Milwaukee, WI
Gas prices are currently under $3 in Wisconsin and could continue declining this fall
When gas prices are the cheapest
Tired of paying so much for gas? Discover how geopolitical events, seasonal demand and crude oil prices impact what you pay at the pump.
Gas prices in Wisconsin are now under $3 per gallon, on average, for the first time since last winter.
According to data from AAA, the average gas price per gallon in the state has fallen from $3.37 a month ago to under $2.98 on Monday. This also represents a significant drop from this time last year when Wisconsin’s average price was $3.66 per gallon.
Additionally, prices are dropping nationwide ― from $3.43 per gallon on average last month to about $3.21 on Monday, AAA says.
These are the lowest prices Wisconsin has seen since February 2024, data from GasBuddy.com shows, and they could approach the lowest seen nationwide in three years, Gas Buddy head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan said.
So, what’s causing this steep drop in prices at the pump, and what can Wisconsinites expect in the coming months? Here’s what to know.
Gas prices are under $3 in Milwaukee and continue to decline
Average gas prices in the Milwaukee-Waukesha metro area are about $2.90 per gallon on Monday, AAA says.
This is down from about $3.02 per gallon last week, $3.44 a month ago and $3.60 at this time last year.
Why are gas prices going down in Wisconsin?
The incremental switch from more expensive lower-butane summer-blend gasoline to cheaper higher-butane winter-blend gasoline usually causes gas prices to drop each fall.
The Environmental Protection Agency requires refineries to produce summer gasoline from May 1 to Sept. 15 and retailers to sell it from June 1 to Sept. 15. Most stations across the country will begin switching back to winter gasoline on Monday, De Haan said.
However, in August, stations in Wisconsin and other Midwestern states were granted a waiver to make the switch to winter gasoline early this year after a tornado-related outage at a fuel refinery in Joliet, Ill., caused gas prices to skyrocket.
At this time last year, refinery issues in other areas of the country caused prices to be much higher than they are this year, De Haan said. “That’s why, all of a sudden, some states are looking at an 80-cent difference between today and a year ago. … Typically, if there aren’t refinery issues or hurricanes, what we’re seeing this year is normally what happens. Gas prices usually peak in the spring, and then, as summer progresses, gas prices usually trend slowly lower.”
Even before the typical Sept. 16 switch to winter gasoline, the reopening of schools and the slow down of summer road trips at the end of August tend to cause people to drive less, lowering the demand for gasoline, De Haan explained.
Additionally, GasBuddy.com data shows that crude oil prices are at their lowest in over a year, further helping drive gasoline prices down.
How will gas prices change in the fall and winter?
“With the change to winter gasoline happening today at most stations across the country, the outlook is bright for the national average to continue to make a run at falling to $2.99 per gallon for the first time since 2021,” De Haan said.
De Haan said he expects Milwaukee gas prices to remain below $3 for the remainder of the calendar year unless another refinery outage or other major global event occurs. Prices could drop between 10 and 25 cents per gallon over the next few weeks, he said.
“I don’t really think it’s going to get a whole lot better than $2.60 or $2.50,” he continued. “I think we’ll probably hang out in the mid-to-upper twos for much of the rest of the year. If there are any refinery issues or if things develop economically for better, then we could see the higher side of that, or potentially slightly over $3 a gallon.”
Where can I find the lowest gas prices in Milwaukee?
GasBuddy maintains a list of the cheapest gas prices in the Milwaukee area, based on reports from local GasBuddy users. As of Monday morning, the cheapest prices per gallon could be found at Costco in Menomonee Falls ($2.59), Kwik Trip in Colgate ($2.59), Costco in Pewaukee ($2.59) and Kwik Trip in Sussex ($2.59).
The lowest price within the city of Milwaukee can be found at Sam’s Club on 124th Street ($2.69), while numerous other Milwaukee stations are selling gas for $2.73 per gallon.
For an up-to-date list of the cheapest gas prices in the Milwaukee area, click here.
MILWAUKEE – For decades, the standard response to crime in America followed a predictable script: police make an arrest, the court hands down a sentence and a jail door closes.
That revolving door rarely solves the root problem for people battling substance use or mental health crises. That’s where treatment courts come in.
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What is treatment court?
By the numbers:
Instead of handing down prison time, treatment courts’ specialized programs use legal accountability to push people into intensive, supervised recovery. Data shows it’s working.
According to the National Institute of Justice, treatment courts slash re-arrest rates by up to 58% compared to traditional court sentences. It isn’t just a temporary fix, either – research shows lower crime rates stick around for years after a treatment court participant graduates.
Milwaukee County Courthouse
So, how does the program get people to actually stick with it? It comes down to high stakes and strict supervision.
