Milwaukee, WI
MPD drone program expansion planned; transparency concern rises
MILWAUKEE – Fighting crime with eyes in the skies – the Milwaukee Police Department is looking to enhance public safety with drones.
What we know:
MPD is looking to expand its airborne assessment team.
Sgt. Christopher Boss said the team officially launched just before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last summer.
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He and another officer operate exterior and interior drones as seen in this video. They’re used for crime scene management, crash reconstruction and missing persons cases, as well as keeping a watchful eye on protests and events.
“This is a tool we can use to make sure we’re all safer,” Boss said. “Several weeks ago there was an incident, and it was the recording from this particular incident that prompted the district attorney to issue a certain type of charge.”
Dig deeper:
MPD has six drones, but they want more. They want each district to be covered by one drone operator.
They want to use $250,000 of federal forfeiture funds to expand its two-person drone pilot program.
“We’re hoping to train up to 18 pilots, 14 deployed at the districts and four deployed from specialized patrols,” Boss said. “Prior to the application, every pilot will need to be certified by the FAA as a remote pilot.”
The particular models are valued at $15,000 each.
MPD said, in some capacity, the drones will serve as body cameras in the sky, with officers now frequently requesting assistance following suspects in high-speed chases.
“The majority of our patrol-led calls to date have involved vehicle pursuits,” Boss said. “The end of the vehicle pursuit, reckless vehicle or someone wanted for some sort of crime, like an armed robbery, leads us on a pursuit and at the end of the pursuit, everybody runs.”
The other side:
However, the purchase doesn’t come without some concerns. The Milwaukee Fire & Police Commission discussed it in April.
“I think the public is like, ‘Big Brother is watching,’” said chair Miriam Horwitz.
“The public, also me, I have a lot of worries,” vice chair Bree Spencer said. “I get it for water rescue. I’m very worried for things like protests.”
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What’s next:
Boss said the drone will not have facial recognition.
They hope to have the drone team fully operational by the end of the year. Prior to doing so, the department said it will launch a transparency dashboard for people to see their flight paths.
The Source: The Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee Fire & Police Commission provided information for this report.
Every week, Milwaukee With Kids answers a simple question for families across the area: What are we going to do this weekend? From indoor activities to outdoor adventures, we’ve got you covered. For the full weekend list, make sure to visit the Milwaukee With Kids website.
Featured event
Summer Reading Kickoff
Milwaukee Public Library | Central Branch
May 30 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Kick off a summer of learning with hands-on activities for kids and teens, special exhibits and early registration for the summer reading program. Special guests and partners include Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, Discovery World, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Public Museum and Urban Ecology Center.
Up close with animals
Summer Exhibit: Powerful Pollinators
Milwaukee County Zoo
Through Oct. 4
Explore life-sized animatronic pollinators and discover how the Zoo helps protect them through native gardens, honeybee hives, and conservation initiatives. Entry fee: $4 after general zoo admission.
Raptor Encounter
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center | Bayside
May 30 | 1-2 p.m.
Come to the Great Hall to see two birds from the nature center’s raptor program. During this meet-and-greet experience, you can talk with raptor handlers about the specific skills, traits and adaptations that are unique to that bird. The program educates about raptor ecology, conservation and these birds’ important roles in the ecosystem, with an emphasis on hawks, owls, eagles and falcons, plus an American Crow. Free with membership or admission.
Strong body, strong mind
MKE REC Family Day of Play
Wick Playfield
May 30 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Families are invited to enjoy 10+ engaging activities, including an obstacle course, bubble bash, lava land, crafts, games and various types of sports equipment available for free play. The day also features delicious food available for purchase, raffle drawings for amazing prizes and live music filling the air. You’re welcome to bring a picnic lunch, but a limited number of tables and chairs will be available, so bring your own if you have them.
Moms Mental Health Initiative Summer Social
Wilson Park
May 30 | 9 a.m.-Noon
The fifth annual event doubles as a celebration of MMHI’s 10 years supporting the strength of the organization’s participants and the immeasurable power of togetherness. Funds raised from the silent auction, pluck-a-duck, raffle and donations will allow MMHI to continue offering hope and help to perinatal people struggling in Southeast Wisconsin and Dane County.
Music and movement
MSO Sensory-Friendly Concert: Musical Influencers
Bradley Symphony Center
May 31 | 2:30 p.m.
