MILWAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) — Thursday was Milwaukee County Zoo’s 35th Groundhog Day ceremony, and the fifth for Gordy the groundhog.

Gordy made his grand entrance at 9 am for the ceremony hosted by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Zoo Director Amos Morris.

He munched on plenty of peanuts, which the zoo says is his favorite food.

And although his ceremony set mostly blocked the sun, we saw a brief shadow, meaning Gordy is predicting six more weeks of winter.

Each year, the Milwaukee County Zoo livestreams their Groundhog Day ceremony for families and schools to get involved.

The zoo’s PR manager, Jennifer Diliberti, says it’s something folks look forward to every year.

“Whether it’s in person or online, like we did today, people are all over it,” Diliberti said. “I think they’ve come to know our groundhogs, they look forward to it, and just something nice to do in the winter, I guess, for people to kind of have a little bit of cheer.”

Milwaukee County Zoo is open to visitors throughout the winter, but if you want to see Gordy, make sure to stop by during the summer.

The federal government awarded the city of Milwaukee $4.4 million on Wednesday to improve traffic safety. The Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant from the US Department of Transportation totals $5.5 million, with $4.4 million from the federal government and $1.1 million from the city, and will increase the number of traffic calming projects in the city will improve five stretches of streets deemed dangerous and underserved. The five major streets identified include: Capitol Drive, from Roosevelt Drive to 15th Street Atkinson Avenue, from Capitol Drive to MLK Cesar Chavez Drive and 16th Street, from Pierce Street to Forest Home Avenue Greenfield Avenue, from Cesar Chavez to 6th Street• Forest Home Avenue, from 16th Street to Lincoln Avenue “Safe streets are vital to our quality of life. This federal resource will lead to greater safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, scooter riders and stroller pushers throughout these neighborhoods,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson said . The improvements are focused on bringing the intersections up to Americans with Disabilities Act compliance and include enhancing traffic signal equipment, realigning skewed intersections, and installing high-visibility pedestrian markings. Manny Rivera is a barber at Studio on 6th Street. It is located on one of the 26 intersections set to receive improvements.”It’s urgent we definitely need it. It would benefit this area,” Rivera said.Rivera told WISN 12 News he has witnessed how dangerous the street just outside the shop can get “Right here when people sort of want to cross more eastbound, people bend this corner kind of quick and it’s definitely unsafe for the pedestrian, for sure,” Rivera said. Larry Rauch walks along Greenfield Avenue often. He said it is dangerous for a pedestrian.”You stand here a minute, you’ll see cars turning this way all crazy, going that way all crazy, stuff like that,” Rauch said.”All of these locations are within the city’s pedestrian high-injury network. This funding is a major step forward as we work toward safer streets for all modes of travel,” Commissioner of Public Works Jerrel Kruschke said. Rauch told WISN 12 News reporter Kendall Keys that he has been hit by a car while walking twice.”When I tried to cross, he ran me over from my foot, all the way to my kneecaps. That’s the first one. and the second one happened on the east side. Same thing,” Rauch said.Rauch and Rivera said they are glad their neighborhoods are getting attention.”I’m no expert, but I do know that something needs to be done,” Rivera said.Top Stories:Franklin man accused of killing South American girlfriend, putting body in suitcaseJury finds Mark Jensen guilty of first-degree intentional homicideScientists are reincarnating the woolly mammoth to return in 4 years

MILWAUKEE —

The federal government awarded the city of Milwaukee $4.4 million on Wednesday to improve traffic safety.

The Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant from the US Department of Transportation totals $5.5 million, with $4.4 million from the federal government and $1.1 million from the city, and will increase the number of traffic calming projects in the city.

The federal traffic safety grant will improve five stretches of streets deemed dangerous and underserved. The five major streets identified include:

• Capitol Drive, from Roosevelt Drive to 15th Street

• Atkinson Avenue, from Capitol Drive to MLK

• Cesar Chavez Drive and 16th Street, from Pierce Street to Forest Home Avenue

• Greenfield Avenue, from Cesar Chavez to 6th Street

• Forest Home Avenue, from 16th Street to Lincoln Avenue

“Safe streets are vital to our quality of life. This federal resource will lead to greater safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, scooter riders and stroller pushers throughout these neighborhoods,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson said.

The improvements are focused on bringing the intersections up to Americans with Disabilities Act compliance and include enhancing traffic signal equipment, realigning skewed intersections, and installing high-visibility pedestrian markings.

