Milwaukee, WI

What residents want RNC attendees to know about Milwaukee

Published

2 years ago

July 15, 2024

What residents want RNC attendees to know about Milwaukee

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Milwaukee is in the national spotlight this week with tens of thousands of visitors in town for the Republican National Convention, or RNC.

The RNC, which convenes for four days and ends on Thursday, July 18, is held every four years to formally nominate the Republican Party’s nominees for president and vice president and flesh out the party’s platform.

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reporters asked a cross-section of Milwaukeeans what they like most about their city and what they want the RNC attendees to know about their city. Here’s what they had to say.

Robert E. Holmes III, 54

Robert E. Holmes III
(Courtesy of Robert E. Holmes III)

Occupation: Business Owner

What I like best about Milwaukee: “What I like best about Milwaukee is the river. We can flow down inside downtown in the boats. We need an ethnic area by the river that grills food outside.”

What I want RNC to know: “I would like RNC to know how diverse Milwaukee is, and that reflects on the food we have here in Milwaukee.”

Christal West, 58

Christal West
(Courtesy of Christal West)

Occupation: Community resource and research specialist

What I like best about Milwaukee: “Milwaukeeans are good down home family people and love to be a service to each other.”

What I want RNC to know: “Milwaukee is culturally diverse, rich in resources and it’s like one giant family. You got some of the best hidden treasures in Milwaukee.”

Drea Rodriguez, 46

Drea Rodriguez
(Courtesy of Drea Rodriguez)

Occupation: Executive director of Peace Learning Center

What I like best about Milwaukee: “I love the neighborhood pride. We need to see more of it. When one takes pride in a home, they are more invested in their neighborhood.”

What I want RNC to know: “I want the RNC to acknowledge how lucky they are to be in a city as beautiful as Milwaukee and despite its past approval of horrible initiatives such as trickle-down economics, families of Milwaukee are committed to bridging divides and strengthening our communities.”

Rafael Mercado, 54

Rafael Mercado
(Edgar Mendez /
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service)

Occupation: Owner of Top Quality Services and founder of TEAM HAVOC

What I like best about Milwaukee: “What I like about Milwaukee is our diversity. We are so full of different ethnicities and cultures that there is always something going on.”

What I want RNC to know: “We are considered one of, if not, the most segregated cities in the U.S., yet I find that hard to see. We’re filled with every culture out here in this small but big city.”

Raymond Duncan, 44

Raymond Duncan
(Courtesy of Raymond Duncan)

Occupation: Special education teacher; member of Martin Drive Neighborhood Association Coordinating Committee

What I like best about Milwaukee: “Us as a neighborhood, we don’t charge fees or dues. We’re able to run a number of events that are almost solely potluck by nature, just bringing together different talents. And then that’s what we see with Milwaukee. Milwaukee can be this potluck of different people and groups and thoughts, and we can really solve problems.”

What I want RNC to know: “Milwaukee can be this home where I feel like it’s this big city, small town feel.”

Roderick Rush, 62

Occupation: Educator

Roderick Rush
(Meredith Melland /
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service)

What I like best about Milwaukee: “In the summertime, we’re the city of festivals. So you can’t lose for visiting Milwaukee during the month of July. … In general, we are a friendly place, no matter what your ethnicity or race is.”

What I want RNC to know: “It’s hypersegregated. But the people who live here, they know that … However, in summertime, and with sports, that seems to go by the wayside and people have a good time getting along with each other.”

Miriam Elizabeth Ramirez, 35

Occupation: Initiative coordinator at Muskego Way Forward

What I like best about Milwaukee: “We remain connected by the bridges meant to divide us. The Good land remains a place to call home for those that can appreciate its history, our skyline and architecture, and many fun festivals and food to enjoy throughout all four seasons. Milwaukee is home.”

What I want RNC to know: “Milwaukee is a place full of great potential where generations of people continue to create opportunities that represent our city’s diverse culture and community. (There are) a vast and valuable number of immigrant communities within our city who are involved in supporting the arts, music, education, health and wellness as well as business and historic social justice movements and more.”

Felice Green

Occupation: Director of programming at Milwaukee Water Commons

What I like best about Milwaukee: “I love my city, and I love what we stand for. And I think that Milwaukee has great lakes, great opportunities.”

What I want RNC to know: “Just like other big cities, we do have our challenges, but we try to come together to work out the challenges and work on the issues, for example, with pedestrian safety and reckless driving. … Spend some money in urban communities, Black and Brown communities while they’re here as well and learn each other.”

