A recent Wisconsin Policy Forum report highlighted several barriers to expungement of criminal records in the state and identified several policy solutions that could help improve job prospects for thousands.
Edgar Mendez
Raised in a South Side neighborhood where he still lives, Edgar Mendez is the managing editor of the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. Mendez is a proud graduate of UW-Milwaukee, where he double majored in journalism and sociology, and of Marquette University, where he earned a master’s degree in communication. He won a 2018 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award and 2014, 2017, and 2018 Milwaukee Press Club Awards for his reporting on taverns, marijuana law enforcement, and lead in water service lines. In 2008, he won a Society of Professional Journalists’ regional award for columns dealing with issues such as poverty, homelessness and racism. His writing has been published by the Associated Press, Reuters, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other media. He has also co-authored three articles published in scholarly journals.
Posted inCarousel, Home, Neighborhoods, News, Public Safety
Banks earn millions from bonds issued to settle MPD brutality cases, new report finds
The city of Milwaukee borrowed an estimated $26 million in “police brutality bonds,” allowing banks and investors to collect $3.9 million in fees and interest from 2008-2017, according to a new report.
Posted inCarousel, Clarke Square, Health and Wellness, Home, Kinnickinnic River Neighborhoods, Layton Boulevard West, Lincoln Village, Neighborhoods, News, South, Walker Square
“Celebrando” event to focus on preventive care for Latinos in Milwaukee
A health and wellness fair will be held on Saturday, June 2, at South Division High School and provide access to services to individuals who might be fearful to seek them elsewhere.
Posted inMultimedia, On The Block
On the Block: On the job trail
Wayne Smith, 52, is unemployed but he said he hopes to find a job soon. He can do anything — factory, warehouse, office. He’s done a bit of everything.
Posted inCarousel, Home, Neighborhoods, News, Public Safety
As opioid death toll rises, task force releases plan to combat epidemic
A preliminary plan to reduce the number of drug overdose deaths has been released by the City-County Opioid, Heroin, and Cocaine Task Force. The pace of drug- related deaths in Milwaukee County is similar to last year’s, which hit an all-time high.
Posted inCarousel, Clarke Square, Community, Home, Layton Boulevard West, Lincoln Village, News, South, Walker Square
Mitchell Street Sun Fair cancelled due to new state legislation
A Republican-backed law that altered the funding mechanism for Business Improvement Districts in Milwaukee cost the Historic Mitchell Street BID $10,000, forcing it to cancel the popular fair this year. Organizers say it will be back in 2019.
Posted inCarousel, Clarke Square, Home, Layton Boulevard West, Lincoln Village, Neighborhoods, News, Public Safety, South, Walker Square
Rash of murders generates fear on South Side
Residents of the South Side blame an increase in drug activity and prostitution for a spate of murders that occurred in March and April.
Posted inCarousel, Clarke Square, Community, Home, Kinnickinnic River Neighborhoods, Lincoln Village, Neighborhoods, News, South, Walker Square
Local author writes book to help teens overcome abuse
Youth advocate Eileen Alvarado recently published her second book, “Hope Looks Like You,” and is working to raise money to distribute it free of charge to local youth.
Posted inCarousel, Health and Wellness, Home, Neighborhoods, News, Special Report
Special report: Disorganization hampers city effort to replace lead water service lines at child care centers
Although the City of Milwaukee promised more than a year ago to replace lead service lines at each of the city’s 346 licensed child care facilities, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service has found that only 146 have been replaced thus far, due to a combination of mismanagement, poor communication and unresponsive property owners.
Posted inCarousel, Community, Home, Neighborhoods, News
Controversy increases over shuttered Mitchell Street Social Security office
A congressional order to halt closure of shuttered Social Security Administration offices has energized efforts to reverse the decision to close the Mitchell Street office.