Manny Rivera is a barber at Studio on 6th Street. It is located on one of the 26 intersections set to receive improvements.

“It’s urgent we definitely need it. It would benefit this area,” Rivera said.

Rivera told WISN 12 News he has witnessed how dangerous the street just outside the shop can get.

“Right here when people sort of want to cross more eastbound, people bend this corner kind of quick and it’s definitely unsafe for the pedestrian, for sure,” Rivera said.

Larry Rauch walks along Greenfield Avenue often. He said it is dangerous for a pedestrian.

“You stand here a minute, you’ll see cars turning this way all crazy, going that way all crazy, stuff like that,” Rauch said.

“All of these locations are within the city’s pedestrian high-injury network. This funding is a major step forward as we work toward safer streets for all modes of travel,” Commissioner of Public Works Jerrel Kruschke said.

Rauch told WISN 12 News reporter Kendall Keys that he has been hit by a car while walking twice.

“When I tried to cross, he ran me over from my foot, all the way to my kneecaps. That’s the first one. and the second one happened on the east side. Same thing,” Rauch said.

Rauch and Rivera said they are glad their neighborhoods are getting attention.

“I’m no expert, but I do know that something needs to be done,” Rivera said.

Top Stories:

Franklin man accused of killing South American girlfriend, putting body in suitcase

Jury finds Mark Jensen guilty of first-degree intentional homicide

Scientists are reincarnating the woolly mammoth to return in 4 years

MATT: TODAY AT 27TH AND VLIET IN MILWAUKEE, POLICE WITH RADAR GUNS IN HAND, JUST DAYS AFTER A DRIVER, POLICE SAY IN A STOLEN CAR, BLEW A RED LIGHT KILLING A 64-YEAR-OLD IN TAXI. NOW A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LAWMAKERS IS AGAIN PUSHING TO ALLOW MILWAUKEE TO INSTALL RED LIGHT CAMERAS. THE LEGISLATION WOULD ALLOW MILWAUKEE POLICE TO CAPTURE AND TICKET DRIVERS CAUGHT SPEEDING MORE THAN 20 MILES AN HOUR OVER THE SPEED LIMIT. AN EFFORT TO ADDRESS MILWAUKEE’S RECKLESS DRIVING EPIDEMIC. >> LOOK, IT IS 2023. WE KNOW THAT POLICE OFFICERS CAN’T BE IN EVERY INTERSECTION OR EVERY HOME SO IF WE CAN USE TECHNOLOGY TO HELP POLICE DO THEIR JOB THEN I THINK IT’S ALL FOR THE BETTER. MATT: THE ATTEMPTS AT THE CAPITOL HAVE PREVIOUSLY FAILED, AND OPPOSITION FROM SOME KEY LAWMAKERS IS STILL STRONG. IS THERE ANY SCENARIO WHERE YOU WOULD FOR THIS THIS SESSION? >> ABSOLUTELY NOT. I DON’T KNOW WHAT WORLD THEY’RE IN, BUT I’VE GOT TO TELL YOU INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OPERATING RECKLESSLY AT HIGH RATES OF SPEEDS, BLOWING THROUGH AUTOMATIC SIGNALS ARE NOT YOUR REGULAR, AVERAGE DRIVER. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE RECKLESSLY UNTIL YOU HAVE ENOUGH POLICE OFFICERS ON THE STREET TO AFFECT TRAFFIC STOPS. MATT: DO YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE THIS CAN ACTUALLY WORK AND DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS WHEN YOU LOOK AT OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE IMPLEMENTED THIS? MAYOR JOHNSON THE BENEFIT FOR US : IS WE’RE ABLE TO LEARN SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN OTHER CITIES AND BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES TO HELP REDUCE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THOSE OTHER COMMUNITIES. JOYCE: MATT JOINING US LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM. MATT, WALK THROUGH THE NEXT STEP AND WHY THE CITY NEEDS PERMISSION FOR CAMERAS. MATT: STATE LAW CURRENTLY PROHIBITS ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FROM INSTALLING CAMERAS TO CATCH DRIVERS RUNNING RED LIGHTS OR SPEEDING. THIS BILL WOULD ONLY APPLY TO THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE. LAST SESSION A HEARING WASN’T EVEN HELD. AT THIS POINT, IT IS HARD TO TELL IF THERE’S MORE MOVEMEN

Lawmakers again propose allowing Milwaukee to install red light cameras to target reckless driving

