Milwaukee news stories on Newser

Behind City's Falling Crime Rate: Misreported Cases

John Johnson — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:27:16 CDT

Milwaukee police Chief Edward Flynn had great news for the city in February: Violent crime had fallen for the fourth straight year. Except it hadn't, reports the Journal Sentinel . Its investigation found that the police department misreported at least 500 incidents since 2009. In many cases, aggravated assaults—which count...

Milwaukee Mayor to Run Against Scott Walker

Rob Quinn — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:29:55 CDT

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has won a hard-fought primary campaign to become the Democrat who will seek to unseat Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in a recall election June 5. Barrett—who was defeated by Walker in November 2010—beat nearest rival Kathleen Falk 58% to 32%, despite the millions of...

Groupon Sees Backlash Over 'Dahmer Tour' Coupon

Dustin Lushing — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:20:25 CST

A gruesome Groupon has sparked an uproar in Milwaukee. The daily deal website offered a coupon for a tour of "the hunting grounds" of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. The deal sold out, but a flurry of negative reaction caused Groupon to pull its affiliation with the company organizing the event,...

Cat With 26 Toes Helps Save Shelter

Dustin Lushing — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:38:57 CST

Daniel, an orange-and-white tabby cat, is doing everything he can to save the Milwaukee Animal Rescue Center, and he's doing it by showing off his bizarre feet. He has 26 toes. Donations of $26—one for each digit—are flooding into the nonprofit animal shelter , which was recently hit with...

Health Ads Rip Family Bed for Baby

Mary Papenfuss — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:59:56 CST

In the latest unkind cut in parenting battles, startling Wisconsin health ads are warning moms and dads that sleeping with their babies is the same as leaving a butcher knife next to them. The Milwaukee horror campaign against family "co-sleeping" reveals dozing babes cuddled next to knives almost as big...

Milwaukee Hosts Air Sex Contest

Evann Gastaldo — Sun, 01 May 2011 17:06:05 CDT

Bored? Consider a trip to Milwaukee, which is playing host to the Air Sex World Championships Thursday. Not sure what “air sex” is? Think air guitar, but with sex moves substituted for guitar mimicry. "These are gladiators, warriors … all making pretend love to imaginary partners," says the host of...

Donor's Son Resigns From Walker Administration

Kevin Spak — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:45:41 CDT

Brian Deschane has decided to resign altogether rather than accept a demotion to the $64,728-per-year job he started out in, sources tell the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . The resignation comes after a minor uproar over the 27-year-old, who has no college degree, little experience, and two drunken driving convictions—yet...

Wisconsin to Teachers: We'll Verify All 'Doctor's Notes'

Kevin Spak — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:57:23 CST

Teachers won’t get away with playing hooky to protest Wisconsin’s anti-union bill, school officials in Madison and Milwaukee said today, explaining that all "doctor's notes" must hold up to scrutiny. A conservative think tank caught doctors on tape passing out excuse notes to protesters this weekend, sparking an outcry. Now,...

Museums Bet Paintings on Super Bowl

Nick McMaster — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:54:51 CST

Two museums are making Super Bowl XLV a little more interesting. Pittsburgh's Carnegie Museum of Art and the Milwaukee Art Museum are betting two comparable French impressionist paintings on the big game. If the Steelers prevail, Milwaukee will give up Gustave Caillebotte's Boating on the Yerres , whereas if the Packers...