Milwaukee, WI
Takeaways from VP Kamala Harris’ Milwaukee stop: Black homeownership, economic opportunity
In a visit to Milwaukee on Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris pressed the case that the Biden-Harris Administration’s economic policies have helped Americans and, in particular, addressed disparities that affect Black Americans and business owners.
The visit is her fourth to the critical swing state ahead of the November presidential election that is expected to be a rematch of the 2020 race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
Harris’ visit was part of what the White House has dubbed an “economic opportunity tour.”
“A lot of what this tour is highlighting is the various things that we are doing to acknowledge the various dimensions of who we are but in the context of economic opportunity, be it debt, be it homeownership, be it access to loans, be it access to counseling and the services that help people know how to start a business and keep a business,” Harris said during a stop at Discovery World museum in Milwaukee, where she spoke with comedian, radio host and author D.L. Hughley.
Here are a few takeaways from Harris’ visit:
Vice President Kamala Harris focuses on Black homeowners, businesses — a critical voting bloc
The conversation between Harris and Hughley before a packed room focused on the importance of access to information and relationships in building businesses and generational wealth ― and the challenges faced by communities of color across generations.
She said the tour intends to acknowledge both the opportunities and disparities and obstacles for communities of color.
Harris’ comments come as Democrats seek to maintain support among Black voters amid reports that the party’s backing among the key voting bloc has slipped.
She said the tour was designed to share information about the resources available, and she sought help from the people in the audience, who she said were invited to attend because they are business and opinion leaders.
“Please help us get the word out,” she said.
She said the administration was “dropping trillions of dollars on the streets of America” to rebuild infrastructure, invest in clean energy and build resilience to climate change.
Harris highlighted local business owner James Phelps
Harris highlighted James Phelps, president of JCP Construction who introduced her, saying that businesses like his bring to life the work that policy-makers in Washington D.C. envision.
On the issue of Black homeownership, she discussed the consequences of segregation, redlining and racial bias in home appraisals.
The administration, she said, is taking steps including requiring home appraisers to be trained on racial bias. She spoke to the administration’s efforts to forgive student loan debt and remove a prohibition on accessing small-business loans for people who had been previously incarcerated.
Biden last week met with Black voters on a trip to Wisconsin and on Wednesday made his case on Sherwin Hughes’ show on 101.7 The Truth, the news-talk radio station focusing on Milwaukee’s Black community.
Milwaukee mayor, county executive highlight visits by Biden, Harris to swing state Wisconsin
That Biden and Harris are putting time and energy into Wisconsin was a key message from speakers who took the stage before Harris’ arrival, including Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and County Executive David Crowley.
“The administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris has gone to great lengths to invest, to build and to reshape the relationship that Wisconsin residents have with the federal government,” Johnson said.
He called Harris a “true partner to Milwaukee.”
Crowley said investments by the administration are showing up in affordable housing in neighborhoods and ensuring that Black and brown business owners have “the tools that they need to succeed.”
“Under this administration, we have witnessed the fastest growth of Black-owned small businesses in more than 30 years,” Crowley said.
Like Harris ― who made history as the first woman, first Black American, and the first South Asian American to be elected to her position ― Johnson and Crowley are each the first African Americans elected to the positions they hold.
Republicans slam Biden-Harris economic policies
Republicans, in response to the Harris visit, took aim at the administration’s economic policies. Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brian Schimming said in a statement “voters know they cannot afford another four years of Biden and Harris in the White House.”
“Every time Kamala Harris visits Wisconsin, voters are reminded of the failed agenda of the Biden Administration,” he said.
This is Vice President Kamala Harris’ fourth visit to Wisconsin in 2024
The steady rhythm of visits by Democrats and Republicans alike speaks to the intense focus on Wisconsin as both parties seek control of the White House.
If history is any guide, whether Trump or Biden wins Wisconsin in November is likely to be decided by a small margin and both campaigns are making their cases to voters.
In 2020, Biden won the state by about 21,000 votes after Trump won Wisconsin by a similar margin just four years earlier.
Biden has visited the state four times this year while Trump has visited twice.
Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com.
Milwaukee, WI
'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.
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.
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.
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.
“I think a lot of the issues we had in the past could have been avoided through transparency,” Rufus King Senior, Manuel Ishag said.
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.”
The district plans to name a new superintendent in late February.
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Milwaukee, WI
Judge sentences Milwaukee rapper to 40 years in crash that killed pregnant Shorewood woman
Kia Boyz YouTube video driving dangerously around Milwaukee goes viral
Milwaukee YouTuber “Tommy G” recorded a group known as the Kia Boyz while they engaged in reckless driving with stolen cars. This video contains excerpts from the original Kia Boyz YouTube video.
Lou Saldivar, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A Milwaukee rapper is going to prison for 40 years in connection with a crash last year that killed a pregnant Shorewood woman.