The proposal has failed to gain traction in previous legislative sessions

Updated: 7:00 PM CST Feb 1, 2023

A bipartisan group of Wisconsin lawmakers is again proposing legislation that would allow Milwaukee to install red light cameras in an effort to curb reckless driving. The legislation would allow Milwaukee police to capture and ticket drivers caught speeding more than 20 mph over the speed limit. “We know that police officers can’t be in every intersection or every home,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who supports the measure. “So if we can use technology to help police do their job, then I think it’s all for the better.” A bill was circulated Tuesday sponsored by Rep. LaKeshia Myers (D-Milwaukee), Rep. Todd Novak (D-Dodgeville) and Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee). Previous attempts at the State Capitol have failed, and opposition from some key lawmakers is still strong. “I don’t know what world they’re in, but I’ve got to tell you individuals who are operating recklessly at high rates of speed, blowing through automatic signals are not your regular, average driver,” State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) said. “They will continue to operate recklessly until you have enough police officers on the street to stop traffic stops.”The legislation, as written, would only apply to the city of Milwaukee. State law currently prohibits law enforcement agencies from installing cameras to catch drivers running red lights or speeding. TOP STORIES:Jury finds Mark Jensen guilty of first-degree intentional homicideFamily: baby’s mother gave woman a ride before deadly stolen car crash We Energies customers experiencing a heating bill hike this winter

MILWAUKEE —

A bipartisan group of Wisconsin lawmakers is again proposing legislation that would allow Milwaukee to install red light cameras in an effort to curb reckless driving.

The legislation would allow Milwaukee police to capture and ticket drivers caught speeding more than 20 mph over the speed limit.

“We know that police officers can’t be in every intersection or every home,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who supports the measure. “So if we can use technology to help police do their job, then I think it’s all for the better.”

A bill was circulated Tuesday sponsored by Rep. LaKeshia Myers (D-Milwaukee), Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) and Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee).

Previous attempts at the State Capitol have failed, and opposition from some key lawmakers is still strong.

“I don’t know what world they’re in, but I’ve got to tell you individuals who are operating recklessly at high rates of speed, blowing through automatic signals are not your regular, average driver,” State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) said. “They will continue to operate recklessly until you have enough police officers on the street to stop traffic stops.”

The legislation, as written, would only apply to the city of Milwaukee. State law currently prohibits law enforcement agencies from installing cameras to catch drivers running red lights or speeding.

TOP STORIES:

Jury finds Mark Jensen guilty of first-degree intentional homicide

Family: baby’s mother gave woman a ride before deadly stolen car crash

We Energies customers experiencing a heating bill hike this winter

Milwaukee police are warning the public about a recent trend of armed robberies and thefts from vehicles in the city’s downtown entertainment areas.

Police said suspects are using stolen vehicles – usually Kia and Hyundai models – to target people who are distracted as they enter or exit their own vehicles, or are sitting stationary in their vehicles. The robberies occur primarily between the hours of 4 and 7 pm, and between 11 pm and 2 am

Suspects are targeting personal property items such as purses and cell phones.

Police recommended taking these steps to stay safe:

• Park in well-lit areas where cameras may be present.
• Minimize distractions such as talking on the phone while sitting in a car.
• Make sure no valuable items such as purses, money, electronics and guns are visible from within your car.
• If a gun is in your car, make sure it is secured in a lock box.
• If you see suspicious activity, call Milwaukee police’s non-emergency number, 414-933-4444.

Reports of offenses such as burglary, robbery, theft and car theft all dropped in Milwaukee between 13% and 23% last year, against national trends. Much of those offenses have continued to drop a month into 2023, but reports of robbery have climbed 14% as of Tuesday, according to police data.

Police have called on the public numerous times in the last several years to secure any firearm left in their vehicle, especially those parked outside bars. Officials have said stolen guns have played a crucial role in fueling the city’s historic gun violence since 2020.

In June last year, police released data showing reports of guns being stolen from vehicles more than doubled from 2019 to 2021, when almost 900 guns were taken. Of all the city’s stolen guns, 63% were stolen from cars that year.

Juneau Town, which covers a wide swath of the city’s downtown, along with other popular bar spots in the city such as the Lower East Side and Walker’s Point, are some of the neighborhoods with the highest concentration of reported stolen guns, according to police.

The police’s warning about the use of Kias and Hyundais in the recent robbery trend also comes as Alds. Milele Coggs and Khalif Rainey issued a joint statement Tuesday calling on the two car manufacturers to provide long-term solutions to car owners.

The statement was in reaction to Progressive and State Farm announcing they were dropping insurance coverage of some older Kia and Hyundai models because of a rise in thefts.

