Now carrying a smidge of success after a recent drought, the Milwaukee Bucks travel to Orlando to take on the Magic Monday night for the first of two games between the teams in three days.
Milwaukee enters with star Giannis Antetokounmpo still ailing, but riding a three-game win streak, its longest of the season.
‘I made that comment 100 years ago: winning is like a deodorant. It covers a lot of things that stink at times,’ Bucks coach Doc Rivers said after Friday night’s win over Indiana. ‘When you start winning games, the ball goes in, you feel better, you want to come to practice. When you lose games, you dread watching film, everything is a big deal, the shots get tighter. Now you can see our guys are playing loose, they’re playing free. It’s nice.’
‘It feels good,’ Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. added. ‘We haven’t had this feeling and been in this situation as much this year as we wanted. We’re going to live in the moment and try to make it an everlasting one and continue to get these wins and stack them up.’
The Bucks are still on the outside looking in for a play-in spot and have been without Antetokounmpo, who has not played since Jan. 23 with a calf injury but was not traded ahead of Thursday’s deadline. Milwaukee is 6-14 this season without the ‘Greek Freak.’
‘He’s gonna play when he’s healthy, we just gotta make sure he’s healthy. He’s getting close,’ Rivers said on Friday. ‘Like, he’s working out, he looks good. So, I would say hopefully sooner than later.’
Orlando, currently nestled at seventh in the Eastern Conference, is riding a modest two-game win streak and has been without leading scorer Franz Wagner (22.2 points per game) with an ankle injury since Jan. 18.
He was upgraded to questionable for Monday’s game and could return after missing the last nine games.
Paolo Banchero has picked up the scoring slack, as has Desmond Bane, who has averaged 21.8 points over his last five games and has made at least one three in his last 12.
Orlando trailed the Jazz by 17 points on Saturday night but rallied for a 120-117 win. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley pointed out plenty of mistakes made by his team afterwards, but said his team showed courage.
‘You have to battle through adversity, I don’t care who you play, it’s a game of runs and how you handle that in a game,’ Mosley said. ‘Down 17, you just go for those mini goals. We said let’s get it down to 10 (by the end of the third quarter) and we got it down to seven. Those are the small things guys can grab a hold of and not try to go for the home run but win the small battles.’
Monday will be the first meeting of Magic and Bucks this season. Orlando guard Jalen Suggs had a career-high 32 points against the Bucks when they met in December 2024. Milwaukee won three of four meetings last season.
DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks fired general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday, an admission nine months later that the widely criticized trade of Luka Doncic backfired on the franchise.
The move came a day after Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont attended a 116-114 loss to the Bucks in which fans again chanted “fire Nico,” a familiar refrain since the blockbuster deal in February that brought Anthony Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers and angered the Dallas fan base.
The Mavericks appointed Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi as co-interim general managers to oversee basketball operations.
Dumont’s hope for goodwill with the fans never came even after Dallas landed No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg with just a 1.8% chance to win the draft lottery.
There have been plenty of empty seats in the upper deck of American Airlines Center this season, something not seen consistently since 2018, when the Mavericks traded up to get Doncic with the third overall pick.
Doncic was a 25-year-old generational point guard in his prime when Harrison unloaded him for the oft-injured Davis, who has missed 30 of 44 regular-season games since his arrival in February.
Harrison was in his fourth season and had engineered three trades that helped the Mavs go on a run to the Western Conference finals in 2022 and the NBA Finals two years later.
The Doncic trade and a slow start to the first full season without the young superstar led to a stunning downfall for Harrison, who declined to comment to The Associated Press. Dallas is 3-8, and Davis has missed six of the 11 games with a calf injury.
“No one associated with the Mavericks organization is happy with the start of what we all believed would be a promising season,” Dumont wrote in a letter to fans. “You have high expectations for the Mavericks, and I share them with you. When the results don’t meet expectations, it’s my responsibility to act.”
While Dumont didn’t directly mention the Doncic trade in the letter, he acknowledged the vitriolic reaction of fans, who protested after the shocking deal. The Las Vegas-based Dumont and Adelson families, who bought the Mavericks from Mark Cuban in late 2023, were targets of the criticism as well.
“I understand the profound impact these difficult last several months have had,” Dumont wrote. “Please know that I’m fully committed to the success of the Mavericks.”
Dumont approved Harrison’s decision to trade Doncic, which kept the Mavericks from having to commit to a $346 million, five-year supermax extension for the Slovenian star.
Harrison tried to defend the deal by repeating a “defense wins championships” line. But with Davis sidelined by a calf injury and star guard Kyrie Irving still out after tearing the ACL in his left knee last March, defense hasn’t mattered much because Dallas has one of the worst offenses in the NBA.
With Davis and Irving playing together for just part of one game last season, the Mavericks missed the playoffs a year after Doncic led them to the NBA Finals.
The slow, injury-plagued start to this season for the Mavericks coincided with Doncic joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only NBA players to open a season with three consecutive games of at least 40 points.
Doncic’s historic run was interrupted by a three-game injury absence, but the Lakers won twice without him and are 8-3.
Harrison had spent 20 years with Nike and had close relationships with several NBA stars, including the late Kobe Bryant, when Cuban hired him in 2021.
The hiring of Harrison was the first step in trying to restore stability after former general manager Donnie Nelson was fired, then Rick Carlisle resigned as coach a day later. Nelson and Carlisle had been together for 13 years.
Harrison hired Jason Kidd as coach, and the Mavericks reached the Western Conference finals their first season together after Harrison’s first blockbuster trade.
He broke up the European pairing of Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis and got Spencer Dinwiddie, who played a key supporting role with Doncic as the Mavericks stunned Phoenix with a Game 7 blowout in the second round before losing to Golden State in five games.
A year later, Dinwiddie was part of the next blockbuster trade, which brought Irving from Brooklyn. The Mavericks faltered the rest of that season largely because of injuries, but they reached their first NBA Finals in 13 years in 2023-24, led by the pair of star guards. Dallas lost to Boston in five games.
That deep playoff run came in the first six months after Cuban sold the team. He said then that he would maintain control of basketball operations, but that didn’t happen.
Dumont quickly put full control of the basketball side in the hands of Harrison, who saw Davis as a championship-caliber player in the mold of Bryant. Davis won a title with LeBron James and the Lakers in 2020.
Cuban criticized the trade of Doncic, saying he never would have approved it and adding that he didn’t think Dallas got enough in return. Months later, though, Cuban credited Harrison for his salary cap management.
Finley, who was Harrison’s top assistant and has been in the Dallas front office for a decade, was a two-time All-Star for the Mavericks in the early 2000s when Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki was coming of age.
Finley had moved on to San Antonio when Nowitzki led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2006. Dallas lost to Miami that year but beat the Heat five years later for the franchise’s only championship.
A real scowl peaks out behind the practiced one. He is quick to laugh, but also to anger. When he came into the league, there were suggestions that perhaps he should play as point guard, and he still has a point guard’s instinct to include his teammates. But he has had to do so much on his own.
As a rookie, he had nineteen unassisted dunks; five years later, he had more than a hundred. So far this year, he is averaging more than twenty points in the paint while playing just over thirty minutes a game. He’s making nearly eighty per cent of his shots within five feet of the rim. A lot of them, spectacularly, are driving dunks. He is a team unto himself. On Friday night, against the Chicago Bulls, he scored forty-one points, to go with fifteen rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and two blocks. No one has a greater impact on the court right now than Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks have played with math for a long time, trying to leverage Antetokounmpo’s efficiency. But, since winning that title in 2021, the team has not been back to the Eastern Conference Finals, let alone the Finals. The Bucks have been knocked out of the playoffs in the first round three years in a row. Antetokounmpo, once criticized for poor shooting, has shot better than sixty per cent from the field in back-to-back seasons. But the team’s front office has had trouble finding the right people to fit around him, and the coaches have struggled to create space on the floor for him to move.
This past off-season was an odd one for the Bucks. After the quick playoff exit, there were rumors that Antetokounmpo would be the latest N.B.A. star to ask for a trade. As training camp began, the rumors got more specific: he had been eying the New York Knicks as a possible destination, people claimed. He was forthright when asked about it: “I’ve said this many times: I want to be in a situation that I can win,” he told the press. He added, “I’m locked into whatever I have in front of me. Now, if in six, seven months I change my mind, I think that’s human, too.”
The right to change one’s mind is not a grace often afforded to pro athletes—nor to the rest of us, for that matter. The public record is what it is, and commitment is framed as an all-or-nothing proposition. But Antetokounmpo stepped into this season with a display of strength and dominance that is awesome even from him. In the off-season, the Bucks cut the high-priced All-Star Damian Lillard and shifted some of that money to Turner, and they secured a pair of guards: Ryan Rollins, a second-year second-round draft pick, and Cole Anthony, a talented player whose progress with his previous team, the Orlando Magic, had appeared to stall. Rollins has been a terrific defender and the Bucks’ second leading scorer, and Anthony has shown a feel for moving the ball to the right spot. Turner, a six-foot-eleven center who can shoot the three, flies around to create space, and the sharp-shooting A. J. Green complements Antetokounmpo’s paint game by staying outside the three-point arc. Every player has a purpose. But it only works with Antetokounmpo. When he’s on the court, the Bucks have one of the best offenses in the league. When he’s off the court, they stink.
