Milwaukee, WI

Palermo's Pizza celebrating 60 years in operation

Published

2 years ago

May 22, 2024

Palermo's Pizza celebrating 60 years in operation

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee’s own Palermo’s Pizza is expanding. The company will start building a new 200,000 square-foot facility this summer in West Milwaukee.

What You Need To Know

Palermo’s Pizza was founded by Italian immigrants in the 1950s

It’s expanding into a new 200,000 square-foot facility this summer

That means the company is hiring for 50 new positions

It will allow Palermo’s to grow its production capacity and add 50 new jobs. This comes as the family-owned business is celebrating 60 years in operation.

Founded by Italian immigrants in the 1950s, Palermo’s Pizza has deep roots in Milwaukee, family and tradition.

“My grandparents came over from Italy with nothing in their pocket,” said Nick Falluca, chief product and innovation officer at Palermo’s.

He said they worked hard and eventually turned some of their favorite Italian recipes into a business.

In 1964, the Falluca family opened a bakery out of a house on Milwaukee’s East Side. Four years later, they transitioned that bakery into an Italian restaurant. That’s where the family began offering their signature frozen pizzas for customers to buy and make at home. From there, they started selling those frozen pizzas at local grocery stores and bars.

Decades later, Palermo’s Pizza has grown into a national and international brand, selling millions of pizzas each year at major retailers, like Costco. Despite its growth, Palermo’s remains committed to its roots and values.

Still, every one of its frozen pizzas ties back to grandma and grandpa.

“We’d be at the dinner table, and everybody would be like, ‘Why is he screaming?’ And we would be like, ‘No, that’s just how grandpa talks,’” Falluca said. “He was loud and vibrant. That’s how the name ‘Screaming Sicilian’ came about.”

Dax Schaefer is the corporate chef for Palermo’s, and Brianna Fyock is a manager and senior food scientist for the company. They both said while they are not related to the Falluca family by blood, anyone who works for Palermo’s is treated like family.

“The Falluca family has been nothing but generous to their employees,” Schaefer said.

“It really does feel like family here,” Fyock added. “To actually see the start to finish, from the idea of a pizza to creation, and then be able to buy it for your family in a grocery store, is such a great experience.”

Falluca said prioritizing the customer, employees and a quality product also comes from grandpa.

“That’s how he ran the restaurant, putting the customer first, really great food, and focusing on your employees,” Falluca said. “That’s how to create a great business, product and customer service.”

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Milwaukee, WI

Updating the Milwaukee Brewers’ payroll projection for 2026

Published

4 hours ago

January 30, 2026

Press Room

Updating the Milwaukee Brewers’ payroll projection for 2026

At the start of the offseason, we looked at the initial payroll projection for 2026. While not much has changed to the roster since then, there have been some adjustments. As the end of January approaches, and pitchers and catchers are set to report in just 13 days, the starting payroll is getting closer to a set amount. Let’s take a look at what has changed since then. (If you want to review the original projection from the end of October, you can find that post here.)

Here are some reminders for the projection.

The majority of these numbers are from Spotrac, which has estimated payroll numbers for all MLB teams.
Per the CBA, the minimum salary for players in 2026 is $780,000. Any pre-arbitration player has this salary listed by default. These salaries can be slightly different for each player, but not by a significant amount.
This is not a roster projection for 2026. Some players on this list are currently in the organization but may be planned for a minor league role. This is just in place to show what a minimum commitment would be. Minimum salaries can be swapped out for any other minimum salary player that would be in the minors.
While I do not think the Brewers will break camp with 14 position players and 12 pitchers, that is how it is set up below due to current commitments. That will change before the season.
In the initial payroll for 2026, I included the declined options after the 2025 season. Spotrac has moved those numbers to the 2025 season, so I have also adjusted for that to keep the numbers consistent.
The final projected payroll for 2025 was $156,266,827, per Spotrac. That was 18th in MLB.

