Author: Staff

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers formally unveiled his 2019-2021 state budget proposal on February 28, which included restoring access to driver licenses for immigrants in Wisconsin. In Milwaukee and across the state, being without a driver license makes it difficult for many families to conduct basic and everyday transactions like taking children to school or buying food at the grocery store. Also, for victims of domestic violence, a driver’s license is essential for asserting independence from an abusive relationship to seek safety and support. “We pay taxes, we work hard, and we contribute. Right now, many immigrant families are being...

Nairobi-based Camerapix launched its first historical publication in December 2018, “KENYA: Through My Father’s Eyes,” a limited edition coffee table book featuring the photography of legendary photojournalist Mohamed “MO” Amin. The foreword was written by Milwaukee native Chip Duncan, an award-winning filmmaker, photojournalist, and author, who describes photojournalists like Mo as risk takers who put the power of the story they are trying to tell above their own comfort and safety. “Photojournalists are a rare breed. They take risks. They go where others rarely venture. They put the power of story above their own personal comfort and safety. They...

The Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the multiple state agencies and US Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes, convened for a community engagement event recently to discuss the issue of military spouse unemployment and underemployment in the State of Wisconsin. The event established the groundwork for Wisconsin to be designated as a Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zone (MSEEZ) on June 4, 2019, the first such designation in the country focusing on spouses of National Guard and Reserve component service members. The designation brings together employers and business leaders to commit to hiring military spouses in...

Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) Bus Driver Natalie Barnes was recognized by singer Kelly Clarkson during a recent Green Bay concert for her kindness and remarkable compassion. Barnes made international headlines in November 2018 when a MCTS Excellence video went viral, showing her taking extraordinary steps to help a homeless man. Barnes bought the man food, let him stay warm on her bus, offered to go shopping for him, and ultimately connected him with a safe place to live. Clarkson invited Barnes to be a special guest at her concert in Green Bay on February 15th. In addition to...

Japanophiles across the midwest attended Anime Milwaukee 2019, and over the three days every topic and taboo was up for discussion in some quarter of the colorful gathering. Fans of Japanese culture are familiar with the importance and popularity of Yuru-chara, mascot characters like Domo-kun – the official mascot of the NHK television network – and Kumamon, a mascot created by the government of Kumamoto Prefecture. These pop-cultural icons are celebrities like no other, because of their adorable nature – being overside stuffed animals. Mascots in Japan are basically a national obsession, and that fever was exported around the...

The former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick was blocked from inclusion on a list of leaders to be honored by the State of Wisconsin for Black History Month. White Republicans in both the Senate and Assembly rejected him over the objection of black legislators. A few days later on February 15, the City of Milwaukee’s Common Council added Kaepernick to its annual “28 Days of Black History” program. Council members jointly issued a public statement about the decision for the February 25 event at City Hall from Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II, Alderwoman...