Author: Public Radio

Student groups at University of Wisconsin schools say legislation protecting free speech is not needed because a 2017 Board of Regents policy already does that. On August 13, Republican state lawmakers, including state Representatives Cody Horlacher, R-Mukwonago and Dave Murphy, R-Greenville, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester and state Senator Chis Kapenga, R-Delafield, began circulating a bill for co-sponsorship that directs the Board of Regents to implement disciplinary measures for students and staff that engage in disorderly or violent actions against a speaker on campus. “Campuses across the country have erupted in protest, including violent riots, as the growing debate...

On any given day there are about 300 Wisconsin veterans who do not have a place to live, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To combat the problem, the city of Milwaukee is supporting an initiative to provide tiny homes for homeless veterans. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Alderwoman Chantia Lewis held a press conference on July 31 to address the initiative. Alderwoman Lewis spoke about how the project was near and dear to her heart. “If you do not know, I am a veteran. People do not realize that a veteran is one step...

Wisconsin lawmakers and activists clashed this week over potential changes to state gun laws in the wake of two mass shootings in Ohio and Texas last weekend. The killings have spurred renewed conversation about the role of state regulations in curbing gun violence, with state Democrats largely pushing for new restrictions while Republicans argue state laws are sufficient. The conversation happened as the state marked the seventh anniversary of a mass shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek that killed six people. Governor Tony Evers on August 5 called for lawmakers to take up new restrictions, including universal...

Hundreds of members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) became the latest religious group to protest the Trump administration’s immigration policies on August 7. They marched to the offices of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in downtown Milwaukee. The rally took place on the same day the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America declared itself a “sanctuary church body,” signaling its support for immigrants. The ELCA has been holding its annual Churchwide Assembly at the Wisconsin Center this week. The Lutheran group borrowed from religious reformer Martin Luther. In 1517, he attached 95 theses containing his...

The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee (IFCGM) brings together regional leaders from 20 faith denominations. The organization has worked to establish dialogue, build relationships, counter hate and fear, and develop programs that not only foster understanding and friendship but also champion social issues to help create a better society for everyone in region. The organization turns 50 in 2020 and was led by Tom Heinen for the past decade. Now, the Interfaith Conference has new leadership. Pardeep Singh Kaleka became its new executive director in June. Kaleka has been of service to his community throughout his many careers. He’s...

A city of Milwaukee panel has declared an order to tear down the former Northridge Mall is “reasonable.” But the Chinese firm that owns the huge property on the northwest side said its fight to keep the buildings intact may not be over. The Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services issued what is called a raze order against the mall three months ago, saying the long-closed complex is dilapidated, frequently vandalized, and meets a raze order standard of needing repairs that exceed half the assessed value of the property. Mall owners, Black Spruce Enterprise Group, challenged the order on July...