The city of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/milwaukee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milwaukee</a> is in the midst of a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/car-theft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">car theft</a> epidemic, but instead of criminals, the city is targeting the car makers.
The Milwaukee Common Council voted Tuesday to approve a resolution to seek outside counsel to pursue a lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai. The city will join a multi-district lawsuit being heard against the two automakers, claiming that their cars are too easy to steal. Milwaukee officials called the city &#8220;ground zero&#8221; for the car thefts.
&#8220;It is my hope that not only do we curb the thefts but that the City of Milwaukee recovers some of the damages for police, fire, [Department of Public Works] and any other costs that we&#8217;ve had to incur as a result of the negligence of Kia and Hyundai,&#8221; Milwaukee alderwoman Milele Coggs said at a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91nGgecyuQk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press conference</a> Wednesday morning.
Milwaukee City Attorney Tearman Spencer said the city intended to be the first city to sue the automakers, but would still proceed with its case even though other cities have already filed suit. &#8220;In my estimation, all the [car theft] problems have emanated out of Milwaukee,&#8221; said Spencer. &#8220;This is ground zero, the epicenter of the cause of the problems that we&#8217;ve been experiencing throughout the country.&#8221;
According to crime data from the <a href="https://city.milwaukee.gov/police/Information-Services/Crime-Maps-and-Statistics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milwaukee Police Department</a>, there were 10,487 motor vehicle thefts in 2021, and 8,097 more in 2022. A report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, cited by the Common Council in a <a href="https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccCouncil/News/2023/District-06/CouncilapprovesmeasurethatcouldleadtocitylawsuitagainstKiaandHyundai2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>, found that Milwaukee had the 8th highest rate of motor vehicle theft of any city in the United States in 2021, and the highest increase from 2020-2021 of any city. In the year 2023 to date, there have been 1,323 car thefts.
Thefts have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/car-thefts-in-america-reach-highest-level-in-over-a-decade-analysis-finds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">particularly risen</a> for certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles, because they lack immobilizers, an electronic device that prevent criminals from bypassing the key-start ignition in the cars. A trend emerged on TikTok in September challenging criminals to steal a car by breaking into it, taking off the steering wheel, and hotwiring the engine with a USB cord, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/08/tiktok-challenge-spurs-rise-in-thefts-of-kia-hyundai-cars.html">CNBC</a> reported. The hashtag &#8220;#KiaBoys&#8221; was viewed more than 33 million times at the time. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2023/02/14/kia-and-hyundai-announce-software-update-said-to-deter-theft/69905025007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">further reported</a> that the &#8220;Kia Boys&#8221; theft ring originated in Milwaukee.
According to a report from <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/27/business/progressive-state-farm-hyundai-kia/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a>, the problem has reportedly gotten so bad that major auto insurers Progressive and State Farm have stopped covering Kia and Hyundai models in certain cities, including Denver and St. Louis, because of the high rates of theft. Kia and Hyundai have previously stated that their cars are in compliance with federal standards; they also announced software updates intended to deter thieves by requiring the key to be in the ignition socket before the car can turn on.
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According to the <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/22/milwaukee-announces-lawsuit-against-kia-hyundai-over-vehicle-thefts/70035526007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Journal Sentinel</a>, the city&#8217;s lawsuit will be part of a multi-district suit that is being adjudicated in the federal Central District of California. Earlier this month, the city of Madison voted to hire outside counsel to sue the two automakers. Other cities suing Kia and Hyundai include <a href="https://www.nbcsandiego.com/nbc-7-responds-2/san-diego-city-attorney-suing-kia-hyundai-after-social-media-theft-challenge/3189893/">San Diego</a>, <a href="https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-lawsuit-kia-hyundai/281-293d9e1b-bada-49bd-bebf-ad7f31ede361" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seattle</a>, and <a href="https://fox8.com/news/cle-council-pushes-lawsuit-for-hyundai-kia-thefts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cleveland</a>.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul signed a <a href="https://www.doj.state.wi.us/sites/default/files/news-media/AG%20Letter%20to%20Hyundia%20and%20Kia%20final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter</a> along with 22 other state AGs demanding that Kia and Hyundai equip immobilizers as standard equipment.

04B38C79-6CC7-459B-98F6-DC69980EDBD4_1_201_a

Milwaukee Has A Car Theft Epidemic. The City Is Suing Car Makers, Claiming Their Cars Are Too Easy To Steal.

Amid Car Theft Epidemic, Milwaukee Sues Kia And Hyundai, Claiming Their Cars Are Too Easy To Steal

Car Theft

Crime

Lawsuit

Milwaukee

U.S.

