And what adults who’ve lost control need to do about it |
Sometimes they get lucky, the many kids in Milwaukee who shoot people, and they sidestep homicide charges because their victims happen not to die.
Removing luck and counting up the number of child-shooters who either killed or just wounded a victim, the numbers are astounding. It’s only mid-September and so far at least 40 kids who are 17 or younger have been identified as suspects in homicides or non-fatal shootings during 2025, according to the Milwaukee Homicide Commission. Twelve of those, the only ones we usually hear about, were homicides.
The problem is even worse, much worse, than those numbers suggest. A lot of crime in Milwaukee — about a third of homicides, for instance — goes unsolved. There are a lot of killers and shooters walking around who haven’t been caught — including, presumably, kids. |
When even a city built around commuting by train can’t win back riders, it’s a warning to Milwaukee |
Minnesota just last month finally pulled the plug on commuter rail line that “never lived up to its aspirations,” according to the head of the agency running it.
The lesson cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Wisconsin, just by observing, can learn for free.
After observing that Minnesota trains — distinct and separate from its inside-the-cities light-rail lines — covered less of their costs by fares than any other commuter rail system in America, an official of the metropolitan government told lawmakers, “There is no customer base for Northstar, nor will there ever be. But more importantly it’s taking money away from transit systems that could use that.”
For Wisconsinites, it’s not just antics in the next-door progressive circus. It’s a warning. |
Among Wisconsin’s large counties, Jefferson County’s government spent the most per resident — more than twice as much as the lowest-spending county government, Waukesha, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The state agency’s latest annual report on county and municipal finances includes spending data from 2023. |
Microsoft doubles down on data |
Microsoft is making an additional $4 billion investment in its Pleasant Prairie data site, the company announced Thursday.
Upon completion, the $7 billion site will encompass “the world’s most powerful AI datacenter,” according to Microsoft.
The Badger Institute, reporting last year on the first phase of the project, noted Microsoft’s track record for delivering much more than initially promised. |
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Before all the land purchases and new plans, Peter Barca, the state’s Department of Revenue secretary, told the Racine County Board once, and then repeated it for emphasis, that Microsoft is known worldwide for “under-promising and over-delivering.” |
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Weekly survey: In the city of Milwaukee, which is the most dangerous month for homicides and non-fatal shootings?
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Previous survey question: |
According to the latest available data from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the state supports a population of more than 1,500 bald eagles. The state’s gray wolf population is approximately 1,200. |
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