Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee County unveils plans to make roads safer
Over the next decade, residents in all 19 Milwaukee County municipalities could see more left-turn lanes, curb bump-outs, raised crossings and other permanent transformations at the community’s most significant road hazards if city leaders follow recommendations outlined in new Municipal Safety Action Plans.
Each safety action plan was built through analyses of crash data, municipal expertise and public feedback, and provides recommendations for elected officials and staff on how to improve each area’s biggest safety risks, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced in a press conference March 17 in Wauwatosa. All plans can be viewed on the county website.
A $32 million federal grant secured by the Complete Communities Transportation Planning Project, which is led by the Milwaukee County Department of Transportation, helped fund the creation of the plans.
The publishing of the municipal safety action plans marks the end of that county’s three-phase planning project and could unlock more funding for recommendations in the plans, according to a news release shared following the press conference.
The plans also mark a major step in the county’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious road-related injuries by 2037, Crowley said. Crashes have declined across the county, but at the same time the crashes that do occur are getting more severe, according to Dr. Ben Weston, chief health policy adviser for Milwaukee County.
Now, it’s up to each municipality to decide which changes to make on their streets, and how to fund them – whether locally through mechanisms like tax incremental financing or community development block grants, or through state or federal programs.
Wauwatosa had a 2025 with no fatal crashes, but more work needed to lower serious injuries by traffic crashes
In Wauwatosa, which has drafted its own commitment to Vision Zero, the goals for no fatalities and injuries on the road are already looking attainable, Mayor Dennis McBride said at the press conference.
Zero people died due to traffic crashes in Wauwatosa in 2025, the first year since 2019 the city saw no fatal crashes on its streets. Still, in 2025, 16 severe injuries involving crashes occurred in Wauwatosa.
“One year of zero fatalities does not mean our problem is solved,” McBride said. “This shows progress is possible, but we still need to eliminate the serious injuries on our streets.”
Wauwatosa’s Municipal Safety Action Plan will be another tool for the city, which is working to “constantly improve our roads,” McBride said.
In 2025, the city implemented three traffic calming projects, all funded through the $15 vehicle registration fee, or wheel tax, that went into effect April 1, 2025, and is paid for annually by vehicle owners for initiatives to help combat reckless driving.
That includes flashing beacons and bump-outs at Wauwatosa Avenue and Wright Street, bump-outs and signage at Lloyd and 73rd streets and improvements near schools at Center and 120th streets.
But city funds and new fees alone can’t keep up with the road needs, and local communities need more funding from the state to make improvements, McBride said.
Milwaukee apartment building fire
Firefighters responded to the scene of an apartment building fire on Fond du Lac Avenue near Bourbon Street in Milwaukee on Friday morning, May 1.
MILWAUKEE – Firefighters responded to the scene of an apartment building fire on Fond du Lac Avenue near Bourbon Street in Milwaukee on Friday morning, May 1.
What we know:
According to the Milwaukee Fire Department, crews responded to the scene shortly before 3 a.m. Upon arrival, they found fire on the first and second floors.
Five occupants jumped from second floor balconies and were taken to the hospital. Six other occupants were rescued from the structure by the Milwaukee Fire Department.
Milwaukee apartment building fire on Fond du Lac Avenue near Bourbon Street
Milwaukee apartment building fire on Fond du Lac Avenue near Bourbon Street
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No additional details have been released – including the cause of the fire or the amount of damage sustained.
The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Fire Department.
MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee food truck operators are fearing for their livelihoods after city leaders voted to limit their hours of operation in the name of public safety.
The Common Council unanimously passed a rule that will force food trucks downtown to close by 10 p.m.
It goes into effect May 9. Aldermen argue it will help prevent people from gathering after bars close.
Food truck owners showed up at City Hall on Thursday morning to say they’re not the problem.
Abdallah Ismail runs the Fatty Patty food truck. He said closing his truck at 10 p.m. will be devastating for his business.
“Most of our sales happen during that time,” said Ismail. “It’s the core of our business at 10 p.m. We need the city to let us talk. We need them to listen to us and find a better solution for us if they can.”
Ismail confronted Ald. Robert Bauman at the city hall demonstration.
Bauman represents downtown, and he said the curfew was put in place at the request of the Milwaukee Police.
He also said the police department believes late-night gatherings at food trucks are a contributing factor to the downtown violence.
Bauman said safety is a top priority.
“If the causation issue is correct that they are a part of the problem then we need to act and if there is collateral damage, that’s unfortunate,” said Bauman. “We regret that but the bigger issue here is economic viability of an entire downtown.”