Drivers in the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/milwaukee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milwaukee</a> area were feeling a little bit corny after 20 tons of the vegetable spilled onto an interstate highway Thursday night.
In a Twitter thread Thursday evening, the Milwaukee County Sheriff&#8217;s Office said that traffic had to be blocked on Interstate 41 southbound outside Milwaukee because a tractor-trailer overturned and spilled the vegetables onto the road. Crews had to block the highway even further in an effort to salvage the truck. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident.
&#8220;TRAFFIC ALERT: Please exercise caution in the area of S/B I-41 @ Florist Ave., where an overturned semi carrying 40,000 lbs of 🌽 is blocking lanes 2 and 3,&#8221; the <a href="https://twitter.com/MilwCoSheriff/status/1616267354366947328?s=20&amp;t=_E49dTZphDFCF0aRbZ_fjg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MCSO tweeted</a> around 9 p.m. local time. &#8220;The semi driver suffered just minor injuries. The circumstances of the crash/turnover are under investigation.&#8221;
The road had to be completely closed about an hour later. &#8220;UPDATE: The partial freeway closure at this rollover site is now a full freeway closure, as salvage efforts continue, with all southbound traffic diverted off of I-41 at Good Hope Road.&#8221;
The tweet included a photo of the crash site. The tractor-trailer lay on its side, with the truck on the shoulder and the trailer in a ditch off the road. The shipping container had slid off the trailer frame.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
UPDATE: The partial freeway closure at this rollover site is now a full freeway closure, as salvage efforts continue, with all southbound traffic diverted off of I-41 at Good Hope Road. <a href="https://t.co/WNRyicd0xO">pic.twitter.com/WNRyicd0xO</a>
— Milwaukee County Sheriff&#8217;s Office (@MilwCoSheriff) <a href="https://twitter.com/MilwCoSheriff/status/1616288623044997120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
Crews had to redirect traffic again shortly afterward. &#8220;UPDATE 2: Traffic is now being diverted off of S/B I-41 @ Appleton Ave,&#8221; MCSO <a href="https://twitter.com/MilwCoSheriff/status/1616289440263188480?s=20&amp;t=c4QmeugG3atH6zO_zv2-Vg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>.
According to local radio station <a href="https://wtmj.com/traffic/2023/01/20/40000-lbs-of-corn-flood-milwaukee-roadway-in-semi-rollover-crash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WTMJ</a>, it took several hours for crews to remove the truck and clear the roadway. The truck was the only vehicle involved in the accident. The driver&#8217;s condition was unclear, and no details about the crash were available Friday.
I-41 is a major arterial highway that connects Milwaukee and Green Bay with the cities on the Fox River. It runs North-South, beginning just south of the Wisconsin-Illinois border and ending north of Green Bay.
Last month, another truck carrying <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tractor-trailer-spills-40000-pounds-of-meatballs-onto-virginia-highway" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20 tons of meatballs</a> overturned onto a highway in rural southern Virginia. Traffic was shut down for about four hours after the big rig jackknifed, spilling more than 40,000 pounds of frozen meatballs onto I-95 South. Police charged the driver of the rig with a traffic violation.
According to Norfolk-based news station WAVY, the tractor-trailer ran off the road and struck a guardrail when the driver overcorrected. The vehicle jackknifed, causing the trailer to break away. Another big rig traveling in the same direction could not avoid the trailer and collided with it, spilling the frozen meatballs onto the highway. Officials said that it took more than two hours for rescue crews to free the driver of the second rig from the cab of the truck. The driver was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital with only minor injuries. The driver of the meatball truck was not reported injured; he was charged by police with failing to obey a highway marking.
In August of last year, two tractor-trailers overturned on opposite ends of the country, spilling other staples of Italian cuisine onto highways in California and Texas. First, a tractor-trailer carrying more than <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/chain-of-car-crashes-caused-by-300000-tomatoes-rolling-onto-california-highway" target="_blank" rel="noopener">300,000 tomatoes</a> collided with another vehicle and plowed into a center divider, spilling the fruit onto the opposing lanes of traffic, which caused a chain reaction of crashes.
Then, another big rig overturned on a highway in Tennessee outside Memphis, spilling gallons of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/alfredo-sauce-spill-in-tennessee-follows-california-tomato-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alfredo sauce</a> and creating a huge mess for drivers and work crews.

US-IOWA-AGRICULTURE-WEATHER

Tractor-Trailer Spills 20 Tons Of Corn Onto Wisconsin Highway

Tractor Trailer Spills 20 Tons Of Corn Onto Wisconsin Highway

Car Crash

Food

Sheriff

Wisconsin

A Patti LaBelle concert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was evacuated on Saturday night following a bomb threat.
A security team interrupted the singer as she spoke to the crowd and quickly escorted LaBelle, 78, off the stage of the Riverside Theater. Attendees seemed unaware of the threat and soon began to grow concerned, with some screams heard.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Milwaukee?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Milwaukee</a> <a href="https://t.co/jBD4MhbnDv">pic.twitter.com/jBD4MhbnDv</a>
&mdash; Shane B. Murphy (@shanermurph) <a href="https://twitter.com/shanermurph/status/1601787151917932544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Another video showed concert-goers outside the venue as police secured and searched the theater.
&#8220;We do not know if we can go back inside to the venue. It is up to the Riverside Theater if we can go back inside,&#8221; the person taking the video added in the video. &#8220;But right now, everything&#8217;s on halt.&#8221;
The Milwaukee Police Department provided a brief <a href="https://twitter.com/DrakeBentleyMJS/status/1601795352818249728" target="_blank" rel="noopener">update</a> following the clearing of the venue, stating &#8220;all patrons have been safely evacuated&#8221; and that the &#8220;investigation is fluid and ongoing.&#8221;
&#8220;The building was searched by K9 units. No explosive devices were discovered. There is no threat to the public at this time,&#8221; a later statement, released at 1:13 a.m. CT on Sunday, added, <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2022/12/11/patti-labelle-audience-evacuated-from-riverside-following-bomb-threat/69718360007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to</a> the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The Pabst Theater Group later announced the postponement of the event.
“We are working with the artist to reschedule the show,” the group <a href="https://twitter.com/PabstTheaterGRP/status/1601820873060515840" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a>.
LaBelle has not posted about the threat on her social media platforms as of publication.
LaBelle has been a well-known R&amp;B musician for decades. She began as the lead singer of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles in the 1960s. The group changed its name to Labelle and released the hit single &#8220;Lady Marmalade&#8221; in 1974. LaBelle has <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0479458/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sold</a> more than 50 million albums during her career.
She has also been an actress in several TV shows and films. LaBelle recently appeared in a 2022 episode of &#8220;The Neighborhood&#8221; and was featured in the 2022 holiday film &#8220;A New Orleans Noel&#8221; on Lifetime and the 2019 film &#8220;A Family Christmas Gift.&#8221;