Certain models of Kias and Hyundais have been found to have a design flaw that makes them vulnerable to theft without setting off an alarm. The issue has led to ballooning reports of car theft since 2020, with police indicating the majority of cars stolen in Milwaukee since then are Kias and Hyundais.

“Frankly, we believe the city should seriously consider suing them both,” Coggs and Rainey said. “We are asking both Kia and Hyundai to step up and provide a long-term, effective and free solution to the ongoing issues caused by their cars. Our residents deserve nothing less.”

Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Follow him on Twitter @elliothughes12.

Los Angeles Clippers (29-25, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (34-17, second in the Eastern Conference)

Milwaukee; Thursday, 10pm EST

BOTTOM LINE: Milwaukee heads into a matchup with Los Angeles as winners of five games in a row.

The Bucks are 21-5 on their home court. Milwaukee has a 4-0 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Clippers are 15-14 in road games. Los Angeles is 12-4 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 13.8 turnovers per game.

TOP PERFORMERS: Giannis Antetokounmpo is shooting 53.6% and averaging 31.8 points for the Bucks. Pat Connaughton is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Milwaukee.

Reggie Jackson is averaging 11.1 points and 3.6 assists for the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard is averaging 19.9 points and 3.3 assists over the last 10 games for Los Angeles.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bucks: 7-3, averaging 121.8 points, 46.2 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. Their opponents averaged 115.9 points per game.

Clippers: 7-3, averaging 117.5 points, 41.5 rebounds, 23.2 assists, 6.7 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 50.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.3 points.

INJURIES: Bucks: Bobby Portis: out (knee), Serge Ibaka: out (personal).

Clippers: Marcus Morris Sr.: day to day (rib), John Wall: out (abdominal).

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

​COPYRIGHT 2023 BY CHANNEL 3000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

© Data Script. All rights reserved.

MILWAUKEE — The Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation donated $5 million to Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s renovation into its new theater and education complex, according to our partners at the Milwaukee Business Journal.

The Milwaukee Rep’s $75 million project will replace its Patty & Jay Barker Theater Complex. They say the major donation will go toward developing its new student and community space which will have its own stage, classrooms, and an events space.

The center will be called The Herzfeld Foundation & Engagement Center, the BizJournal reports.

As of late this month, the Rep had raised $45 million of his overall goal.

The Rep serves more than 20,000 students from hundreds of local schools.

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Transcript coming soon.

Temperatures outside might be cold, but for two Wisconsin cities, the average winter temperature has increased more than almost anywhere else in America.

Part of the climbing temperature comes from Lake Michigan, which has seen a decline in ice coverage over the last 50 years.

However, Wisconsin’s coast isn’t the only area with quickly rising thermometers. The northwest part of the state has seen warmer winter days than southern Wisconsin—a trend that is expected to continue for decades.

With rising temperatures come significant ecological concerns.

Without an ice buffer on Lake Michigan, winter waves are more likely to crash into shorelines, speeding up erosion and damaging infrastructure.

Turning to the middle of the state, warmer weather will eventually mean less snow, which will harm wildlife like the snowshoe hare, which relies on snow for camouflage.

Without drastic change, experts say Wisconsin will warm by up to 8 degrees Fahrenheit this century.

DALLAS, TEXAS – MAY 12: Jae Crowder #99 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball against Luka Doncic … [+] #77 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter of Game Six of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at American Airlines Center on May 12, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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Ever since Jae Crowder and the Phoenix Suns agreed to go their separate ways during training camp, rumors have swirled about the veteran forward eventually landing with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Those rumors only intensified this week when the Suns reportedly granted the Bucks permission to meet with Crowder and his agent to discuss a potential deal ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

From a basketball perspective, Crowder, 32, would be a perfect fit for the Bucks, especially on the defensive end, and his ability to shoot from the perimeter would go a long way in helping jumpstart an offense that currently sits 16th in 3-point shooting percentage.

A fit like that, though, won’t come cheap and the Bucks are limited by a number of factors, most notably their current salary cap and luxury tax situations and lack of draft capital that could help push a potential deal to the finish line.

Crowder is earning $9.2 million this season, the last under a three-year, $29 million deal he signed with Phoenix in 2020. To complete a deal, the Bucks would have to clear enough payroll space to take on the remainder of Crowder’s contract.

But the Suns will likely ask for more in terms of draft choices and the Bucks are prevented in that regard after dealing away its 2023, ’25 and ’27 first-round picks and an NBA rule that prevents teams from trading first-round picks in consecutive years.

