Milwaukee, WI
Gov. Evers appoints longtime state Sen. Lena Taylor to be Milwaukee judge
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers appointed longtime Democratic state Sen. Lena Taylor, a 20-year veteran of the Legislature who has mounted numerous unsuccessful campaigns for local office, to be a Milwaukee County judge Friday.
Taylor, 57, was first elected to the Assembly in 2003 and has been in the Senate since 2005. She resigned Friday and will take over as a Milwaukee County circuit judge Tuesday. Her departure leaves Republicans with a 22-10 majority in the Senate.
Evers appointed Taylor to succeed Audrey Skwierawski, who resigned last month after being named by the new liberal majority of the Wisconsin Supreme Court as state court administrator. Taylor will complete the remainder of her term, which ends July 31, 2025, and would have to run in the 2025 spring election to serve a full term.
Evers will call a special election to replace Taylor in the Legislature this spring, his spokesperson Britt Cudaback said. Whoever wins would have to run again in the general election because the seat is up for election this year. Further complicating things, the district lines may be redrawn as the Wisconsin Supreme Court ponders new legislative map s after tossing the current Republican-drawn ones as unconstitutional.
Taylor ran to be a Milwaukee municipal judge last year and lost. She also was defeated in races for Milwaukee mayor in 2020 and 2022, lieutenant governor in 2022 and Milwaukee County executive in 2008.
“Sen. Taylor is a committed public servant who has dedicated her life to pursuing justice for her community and the people of Wisconsin,” Evers said in a statement announcing the appointment.
During her time in the Legislature, most of which she was the only Black member of the Senate, Taylor has been a vocal advocate for justice reform and Milwaukee. She previously served as chair of the Judiciary Committee.
Taylor, who began her legal career as a public defender, said being named judge is a “full circle moment.” She said justice reform remains a priority.
She has also faced controversies, most notably in 2018 when she was cited for disorderly conduct. The police report quoted multiple witnesses saying they heard Taylor call a Black bank teller a racial slur. Taylor defended her use of the term, saying she thought she could speak that way because both she and the teller are Black and conversations within Black culture are different than other conversations.
Milwaukee, WI
These Asian restaurants are joining Milwaukee’s restaurant scene soon
Here’s a glance at Milwaukee’s Top 25 Restaurants selected by Rachel Bernhard
For the first time in five years, the Journal Sentinel presents Milwaukee’s Top 25 Restaurants, this year from new dining critic Rachel Bernhard.
These three Asian restaurants are joining Milwaukee’s restaurant scene soon.
Here’s a look at what we know about them:
Hmongfusion
Hmongfusion is opening at 8340 W. Appleton Ave. Its proposed opening date is Dec. 20, according to a Milwaukee business license application.
Hmongfusion, described as a fast-food restaurant with dine-in seating, will be located inside Pacific Produce, an Asian grocery store.
The restaurant will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to the application.
Hmongfusion will offer Thai and Lao salads, curry, pho, noodle dishes and rice dishes. Appetizers will include a variety of spring rolls and egg rolls.
Owner Delila Vang didn’t immediately return an interview request.
ZX Sushi
ZX Sushi will open at 823 N. 2nd St. with a proposed Jan. 31 opening date.
The restaurant will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily, according to a Milwaukee business license application.
It’s on the first floor of the Chalet at the River building, in the former space of Crab It Your Way MKE.
ZX Sushi is billed as all-you-can-eat sushi but also will serve bento boxes, ramen and other entrees. It’ll have a bar.
Owner Yulin Zheng, who also owns Fusion Poke restaurants in Milwaukee, didn’t immediately respond to an interview request.
Yang Kitchen
Yang Kitchen is planning to open in March at 8301 W. Silver Spring Drive, according to a Milwaukee business license application.
The restaurant, which will include a banquet hall in the basement, is in the location of the former Open Doors Learning Center.
The menu will include pho, pork belly and spring rolls, among other items.
Milwaukee, WI
Shannons Sims & Cassandra McShepard learn to make holiday centerpieces at Urban Sense
MILWAUKEE — With the holiday season upon us, you may want to consider this hidden gem. Urban Sense is known for its beautiful fresh floral arrangements, but it offers so much more.
Located at the corner of 54th and West Vliet St., this modern floral and gift shop provides a one-stop shopping experience. I spoke with one of the owners, Chris Dobs, to find out what sets them apart.
Watch: Find one-of-a-kind items at Urban Sense
Find one-of-a-kind items at Urban Sense
“We really specialize in customer service, and I know a lot of businesses say that, but we really excel at it. If you’re planning a special event, we talk about the location and how many people are coming. If you’re buying a plant, we’ll discuss the sun’s location, what type of plant you’re looking for, and whether it’s high maintenance or low maintenance. With holiday decor, we’ll definitely go through and try to make it nice and special for you. Because Urban Sense is a sense of touch, sense of feel, sense of environment,” Chris said.
Watch: Shannons Sims & Cassandra McShepard learn to make holiday centerpieces
Shannons Sims & Cassandra McShepard learn to make holiday centerpieces at Urban Sense
In addition to flowers and plants, the shop offers a variety of unique gift items. Co-owner Daniel Block shops small business vendors to stock Urban Sense with things you can’t find locally, including lotion candles, the world’s softest socks, upcycled high-strung jewelry, and a large selection of German cuckoo clocks.
Weddings are a huge part of their business, with about 50 to 60 per year. Daniel says, “What sets us apart is that we customize for each wedding event. We also don’t have budget minimums for wedding flowers; we just try to work within every budget.”
When you buy a plant, they will pot it for you and even re-pot your existing plants. And get this: “We get fresh Christmas trees cut literally the week before Thanksgiving. This year, we’re carrying Fraser Firs, and we also deliver them if you’d like,” Chris said. But it gets better: they will decorate the tree for you as well!
I told you this was a hidden gem.
For more information, click here.
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Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Brewers Would Reportedly Love to Add Paul Goldschmidt This Winter
According to MLB Insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Milwaukee Brewers would love to add free agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt this winter.
He wrote the following on Monday:
The Brewers would love to find a way to get former Cardinals All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt on their roster, and would have been all-in if first baseman Rhys Hoskins had opted out of his contract.
Hoskins did opt-in, meaning that the Brewers would need to do some roster gymnastics to find time for both guys at first base and designated hitter.
Goldschmidt would be a nice add to the offense, especially considering the team is widely expected to lose Willy Adames in free agency. Furthermore, since Goldschmidt was not issued a qualifying offer by the Cardinals, he won’t cost a draft pick on Milwaukee’s end, which is highly appealing.
A lifetime, .289 hitter, Goldschmidt has spent 14 years in the big leagues with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cardinals. He is a seven-time All-Star and a four-time Gold Glover. He won the MVP Award in the National League in 2022.
The Delaware native is coming off a year in which he hit .245 with 22 homers and 65 RBI. He posted a .302 on-base percentage. The Brewers are coming off a year in which they won the National League Central and advanced to the wild card round of the playoffs before losing to the New York Mets.
They have designs on staying atop the division, but losing Adames will be a big loss. Perhaps adding Goldschmidt can alleviate it.
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