Wisconsin
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
Wisconsin guard Andrew Rohde reflects on early March Madness exit
Wisconsin guard Andrew Rohde said the Badgers ‘thought we could do so many things’ in the NCAA Tournament before it ended abrupty with an upset loss.
Wisconsin men’s basketball has added a sharpshooting wing via the transfer portal.
Miami (Ohio) transfer Eian Elmer has signed with the Badgers, the team announced April 18. The 6-foot-7 wing will join UW with one year of eligibility remaining.
Elmer averaged a career-high 12.7 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 49.8% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range in 2025-26. His production helped the RedHawks go 32-2 and earn an at-large NCAA Tournament bid.
“We are really excited to add another excellent addition to our spring signees,” UW coach Greg Gard said in a release. “Eian brings a wealth of experience and scoring punch as a 6-7 wing. … A terrific shooter, his skillset and production fit excellently into our plan as we build out next year’s team. Throughout our evaluation process, our staff loved his size, power and skill and truly believe he will thrive in our system.”
Elmer is Wisconsin’s third transfer portal addition since the end of the 2025-26 season, joining former George Washington guard Trey Autry and former Hofstra forward Victory Onuetu. UW also added Australian guard Owen Foxwell.
The additions of Autry, Onuetu and now Elmer leave Gard’s staff with three more roster spots to fill ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The Badgers are looking to replace much of their production from a 2025-26 team that went 24-11. Nolan Winter is expected to be the team’s only returning starter after John Blackwell and Aleksas Bieliauskas entered the transfer portal and Nick Boyd and Andrew Rohde exhausted their eligibility.
MILWAUKEE – Friday’s severe storms have passed. And with that, the threat of any severe weather has also passed for the immediate future as no storms or rain are expected for several days.
However, plenty of damage remains across southeastern Wisconsin as of Saturday morning, in addition to the ongoing flooding threat.
Several area rivers are at flood stage, and there are multiple river flood warnings in effect.
FOX6 Weekend WakeUp on Saturday begins at 6 a.m.
On the scene in the morning
What we know:
Farmstead damage in Franklin
FOX6’s Hayley Spitler is in Franklin on Saturday morning, April 18, getting a daylight look at the damage from last night’s storms.
Storm damage in Caledonia
Friday’s storms left quite the mark across southern and southeastern Wisconsin, including at L and L Farms and Greenhouse in Caledonia.
FOX6 Weather Extras
Local perspective:
Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:
FOX6 Storm Center app
FOX LOCAL Mobile app
FOX Weather app
Maps and radar
We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.
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School and business closings
When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.
FOX6 Weather Experts in social media
The Source: Information in this post was compiled by the FOX6 Weather Experts.
How Aleksas Bieliauskas has grown in first season with Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin coach Greg Gard has high praise for Aleksas Bieliauskas about a month into the Lithuania native’s freshman season.
MADISON – One of Wisconsin men’s basketball’s departing transfers is headed to an SEC program with some connections to the Badgers.
Ex-UW forward Aleksas Bieliauskas has committed to South Carolina, he announced on April 17.
Bieliauskas left the Badgers after appearing in all 35 games as a freshman and making 28 starts. He averaged 4.9 points and 4.4 points in 20.2 minutes, and highlights of his freshman year included his five 3-pointers in UW’s upset over eventual national champion Michigan.
He’ll join a program with plenty of Wisconsin ties. South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris was an assistant coach at Wisconsin from 2010-17 on Bo Ryan and Greg Gard’s staffs. South Carolina assistant coach Tanner Bronson and director of video services Roman DiPasquale also are UW alumni.
Bieliauskas is the second of UW’s four departing transfers to commit to a new school. Reserve forward Jack Robison committed to North Dakota State on April 15. Starting guard John Blackwell and reserve forward Riccardo Greppi have not announced their next schools yet.
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