Milwaukee, WI
Wrong-way driver passed Harris motorcade; Milwaukee man pleads not guilty
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee man accused of driving the wrong way toward Vice President Kamala Harris’ motorcade in October pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.
Wrong-way driver
The backstory:
It happened on Oct. 21. Harris had just wrapped up a rally in Brookfield when the wrong-way vehicle passed her motorcade on I-94 near the Marquette Interchange. Prosecutors said 55-year-old Wayne Wacker was behind the wheel.
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Court filings said Wacker appeared to be driving at “close to highway speeds.” He was stopped near 13th Street, and deputies said he “had a very strong odor of intoxicates emitting from his person, bloodshot and glassy eyes, and extremely slurred speech.”
Wacker told deputies he was on his way home from a Walker’s Point bar and was “unaware” he was driving the wrong way on the interstate, the complaint states. He was taken to the nearby Milwaukee Intermodal Station for field sobriety tests, and the complaint states a preliminary breath test had a BAC reading of .252.
While waiting for a blood draw as part of the OWI investigation, prosecutors said Wacker told deputies he “had no recollection” of entering the freeway or almost striking another vehicle. He also said he had no idea Harris was in Milwaukee and had no intention of harming her or any member of her campaign.
In court
What’s next:
Wacker is charged with second-degree recklessly endangering safety. Court records show his next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 18.
The Source: Information in this report is from the Milwakuee County District Attorney’s Office and Wisconsin Circuit Court.
Milwaukee, WI
Fatal crash in Milwaukee, 1 killed; driver arrested on scene
MILWAUKEE – One person was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Milwaukee in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 21.
The driver of the other vehicle was arrested at the scene.
Crash and arrest
What we know:
According to the Milwaukee Police Department, the crash happened at about 1:15 a.m. near 11th and Greenfield.
A vehicle crossed the roadway then struck another vehicle, killing the driver. The victim, a 47-year-old, was being treated for life-threatening injuries but died from those injuries at the scene.
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It is suspected that the driver of the striking vehicle was impaired. The 24-year-old suspect was arrested on scene in connection with the accident, and charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office for review.
The Source: The Milwaukee Police Department sent FOX6 the information.
Milwaukee, WI
Carin León, Summerfest’s first regional Mexican music act, draws new visitors to Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE – Summerfest wrapped up its first weekend Saturday with headliner Carin León, who organizers said is the first regional Mexican music artist to hit the stage.
Out-of-town draw
What they’re saying:
The performer drew visitors to the festival from Chicago to Michigan.
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“I love the experience, it’s really cool,” Gigi Acosta, who traveled from Chicago, said. “We love it, it’s so much fun here.”
Folks flocked into Henry Maier Festival Park to take part in the fun.
“He puts on a great show,” said Karina Rodriguez, who came from Chicago with her family.
“Five hours, to me, is really nothing to come see him,” said Tracey Solis, who along with Filberto Solís, traveled from Michigan.
Tourism in Milwaukee
Big picture view:
It is an impact Summerfest leaders said will have a greater impact on the city.
“We drive over $160 million in tourism to this economy,” Jerrod Woods, senior director of marketing for Summerfest, said. “Carin is another huge aspect of that to help bring all the tourism to the city.”
Woods said León’s performance is an example of the diverse number of artists they want to keep bringing to the festival.
“The amount of people and outpour that you receive, like, ‘thank you for bringing such an incredible artist,’ like Carin León, who represents the Latin community not only here in Milwaukee but around the region,” Woods said.
It’s what brought new visitors, like the Rodriguez family, to Milwaukee.
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“We brought my mom because she’s a super fan,” said Karina Rodriguez. “She loves him, and this is our first time at Summerfest.”
Acosta even made a poster hoping to get her favorite artist’s attention.
“I love you Carin León,” she said as she blew a kiss.
What’s next:
Organizers said Saturday’s show is another example of giving people what they want. They told FOX6 News that they are already planning for 2027.
The Source: Information in this story is from FOX6 News interviews with Gigi Acosta, Tracey Solis, Filberto Solís, Karina Rodriguez, Georgina Rodriguez, Casey Rodriguez, and Jerrod Woods.
Milwaukee, WI
Brewers’ No. 6 prospect gives glowing review of Milwaukee’s farm system
While the Milwaukee Brewers continue their battle for NL Central supremacy, 2025 first-round selection Andrew Fischer is working his way up the minor leagues. Now the No. 6 ranked prospect in the team’s farm system, the third baseman posted a .311/.402/.446 slash line in 19 games with the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
Fischer’s recent performance warranted a promotion to the Double-A, where he is now competing as part of the Biloxi Shuckers. The 22-year-old is turning heads around the league, leading him to join Foul Territory TV for a recent interview about his experience in the Brewers’ farm system so far:
“The talent in here is unreal. I think that’s why the Brewers do such a good job of developing their guys, is they put you in environments where you’re literally competing every day with the best of the best,” Fischer explained. “For me, it’s going to make my batting practice sharper. It’s going to make my in-game reps sharper. It’s going to make our communication on the field sharper. It’s honestly really special what they have over here.”
Before diving into the specifics of what he discussed — this was a great first impression as someone who had never seen Fischer in an interview before! He’s well-spoken, he seems passionate, and he has a good sense of the value of the opportunities around him. As the Brewers search for answers at third base, he’ll certainly be in the back of GM Matt Arnold’s mind. If he can keep producing the way he has thus far, it won’t be a hard decision down the line.
But more importantly in the short-term, Fischer pinpointed the exact winning recipe that has been driving sustainable long-term success for the Brewers all decade.
Andrew Fischer just summed up one of the hardest lessons the Brewers organization has ever learned.
When you’re considered a small market in a league like the MLB where spending can equate to success, the only way to compete is to double down on what you’re good at. For the Milwaukee Brewers, that’s become scouting and development.
From rookies to reclamation projects, the Brewers help players find the best in themselves by simplifying the game, building good habits, and having players lead by example. As Fischer discussed, surrounding talented players with other like-minded individuals is a recipe for building sustainable growth. Those incremental steps toward success stack up until eventually, you’ve got a winning ballclub on your hands.
It starts with the front office, where GM Matt Arnold and the Brewers’ elite scouting team identify players with the traits that fit on and off the field. That trickles down to the managers and coaches, who see the potential in these players and use their expertise to draw it out of them. That, along with the camaraderie these players build along the way, is the recipe for a culture that could bring success to Milwaukee for many years to come.
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