You could say that about many stars—it’s what makes them stars. The Denver Nuggets are nothing without Nikola Jokić; LeBron James, for decades, was a team unto himself. But Antetokounmpo’s burden seems different. There is a solitariness about him that he can’t or won’t shake. Two of his brothers are now his teammates, and he defends the rest of the Bucks as if they were his brothers, too. After the game against the Pacers, he explained his response to the crowd’s derision as an act of generosity toward Turner, who had been a critical part of the team that had knocked the Bucks out of the playoffs only a few months before. “It was just me trying to show camaraderie, encouragement to my teammate,” Antetokounmpo said. “Which, if you really think about it, four or five months ago he was the one blocking my shot, pushing me on the floor.” He added, “I respect him when I played against him, and now that he’s my teammate it’s a lot of love towards him.” Maybe so. And yet, watching the other Bucks hang off of Antetokounmpo after that buzzer-beater—as he stared into the middle distance, seeming almost oblivious to the teammates clasping at his shoulders, with his fingers on his lips as the boos rained down—I couldn’t help thinking that he still looks like a man apart. ♦
Deanne Lawson sees the uptick in sex trafficking along Greenfield Avenue on Milwaukee’s south side.
Her organization, Inner Beauty, helps those who have been trafficked with meals, clothing and connections to social services. She and her staff hand out pamphlets detailing men who have abused sex workers in the area.
One description warns about a 30-year-old man who “will assault you at gunpoint, drives a truck.” Another told a story of a man who attacked transgender women and said one woman had to escape by stabbing him.
“You can never get ahead of it,” said Lawson, who founded Inner Beauty in 2012. “There’s a lot more individuals that are trafficked out there than what we think.”
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Inner Beauty helped roughly 200 people a year. Those numbers have risen to 300.
Among them was 31-year-old Hayley Linville.
On Sept. 16, Linville was seen walking in and out of traffic. Someone saw her and called the Milwaukee Police Department to conduct a welfare check. When the officer arrived, she was lying at the entrance of an alleyway. The police officer ran her over. She later died at the hospital.
The Waukesha Police Department is investigating her death. A 44-year-old officer with over 18 years of service was placed on administrative leave, per department policy.
Linville’s death happened about two blocks off Greenfield Avenue, where she spent much of her life. Those who live and work in the neighborhood say drug use, human trafficking and homelessness are persistent issues.
The alley on South 20th Street where a Milwaukee police officer drove over Hayley Linville while responding to a welfare check on her, pictured on Sept. 23 in Milwaukee. A police official said Linville was lying at the alley’s entrance when the police vehicle struck her.
Although a toxicology report at the time of her death has yet to be released, advocates like Lawson say Linville’s death and many others in the community could have been prevented if resources were better equipped to help people dealing with addiction.
“There’s no help available, little to none. Not even a Band-Aid,” Linville’s mother, Robin Burke, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Twenty-eight days (in a free recovery program) isn’t going to cover years of addiction.”
Linville’s family say they lost a loved one with a vibrant spirit, who aspired to raise her three children. Those on Milwaukee’s south side who knew her say she was always willing to help others.
“People were just drawn to her personality,” her mother said. “Everybody that knows her, loves her.”
A neighborhood needs resources, but options are slim
Pastor Marty Calderon can routinely be found on Milwaukee’s south side.
He leads prayer walks to bring spirituality and resources to those in need. An upcoming prayer walk was scheduled to take place on National Avenue.
However, in the wake of Linville’s death, a man being shot by police during a traffic stop and other recent acts of violence, the walk will now be held on Greenfield Avenue.
He wants to give the community a chance to gather and recover from what’s happened. He recognizes the gaps in resources for those in the area, particularly housing.
“They need to get out of their environment,” said Calderon, who is part of the violence intervention group the Milwaukee Promise Keepers.
Pastor Marty Calderon, who has long been involved in street ministries and helping people who are addicted, homeless or just out of prison, speaks to volunteers before a community prayer walk launches from Kosciuszko Park on Sept. 12 in Milwaukee.
And Linville did try that.
Burke said her daughter was in and out of treatment throughout her life. Within the last five years, she stayed with Burke in her North Carolina home in attempts to get clean and start fresh.
Those stays lasted only about a month. Then Linville − born and raised in Milwaukee − was drawn back to Wisconsin.
“She was clean,” said her mother. “All it took was one phone call from the wrong person.”
In Milwaukee, Inner Beauty’s Lawson worked with Linville many times over the years to keep her safe and away from the wrong people.
Lawson encouraged Linville to confront the man who trafficked her in federal court. Linville did. Her testimony helped sentence the man to 45 years in prison.
For those in the neighborhood dealing with addiction, homelessness or sex trafficking, resources exist. But wait lists are incredibly long and few programs address all issues at once, Lawson said.
“Sometimes they can go to the local free detox place,” she said. “The problem is they have nowhere to go after that.”
It can create a cycle that burns people out.
Lawson knew Linville well. She often delivered her meals or spent time with her at Inner Beauty’s center. She remembers Linville as a helpful woman who would frequently clean the space and offer help where she could.
News of her death shook community members and staff alike. She was known for “lighting up the room” with her personality, Lawson said.
Dustin Burke holds an image of Hayley Linville with his wife and Hayley’s mother, Robin Burke, on Sept. 24 in Milwaukee. A Milwaukee police officer drove over Linville while responding to a welfare check on her, killing her on Sept. 16.
A lifelong battle now fueling help for others
Burke said her daughter loved Milwaukee. The family lived on the city’s east side when she was born, but they later moved near Greenfield Avenue.
She was one of seven children. While growing up, Linville and her twin sister would often go to their aunt Kathy Tyson’s house in West Allis, to escape the rowdiness of having so many brothers and sisters.
“She was a really happy person,” Tyson said.
As Linville grew older and struggled with addiction, Tyson and her family always kept their door open to her.
Burke frequently tried to help Linville and her understanding of her daughter’s addiction shifted over time.
At one point, she believed Linville’s recovery simply required her to reach out for help. But as the years went on and the struggles continued, she began to understand how strained the resources are.
“It was a constant fight. So I just had to take a step back and love her where she was at,” Burke said.
Robin Burke, left, the mother of Hayley Linville, lays her head on her husband, Dustin Burke, on Sept. 24 in Milwaukee. A Milwaukee police officer drove over Linville while responding to a welfare check on her, killing her on Sept. 16.
She and her husband have moved to the Milwaukee area following Linville’s death.
Burke plans to help those in the community who struggle as their daughter did. The family will participate in Calderon’s prayer walk on Greenfield Avenue on Oct. 10 to support those groups and distribute resources.
“I couldn’t help her,” Burke said. “But if there’s another girl out there like her that I can help, I’m going to.”
Police’s role draws anger, questions
How Linville died remains troubling to many.
Those who live in the area say there are often police chases through the streets or officers driving recklessly.
Her family is outraged at how she died. They believe justice is owed.
“How does a police officer with all this training and experience in driving not avoid a whole body,” Burke said.
In a statement, the Milwaukee Police Department said it was committed to “building sustainable neighborhoods free of crime that are built on positive relationships.”
“The public’s safety is the Milwaukee Police Department’s number one priority,” the statement said.
In the week since she died, Linville’s issues with addiction and homelessness, have been focused on by some in social media posts. It angers her mother and others who knew her well.
“Just because somebody has an addiction, doesn’t mean she’s not human,” Inner Beauty’s Lawson said. “That doesn’t devalue her.”
On the night of Sept. 24, Linville’s family and community members returned to where she was killed to host a vigil in her memory.
Keila Rodriguez, a neighborhood friend of hers, was among them. She believed Linville’s death could have been avoided.
“If (police) would help these girls more, if they would get to know the neighborhood, these things could be prevented,” she said.
Keila Rodriguez, a friend of Hayley Linville, gazes at a candle after speaking during a vigil honoring Linville’s life on South 20th Street on Sept. 24 in Milwaukee. A Milwaukee police official said Linville was lying at an alley’s entrance when a Milwaukee police officer ran her over during a welfare check.
A crowd of about 40 met in the alley where Linville was hit. There they prayed together for her, lifted candles to the sky and played songs in her memory.
Burke has leaned on her faith in the days since her daughter died and during the vigil.
Linville was born on July 1. After her daughter’s death, Burke felt compelled to search for a Bible passage that aligned with Linville’s birthday. When she opened a Bible app on her phone, it was opened to the Book of Matthew.
What she read gave her peace.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged,” read the verse from Matthew 7:1.
David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com.
Alyssa N. Salcedo covers Layton Boulevard West for the Journal Sentinel’s Neighborhood Dispatch. Reach her at asalcedo@gannett.com. As part of the newsroom, all Alyssa’s work and coverage decisions are overseen solely by Journal Sentinel editors.
Support for this effort comes from the Zilber Family Foundation, Journal Foundation, Bader Philanthropies, Northwestern Mutual Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Foundation and individual contributions to the Journal Sentinel Community-Funded Journalism Project. The project is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36‐4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association.
Learn more about our community-funded journalism and how to make a tax-deductible gift at jsonline.com/support. Checks can be addressed to Local Media Foundation with “JS Community Journalism” in the memo, then mailed to: Local Media Foundation, P.O. Box 85015, Chicago, IL 60689.
After a stretch of sunny days, Milwaukee and the rest of southeast Wisconsin can expect some scattered rain and thunderstorms this weekend and into next week.