Patti LaBelle

Bomb Threat Shuts Down Patti LaBelle Concert

Entertainment

Music

A veteran postal worker was fatally shot while delivering mail in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/milwaukee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milwaukee</a> on Friday, according to police.
The letter carrier has been identified as Aundre Cross, a 44-year-old father of four. Milwaukee police said they are looking for suspects with the help of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the FBI in a homicide investigation.
At around 5:59 p.m., officers responded to an injured person on the 5000 block of North 65th Street, the Milwaukee Police Department <a href="https://atlasone.app/alerts/7a90d45b-61e8-47ba-8b37-4565b7a2553b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said in a statement</a>. The victim had sustained a gunshot wound in an incident a little more than an hour earlier and he was pronounced dead at the scene by the Milwaukee Fire Department.
&#8220;The Milwaukee Police Department sends our sincere condolences to the victim&#8217;s family and to the USPS for the loss of their member,&#8221; the department said.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/10/us/milwaukee-postal-worker-killed/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">which stressed</a> that the &#8220;safety and security of Postal employees is a top priority,&#8221; is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any suspects.
Milwaukee police said the <a href="https://atlasone.app/alerts/6d5f319e-c10c-427a-83a0-275f73119dea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suspect vehicle is described</a> as a silver Audi Q5 SUV with tinted windows, and the suspect or suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.
Cross was an on-duty U.S. postal carrier with more than 18 years of service, according to authorities.
&#8220;The shooting death of a Milwaukee postal worker is alarming. My thoughts are with the victim&#8217;s family and colleagues,&#8221; Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson <a href="https://twitter.com/MayorOfMKE/status/1601427804603953152" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said in a tweet</a>. &#8220;The postal worker in this homicide was a public servant, which makes this crime even more disturbing.&#8221;
A former co-worker to Cross, who asked to be identified as Tia R., spoke fondly of him in <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2022/12/10/milwaukee-postal-worker-shot-and-killed-friday-identified-as-aundre-cross/69717526007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an interview with</a> the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
&#8220;He was a mentor to everybody,&#8221; she told the news outlet. &#8220;He was always ready with a prayer, a joke or a story. He never let anybody leave (any situation) without a smile on their face.&#8221;

USPS Truck

Postal Worker Killed While Delivering Mail in Milwaukee

U.S. Postal Service

United States Postal Service (USPS)

Eleven major metropolitan areas in the United States saw median rental rates decline last month, according to an <a href="https://www.redfin.com/news/redfin-rental-report-october-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">analysis</a> from <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/housing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">real estate</a> brokerage Redfin, as economic headwinds and inflationary pressures discourage renters from moving.
The company found that the median nationwide asking rent rose 7.8% year-over-year, constituting the second consecutive month of single-digit increases following nearly one year of double-digit gains. The typical renter is now paying $1,983, marking a 0.9% month-over-month decrease from September.
“Demand for rentals is slowing because economic uncertainty is prompting many renters to stay put, and persistent inflation is shrinking renter budgets. That’s causing rent growth to cool,” Redfin Deputy Chief Economist Taylor Marr said in a press release. “There are signs that inflation is starting to ease, but it will likely be a while before renters see meaningful relief given that rents are still up more than wages.”
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, saw a 17.6% decline in rental prices between September and October, representing the largest decline of any other major metropolitan real estate market. Rents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, fell 7.8%, while those in Baltimore, Maryland, and Seattle, Washington, decreased 3.2% and 2.7% respectively. Cities in the Midwest and South saw the most rapid increases, with prices in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, surging 31.7% month-over-month as prices in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Cincinnati, Ohio, increased 21% and 17% respectively.
Only five metropolitan areas saw rent decline during the month of September. New York City, New York, currently maintains the country’s highest median rent at $4,068.
Earlier reports indicated that soaring real estate prices caused some would-be homebuyers to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rental-market-remains-brutal-nationwide-cools-in-some-large-cities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">search for apartments</a> rather than contending with elevated purchasing costs, introducing upward price pressure in some rental markets. Home prices are now falling due to higher mortgage rates discouraging demand; nevertheless, affordability is also plummeting because of higher mortgage payments, according to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/housing-affordability-plummets-to-new-low-with-all-the-least-affordable-housing-markets-in-california" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from the National Association of Home Builders.
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate remained below 3% for much of the past two years, according to <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MORTGAGE30US" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from government-backed mortgage company Freddie Mac. The rate has surged from approximately 3% earlier this year to more than 7% earlier this month, with most of the increases occurring after the Federal Reserve hiked target interest rates at the fastest pace in three decades.
“The housing market and affordability conditions have continued to weaken throughout the year as rising mortgage rates, supply chain bottlenecks and a lack of skilled construction workers continue to push housing costs higher,” National Association of Home Builders Chairman Jerry Konter said in a <a href="https://www.nahb.org/news-and-economics/press-releases/2022/11/housing-affordability-falls-to-more-than-10-year-low-as-rising-interest-rates-take-a-toll" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. “Entry-level buyers are particularly hurt, as more of them are getting priced out of the market.”
Metrics such as the National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Sales Index have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/pending-home-sales-plummet-as-housing-market-is-rocked-by-soaring-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">witnessed</a> rapid declines, further demonstrating lower market interest in new home purchases. Fannie Mae, a government-sponsored enterprise which securitizes mortgage loans, predicted in an <a href="https://www.fanniemae.com/research-and-insights/forecast/fed-maintains-its-resolve-markets-build-risk#:~:text=As%20measured%20by%20the%20Fannie%20Mae%20Home%20Price%20Index%20(FNM,negative%20beginning%20in%20Q2%202023." target="_blank" rel="noopener">analysis</a> last month that home prices will decline 1.5% in 2023; meanwhile, estimated increases in home prices were revised from 16% to 9% for 2022. The organization noted early signs of cooling labor market pressures, which had constrained builders’ capacity to increase housing inventory, although interest rates are still projected to increase.

