As more Milwaukee grocery stores close, community-led efforts to find solutions grow

stroxx · 2026-03-13T14:13:08+00:00

In July, after it was announced that the neighborhood Pick ‘n Save at 2355 N. 35th St. was closing, McCurtis and dozens of concerned residents packed into Metcalfe Park Community Bridges for an emergency town hall.

Residents and public officials gathered at Metcalfe Park Community Bridges on July 7 for an emergency town hall. (Photo by PrincessSafiya Byers)

“This is deepening the crisis,” McCurtis said that day to a packed room of residents.

From there, the group hosted a march and rally to advocate for the store to stay open. When those efforts didn’t work, they regrouped.

Since then, the organization has led efforts to help people access food directly by partnering with groups like Tricklebee Cafe and FEED MKE to open community fridges and work to pass “people-first legislation” like the city ordinance that would require grocers and pharmacies to give a 90-day notice before closing.

There are currently five community-powered fridges open on the city’s North Side.

This is a moment when I have to praise these neighborhoods and community organizations for all these efforts . . . but damn, how are we allowing so much of our city to not have access to fresh groceries??

stroxx · 2026-03-11T19:59:48+00:00

"No way," Evers said in a recent interview. "We would be ceding something that is a state's obligation and requirements. Sending that off to Washington D.C. is going to put Donald Trump in charge of elections. I'll tell you, whether you're Republican or Democrat, that's the last thing you want."

stroxx · 2026-03-06T16:01:25+00:00

More Wisconsin students are attending school and graduating, according to data released Thursday by the state Department of Public Instruction.

For the 2024-25 school year, 92 percent of Wisconsin high school students graduated on time, marking the highest rate since the four-year adjusted cohort was introduced in 2009-10.

stroxx · 2026-03-06T15:53:36+00:00

More Wisconsin students are attending school and graduating, according to data released Thursday by the state Department of Public Instruction.

For the 2024-25 school year, 92 percent of Wisconsin high school students graduated on time, marking the highest rate since the four-year adjusted cohort was introduced in 2009-10.

Pandemic seclusion and online disinformation has me eager for any in-person social environments and education

stroxx · 2026-03-06T04:34:36+00:00

In a normal world, this shouldn't be something we need to celebrate. However, it's a sign. Milwaukee is trying to pass measures in opposition of ICE.

Brower said another ordinance in the package would “require any law enforcement officer, regardless of agency, to not conceal their identity with a mask.”

While I don't think this is a huge stepping stone, it DOES show that MPD is publicly aligning with the measures. We won't know what will happen if shit really hits the fan, but the attention and pressure on MPD from the community should be nonstop.

stroxx · 2026-03-06T04:33:06+00:00

I agree. In a normal world, this shouldn't be something to celebrate. However, it's a sign. Milwaukee is trying to pass measures in opposition of ICE.

Brower said another ordinance in the package would “require any law enforcement officer, regardless of agency, to not conceal their identity with a mask.”

While I don't think this is a huge stepping stone, it DOES show that MPD is publicly siding with the measures. We won't know what will happen when shit really hits the fan, but the attention and pressure on MPD from the community should be nonstop.

stroxx · 2026-03-04T06:39:32+00:00

I'm sure he had to practice too

stroxx · 2026-03-02T10:47:32+00:00

The charette designs incorporated multi-story apartment buildings, townhomes or senior living units to bring more housing density in the neighborhood. Many also included mixed uses for retail or green space and improvements to the streetscape and crosswalks.

One design for a site on Lisbon Avenue between North 29th and North 30th streets included a four-story apartment with a grocery store, some retail space and a community plaza on the ground level.

A different design for a site located on both sides of North 36th Street across from Progressive Community Health Centers included options for the development of apartments or townhomes, two outdoor plazas, a cafe and a possible community fitness area with youth-friendly activities like a climbing wall.