“The good news we have for folks is we aren’t expecting any of this weekend’s weather, at this time, to be severe. It would just be kind of your run-of-the-mill thunderstorms,” he said.
Sheppard said rain is making its way to the Milwaukee area from the west. Chances of rain Sept. 19 are around 15% until around 5 p.m., when the likelihood of precipitation will ramp up. The majority of the weekend’s rain is expected overnight Sept. 19 into Sept. 20, he said.
Showers and thunderstorms may linger into the morning of Sept. 20, and there is a 60% chance for additional scattered storms and rain Sept. 20 afternoon, Sheppard said.
For the rest of the weekend into next week, there will be a continuous 30-to-50% chance of rain showers and thunderstorms, off and on, he said.
The primary hazard with the upcoming weather will be lightning — the storms are not expected to bring damaging winds, large hail or flooding, Sheppard said.
“Generally, the storms being off-and-on in nature and generally just not packing enough of a punch to really deliver much of a flood threat,” Sheppard said “Additionally, it’s been decently dry in the recent past, which is going to allow the soils to really soak it up.”
With the start of astronomical fall Monday, Sept. 22, autumn temperatures are on the horizon. However, the weekend’s daytime highs should remain around the mid-70s — not a taste of fall quite yet.
People with outdoor weekend plans, like going to see the Badgers play at Camp Randall Stadium Saturday, should prepare for some light rain, and be aware of any lightning,
Westside Creamer’s Sweet Spot is located at 880 Glenwood Ave SE in Glenwood Park. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
It’s a sunny day in Glenwood Park, people are walking their dogs, chatting amongst themselves, and as you walk across from 424 Bill Kennedy Way, next to PINK Sky Boutique, you smell the sweet scent of fresh-baked goods and ice cream.
This sweet aroma comes from Westside Creamery’s Sweet Spot, owned by Debra and Llew Eastern, a husband-and-wife duo. Debra fell in love with baking at the age of eight in her hometown of Milwaukee.
On Saturday mornings, an elderly wheelchair-bound landlady who lived downstairs from Debra would direct her on how to bake homemade peanut butter cookies from the wheelchair. A year or so later, the woman became ill and gifted Debra the cookie recipe book from which she would bake her cookies.
“She insisted that I cherish the book because it had been handed down to her from her grandmother,” Debra said.
Debra and Llew Eastern, the husband-wife duo behind Atlanta’s first mobile dessert business, Westside Creamery’s Sweet Spot. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
This moment was the catalyst for what would eventually become Westside Creamery Desserts, a unique business that combines ice cream, cookies, cakes, and gourmet popcorn, all served from a mobile food truck.
All these years later, Debra and Llew have served frozen desserts and baked goods across Atlanta’s metroplex and surrounding counties for over 11 years.
Debra’s journey to starting Westside Creamery was not without its challenges, however, and after years of dreaming about owning a bakery, the opportunity to purchase a mobile ice cream truck presented itself.
The original owner encouraged Debra to think bigger, asking her, “Why not offer all America’s favorite snacks: ice cream, cakes, cookies, and popcorn?” This is where Westside Creamery Desserts was born in 2014 as Atlanta’s first mobile dessert business.
In its beginning, Debra and Llew juggled the business with full-time jobs and other commitments. After nearly five years of business, Debra and Llew began considering expanding into a brick-and-mortar location. This is when they decided to seek aid from the Georgia MBDA Business Center.
Llew Eastern (not shown) and his wife, Debra Eastern (above), own Westside Creamery’s Sweet Spot. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Westside Creamery’s Sweet Spot
Located at 880 Glenwood Ave SE in Glenwood Park, Westside Creamery’s Sweet Spot specializes in homemade bakery, artisan hand-dipped ice cream to include vegan ice cream and non-dairy sorbet, floats, sundaes, Llew’s Brews (ice coffee prepared with freshly grounded coffee beans and their in-house (non-alcoholic) liqueur, blended with a scoop of ‘eyes-wide-open’ coffee ice cream).
They also offer a line of vegan bakery to complement their frozen vegan desserts and specialty whole cakes and pies are available with 72-hour advance order.
Westside Creamery began as Atlanta’s first dessert food truck in 2014, running seasonally until 2023. The Easterns, a retired college professor and a former middle school principal, opened a brick-and-mortar store named “The Sweet Spot”.
Known for its’ homemade pound cake and ice cream, the business employs former employees who started at 14, many now pursuing higher education. Debra said she also noticed a significant growth post-COVID, with demand tripling after a viral TikTok video.
Llew says the most important thing about this business is it’s what God gave them, and it is always “faith over fear,” a motto they’ve had on their food truck and now on their door inside the shop.
“All this came into fruition, and one thing happened after another. It was just us to begin with, and this entire thing has been a Godsend because he says in Jeremiah 29:11, I know what plans I have for you, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you,” he said.
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
The Easterns are committed to preserving and passing down baking skills, ensuring the legacy continues.
She also still has what’s left of the torn worn and tattered cookie book and cherishes it, alongside her first edition 1963Kenner’s Easy Bake oven and a few of her late mom’s antique baking gadgets which are all displayed at the Sweet Spot.
Also, Westside Creamery runs with a family-centric approach, emphasizing freshness and quality. They rejuvenate their offerings on Wednesdays, preparing new dough, cookies, and cakes.
The entire family and high school students collaborate on tasks like restocking, baking, and supporting the premises.
Debra says her 36-year-old son, Armon, came to her one day saying he wanted her to teach him how to bake, which threw her off kilter because she wondered why he didn’t ask when he was younger.
“I’m thinking to myself, ‘can I teach this old dog new tricks?’ which I was skeptical about, but I couldn’t deny him that opportunity,” she said. “I began showing him how to bake and tutored him.”
This turned into a huge bonding moment for the two where Armon could help with prepping, which helped Debra focus more on other things in the shop.
“I tutored him to bake a cake and allowed him to prep my flour and everything because most of the prep is very time-consuming, so when he turned that cake out of the pan, he was so proud, and I was so proud of him, so giving him the opportunity to hone those skills became a legacy,” she said.
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Armon said he asked his mom to teach him how to bake because he always thought his mom had skill sets that would go perfect for a daughter, but she didn’t have one.
“She has so many skills sets that would go great with a daughter, but she doesn’t have one, and I didn’t want those skills to go to waste and not be passed down, even if or when I have children,” he said. “I want to be able to pass that legacy, and I want people to remember her for the things she’s good at.”
As Armon looks around the shop, he says he is proud of his parents as they have set out their visions and dreams and have executed them.
“My mom is a doer, and Llew is great support; he’s the backbone. My mom is the gas and Llew is the brake, she makes things happen, and he’s the control, they complement each other well, and that makes a successful team,” he said.
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Debra says it is a full-circle moment from being eight years old and beginning to bake to now owning her own bakery, which she has always wanted to do.
“Some days I feel accomplished when I walk in the door having an awe moment, and other days, it can get overwhelming sometimes because after we went viral on TikTok with the cheesecakes and our perfect pair combination, demand skyrocketed,” she said.
She says she went from being able to get away with four-pound cakes a week to where now she’s up to 12 a week. Debra says she is currently looking for more bakers.
As for advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, Debra says you may have a degree in one thing, but it does not mean that’s not the end of your story.
“Never let go of your dream, whatever your passion is. Baking isn’t my job, it’s my passion. If you’re working within your passion, then you are more likely to succeed,” she said.
Milwaukee is getting a windy start to the weekend.
J.J. Wood, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan, said the strong winds come from a low pressure area that is moving toward the northeast throughout the day Friday, Sept. 5.
In the Milwaukee area, gusts of wind from the southwest may reach up to 35 mph, Wood said. Those winds should gradually begin to lessen by afternoon and into the evening.
“Secure loose objects, make sure if you’ve got any garbage cans or anything sitting outside, that they’re secured. Winds this high could certainly blow them around a little bit,” Wood said.
For boaters, the National Weather Services issued a gale warning through 10 a.m. Sept. 5. Waves may reach 12 to 18 feet over open waters.
Wood said the strong winds are a “continuation” of the unseasonably cool temperatures Wisconsin has been facing this week.
Highs are in the lower 60s Sept. 5 and Sept. 6, and expected to raise to the mid-60s by Sunday. Lows throughout the weekend are in the low to mid-40s, Wood said.
He said temperatures should return to mid-70s — much more typical for early September — by around Tuesday, Sept. 9.
A judge sentenced four former Milwaukee hotel workers accused of killing a man in a suffocating dogpile to a mix of probation and time served Wednesday, sparing them any more time behind bars.
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge David Swanson handed down the sentences in D’Vontaye Mitchell’s June 2024 death during a series of hearings that lasted all day. The orders bring an end to a case that drew comparisons to the 2020 police killing of George Floyd.
The judge ordered former Hyatt security guard Todd Erickson to serve two years in prison but stayed the sentence and placed him on probation for two years. Another former security guard, Brandon Turner, got a year in prison, but Swanson stayed that sentence, too, and placed him on probation for a year.
Former bellhop Herbert Williamson was sentenced to 10 days in jail with credit for 10 days already served. Former front desk worker Devin Johnson-Carson was ordered to serve four days in jail with credit for four days already served.
From top left, Devin Johnson-Carson, Herbert Williamson, Brandon Turner and Todd Erickson.
Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office via AP
Attorneys for Erickson, Turner and Williamson didn’t immediately return messages. Johnson-Carson’s attorney, Craig Robert Johnson, said in an email to The Associated Press that the sentence was appropriate given that Johnson-Carson was trying to protect hotel guests and staff and never intended to seriously injure Mitchell.
According to investigators, Mitchell ran into the Hyatt’s lobby and went into the women’s bathroom. Two women later told detectives that Mitchell tried to lock them in the bathroom. The women told police that Mitchell had entered the bathroom frantically, seemingly to run from the security guard, and appeared to be trying to lock the bathroom door to keep the guard out.
Turner pulled Mitchell out of the bathroom and together with a guest dragged him out of the lobby onto a hotel driveway. Turner, Erickson, Williamson and Johnson-Carson struggled with Mitchell before taking him to the ground and piling on top of him.
Hotel surveillance video shows Johnson-Carson holding Mitchell’s legs while Erickson, Turner and Williamson held down his upper body. They kept him pinned for eight to nine minutes. By the time emergency responders arrived, Mitchell had stopped breathing.
A medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, finding that Mitchell’s immediate cause of death was suffocation and toxic effects of cocaine and methamphetamine.
Prosecutors initially charged all four employees with being a party to felony murder. Turner and Erickson both pleaded guilty to that count. Williamson and Johnson-Carson pleaded guilty to a reduced count of misdemeanor battery.
Attorneys for Mitchell’s family likened his death to the murder of Floyd, a Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for about nine minutes. Floyd’s death sparked a national reckoning on racial relations.
“The fact that D’Vontaye was held face down on the pavement for eight to nine minutes –– just like George Floyd –– is a sobering reminder of the urgent need for accountability and justice,” family attorney Benjamin Crump said after the incident.
Mitchell was Black. Court records identify Erickson as White and Turner, Williamson and Johnson-Carson as Black.
The workers told investigators that Mitchell was strong and tried to bite Erickson, but they didn’t mean to hurt him. Johnson-Carson, Erickson, Turner and Williamson were fired from their positions at the Hyatt Regency, said Aimbridge Hospitality, which operates the hotel and employs its staff.
Milwaukee is buzzing with possibility — and not just because of the local breweries. This very competitive housing market sees homes fly off the shelves in about 39 days, often with 3 offers each. In July 2025, the median sale price hit $235,000 (+4.4% YoY), with 52.4% of homes selling above asking. That’s right: Milwaukee is lively, affordable, and brimming with character. Whether it’s the lakefront festivals or the booming job scene, there’s plenty here to keep you busy and make you feel right at home.
It’s almost time for Milwaukee’s annual Labor Day celebration.
The city’s annual Labor Day parade and Laborfest, hosted by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, kicks off on Sept. 1. Drivers should expect some traffic disruptions with the festivities’ planned street closures.
Here’s what you need to know:
When is Milwaukee’s Labor Day parade?
Milwaukee’s Labor Day parade is Sept. 1. It begins at 11 a.m.
The parade begins at Zeidler Union Square, 301 W. Michigan St. It will head east on Wisconsin Avenue to Water Street, then south down Water Street to East Chicago Street. The parade concludes at Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive.
Labor Day parade street closures and parking restrictions:
Beginning at 5 a.m. on Sept. 1, the following roads will be closed until 1 p.m.:
North Vel R. Phillips Avenue from West Wells Street to West Clybourn Street (Wisconsin Avenue will be open until the start of the parade at 11 a.m.)
West Michigan Street from North 5th Street east to “just west” of circle drive of Courtyard Marriott Hotel
West Everett Street from North Vel R. Phillips Avenue to North 2nd Street
North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive from West Everett Street to West Michigan Street
The alerts allow you to get advanced notice of various weather conditions in and around your location.
You can opt in to get alerts that tell you when lightning strikes near you, when rain or snow is going to start at your location, as well as an array of advisories, watches and warnings.
How to choose your alerts
1. Go to settings and select manage notifications.
2. Select the Weather option.
3. Here, you can indicate if you want to receive alerts for lightning near your location and alerts for when rain or snow starts near you.
4. When you select the Weather and Safety Alerts, you will see 3 options to choose from.
The first option, Severe Watches and Warnings Only, includes only critical alerts like tornado, snow, hurricane and flood warnings.
The second option adds watches and more warnings for conditions like extreme heat and cold, lake-effect snow, air quality, coastal flooding and more.
The alerts allow you to get advanced notice of various weather conditions in and around your location.
You can opt in to get alerts that tell you when lightning strikes near you, when rain or snow is going to start at your location, as well as an array of advisories, watches and warnings.
How to choose your alerts
1. Go to settings and select manage notifications.
2. Select the Weather option.
3. Here, you can indicate if you want to receive alerts for lightning near your location and alerts for when rain or snow starts near you.
4. When you select the Weather and Safety Alerts, you will see 3 options to choose from.
The first option, Severe Watches and Warnings Only, includes only critical alerts like tornado, snow, hurricane and flood warnings.
The second option adds watches and more warnings for conditions like extreme heat and cold, lake-effect snow, air quality, coastal flooding and more.
The alerts allow you to get advanced notice of various weather conditions in and around your location.
You can opt in to get alerts that tell you when lightning strikes near you, when rain or snow is going to start at your location, as well as an array of advisories, watches and warnings.
How to choose your alerts
1. Go to settings and select manage notifications.
2. Select the Weather option.
3. Here, you can indicate if you want to receive alerts for lightning near your location and alerts for when rain or snow starts near you.
4. When you select the Weather and Safety Alerts, you will see 3 options to choose from.
The first option, Severe Watches and Warnings Only, includes only critical alerts like tornado, snow, hurricane and flood warnings.
The second option adds watches and more warnings for conditions like extreme heat and cold, lake-effect snow, air quality, coastal flooding and more.
A suspected drunken driver going the wrong way on the interstate nearly struck a vehicle containing Vice President Kamala Harris Monday night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Sister station WISN obtained video from about 8:20 p.m. Monday showing the driver getting onto Interstate 794 via an offramp. The white car heads west into the eastbound lanes just as the motorcade is approaching on what was an otherwise closed-off freeway. The vehicle is seen moving to the left lanes as the first squad at the head of the motorcade passes by. Each of the more than a dozen vehicles then drives past the car until the final ones, driven by Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Deputies, make a traffic stop. The driver has been identified as a 55-year-old Milwaukee man, whom WISN did not identify as of early Wednesday morning because he had yet to be formally charged. According to an arrest report obtained by WISN, when the man was told by a deputy he’d “almost struck a vehicle in the VPOTUS’ motorcade, he was extremely surprised and had no recollection of entering the freeway or coming close to striking another vehicle. He also stated he did not have any intention of harming Vice President Kamala Harris or anybody related to her campaign.” According to the report, the man failed several field sobriety tests and had an open beer can in his vehicle. He was arrested for drunken driving and second-degree recklessly endangering safety. He remained in jail Tuesday night without bail, awaiting a hearing. The Harris campaign referred any questions regarding the incident to the United States Secret Service. “The U.S. Secret Service is aware of the incident involving a motorist traveling in the opposite direction on the highway while the Vice President was in her motorcade. We are grateful to the Milwaukee Sheriff’s Office for their response which allowed them to stop the motorist and take the driver into custody for DUI,” Secret Service Spokesperson Joe Routh told WISN.
MILWAUKEE —
A suspected drunken driver going the wrong way on the interstate nearly struck a vehicle containing Vice President Kamala Harris Monday night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Sister station WISN obtained video from about 8:20 p.m. Monday showing the driver getting onto Interstate 794 via an offramp. The white car heads west into the eastbound lanes just as the motorcade is approaching on what was an otherwise closed-off freeway.
The vehicle is seen moving to the left lanes as the first squad at the head of the motorcade passes by. Each of the more than a dozen vehicles then drives past the car until the final ones, driven by Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Deputies, make a traffic stop.
The driver has been identified as a 55-year-old Milwaukee man, whom WISN did not identify as of early Wednesday morning because he had yet to be formally charged.
According to an arrest report obtained by WISN, when the man was told by a deputy he’d “almost struck a vehicle in the VPOTUS’ motorcade, he was extremely surprised and had no recollection of entering the freeway or coming close to striking another vehicle. He also stated he did not have any intention of harming Vice President Kamala Harris or anybody related to her campaign.”
According to the report, the man failed several field sobriety tests and had an open beer can in his vehicle.
He was arrested for drunken driving and second-degree recklessly endangering safety. He remained in jail Tuesday night without bail, awaiting a hearing.
The Harris campaign referred any questions regarding the incident to the United States Secret Service.
“The U.S. Secret Service is aware of the incident involving a motorist traveling in the opposite direction on the highway while the Vice President was in her motorcade. We are grateful to the Milwaukee Sheriff’s Office for their response which allowed them to stop the motorist and take the driver into custody for DUI,” Secret Service Spokesperson Joe Routh told WISN.
As the leaves begin to turn orange and gold, Milwaukee transforms into an autumn wonderland. The crisp air invites residents and visitors alike to embrace the seasonal charm through a variety of activities that celebrate the best of fall.
As KJ from Brew City Dads says, “The Milwaukee area comes alive in fall, with seasonal activities perfect for all ages. The city hosts a variety of autumn festivals and harvest markets offering delicious food and fun entertainment. Families can explore nearby pumpkin patches, enjoy apple picking, or take in the beautiful fall colors at one of several nearby parks or state forests.”