Milwaukee apartments

Rent In Some Large Cities Begins To Fall

Economy

Housing

Real estate

A top <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/milwaukee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milwaukee</a> elections official has been fired for alleged fraud in what may have been a stunt to spotlight how easy <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/feds-military-ballots-discarded-in-troubling-discovery-all-opened-ballots-were-cast-for-trump/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fake military ballots</a> can be trafficked in Wisconsin, authorities said.
Kimberly Zapata, 44, was fired as deputy director of the city’s Election Commission after she allegedly had unsolicited military ballots sent to a state representative&#8217;s home. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said the case is under investigation but may have been a bid to expose how easily the election system can be exploited.
&#8220;This has every appearance of being an egregious blatant violation of trust [and] this matter is now in the hands of law enforcement,&#8221; Johnson said, <a href="https://www.wisn.com/article/milwaukee-election-worker-under-investigation-for-ballot-fraud/41856252" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to WISN</a>.
“It does not matter to me that the alleged crime did not take place at work,” he added. “It does not matter to me that the city of Milwaukee ballots were not a part of this, nor does it matter that there was no attempt to vote illegally or tamper with any election results.”
The drama came less than a week before Wisconsin voters go to the polls to select a governor and senator, among other races. Zapata could face a felony charge of malfeasance in office and a misdemeanor charge of illegally requesting a ballot, a source told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Zapata&#8217;s attorney, Michael Maistelman, declined to answer questions about his client&#8217;s alleged actions.
&#8220;We will litigate this in the courtroom, not the media,&#8221; Maistelman <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/milwaukee-election-official-fired-fraudulently-154838417.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel</a>.
The alleged caper came to light earlier this week when state Rep. Janel Brandtjen posted on social media photos of three military absentee ballots sent to her home on Oct. 27. Brandtjen said the ballots appeared to be sent from clerks in Menomonee Falls, South Milwaukee and Shorewood and were each addressed to a fictitious “Holly” with three different last names.
<div id="attachment_459408" style="width: 726px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-459408" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-459408 size-large" src="https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-03-at-1.17.51-PM-716x576.png" alt="Wisconsin state Rep. Janel Brandtjen posted photos of military absentee ballots sent to her home on Oct.27" width="716" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-03-at-1.17.51-PM-716x576.png 716w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-03-at-1.17.51-PM-300x241.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-03-at-1.17.51-PM-768x618.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-03-at-1.17.51-PM-1536x1235.png 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-03-at-1.17.51-PM.png 1716w" sizes="(max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px" />Wisconsin state Rep. Janel Brandtjen posted photos of military absentee ballots sent to her home on Oct.27. (Office of Rep. Janel Brandtjen)</div>
Brandtjen, a Republican and chair of the Assembly Elections Committee, said she also suspects someone, possibly Zapata, was trying to prove a point.
“I believe someone was trying to point out how easy it is to get military ballots in Wisconsin,” she said. “Registration for military ballots is not required, so a fictitious name and birthdate is all that is required to obtain a military ballot online.”
Under state law, military voters are not required to register to vote and do not have to provide photo ID or any other identification. Milwaukee Election Commission chief Claire Woodall-Vogg said Zapata was likely trying to show Brandtjen the system’s vulnerability.
<div id="attachment_459414" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-459414" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-459414" src="https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-03-at-1.50.06-PM-300x279.png" alt="Milwaukee Elections Chief Claire Woodall-Vogg said Zapata was likely trying to show Brandtjen the system’s vulnerability." width="300" height="279" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-03-at-1.50.06-PM-300x279.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-03-at-1.50.06-PM.png 556w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Milwaukee Elections Chief Claire Woodall-Vogg (above) said Zapata was likely trying to show Brandtjen the system’s vulnerability. (Milwaukee Election Commission)</div>
“It’s my belief that she was pointing out that you can go onto the public system, make up a person and request a ballot,” Woodall-Vogg said.
In August, a Racine man was accused of using the state’s MyVote system to fraudulently request absentee ballots in the names of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Racine Mayor Cory Mason in order to show flaws in the system. Harry Wait, a leader of a Racine County-based group known as H.O.T. Government, was praised for the action by Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, who called him a &#8220;white hat hacker&#8221; for &#8220;trying to show a vulnerability&#8221; in the system overseen by the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

