Lake Effect Spotlight

This month's Group Chat features two Susans of film: Susan Kerns, executive director of Milwaukee Film and legendary filmmaker Susan Seidelman. They have a conversation about everything from being the first to cast Madonna for the film "Desperately Seeking Susan" to the power of film festivals.

BlueGreen Alliance's Richard Diaz discusses the relationship between environmental justice and infrastructure issues in Milwaukee.

From the famous to the little-known, Robbins hopes readers can appreciate how Wisconsin has been a crossroad for people who have changed the world.

Over the past few weeks, two people have been detained and arrested by ICE agents at Milwaukee’s county courthouse. Here's what happened and what residents should know moving forward.

Wisconsin has one of the lowest vaccination rates for measles in the nation — much lower than any of the states with active outbreaks.

A report released by the Wisconsin Policy Forum takes lessons from other major city school systems to help support changes in Milwaukee.

Lake Effect's Audrey Nowakowski speaks with arts advocates about the work they’re doing to increase state funding for the arts.

Have you ever wondered what might be hidden underground? A metal detectorist can help with that!

Dr. Brenda Cassellius is Milwaukee Public Schools' new superintendent. What are her priorities for her first year on the job?

The Milwaukee Wine Academy offers a place where people of color of all levels of wine expertise are comfortable trying, talking and tasting wine. Learn more at the upcoming Milwaukee Wine Weekend.

Uncertainty reigns as President Trump threatens to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Federal funding accounts for about 8% of school funding in Wisconsin.

For this month's Group Chat, we hear from a Wisconsin doctor who provides abortion care and a community harm reduction worker who serves high-risk populations.

Spring is in the air — which means nest-making season is upon us! For this month’s Chirp Chat, Lake Effect’s Xcaret Nuñez spoke with Holly Walz, a park naturalist with the Wehr Nature Center, about the role nests play and the different types of nests that birds in Wisconsin make.

On April 1, 2025, voters will decide on a proposal to amend Wisconsin's constitution to require photo ID to participate in elections.

One Milwaukee-based animator with Guerrillamation Films is working with UW-Milwaukee to help people network and learn skills in the field.

CCAP. Four letters. One site. And an oversized impact on Wisconsin. The state’s most popular open record database lets you look up court records of anyone you’d like. And many people do. Sometimes, they learn more than they were expecting.

Wisconsin's top K-12 education official, Jill Underly, is facing a challenge from Brittany Kinser on April 1.

Tell me if you’ve heard this one before: a volcano scientist who does her work in the middle of the Pacific Ocean—at the ocean floor. That’s where you can find one UWM professor.

The Wisconsin Historical Society's 'Voices & Votes' offers a civics lesson and highlights citizens who spoke up for change.

Felicia Clayborne is a mover and a shaker. She also navigates the world with multiple disabilities, receiving care and support through Medicaid. Kathryn Florence Burish also receives Medicaid coverage and long-term care for her Down Syndrome. Both women weigh in on attempts to cut funding to the federal program that serves low-income Americans and individuals with disabilities.

The Climate Accountability Act is proposing cutting Wisconsin’s greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.

Project RETURN is an organization that helps formerly incarcerated people return to the community. For the first time in its 45-year history, the organization is providing housing.

Milwaukee County’s district attorney has long sought to keep its "Brady List" secret. The list has the names of law enforcement officers with histories of credibility concerns or past crimes. A months-long, collaborative report examines what was being hidden from public view for so long.

This month’s Group Chat hears from young, local organizers who are pushing for immigrant rights and protections. They share how safety is only found together.

Joining a local birding club or meeting other people at birding events can bring you a sense of belonging and teach you things you didn’t know. No matter how experienced you are.