No matter if you’re a local looking for new experiences or a new resident ready to explore the city in the fall, this Redfin article will guide you to enjoying all the fall things to do in Milwaukee, WI.
Milwaukee in autumn, explore Milwaukee’s scenic outdoors
Milwaukee’s outdoor spaces come alive in the fall, offering stunning backdrops for activities. With parks like Lakeshore State Park and the Milwaukee County Zoo’s expansive grounds, the city provides ample opportunities to soak in the autumn scenery.
Local photographer Michael of Mb Squared Photography shares, “For all you nature lovers out there, be sure to add Seven Bridges Nature Trail at Grant Park, in South Milwaukee, to your fall adventures list. This isn’t a huge trail, though just the right size for an afternoon with the entire family. Fall is by far my favorite time of the year to wander its trails. From the parking lot(s) down through the woods, wander the seven bridges, to the edge of Lake Michigan. It’s so secluded you’ll almost forget you’re ten minutes from the city. It’s certainly one of my favorite Milwaukee sights.”
One of the most heartwarming sights during this season is the increase of dog walkers enjoying the parks. As the cooler temperatures set in, the joy of seeing pets running through piles of leaves is a reminder of the simple pleasures of fall.
As Off Leash MKE shares, “Fall is an ideal time to explore and hike Milwaukee’s dog-friendly parks and trails. A must-do activity for new residents with dogs is visiting local gems like the Menomonee River Parkway, Grant Park’s Seven Bridges, and the Forest Exploration Center. These spots offer a stunning mix of fall colors, scenic beauty, and plenty of space for your dog to explore and sniff. We recommend using a long line, giving your dog the freedom to safely enjoy the natural surroundings.” For those looking to socialize their dogs or enjoy a guided adventure, Off Leash MKE offers group dog hikes that provide even more opportunities to explore these fantastic trails while your dog gets exercise and makes new friends.
Additionally, Tails N’ Trails also invites you to consider them, sharing, “Tails N’ Trails Pets stands out in the pet service industry by offering your pets more personalized care. We strive to build a relationship with your pet, which helps us build a foundation of trust to pave the way for obedience, leash etiquette, recall practice, and proper socializing.”
For those looking to immerse themselves in Milwaukee’s natural beauty this fall, the Forest Exploration Center in Wauwatosa is a must-visit destination. As Emily Glaser from Forest Exploration Center highlights, “The Forest Exploration Center in Wauwatosa is a 67-acre mature hardwood forest that features a one-mile self-guided nature trail. This accessible trail loop for hiking and nature observation offers visitors of all abilities the opportunity to be immersed in the forest ecosystem. Explore forest ecology and climate-adaptive research happening in this unique urban woodland through birdwatching, wildlife monitoring, and season-driven guided experiences.”
For a unique way to soak in the beauty of fall, consider exploring the Milwaukee Urban Water Trail. Mike Schroeder from Milwaukee Riverkeeper, suggests, “As the fall season unfolds, we highly recommend a paddle on theMilwaukee Urban Water Trail, where you can enjoy the fall colors from a unique perspective! Taking a hike around the Milwaukee River Greenway also lets you experience the natural beauty surrounding us – even in the heart of the city! Milwaukee’s ‘emerald necklace’ stretches for six miles of the Milwaukee River, with over 28 miles of hiking, biking, and water trails, linking 12 public parks.”
Jessica Del Toro from Friends of Wehr recommends, “Visit Wehr Nature Center located within Whitnall Park 9701 W. College Ave, Franklin, WI. Visit 220 acres of nature preserve with 5 miles of trails and explore the accessible park features, including a 1-mile All Abilities loop trail with a hard surface boardwalk, an accessible pier overlooking Mallard Lake, and an observation blind.The Friends of Wehr, the nonprofit partner of the Wehr Nature Center, supports Wehr’s mission of inspiring current and future generations to explore and value the natural world. Our commitment is to create a welcoming environment for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background. A place for all seasons, a place for everyone.”
Another standout destination for fall fun is Thompson Farm in nearby Bristol, WI. As Halie Hart from the farm shares, “Step into a world of fun and excitement at Thompson Farm, where families can embark on a day filled with unforgettable experiences and interactive activities in the heart of nature.” With a sprawling 4-acre adventure farm featuring over 10 attractions — from a giant playground and bounce pillows to a corn maze and trike track—there’s something for everyone.
Plus, you can pick raspberries and pumpkins to take home! On weekends, the Fall Festival adds even more excitement with live music, tasty food from a taco truck, face painting, and a beer garden. It’s the perfect spot to celebrate autumn with family and friends!
Spooktacular fun: Halloween and fall activities in Milwaukee
As the leaves fall, the city transforms into a hub of Halloween excitement and overflows with fall things to do in Milwaukee. Whether you’re looking to get your adrenaline pumping with ghostly adventures or simply want to soak in the seasonal charm, Milwaukee offers a variety of activities that celebrate the magic of fall.
Kim Frankenhoff from Out & About Wisconsin, a site that helps you find what is going on in Milwaukee shares multiple suggestions. “What better place for a ‘not so scary’ Halloween than at the Milwaukee County Zoo, where Boo at the Zoo encourages everyone – no matter what age – to get into costume on Oct. 17-20. Visitors can enjoy everything from live pumpkin-carving exhibitions and light shows to animal talks, a trick-or-treat trail, and stilt walkers.”
Additionally, “Dia De Los Muertos, translated as the “Day of the Dead,” celebrates life and the return of spirits to the living world at Milwaukee’s Mitchell Park Domes on Oct. 25. The entire Desert Dome is decorated, as dancers, local food and art vendors, and craft-making opportunities abound.”
Another fun event is made just for vintage car lovers. “At its new location, Milwaukee’s Gateway Classic Cars is holding its Caffeine & Chrome: Trunk or Treatevent on Oct. 26. Enjoy classic cars, caffeine, and pastries, along with the opportunity to dress up in your spookiest attire!”
A thrilling Halloween experience awaits at Cedarburg Haunt! This spooky attraction promises chills and thrills as you explore. They state, “We are open for our 17th year of scaring you silly! The ticket price is $20 for The Haunt. New this year is our escape room for an extra $5 admission fee. Hours of operation: 6:00-10:00 pm Fridays and Saturdays October 11-26.” With a reputation for being one of the scariest spots in the area, it’s perfect for those looking to embrace the Halloween spirit.
A great addition to your spooky experience comes from Aaron of Trove Arts, who shares his excitement about the event, “Immerse yourself in INTO THE SHADOWS, an evening of captivating tales and art history from the dark and macabre in a secret and mysterious Art Parlour! A truly original recipe for spooky fall fun!
INTO THE SHADOWS is an intimate, immersive adventure blending art history with a splash of historical fiction, a few ounces of decadent-themed N.A. elixirs, a dash of a fun art lesson, a pinch of mystical magic, and one eye of newt!”
Courtesy of Pine Hill Orchard
Seasonal delights: Milwaukee’s farms and farmers markets
Fall is here, and that means it’s time to enjoy the fun and flavor of local farms and apple orchards! Just outside Milwaukee, you can pick your own apples, explore pumpkin patches, and taste fresh, delicious produce. Perfect for families and friends, these farms offer hayrides, corn mazes, and festive events that celebrate the season.
Matthew Lesch from Pine Hill Orchard says, “Pine Hill Orchard is a 3rd generation family business that started in 1978. We feature 48 different apple varieties, award-winning apple cider, caramel apples, our delicious Pine Hill Crunch apple pie, raw local honey, and Wisconsin maple syrup. Our retail stand is located in the Kettle Moraine just northwest of Milwaukee. The Ice Age trail is close by and offers miles of beautiful scenic trails that show off the Wisconsin foliage in the fall. We have picnic tables for your enjoyment and use from August to November. Our “bag your own” part of the stand is a local favorite, choose your apples and fill your bag.
Additionally, Genevieve Weston of Westons’ Antique Apple Orchard shares, “Westons ‘ Antique Apple Orchard offers up to 50 apple varieties in their Orchard Store which is open Saturdays 2 to 5 and Sundays 12 to 4 through October. Guests can walk through the orchard as well as buy cider, apple cider donuts, and more.”
Milwaukee’s farmers markets offer a fantastic opportunity to discover fresh, locally-grown produce, homemade treats, and unique artisan goods. Strolling through you’ll find everything from crisp apples and pumpkins to homemade items, all while supporting local farmers and artisans. Wedding & lifestyle photographer Janelle Adamson states, “Don’t miss out on the South Shore farmers market, farmer’s market, where you can pick up fresh produce and autumn-themed treats! It’s a perfect way to soak in the season and get a feel for the local community.” The market is a beloved local destination that showcases the best of Milwaukee’s fresh produce and artisanal goods. Located in South Shore Park, this market offers a vibrant atmosphere where visitors can find a variety of seasonal fruits, vegetables, and handmade products from local vendors. With live music and community events often featured, it’s not just a place to shop; it’s a gathering spot for families and friends to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.
Farmer’s markets are all over, luckily Jack Hamrick from Foraged shares, “Foraged is the only online resource that has compiled information on every farmer’s market in the USA. A great activity for anyone in Milwaukee is visiting a farmers market! Here’s our collection page on farmer’s markets in Milwaukee.”
Ryan Laessig, creator of Milwaukee Makers Market invites you to stop by to visit and support the maker community. The market is a celebration of creativity and community. It’s not just an artisan fair; it’s a chance to showcase the amazing work of local creators. Curated by Ryan Laessig, each market offers a warm atmosphere where small business owners can share their products and connect with fans and fellow makers.
