Alderman accused of corrupt plot to force out sex offenders

Alderman accused of corrupt plot to force out sex offenders

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Alderman Jim Bohl is under criminal investigation for allegedly using building code violations as bargaining chips to force a landlord to evict a pair of sex offenders.According to a search warrant affidavit filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Bohl told the landlord he could make his code violations "magically" go away if he'd agree to evict the sex offenders.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett discusses health scare

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett discusses health scare

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett discussed his health scare for the first time Friday, December 13th after being admitted to the hospital where doctors found two blockages in his heart.Mayor Barrett celebrated his 60th birthday on Sunday, December 8th, the same day he was admitted to the hospital."I found out I'm not 25-years-old anymore," said Barrett. "I had had a plan to run 60 minutes on my 60th birthday, a plan I still think is a solid plan.

Barrett underwent angioplasty to unblock two blood vessels

Barrett underwent angioplasty to unblock two blood vessels

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett underwent an angioplasty on Monday, December 9th to unblock two blood vessels.Barrett was hospitalized on Sunday after taking part in a 20-kilometer run at the Pettit National Ice Center on his 60th birthday.Barrett’s spokesman says the Mayor planned to run 60 minutes on his birthday, but it snowed.

Mayor Tom Barrett hospitalized with exhaustion

Mayor Tom Barrett hospitalized with exhaustion

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6 News has learned Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett on Sunday, December 8th received medical treatment for exhaustion.Mayor Barrett on Sunday marked his 60th birthday.He completed a 20-kilometer run on Sunday -- an organized run indoors at the Pettit Ice Center that concluded around mid-day.Mayor Barrett was taken to Froedtert Hospital where a series of tests were conducted.

Wisconsin leader named after Nelson Mandela talks about his legacy

Wisconsin leader named after Nelson Mandela talks about his legacy

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- After learning of the death of Nelson Mandela on Thursday, December 5th, FOX6 spoke with state and city leaders who shared their memories of the man who touched so many lives all over the world.Former State Senator Spencer Coggs says he was dumbstruck after meeting Nelson Mandela at his South African residence in 1997."He was just the most gracious person," said Coggs. "We hear of great leaders who they say had an aura, well, Nelson Mandela had an aura."Just hours after his death, the former president was heralded for his convictions, sacrifices and transformation of South Africa into a democratic society.Wisconsin Democratic Representative Mandela Barnes was named after Nelson Mandela and says his namesake inspires him to live a meaningful life every day."He's a hero for the entire world," said Barnes. "I'll say that having the name, I've always had a lot to live up to."Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett met Nelson Mandela in Washington, D.C. in the mid 90s and calls the experience one of the biggest thrills of his life."I knew that I was standing with someone who played a major role in the history of the 20th centry," said Barrett. "If we had more people like him on this planet, the world would be a much better place."UWM Provost and South African native Joannes Britz says Mandela is irreplaceable.

Holiday donation drive for veterans kicked off in Milwaukee

Holiday donation drive for veterans kicked off in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett kicked off the 7th Annual Holiday Donation Drive on Monday, November 18th at City Hall.This year’s donation drive will benefit the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative (MHVI); estimates show that on any given night there are nearly 600 veterans homeless in Wisconsin.The MHVI is looking for donations of basic household items like toothpaste, dental floss, dish soap and toilet paper.Donation bins will be set up inside City Hall, the Courthouse and other facilities across Milwaukee County from November 18th through December 18th.

Milwaukee employee information stolen, Mayor Barrett outraged

Milwaukee employee information stolen, Mayor Barrett outraged

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Thousands of City of Milwaukee employees had their personal information compromised when a vehicle containing a flash drive with sensitive data was stolen from a Dynacare Laboratories location.Dynacare Laboratories is a contractor used by Froedtert Health Workforce Health in connection with the City of Milwaukee Wellness Program.Milwaukee police are now investigating the case as Mayor Tom Barrett demands answers from the health care company."How in God's name could you put this information, this important information about city employees, on a flash drive?" asked Mayor Barrett in a Friday, November 15th press conference.Barrett says he's outraged that nearly 6,000 people, including employees from the Public Works Department, police and fire departments, had their privacy violated due to carelessness.Police Chief Ed Flynn and Mayor Barrett, himself, had information on the stolen flash drive.The personal information was inside the purse of a Dynacare Laboratories employee, which was left unattended inside a vehicle.The flash drive contained names, addresses, birth dates, social security numbers and genders of 6,000 employees and around 3,000 of their spouses or domestic partners.

Mayor Barrett signs 2014 Milwaukee city budget Thursday

Mayor Barrett signs 2014 Milwaukee city budget Thursday

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett signed the 2014 City Budget Thursday, November 7th -- a plan that invests in neighborhoods hit hard by foreclosures, allocates money for new neighborhood libraries, hires 120 police officers, and increases funds to improve roadways through the high-impact street program.Mayor Barrett signed the budget in an empty Sherman Park home to underscore the impact of the foreclosure crisis on Milwaukee."Right now, our inventory of homes that the city owns is north of 1250 homes," said Barrett.The budget includes a key provision spending nearly $12 million on foreclosure."We felt we had to take some pretty definitive and some what dramatic steps for us to be even more engaged.

Mayor Barrett, local officials encourage flu vaccinations

Mayor Barrett, local officials encourage flu vaccinations

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- On Wednesday, Oct. 30, Mayor Tom Barrett and local officials rolled up their sleeves to share a message that getting vaccinated against the flu protects you, your family, and your co-workers.Influenza (the flu) is among the most common contagious respiratory illnesses in the United States.

Milwaukee meets teen birth rate goal ahead of schedule

Milwaukee meets teen birth rate goal ahead of schedule

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced on Wednesday, October 23rd that the city's Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, led by United Way of Greater Milwaukee, has met and surpassed its goal."We have not only met our 2015 goal to reduce teen births in the city of Milwaukee by 46 percent, but we have exceeded it -- reducing teen births by 50 percent," said Mayor Barrett.Credit for the drop is in part from ad campaigns that included a variety of provocative public service announcements -- both posted around the city and online.For the sixth year in a row Milwaukee has recorded a decrease in the teen birth rate.

Mayor Barrett proclaims "Milwaukee Manufacturing Day"

Mayor Barrett proclaims "Milwaukee Manufacturing Day"

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett spent Monday morning, October 14th recognizing the manufacturing industry and proclaiming it "Milwaukee Manufacturing Day."Manufacturing plays a big role in Milwaukee's economy and provides a lot of jobs."The Milwaukee region is among the top manufacturing centers in the entire country ranking number 2 among the nation's top 50 metros for the percentage of its workforce in manufacturing," said Mayor Barrett.But many companies are struggling to find skilled labor, and some qualified individuals are having a tough time finding a job.To help solve this problem, Mayor Barrett started the Mayors Manufacturing Partnership in 2012."Which takes workers and takes employers and trains them for specific jobs.

Barrett's budget plan suggests Summerfest pay more to city

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, in his 2014 budget proposal, says Summerfest should pay more for the city services it receives during the festival's 11-day run.Mayor Barrett on Tuesday, September 24th unveiled his 2014 budget before the full Milwaukee Common Council.Mayor Barrett's $1.4 billion budget includes getting additional revenue from Summerfest -- but it may not be easy!"Given the state of Summerfest`s finances and the state of the city`s finances, we think it`s a good time to renegotiate that," Mayor Barrett said.2013's Big Gig posted attendance and revenue increases over last year.