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Milwaukee politician accused Wisconsin Center District head of assault

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Milwaukee politician accused Wisconsin Center District head of assault


A prominent Milwaukee civic leader was recently investigated for assault, but no charges were filed, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has learned.

The incident was linked to an allegation of inappropriate touching — and the person who accused him was a well-known elected official, sources said.

Six sources who spoke with the Journal Sentinel said the official reported to the Milwaukee Police Department that Marty Brooks, the president and CEO of the Wisconsin Center District, had inappropriately touched his butt after an October fundraiser at a popular downtown restaurant.

Police investigated the incident, but the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office decided against charging Brooks. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the allegations.

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Police have not yet released a copy of the report to the Journal Sentinel, which filed an open records request about the incident on Dec. 12.

Jim Kanter, the WCD board chairman, notified board members about an “allegation involving Marty Brooks, related to a personal matter,” in a Jan. 22 memo obtained by the Journal Sentinel.

“The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office, which we have complete confidence in, conducted and completed a comprehensive investigation and found no basis for charges; no charges were filed against Marty,” Kanter wrote. “We appreciate the thoroughness of the authorities and respect the conclusions of the investigation.”

Kanter did not provide specifics about the allegation, but added, “I want to emphasize that this matter does not involve Marty in his capacity as WCD President and CEO.”

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Neither the official nor Brooks responded to requests for interviews from reporters.

A spokesperson for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley’s campaign for governor confirmed there was an investigation into an incident that was reported following an October fundraiser it held.

“We’ve been made aware of an investigation of an incident that occurred in October,” he said. “Every such allegation deserves to be taken seriously and merits a thorough examination.”

The event had ended before the the incident reportedly occurred.

“Neither County Executive Crowley, nor any member of his staff, was present at the time of the alleged incident,” the spokesperson said. “We were not made aware of the incident at the time, and have not been part of the investigation.”

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The Wisconsin Center District is a public agency that operates the Baird Center convention facility, UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and Miller High Life Theatre. It also owns Fiserv Forum, which is leased to the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team.

Brooks was named district president and CEO in 2017. He previously was senior vice president and general manager of America’s Center, operated by the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission. He also worked more than 20 years as an executive for New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Brooks’ time in Milwaukee has included presiding over Baird Center’s $456 million expansion.

That project was completed in May 2024 – just a few months before the convention facility, Fiserv Forum and other center-owned venues hosted the Republican National Convention.

Brooks has clashed with city officials over the possible redevelopment of the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.

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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in September broke the story. It reported that the arena and neighboring Miller High Life Theatre are the subject of a study that could recommend different uses − including a large hotel − for the 6.4-acre downtown site which hosts those aging facilities.

David Clarey of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.



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Couple asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear Brewers 50-50 raffle prize dispute

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Couple asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear Brewers 50-50 raffle prize dispute


(WLUK) – A couple challenging the decision not to award them a 50-50 raffle prize at a Milwaukee Brewers game asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to take the case, calling it one of “statewide importance.”

Matthew and Annette Flynn purchased ten raffle tickets at the July 7, 2023, game, and held the winning number which was originally selected for $13,000. According to court records, the raffle rules in effect at the time required the winning ticket holder to claim the prize at a designated 50-50 table by the end of the top of the seventh inning. Flynn said she did not see the winning number displayed or hear it announced and was directed by stadium personnel to another location before making her way to the claim table. Officials determined she did not arrive before the deadline and selected a new winning ticket.

The Flynns sued, but the circuit and appeals courts ruled the raffle’s rules gave the foundation sole discretion to determine the official winner and that the rules clearly stated a participant who failed to claim the prize within the specified time would be disqualified.

In a petition to the Wisconsin Supreme Court filed Wednesday, the Flynn’s asked the high court to take the case, saying the decision “affects not only the parties to this action but potentially every Wisconsin resident who participates in charitable raffles and similar gaming activities.”

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“This case presents significant questions concerning contractual discretion, discovery, judicial review of charitable gaming decisions, and the treatment of digital evidence within Wisconsin’s appellate system. For these reasons, Petitioners respectfully request that this Court grant review of the decision of the Court of Appeals,” the petition states.

The high court does not have to take the case. At some point, it will vote on if to take it. If it does, a months-long process to review the issues will begin. If it does not, the appeals court ruling would stand.