Early Voting For Midterm Elections Begins In Wisconsin

Milwaukee Elections Official Fired After Possible Gambit To Expose Voter Fraud

Politics

Vote Fraud

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/wisconsin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wisconsin</a> Lt. Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-candidate-critical-of-over-bloated-police-budgets-has-expensive-police-security-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mandela Barnes</a> (D) used the example of his own mother having an abortion before he was born to defend abortion during a Senate debate against Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ron-johnson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ron Johnson</a> (R-WI).
Barnes, who has featured his mother in previous campaign ads, made the statement during a Friday evening debate in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/milwaukee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milwaukee</a>, where he faced off against Johnson — who has taken the lead in several recent polls in the purple state. 
&#8220;I&#8217;m an only child, but I&#8217;m not my mother&#8217;s only pregnancy. Before I was born, my mother had a complicated pregnancy, and she had an abortion. She shared her story because she wanted others to know that they aren&#8217;t alone and then it was her decision to make,&#8221; he <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/five-takeaways-first-wisconsin-senate-debate-ron-johnson-mandela-barnes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. 
Johnson, who is pro-life, responded by saying that Barnes supports abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. 
“The most extreme position here would be no limits on abortion whatsoever,&#8221; the incumbent Republican said. &#8220;Allowing abortion right up to the moment of birth, which is what the lieutenant governor supports.”
Barnes had attacked Johnson for his support for the Supreme Court Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/roe-v-wade" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Roe v. Wade</a> and effectively returned abortion legislation back to the states. 
The two candidates also sparred over crime at the debate, which was hosted by the Wisconsin Broadcast Association. Johnson said that Barnes was soft on crime and pointed to his association with groups and individuals who support defunding the police, though Barnes has denied he supports the movement. 
“The first thing you do is support law enforcement and unfortunately the lieutenant governor has not done that,&#8221; Johnson <a href="https://fox11online.com/news/state/mandela-barnes-ron-johnson-republican-democratic-first-debate-wisconsin-broadcasters-association-milwaukee-senate-senator-abortion-crime-inflation-lieutenant-governor">said</a>. &#8220;He has a record of wanting to defund the police. He says it pains him to see fully funded police budgets.”
Barnes responded by claiming that Johnson had “supported” the January 6 Capitol riot. 
The debate mirrored the strategies taken by the candidates on the campaign trail, with Barnes attempting to motivate Democrats over abortion issues and Johnson emphasizing crime. 
Polling has flipped in recent weeks, with Johnson jumping into the lead after trailing Barnes for much of the early polling with just weeks to go before the election. Johnson <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/a-political-exercise-ron-johnson-say-democrats-are-using-jan-6-hearings-to-distract-from-policy-failures" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> The Daily Wire in June that he expects the race to come down to the wire, saying that his race was “crucial to stop the Biden agenda.”
The next debate will be at Marquette University on Thursday, October 13.

Wisconsin Democratic Candidates Hold Campaign Rally In Milwaukee

‘Only Child’ Senate Candidate Defends Abortion, Says Mother Had One Before He Was Born