Howard Snyder, 74

Howard Snyder
(Courtesy of Howard Snyder)

Occupation: Semi-retired; former director of Northwest Side Community Development Corp.

What I like best about Milwaukee: “It’s easy to get around. It’s easy to live in. If you have kids, it’s a good place.”

What I want RNC to know: “It’s not Chicago, and we’re not a suburb of Chicago. We have an awful lot to offer. … Milwaukee is just not, it’s not a touristy place. You have to look a little bit. You have to work at it.”

Elijah Holbrook, 32

Elijah Holbrook
(Courtesy of Elijah Holbrook)

Occupation: Coffee sales associate

What I like best about Milwaukee: “What I like best about Milwaukee is the beautiful trails, parks and beaches allowing people to get outside, be in nature and see some of the best views the city has to offer while running, biking or walking..”

What I want RNC to know: “I would want the people of the RNC to be open-minded about Milwaukee and all cities. They aren’t the dangerous, crime-infested war zones conservative media often paints them to be.”

Diego Avila, 29

Occupation: Quality Engineer

What I like best about Milwaukee: “I love the size of this city. Small enough to allow you to connect with your community and people in your neighborhood while still being culturally diverse and vibrant. It is so easy to find your niche and make friends as an adult out of college and outside of work.”

What I want RNC to know: “I wish people understood that there are so many programs and activities coordinated by people in the city who want to make this a safer and more accessible place for everyone.”

Gary Zajackowski, 38

Gary Zajackowski
(Courtesy of Gary Zajackowski)

Occupation: Factory worker

What I like best about Milwaukee: “Milwaukee is underrated. Slept on. Anyone determined to focus on negatives is missing out, and we don’t need them anyway. Always something to do. … We have basically anything a big city has, but you can get across town in 20 minutes, in bad traffic.”

What I want RNC to know: “Most people you come across are nice. Anyone willing to get acquainted with Milwaukee will probably find things they love. If you’re miserable here, you’re probably miserable anywhere, anyway.”

Victor Cambell, 66

Victor Campbell
(Courtesy of Victor Campbell)

Occupation: Musician

What I like best about Milwaukee: As a drummer, I’ve traveled all over the world, so I am comfortable saying Milwaukee is a great place to live.

What I want RNC to know: Milwaukee has its issues like driver’s education safety. We need people to gain knowledge and the wisdom to put guns down, but on the flip side of that, the history of this city is beautiful and rich if you’re willing to get to know it and the city does have some great things going on.

Dominic McCallum, 18

Occupation: Student

Dominic McCallum
(Trisha Young / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service)

What I like best about Milwaukee: “I moved here from Dallas not too long ago, so Milwaukee was really different. I like that Milwaukee feels like a hometown. Everyone knows everyone and it feels like a safe community.”

What I want RNC to know: “I think people should know that there’s a lot to do here and people are friendly. You just have to be open to experiencing the city.”

Maurice “Moe” Wince

Occupation: Owner and operator of Sherman Park Grocery Store

What I like best about Milwaukee: “One of the things that I love to share with folks that I love about Milwaukee is the fact that it has amazing opportunities for businesses to start as well as entrepreneurship.”

What I want RNC to know: “While you’re here in Milwaukee, I strongly encourage you to not only come to Sherman Park neighborhood but visit all the other amazing neighborhoods and the business improvement districts, so that you know that the city of Milwaukee is not just a place to be, but it’s also fun to be here.”

A version of this story was originally published by Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, a nonprofit news organization that covers Milwaukee’s diverse neighborhoods.

News414 is a service journalism collaboration between Wisconsin Watch and Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service that addresses the specific issues, interests, perspectives and information needs identified by residents of central city Milwaukee neighborhoods. Learn more at our website or sign up for our texting service here.

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Milwaukee, WI

Travelers see shorter lines at Milwaukee Mitchell despite the ongoing partial government shutdown

Published

2 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Travelers see shorter lines at Milwaukee Mitchell despite the ongoing partial government shutdown

MILWAUKEE — Despite a partial government shutdown causing long TSA lines at airports across the country, travelers at Milwaukee Mitchell airport are experiencing short wait times ahead of spring break.

John Wahlen and his colleague Joe Orendorf were coming back home from North Carolina and prepared for a much different scene.

“We were remarkably surprised that it was as easy as it was,” Wahlen said.

