Milwaukee, WI
UWM basketball coach encourages players to embrace their black history
MILWAUKEE — University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Basketball Assistant Coach Jose Winston reminds his players about the importance of Black History Month and the part they play as role models in the community.
“I try to reflect on and set an example each and [these] every day for young men,” Winston tells WTMJ. “When I think about Black History Month… every day I think about the opportunities we have to help put other young men in a position to better themselves, to better their community, [and] to better their families.”
Coach Winston’s goal is to help his players see that they are “walking history”.
“For some of you, you weren’t supposed to be here… for some of you, you’ll be the first to get degrees in your family. Embrace that,” he said. “Then you have to go back and pay it forward. You have to then help somebody else out… lead somebody else to help others out.”
Winston credits Panthers Head Coach Bart Lundy for getting them involved in the community, so they know that life is bigger than basketball.
“We’re part of the Boys & Girls Club. We’re part of programs that are in MPS,” Winston said. “When they’re here, they feel like they’re doing something for the community, and that means a lot to them.”
Coach Winston gets his inspiration from how he was raised in Milwaukee. He played basketball and won three state championships at Vincent High School, and was named Wisconsin State Player of the Year in 1998. Regardless of his achievements, Winston knows none of it would be possible without the help of the people who came before him.
“Me sitting here comes from the struggles of so many other people who have sacrificed to give me the things that I needed to have in order to be successful,” he said. “So it’s now my responsibility to do that for other young men. Whether it’s black young men or white young men, whatever it is… [with me] being a man… it’s my responsibility to help them to become better.”
One thing Winston continues to teach all his players is they should always put effort into the important things in their lives. “Because you can’t get time back,” he said. “And there’s no need to waste your time if you don’t care about something.”
Milwaukee’s dining community is grappling with a recent string of restaurant closures that includes longtime neighborhood fixtures and newer concepts. The losses have sparked disappointment among diners and raised broader questions about why even popular locations and prime riverfront spots are struggling to survive.
On Milwaukee’s Lori Fredrich told WTMJ’s Adam Roberts that restaurant owners are increasingly speaking candidly about the realities of running a business, using social media to share financial pressures and warn customers when closure may be imminent. The shift marks a departure from past practices, when restaurants often closed quietly without explanation.
With January and February historically among the toughest months for restaurants, local leaders are urging residents to buy local. Programs like Visit Milwaukee’s Buy Local Bonus aim to provide short-term relief, but many in the industry worry about what the year ahead may bring.
Hear more about this story on WTMJ’s Reporter’s Notebook, on Sundays at 10 am or wherever you get your podcasts.
Milwaukee, WI
‘We’re still struggling’: Milwaukee mom seeks help after historic flooding as Christmas approaches
MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin has confirmed a new 24-hour rainfall record after more than a foot of rain fell in Milwaukee during historic summer flooding, but for some families like Victoria Kiepert’s, the damage never ended.
The August 9th and 10th storms brought 14-and-a-half inches of rain to northwest Milwaukee in just 24 hours, now officially the most rain ever recorded in a single day in Wisconsin. Behind that historic number are families still trying to rebuild as Christmas approaches.
“We lost all of our stuff in the basement,” Kiepert said.
TMJ4
Floodwaters damaged Kiepert’s northside home, destroying nearly everything her family owned. She applied for help, but says months later, recovery is still falling on her shoulders.
“Beds, appliances, all that stuff, kids’ clothes, TVs, everything,” Kiepert said.
The Milwaukee mother, who cares for five children, says her family was left homeless for two weeks after the flooding.
Victoria Kiepert
“We had to move, and I couldn’t find a house right away, so we were homeless for two weeks, and then we moved and still don’t have the things we need,” Kiepert said.
Watch: Milwaukee mom seeks help after historic flooding as Christmas approaches
Milwaukee mom seeks help after historic flooding as Christmas approaches
Climate experts say the storms were unprecedented, with rain falling one to three inches an hour for several hours, overwhelming basements, streets, and sewer systems. Radar estimates show 10 to 12 inches fell across northern Milwaukee and northeast Waukesha counties, confirming the devastation was widespread.
