• Keys to Homeownership: how we turn investor-owned rentals into owner-occupied homes
    Mar 31 2026

    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.

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    10 mins
  • Cesar Chavez and the reevaluation of how we honor historical figures
    Mar 30 2026

    A New York Times investigation has uncovered sexual abuse allegations against Latino civil rights leader, Cesar Chavez. Since then, cities throughout the country have removed or are considering removing Chavez’s name from buildings, street signs, plaques and more.

    In Milwaukee, a statue of Chavez at El Rey Family Market on Chavez Drive was removed. City leaders say there will be a conversation about renaming the street and Milwaukee’s celebration of Cesar Chavez Day has been cancelled. WUWM’s Race & Ethnicity Reporter Teran Powell is joined by Marquette professor Sergio Gonzalez. He shares his perspective on reevaluating how we honor historical figures.

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    12 mins
  • Marquette students are criticizing its choice for graduation speaker over AI connections
    Mar 27 2026

    Commencement is just around the corner for thousands of college students in Milwaukee. At Marquette, some students are pushing back after the university announced that its graduation speaker this May will be Chris Duffey. He’s the head of AI products and platforms at Adobe.

    To understand student reaction, WUWM education reporter Katherine Kokal spoke with Elena Metinidis, a reporter at Marquette’s student newspaper, who gathered reactions from students.

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    12 mins
  • A stage for women, by women
    Mar 26 2026

    In 1993, five women decided to start and run Renaissance Theaterworks after recognizing the clear inequities professionals like them faced on stage and off. One of those women was Suzan Fete.

    For more than three decades, Renaissance has championed women’s stories and careers and worked towards gender parity. Co-founder Suzan Fete has led the company as artistic director through over 200 productions and readings while fostering opportunities for women theater professionals. She'll be retiring this spring after directing one last show - “Barefoot in the Park.”

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    14 mins
  • The rise and fall of movie palaces
    Mar 25 2026

    Milwaukee is fortunate to have some historic movie theaters still in operation - from the Oriental and Downer on the city’s east side, to the Avalon in Bay View. But the city was once home to many lavish movie palaces – with seats for thousands of movie goers.

    For decades, these theaters lined the streets of downtown Milwaukee - but now, only a few remain. To learn more about the rise and fall of Milwaukee’s movie palaces, Lake Effect's Joy Powers is joined by historian Matthew Prigge, who wrote about it for this month’s Milwaukee Magazine.

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    12 mins
  • Memories of a Street Cat
    Mar 24 2026

    Samer Ghani first started photographing Milwaukee musicians and concerts in 2016. By 2019, he was a full-time photographer and had become as much of a fixture in the local music scene as the artists he was capturing.

    From Brandi Carlile to Buffalo Nichols – Ghani has thousands of images that capture the magic of live music in venues of all sizes. His new photobook, “Memories of a Street Cat,” is dedicated to this formative chapter of his life.

    The photobook published by Daybreak Magazine features almost 400 photos of concert pictures and artist portraits, along with commentary from artists. Ghani joins Lake Effect's Audrey Nowakowski to share more about how his first photobook came together:

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    14 mins
  • Economic Check-In: Living without housing in Milwaukee
    Mar 23 2026

    WUWM is committed to covering issues our listeners say are top priorities. That includes the economy. As part of that coverage, we’re exploring how the changing economy is impacting Wisconsinites with different financial needs.

    We’ve heard from a small business owner, a farmer, and someone looking for work. Now we’ll hear from someone looking for housing. Sharol Britton is 57 years old. In November, she told WUWM’s Maayan Silver that she was living out of her car and hoping to change that. Maayan spoke with Britton in late February at a local Dennys to get an update.

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    12 mins
  • A sustainable and affordable approach to homebuilding
    Mar 20 2026

    Homeownership is an important part of economic stability for people, neighborhoods and cities. But for many in Milwaukee – owning a home feels out of reach. WUWM has been exploring solutions in our series, Seeking Solutions: Keys to Homeownership.

    Today, we’ll tell you about a family business on the city’s northeast side. They’ve created a model for building more affordable and sustainable homes. WUWM’s environmental reporter Susan Bence has the story.

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    9 mins