A wonderful addition to your fresh produce and product adventures is stopping by 414loral, a charming flower shop to buy fresh flowers. Jenna Resendiz shares, “414loral is more than just a flower shop in the heart of Bronzeville. They use mindful and sustainable practices to make sure their community and planet thrive with a mission to foster collaboration, flower fun, and give back to their neighborhood. You can visit their cozy brick-and-mortar on North M.L.K. Drive every Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm, for a build-your-own-bouquet experience with a flower bar lush with locally grown seasonal blooms in a music-filled shop with warm scents and even warmer staff.”
Milwaukee, Wisconsin – President Biden is set to announce $2.6 billion in funding to replace all lead pipes in the United States as part of a new EPA rule that will require lead pipes to be identified and replaced within 10 years using the new funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act.
The EPA estimates that nine million homes in the U.S. have lead pipes.
The city of Milwaukee, where Mr. Biden will make the announcement, has 65,000 lead pipes, which the city says will cost an estimated $700 million to remove.
“The science has been clear for decades. There is no safe level of lead in drinking water,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan told reporters on Monday.
President Joe Biden speaks to the media before he departs the White House on Oct. 5, 2024, in Washington, DC.
Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images
The final rule will require better lead testing requirements and mandating a complete inventory of lead water pipes. The $2.6 billion is the latest disbursement by the Biden administration for lead pipes in the $50 billion from the 2021 infrastructure law for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
Legal challenges could arise but a senior administration official believes the ruling is within the EPA’s “statutory authority” and on solid legal footing.
Mr. Biden’s visit comes amid a flurry of stops to the swing state of Wisconsin by both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Mr. Biden’s last visit was nearly a month ago to Westly, Wisconsin for an announcement on providing electricity to rural America.
The political focus on Wisconsin by Mr. Biden reflects the hopes that Democrats can hold on to the state that they flipped in 2020 by a slim margin after losing it in 2016.
Wisconsin is one of six states where lead levels in the blood of children are more than double the national rate, according to a 2021 study published in JAMA pediatrics.
Even low lead levels can cause small amounts of intellectual impairment depending on the child, according to Dr. Adam Blumenberg, emergency medicine physician and toxicology expert at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
“If there’s any amount of concerning lead in the child, you really want to figure out where it’s coming from and remove the source of exposure. That’s always going to be one of the most important things to do,” says Blumenberg.
Deanna Branch, a mother and lead-poisoning awareness activist from Milwaukee, told CBS News that she is finally seeing the money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act being used to remove lead pipes in her community.
Branch’s son Aidan suffered from lead poisoning while they were living in a home with lead in the paint, windows, pipes and soil. Her son’s lead levels were so high they had to move out of the home and into a homeless shelter for almost three months while they searched for safe housing. Branch said the experience was terrifying for her son and left him with health issues he will have to face for the rest of his life.
The Branch’s live in a lead paint free home now, but they still have lead pipes.
“When I first started advocating there was a 50 year plan that went down to a 40 year plan, now there is a nine year plan to remove all the lead pipes in Milwaukee, Branch tells CBS News. “I should be alive to see the lead pipes being removed out of Milwaukee and that gives me hope for other places as well.”
There is still more the Milwaukee community needs to live in a lead-free safe environment: more housing and more clinics.
Branch says there is not enough safe housing available in the community. Her old home where her son was lead poisoned was still being rented out as recently as a few years ago according to Branch. As for the Next Door Pediatrics Clinic where her son was first tested for lead positioning, it has since shut down, creating a healthcare gap in the community. Branch credits the work of the clinic for her youngest daughter being lead free.
There is a sense of shame for parents whose children suffered from lead poisoning, but Branch wants to remove the shame from the equation of asking for help.
“I want them to know it’s not on you,” says Branch. “We’re not receiving justice, And it’s a human right to have clean drinking water.”
Press pool vans following Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz were involved in a crash on the interstate in Wisconsin. They were en route to speak at a Labor Day Laborfest event at the grounds of Summerfest, a large music festival in Milwaukee.Related video above: Walz comments on the crash during remarks at the Labor Day eventThe motorcade transporting Walz and U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore continued towards the Summerfest venue despite the incident. The crash involved three vans carrying press and staff members who were accompanying the vice presidential nominee.”Passengers reported injuries considered to be non-life-threatening and were treated by medical personnel prior to transport to an area hospital,” Secret Service Public Affairs Specialist Joe Biesk said. “There was no impact to the protectee and the traffic incident is being investigated by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.”According to a White House official, VP Kamala Harris was briefed on the collision involving Walz’s motorcade and spoke with Gov. Walz prior to takeoff from Detroit to check on him and the staff.President Joe Biden called from Air Force One and spoke to Walz a short time later, as the president was traveling to a separate campaign stop in Pittsburgh with Vice President Kamala Harris. Upon arriving at his event, Walz spoke briefly about the crash saying “some of my staff and members of the press that were traveling up with us were involved in a traffic accident on the way here today.”“We’ve spoken with the staff. I’m relieved to say that with a few minor injuries, everybody’s going to be okay,” Walz said. “President Biden and Vice President Harris called to check in, and we certainly appreciate their concern, and I want to express my sincere thanks to the US Secret Service and all the local first responders for their quick reaction.”It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the crash, which occurred shortly before 1 p.m. local time and caused some minor injuries.A member of the traveling pool staff, who was in a van carrying reporters, had an injured arm and was treated by medics, according to a pool report from a reporter traveling in Walz’s motorcade, who wrote that passengers were “violently thrown forward, as our van slammed into the one in front of us and was hit from behind.” Some reporters had scrapes and bruises and one had a bloody nose. Another feared having suffered a concussion and was initially looking to be taken to urgent care — but eventually climbed aboard a new van to accompany the rest of the press to the event.All who wanted to be checked out by paramedics were assessed, according to the pool report. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
MILWAUKEE —
Press pool vans following Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz were involved in a crash on the interstate in Wisconsin. They were en route to speak at a Labor Day Laborfest event at the grounds of Summerfest, a large music festival in Milwaukee.
Related video above: Walz comments on the crash during remarks at the Labor Day event
The motorcade transporting Walz and U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore continued towards the Summerfest venue despite the incident.
The crash involved three vans carrying press and staff members who were accompanying the vice presidential nominee.
“Passengers reported injuries considered to be non-life-threatening and were treated by medical personnel prior to transport to an area hospital,” Secret Service Public Affairs Specialist Joe Biesk said. “There was no impact to the protectee and the traffic incident is being investigated by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.”
According to a White House official, VP Kamala Harris was briefed on the collision involving Walz’s motorcade and spoke with Gov. Walz prior to takeoff from Detroit to check on him and the staff.
President Joe Biden called from Air Force One and spoke to Walz a short time later, as the president was traveling to a separate campaign stop in Pittsburgh with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Upon arriving at his event, Walz spoke briefly about the crash saying “some of my staff and members of the press that were traveling up with us were involved in a traffic accident on the way here today.”
“We’ve spoken with the staff. I’m relieved to say that with a few minor injuries, everybody’s going to be okay,” Walz said. “President Biden and Vice President Harris called to check in, and we certainly appreciate their concern, and I want to express my sincere thanks to the US Secret Service and all the local first responders for their quick reaction.”
It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the crash, which occurred shortly before 1 p.m. local time and caused some minor injuries.
A member of the traveling pool staff, who was in a van carrying reporters, had an injured arm and was treated by medics, according to a pool report from a reporter traveling in Walz’s motorcade, who wrote that passengers were “violently thrown forward, as our van slammed into the one in front of us and was hit from behind.”
Some reporters had scrapes and bruises and one had a bloody nose. Another feared having suffered a concussion and was initially looking to be taken to urgent care — but eventually climbed aboard a new van to accompany the rest of the press to the event.
All who wanted to be checked out by paramedics were assessed, according to the pool report.
Milwaukee is known for its festivals, famous breweries, and rich history. But beyond the popular attractions, the city has hidden gems waiting to be explored. Milwaukee offers plenty of new surprises from cozy cafes to charming neighborhoods with unique character. When visiting a city, the abundance of activities can be overwhelming, so we rounded up local expert suggestions to make your trip easier. This article will open the treasure chest that is Milwaukee and offer you its most precious hidden gems.
After a long day of walking and exploring, getting some food in you is necessary. Luckily Vagabond, “brings elevated street food to the heart of Milwaukee’s entertainment district. Street tacos and a variety of small plates combined with fresh, house-made margaritas make for a unique one-of-a-kind dining experience. Additionally, Vagabond also has a Dinner Theatre with rotating DJs every Thursday-Saturday!”
For an East African experience, Blue Star Cafe is an excellent place to try new food or enjoy a known dish. These African dishes are tasty including options such as spicy chicken, beef and chicken sandwiches, crepes, and good yogurt. Be sure to stop by this cafe for a unique taste of African dishes brought to you from Wisconsin.
For some drinks, Sophia Sommer from SoLu Estate Winery and Meadery says, “Make sure to include a trip to SoLu Estate Winery and Meadery. Nestled on a stunning 600-acre property in the Kettle Moraine, SoLu offers the best live music in the state, creating an unforgettable experience for music lovers. Enjoy wine tastings from our French-inspired vineyards, and sample our exceptional bourbon and mead. SoLu Estate is also dog and family-friendly, ensuring that everyone, including your furry friends, can enjoy a delightful day out. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or simply looking for a unique outing, SoLu Estate promises a blend of entertainment and exquisite beverages.”
