A 2018 ordinance to protect voucher recipients hasn’t stopped landlords from categorically rejecting them. Milwaukee County officials question whether they can enforce the provision.
Author Archives: Jonmaesha Beltran / Wisconsin Watch
Jonmaesha Beltran joined the Center in January 2023 as a Roy W. Howard fellow. She graduated from Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication with bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism. While completing her degrees at ASU, she's been a social justice reporter for Cronkite News, an investigative reporter for the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism and a Pulliam Fellow for The Arizona Republic. In 2020, she won an Arizona Press Club Award and a Society of Professional Journalists Regional Mark of Excellence Award for her reporting on the experiences of street medics during the Black Lives Matter protests in Phoenix.
Posted inEducation, Health & Welfare
After decades of little progress, Milwaukee begins new approach to improve lives of Black men and boys
Milwaukee’s past efforts to confront barriers for Black males fizzled due to a lack of coordination, metrics and resources, officials say. A new nonprofit with a trusted leader is stepping in.
Posted inNews & Announcements
Looking back at Wisconsin Watch’s investigations this year
Welcome to Wisconsin Watch’s Year in Review series. In this series, we’re looking back on Wisconsin Watch’s reporting and impact in 2023. Throughout the week, you’ll be hearing directly from reporters and editors and get exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at our biggest investigations of the year, along with some sneak peeks at what we have planned […]
Posted inHealth & Welfare
Wisconsin’s ‘Smart Growth’ law requires planning to meet housing needs, but enforcement is lax
Local governments face no consequences for conflicting with state-mandated plans to guide land use.
Posted inHealth & Welfare
Milwaukee County pushes for affordable housing in suburbs to narrow disparities
The Milwaukee metro region has a big mismatch between jobs and workforce housing. Most job growth is happening in the suburbs, while affordable housing is largely concentrated in the city of Milwaukee’s historically disinvested neighborhoods.
Posted inGovernment, Justice & Safety
JusticePoint continues jail alternatives work as Milwaukee tries to cancel contract
The city of Milwaukee lacks a plan to replace JusticePoint’s incarceration alternatives services if it succeeds in canceling its contract.
Posted inEducation
Milwaukee Public Schools promised transportation stipends due to unreliable busing. Few parents received them.
Milwaukee Public Schools did not distribute $500,000 it allocated to reimburse parents for gas, bus passes and mileage. Parents say buses still run late.
Posted inEducation
Milwaukee schools lack air conditioning despite rising temperatures. Here’s what we know.
About half of Milwaukee Public Schools buildings lack full or partial air conditioning, risking learning loss. The district has no plan for major upgrades.
Posted inGovernment, Justice & Safety
JusticePoint offers incarceration alternatives in Milwaukee. Two judges tried to cancel its contract.
Municipal Court officials refuse to comment on efforts to cancel JusticePoint’s contract without lining up an alternative provider. A legal ruling allows the services to continue — for now.
Posted inEconomy
How would widening Milwaukee’s I-94 affect residents near the highway?
Milwaukeeans discuss potholes, noise pollution and public transit shortcomings as the Wisconsin Department of Transportation advances a $1.2 billion project to widen the I-94 East-West Freeway corridor.
Posted inHealth & Welfare
Wisconsin eviction process: What happens to a tenant’s property?
What Milwaukee renters and those statewide should know about their possessions after an eviction.
Posted inEconomy
Milwaukee County to cap bus fares under new system. Here’s what to know.
The Milwaukee County Transit System is launching WisGo, a new fare collection system that Waukesha County Transit will also accept.