What general manager Jon Horst does have at his disposal is a plethora of second-round selections with six picks through the 2027 draft.

A likely scenario would involve a third team joining the negotiations though Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported last week that just such a deal involving the Bucks, Suns and Washington Wizards fell apart when Rui Hachimura, who would have gone to Phoenix in the rumored proposal, ended up getting sent to the Lakers for Kendrick Nunn and a trio of second-round picks.

Other reports have suggested the Bucks offered shooting guard Grayson Allen to help land Crowder but such a deal wasn’t of interest to Phoenix while more recent reports have Milwaukee sending forward Serge Ibaka, forward Jordan Nwora and point guard George Hill along with a package of draft choices to get a deal done.

While he hasn’t played this season, Crowder appeared in 67 games (all starts) for Phoenix in 2021-22, averaging 9.4 points on 39.9% shooting including 34.8% on 3-point attempts to go along with 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals.

A trade to Bucks would set up a homecoming of sorts for Crowder, who played two seasons in Milwaukee at Marquette, where he earned BIG EAST Player of the Year honors in 2012 and became just the fifth player in program history to surpass 1,000 career points while playing only two seasons.

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Monday, Jan. 30, Black leaders in Milwaukee spoke out against the death of 29-year-old Tire Nichols, a Memphis man who died after an encounter with police officers earlier this month.

Fred Royal, 1st Vice President of NAACP Milwaukee branch, drew parallels to similar incidents in Milwaukee involving police violence.

Royal spokesman Frank Jude, a Milwaukee man who was severely beaten by a group of Milwaukee police officers in 2004. Jude won a settlement of $2 million.

Royal pointed out the stop-and-frisk practices in Milwaukee.

“We are currently under a Collin’s agreement, which stems from unconstitutional policing theory that was rooted in the stop-and-frisk model,” said Royal.

The most recent review of Milwaukee police practices showed officers continue to stop and frisk a disproportionate number of people who are Black. That’s according to a report from the non-partisan Crime and Justice Institute.

The report found MPD has not made significant improvements since first agreeing to document traffic and pedestrian stops.

That agreement was part of a 2018 $3.4 million settlement.

A federal lawsuit accused police of unconstitutionally stopping minorities in high numbers.

Royal went on to say deeper talks need to be had surrounding community policing throughout the nation.

“It’s not police and community relations that should be questioned, it’s the culture within law enforcement that should be at the heart of the conversation,” said Royal.

CBS 58 asked Milwaukee police and the Milwaukee police union for comment about Tire Nichols. They said they would not comment on the case,

CBS 58 also reached out to MPD about policing in Milwaukee, and we haven’t heard back.

For more information on the Collins act, click the link here.

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Greenfield Park Golf Course. File photo by Dave Reid.

Milwaukee County Parks is looking to give its employees a new benefit to thank them for their hard work: free or reduced rounds of golf.

In recent years, golf courses have become some of the most valuable amenities the county owns, at least in terms of the money they generate for the parks department. After more than a decade of budget cuts, the parks now generate more than 50% of its operating revenue each year and golf courses are a big part of that.

Now, the department is looking to provide a new benefit for its workers who manage a massive parks system with a staff that has shrunk in size over the past few decades. What’s more, the department thinks it can offer this as a benefit in a way that doesn’t actually cost the county any additional money.

James Tarantinoparks deputy director, recently told the board’s Finance Committee that the department would schedule these free rounds of golf so that it “doesn’t impact our revenue generation on the golf courses.”

In September, when parks first broached the idea with the board, Tarantino said “Golf has really taken off since the beginning of the pandemic.” He added that the system would likely see about 300,000 rounds of golf played on county courses for 2022, whereas prior to the pandemic the courses would typically see fewer than 100,000 rounds in a year.

“What that means is that our staff are working harder than ever to accommodate rounds, to maintain the facilities, to host events, to maintain the buildings and everything,” he said.

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When he returned to the county board this past week, he said that the county’s Human Resources, Corporation Counsel and Ethics Board had all cleared the proposal. Now, the department simply needs to work out how the benefit will be reported for tax purposes.

Comptroller Scott Manske said that free or reduced gold would be a taxable benefit and anyone that participated in the free golf program could have it added to the top of their income.

super Shawn Rolland said, “This is an investment and the recruitment and retention of our park staff, one of the shortest staffed teams in the county.”

The Finance Committee unanimously approved the proposal Thursday. It will go to the full board for final approval in February.