-death issue poses the most danger for Milwaukee. Only the Legislature can act.

Jimmy Harris’s Long Struggle for Justice

Pulled over by police and beaten, he filed and won — finally — a civil rights lawsuit.

Council Overrides Mayor’s Veto

Should Friends of Housing contract be terminated? Did mayor violate attorney-client privilege or council violate city charter?

African-Americans Hit Hard by COVID-19

Majority of cases in the City of Milwaukee are African Americans.

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."

Governor Issues “Safer at Home” Order

Starting Wednesday no playdates or team sports. People must "start taking this seriously."

Barrett Calls for Mail-In Only Election, Delay

Calls on governor to move back election "or this issue is going to explode."

Dear Governor Evers, Senator Scott Fitzgerald and Representative Robin Vos:

City Issues “Stay at Home” Order For Wednesday

"Essential" activity allowed is broadly defined, but message clear: please stay home.

Why Flattening The Curve Matters

Mayor Tom Barrett lays out how Wisconsin could be short by 56,000 hospital beds.

County Asks for Equipment Donations

Help save healthcare workers' lives; donate masks, gloves, disinfectants, safety glasses.

City May Use Hotels for Quarantine

Modeled on Chicago's program to slow COVID-19's spread, provide economic support.

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.

Monterey Mills and Eder Flag, team up to start manufacturing of much-needed respirator masks

City Will Also Issue “Stay at Home” Order

The goal: to "send a message about how serious this is," said Mayor Barrett.

Milwaukee Cancels Early Voting

UPDATE: Barrett calls for election to be postponed or switched to mail-in only voting.

Ron Johnson Is Not Helping

Action is needed on virus and we’re taking it in Wisconsin. Johnson’s comments insult our efforts.

Online Voter Registration Reinstated by Federal Judge

You still have time to register to vote absentee. Republican Party sought to have suit dismissed.

First Responders React To Supply Shortage, Change Operations

Police officers and firefighters are having trouble accessing the personal protective equipment they need.

Milwaukee Mayor and Wisconsin Supreme Court Debates on WISN 12 Cancelled

Health safety concerns amid COVID-19 pandemic prompt decision

Mayor Tom Barrett Exposed to COVID-19, In Self-Quarantine

Barrett will continue to work from home for the next 14 days.

Statement from Mayor Barrett

Milwaukee County Releases Interactive Map of COVID-19 Outbreak

64 cases confirmed in Milwaukee County. Tracker allows public to better monitor outbreak.

Contribution to Justin Bielinski of $100