Lake Effect Spotlight

It's July 1952 in Oconto, Wisconsin. You wake up, stretch, pour some coffee, all while strange sounds filter in from outside. Some witnesses describe sounds like a combination of rubbing on a balloon, and distant rifle fire.Only it isn't distant rifles making these sounds - it's 175 million …. frogs. Tea Krulos is a contributing writer for Milwaukee Magazine, who wrote about the Great Oconto Frog Invasion for this month's issue. He sat down with Lake Effect's Sam Woods to discuss the phenomenon, and how little of it is remembered today. 

To mark the beginning of summer, WUWM's Maayan Silver is looking into the origins of the beloved and unmistakable song “Summertime.”  She's joined by Jason McKinney, an opera singer, educator and music director with Milwaukee roots. 

Beyond Our Senses is a new nature documentary that gives you a bird's-eye view of the world of Bank Swallows. The 30-minute film follows thousands of Bank Swallows as they migrate to Lake Michigan's bluffs in the spring. It explores how the small birds navigate the breeding season with their unique vision and flight abilities.  David Busse is the director behind the film and a Milwaukee native. He joins Lake Effect's Xcaret Nuñez for June's Chirp Chat to talk about Bank Swallows and the making of the film. 

Nicholas Hune-Brown is an editor at a nonprofit online magazine called The Local. It covers health and social issues in Toronto, Canada. Nick has shared how, as an editor, he loves to give new writers a platform. But everything changed when he received a suspicious pitch from a writer named Victoria Goldiee.   As Nick took a closer look, it turns out the writer wasn't who she seemed. Nick joins Lake Effect's Xcaret Nuñez to share his investigation into an AI freelancer — and what it reveals about the future of journalism. 

From our 'AI in the workplace' episode on Tuesday: we look at how artificial intelligence is impacting education. WUWM education reporter Katherine Kokal takes us on a trip to Ronald Reagan High School on the city's far south side.  

For the past 13 years, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been synonymous with the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee. Sadly, last week, he was traded. But even though the Giannis era has come to an end, his impact on the city won't be forgotten. WUWM's Jimmy Gutierrez shares this essay about the global superstar who put Milwaukee back on the map. 

We look at the tenure of Milwaukee's last Socialist mayor, Frank Zeidler, and his aggressive campaign to expand the size of the city. We also explore what socialism looks like in Milwaukee today.

Milwaukee Mayor Daniel Hoan became the longest-serving socialist mayor in U.S. history, and redefined life in the city by creating parks, publicly-funded housing and the first modern sewage treatment facility. But it was a tumultuous time for the socialists, who faced local and global pressure over their ideology. 

The legacy of the Milwaukee Socialists looms large in the city. But the rise of the Social Democratic Party was anything but inevitable. It was a struggle against monied interests, powerful political parties, and a fight for the rights of those whose labor had made others rich.

Milwaukee is known for its summer festivals but none is as anticipated as the Big Gig. Crowds will flock to the lakefront as Summerfest gets underway tomorrow. To help you plan your first weekend of Summerfest, our friends at Radio Milwaukee are here to share their recommendations. They'll be joining us throughout the run of the festival to talk about the music and what sets Summerfest apart from other music festivals. Carolann Grzybowski and Anthony Foster join Lake Effect's Audrey Nowakowski in studio.

June 19th, or Juneteenth, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas learned they had been freed from bondage. It was two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, and a city of Milwaukee holiday one year later. But Milwaukee has been celebrating Juneteenth for much longer -- 55 years. It's thanks, in large part, to community leader Margaret Henningson and Northcott Neighborhood House, which put on the first Juneteenth celebration in 1971. Henningson says she learned about Juneteenth in a conversation with her grandmother, during a family trip to Georgia when she was a teenager. Henningson tells WUWM Race & Ethnicity Reporter Teran Powell that message came full circle for her when she began working for Northcott in the 1970s. 

American Science & Surplus is a Milwaukee staple for many science enthusiasts and DIYers. While its online store has closed, its brick-and-mortar locations in Milwaukee and Illinois, remain open under new employee ownership. The previous owner, Pat Meyer, started a GoFundMe last year to try and keep the stores open. But when efforts failed to reduce inventory and relocate its warehouse, Meyer stepped down as owner. Now, former store manager Kim Stenglein owns the Milwaukee location. Stenglein spoke with WUWM's Eddie Morales last December about how a challenging economy is shaping the store's inventory and future. As part of WUWM's Economic Check-in series, Stenglein shares some of the ongoing and new economic challenges the store is facing. 

