Milwaukee gamers react to $20M FTC settlement against Genshin Impact for predatory behavior
A settlement announced by federal regulators in January called for the maker of a popular mobile game, Genshin Impact, to pay $20 million and implement new safeguards around in-game purchases. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleged that Cognosphere, known as...
Thousands rally in Milwaukee as part of nationwide “Hands Off!” demonstrations against Trump and Musk
Crowds of people angry about the way Donald Trump and South African oligarch Elon Musk are running the country rallied in Milwaukee and scores of American cities on April 5 in the biggest day of demonstrations yet by an opposition movement trying to regain its momentum after the shock of the Republican’s brutal first weeks in office.
America’s “Mirror, Mirror” Moment: How one classic “Star Trek” episode reflects our chosen reality
When “Star Trek: The Original Series” first aired in the late 1960s, it offered American viewers not just a glimpse of futuristic star travel but also a reflection of contemporary social tensions. Few episodes crystallized those parallels more powerfully than the...
Trump’s DEI purge reminds one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen of the struggle for recognition
With members of a trailblazing Black Air Force unit passing away at advanced ages, efforts to remain true to their memory carry on despite sometimes confusing orders from President Donald Trump as he purges federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Colonel...
How the right-wing’s political name game turned what a place is called into an ideological fight
By Seth T. Kannarr, PhD Candidate in Geography, University of Tennessee; Derek H. Alderman, Chancellor’s Professor of Geography, University of Tennessee; Jordan Brasher, Visiting Assistant Professor of Geography, Macalester College Place names are more than just...
Susan Crawford elected to Wisconsin Supreme Court seat cements a liberal majority and win for democracy
The Democratic-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court defeated a challenger endorsed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk on April 1, touting her victory as a win against powerful interests and cementing a liberal majority for at least three more...
Misheard around the world: How a humble K-pop song about jazz became an accidental anti-Trump anthem
DISCLAIMER: April Fools' Day Parody Special This article is a work of fiction, created as part of an April Fools’ Day parody tradition that celebrates satirical humor. It is not intended to depict or reference any real person, living or dead, except for Donald...
World Trans Joy: The history behind a “Day of Visibility” for those overlooked and victimized
March 31 is International Transgender Day of Visibility, observed around the world to bring attention to a population that is often ignored, disparaged, or victimized. The “day” is Monday, but celebrations and educational events designed to bring attention to...
Understanding Hate: How cognitive biases shape the thoughts and policies behind anti-trans legislation
By Julia Standefer, Ph.D. Student in Psychology, Iowa State University; and L. Alison Phillips, Professor of Psychology, Iowa State University A state law signed on February 28, 2025, removed gender identity as a protected status from the Iowa Civil Rights Act,...
Milwaukee County commemorates Vietnam Veterans Day with a remembrance of service and sacrifice
The Milwaukee County War Memorial Center observed National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29 with an event dedicated to honoring Vietnam War veterans and their families, reinforcing a commitment to recognize those who served during one of the most divisive periods...
Why the U.S. military has cared about the impact of climate change since the dawn of the Cold War
By Paul Bierman, Fellow of the Gund Institute for Environment, Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Vermont In 1957, Hollywood released “The Deadly Mantis,” a B-grade monster movie starring a praying mantis of nightmare proportions....
Podcast: A “Deep Dive” into the American electorate’s descent into political apathy
The Deep Dive podcast by Milwaukee Independent takes a closer look at the stories that matter most, uncovering the layers of complexity behind today’s pressing issues. From groundbreaking research to critical social movements and the intersection of local and global...