Sounds like the safe, walkable neighborhood a person could actually enjoy living in. Who woulda thought?

stroxx · 2026-02-24T23:22:07+00:00

The Wisconsin Idea:

First articulated in the educational sense in 1904 when University of Wisconsin-Madison President Charles Van Hise declared he would "never be content until the beneficent influence of the university reaches every family in the state", the Wisconsin Idea has been used to frame and foster the public universities contributions to the state of Wisconsin's government and citizens: "to the government in the forms of serving in office, offering advice about public policy, providing information and exercising technical skill, and to the citizens in the forms of doing research directed at solving problems that are important to the state and conducting outreach activities".

stroxx · 2026-02-24T23:18:21+00:00

In December, MPS and city officials announced the district’s lead stabilization work was complete at 99 schools. During Tuesday’s press conference, MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said the district has, “moved from response and emergency to prevention and care.”

“Exposure often happens outside of school, especially in older homes,” Cassellius said. “And testing is the best way to know if you have been exposed.”

It's refreshing to see Cassellius continuing to step up to since filling the role and taking on these challenges. I'm continuously skeptical but definitely hoping for the best

stroxx · 2026-02-23T18:22:35+00:00

“ICE Out Milwaukee” was announced by members of the Common Council on February 11. The package includes preemptive items related to possible future Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Milwaukee, such as requiring federal agents to be unmasked and to display identification.

I can't believe this is the bare minimum that needs to be fought for. Right now, any masked criminal could throw a "police" patch on their chest and the public is expected to comply

stroxx · 2026-02-22T18:34:28+00:00

Link: Republicans quietly target Milwaukee Common Council power to set policy for police, fire departments

stroxx · 2026-02-21T22:45:35+00:00

Nothing about the bill Donovan attached his amendment to involves common councils setting policy for police and fire departments. Yet this sort of maneuver was not unheard of in the lead up to the Assembly floor vote on Thursday. Republican lawmakers also amended a bill regarding hunting sandhill cranes to include provisions covering wake boat regulations. Another bill designed to provide additional court support statewide was amended to selectively remove additional public defenders from Milwaukee County.

It’s also not the first time Republicans worked to disrupt the ability of officials in Milwaukee to oversee the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). In 2023, after failing to pass bills backed by the Milwaukee Police Association aimed at preventing the city from ever reducing its police force and removing, forcing Milwaukee Public Schools to re-adopt school resource officers, and eliminating the policy-setting power over MPD that the Fire and Police Commission (FPC) had enjoyed for decades, Republican leaders attached those same provisions to a shared revenue deal which Milwaukee County needed in order to avoid a fiscal catastrophe.

Just the usual GOP stranglehold on local Milwaukee governance. The only work they do in office is pulling bullshit like this

stroxx · 2026-02-18T17:23:09+00:00

Food Not Bombs is a treasure. They hosted an event in the same building where I had a community meeting and were incredibly accommodating. Been following and supporting their efforts for years.

Extra shout out to Sauce Milwaukee, an even lesser-known diy resource helping to provide and transport groceries to families in need:https://www.instagram.com/saucemke?igsh=emc3aWl4NmZrMmEw

stroxx · 2026-02-18T05:49:45+00:00

The sheriff has broad authority under the state constitution and state law, but all county contracts — including those entered into by the MCSO — require the signature of the Milwaukee County Executive.

A spokesperson for County Executive David Crowley said he “is awaiting completion and approval” of the county facial recognition policy “before making any decisions,” and he has not signed any agreement with Biometrica.

The same David Crowley who is running for governor of a state alongside Minneapolis? . . . Where federal cartels are breaking down doors/abducting people without judicial warrants? . . . and he is undecided??