First, here are the projections for the initial roster.

Position Players		Bench Players
C – William Contreras	$9,900,000*	C – Jeferson Quero	$780,000
1B – Andrew Vaughn	$7,650,000	1B – Jake Bauers	$2,700,000
2B – Brice Turang	$4,150,000	UT – Andruw Monasterio	$780,000
3B – Caleb Durbin	$780,000	OF – Garrett Mitchell	$950,000
SS – Joey Ortiz	$780,000	OF – Akil Baddoo	$1,250,000
LF – Jackson Chourio	$7,000,000
CF – Blake Perkins	$780,000
RF – Sal Frelick	$780,000
DH – Christian Yelich	$26,000,000
Total	$57,820,000	Total	$6,460,000

Starting Pitchers		Relief Pitchers
Brandon Woodruff	$22,025,000	Aaron Ashby	$5,700,000
Quinn Priester	$780,000	Trevor Megill	$4,700,000
Jacob Misiorowski	$780,000	Angel Zerpa	$1,095,000
Chad Patrick	$780,000	Abner Uribe	$780,000
Logan Henderson	$780,000	Jared Koenig	$780,000
		Grant Anderson	$780,000
		DL Hall	$780,000
Total	$25,145,000	Total	$14,615,000

Summary	Amount
Position Players	$57,820,000
Bench Players	$6,460,000
Starting Pitchers	$25,145,000
Relief Pitchers	$14,615,000
Initial Total for 2026	$104,040,000

Here’s a summary of what has changed since the original payroll:

Brandon Woodruff accepted his qualifying offer. That added his $22.025 million salary into the payroll. Even though Woodruff accepted the offer, he will also receive the buyout for his option being declined (that is factored into 2025 payroll).
William Contreras is the one player who still has a pending arbitration decision. Currently, he is estimated at $9.9 million, which is what he filed for. The Brewers filed for an $8.55 million salary. A deal could still happen before the hearing, but the salary will be somewhere between those two numbers.
Every other player that is in an arbitration year agreed to their salary. The contract amounts have been added above.
The following players have been removed: Freddy Peralta, Isaac Collins, Nick Mears
The following players have been added: Brandon Woodruff, Ángel Zerpa, Akil Baddoo

The total above is just the initial total based on the projected active roster. However, there’s still more money to factor in to the payroll. If you compare it to the active roster at the end of the season, the Brewers only had just over $84 million of their $156 million total on the active roster. Here’s where the rest of the payroll came from. (Some rounding is used in the table, so actual amounts will be slightly different.)

Source	Amount
Injured List (End of Season)	$15,800,000
Traded/Released Players (Not on roster at end of season)	$15,200,000
Declined Options	$16,600,000
Deferred Salaries	$2,800,000
Player Benefits	$18,000,000
Pre-Arbitration Bonus Pool	$1,666,666
Minor-League Contracts	$2,700,000
Total	$72,766,666

Some of those numbers will be in the 2026 payroll as well. Specifically, the last four numbers will be very similar to 2025. The first three will be different in 2026. For the moment, there will not be any options to consider after the 2026 season, so that number can be ignored.

As for the other two numbers, it’s difficult to include a solid projection. Those numbers can easily be inflated by circumstances during the season. For example, if we looked at the injured list at the end of 2024, that was highly inflated due to Yelich finishing the season on it. If we go back to 2022, the traded/release player number was significantly higher because Lorenzo Cain’s final year salary was included. That would also result in the active payroll having a lower figure due to the changes in players, but those numbers end up in the IL or traded/released categories instead.

There’s one other factor that Spotrac considers in their payroll estimate. Even though the initial projection factors in 26 players, Spotrac adds in the payroll for 12 additional pre-arbitration players. Considering the Brewers were paying for seven IL players and eight players not on the team anymore (not counting two who were paid under $10,000), adding in 12 more players is a reasonable estimate. Those 12 players would make $9.36 million total. (Spotrac uses a slightly higher $820,000 estimate for pre-arbitration players, but the CBA minimum is at $780,000.)

