Author: Staff

Filmmaker John Ridley immerses new Showtime musical drama series in present-day Milwaukee

Academy Award winning filmmaker John Ridley has joined an untitled musical drama in development at Showtime that will take place in Milwaukee. The plot focuses on the emotional journey of a present-day family, with a backstory that spans generations and is woven into the fabric of the Milwaukee community. The series will be written and directed by Ridley, a Milwaukee native who won his first Oscar for writing “12 Years a Slave.” He has maintained ties to his hometown, and in November celebrated the first year anniversary of his arts and community space Nō Studios, which was established in...

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Port Milwaukee prohibits public access to Jones Island due to flooding and severe weather conditions

Strong winds and high water have forced Port Milwaukee to prohibit public access to Jones Island. The unusual weather conditions have led to flooding on all the major roadways at the port. Flooding has also affected terminal buildings on Jones Island. Tenants at the port have voluntarily halted their operations Saturday. Vessel arrivals scheduled for the next two days had already been delayed because of conditions on Lake Michigan. Port Milwaukee staff is on-site, taking steps to reduce damage and prepare for the resumption of operations. It is not clear when the flooding will subside and normal operations at...

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DNR report highlights Wisconsin’s fight for clean drinking water throughout the state

Governor Tony Evers announced the release of the Year of Clean Drinking Water Report on January 8, prepared at his request by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) outlining the path to clean water for all. Governor Evers declared 2019 the Year of Clean Drinking Water. Action began immediately with several key initiatives that were included in the Governor’s 2019-21 biennial budget proposal. At the governor’s request, the DNR compiled the Year of Clean Drinking Water Report which focuses on accomplishments and plans for achieving and maintaining clean drinking water throughout the state. “My administration is continuing to...

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Coalition of organizations in Milwaukee forms to support victims of hate-motivated incidents

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council (MMFHC) recently announced the formation of a coalition of organizations working together to support victims of hate-motivated incidents. The coalition, which calls itself the Community Response Network, has developed a rapid response strategy when hate-motivated incidents occur in our region. “Hate incidents based on race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability and other characteristics can make victims feel isolated, afraid and alone,” said William R. Tisdale, president and CEO of MMFHC. “Given that hate crimes are at a 16-year high, and are growing in aggressiveness and violence, it’s imperative that our community pulls...

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Milwaukee families worry another generation will be swept into an endless war over presidential politics

“The Occupant [of the White House] was JUST impeached for abuse of power for political gain and now he is leading us to the brink of war because he believes it will help his reelection. We are sick of endless wars. Congress has the sole authority to declare war and we must deescalate.” – U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley The local activist group End the Wars Coalition stands at an intersection in Milwaukee every Saturday to promote the idea of choosing peace and opposing war. On January 4, the promoters of peace took a stand opposed to another illegal and...

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Proposed legislation would provide affordable housing for volunteer firefighters and first responders

U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin recently co-introduced bipartisan legislation to provide affordable housing opportunities for volunteer firefighters and first responders in order to help recruit and retain more volunteers, particularly in rural and under-served communities. According to the National Fire Protection Association’s 2017 U.S. Fire Department Profile, 65 percent of firefighters nationwide are volunteers, and fire departments rely on these volunteers to help respond to a wide array of local emergencies. Recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters is critical for thousands of communities, yet local volunteer fire departments, especially those serving small and rural communities, find it difficult to meet staffing...

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