Senate Candidate Defends Abortion, Says Mother Had One Before He Was Born

2022 Election

Ron Johnson

Pfister Hotel in downtown <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/milwaukee">Milwaukee</a> has some Tampa Bay Rays baseball players sleeping with one eye open while the team faces the Brewers in a two-game series this week.
The landmark hotel built in 1893 has a long <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9315544/justin-upton-more-mlb-players-spooked-milwaukee-haunted-hotel-espn-magazine">history</a> of alleged haunting encounters between its guests and ghosts — including Major League Baseball athletes who pass through the city during regular season, playoffs, and World Series games. Such encounters have included hearing weird noises, lights flickering, and electronics acting erratically.
Tampa Bays&#8217; Cuban infielder Yandy Diaz recently admitted he fears ghosts more than any other player on the team, which led the others to take advantage of his phobia.
Before traveling to Wisconsin on Sunday, the Rays wrapped up a four-game series against the Detroit Tigers, scoring seven runs in the top of the 9th inning, defeating the Tigers <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/team/schedule/_/name/tb/tampa-bay-rays">7-0</a>.
As the team celebrated its victory, Diaz was met with a cartoon ghost print-out taped on his locker with the Spanish word &#8220;Cuidado,&#8221; which translates to &#8220;watch out,&#8221; written on the image.
According to <a href="https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2022/08/08/rays-trip-to-milwaukee-may-turn-into-a-ghost-story/">Tampa Bay Times</a>, Diaz considered switching hotels, but opted for a room in Pfister&#8217;s newer, undisturbed tower.
&#8220;All I want is (to not) have any ghosts in my room,&#8221; Diaz told Tampa Bay Times using team interpreter Manny Navarro.
Roman Quinn, Tampa Bays&#8217; outfielder, said he heard several ghost stories from former Philadelphia Phillies teammates, who told him one specter made regular visits — from sitting on the hotel bed to moving clothes around the room, and appearing in hallways before vanishing upon a second look.
First baseman and left fielder Ji-Man Choi reportedly felt a spirit in his bed the first time he stayed at the 129-year-old Milwaukee hotel. Choi included in his bio for the Rays that he &#8220;is terrified of ghosts and believes to have had many encounters with them, including hugs and whispers.&#8221;
However, Choi recently said he&#8217;d say hello if he saw a ghost.
Pitcher Ryan Yarbrough said the reports of Pfister being a so-called haunted hotel don&#8217;t concern him.
&#8220;I&#8217;m not saying I don&#8217;t believe in any of that,&#8221; Yarbrough told Tampa Bay Times. &#8220;I just feel like if you don&#8217;t try to overly concern yourself with it, maybe bad things won&#8217;t happen.&#8221;
Yarbrough said he suspects some more pranks to play out during the trip, considering the Rays have &#8220;some funny guys&#8221; on the team.
&#8220;But no, I think it&#8217;s fine,&#8221; he added. &#8220;I think certain guys are very intrigued, and some guys want nothing to do with it. So I&#8217;m just trying to be even-keeled about it. But Yandy is the guy.&#8221;
Tampa Bay&#8217;s manager Kevin Cash jokingly said that maybe if Diaz encounters a ghost, he&#8217;ll break the infielders&#8217; 0-20 skid.
Diaz and the rest of the team will stay in Milwaukee as the team battles the Brewers Tuesday and Wednesday night until heading over to Baltimore for another three-game series against the Orioles that begins on Friday.
However, the team faces a supernatural threat for the next few nights avoiding the Pfister Hotel ghosts, which a former hotel employee speculated is the establishment&#8217;s founder, Charles Pfister.
Anna Lardinois, who was the Pfister Narrator, told <a href="https://www.wuwm.com/2022-04-22/the-legend-of-the-pfister-hotel-ghost">WUWM 98.7</a> earlier this year that she spent a lot of time researching the hotel&#8217;s history and concluded that all signs point to the founder himself.
&#8220;Charles Pfister is so closely connected with this hotel, he becomes kind of the spokes-ghost,&#8221; Lardinois said. &#8220;And if you had to have a ghost in a hotel, I can&#8217;t think of a better one than Charles Pfister.”
&#8220;Because Charles Pfister, it appears, just wants you to have an amazing time in his hotel and wants the hometown baseball team to win.&#8221;
The hotel did not respond to a request for an interview or comment to the local radio station.
But nearly 10 years ago, the establishment somewhat addressed the rumors about the hotel&#8217;s permanent guests on Twitter.
&#8220;The only thing &#8216;haunting&#8217; us here is the spirit of hospitality, and it&#8217;s been here for 120 years,” Pfister Hotel tweeted.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The only thing &#39;haunting&#39; us here is the spirit of hospitality, and it&#39;s been here for 120 years. <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneVictorino?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaneVictorino</a> got it right. 🙂
&mdash; The Pfister Hotel (@PfisterHotel) <a href="https://twitter.com/PfisterHotel/status/340506047192133632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Tampa Bay Rays v Detroit Tigers

Milwaukee’s Allegedly Haunted Hotel Has Tampa Bay Rays Players On Edge

Milwaukee's Allegedly Haunted Hotel Has Tampa Bay Rays Players On Edge

Florida

Major League Baseball

Tampa Bay Rays

The GOP’s Site Selection Committee chose <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/milwaukee">Milwaukee</a> to host the 2024 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/republican-national-convention">Republican National Convention</a> in a recommendation to the Party on Friday.
The committee&#8217;s selection will now go to a vote for final approval during the Party&#8217;s August meeting in Chicago, <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/15/republican-national-convention-milwaukee-00046172">according</a> to Politico.
“Today, the Site Selection Committee voted to recommend Milwaukee to host the 2024 Republican National Convention and it is a testament to the forthright and professional behavior embraced by Milwaukee’s city leaders throughout the process,” RNC Senior Adviser Richard Walters said. “A final decision will be made by Chairwoman [Ronna] McDaniel and the full RNC in the coming weeks.”
Wisconsin’s largest city got the nod from the Republican selection committee over Nashville after two Nashville city council members reportedly stopped a draft agreement to host the Republican National Convention from making it on the meeting agenda at the last minute.
The bill slated to go before Nashville’s Metro Council last week was pulled after a request from the Nashville Host Committee. The Host Committee asked the council to remove the request from the agenda to give members more time “to address multiple concerns and objections,” from council members, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2022/07/05/draft-agreement-rnc-withdrawn-nashville-council/7812770001/">reported</a>.
Milwaukee is fresh off hosting the Democratic Party’s <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/17/us/politics/democratic-convention-milwaukee.html">2020 national convention</a> that saw a mere 300 attendees due to COVID restrictions. The city stands in an important swing state that voted for former President Donald Trump in 2016 before flipping to the Democrats in 2020. Wisconsin Democratic Governor Tony Evers is up for re-election in November in what is expected to be a <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2022/governor/Wisconsin.html">tight race</a>.
Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Kleefisch commented on the move to make Milwaukee the host city and predicted a Republican governor will be there to greet the Party when it shows up in 2024.
“Democrats abandoned Milwaukee in 2020, and when we get to showcase Wisconsin to the nation in 2024, a Republican governor will be there to greet them,” Kleefisch <a href="https://twitter.com/RebeccaforReal/status/1548054374408040450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1548054374408040450%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jsonline.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2F2022%2F07%2F15%2Fmilwaukee-selected-host-2024-rnc-reince-priebus-rebecca-kleefisch-twitter-reacts%2F10073610002%2F">tweeted</a> on Friday. “The GOP was born here, and we’re ready to celebrate our legacy of freedom and put a Republican back in the White House.”