Kiepert says she and her kids have to sleep on air mattresses, and the holidays only add more pressure to an already overwhelming situation.
“People think that after people get FEMA money, it’s just done and over with, and that should be enough, but it’s really not because it takes months, even years, sometimes when you’re starting all over,” Kiepert said.
She’s unsure how she will provide gifts for her kids this Christmas, her family still needs basic necessities months after the flooding.
Victoria Kiepert
“We still need beds, dressers, kids’ clothing, a lot of stuff,” Kiepert said.
As Wisconsin marks a new chapter in climate history, families like Kiepert’s say recovery can’t stop at statistics, especially as Christmas approaches.
“This year’s really hard, because mostly because of the flood, cause all the stuff we lost, I have to buy them new stuff, because that money isn’t available for Christmas,” Kiepert said.
The flooding has made this Christmas particularly challenging for Kiepert’s family, including her youngest daughter experiencing her first Christmas.
“This is my daughter’s first Christmas, it would help for all my kids but mainly for her, to make like a Christmas miracle for them,” Kiepert said.
Despite the hardships, Kiepert maintains perspective on what matters most during the holidays.
“Sometimes it’s not about the gifts, it’s about being stable and having family around,” Kiepert said.
As Victoria’s family continues to rebuild, community support can make a real difference. A GoFundMe is available for those who wish to donate money or provide much-needed household items. If you can donate any of the furniture items she seeks, her email is Victoria.kiepert@icloud.com, or you can reach out to me by email at gideon.verdin@tmj4.com, and I will connect you with Victoria.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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Security officials at Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport offered advice for passengers navigating the busy holiday travel season this December.
Tim Goodman, Wisconsin assistant federal security director at the Transportation Security Administration, said Dec. 19 that the agency is prepared for high passenger volume at Milwaukee Mitchell in the next two weeks.
Goodman said the airport expects to process as many as 12,000 travelers during the busiest holiday travel days. These dates are projected to see the most traffic:
- Sunday, Dec. 21
- Monday, Dec. 22
- Tuesday, Dec. 23
- Sunday, Dec. 28
- Monday, Dec. 29
- Tuesday, Dec. 30
Here’s what to know about holiday travel at Milwaukee Mitchell this year:
Arrive early, especially for morning flights from Mitchell Airport
Goodman recommended travelers arrive no later than 90 minutes before their flight takes off, and longer if they’re boarding early morning flights.
Mornings are the busiest time of day for the airport, Goodman said.
“We are at capacity at the early morning hours,” he said. “We may see as many as 2,000 passengers going out before 7 a.m. on our busiest days.”
Don’t forget your Real ID when traveling through Mitchell
This is also the first winter holiday season after TSA began enforcing Real ID requirements for domestic flights. Starting on May 7, 2025, all domestic passengers must present a Real ID-compliant drivers license or other other acceptable forms of identification.
Earlier this month, TSA announced it will charge passengers $45 if they do not present a Real ID or other accepted identification starting Feb. 1, 2026.
In Wisconsin, Real ID-compliant drivers licenses are marked with a star in the upper right corner. More information about how to obtain a Real ID is available on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s website.
Goodman said 97% of Wisconsin passengers already have a Real ID. Those who don’t have proper identification will see longer waits and additional screening at security checkpoints.
A list of acceptable identification is available on TSA’s website.
Some holiday items may not get through security at Mitchell
Goodman said some common holiday items should not be put in carry-on bags since security officials struggle to open and inspect them.
Those items include snow globes and wrapped gifts. Goodman recommended any gifts instead be put in a gift bag.
Goodman also said passengers should completely empty bags before packing them for a flight. It’s common for travelers to forget to remove prohibited items in their bag, only to find themselves stopped at security checkpoints.
Forecast looks clear, but weather is always a ‘wild card’
Goodman said the current weather forecast shows no significant winter storm activity, but that could change closer to the holidays.
“We can plan for everything else,” Goodman said. “The weather is always the wild card.”
Goodman also said severe weather at popular hubs like Chicago and Minneapolis could impact flights at Milwaukee Mitchell.
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