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Milwaukee police chief faces criticism over training trip to Israel

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Milwaukee police chief faces criticism over training trip to Israel


Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman is facing criticism after it was revealed he recently attended a counterterrorism training program in Israel, prompting public backlash during a Fire and Police Commission meeting.

What we know:

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The Milwaukee Police Department said Norman was out of the office from Dec. 1 through Dec. 7 while participating in a homeland security program in Israel. The trip drew sharp criticism during Thursday’s Fire and Police Commission meeting, where speakers questioned the timing and implications of the training.

For more than two hours, residents spoke before the commission, calling out Norman for attending the program amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

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“For this police chief in this political climate when there’s a genocide happening right now, to go learn tactics to further oppress our communities, is shameful,” said Angela Lang, Black Leaders Organizing for Communities.

One Fire and Police Commission member also apologized publicly to residents.

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“I called this trip unconscionable and I believe that with my chest,” said Krissie Fung. “I think that for many Milwaukeeans this is not something they will ever forgive.”

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Norman sat quietly in the front row during the meeting. He later released a statement defending the trip:

“At last night’s Fire and Police Commission meeting, members of the community and various organizations shared their concerns regarding my recent training trip to Israel. I want to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to express their thoughts and experiences.

Community feedback is invaluable, and I do not take it lightly. I am honored to serve a diverse community—one that includes a wide range of perspectives.

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In 2025, I was invited to participate in the Homeland Security Program in Israel, sponsored by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) and the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA). This program, established after 9/11, facilitates the exchange of best practices between U.S. law enforcement and leading counterterrorism experts. Given today’s global security challenges, I viewed this as an important opportunity to learn strategies for preventing and responding to terrorism—knowledge that ultimately enhances the safety of the entire community I serve.

As a leader, I believe in lifelong learning. Every experience, including the feedback I received last night, is part of that journey. I want to assure you that your comments were heard and taken seriously.”

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The training program was led by retired FBI Assistant Director Steven Pomerantz, who said the program began in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks and is not political in nature.

“There was no political tones to it, no connection to the military,” Pomerantz said. “It’s all about law enforcement.” 

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Pomerantz said Israeli national police have extensive experience dealing with terrorism and have shared lessons learned with U.S. law enforcement for years.

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“The Israel national police had more experience than any other police agency in the world dealing with terrorism and a lot of lessons they had learned over the years that they were willing to share with American law enforcement,” he said.

The program is limited to local law enforcement leaders, including sheriffs, police chiefs and commissioners. Pomerantz said participants learn how agencies in Israel share and analyze information to prevent terrorist attacks.

“What he learned in Israel and what he’s implemented since he’s been back, makes the people of Milwaukee safer,” Pomerantz said.

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Another question raised during the meeting was who paid for the trip. MPD said the training is run by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America.

The Source: The information in this post was collected and produced by FOX6 News.

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Brewers beat Marlins in extras, Mitchell’s double the difference

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Brewers beat Marlins in extras, Mitchell’s double the difference


Brice Turang slides to home plate to score during a game between the Miami Marlins and the Milwaukee Brewers on April 17. (Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Garrett Mitchell went 2 for 4 with three RBIs including a two-run double in the 10th inning and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Miami Marlins 7-5 on Friday night.

By the numbers:

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Miami’s Calvin Faucher (1-2) entered a 4-all game in the 10th and walked Gary Sánchez with Brice Turang on second. Jake Bauers hit a single to load the bases.

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Luis Rengifo reached first on a throwing error by second baseman Xavier Edwards, allowing Turang to score. Mitchell followed with his double.

The Marlins scored one run in the bottom of the 10th when Jakob Marsee came home on Trevor Megill’s wild pitch. Megill settled in for his fourth save.

Coleman Crow, who made his debut on the mound for the Brewers, threw 77 pitches over 5 1/3 innings. He threw four strikeouts, gave up two earned runs and a walk.

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The right-hander was 2-0 with a 4.07 ERA in two starts with the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate in Nashville. He missed part of the 2023 season and all of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The Brewers scored three runs in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded, Mitchell hit an RBI single, Bauers scored on a forceout at first and Rengifo scored on a throwing error by catcher Agustín Ramírez.

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Miami’s Otto Lopez hit a triple to center field in the fourth and scored on a sacrifice fly by Owen Caissie. Lopez hit a two-run homer in the sixth to pull Miami within 4-3 and Ramírez doubled in the eighth to tie the game at four.

Abner Uribe (1-0) earned his first win of the season, coming on in the ninth inning.

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Marlins third baseman Graham Pauley left the game in the seventh inning with right oblique discomfort after spinning out of the way of a pitch.

What’s next:

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The Brewers and Marlins continue their 3-game series on Saturday, with Brandon Woodruff (1-0, 4.36 ERA) taking the mound for Milwaukee and Sandy Alcantara (2-1, 2.67) for Miami.

The Source: The Associated Press provided this report.

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Beloit Memorial star Amare Hereford remains loyal, signs with Milwaukee Panthers

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Beloit Memorial star Amare Hereford remains loyal, signs with Milwaukee Panthers


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  • Amare Hereford, a Wisconsin “Mr. Basketball” finalist, honored his commitment to UW-Milwaukee’s basketball team.
  • Hereford turned down a last-minute scholarship offer from the Wisconsin Badgers to sign with the Panthers.
  • As a senior at Beloit Memorial, he led the state by averaging 37.5 points per game.

Loyalty is a word you rarely hear anymore when it comes to college sports.

Amare Hereford is an exception.

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The night before he was able to put pen to paper and make his commitment to the UW-Milwaukee men’s basketball team official earlier this week, the Beloit Memorial standout was invited for an on-campus visit with the Wisconsin Badgers.