Recent reporting from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel looked into Walgreens leases throughout the city.  The reporting found that leases contain terms that restrict pharmacies and other businesses from moving into the stores – even if it has closed. And those leases can last for decades – so long as the company continues to pay rent.  One of the closed down Walgreens locations on North King Drive and West Hadley Street has a lease that was signed in 2009 that lasts until 2084 – preventing new business from moving in. WUWM's Race & Ethnicity Reporter Teran Powell is joined by Chad Venne, a real estate expert, to learn more about these types of leases and their provisions. 

If you're a frequent listener to WUWM, chances are you're familiar with the voice of Paula Poundstone. She's a regular panelist on NPR's Wait! Wait!...Don't Tell Me, and also hosts the podcast, “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone." Poundstone's career spans stand-up comedy, radio and voice acting. She'll be performing her stand-up in Lake Geneva this weekend. Lake Effect's Audrey Noawkowski talked to her ahead of the show. 

As the midterms approach both Republicans and Democrats are trying to court prospective voters. But a new book by Glendale Mayor Bryan Kennedy argues that both parties have become disconnected from the communities they hope to represent. His book called It's All Local explores how independent political candidates have attempted to redirect politics in favor of what voters need, and how political leaders of all stripes can incorporate a bottom-up approach to their priorities.  

Milwaukee is known for its deep ties to Socialism. It was the first city to elect a Socialist mayor and was the first place to elect a Socialist to Congress. But their rise to power was rocky - and their status as a third party often made progress an uphill battle.   Last week, we kicked off our four-part series on the Milwaukee socialists. We're exploring the accomplishments of the city's three Socialist mayors, where we see their legacy today, and how the party has evolved. Today, we'll explore what happened after the monumental election of 1910, which propelled the city's first Socialist mayor into office. 

Earlier this month the Wisconsin Humane Society welcomed the first beagles rescued from Ridglan Farms. That's a dog breeding facility in Blue Mound, Wisconsin that gained national attention after activists broke in. So far, the WHS has taken in 132 beagles from the rescue, which is one of the largest efforts for them in the last decade.    Most of these dogs have gone to foster homes since they'll need some extra care and attention before they'll be ready for adoption. So, what do you need to know or consider if you're thinking about welcoming one of these beagles into your home?  To learn more, Lake Effect's Audrey Nowakowski is joined by Angela Speed from the Wisconsin Humane Society VP of Marketing & Communications. She starts by explaining the coordination efforts that helped to support these rescued beagles. 

If you're trying to live a more plastic-free life, Milwaukee's new “refillery” might be for you. At ECO MKE Refillery, you can bring in a reusable container, like a mason jar or glass jug, and buy refills of dish soap, detergent, body wash and more.  Kayla Bouma is the owner and founder of ECO MKE. She says her new brick-and-mortar in the Third Ward also sells sustainable home goods like bamboo utensils, dryer balls and toothpaste tablets.  Bouma joins Lake Effect's Xcaret Nuñez to share more about her business and how people can implement eco-friendly habits in their everyday lives. 

Earlier this spring, conservationists marked the return of sturgeon to the Milwaukee River for the first time in more than one hundred years. This past weekend, people gathered to celebrate that return and acknowledge the significance of the restoration for the Indigenous community. A traditional game of lacrosse was held at Kletzsch Park – one of the most important sturgeon restoration sites. That's where WUWM environmental reporter Susan Bence met Mark Denning, a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. He speaks about the cultural significance of the sturgeon and the game of lacrosse. 

An eviction can follow a person for years. Even if the case is dismissed or if the renter was not at fault – experts say it can have a long-lasting impact.  A record of eviction can prevent someone from finding stable housing and deepen barriers to ever becoming a homeowner. WUWM Eric Von Fellow Maria Peralta-Arellano explores a possible way to remove that blemish from someone's record...as part of our series, Seeking Solutions: Keys to Homeownership. 

Last month, Milwaukee's Common Council passed a curfew for food trucks operating downtown.  Alderman Robert Bauman says a 10 P-M closing time will curb violence and loitering, especially around Water Street. The curfew would affect a two-square mile area encompassing downtown.   One food truck owner has filed a lawsuit against the city, and a judge has put the curfew on pause at least until June 10th.   But for food truck businesses that rely heavily on late-night customers, this new curfew could threaten their entire livelihood.   WUWM's Katherine Kokal spent some time with Vanessa Gonzalez – owner of the Mr. Taco food truck parked on Water Street.

When you think of maritime music, you might imagine pirates or sailors exploring the ocean on an old, masted ship.  But what if I told you the Maritime Music Directory International is not based in a sea-faring, fishing village - but on the shores of Lake Michigan, in Racine, Wisconsin?  That's where founder Dean Calin manages the directory of international musicians and festivals with a singular devotion to maritime music. He joins Lake Effect's Joy Powers to talk about the directory and the maritime music scene.