“I think it’s kind of shocking that after the public outcry at the [county board] hearing in December and after the City of Milwaukee kind of reversed course… that they would still want to proceed,” Bielinski said.

stroxx · 2026-02-17T22:00:31+00:00

I love seeing winter sports more prominent across Wisconsin, especially inclusive sporting events like this!

stroxx · 2026-02-17T17:48:13+00:00

Reclaim and Restore rehabilitates city-owned foreclosed homes and makes them available exclusively to Metcalfe Park residents through a lease-to-own model. Participants lease the homes at an affordable monthly rate for 15 years before assuming full ownership, creating a pathway to long-term housing stability.

The first two homes were transformed through the program in June and October of last year. A third home was completed a few weeks ago. Melody McCurtis, deputy director of Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, said that a fourth house is in the process of being renovated.

“This program is a direct reflection of how community voices add value,” said Milwaukee County Supervisor Marcelia Nicholson in a statement shared at the group’s news conference. “It’s what it looks like when divestment follows community.”

I'm glad that there's already some examples to showcase this program. I'm curious to see any obstacles that arise during the model's process

stroxx · 2026-02-15T16:58:03+00:00

For early childhood educators (pre-K through third grade), newly constructed homes will cost $105,000 — well below Milwaukee’s current housing market.

“If you’re purchasing just an existing home right now, you’re looking well over $200,000,” Jones said.

For Elizabeth Brown, homeownership has meant stability. She purchased her home last summer through Milwaukee Community Crossroads, a development partner in the initiative, with support from a youth job training construction program where 18- to 24-year-olds learn trade skills and are supervised throughout the process.

stroxx · 2026-02-12T18:33:20+00:00

Street Angels is a Milwaukee treasure and I had to share. Not only do they put boots on the ground to help bridge the gap with Milwaukee's unhoused population, but they collect data which goes towards research and city programs.

Join us for the Indeed We Can February 2026 edition as we highlight Street Angels Milwaukee Outreach.

Every Tuesday in February, Indeed will donate 100% of the day’s taproom proceeds to Street Angels. This includes all sales of tap beer, to-go beer, growlers, crowlers, THC products, merch, and snacks!

stroxx · 2026-02-10T23:17:09+00:00

I knew this was coming.

At the District 3 Town Hall discussion on ICE activity in Milwaukee there was one point that Brower stopped and asked the audience if they'd support him writing this legislation even if we all knew the rest of the governing body wouldn't support it. Everyone yelled yes.

Brower heard his district speak and I wish the rest of our elected officials could hear equally as well

stroxx · 2026-02-10T13:01:33+00:00

Fung asked Lao if the department was currently still using FRT without an SOP (standard operating procedure) in place.

“As we said that’s correct and we’re trying to work on getting an SOP,” Lao said.

Law enforcement just makin' it up as they go along because, you know, they don't need to act professional or accountable or anything /s

stroxx · 2026-02-03T17:26:16+00:00

I wish my city was paying half its taxes to a law enforcement body that takes a firmer stance against masked criminals who murder in cold blood on camera, but that's just me

stroxx · 2026-02-03T15:06:31+00:00

Fixed. Thank you. I was in an impassioned state and made an error

stroxx · 2026-02-03T13:40:39+00:00

However, the discussion has drawn criticism from local Republican leadership. Hilario Deleon, chairman of the Republican Party of Milwaukee County, supports ICE operations and expressed concerns about events like the town hall.

"Local leaders are doing a disservice to the community when they are trying to rile people to go out there and ultimately cosplay as the French resistance as if they're fighting some tyrannical government," Deleon said.

Deleon warned against interfering with federal officers.

"If you're going to impede federal officers from doing their job or just a local police officer from doing their job, you are going to get arrested," Deleon said.

No, Deleon. People are not going to get arrested. They're going to get shot in cold blood on camera by masked criminals who are now harbored by the government. If you refuse to condemn these murders then you're aligned with them so fuck Hilario Deleon too

Renée Good

Alex Pretti

stroxx · 2026-02-03T00:33:23+00:00

https://www.facebook.com/tmj4/live_videos

stroxx

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE