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Birth to 3 advocates hope to secure more funding in 2026 Milwaukee County budget

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Birth to 3 advocates hope to secure more funding in 2026 Milwaukee County budget


MILWAUKEE COUNTY — Milwaukee County supervisors will vote Thursday on a budget that could provide crucial additional funding for early intervention programs serving children with disabilities and developmental delays.

The proposed 2026 county budget allocates about $4.7 million for three nonprofit organizations that provide federally required Birth to 3 services: Penfield Children’s Center, Curative Care Network, and St. Francis Children’s Center.

However, program leaders say that funding falls short of what’s needed.

“We have a collective gap of over $2 million, and we have to fill that gap through fundraising,” the president and CEO of Penfield Children’s Center, Polina Makievsky, said.

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Polina Makievsky, President & CEO, Penfield Children’s Center

County Supervisor Marcelia Nicholson has proposed an amendment to add an additional $450,000 for the programs.

Watch: Birth to 3 advocates hope to secure more funding in 2026 Milwaukee County budget

Birth to 3 advocates hope to secure more funding in 2026 Milwaukee County budget

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County Supervisor Marcelia Nicholson sent the following statement:

“Every child in Milwaukee County deserves the strongest possible start in life. The Birth to Three program is one of our most effective tools for identifying developmental needs early and connecting families with the supports that help children thrive.

This investment is an important step forward, one that strengthens our commitment to early childhood development and brings much-needed attention to the gaps in state and federal funding. By investing locally, we’re both helping families now and making the case for resources to help our little ones reach their full potential.”

The Birth to 3 program provides early intervention services for children with disabilities or developmental delays.

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Makievsky has personal experience with its benefits — her own son participated in the program as a child.

“It was invaluable. The growth that we saw in him was tremendous,” Makievsky said.

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Despite growing enrollment in the programs, funding has remained stagnant for years for the three nonprofit partners working with Milwaukee County.

“We need some help, we need some support from the community,” Makievsky said. “This is an investment that’s going to pay tremendous dividends.”

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Laura Felix, executive director of St. Francis Children’s Center, emphasized the importance of the services they provide to families.

“We are really providing that village of support for families with disabilities,” Felix said. “We’re hoping if there is any possibility of increasing that amount to support birth to three; we believe that is critical.”

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Laura Felix, Executive Director, St. Francis Children’s Center

Parents like Larimar Adrianson understand the program’s value firsthand.

“It is absolutely irreplaceable. We can’t function without birth to three,” Adrianson said.

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Larimar Adrianson

The county supervisors’ Thursday vote will determine how much Milwaukee County invests in these specialized programs that serve some of the community’s most vulnerable children.

This story was reported by Megan Lee and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.


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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Tool recalling over 90,000 chainsaws due to safety risk

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Milwaukee Tool recalling over 90,000 chainsaws due to safety risk


The Milwaukee Tool M18 FUELTM Top Handle Chainsaw was recalled over a safety risk. (Photo courtesy of the Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Milwaukee Tool recall has recalled more than 90,000 chainsaws sold related to safety risk.

The company recalled the products because the chain brake may not activate and pose a laceration hazard, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

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Mattresses sold on Amazon recalled over fire hazard

CPSC officials noted that Milwaukee Tool received two reports of the chain brake not activating, including one injury involving a lacerated finger.

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Which Milwaukee Tool chainsaws are recalled?

Why you should care:

Milwaukee Tool M18 FUELTM Top Handle Chainsaw with either a 12″ or 14″ bar were recalled. This impacts approximately 90,860 units in the U.S. and an additional 7,500 in Canada.

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 85,000 hedge trimmers recalled over laceration risk

According to the CPSC, the chainsaws were sold at Home Depot and other home improvement stores and online at homedepot.com between March 2023 and September 2024. The catalog number is 2826-20 with a serial break identified with “A” in the product’s serial number. 

What if I have the recalled chainsaw?

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What you can do:

Consumers with these chainsaws should stop using them and call Milwaukee Tool to get a free repair. 

Furthermore, you can register the product at https://service.milwaukeetool.com/support/eservice to receive a prepaid shipping label to return their product to Milwaukee Tool for repair.

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The Source: Information for this story was provided by a Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice. This story was reported from Washington, D.C. 

 

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Milwaukee, WI

Twilight Centers offer nighttime fun for Milwaukee youths

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Twilight Centers offer nighttime fun for Milwaukee youths


Step into North Division High School on a Monday night, and you’ll hear the sound of students playing basketball and see others playing in the game room. Three nights a week, the school turns from a place of learning into a recreation center.

North Division High School is one of eight Milwaukee high schools that host Twilight Centers, a Milwaukee Recreation program.

“Twilight Centers are meant to get teenagers off the street at night and provide a safe haven,” said Jason Blocker, Twilight Center supervisor. 

