Author: Editor

Bipartisan bills seek to unlock Wisconsin’s workforce talent by reforming policies impacting DACA recipients

A bipartisan group of lawmakers held a press conference at the State Capitol in Madison on December 4, with the support of business and labor leaders from across the state, to introduce proposed legislation designed to help remedy Wisconsin’s workforce shortage. Wisconsin lawmakers said that while they cannot fix the nation’s immigration policy, they can make it easier for Dreamers to work and learn in the Badger state. The three legislative bills put forward by State Representative John Macco (R-Ledgeview) could transform the lives of individuals in Wisconsin under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, commonly known as...

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Thanksgiving Anxiety: The unexpected stress of normal routines that feel anything but normal post-COVID

Much has been written about the holiday season in America, particularly Thanksgiving. And with an induced amnesia only two years after COVID, many people are desperate to cling to their nostalgic memories from before the pandemic in the rush back to “normal.” But long before the disruption of 2020 I found the holiday experience coulbe be a bit surreal. That was in part due to the annual family drama that culminated in a Thanksgiving feast. And also in part from having lived in Asia for a decade. I often saw opulence and austerity side-by-side overseas, as clear and distinct...

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A Grand Holiday Tradition: Christmas at Pabst Mansion returns for 2023 with new seasonal experiences

The Pabst Mansion, with an embodiment of Milwaukee’s rich history, opened its doors to the holiday season with its grandeur and festive splendor on November 15. This year, the Mansion’s Christmas celebration, a beloved Milwaukee tradition, adorned its 20,000 square feet with vintage decorations across over 20 rooms, to welcome visitors to participate in the holiday spirit through January 7. “As the holiday season unfolds, the Mansion becomes a popular destination for those seeking a magical and timeless Christmas experience,” said Mame McCully, board chair of the Pabst Mansion. When the winter season comes to Milwaukee, the Pabst Mansion...

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Images by Milwaukee Independent of Old Main’s former condition of decay featured in new PBS documentary

Milwaukee PBS premiered a new documentary “A Hallowed Home for Heroes” on November 6. It details the historic past of Old Main, also known as Milwaukee’s Soldiers Home, through decades of use as a care center for veterans since the Civil War, its fall into decay, and eventual rebirth. For the segment explaining Old Main’s decline, when it was undergoing a passive “demolition by neglect,” almost 30 images published by Milwaukee Independent were presented. Senior photojournalist Lee Matz documented the building’s condition in a series of vivid images, including 360° VR. The rare collection of editorial photos helped the...

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The Last Alarm: Milwaukee honors the public service of firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice

Milwaukee’s annual memorial ceremony to honor its fallen firefighters was held on October 12 at MFD Headquarters Station 2, a solemn tradition observed since 1996 to remember those who were lost performing their duty or as a result of their public service. Since 1875, members of the Milwaukee Fire Department have protected the lives and property of the citizens in the City of Milwaukee. Concerned citizens originally organized a volunteer firefighting force in 1837. The October 12 ceremony honored all the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of protecting the public. “For those of us who...

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Historical Remembrance: Lynching site of George Marshall Clark gets marker in Milwaukee’s Third Ward

Local officials, area leaders, and members of the community gathered on October 11 in the Third Ward to share a significant moment in Milwaukee County’s history, as a marker was officially dedicated to honor George Marshall Clark, a victim of racial violence who was lynched on September 8, 1861. The dedication ceremony was organized by the Milwaukee County Landmarks Committee, part of the Milwaukee County Historical Society, and it marked a vital step forward in acknowledging the past, promoting social justice, and preserving the memory of George Marshall Clark – along with all those who suffered under the shadow...

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