Participants face regular drug testing, mandatory check-ins with a judge and a requirement to secure housing or employment before they can graduate. People are six times more likely to stay in treatment long enough to actually get clean because of that pressure.
Milwaukee County graduates
Local perspective:
Milwaukee County hosted its annual treatment court graduation ceremony on Friday, honoring the people who successfully completed the programs. They were commended for their commitment to recovery and stability.
“Today, we gather to honor the remarkable achievements of the individuals who have shown an incredible strength, resilience and determination on their journey towards recovery and a brighter future,” said Milwaukee County Chief Judge Carl Ashley. “A future that positively impacts their families, and our community.”
The program is designed to help Milwaukee County residents rebuild their lives and reconnect with their families.
The Source: Information in this story is from Milwaukee County and the National Institute of Justice.
July 3 drone show at McKinley Beach
Watch the first-ever July 3 drone show at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee County will again opt for drones over fireworks for its Independence Day festivities this summer.
The county had its first-ever Fourth of July drone show in 2025, with officials saying at the time that drones would be better for the environment, safer and less costly than fireworks.
The show costs about $150,000 less than fireworks, Milwaukee County officials told the Journal Sentinel this week.
“Milwaukee County is at its best when we come together to create memorable, inclusive experiences for everyone,” County Executive David Crowley said in an April news release. “This drone show is another example of how we’re investing in our parks, our neighborhoods and our shared sense of community pride.”
How did residents react to last year’s drone show?
Milwaukee County Parks Executive Director Guy Smith said in a news release last year the show is “an exciting and environmentally conscious way to celebrate our community.”
“Unlike traditional fireworks, drone shows reduce noise and air pollution while still delivering an unforgettable experience,” Smith said. “It’s about making memories and ensuring everyone feels welcome in these shared spaces.”
But the Journal Sentinel polled readers after last year’s show and a majority responded that they would prefer the county bring back fireworks.
This year’s show will debut pyrotechnic drone technology, adding spark effect for an “even more dynamic and visually stunning performance,” the news release says.
How long is the Milwaukee drone show?
The show is 45 minutes long and features 900 drones, county officials said. It is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. July 3 along the lakefront at McKinley Beach.
Milwaukee police audit shows Flock camera uses
The Milwaukee Police Department released a sample Flock camera audit showing outlier uses tied to serious crimes as scrutiny continues over officer misuse and community privacy concerns.
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Police Department is giving the public a closer look at how officers use license plate reader cameras, part of an effort to be more transparent about how the technology affects community safety.
What we know:
For the first time, FOX6 got a look at a sample of audit results from the MPD involving the license plate reader system, also known as Flock.
The transparency effort comes after former officer Josue Ayala was charged with using the license plate readers to track someone he was dating and that person’s ex. Earlier this month, the department said a second officer was under investigation for possible misuse of the Flock camera system.
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On Thursday, May 28, FOX6 obtained MPD’s Flock audit report from April. It is something the department does every month.
In the report, MPD shared 24 “outlier uses” of the system. Those are possible red flags. The list is not all of them, but it gives a glimpse into how MPD uses the Flock system and how the department checks for misuse.
Of the 24 outlier uses, some plate numbers were associated with a wanted homicide suspect, a felony narcotics trafficking suspect and a suspect vehicle used in the abduction of a 5-year-old. According to the audit, that vehicle was located, the child was returned safely and a suspect was arrested.
The audit also listed a homicide investigation in which detectives developed plate numbers for both a suspect and victim, as well as a plate connected to a person wanted for second-degree sexual assault who was later arrested.
What they’re saying:
“Those audit logs are what was used to hold the officer accountable,” said Paris Lewbel, Flock Safety spokesperson.
Lewbel said Flock Safety is partnered with 220 law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin.
“We think it is important that communities are talking about their technology and how they use it,” Lewbel said.
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The company does not release how many cameras there are, but Lewbel said there have been fewer than 15 misuse cases across the country among the 140,000 users on the platform.
“Within the FLOCK system from day one, we built an immutable audit log in the system that allows law enforcement command staff and internal affairs in these cases to be able to see exactly what is being searched in the law enforcement system and FLOCK system specifically,” Lewbel said.
Dig deeper:
In Milwaukee, license plate readers have faced pushback from people who fear the data could be misused. Critics have called the system an invasion of privacy, saying it tracks innocent people as the debate over how the cameras are used continues.
FOX6 asked the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday whether the second officer under investigation had been charged. The office replied, “not at this time.”
What you can do:
The full list of outliers from the audit is available on the FOX Local app.
The Source: FOX6 obtained the Milwaukee Police Department’s Flock audit report and utilized prior coverage.
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