MILWAUKEE – On the evening of Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, FOX6 News checked in with passengers at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport to find out what they’re experiencing ahead of Christmas and Hanukkah.

FOX6 photojournalist Collin Schemenauer shows what some had to say.

Two people were killed in Milwaukee on Monday in a double shooting.

A 24-year-old and a 42-year-old were shot and killed on the 3800 block of West Nash Street, Milwaukee police said in a media release. Police said the incident happened at about 1:35 p.m.

Little is known about the shooting. Police said the circumstances leading up to it are still being investigated and authorities continue to seek any suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the department at 414-935-7360 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips.

Milwaukee is getting a new publicly funded dock to accommodate its growing cruise ship business — despite an attempt by some Common Council members to use $5 million in city cash for other programs.

That dock funding was included in Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s 2025 budget approved by the council.

Work on that new dock, which will better handle large Viking cruise ships, begins in 2025. It’s to be operating by spring 2026.

Here’s what to know.

Viking cruises spur the project

Viking in 2022 began using Milwaukee as a turnaround site for its Great Lakes cruises — with trips starting or ending here. That means more spending by visitors at hotels, restaurants and other businesses, Port Director Jackie Carter says.

But other Great Lakes cities are eyeing that business and Port Milwaukee faces the prospect of increased competition, according to Carter.

That led the port to plan a $17 million project to create a new cruise dock. It will be built on vacant land just east of the Lake Express Ferry Terminal, 2320 S. Lincoln Memorial Drive.

The Viking ships now dock at Port Milwaukee’s heavy lift dock — which mainly serves cargo ships. It’s within an industrial area off South Carferry Drive on Jones Island and “isn’t the most welcoming place” for tourists, according to Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic.

Smaller cruise ships, which can maneuver through shallower waters, dock at Pier Wisconsin, 530 N. Harbor Drive.

Dock funding includes federal, state grants

The project will be funded with $4 million in federal and state grants, $7.64 million in port cash reserves, and $5 million from city taxpayers.

That $17 million tab includes spending on road, sewer and water improvements to make the site available for other development.

Cruise ship passengers visiting Milwaukee generated a $7.2 million regional economic impact from 2022 through 2024, according to a study commissioned by Port Milwaukee.

Ald. Bauman sought to divert funding

Ald. Robert Bauman, who chairs the council’s Public Works Committee, opposed the $5 million funding request that was part of Johnson’s 2025 budget proposal.

He said the cost was too high, and was skeptical of the economic impact study.

Bauman offered an amendment that would have diverted the funding to street reconstruction and paving projects, and a city fund that helps first-time homebuyers with down payments.

Dimitrijevic, whose district includes the dock site, supported the dock funding. She said it would help attract more visitors who spend money in Milwaukee while also setting the stage for additional development at the site.

That amendment was rejected by the council on a 12-2 vote in November. Bauman was joined by Ald. DiAndre Jackson in supporting it.

Other port projects

Meanwhile, a $45 million agricultural maritime export terminal, opened in 2023 on the west side of Jones Island at 1711 S. Carferry Drive.

Clinton-based DeLong Co. uses it to ship dried distillers grain, an animal feed supplement, and other products aimed at international markets.

The terminal is being expanded, with that work likely to start in 2025.

Also, PCB-polluted sediment being removed from the Milwaukee River Estuary will be stored at the port’s Dredged Material Management Facility. It’s being built east of South Lincoln Memorial Drive and north of the Lake Express Ferry Terminal.

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, Bluesky, X and Facebook.