Watch a movie with Rooted & Rising; learn how to manage weight; help clean up Menomonee Valley; and more.
Chesnie Wardell
Chesnie Wardell serves as a reporting fellow for NNS. In addition to compiling our popular “5 things to know and do” lists, she also writes features on notable North Side and South Side residents. She is a 2025 graduate of Marquette University, where she studied journalism and digital media.
Posted inCommunity, Education
My most memorable story of 2025: A nonprofit installs bookshelves for children inside two Milwaukee laundromats
Reporter Chesnie Wardell’s favorite story of 2025 featured how Jacarrie Carr and the community came together to help children read.
Posted inCommunity, Health and Wellness
Memorable story of 2025: ‘True definition of strength’: How this Milwaukee man fights through sickle cell disease
Mariela Fonseca Ruiz selected a story about James Griffin, a local man raising awareness about sickle cell disease, as a memorable story of 2025.
Posted inCommunity
5 things to know and do the weekend of Dec. 26
Watch animals eat their lunch with the Friends of Havenwoods State Forest; listen to music from the Milwaukee Jazz Institute; and more.
Posted inArts and Recreation, Community
Here are 5 ways to celebrate Kwanzaa in Milwaukee
To celebrate Kwanzaa, Milwaukee’s Black community is hosting a number of events you can attend.
Posted inCommunity, NNS Spotlight
‘Where you come from doesn’t define where you will go’: Former foster child becomes vice president of the Wisconsin Youth Advisory Council
Before aging out of the foster care system, Avenues West resident Angel Shelton never knew her struggles were meant for a greater purpose. She now guides efforts to improve the lives of youths in foster care.
Posted inCommunity
5 things to know and do the week of Dec. 22
Mourn in a safe space; showcase your talents at an open mic; play bingo with other elders; and more.
Posted inCommunity
5 things to know and do the weekend of Dec. 19
Ice skate at Center Street Park; receive free groceries; support local business at a farmers market; and more.
Posted inCommunity
5 things to know and do the week of Dec. 15
Have a conversation about grief with other men; attend an active shooter presentation; watch a movie screening about the Harambee neighborhood; spend time at The Milwaukee Garden District; and discuss issues in schools.
Posted inCommunity
5 things to know and do the weekend of Dec. 12
Join Arts @ Large Inc. for a celebration; attend a chair yoga session; combat childhood obesity; chat with a cop; and more.