Frank Mosley Jr.’s mother fainted in the courtroom as Circuit Court Judge David Swanson handed down the sentence against him on Thursday afternoon.
Mosley, 21, of Milwaukee, was convicted in September of multiple felonies in the Nov. 2, 2023, crash in Milwaukee that took the lives of Erin Mogensen and her unborn child.
Mogensen was two months pregnant at the time of the crash, which occurred on the day of her fourth wedding anniversary.
“All her dreams were about to come true until she crossed paths with evil,” her father Mark Hagen said, calling Mosley “an extreme danger to society.” “Her killer should have been in jail. He was the one who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, not Erin.”
Prosecutors said Mosley, a rapper known locally as Lil Frank, led police on a chase that began in Wauwatosa for not having a license plate. The fleeing vehicle at one point hit speeds of 116 mph before police called off the pursuit.
Moments later, the officer came upon a crash scene between the BMW and a Toyota at Capitol and North 100th Street in Milwaukee. Mogensen, 32, was at the wheel of the Toyota.
In court, Mosley apologized to Mogensen’s family, and took responsibility for the crash, but asserted it was an accident. Swanson said although Mosley didn’t intend to hit anyone, he made the choice to drive a car “at an absurdly high speed.”
“If you didn’t hit Mrs. Mogensen, you could have hit someone else,” the judge said.
Mosley also was ordered to serve 10 years of extended supervision when he is released from prison.
This is a developing story. Stay with jsonline.com for updates.
Milwaukee, WI
What are the road conditions in and around Milwaukee Thursday morning?
Drone view: Winter wonderland from the snow in the Milwaukee area
Check out a drone view of the winter wonderland from Thursday’s snow around the Milwaukee area.
As Milwaukee sees its first snowfall of the season Thursday morning, you should brace for some tricky road conditions on your morning commute.
Two to four inches of wet, heavy snow is possible in the Milwaukee area, making for a “messy morning commute,” the National Weather Service Milwaukee wrote on X. Motorists should drive slowly and with caution throughout the morning, NWS said.
Here’s what to plan ahead for if you’re commuting in Milwaukee on Thursday.
What are the road conditions in and around Milwaukee this morning?
As of 8:15 a.m. Thursday, all of Milwaukee and its surrounding areas — including Interstates 41, 43 and 94 — were seeing “slippery stretches,” according to 511 Wisconsin. Several highways are also seeing one or more lanes blocked due to crashes or stalled vehicles.
If you’re traveling on I-94 this morning, NWS wrote on X that conditions south of the I-94 corridor, especially between Milwaukee and Madison, would “quickly deteriorate” as snow continues.
In affected areas, drivers should plan for slushy snow accumulation and low visibility on the roads, NWS said.
Accidents reported in Milwaukee on Thursday morning
As of 8:15 a.m. Thursday, several crashes or incidents have been reported in Milwaukee that could affect traffic, 511 Wisconsin reported:
- 7:49 a.m. – I-794 West 1.3 miles beyond the ramp from Carferry Road. The center lane is blocked due to a crash.
- 7:44 a.m. – I-43 South at ramp from Wisconsin Avenue. The left shoulder is blocked due to a crash.
- 7:50 a.m. – Ramp from I-94 East to I-43/94 South. Shoulders are closed due to a disabled vehicle.
- 7:51 a.m. – I-794 West at Michigan Street. The right shoulder is blocked due to a disabled vehicle.
- 7:52 a.m. – I-43 South at I-794 East. The center lane is blocked due to a crash.
- 7:57 a.m. – I-43/94 North at Ramp from 6th and Mineral Street. The center lane is blocked due to a disabled vehicle.
Accidents reported in Milwaukee suburbs on Thursday morning
- 7:15 a.m. – Disabled vehicle on ramp from Burleigh Street to I-41/US 45 North.
- 7:22 a.m. – I-94 West 1.3 miles beyond the ramp from Highway 100. The right shoulder is blocked due to a crash.
- 7:23 a.m. – I-43 North at Hampton Avenue East. The left shoulder is blocked due to a crash.
- 7:37 a.m. – I-94 West at ramp from Moreland Boulevard East. The right shoulder is blocked due to a crash.
- 7:42 a.m. – Highway 38 South at Air Cargo Way (by the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport). The right lane is closed due to a crash.
- 7:52 a.m. – I-41/894 South 0.3 miles beyond the ramp from National Avenue. The right shoulder is blocked due to a disabled vehicle.
- 7:54 a.m. – Ramp from I-94 West to I-41/US 45 North. The right shoulder is blocked due to a disabled vehicle.
- 8:05 a.m. – I-41/US 45 North at North Avenue. The 3 right lanes are blocked due to a disabled vehicle.
To look up road conditions on your morning commute, check out 511 Wisconsin’s live map.
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