Susan Crawford elected to Wisconsin Supreme Court seat cements a liberal majority and win for democracy
The Democratic-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court defeated a challenger endorsed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk on April 1, touting her victory as a win against powerful interests and cementing a liberal majority for at least three more...
Misheard around the world: How a humble K-pop song about jazz became an accidental anti-Trump anthem
DISCLAIMER: April Fools' Day Parody Special This article is a work of fiction, created as part of an April Fools’ Day parody tradition that celebrates satirical humor. It is not intended to depict or reference any real person, living or dead, except for Donald...
World Trans Joy: The history behind a “Day of Visibility” for those overlooked and victimized
March 31 is International Transgender Day of Visibility, observed around the world to bring attention to a population that is often ignored, disparaged, or victimized. The “day” is Monday, but celebrations and educational events designed to bring attention to...
Understanding Hate: How cognitive biases shape the thoughts and policies behind anti-trans legislation
By Julia Standefer, Ph.D. Student in Psychology, Iowa State University; and L. Alison Phillips, Professor of Psychology, Iowa State University A state law signed on February 28, 2025, removed gender identity as a protected status from the Iowa Civil Rights Act,...
Milwaukee County commemorates Vietnam Veterans Day with a remembrance of service and sacrifice
The Milwaukee County War Memorial Center observed National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29 with an event dedicated to honoring Vietnam War veterans and their families, reinforcing a commitment to recognize those who served during one of the most divisive periods...
Why the U.S. military has cared about the impact of climate change since the dawn of the Cold War
By Paul Bierman, Fellow of the Gund Institute for Environment, Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Vermont In 1957, Hollywood released “The Deadly Mantis,” a B-grade monster movie starring a praying mantis of nightmare proportions....
Podcast: A “Deep Dive” into the American electorate’s descent into political apathy
The Deep Dive podcast by Milwaukee Independent takes a closer look at the stories that matter most, uncovering the layers of complexity behind today’s pressing issues. From groundbreaking research to critical social movements and the intersection of local and global...
Ezekiel Gillespie: Milwaukee civil rights pioneer’s fight for Black suffrage gains new relevance under Trump
Ezekiel Gillespie, a 19th-century civil rights pioneer who secured Black suffrage in Wisconsin, has entered renewed discussions as federal protections come under review in Donald Trump’s second term. Born into enslavement in Tennessee, Gillespie resettled in Milwaukee...
Growth and wellness: County Executive Crowley delivers 2025 State of the County address
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley delivered his 2025 State of the County Address at the Marcus Performing Arts Center on March 26, highlighting ongoing partnerships, economic development initiatives, public safety proposals, and efforts to improve community...
Churchill’s fears of democracy’s decline realized in the American iron curtain built by Trump’s oligarchs
In the gym of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, on March 5, 1946, former and future prime minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill rose to deliver a speech. Formally titled “Sinews of Peace,” the talk called for the United States and Britain to stand...
Exhausted by the news: Strategies to stay informed without getting overwhelmed or being misled
By Seth Ashley, Professor of Communication and Media, Boise State University Political spin is nothing new, and identifying reliable news and information can be hard to do during any presidency. But the return of Donald Trump to the White House has reignited debates...
Abusive detentions of White American and European tourists fuels fear of traveling to America
Lennon Tyler and her German fiancé often took road trips to Mexico when he vacationed in the United States since it was only a day’s drive from her home in Las Vegas, one of the perks of their long-distance relationship. But things went terribly wrong when they...