Brendyn Jones/TMJ4

A national TSA spokesperson told TMJ4 that over 3,450 TSA officers called out across the country on Thursday. The national call-out rate was at 11.83% percent, the highest since the shutdown began.

While the TSA could not provide specific numbers for Milwaukee Mitchell, the airport was not in the top-10 for call-out rates.

The highest percentages of call-offs came from much larger airports, including George Bush Intercontinental in Houston at 44 percent, Atlanta at almost 41 percent, and Baltimore at 37 percent.

“We were in smaller airports, Raleigh-Durham, I think we waited for two people, and one of them was him,” Orendorf said.

Watch: Travelers see shorter lines at Milwaukee Mitchell despite the ongoing partial government shutdown

Travelers see shorter lines at Milwaukee Mitchell despite the ongoing partial government shutdown

A spokesperson for Milwaukee Mitchell told TMJ4 that around 11,000 people are expected this Friday and Saturday, and next Friday and Saturday as spring break travel peaks.

President Trump signed an executive order to pay TSA agents, meaning a resolution may be on the horizon. Travelers, including Selena Mauricio, said they are thankful for the agents who are still showing up.

“Their jobs aren’t easy, and I commend the ones that still come to work, definitely,” Mauricio said.

This story was reported on-air by Brendyn Jones 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.

Let’s talk:

Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.

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Milwaukee, WI

Truck drives in to Grace Coffee in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward overnight

Published

14 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Truck drives in to Grace Coffee in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward overnight

MILWAUKEE — A truck drove through the Grace Coffee Co. in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward on early Friday morning, the owners announced in a social media post.

Due to the extensive damage that was done, the coffee shop will be closed until further notice.

TMJ4

“We’re incredibly grateful no one was hurt, and we’ll keep you updated as we begin repairs,” the coffee shop said in the post.

TMJ4 reached out to the Milwaukee Police Department but have yet to hear back.

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Milwaukee, WI

MPS layoffs plan draws pushback as district works to close $46M gap

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

MPS layoffs plan draws pushback as district works to close M gap

MPS cuts face backlash

Milwaukee Public Schools plans about 200 layoffs to close a $46 million budget gap, but union leaders say cuts could impact student safety while district leaders say no classroom teachers will be eliminated.

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Public Schools is planning to cut roughly 200 positions next school year as the district works to close a multi-million-dollar budget gap — but there’s disagreement over which roles will be impacted.

What we know:

District leaders say the goal is to close a roughly $46 million shortfall, prompting changes that Superintendent Brenda Cassellius says are necessary.

Milwaukee Public Schools said about 201 staff members will be impacted. District leaders say no classroom teachers, counselors or social workers will be cut — something the teachers’ union disputes.

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The reductions stem from a previously approved plan to eliminate about 260 non-classroom roles. The final number dropped after retirements and existing vacancies. The Milwaukee Board of School Directors approved that plan on March 9.

What they’re saying:

“We have a $50 million deficit, we are for sure not going to be able to do business the same way that we’ve been able to do business,” Cassellius said. “Change is just hard. It’s just hard. And every single one of our employees is so important.”

But some educators say the cuts go too far.

“MTEA is setting up a distress signal. We are talking about our teachers, art teachers, music teachers, physical education teachers, counselors — things that the voters of referendum of Milwaukee actually voted for,” said Ingrid Walker-Henry, president of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association. “Staffing is being cut to the extent that they are concerned about student safety.”

Cassellius acknowledged the uncertainty and asked school leaders for patience.

“We just have to for sure know our budget situation, where we’re at with that after these cuts are made in order to make those decisions,” she said. “So I’m asking my principals, be patient with us.”

By the numbers:

The district outlined the 201 affected positions as:

70 central office roles
62 educators with a teaching license but not assigned to one classroom
59 assistant principals

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MPS says the savings will support new class size guidelines, including:

18 students per teacher in K3
20 students per teacher in K4
22 students per teacher in K5

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS)

District leaders say no students will be asked to leave a school to meet class size guidelines. Officials say they are working with schools that may not have space or that require larger classes based on specific programs.

What’s next:

Milwaukee Public Schools plans to present its proposed 2026–27 budget to the Milwaukee Board of School Directors in May.

The Source: Information in this post was provided by Milwaukee Public Schools and prior FOX6 coverage.

Milwaukee Public SchoolsMilwaukeeEducationNews

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