What we can expect for 2026 is similar to the 2025 payroll. In terms of cash payroll, the total will at most be around that $156 million mark. The Brewers have been in the $140-$156 million range in recent years and that likely will not change. With that in mind, here’s a comprehensive look at the estimated payroll for 2026.

Source	Amount
Initial Projected Roster	$104,040,000
Additional Roster Players	$9,360,000
Deferred Salaries	$2,800,000
Player Benefits	$18,000,000
Pre-Arbitration Bonus Pool	$1,666,666
Minor-League Contracts	$2,700,000
Initial Payroll Projection	$138,566,666

That leaves $17.4 million in potential additional payroll space. That extra space would be needed for the team to make in-season moves. It gives them the ability to take on money in contracts for players acquired by trade. It would also factor in contracts for players who make the team that are on minor league contracts (such as the recently signed Reese McGuire). It also gives them the opportunity to bring in a low-cost contract in spring training if the team has a sudden need.

With the overall quiet offseason for the Brewers, the payroll appears to be heading to a similar point in 2026. Any space remaining will be needed for in-season flexibility. There is potential for a smaller signing, since the team gained $7 million in space after trading Peralta. However, the team may be content to just save that money for now. If that’s the case, what we’re looking at will be close to the current spending plan for next season.

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Milwaukee, WI

Food For Health is fighting disease and disparities through medically tailored meals

Published

16 hours ago

January 30, 2026

Press Room

Food For Health is fighting disease and disparities through medically tailored meals

Food For Health is transforming community health in Milwaukee by using the power of food as medicine.

According to President and CEO Katherine Koshgarian, the organization is Wisconsin’s first and only accredited medically tailored meal program provider, offering a comprehensive, medical-grade intervention designed to prevent, manage, and even reverse diet-related disease.

Beyond meals, Food For Health provides education, support and community-centered programming to address the root causes of health disparities.

As a community-based organization, Food For Health serves as a hub where people of all ages feel safe, supported and connected. Its mission extends beyond the building’s walls through the delivery of individually prepared, packaged and nutritious meals straight to participants’ doorsteps, removing barriers such as transportation and lack of access.

Each medically tailored meal is created with fresh, whole ingredients and customized to a person’s specific health condition, functioning much like a prescription—only in the form of food.

Food For Health’s impact is measurable and significant. In one six-month program, 89% of participants lowered dangerously high A1C levels into the normal range; 74% brought their blood pressure into normal range, and participants collectively lost nearly 3,000 pounds.

Watch: Food For Health is fighting disease and disparities through medically tailored meals

Food For Health is fighting disease and disparities through medically tailored meals

The organization has also launched one of the nation’s leading maternal and infant health programs, addressing conditions such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Currently, 94% of participants in that program are experiencing healthy birth outcomes.

Participants say the program has been
life changing. Carmelith Smith shared that Food For Health made her pregnancy healthier than her first and taught her how to cook and eat better.

Valley Hollins says she has lost 45 pounds, no longer needs blood pressure medication, and is no longer borderline diabetic.

For those who cannot afford meals, philanthropic support helps cover the cost, while others can enroll directly—each purchased meal also sponsors one for someone in need. More information is available at the Food for Health website.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee With Kids weekend guide: Skates, snow, bikes and lights

Published

1 day ago

January 29, 2026

Press Room

Milwaukee With Kids weekend guide: Skates, snow, bikes and lights

Every week, Milwaukee With Kids answers a simple question for families across the area: What are we going to do this weekend? From indoor activities to outdoor adventures, we’ve got you covered. For the full weekend list, make sure to visit the Milwaukee With Kids website.

Top pick

Broadway Skates MKE
Red Arrow Park
Jan. 30 | 5-8 p.m.

