Politics - Nov. 20, 2009
The politics of the veto
There was certainly no lack of passion at the Milwaukee County Board's veto override session this week, especially when it came to cutting County positions that deal with mental health, alcohol and other drug abuse issues, and other services. Plus, more details on a plan for the mayor's office to take over control of MPS and the latest from the DNR.
Tags: milwaukee county supervisors, scott walker, budget, veto, dnr, mps

Politics - Oct. 4, 2009
Barrett's MPS proposal brings drama
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has never been known for high drama. The genial, popular Barrett has run a steady-as-she-goes administration that has rarely created exciting political theater. But the curtain may have gone up on a performance that has gotten some brutal reviews from critics.
Tags: tom barrett, mps, riverside high school

Politics - Sept. 16, 2009
Can private sector ideas fix MPS?
Should the mayor be allowed to take over MPS? If so, what would the impact be? How have mayoral takeovers of public schools worked in other cities? What kinds of new ideas from the private sector could be replicated to help MPS improve its results?
Tags: MPS, Milwaukee Public Schools, Tom Barrett, Milwaukee Press Club, Cory Nettles

Politics - Sept. 4, 2009
Zielinski, Barrett clash over the classroom
Milwaukee Ald. Tony Zielinski got the brush off from Mayor Tom Barrett after Zielinski's challenge to debate the mayor's plan to take over running the Milwaukee Public School system. The mayor wants the authority to appoint the currently elected school board and the superintendent, as well.
Tags: MPS, Tom Barrett, Tony Zielinksi, Coast, Joe Czarnezki, Ellen's Catering, Grandview Management, Tamara Grigsby, UWM, Kyle Duerstein, Jay Burseth, Samantha Carter

Politics - Aug. 25, 2009
Navigating the school board controversy
As a new MPS parent, trying to figure out the basics of starting school is hard enough. Staying on top of the misinformation and lack on information flying around at the moment about Wisconsin's largest school district seems nearly impossible without making a full-time job of it.
Tags: MPS, school board, Tom Barrett, Jim Doyle

Politics - Aug. 21, 2009
Senate discusses erasing parental control of alcohol
The practice of parents allowing their children to tip back a few in their presence could be finished as the state legislative assault on drinking continues in the form of Senate Bill 30. The bill would ban parents from letting their kids drink until they are 18. There currently is no such prohibition.
Tags: MPS, underage drinking, Peter Blewett, Bill Sell, Milwaukee Public Schools Defense League, EZMONEY, Check cashing place

Politics - Feb. 20, 2009
Who should run MPS? The discussions continue...
Conversations about a potential takeover of the Milwaukee Public Schools continue, with politicians considering ideas ranging from letting the mayor run it to creating a pseudo MPS czar. Last week, the Public Policy Forum released a report that looked at other cities with mayoral control over the school system. Mayor Tom Barrett hasn't entirely dismissed the idea, which was entertained by former Mayor John Norquist some time ago. Another pitch would have the mayor appoint a "chancellor," and that chancellor would appoint the school board.
Tags: tom barrett, common council, willie hines, mps, bob donovan, jim doyle, bradley tech, jane pettit, bob bauman, dan sykes

Politics - Feb. 4, 2009
Common Council scoffs at DOT's interchange plan
The state Department of Transportation took its road show to the Common Council last week briefing Milwaukee officials on its plan to redo the Zoo interchange. DOT says it is the busiest interchange in the state and needs some help in moving vehicles along. They offered a new road term called the "Texas U-turn." But it didn't get a warm reception.
Tags: zoo interchange, scott walker, ald. joe davis, Dept. of Transportation, Ald. Willie Hines, Ald. Bob Bauman, Ald. Michael Murphy, Ald. Bob Donovan, Alberta Darling, MPS, Jim Klajbor, Scott Gunderson, randy Koschnick, Shirley Abrahamson, Jim Doyle, Joe Wine

Politics - Jan. 16, 2009
New plan blurs lines between murals, graffiti
Milwaukee Ald. Tony Zielinski continues to tag graffiti artists as public enemy No. 1. But at least one member of a city committee says his latest plan blurs the line between murals, graffiti and freedom of expression. Zielinski is proposing an ordinance that would require any mural artist to apply for a permit and pay $75 in order to paint the side of a building.
Tags: Zielinski, graffiti, Stuart Mukamal, Kristine Hinrichs, Cardinal Capital Management, Oakton Manor, Our Space Inc., MPS, Jennifer Morales

Sports - Dec. 18, 2008
MPS students get treat from Marquette women
More than 3,000 MPS students filled the Al McGuire Center Wednesday afternoon -- the second sellout in the facility's history -- for a special afternoon with the Marquette women's basketball team.
Tags: marquette women's basketball, golden eagles, mps, al mcguire center

Politics - Dec. 3, 2008
A plan for digging out the city
Just in time for the first big snow of the year, the Department of Public Works is ready to present its plowing strategy for the coming white season. And it looks like patience will be a mantra for drivers and pedestrians. Aldermen asked DPW to set up a plan after last year's somewhat disjointed approach to plowing.
Tags: DPW, MPS, Milwaukee Public Schools, Cheryl Nenn, parking meters, taxi, Jim Doyle, Scott Walker, veto, Tim Carpenter, Riverkeeper, Wingspread, Lynn Broaddus, Brian Fraley, Wisconsin Leadership Institute

Arts & Entertainment - Nov. 23, 2008
RedLine rolls out printmaking opportunities
Since graduating from MIAD in 2004, Kari Couture and friend Kim Weiss dreamed of opening a community printmaking studio in Milwaukee. Recently, this dream became reality when the women -- along with a few business partners -- closed on a building, 1422 N. 4th St., with plans to house a printmaking studio called RedLine Milwaukee.
Tags: redline milwaukee, printmaking, AWE, MIAD, kari couture, kim weiss, anthropologie, MPS, art studio

Politics - Oct. 29, 2008
Police union prefers that MPD polices itself
It's always nice to be able to police yourself. Just ask the Milwaukee Police Department union brass. The union has filed a lawsuit challenging the new process the city uses to hear citizen complaints against cops. The Fire and Police Commission started the new method in April after the state Supreme Court found flaws in the previous plan, mainly because it allowed police to police themselves.
Tags: MPS, Blewett, Mayor Tom Barrett, taxes, Milwaukee Police Dept., Ald. Bob Donovan, UWM, Michael Cudahy, County Grounds, Wauwatosa

Kids & Family - Sept. 27, 2008
School lunches: Not as bad as I expected
Most days, I pack my sons' lunches because it's cheaper and healthier. I must admit, however, I finally started reading the MPS lunch menu, and it doesn't sound like the starchy-sugary nightmare I had assumed it to be.
Tags: MPS, school lunch, hot lunch

Kids & Family - June 3, 2008
Rapport Leadership training looks to Milwaukee's kids
Rapport, a company devoted to leadership development programs, hopes to help Milwaukee-area kids.
Tags: Rapport, leadership training, Deanne Werklund, Calgary, MPS, Joe Tate, St. Joan Antida, Pearls for Teen Girls, school choice