Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee anti-gun violence initiative prepares to graduate first class

Published

2 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Milwaukee anti-gun violence initiative prepares to graduate first class

MILWAUKEE — Inside a Milwaukee funeral home Sunday, students in a gun violence prevention program took part in a mock funeral meant to show the devastating impact violence can leave behind.

The emotional exercise at New Golden Gate Funeral Home was part of the “I Will Not Die to Gun Violence” initiative, a 10-week violence prevention program for adults and young people involved in or impacted by gun-related cases.

Watch: Why one Milwaukee man is working to advocate against gun violence by teaching students conflict resolution in his “I Will Not Die to Gun Violence” initiative, and how the program is making a difference.

Milwaukee anti-gun violence initiative prepares to graduate first class

It was created by founder Monte Mabra after his brother, 48-year-old Latroy Harris, was shot and killed in December.

“My brother’s memorial service was here,” Mabra said through tears during the event.

“This is taboo for me. I didn’t think this was going to to happen.”

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Monte Mabra.

The program teaches conflict resolution and gun violence awareness.

Ten students are set to graduate this week after meeting twice a week throughout the spring.

Mabra said some participants joined through social media outreach while others were referred through the courts.

During the mock funeral, participants portrayed grieving family members mourning an 8-year-old boy killed by gun violence.

Mabra said participants were later invited to walk up to the casket. Inside was a mirror.

“There’s a mirror there today to represent it could’ve been you. It can happen to anyone,” Mabra said.

Dan Cross, Lashante Martin, and Robert Johnson.

Student Robert Johnson said the experience felt personal.

“This could be any of us,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the program helped him think differently about high-risk situations and the people around him.

“It helps me,” Johnson said. “Gives me different tools on the day-to-day basis on ways to think, high risk situations, people I should stay away from.”

Student Dan Cross said the program challenged participants to think more deeply about violence and where it comes from.

“Violence comes in different shapes, colors and sizes and a lot of it comes from social conditioning,” Cross said.

“I’m a gun owner and father of four. This is a great way to break cycles of violence and teach my children better.”

Antonio D. Brown, the man accused of killing Harris, is expected back in court this week.

“I never wanted revenge… My hope and my wish is with this program you’re able to identify the thinking and decisions you make,” Mabra added.

Mabra said seven spots remain open for the program’s next summer session.

For questions or information about the initiative, you can call (414) 306-2107.

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Milwaukee, WI

In Focus: State Sen. Johnson evaluates Milwaukee’s climbing homicide numbers

Published

14 hours ago

May 24, 2026

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In Focus: State Sen. Johnson evaluates Milwaukee’s climbing homicide numbers

This week on “In Focus,” State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, discussed Milwaukee’s climbing homicide numbers from 2024 through 2025 and what’s behind them.

She discussed what needs to happen in Madison and at the local level in Milwaukee to reduce the number of crimes city-wide. Johnson said she believes more family involvement is part of the complex solution to make the city and state safer.

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Milwaukee, WI

One person injured, taken to hospital after rollover crash near 12th and Vliet

Published

1 day ago

May 23, 2026

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One person injured, taken to hospital after rollover crash near 12th and Vliet

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Fire Department says one person is injured and was taken to Froedtert Hospital for treatment after a rollover vehicle crash near N. 12th Street and W. Vliet Street on Saturday night.

MFD’s battalion chief confirmed this information to TMJ4 News in a statement.

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The scene of a rollover crash near 12th and Vliet in Milwaukee on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

A TMJ4 crew on scene of the crash around 8:20 p.m. saw crews there from the Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.

TMJ4 also reached out to the Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office for comment but has not heard back.

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Milwaukee, WI

Baby Keem hits the jackpot at ‘Ca$ino’ tour stop in Milwaukee

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2026

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Baby Keem hits the jackpot at ‘Ca$ino’ tour stop in Milwaukee

Baby Keem, the Grammy-winning hip-hop star and cousin of Kendrick Lamar, performed for a packed crowd at the Eagles Ballroom at the Rave in Milwaukee May 22.
Keem came back to town behind his sophomore album “Ca$ino,” offering cathartic bangers for a male-heavy crowd, with flashy production to match. Keem played 19 songs across 70 minutes in Milwaukee.
The party got personal at the end for “No Blame” that had him reflecting on childhood trauma. He also honored his grandmother who primarily raised him and died in 2025.

