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IndyCar Series returning to the historic Milwaukee Mile

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IndyCar Series returning to the historic Milwaukee Mile


The Milwaukee Mile is steeped in history but hasn’t hosted an IndyCar Series event since 2015.

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For those who remember sun-splashed days, that distinctive open-wheel engine sound and supportive crowds, it’s been tough to take.

Enter Roger Penske, the biggest mover and shaker in the sport, is bringing the series back to the facility.

“Great track, the best kind of racing when you get a mile flat like this,” said Penske. “It’s just a great spot. The racing and the visibility, you know from the grandstand, you see everything and that’s what’s key.”

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Josef Newgarden drives for Team Penske and is the reigning Indianapolis 500 champion.

It stands to reason that he’d support his boss’ pursuits, but Newgarden’s enthusiasm for this return is personal.

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Milwaukee Mile, West Allis

“I’ve been waiting nine years, okay,” said Newgarden. “It’s very important to me. The last time I was here, it was my first pole position in IndyCar. I grew up dreaming of being an IndyCar driver. Milwaukee is a staple, it should be on the calendar, so I can’t wait to come back here. I want to see everybody there August 13th through September 1st. We’re going to be there. It’s a good time.”

And it’s a rapidly approaching time. Just like on the track, windows close very quickly when it comes to getting a venue up to speed, especially one that hasn’t hosted this series in almost a decade.

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“Of course it’s daunting,” said Shari Black, Wisconsin State Fair CEO. “Certainly, it’s a challenge. It’s almost, well, it’s similar to planning another fair, maybe not quite as big, but it’s a big deal.”

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“Well, I think we’re looking at sustainability,” Penske said. “We’ve got quality sponsors, we’ve got more teams than we thought we’d ever have, we’ve got an entry level of guys that are coming at Indy next and this is the ones that want to be at the Indy 500, so we’ve got a great leader series coming in.”

For years, the Mile’s event was just one week after the Indy 500.

There was a built-in build-up. More recently, the track has been quiet.

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Preparations and eagerness are now accelerating toward top speed in regard to the Mile’s return to the IndyCar schedule.

By the time the teams get to town, they will be in final jockeying mode for the season championship. And more history will be made at America’s legendary oval.

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The doubleheader at the Mile will be the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend.

There will also be racing in Elkhart Lake on June 9th.



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Milwaukee, WI

Nine-story hotel planned for former Bradley Center site in downtown Milwaukee

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Nine-story hotel planned for former Bradley Center site in downtown Milwaukee


The former Bradley Center site in Deer District, just south of Fiserv Forum, is set to be converted in part to a new Moxy Hotel.

NCG Hospitality, the operator of Moxy Hotels, and the Milwaukee Bucks announced Friday that the company has finalized plans to build the downtown hotel project, adjacent to the upcoming FPC Live concert venue opening late next year.

The Moxy Hotel project is set to break ground in late 2025 as well and open in spring 2027. The building is nine stories with 162 rooms. The new hotel joins the Trade Hotel, just north of the arena, which is also owned by NCG Hospitality and opened last year.

“Moxy Milwaukee Downtown will offer a fresh addition to bustling Deer District, creating an ideal destination for concertgoers and Milwaukee visitors alike,” the company said in a news release.

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“The hotel will host a vibrant social scene, with check-in at the bar, a signature welcome drink and a lobby filled with games and spaces for guests to socialize and unwind.

“With the new FPC Live concert venue just steps away, guests will have access to world-class entertainment, making Moxy Milwaukee Downtown a hotspot for visitors looking to experience the best of the city’s vibrant nightlife.”

The hotel plans first surfaced in fall 2023 in connection with the FPC Live venue and around six months after NCG opened The Trade hotel north of Fiserv Forum.

Tom Daykin contributed to this report.

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Milwaukee cohousing project receives Mayor Johnson's approval

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Milwaukee cohousing project receives Mayor Johnson's approval


MILWAUKEE – A unique housing project planned for Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood received the public thumbs up from Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson Friday.

In front of what will eventually be the River Trail Commons cohousing development, the Mayor signed a public file advancing the project. Mayor Johnson also signed a second file authorizing the Environmental Collaboration Office to seek clean energy tax credits to support various projects like the new Martin Luther King Jr. Drive library branch in the Harambee neighborhood.