Many come to the centers every night they’re open, he said. 

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Blocker said he sees about 50 to 60 students on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at North Division, and just as many at  Washington High School of Information Technology, another Twilight Center site he supervises.

Centers are staffed with student and adult monitors who check in on students at all times. Blocker said students are often respectful of the space and stick to their activities, especially with monitors around. 

All kinds of fun

Youths play basketball during the Twilight Zone at North Division High School on Oct. 27. Basketball is the most popular activity at Twilight Centers.  (Photo by Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local)
Kiere Phillips, 17, takes a shot in the North Division High School gymnasium. (Photo by Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local)
Youth hang out and play video games in the Twilight Center game room at North Division High School. (Photo by Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local)
Byrce Samuel, 17, plays pool in the Twilight Center game room at North Division High School. (Photo by Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local)
Jamarreise Jones-Butler, 14, enters the pool at North Division High School. (Photo by Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local)

Students in the mood for more relaxing activities can go to the game room to play video games on the Xbox or PlayStation, or air hockey and pool. Students also have access to computers to do homework, look for jobs and safely browse the internet. 

North Division’s pool is also open for swimming during Twilight Center hours. Two student lifeguards monitor swimmers at all times. 

Blocker said the pool at Washington is under renovation, so those wishing to swim should go to North Division’s Twilight Center. 

Centers offer snacks like chocolate milk, cheese sticks and crackers in the cafeteria each night, Blocker said. 

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The center also offers different enrichment activities. If students attend enough, they get to go on a field trip at the end of the semester. 

One semester, students attended a Milwaukee Bucks basketball game, Blocker said. For another, they went to Dave and Buster’s. He said about 20 students at North Division end up going on the field trip. 

When it’s time to leave, Milwaukee Recreation has free bus passes to help students get home.

Where to find your local Twilight Center

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This semester, most Twilight Centers are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Six centers serve students ages 12 to 18, and two serve ages 10 to 14. 

Blocker said children of other ages can come if they’re accompanied by an adult, but snacks are limited to children and teens.

He said you must be a student to attend, but you don’t have to go to an MPS school. 

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If you’re an MPS student, all you need to go to a Twilight Center is your “s number,” the same number you use to get lunch, Blocker said. 

Students who don’t go to MPS can provide information about their identity and age and will get a card to use on future Twilight Center visits. 

This allows Milwaukee Recreation staff to identify everyone at the Twilight Center to maintain security and let parents know their child is at the center if they ask. 


Twilight Centers: Ages 10 to 14

Andrew Douglas Middle School: 3620 N. 18th St.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

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Bay View High School: 2751 S. Lenox St.

Friday and Saturday: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Twilight Centers: Ages 12 to 18

James Madison High School: 8135 W. Florist Ave.

Monday and Wednesday: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

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North Division High School: 1011 W. Center St.

Monday and Wednesday: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Obama School of Career and Technical Education: 5075 N. Sherman Blvd.

Monday, Wednesday: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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Saturday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Casimir Pulaski High School: 2500 W. Oklahoma Ave.

Monday and Wednesday: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Saturday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

South Division High School: 1515 W. Lapham Blvd.

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Monday and Wednesday: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Washington High School of Information Technology: 2525 N. Sherman Blvd.

Monday, Wednesday: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

and Saturday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee church steps up as SNAP delays leave families struggling

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Milwaukee church steps up as SNAP delays leave families struggling


With SNAP benefits still delayed two days into November, one Milwaukee church is stepping up to help families put food on the table.

What we know:

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At Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ on the city’s north side, addressing hunger has become just as essential as Sunday worship. The church, home to roughly 2,500 members, operates the Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry – serving hundreds of families each month.

Volunteer Gabrielle Mallory says she’s motivated by faith and compassion.

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“We have to be there for each other and right now, a lot of people need help,” she said.

Mallory helps load and distribute food for those in need.

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“Go to pantries, load up, and ask people if they need any food and whatever I have, I will share it with them,” she said.

Pantry coordinator Tanisha Collins-Johnson says the federal government shutdown and delayed SNAP benefits is a big factor in the growing demand.

“We’re seeing an influx of people come through the door that’s in need. Children, family, seniors – you’re seeing a lot more people coming to the food pantry,” she said.

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The church relies on donations from its congregation to keep the shelves stocked.

What they’re saying:

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“The little you think that may not be a lot, it may be a lot in God’s hands, so bring it,” said Lead Pastor Jeremy Q. Henry. “We want to engage everyone in the community efforts here.”

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Efforts extend into the holiday season, where Holy Redeemer expects to serve more than 1,000 families across the city.

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“The service never stops,” Mallory said. “This is a highly needed service right now when it comes to providing food to people that need it.”

No matter the state of the government shutdown, church leaders say the pantry will remain open every Wednesday and Sunday – continuing to make hunger relief a priority.

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

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