You know a performer’s made it big when they barely have to move a muscle to get a huge reaction.

Deep into his 70-minute set at the Eagles Ballroom at the Rave on May 22, after naturally triggering mosh pits on the floor following “Moshpit,” Grammy-winning rapper Baby Keem took a moment to just stand and stare at his capacity Milwaukee crowd.

Then, ever so slightly, he started turning his head to the right, then the left, then the right, then the left. With every tiny turn, the fans directly in front of him began to cheer, the roars becoming louder and louder, until dropping to quiet murmurs as Keem covered his eyes. When he moved his hand and opened them, the place went nuts.

It wasn’t the only time Keem had incredible audience command with little effort.

Near the end of “Booman,” Keem did two small jumps, inspiring thousands of fans to bounce with all their might. In the middle of subsequent song, “Vent,” Keem unraveled a guttural, drawn-out “louder,” prompting mighty roars and rap-alongs in response. Then for “Circus Circus Freestyle,” Keem ever so calmly faced the crowd, his palms facing the ceiling, and gently flicked his fingers, sparking electrifying energy from the masses.

Sure, Keem’s career and following received a significant boost by association: His cousin, and frequent collaborator, is hip-hop GOAT contender Kendrick Lamar. And Keem was supported by engrossing stage production for his “Ca$ino Tour,” named after his sophomore album that dropped in February.

Keem frequently performed atop a seedy-looking “Ca$ino” marquee with digital screens and lights projecting below it; to his right behind him was a “billboard” that projected different images and videos throughout the night, from a silhouette and flashes of a cartoon clown for “Circus Circus,” to home movies for “I Am Not A Lyricist.”

But even with his famous family connection and flashy production, Keem has earned his credibility, and the crazy commotion in Milwaukee, through his own towering talent and captivating catalog.

Take the title track off “Ca$ino” that kicked off Keem’s 19-song set. As soon as the sound effects of the slot machine piped through the speakers, the crowd was explosive – even though Keem himself was barely audible rapping through the song, his mic drowned out by the bass. Even the chants of the crowd were more audible. But everyone was having a blast anyway.

Chest-puffing bangers like “Ca$ino” have cultivated a devout crowd; in Milwaukee, it was made up largely of young men eager to blow off some steam. But Keem’s also a versatile rapper who expresses himself through a variety of cadences and tones – just like his cousin – and his songs can get quite deep and personal.

In Milwaukee, that aspect of his art was manifested for the surprising finale for this party: “No Blame,” off of “Ca$ino.” It was preceded by more home movies on the billboard, depicting an actual baby Baby Keem in the arms of Sharon Govan, his grandmother who primarily raised him, and passed away last year. When her name appeared at the end of that string of home movies, the crowd offered heartfelt cheers and applause in her honor.

And then Keem poignantly began to rap, and what he offered was raw and resonant, as he directly addressed his mother, the hurt she caused, and the hurt she had.

“I don’t blame you, Mama,” Keem rapped quietly. “You was walking the streets alone/You couldn’t shake the trauma … I cry and blame myself for all the [expletive] that fell upon us.”

He continued, and didn’t hold back, revisiting haunting memories of being 7, in his pajamas, waiting for his mother, a promise she couldn’t keep; and of his mother and grandmother fighting for him, with Child Protective Services at the door.

Baby Keem has generated so much goodwill he could easily coast in concert. But at the end of his Eagles Ballroom performance in Milwaukee, he gave his heart and soul.

Three takeaways from Baby Keem’s Milwaukee concert

There were signs all over the Rave warning that crowd surfers would be ejected immediately, and fans took them seriously, with no one taking the chance. Well, almost no one. After an elongated, fan-baiting pause ahead of one Keem’s biggest hits, his Kendrick Lamar collaboration “Family Ties,” one of his friends was so swept up by the energy he ran off the stage and dived on top of fans on the floor.
Keem also took a few minutes in the middle of his set to sign autographs for fans near the stage.
Mosh pits frequently formed during the set, but they were never aggressive. At one point, the bros (many shirtless) let a couple of women occupy the space in the center of a circle to dance together. And when the symphonic strings of “16” began to play, the jumping and playful pushing transformed into elegant swaying, as if the bros had been transported from a Baby Keem concert to a Victorian ball.