Tom Oberhaus is the co-operator of Cozy Nook Farm in Waukesha County. Cozy Nook is primarily a dairy farm, and it supplements its business with seasonal pumpkin and Christmas tree sales. When Lake Effect's Sam Woods spoke with Oberhaus in January, Christmas tree sales were down, and the farm was planning for 2026. Sam checked back in with Oberhaus to see how things are going on the farm ahead of planting season. The conversation is part of WUWM's commitment to covering issues our listeners say are top priorities, including the economy. As part of that coverage, we're exploring how the economy is impacting Wisconsinites with different financial needs and concerns.  

In parts one and two, we learned about out-of-state landlord David Tomblin. He owns over 200 rental properties in Milwaukee and is fighting lawsuits that threaten to cut him off from rental income. We also learned about how his tenants united against him, and the city's case for declaring his business model a public nuisance. Today, we examine how the city has tried similar strategies for dealing with negligent landlords in the past, and we finally speak with the man himself - David Tomblin. This is the third and final part of “How to Evict Your Landlord," a series produced by WUWM's Jimmy Gutierrez and Lake Effect's Sam Woods.  

In part one, we learned about David Tomblin, who owns over 200 rental properties in Milwaukee. But lawsuits brought by the city and major lenders could ultimately take those properties away. These lawsuits follow a long campaign by Common Ground, a nonpartisan advocacy organization, that united Tomblin's tenants against him. Today, we look at how Common Ground organized Tomblin's tenants, and how the Milwaukee City Attorney used his legal power to bring Tomblin to court. This is part two of “How to Evict Your Landlord,” produced by WUWM's Jimmy Gutierrez and Lake Effect's Sam Woods 

You may have heard that one of Milwaukee's largest landlords is in big legal trouble. David Tomblin, founder of Highgrove Holdings Management LLC, owns over 200 rental properties in Milwaukee. But lawsuits brought by the city and major lenders could ultimately take those properties away. These lawsuits are not the beginning of this story. They follow a years-long campaign by Common Ground, a nonpartisan advocacy organization, that united Tomblin's tenants against him. WUWM's Jimmy Gutierrez and Sam Woods spent a few months with Common Ground and some of Tomblin's tenants to learn about him, what he represents and how tenants took back their power. This is part one of, “How to Evict Your Landlord.”

Since the dawn of the internet, online spaces have been rapidly changing and eating up more of our time. Social media and attention-driven apps are shaping how young people think and feel and how they learn. A new documentary, “Your Attention Please,” highlights the real-world consequences of social media and how it reshapes all of us. It also shows how a new generation of parents and teens are fighting back against Big Tech's agenda to keep us scrolling. The film is showing at the Milwaukee Film Festival. To learn more Lake Effect's Audrey Nowakowski is joined by director Sara Robin, writer & co-creator Jack LeMay, and film participant Kristin Bride. A warning to listeners, this conversation does include the topic of suicide.  

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund will likely come to an end this June. Earlier this year, the state senate failed to reauthorize funding for the program. The stewardship fund has helped protect 750-thousand acres of land statewide by investing roughly one-point-three billion dollars to protect Wisconsin's natural landscape.  The stewardship fund has been working with government and nonprofits since 1989, but in recent years its faced more politicization. WUWM's Eric Von Fellow, Maria Peralta-Arellano is joined by DNR facilities and lands bureau director, Terry Bay to learn more. 

If you go to a natural history museum almost anywhere in the world, you can expect to see dioramas displaying how animals live in the wild. Dioramas have become integral to museums, transporting visitors to unfamiliar landscapes through art and science. But did you know that it started right here in Milwaukee?  The Milwaukee-style diorama revolutionized how museums curated their exhibits, and the original diorama lives on at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Dr. Ellen Censky is the president and CEO of the museum, and she joins Lake Effect's Joy Powers to talk about the museum's long history with dioramas. 

A new documentary looks at what students with different faith backgrounds can learn from each other. The film focuses on an ambitious teacher and his students in a World Religions class at Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois.  It's showing at the Milwaukee Film Fest and ahead of that WUWM's Maayan Silver speaks with filmmaker Allison Walsh and producer Lily Qi about the project, and what it's all about. 

We all know about Smokey Bear — the iconic mascot for wildfire prevention. But do you know about Torchy Timberloss? He's Wisconsin's very own fire mascot who recently came out of retirement. Torchy is a devilish looking flame that dates back to the 1950s.  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says Torchy's image has evolved over the years. Nowadays, he's focused on spreading the message that not all fires are bad. Catherine Koele is a wildfire prevention specialist, and Michele Witecha is a prescribed fire specialist, with the Wisconsin DNR.  They join Lake Effect's Xcaret Nuñez to share Torchy's story and the benefits of prescribed fires. 