Good times and great music will be trending as onstage influencers from Pink Umbrella Theater introduce you to some of the most influential composers of all time. This special performance is designed for people of any age on the autism spectrum or with a sensory sensitivity and their families, but all are welcome!
Concert modifications include dimmed house lights remaining on during the performance, flexible seating, relaxed house rules, on-stage hosts, available sensory kits, noise-reduction headphones, quiet areas, concert social narratives and more. Patrons are encouraged to come early and enjoy an hour of special pre-concert activities.
Kid Boogie Down
The Cooperage
May 31 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Get your groove on as DJ Lukewarm introduces young audiences to genres ranging from classic disco and funk to modern hits synced with matching music videos. Plus, you’ll enjoy lots of kid-friendly fun: music, foggy bubbles, videos, temporary tattoos, a ring toss, snacks, cotton candy, and a vintage clothing and toy pop-up shop. Grab a four-pack of tickets for a $10+ discount.
Ferns, fossils and trees
FernGully: The Last Rainforest
Oriental Theatre
May 30-31 | Noon
Enjoy this family-friendly classic as Milwaukee Film wraps up its “Ani-May” movie series. When a sprite named Crysta shrinks a human boy named Zak down to her size, he vows to help the magical fairy folk stop a greedy logging company from destroying their home: the pristine rainforest known as FernGully. Zak and his new friends fight to defend FernGully from lumberjacks and the vengeful spirit they accidentally unleash after chopping down a magic tree.
Tree Climbing Festival
Riveredge Nature Center | Saukville
May 30 | 10 a.m.-Noon
Encounter the giants of the forest and explore trees from a new perspective as you climb into the canopy under the guidance of trained facilitators. Adults and children ages 7+ are invited to ascend to the top, swing from a branch or try a “bat hang.” Registration for this event includes 20 minutes of climb time, a scavenger hunt along the trails a naturalist-led hands-on nature investigation and access to picnic areas for lunch (please pack a lunch and be mindful of single-use plastic waste).
Family Fossil Hunting
Kenosha Public Museum
May 30 | 10 a.m.-Noon
Join Nick Wiersum from the Dinosaur Discovery Museum to explore the local fossils of Kenosha’s lakeshore. Meet at the museum to learn about the prehistoric life that called this area home and discuss how to locate fossils, then head out to the Simmon’s Island beach house to collect fossils of your own! The museum will provide you with any tools you will need, including a collection bag, fossil guide and magnifying glass.
MILWAUKEE, Wis.– The debate continues during the final public hearing for the Milwaukee Public Schools budget proposal.
The Committee on Strategic Planning and Budget met Tuesday night to discuss the budget proposal ahead of Thursday’s vote.
MPS Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius proposed a $1.6 billion budget for the 2026-2027 school year.
“This is a budget not just for this year,” said Dr. Cassellius. “But the year ahead and the further years where we could be facing a $400 million deficit if we don’t take significant action now.”
The billion dollar proposal addresses the $46 million budget deficit from 2024-2025 that MPS is now facing.
The Milwaukee School Board voted to cut 263 non-classroom jobs back in March to counter the deficit.
A majority of the layoffs were assistant principals and administrative positions.
“Our budget proposal is focused on redistributing limited resources from our central office and administrative roles into our classrooms as much as we can,” said Dr. Cassellius.
The proposition includes adding over 150 teaching positions with a 2.63% pay increase for all teachers.
The district is also adding 414 paraprofessionals roles.
Dr. Cassellius said that the additional positions will reduce class sizes, and create a more personalized learning experience for students.
Community members are concerned that the teachings positions will go unfilled by the start of the school year.
“The goal is to have zero vacancies when the school year begins,” said Chief Human Resources Officer Dominick Maniscalco. “It is very difficult in an organization that has 11,000 employees to say we want to be 100% filled.”
Maniscalco said the district is facing 91 vacancies out of 4,500 teaching positions in May 2026.
“It’s not perfect and we could always do better,” said Maniscalco. “But it’s also not a bad position to be in.”
Speakers at the public hearing voiced concern for teachers impacted by the assistant principal layoffs.
“When that support is reduced, teacher stress increases, contributing to burnout and staff turnover,” said Administrators and Supervisors Council Executive Director Steven Lubar. “At a time when we all know retaining and recruiting educators is a daunting challenge.”
