When you see statistics on homelessness anywhere in the US, it likely comes from a once a year count called "Point In Time"
It's a flawed stat, but HUD requires it every January. Here's how the count works in Milwaukee, and what it misses.
Ald Scott Spiker claims the city could gain $9 million in unpaid parking tickets by "habitual" violators.
Good context here is that property owners currently owe about $47 million in delinquent taxes, over $30M by businesses and landlords.
Interesting choice of enemies here.
FairWave also owns Milwaukee-based Anodyne Coffee.
Anodyne workers are currently in contract negotiations after the NLRB certified their union despite FairWave's objections. More on why they unionized last spring👇
From last week: Fiddleheads Coffee acquired by FairWave, a Kansas City-based conglomerate that owns several other coffee brands across the nation.
FairWave is owned by Great Range Capital, a private equity firm.
The MKE Roots program helps teachers make social studies relevant to students by focusing on local history.
The Trump admin cut its funding, labeling it DEI. It was replaced by a grant focused on commemorating 1776
Learn more 👇
When comparing state tax records for July '24 and '23 in Milwaukee County, hotel sales were up 42%. But food/drink was down 1% and entertainment down 19%
There are similarly mixed results for surrounding counties that have a sales tax. This excludes Waukesha and Racine Counties.
A year ago the RNC was in Milwaukee, with some expecting an economic windfall. Did that happen?
An official report tallies a $321 million impact. But this report does not account for normal resident spending that was lost due to the convention.
Anodyne Coffee's parent company is challenging this month's successful union vote, delaying certification.
Workers voted 37-0 to unionize. But FairWave, a KC-based coffee conglomerate that owns Anodyne, alleges foul play. Union says it's a delay tactic.
My latest:
www.wuwm.com/economy-busi...
Anodyne workers will vote on forming a union today. 100% of workers signed union cards, but their employer - a nationwide coffee conglomerate owned by private equity - is forcing an NLRB election.
How a string of firings and a fight for local control got us here 👇
www.wuwm.com/economy-busi...
I'm also an alum, class of 2019. It taught me how to live with one foot in the world I have, and one foot in the world I want. I can't overstate how much a personal gut punch this news was.
What do MKE County Exec David Crowley, Unfinished Legacy founder Brema Brema, and HOOPS creator Nicole Acosta have in common?
They're all alum of Public Allies, an often under-the-radar leadership organization. The program is in jeopardy following cuts to AmeriCorps.
www.wuwm.com/government-p...
In Milwaukee, a growing coalition of immigrant rights, labor, and anti-war groups are mobilizing this week in response to last week's arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan.
Thursday will see the annual May Day "Day Without Immigrants" action and a commemoration of last year's student encampments at UWM 👇
Additional note on sanctuary city comments:
Mayor Johnson emphasized that MPD does not inquire about citizenship status, and that he thinks the city can be welcoming to immigrants without a sanctuary city designation.
MPD policy related to immigration: city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary...
Do you see value in declaring Milwaukee a “sanctuary city” despite it not having a legal definition?
“I don't want to put Milwaukee in a position where we're being targeted by the Trump administration... I don't think we need to have that title on us to be able to execute [our values]"
Can you commit to regular updates on ICE activity in the city?
“I don't know if they would tell us that information anyhow…I think if there were to be a raid from Immigration Customs Enforcement, I think that information would be presented and known to the public, as it were.”
If Trump withholds federal funds in exchange for further cooperation with ICE, will you do anything differently?
“I don't want to speculate on what will or may not happen. Let's see how this unfolds before we tell them what our lines in the sand are as it relates to that.”
Is that something you've ever requested?
“That's not something that I've requested, but I don't think that's something that they would necessarily share either, right?”
Do you receive regular updates on ICE operations in the city?
“No, I've not gotten that information – and not just as mayor…I haven't gotten that information as [Common Council] president either, what ICE is doing out in the field.”
Does the city share info with ICE?
“For us, there may be some very small, very small areas where there's some collaboration. That's if someone is, say, a violent felon or something of that sort of type.”
I spoke with Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson about the extent of the city's collaboration with ICE
He stopped short of declaring Milwaukee a sanctuary city, says he doesn't want MKE to be "targeted by the Trump administration"
Full unedited interview linked. Q&As 👇
www.wuwm.com/government-p...
But it's a dry cold
I'm working on a Very Important story about Milwaukee winter custard culture, which includes devising a rating system for what makes a good custard.
So Bluesky - what makes a good custard? Is it all about flavor? Texture? Vibes? A combination of things?
In other Wisconsin news, lame duck exports are up this quarter 📈
Cousin's kid: why do you have long hair when you're a boy?
Me: listen kid, every second you are absorbing a worldview that you may never understand. You will spend decades unlearning preferences that you accept now without question.
Kid: what?
Me: boys can have long hair too
Aubrey is right. Every time my stories don't get enough views I sue the internet
As of today, Milwaukee’s youth shelter capacity will be cut in half at the end of the year. This is due to federal funders ghosting the Walker's Point Youth and Family Center after funding them for decades.
Next week the Common Council will vote on reallocating funds to pick up the tab
Spoiler: we are, but hurt people hurt people
Jazz is about the notes that aren't played ☝️
I'm leaving the past in the Xitter. I am reborn, I am whole. I will still lie about understanding jazz.