John Gurda is perhaps best known as the chief historian of the City of Milwaukee. His documentary series and book The Making of Milwaukee have become vital resources in understanding the city's history.  But Gurda's impact on Milwaukee has been broad and varied. In fact, his work can be seen in neighborhoods throughout the city, on lampposts and in homes. John Gurda joins Lake Effect's Joy Powers to talk the City of Neighborhoods and the posters that represent them. 

Later this week WUWM will begin a series about an out of state landlord that's being sued by the Milwaukee City Attorney's Office.  Lake Effect's Sam Woods and Jimmy Gutierrez will explore how some of David Tomblin's tenants have joined together to fight for their housing rights, and how the city is backing those residents trying to loosen Tomblin's grip on the 260 properties he owns. Here's Sam and Jimmy with what you can expect. 

Conservationists are celebrating the return of sturgeon to the Milwaukee River – 20 miles upstream from Lake Michigan. It's the first time one of the giant fish was documented in Ozaukee County in more than a century. Sturgeon disappeared from the river because of things like overfishing and degraded habitat. The discovery of the sturgeon so far from Lake Michigan signals a milestone in a sturgeon restoration project that's been underway for 20 years. WUWM environmental reporter Susan Bence is joined by Andrew Struck, the director of planning and parks in Ozaukee County to explain how this happened.

WUWM has been addressing barriers to homeownership in Milwaukee and the possible solutions in our series, Keys to Homeownership. One local program is working to make housing more attainable – and affordable - for early educators. For teachers or childcare providers, the salary can range from thirty-five thousand dollars a year up to about 70 thousand.  Now, I don't have to go into statistics for anyone to recognize that the current inflated housing market makes owning a home extremely difficult for early educators.  That's why the Community Development Alliance created the Early Childhood Education Homes program. They build homes on vacant city lots that cost about $105,000. The goal is to not only improve housing security - but also improve retention and recruitment of Milwaukee teachers and early educators.  

Wisconsin's spring election was yesterday. Voters elected liberal-backed candidate Chris Taylor to the state supreme court. She won by a wide margin over conservative-backed Maria Lazar. And there were local races in many parts of the state. To give us a rundown on some of the results, Lake Effect's Joy Powers chats with WUWM editor Emily Files, who leads our voter guide project.

The Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee recently released the Women's Well-Being Index. This data-driven report provides both a state-wide outlook and one of Greater Milwaukee on how women are faring across areas such as safety, health, economic security, education and more. The study was made in collaboration with the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison using publicly available statewide data. To help break down the data and share how it could be used to build more equity, Lake Effect's Audrey Nowakowski is joined by Mary Beth Collins, the Executive Director of the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies. 

Tomorrow's election comes after the elections in 2023 and 2025 altered the ideological makeup of the State Supreme Court. Liberal-leaning justices now hold the majority. The ideological makeup will not be influenced by this election, but that doesn't mean the race won't have a long-term impact. WUWM's Maayan Silver is joined by Barry Burden, politics professor at UW-Madison, to find out what's at stake in this election. 

If you're buying protein-rich foods or supplements, there's a good chance that protein came from a Wisconsin cheesemaker.  Whey is a liquid byproduct of the cheesemaking process and is rich in protein. It is usually processed into the form of powder to be added to smoothies, bars, or other food advertising high protein content. Wisconsin farmers produce about one-third of the nation's whey, and demand has skyrocketed in recent years as people seek more protein in their diet. Drew Dawson is a freelance writer for Milwaukee Magazine who wrote about Wisconsin's whey economy for this month's issue. He joins Lake Effect's Sam Woods to discuss why whey is in demand and why some farmers benefit more than others. 

Artificial Intelligence is quickly becoming embedded in our society – at work, school and in much of our online activity. Researchers across the Universities of Wisconsin wanted to create a safe place to learn about AI. So they created a seven-part video series about the technology, how to use it and what kind of mistakes it can make. WUWM education reporter Katherine Kokal is joined by Emily Laird, one of the developers of the free classes. 

Over the past year, the city of Milwaukee has been wrestling with the use of facial recognition technology. This is tech that some law enforcement agencies use to assist in investigations using surveillance footage.  The Milwaukee Police Department has used the technology without clear guidelines in place and community members have pushed back. This debate has played out online, in the streets, and in board meetings inside city hall. WUWM reporters Eddie Morales and Jimmy Gutierrez trace the recent battle over facial recognition technology and examine how the community has responded. 

It's no secret that in Milwaukee, out-of-state investors have been buying up housing inventory to turn into rentals. That means less housing stock for people who want to become homeowners. One non-profit is trying to counter that trend and get more Milwaukeeans owning their own homes in the city.  WUWM has been examining systemic housing problems – and solutions – for more affordable housing in our series, Seeking Solutions: Keys to Homeownership. A s part of the series WUWM's Maayan Silver has this report on ACTS Housing.