Retired MPS assistant principal Michelle Oxman questioned the board on why the thought of cutting assistant principals was even considered.
“I wish that every administrator, staff, and student body of the schools that are supposed to be losing assistant principals, would walk out,” said Oxman.
The Milwaukee School Board will vote on the budget proposal on Thursday, May 28.
Christian Yelich says Jacob Misiorowski is ‘1 of 1’
Christian Yelich calls Jacob Misiorowski ‘1 of 1’ while discussing his dominance in a 5-1 Memorial Day victory over the Cardinals.
The Milwaukee Brewers are going for a sweep over the division rival St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on May 27, looking to put even more distance between the rest of the National League Central and first place.
The Brewers came into the game with a 3½-game lead over second-place St. Louis, an advantage that grew by allowing just one run over two games in back-to-back victories. The red-hot Brewers are 16-6 in May and have won 19 of their last 26.
After elite performances from Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison, Wednesday will present a different challenge with the team lacking a true starting pitcher; Logan Henderson went on the injured list with a back ailment May 26, and though the team recalled starter Coleman Crow, the club said Crow would start Friday in the series opener in Houston. That meant a bullpen game May 27.
What time is the Brewers game today?
Time: 12:40 p.m.
What channel is the Brewers game on?
Channel: Brewers.TV
Brewers announce starting pitcher for finale against Cardinals
With Henderson landing on the injured list, the Brewers are employing a bullpen-game strategy against St. Louis on May 27. The first guy out of the bullpen: Chad Patrick.
Patrick (2-2, 2.63 ERA) started the year in the rotation but has been huge out of the bullpen. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last five outings, covering nearly 10 innings.
Expect to see Shane Drohan at some point, as well.
The Cardinals will send out right-hander Dustin May (3-5, 5.00 ERA).
Brewers 2026 record entering Wednesday
32-20
National League Central standings
The Central remains the only division in baseball with all five teams above .500. The Cubs, having lost 10 consecutive games, have fallen into a tie for last place after leading the division before the skid began.
- Milwaukee Brewers, 32-20
- St. Louis Cardinals, 29-24 (3.5 games back)
- Cincinnati Reds, 29-25 (4 games back)
- Chicago Cubs, 29-26 (4.5 games back)
- Pittsburgh Pirates, 29-26 (4.5 games back)
Brewers lineup
- Christian Yelich DH
- Jackson Chourio LF
- Brice Turang 2B
- William Contreras C
- Jake Bauers 1B
- Garrett Mitchell CF
- Luis Rengifo 3B
- Sal Frelick RF
- David Hamilton SS
Cardinals lineup
- JJ Wetherholt 2B
- Iván Herrera DH
- Alec Burleson 1B
- Jordan Walker RF
- Nolan Gorman 3B
- Masyn Winn SS
- Bryan Torres LF
- Pedro Pagés C
- Victor Scott II CF
Brewers probable pitchers, schedule
The Astros have not announced their probable pitchers for the weekend series against Milwaukee. Former Brewers pitcher Jason Alexander last threw May 26 but has struggled (1-1, 9.33). Beleaguered MLB newcomer Tatsuya Imai pitched May 25, throwing six innings at the front end of a combined no-hitter for the Astros. He has a 6.17 ERA through six outings, though.
The Brewers will quickly return home after the weekend series in Texas.
- Brewers at Astros, May 29, 7:10 p.m. CT: Milwaukee RHP Coleman Crow (0-0, 2.61 ERA) vs. Houston TBA. TV – Brewers TV. Radio – AM-620 WTMJ.
- Brewers at Astros, May 30, 3:10 p.m. CT: Milwaukee RHP Brandon Sproat (1-3, 5.84 ERA) vs Houston TBA. TV – Brewers TV. Radio – AM-620 WTMJ.
- Brewers at Astros, May 31, 1:10 p.m. CT. Milwaukee RHP Jacob Misiorowski (5-2, 1.83 ERA) vs. Houston TBA. TV – Brewers TV. Radio – AM-620 WTMJ.
- Brewers vs. Giants, June 1, 6:40 p.m. CT. Pitchers TBA. TV – Brewers TV. Radio – AM-620 WTMJ.
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