GOP Committee Chooses Host City For 2024 Republican National Convention, Pending Party Approval

GOP Panel Selects Milwaukee To Host Republican National Convention, Pending Party Approval

Republican National Convention

Republican Party

The suspect in the Waukesha, Wisconsin attack will plead not guilty by reason of insanity as he faces six homicide charges after prosecutors say he rammed his vehicle into people attending the town&#8217;s annual Christmas parade last year.
According to the suspect’s lawyers on <a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-wisconsin-milwaukee-207ac23d8bd6e9c77c33e15f047a515f">Monday</a>, the accused killer, a 40-year-old black male, will change his plea from not guilty to not guilty by reason of mental defect or insanity. The suspect will now undergo a mental evaluation.
If a jury is convinced that the accused is guilty of the crimes, but not mentally responsible, he could avoid being sent to prison and go to a mental institution instead.  
The alleged killer’s lawyers also argued during the hearing that the suspect’s trial should be moved from Waukesha because of several factors, including the impact the attack had on the community, news coverage, and the number of witnesses present, <a href="https://www.courthousenews.com/wisconsin-parade-crash-suspect-to-enter-insanity-plea/">according</a> to Court House News. 
Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow was unconvinced by the defense arguments, and the trial will remain in Waukesha, a suburb of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/milwaukee">Milwaukee.</a> 
“[In] general, the nature of the publicity has been factual and objective,” Judge Dorow said of the related media coverage.  “[And] not an attempt to influence public opinion on the guilt or innocence of [the suspect].” 
The defendant’s lawyers had also previously requested the trial be moved to a different location in February.
“While publicity is certainly relevant to determining the issue in the present case,” the attorneys wrote in the February <a href="https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/darrell-brooks-venue-motion.pdf">motion</a>, “additional factors also demonstrate that, in this case and in Waukesha County, the passions and prejudice negatively affecting the Defendant’s constitutional right to a fair trial are so great that a change of venue is necessary to ensure a fair trial.” The attorneys concluded the memorandum by bluntly stating, “An impartial trial cannot be held in Waukesha County.”
Six people died in the attack, including an eight-year-old boy, and more than 60 others were injured. 
Virginia Sorenson, 79; LeAnna Owen, 71; Tamara Durand, 52; Jane Kulich, 52; Wilhelm Hospel, 81; and Jackson Sparks, 8, were all killed in the attack. 
According to the police, the alleged attacker used a “zigzagging motion” as he drove through the crowd, seemingly indicating an intentional targeting of people. Since the attack, the suspect has been housed at Waukesha County Jail.
Now held on a $5 million bail, the suspect was out of detention at the time of the attack for other charges on what officials now call an “inappropriately low” bail amount. The suspect had been released just ten days before the parade attack. 
The defendant will not be named in compliance with the long-standing <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/why-daily-wire-will-no-longer-publish-names-or-ben-shapiro">Daily Wire policy</a> not to publish the names or photographs of those suspected of committing mass casualty events.

Car Drives Through Holiday Parade In Waukesha, Wisconsin

Waukesha Parade Attack Suspect To Use Insanity Defense

Waukesha Parade Attack Suspect Will Plead Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity

