MILWAUKEE – This week marks Teacher Appreciation Week and, as many teachers are honored throughout the week, one local educator is in the running for one of the nation’s top honors. 

America’s Favorite Teacher

What we know:

Tina Gleason, a teacher at Golda Meir School in Milwaukee, is in the running to become “America’s Favorite Teacher” and needs the support of the community to earn the title. 

Gleason is going up against thousands of teachers nationwide. But each week, that list narrows down. 

This week wraps up the quarterfinals – where Gleason will rely on public vote to move on. 

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Gleason has been teaching for 31 years. Almost half those years have been catered to STEM and sustainability education. 

“I think it’s just an honor to be recognized,” said Tina Gleason. “I’m just excited to be in the running at all, I had no idea I’d make it to the quarterfinals.”

How to vote

What you can do:

Voting for the quarterfinals ends on May 7 at 9 a.m. A single vote is free – while a larger quantity requires a donation to The Planetary Society. 

Help Tina Gleason become America’s Favorite Teacher by casting your vote here. 

by Alex Klaus, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
May 5, 2026

Summer is almost here, and so is registration for another round of $35 driver’s education classes for Milwaukee Public Schools students. 

Each semester, Milwaukee Recreation offers MPS Drive, a driver’s education program for Milwaukee Public Schools students ages 15 to 17.

Registration for July classes opened May 5. Students can take classes in person, online or both, in addition to getting their driving hours behind the wheel with an instructor.

Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming driver’s education classes and how you can join.

How do I sign up?

You can sign up through the Milwaukee Recreation registration site here. 

Students signing up for MPS Drive already have an account, according to Nicole Jacobson, citywide programs manager. Students should sign in using the first seven digits of their student ID. Their pin should be their last name with the first letter capitalized.

Students interested in the community-based program will need to be signed up through a parent’s account. To create a parent’s account, you’ll need a username, email and password. You will be asked to provide your name, address, phone number, date of birth and information for any other family members interested in Milwaukee Recreation activities. 

Once signed in, pick the class format, dates, time and location that works best for you, then click ‘add to selection list’ and ‘add to cart.’

Who can take classes?

Any student attending Milwaukee Public Schools between the ages of 15 and 17 and a half can sign up through MPS Drive. Students at some schools chartered through MPS can join as well. 

To verify if your student’s charter school is eligible, call     414-647-6050.

Where are the classes?

Classes are available in person within some high schools, a hybrid format using both online and in-person classes or an entirely asynchronous online course that students have 90 days to complete. 

All classes, including online courses, will include behind-the-wheel lessons with six hours of observation and six hours of driving, Jodie Donabar, driver’s education supervisor at Milwaukee Recreation, said.

How much does it cost?

The program has a $35 fee, which is used to cover the costs of the driver’s permit. This fee includes classroom education and practice time behind the wheel.

What if I’m over the age limit?

If you’re over the age limit, you can take your test without completing a driver’s education program when you turn 18. You will need to pass the written permit test, which you can prepare for by studying the Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook, and take practice permit tests. 

After you receive your permit, you can practice driving with someone who holds a Class D driver’s license that is not probationary. You can then schedule a road test at the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles. 

Those 18 and older can ask for tutoring help with the written permit test from local driving schools. You can also take a class at a private driving school, which costs on average $500 to $700. 

Alex Klaus is the education solutions reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Report for America plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.

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FRANKLIN, Wis. – Costco is set to break ground on its first Milwaukee County location this week. The store will be located at 27th and Drexel in Franklin. 

“This has been a long and exciting planning process, and I know many people in Franklin are happy to hear this news,” said Franklin Mayor John Nelson. “I want to thank the Costco team for choosing our community to build its first store in Milwaukee County.”

The 164,000-square-foot facility will be built on more than 20 acres of land at South 27th Street and West Drexel Avenue — a site Northwestern Mutual used as its Franklin campus.

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The facility will feature a 12-pump gas station at the south end of the development and 868 parking spaces. 

The store is set to open in November 2026. 

Costco stores

What we know:

Costco currently has several stores surrounding Milwaukee County, but none within its borders. The Franklin store will be the company’s first in the county.