’Tis the season for Slice of Ice and celebrating all that Milwaukee theater has to offer. Join this night of face painting, giveaways and festive fun, including free skate rentals courtesy of WaterStone Bank, a Broadway performance by Ice Theater MKE and much more. Plus, don’t miss your chance to win complimentary tickets to Kimberly Akimbo, playing at Uihlein Hall from Feb. 17–22.

Trucks and trains

Monster Jam: Freestyle Mania
Fiserv Forum
Jan. 31-Feb. 1

For the first time ever in Milwaukee, Monster Jam trucks will team up with Freestyle Motocross bikes to deliver gravity-defying skills and thrills. Cheer for your favorite team at Fiserv Forum as they pull off stunts you’ve never seen before while delivering energy, action and next-level entertainment that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Train Show: Modern Wonders in the Dome
Mitchell Park Domes
Jan. 31-Feb. 1

Perfect for families, explorers and dreamers of all ages, “Modern Wonders in the Dome” is your ticket to a global garden adventure filled with imagination, discovery and botanical beauty — no passport required. For the all-scale exhibit, the Train Show expands into the lobby and Greenhouse 7, with fun, food and a whole bunch of model trains of all gauges.

Connect with nature

Light the Hart
Hart Park | Wauwatosa
Jan. 31

Heat Haven has set up this free community event featuring a winter walk through Hart Park, complete with an illuminated path designed to get you out of the house, into the fresh air and connecting with your neighbors. The path will be set up by 3 p.m. and ready to enjoy all evening long. You can also stop by Heat Haven Sauna Park from noon to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday to decorate your own paper luminaria bag. On top of that, there will be FREE s’mores courtesy of Discovery Wauwatosa available from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. (while supplies last).

Candlelight Hike and Ski
Lapham Peak | Delafield
Jan. 31 | 5-9 p.m.

Mark your calendar as the Friends of Lapham Peak host their annual Candlelight Hike and Ski through Kettle Moraine State Forest. When you’re done enjoying the trail, you can warm yourself by the bonfire, enjoy treats at Trecker Lodge (donations appreciated), or even bring your own food to grill outside. A valid Wisconsin State Park annual vehicle admission sticker or a $10 special event vehicle admission fee is required, and you must register in advance.

Kids Ice Fishing Clinics
Select Milwaukee County Parks
Jan. 31 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Join the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Milwaukee County Parks and local fishing clubs for these free youth ice fishing clinics at Greenfield Park in West Allis, Scout Lake in Greendale, Dineen Park in Milwaukee and McCarty Park in West Allis. Kids ages 15 and under will receive hands-on instruction on ice-fishing basics, safety and how-to tips that will build confidence on the ice. Fishing equipment is available to use during the clinic, but participants are encouraged to bring their equipment if able.

Great Lakes Tropical Fish Swap
Crowne Plaza Milwaukee South
Jan. 31-Feb. 1

This inaugural two-day event has something for every aquarium hobbyist — freshwater and saltwater — and those fascinated by our fin-ny friends. Local, regional and national vendors will show off their colorful swimmers, and be sure to check out the kids area with live animal presentations by J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue, crafts, coloring books by Fishroom Punks, scavenger hunt, temporary tattoos and more!

Feeling festive?

Lake Geneva Winterfest
Riviera Plaza & Flat Iron Park | Lake Geneva
Jan. 28-Feb. 1

The 31st annual free festival is home to America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational, featuring 15 of the most talented artists from around the U.S. and abroad who participate in an epic competition of skill and artistry. You can watch them work and enjoy more wintery fun throughout Lake Geneva, including bonfires on the beach, live entertainment, concessions and more!

Winter Carnival
Lynden Sculpture Garden
Jan. 31 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Lynden celebrates winter with a day of outdoor artmaking, scavenger hunts, tree-walks, workshops and whatever other winter activities (ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing) the weather permits. Orchestrated by artist Lillian Supanich around the theme of “holding,” this highly participatory, artist-driven carnival offers something for all ages.

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