According to the rules posted on the Milwaukee Brewers’ website, the deadline to claim the prize is no longer during the game the tickets were purchased.

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“The Participant in possession of the Raffle ticket with the potential winning number may claim the Prize at the 50/50 Table located on the Loge (2nd) level concourse behind Sections 216/217 until such time as the Ballpark officially closes to fans after the end of the game. If the Participant in possession of the Raffle ticket with the potential winning number does not claim the Prize by the time the Ballpark closes to fans after the end of the game, that Participant may still claim the Prize within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the Raffle Period for the respective baseball game by contacting the Raffle hotline (414-902-4334). A Prize that is not claimed within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the Raffle Period will be awarded in compliance with applicable regulations,” the site states.



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Wisconsin DOJ probes fatal shooting by Oneida County officer

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Wisconsin DOJ probes fatal shooting by Oneida County officer


ONEIDA COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) — The Wisconsin DOJ is investigating an officer-involved death that occurred on the morning of June 17 in the town of Lake Tomahawk.

According to a press release, around 10:30 a.m., two Oneida officers arrived at Lumen Lake Drive to arrest a subject in a felony investigation.

Upon contact with the officers, the subject brandished and shot a firearm. One officer shot the subject in return.

EMS pronounced the subject dead on the scene. No members of law enforcement or the public were injured.

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Both officers will be placed on administrative assignment, per the agency’s policy.

WFRV will update this story as needed.



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Body cam shows Wisconsin officer shooting at stray dogs 16 times. What to know

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Body cam shows Wisconsin officer shooting at stray dogs 16 times. What to know


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A Thiensville officer fired 16 shots at two stray dogs, killing one, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has been tracking the fallout.

The officer, Richard C. McCormick, resigned during an internal investigation. The shooting is now under review by the Ozaukee County District Attorney’s Office.

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Here’s what to know about the case and what to do if you encounter a stray or lost dog:

What brought the Thiensville officer to the Mequon intersection?

On April 23, 2026, Mequon police responded to a call shortly after 1 a.m. for two loose dogs at Highland and Cedarburg Roads. The Mequon officers decided to return in the morning, when they could seek help from the humane society. 

About two hours later, McCormick saw the dogs at the same intersection, outside his jurisdiction. McCormick stopped and tried to capture them. He was not responding to a new 911 call or other request for help. He was aware of the earlier call about the dogs.

What happened during the shooting?

Body camera footage obtained by the Journal Sentinel showed the dogs bounding toward McCormick after he opened a rear door of his squad.

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The officer fired at least two shots near the ground, in what he later said was an attempt to scare the dogs. Video showed the dogs running away and McCormick continuing to fire across the road, even after one of the dogs collapsed on the ground and howled.

Six minutes later, McCormick fired a final shot from close range to euthanize the dog on the ground. The other dog escaped into the woods.

A national expert on police-dog encounters told the Journal Sentinel there were “valid concerns” about the shooting, noting that McCormick continued firing even as the dogs ran away from him.

What happened to the second dog?

The shooting came to light after three women tracked and safely trapped the second dog that had been wounded.

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The dog, whom they named Ranger, had a bullet in his hip.

Ranger underwent surgery and was still receiving care at the Wisconsin Humane Society Ozaukee Campus as of June 17.

The rescue volunteers – Danielle Dietz, Alicia Hegedus and Karen Bohlmann – pieced together what happened to Ranger and the other dog, whom they nicknamed BD, using public records requests.

They learned that Ranger had been out for 17 days since he had been shot.

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What should you do if you encounter a lost or stray dog?

Angela Speed, a spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Humane Society, offered the following suggestions:

  • Be cautious. Fearful, injured or ill animals can be reactive when confronted.
  • Watch the dog’s body language carefully.
  • If the dog is obviously friendly and approachable, check for a collar with information. If an owner cannot be located, take the dog to a local animal shelter.
  • If you have safety concerns, call a local non-emergency police or sheriff’s office line.

The volunteers who rescued Ranger have years of experience tracking and safely capturing stray or missing dogs, on their own and with local rescue groups. They offered additional suggestions:

  • Note the location where you saw the dog and take a photo, if possible.
  • Share that information in local neighborhood groups online, which can include Facebook, NextDoor or Ring.
  • Look up nearby lost dog and recovery organizations online and contact those groups for help.
  • Never chase a dog.



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