In addition to the advancement of the project, Friday’s public ceremony served as a chance for several Milwaukee city leaders to show their solidarity with the man who pushed heavily for River Trail Commons and other ideas like it: late Third District Alderman Jonathan Brostoff. The alderman died by suicide earlier this month at just 41-years-old.

Thousands gather to honor late Alderman Jonathan Brostoff

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“A big part of the reason why I wanted to sign these files publicly was to honor Jonathan, and to recommit ourselves to Jonathan’s approach, was to be forward thinking,” said Mayor Johnson.

Nine of the 14 living Common Council members flanked Mayor Johnson and Alderman Brostoff’s widow Diana Vang-Brostoff during the event.

“When Jonathan took an oath of office, he decided he would work very hard to create affordable housing in the Third District. The use of this space for townhomes and condos would make him proud at accomplishing an important goal of adding diverse housing to the city,” said Vang-Brostoff.

Diana Vang-Brostoff speaks at the event advancing the River Trail Commons cohousing project. Her late husband, Milwaukee Alderman Jonathan Brostoff, had been a vocal advocate for the development before his death. November 22nd, 2024

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Planned Milwaukee cohousing project gets first city approval

A new rendering of what the River Trail Commons cohousing project could look like when completed in Milwaukee’s Rivewest neighborhood. November 22nd, 2024

The cohousing project would be the first of its kind in the city, including 39 housing units at a site formerly occupied by the Milwaukee Beer Bistro and then Big Daddy’s BBQ & Soul Food near Humboldt Boulevard and Center Street. The goal of the project according to its leader, attorney Nola Hitchcock Cross, is to build a community of neighbors around sharing resources.

“We’re creating a new-old fashioned development, where everybody knows your name,” says Hitchcock Cross. “It’s got secret sauce, and the secret sauce is the community.”

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Attorney Nola Hitchcock Cross speaks at the event advancing the River Trail Commons cohousing project. Hitchcock Cross has led the process behind the scenes, and says the development has the “secret sauce” of community development. November 22nd, 2024

As part of the community-building mission, Hitchcock Cross says the development will include a public gathering space for meals, a community garden, library, play room, workshop, guest suites, multifunction room, and outdoor lounge space. There would also be a shared electric vehicle on site.

According to Realtor.com, in July of 2024, the median listing home price in Milwaukee was 219,900 dollars, trending up 15.8% year-over-year. Of the 39 planned units, 13 will be sold at below-market prices to those who meet income restriction requirements. It’s still not known what the rate on the below-market price units will be.

Groundbreaking on River Trail Commons is anticipated sometime in 2025, with the hope of completing the development the same year.

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'This is a critical decision for MPS'; Community members provide input on superintendent search

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'This is a critical decision for MPS'; Community members provide input on superintendent search


MILWUAKEE — The Milwaukee Public School Board heard some encouraging news Thursday night. Board members found out that there are currently twenty-six applicants in the mix as they search for the next superintendent.

“This is a critical decision for MPS and for Milwaukee,” associate with Hazard Young Attea Associates, Pat Neudecker said.

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Hazard Young Attea Associates is the firm Milwaukee Public Schools hired to help with the superintendent search after Keith Posley resigned back in early June amid a financial crisis in the district. Eduardo Galvan stepped in as Interim at the end of July.

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Watch: Community members provide input on MPS superintendent search

‘This is a critical decision for MPS’: Community members provide input on superintendent search

“Know that we are going to bring the best candidate,” Neudecker said.

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Neudecker said she met with Mayor Cavalier Johnson, County Executive David Crowley, Governor Tony Evers, students, and parents in the last six weeks. She also got to meet with other community leaders for input.

“We asked everyone the same. What’s great about MPS, what are the challenges, and what do you look for in a new superintendent,” Neudecker said.

The firm got about 850 responses in the survey that was conducted.

“Which is low for the size of your community. But again, good responses,” Neudecker explained.

One of the qualities many are hoping the candidates can bring to the district is transparency.

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“I think a lot of the issues we had in the past could have been avoided through transparency,” Rufus King Senior, Manuel Ishag said.

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Ishag is a leader on the Superintendent Student Advisory Council. He is passionate about the district and what a new leader could bring to the table.

“I like to see tangible progress. I’m a numbers guy. So, I’d like to see maybe a little more focus on academics and test scores,” Ishag explained.

TMJ4’s Megan Lee asked Ishag if he wants a thriving school district. He said, “Oh I would love that, I’m already proud of my district.”

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The district plans to name a new superintendent in late February.


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