The Lakefront Brewery is another great stop to enjoy some drinks. Opened since 1987 Lakefront Brewery has been brewing barrels of beer for locals and people across the world. The brewery distributes products outside to different states and countries including Japan and Sweden. The first certified organic brewery in America, Lakefront Brewery promises a unique Wisconsin taste.
Local wedding photographer Alisha Trahms provides an excellent list of places to visit for all times of day. She states, “In the mornings, visit Rocket Baby Bakery for delicious artisan sourdough bread, baguettes, croissants, and pain au chocolat. For a taste of Italian coffee culture, head over to Vendetta Coffee Bar in Wauwatosa Village (which is itself brimming with delightful shops and restaurants) and walk up to the bar for authentic espresso. If your idea of the perfect dinner includes pasta, Semolina MKE crafts fresh hand-shaped and brass extruded pasta and even offers classes to teach you how to make your own; if your style is a little more Mediterranean, my go-to is Parthenon Foods for imported feta and olives from the deli and plenty of high-quality dry goods for your pantry. And for a night out, Edith Cocktail Bar is the perfect place to lounge in elegance and enjoy a unique cocktail while listening to live jazz.”
Get involved with the community
When visiting a new place it is rewarding to interact with local events and traditions. Gael Cullen from the Steve Cullen Healthy Heart Run/Walk invites everyone to their annual event. Gael says, “The 29th Annual Steve Cullen Healthy Heart Run/Walk on February 8, 2025, is an absolute must for any Milwaukee visitors looking to get a little exercise while benefitting a great cause. This 8K competitive run or 2-mile fun run/walk attracts serious runners along with families on a course through one of Milwaukee County’s prettiest parks, ending with awards, a chili party, and a live auction. All money raised goes to life-saving heart research at the Medical College of Wisconsin.”
Exploring new areas with local help is an easy way to find the best places and Milwaukee neighborhoods. A tailored tour can be a great way to find what lies beyond the surface of Milwaukee. Kris Hoff of Happy Time Tours says, “On September 3rd, 2024 join Laverne & Shirley as they show off the city they love…Milwaukee! The day includes a tour talk at Lakefront Brewery complete with two samples and a souvenir glass, a delicious pizza luncheon, mini-bowling, and a frozen custard treat at Milwaukee’s legendary and nostalgic Leon’s Drive-In. Plus, you will appreciate seeing Milwaukee’s City Hall which was the opening shot of the show, the Polish Flats where they lived, and even a photo stop at Laverne’s heartthrob, the Bronze Fonz!”
Jessica Hope of MKE Yoga Social suggests new visitors stop in to, “MKE Yoga Social™ a local yoga business bridging the gap between the community, yoga, and amazing Milwaukee venues. Breweries, distilleries, parks, and more. MYS has a true passion for community and bringing people together. Social time is included to encourage community connection. Mingle with like-minded people while having fun and building your local community.”
If art is more of your interest, Sue Smith from re: Craft and Relic says, “If you’re in the Milwaukee area, you’ll want to check out one of the best maker markets in the area, re: Craft and Relic! We host a variety of events around southeastern Wisconsin throughout the year, creating opportunities for you to shop small while having a great time with friends and family. With indoor events during the chilly parts of the year and outdoor events when we all just want to spend our weekend at the beer garden, you’re sure to have a good time all year long! If you enjoy supporting your community by shopping from local artists, makers, craftsmen, food artisans, vintage curators, and pop-up boutiques.”
Live arts represent human connection and where the magic of artistic expression comes to life. These performances offer audiences a unique, immediate experience that recordings simply can’t capture. Black Arts MKE’s Andy Nelson states, “Because Milwaukee is known as the City of Festivals, you can attend a festival any weekend in summer. One worth checking out is the MKE Black Theatre Festival, located at various community venues across the city from August 8-25. The three-week celebration of Black arts and culture offers several live plays by Black playwrights with all-Black casts, staged readings, masterclasses, auditions, and poetry sets. The festival is produced by the local nonprofit Black Arts MKE, whose mission is to increase the availability and quality of African American arts and culture.”
Milwaukee hidden gems: explore the outdoors
Hidden gems extend outside city spots, nature is all around offering unforgettable experiences. Veteran communications and marketing professional Caitlin Moyer suggests, “The Forest Exploration Center in Wauwatosa is a hidden gem! Take a walk through the woods and get those “Up North” vibes without the drive. It’s especially beautiful in the fall!” Just a fifteen-minute drive from the city lies a 67-acre, mature hardwood forest representing one of the last remaining remnants of the southern hardwood forests. The forest is a diverse habitat with a mix of large oak, maple, ash, and basswood trees and sixteen other species.
Writer Savannah Nelson states, “What many people don’t realize about Milwaukee is its summertime transformation into a beach town. Lake Michigan is so large, that it easily feels like the shores of a coast, including sandy beaches. First-time visitors should check out Atwater Beach for a scenic day at the lake, or head to South Shore, where water views meet one of the city’s best beer gardens.”
Lake Michigan isn’t the only body of water present in Milwaukee; the Milwaukee River also offers lots of things to do. The river is a 3.7-mile that ties together the Historic Third Ward, Downtown, and Beerline B neighborhoods. Along the river, you can explore art with its River Sculpture. As you stroll on the river walk sculptures are up on display for visitors to admire. In addition to art, the river walk is surrounded by places to eat making it a convenient place to visit. For a more hands-on experience, kayaking is a great way to navigate the river.
Learn about Milwaukee’s history
Learning the history of a new place makes you appreciate it more. As you explore be sure to soak in the culture and history that each unique place has to offer.
Emma Smith from Jack and Kitty suggests visiting the Statues of Gertie the Duck and her Ducklings. “We recommend folks discover Gertie the Duck, Milwaukee’s World War II heroine, whose heartwarming story captured the nation. In 1945, a real duck named Gertie made her nest on the Milwaukee River, and her tale of triumphs and challenges drew national attention from a war-weary country.Milwaukee officials help move Gertie and her babies to a peaceful park. There, she became more than just your average duck. She was like a friend and a mother to many. People would sit in the park and share their stories with her.
Today, you can honor the memory of this notable animal by visiting the charming statues of Gertie and her ducklings on the Riverwalk, offering a delightful stroll through Milwaukee’s rich history.”
Hands-on historical experiences are the best way to learn that is why we recommend visiting The Great Lakes Distillery. Renee Snacola from The Great Lakes Distillery says, “Great Lakes Distillery is a hidden gem in Milwaukee, WI, not only for its status as Wisconsin’s original distillery since 2004 but also for its dedication to crafting high-quality, handcrafted spirits. It stands as a beacon of passion, craftsmanship, and Midwest heritage. Visitors to the distillery can experience the warmth of the community in its cozy tasting room, where they can learn about the art of distillation and savor meticulously crafted cocktails. This commitment to excellence and sustainability makes Great Lakes Distillery a must-visit destination for anyone who appreciates exceptional spirits and the stories they tell.
Art gallery gems
Art galleries serve as a space where creativity, history, and culture unite. As an art connoisseur or a casual admirer, these galleries provide more than just a display of artwork—they offer an immersive experience.
Kyle from the David Barnett Gallery suggests, “One hidden gem we’d like to help get the word out about is Wisconsin’s longest-running art gallery, the David Barnett Gallery. The gallery currently possesses an international inventory of tens of thousands of images that span centuries of history and boasts the largest collection in Wisconsin that represents more than 600 artists. All since 1968! In addition to the trove of art pieces from around the world, the building it calls home is a work of art itself. The beautiful and historic Button Mansion is one of the last remaining masterpieces in Milwaukee that reflects the Italianate influence on Victorian architecture and utilizes unique, cream-colored brick, which gives Milwaukee its fond nickname: The Cream City. The current undertaking of this small gallery is their new nonprofit organization. The mission continues to be proudly supporting the collaborative nature and transformative power of creativity, and preserving the legacies of the brilliant, artistic minds that came before.”
Frank Juarez from Artdose Magazine recommends the Milwaukee Gallery Night & Day. “This quarterly art event spotlights the local art community. Venues in the Historic Third Ward, East Town, Walker’s Point, and around Milwaukee open their doors to the public to engage with the artists, art collectors, and art patrons; experience contemporary works of art, and embed themselves in the thriving and creative culture of the city.
Named one of the top art fairs in the Midwest, the Morning Glory Art Fair brings together over 130 artists from around the country. Monica from the Morning Glory Art Fair says visitors must, “Check out the Morning Glory Art Fair to find exquisite pottery, mesmerizing photography, intricate woodwork, dazzling necklaces, whimsical sculpture and other beautifully crafted pieces. The 49th annual event brings together more than 130 talented artists, August 10-11, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., on the Plaza at Fiserv Forum, 1111 Vel R. Phillips Ave, Milwaukee.
The Morning Glory Art Fair is one of the area’s premier outdoor art events where artists from near and far showcase their creations in 10 categories, including ceramics, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting and drawing, photography and digital art, printmaking, sculpture, and wood. Each artist is individually juried into the fair, based on a committee review of their portfolio. The stringent review process ensures the highest level of fine craft and art are presented at Morning Glory.”
