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Gwen Moore attacked for voting after positive COVID test
Congresswoman Gwen Moore has been under fire recently for traveling to Washington DC after having tested positive for COVID-19. Her trip to cast her vote for the Speaker of the House came after Moore isolated following her positive test. Republicans blasted Moore for her visit. On Jan 3, Moore announced on Twitter that she had […]
Blake family plans to take struggle beyond charging decision
For the family of Jacob Blake, the pursuit of justice will not end with the district attorney’s decision not to charge the officer who shot Blake in the back, during an interaction in August, 2020. “It’s a new day,” Justin Blake, Jacob’s uncle, reassured a crowd of press and supporters on the eve of the […]
Acevedo family pledges new pushes for justice after their son’s killing
For José and Maribel Acevedo, the holiday season will come and go without their son, Joel. The 25-year-old was killed in April after being put in a chokehold by former Milwaukee police officer Michael Mattioli, at a party the off-duty cop held at his home, flouting the state’s Safer at Home order which was in effect at […]
Attention birdwatchers: Winter finches are here in big numbers
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reporting increased numbers of certain bird species this winter season. With the mild weather in some parts of the state, birdwatchers are getting out and seeing all kinds of feathered companions. Among the species are Pine siskins, evening grosbeaks and other so-called “winter finches.” These birds originate from […]
Madison has a new police chief while Milwaukee is still waiting
The City of Madison’s Police and Fire Commission (PFC) has decided on Shon Barnes as it’s next chief of police. Barnes, who is the director of training and professional development for the Chicago Police Department’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability, was offered the job after the PFC’s 3-2 vote. Barnes beat out three other finalists […]
Wauwatosa’s emergency order left out Common Council
Why wasn’t the Wauwatosa Common Council brought into the loop as the mayor and police department planned their emergency declaration order last October, and was this the proper procedure? It’s a question raised by council members ever since the curfew, which followed the decision not to charge officers involved in the shooting of 17-year-old Alvin Cole […]
Sen. Baldwin questions U.S. Marshals deployment to Wauwatosa
Questions still loom over the Wauwatosa emergency declaration in October, and exactly which agencies were on the ground assisting local enforcement operations. Some of them are now coming from Sen. Tammy Baldwin, following the revelation that U.S. Marshals were on the ground during the suburb’s curfew order. Wisconsin’s largest city was on a short list […]
Industry and eco-advocates join forces on climate change
Adapting to climate change in Wisconsin remains a uniting cause across the state. Climate change related issues have effects on everything from industry to the very cycles of nature. Particularly for states like Wisconsin, which depends economically on agriculture and natural spaces, matters are pressing and the clock is ticking. That’s why on the heels […]
PFAS action plan is first step
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released a statewide PFAS Action Plan on Wednesday, making Wisconsin one of only a handful of states to come up with such a plan. Nearly 20 state agencies and the University of Wisconsin System contributed to the action plan, as did months of public listening sessions on the […]
What’s next for Milwaukee after COPS Grant rejected?
Milwaukee rejected the $9.7 million federal COPS Grant, which would have funded 30 new police officers. Mayor Tom Barrett expressed dismay at the city council’s decision to turn back the funds. Meanwhile, activists embraced the decision and continue to call for a divestment from police and a reinvestment in community needs. Vaun Mayes, a local […]
Activists see increased consciousness of race and class following 2020 election
Following the 2020 presidential election, activists and organizers are planning how best to confront some of the tactics used by the Trump campaign to cast doubt on the election’s results. “The core insight that we really are working from here,” says Doran Schrantz, executive director of Faith in Minnesota, “is a recognition that the right-wing […]
Tosa ‘Special Operations Group’ worked alongside U.S. Marshals during curfew
U.S. Marshals were on the ground in Wauwatosa during the city’s curfew and emergency declaration in October, according to Wauwatosa Police. The city’s emergency order brought numerous law enforcement agencies from across the state, as well as National Guard troops, to the suburban streets. The Marshals worked alongside the Special Operations Group (SOG), a small […]