Hereford did his due diligence. What player wouldn’t have in his position?

“Me being an 18-year-old kid, my first high major [visit], I just decided to go check it out,” Hereford said.

UW put on the full-court press in an attempt to lock down the Wisconsin “Mr. Basketball” finalist.

“They offered me a scholarship,” Hereford said. “It all happened so fast. It was all within a day.”

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Hereford went home, processed the situation with his family and came to a decision.

He would honor his commitment to the Panthers, with his signature cementing the deal and UWM announcing the news Thursday, April 16.

“No, it wasn’t really hard to turn down,” Hereford said, referring to UW’s offer. “I love every school and I appreciate every school that reaches out to me. But I’m going to choose a school that I have a great relationship with, with all the coaching staff, and that’s been thinking highly of me and recruited me for the longest time. And that was the Panthers.

“Wisconsin is a great school, of course. But I’m going to the school that has been with me for the longest time.”

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The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Hereford is a huge addition for a Panthers squad that, like so many other programs due to transfer portal madness, is in the midst of rebuilding its roster for the 2026-2027 season almost from scratch.

“Amare will be a star here at Milwaukee,” coach Bart Lundy said. “He will be a fan favorite from the beginning. He is a complete basketball player but probably has as good of an ability to score as I’ve seen in any high school player. He is a great student and a great worker and completely fits our culture.

“We are so excited that he will represent the city of Milwaukee and the state and especially his hometown of Beloit.”

Indeed, Hereford put the ball through the net for Beloit Memorial at a prodigious rate, averaging 37.5 points per game – tops in the state – as a senior. He finished as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,493 points in four years.

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Hereford also poured in 49 points in his final high school game, a WIAA sectional semifinal loss to Verona last month.

Hereford was tough to guard going to the basket as his 60.7% shooting this past season indicates, but he also shot a terrific 45% from from 3-point range (81 for 180) and capitalized on all the contact he drew to the tune of 83% accuracy at the free-throw line.

More than just a scorer, though, Hereford also finished with team-leading averages of 8.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 3.9 steals per game.

“My playing style fits the way [the Panthers] play – they get up and down, play fast,” Hereford said. “Coach Lundy said he definitely sees me running [point guard], having the ball in my hands, playing the same way I did in high school, finding teammates, getting to the rim and scoring at all three levels.”

Defense is typically where newcomers experience the biggest growing pains, learning the all-out effort it takes to guard at a high level on every possession.

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Hereford, however, indicates he’s more than just a scorer.

“I love playing defense,” he said. “Hitting the gaps, getting steals and different things like that, being active with my hands a lot. I’m definitely looking forward to getting pushed defensively and picking up the ball full court, on-ball pressure in the half court.”

Hereford took his visit to UWM in mid-March, after the season had been completed, but saw enough games on TV to cement his opinion of the challenge ahead.

“The Horizon League is amazing,” he said. “There’s a lot of guards who play the same way I play, like to get up and down, play fast. That’s why I love Coach Lundy and the Panthers and the rest of the staff. They let guys be themselves. They play fast, get up and down, play together as one.

“They let everybody touch the ball and be themselves.”

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Before Wisconsin entered the picture, Hereford said he’d narrowed his school choices to UWM and San Diego, where Whitefish Bay Dominican product and former Iowa State assistant JR Blount has taken over as head coach.

Now, Hereford projects as an important piece in the Panthers’ rebuilding process.

“Coach Lundy and the staff, they believe in me heavy. And I just want to prove them right,” Hereford said. “I want them to see that I can come in and make a huge impact right away for the team and in the Horizon League.

“I’m definitely going to come in and compete for my minutes. And obviously, I want to stay there.

“So, definitely looking forward to coming in and earning my spot.”

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Milwaukee area flooding hits Bay View, south side neighborhoods

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Milwaukee area flooding hits Bay View, south side neighborhoods


Recent storms brought flooding back to parts of Milwaukee, causing new damage in neighborhoods still recovering from historic flooding last August.

Local perspective:

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Along South Fulton Street in Bay View, piles of debris lined the road Thursday night as residents threw out water-damaged items from their basements. While the damage was not as severe as last year, neighbors said it is still frustrating.

Residents were also seen picking up dehumidifiers and fans, trying to dry out before more rain arrives.

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At the intersection of Howell and Oklahoma, which was underwater Wednesday night, a business flooded again.

“We’re kind of used to it over so many years,” said Michael Arenas, an insurance agent with Reilly’s Insurance Services.

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Arenas said flooding has become almost an annual issue, often leaving water in the building’s basement. He pointed to window seals that were pushed out by floodwaters.

“We even had some of these windows sealed up over here, and the flood actually pushed these out pretty good, so we’re gonna have to get these […] yeah, they pushed them out pretty good, and put all these leaves and stuff down here from the window wells,” Arenas said.

What they’re saying:

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About a mile away, homeowner Allison Gipp listed what she had to throw out after water entered her basement.

“Boxes, a TV, luggage, you know, wrapping paper and toilet paper,” Gipp said.

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She said sewage backed up through her floor drain, reaching about three inches this time.

“They’re saying, ‘Well, our biggest priority is not to have sewage in people’s basements.’ Well… This is what keeps happening,” Gipp said.

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In August, Gipp said her basement had about three feet of water.

The cleanup is not as extensive this time, but she said more storms could bring more work.

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“Hopefully it doesn’t happen again,” she said. “Hopefully, if it does, it’s not worse.”

Gipp said she is holding off on fully cleaning her basement in case more flooding happens.

The Source: The information in this post was collected and produced by FOX6 News.

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