Ismail said the curfew is unnecessary. He said that’s because the food truck operators have always been willing to cooperate with the police.
“When the police came to us and say close it because there is a problem, we close right away even if it’s a busy day, even if we have a line of people,” said Ismail. “We are already helping the city.”
Bauman said the curfew will move forward as planned, and if it doesn’t work, the Common Council could reconsider the measure.
In the meantime, the food truck operators just hope they can protect their financial livelihood.
Here are some of the top concerts in Milwaukee this spring
Here are some of the top concerts to check out around Milwaukee this spring at venues ranging from American Family Field to Shank Hall.
Prost! Maifest, Derby Day, Spaces & Traces, and fine art shows converge this weekend along with Revolutionary War Days in Menomonee Falls. Here are a handful of things to do in the Milwaukee area.
Estabrook Park Maifest
Cue the polka music; it’s opening weekend at Estabrook Beer Garden, 4600 N. Estabrook Parkway. Start hopping to Carol & The Keynotes at 5 p.m. May 1, and raise your stein for free beer at the Lakefront Maibock keg tapping at 6 p.m. The Squeezettes perform at 11:30 a.m. May 2, followed by a Third Space Happy Place keg tapping and free beer at noon. The polka continues with Polka Steve at 3 p.m. May 3. discoverthemorthshoremke.com
Foxtown Derby Day & Maifest
It’s beer and dogs at Foxtown Brewing, 6209 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, from noon to 10:30 p.m. May 2. Watch dachshunds “ruff for the roses” at the first annual Wisconsin Dachshund Derby, and enjoy performances by the Happy Shotski Combo, the Dorf Kapelle Band, and The LoveMonkeys. The Maifest menu includes bratwurst, giant pretzels, grilled Chicago dogs, brisket and pork schnitzel, with mint juleps, Oaks Lily cocktails, and Foxtown Brewing’s Maibock and lagers to drink. foxtownhospitalitygroup.com
Downtown Derby Day
Don your best derby hat and watch the Run for the Roses on May 2. Saddle up to the Bar in Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel at 139 E. Kilbourn Ave. for a 1 p.m. Derby Day bash with bites and specialty drinks available for purchase, then watch the race on Saint Kate’s grand projector screen. Or at 4 p.m. trot over to the Lobby Lounge of the Pfister Hotel at 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. and sip a mint julep in the sophisticated atmosphere of the hotel. The main race takes place around 5:45 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public. Visit thepfisterhotel.com or saintkatearts.com.
Historic Milwaukee Spaces & Traces
Tour unique homes on Milwaukee’s upper east side from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2. Guided by docents, the tour features nine homes, and a lecture by historian Brian Fette at 2 p.m. at Plymouth Church UCC, 2717 E. Hampshire St. Tickets are $40 and are available online at historicmilwaukee.org/spaces-traces-2026.
Old Falls Revolutionary War Days
The redcoats are coming to Old Falls Village Park, Pilgrim Road and County Line Road Q in Menomonee Falls, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3. As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, watch the planting of the Liberty Tree ceremony and see Revolutionary War reenactors bring early America to life with battles, weapon demonstrations, encampments and uniform presentations. The event includes military vendors, historical displays, music and a beer garden. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 5-11). oldfallsvillagepark.org
Free Range Art Show
A century-old farmstead hosts a fine art and craft spring show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2-3. View jewelry, pottery, fiber art, mixed media, wood work, paintings, cut metal art and sculptures in a historic Wisconsin barn at 6503 Pleasant Valley Road in Grafton. Free to attend. thefreerangeartshow.com
Art in the Garden
Shop the annual art and craft fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Whitnall Park, 9400 Boerner Drive in Hales Corners. The fair includes over 50 local artists, crafters and vendors showcasing a wide selection of handmade home decor, garden art, jewelry and artwork. Admission to the fair is included with regular admission to the gardens. boernerbotanicalgardens.org
What’s new in Milwaukee-area theaters this weekend
“Animal Farm”: George Orwell’s 1945 novella warning about the dangers of communism traces how a movement for equality is systematically corrupted as truth is erased. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2”: Sequel to the 2006 film follows the shifting power dynamics in the fashion industry, with veteran employees facing a digitally driven landscape. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ BistroPlex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“Deep Water”: A plane en route from Los Angeles to Shanghai is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“Hokum”: A writer navigates a chilling game of deception after he is locked in the abandoned, haunted honeymoon suite of a rundown hotel. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“The Story of Everything”: Documentary film exploring the origins of the cosmos and humanity, arguing that scientific evidence points to intelligent design rather than random chance. See it at Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
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