Parade

Waukesha

A <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/milwaukee">Milwaukee</a> elementary school counselor is under investigation by the state for &#8220;immoral conduct&#8221; after speaking out against <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/gender">sex-change surgery</a> for children, <a href="https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/milwaukee-school-counselor-under-state-investigation-for-opposition-to-transgender-ideology/article_4686f32e-dc5a-11ec-a267-7bda0e8923f3.html">according to a report</a>.
Marissa Darlingh received <a href="https://will-law.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Darlingh-Letter-from-DPI-Redacted.pdf">a letter</a> from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction April 29 warning her that her state-issued license could be  revoked if the investigation finds she engaged in &#8220;immoral conduct&#8221; while attending <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jB70PNoJeI&amp;t=754s">a rally in Madison</a> a week before, <a href="https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/milwaukee-school-counselor-under-state-investigation-for-opposition-to-transgender-ideology/article_4686f32e-dc5a-11ec-a267-7bda0e8923f3.html">The Center Square reported</a>.
“(DPI) has opened an investigation to determine whether to initiate educator license revocation proceedings against you,” the letter states. “It has been alleged that you engaged in immoral conduct.”
The letter specifically cites Darlingh&#8217;s use of profanity at the feminist rally and opposition to sex-change surgery for children.
&#8220;According to a report and video submitted by a community member, you participated in an event in Madison on April 23, 2022, in which you identify yourself as an elementary school counselor,&#8221; the letter continues. &#8220;You are on video saying &#8216;f*** transgenderism.&#8217; You state you do not believe children should have access to hormones or surgery.&#8221;
Darlingh acknowledged being at the rally, where she was one of several speakers.
“I oppose gender ideology ever entering the walls of my school building,” Darlingh said, according to The Center Square. “Over my dead &#8230; body will my students be exposed to the heart of gender identity ideology. Not a single one of my students under my &#8230; watch will ever, ever transition socially, and sure as hell not medically.”
DPI’s warned her the investigation will “determine if there is probable cause to support allegations of immoral conduct&#8221; and gave her the option to resign ahead of the investigation, but Darlingh opted instead to fight.
On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty vowed to sue on behalf of Darlingh if the state tries to suspend or revoke her license over her opposition to transgenderism or use of profanity.
“The state is, quite simply, trying to punish a public-school counselor for her views on gender ideology,&#8221; WILL’s Luke Berg said. &#8220;This is a classic, clear-cut, violation of the First Amendment and the state can expect a federal lawsuit if it proceeds.”
Darlingh said nothing is going to change her mind about the issue.
“My views on the harms of gender ideology to children are informed by a desire to serve and protect children,” Darlingh said in a statement. “That’s why I got into education. I will love and serve every child under my care, no matter what. But I won’t recant under threat from the state.”

restroom sign

‘F*** Transgenderism’: Elementary School Counselor Probed For ‘Immoral’ Opposition To Kids’ Sex Changes: Report

Elementary School Counselor Probed For 'Immoral' Opposition To Transgender Theory: Report

Education

Transgender

Wealthy Wisconsin Senate candidate Alex Lasry will not be required to disclose his financial assets until after the Democratic primary in August.
Lasry, a millionaire who is running to be the Democrats&#8217; nominee attempting to unseat incumbent Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), has been given an additional 90 days to disclose his financial assets, according to a <a href="https://journaltimes.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/millionaire-alex-lasry-gets-extension-wont-have-to-disclose-assets-until-after-august-primary/article_c84cf26c-95a9-5ca4-afbc-35c0b2b34e8c.html">report</a> from The Journal Times.  
“We are waiting for additional required information in order to complete the financial disclosure form,” said Thad Nation, a spokesman for Lasry. “We took the legally allowed extension and will file as soon as we are able. We did file our financial disclosure report last year.”
The senate hopeful has more than $50 million in Milwaukee Bucks ownership stakes and has been an executive for the franchise though he is now taking a break from that role. 
The U.S. Senate Financial Disclosure website notes that the Lasry was given a “90-day extension was granted and the new due date for the report is no later than Aug. 15, 2022.” 
The Daily Wire has reached out to the Lasry campaign for comment. 
The new report is due just days after the Wisconsin primary on August 9, where Lasry will face off against other challengers, including Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes. The primary winner will take on Johnson, who is seeking a third term. Polls have shown the two Democrats in close competition, with the Barnes edging out Lasry in several polls. 
Lasry has come under scrutiny after receiving almost $24,000 in tax breaks for properties in New York and Wisconsin when the reductions should have only applied in one location, according to a <a href="https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/senate-candidate-alex-lasry-got-property-tax-breaks-in-2-states-spokesman-blames-ny-condo/article_e0d9c373-c792-5b44-884c-5c214bb9934b.html">report</a> from the Associated Press in August. Lasry’s spokesman blamed the condo management in New York for the mistake.
&#8220;Alex&#8217;s primary residence is in Milwaukee,&#8221; Nation stated. &#8220;He took all the legal steps he was supposed to in New York to end his primary residence there and was unaware that it had not ended. This is clearly a mistake on the condo management&#8217;s part of failing to inform the City of New York.&#8221;
Lasry, who has spent almost $6 million on his campaign already, <a href="https://alexlasry.com/issues/">says</a> that he has a history of “creating good union jobs,” “fighting for social justice,” and making it easier for people to vote. 
The businessman is <a href="https://alexlasry.com/">married</a> to the chief of staff for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and has <a href="https://alexlasry.com/issues/reproductive-justice/">pledged </a>to support nationwide “access” to abortion. Lasry also said he would fight attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. In a recent campaign <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB879oxoORI">video</a>, he vowed to “always be a relentless supporter of a woman’s right to choose,” as he sat by his wife and young daughter. 
His campaign <a href="https://alexlasry.com/issues/environmental-justice/">website</a> also details that he believes that “it is clear that racism has been ingrained in every part of our governmental system” and will make “equity” a focus of his work in Congress if elected.

Senate Impeachment Trial Of President Trump Continues

Wealthy Democratic Senate Candidate Won’t Have To Release Financial Report Before Primary

Wealthy Democrat Senate Candidate Won't Have To Release Financial Report Before Primary

2022 Midterms

Democrats

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