Milwaukee’s unique stops and shops
Many places around the world have their known attractions such as the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State, but we wanted to showcase hidden places for Milwaukee. For big readers, Downtown Books Bought & Sold is an excellent place to find your next read. With a wide variety of genres, this bookstore is a local hub for bibliophiles. The bookstore holds a massive collection of used books for a great price welcoming any person interested in finding their next literary adventure.
Shopping is an excellent way to spend some time and we recommend stopping by the American Science and Surplus. This store inspires human curiosity by offering a range of products usually with a science or educational background. The prices are low to keep the entry-level open to whoever is curious about science. Whether you’re shopping for your children or the inner child inside of you, this stop will spark the child-like curiosity inside of you.
People trying to fly out of Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, are facing major delays due to a worldwide Microsoft outage.Video above: Global tech outage delays flights out of MilwaukeeAirport officials expect Friday to be the busiest day of the year, as more than 13,000 people fly out of Milwaukee to head home from the Republican National ConventionHarold Mester, the director of Public Affairs at Mitchell Airport, said the airport’s internal systems were not affected by the outage, but several airlines were, including American Airlines, United and Delta.”This is an issue that’s affecting all airports around the world. It’s not even just the U.S.,” said Mester. “This is not specific to Milwaukee, but certainly, when flights are delayed or canceled, it takes a while for any of the airlines to recover from that.”Anyone flying today should stay in touch with their respective airlines for more details.Mester also said that due to the RNC, there are extra staff and volunteers available to help people navigate the delays and cancellations.”We’ve had a number of individuals volunteer at the airport to work longer or additional shifts to assist with getting passengers moved through the terminal,” Mester told WISN 12. “Now we’re actually seeing fewer passengers because of the flight delays, but certainly, they play a key role in helping us provide the best possible experience even during difficult circumstances.”Maine’s delegation to the RNC included about 75 people, and many of them were stuck Friday morning because of the outages.Maine’s Total Coverage spoke with Maine GOP executive director Jason Savage Friday morning, as he himself tried to figure out a plan to get back to the state.“We had a great time at our convention. We got up today, and some of us are trying to fly home, and no matter where we’re flying out of and where we’re going, it’s just cancellations and delays, and people are stranded in all the different airports in this area,” he said.Savage said he was expecting to be able to fly to Philadelphia and then was planning to take a bus back to Maine.Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike said that the issue believed to be behind the outage was not a security incident or cyberattack.
People trying to fly out of Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, are facing major delays due to a worldwide Microsoft outage.
Video above: Global tech outage delays flights out of Milwaukee
Airport officials expect Friday to be the busiest day of the year, as more than 13,000 people fly out of Milwaukee to head home from the Republican National Convention
Harold Mester, the director of Public Affairs at Mitchell Airport, said the airport’s internal systems were not affected by the outage, but several airlines were, including American Airlines, United and Delta.
“This is an issue that’s affecting all airports around the world. It’s not even just the U.S.,” said Mester. “This is not specific to Milwaukee, but certainly, when flights are delayed or canceled, it takes a while for any of the airlines to recover from that.”
Anyone flying today should stay in touch with their respective airlines for more details.
Mester also said that due to the RNC, there are extra staff and volunteers available to help people navigate the delays and cancellations.
“We’ve had a number of individuals volunteer at the airport to work longer or additional shifts to assist with getting passengers moved through the terminal,” Mester told WISN 12. “Now we’re actually seeing fewer passengers because of the flight delays, but certainly, they play a key role in helping us provide the best possible experience even during difficult circumstances.”
Maine’s delegation to the RNC included about 75 people, and many of them were stuck Friday morning because of the outages.
Maine’s Total Coverage spoke with Maine GOP executive director Jason Savage Friday morning, as he himself tried to figure out a plan to get back to the state.
“We had a great time at our convention. We got up today, and some of us are trying to fly home, and no matter where we’re flying out of and where we’re going, it’s just cancellations and delays, and people are stranded in all the different airports in this area,” he said.
Savage said he was expecting to be able to fly to Philadelphia and then was planning to take a bus back to Maine.
Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike said that the issue believed to be behind the outage was not a security incident or cyberattack.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Republican National Convention starts Monday in Milwaukee, two days after Donald Trump was injured in an assassination attempt, with the violent scene at his campaign rally horrifying the country and amplifying already intense political divisions.
Trump and his advisers are pledging resilience in the face of the attack, with plans going forward for the event to showcase the former president and his platform as his party formally chooses him to be its nominee.
It was not immediately clear if and how Saturday’s attack would alter the four-day event, which normally has a celebratory atmosphere. Republican officials have said they want to defy the threat Trump has faced and stick to their plans and their schedule. But at the very least, the event is expected to include a heightened focus on security and a grim recognition of how stunningly close the presumptive Republican nominee came to losing his life.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports on the opening day of the Republican National Convention, just days after an apparent assassination attempt against Donald Trump.
The shooting has drawn bipartisan condemnation and bipartisan calls for unity. But it has also led to some Republicans blaming President Joe Biden, pointing to his words casting Trump as a threat to democracy. Some have demanded that prosecutors now drop the criminal cases Trump faces, including one in which he’s been convicted. Two other cases are pending and one was dismissed by a judge Monday.
As elected officials, politicians and a few regular Americans address the conference, the question is which tone will prevail in the aftermath of the attack: Will it make speeches even more fiery or will calls for calm prevail?
A show of GOP unity
Even before the attempt on Trump’s life Saturday, Republicans were largely firmly aligned with him and planned to show party unity at the convention. But that message is expected to be even more pronounced as the former president and GOP officials look to project resolve, with Trump saying Sunday that “it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win.”
The show of unity is a departure from the party’s recent history. In 2016, the first time Republicans formally crowned Trump as their nominee, the opening day of their convention was marked by angry dissent from anti-Trump delegates on the floor of the event. After his turbulent presidency concluded with an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by his supporters, his political standing seemed weaker than ever when he launched his third White House campaign in 2022. But Trump flattened a field of GOP challengers and his legal problems have galvanized his supporters.
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Trump has still not named a running mate, and an announcement could come as soon as Monday. His top three contenders, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, are scheduled to speak to Republican delegates at some point this week, according to event organizers. And per tradition, the person Trump selects as his vice-presidential running mate is expected to give an address Wednesday night.
Trump has compared his search for a new vice president to his former reality TV show, “The Apprentice,” leading to speculation that the showman might opt for an onstage reveal of his pick at the convention. He could also make the announcement on social media, as he did in 2016 when he selected Mike Pence to be his running mate.
Greater focus on Harris as questions surround Biden
Before the shooting, the 2024 race was rocked by upheaval among Democrats after Biden’s shaky debate performance last month led members of his party to start staging a public intervention calling for him to bow out as their nominee and raising the real possibility that Trump may be running against someone else.
Republicans have long sought to paint Biden as incompetent, but since Biden’s campaign has become seriously questioned, Trump and the GOP have stepped up their criticisms of Vice President Kamala Harris. That’s expected to continue as the convention kicks off, with more references to “the Biden-Harris administration.”
Economic policies to get spotlight
The theme for Monday’s program is “Make America Wealthy Once Again,” according to Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee. Focusing on economics not only makes sense because it can be a key issue for swing voters, but it’s an area where Trump might have an edge over Biden when it comes to voter views on job creation and cost of living.
Look for Republicans to focus on Trump’s proposals to impose higher tariffs on foreign-made goods along with extending the tax cuts he signed into law in 2017, which expire next year. Biden wants to extend the middle-class tax cuts while raising taxes on highly profitable companies and the richest Americans.
Expect Republicans to also focus on inflation, even though the worst price spike in four decades is steadily fading, according to a new report from the Labor Department. Biden claims Trump’s tariffs would only aggravate the problem.
Appeal beyond the base to moderates
As Trump tries to win over undecided and middle-of-the-road voters, one of the key questions is to what degree he’ll feature some of the far-right characters in his orbit, his lies about his loss in the 2020 election, his calls for retribution against his opponents and his embrace of those who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Key messages of Trump’s third campaign for the White House have included venting his grievances from the past election and decrying his legal problems. He has said that if he’s elected president, he expects to pardon many of those arrested or convicted for their roles in the violent siege on the Capitol and has even played a song at his rallies that he recorded with some of the jailed defendants.
Though candidates typically try to moderate their message as they move into the general election, Trump has rarely been typical — or moderate — and some of the messages he’s featured in his campaign could be jarring to the voters he’s looking to sway.
Biden gets back to counterprogramming
Biden is getting his own slice of the prime-time spotlight Monday when he appears in an interview on NBC with Lester Holt as he continues to try to reassure members of his party about his candidacy.
He canceled a planned Monday trip to Texas and his reelection campaign temporarily suspended its television ads after Saturday’s shooting. But the pause in Democratic counterprograming to the Republican convention won’t last.
After the NBC interview, he’ll fly later Monday to Nevada, where he will address the NAACP convention in Las Vegas on Tuesday and do an interview with the BET network.
The president has made decrying Trump as a threat to democracy and the nation’s founding values a centerpiece of his campaign. He had to soften that message in the shooting’s immediate aftermath, but plans to use the trip to highlight what his campaign calls stark contrasts between himself and Trump.
In addition to hoping to defuse some of the GOP criticism coming from Milwaukee, the campaign hopes the trip could help Biden reclaim standing with some Democrats who are still skeptical he’s up to the rigors of the campaign.
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Associated Press writer Will Weissert contributed to this report.
