Devin Blake, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service Journalist Profile

Articles

GOP Bill Could Cut MPS Funding Over School Police

3 days ago | urbanmilwaukee.com | Devin Blake

Although police officers have returned to Milwaukee Public Schools, Republican lawmakers are frustrated with how long it took. Only after a lawsuit from a student’s mother – and a judge’s threat of a $1,000-a-day fine – did MPS and the City of Milwaukee make the necessary arrangements to deploy officers to schools. That was more than 400 days past the deadline set by Wisconsin Act 12 to place officers at MPS.
GOP bill would cut funding to MPS over school police

1 week ago | milwaukeenns.org | Devin Blake

Although police officers have returned to Milwaukee Public Schools, Republican lawmakers are frustrated with how long it took. Only after a lawsuit from a student’s mother – and a judge’s threat of a $1,000-a-day fine – did MPS and the City of Milwaukee make the necessary arrangements to deploy officers to schools. That was more than 400 days past the deadline set by Wisconsin Act 12 to place officers at MPS.
What are your rights when encountering federal agents?

1 week ago | wisconsinwatch.org | Devin Blake

Reading Time: 4 minutes The recent arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan – who is accused of obstructing a federal immigration arrest inside the Milwaukee County Courthouse – has intensified concerns over immigration enforcement and sparked questions about what rights individuals have when encountering federal agents. Here’s what to know.
What you should know about your rights after judge’s arrest

2 weeks ago | milwaukeenns.org | Devin Blake

The recent arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan – who is accused of obstructing a federal immigration arrest inside the Milwaukee County Courthouse – has intensified concerns over immigration enforcement and sparked questions about what rights individuals have when encountering federal agents. Here’s what to know.
7 community leaders share ideas about the future of the Social Development Commission

3 weeks ago | milwaukeenns.org | Devin Blake |Princess Byers

The state is considering stripping the Social Development Commission of its status as a community action agency, which would seriously limit its ability to help the low-income Milwaukeeans it has historically served. NNS asked community leaders and experienced advocates about potential avenues forward. Here’s what they said.
New dashboard helps keep track of Milwaukee youths in the justice system

4 weeks ago | milwaukeenns.org | Devin Blake

A new dashboard provides real-time data on Milwaukee County youths in secure care, which includes county-run detention centers and state-run juvenile correctional facilities. Loved ones, the general public and policymakers can use it to better keep track of where exactly the youths are within the juvenile justice system.
Here is where you can find affordable summer programs and camps around Milwaukee

1 month ago | onmilwaukee.com | Princess Byers |Devin Blake

Now that spring is here, it’s already time to start planning your child’s summer. From sports to nature, there are free and affordable summer camps and programs available throughout the city to help keep your kids busy. Here’s a roundup. (Did we miss anything? Please let us know in the comments or email us.) Urban Ecology Center The Urban Ecology Center is now taking registrations for more than 100 summer programs at the organization’s locations in Menomonee Valley; 3700 W.
Utility disconnections resume April 15. Here's what you need to know

1 month ago | onmilwaukee.com | Princess Byers |Devin Blake

If you or anyone you know has an outstanding utility bill, it’s time to make payment arrangements or apply for financial assistance. The annual winter moratorium on disconnections for nonpayment expires on Tuesday, April 15. The moratorium runs Nov.1 to April. 15 and prohibits utility providers from disconnecting residential heating services because of nonpayment. Customers who are behind on their bills may be at risk of disconnection if payment arrangements are not established by April 15.
Milwaukee leaders say ICE is scaring people away from essential services at the courthouse

1 month ago | milwaukeenns.org | Devin Blake

Standing in the rotunda at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, Darryl Morin, national president of Forward Latino, pointed toward 10th Street and asked if anybody noticed the U.S. Customs and Border Protection vehicle outside. He argued that it is exactly this sort of presence of federal immigration agents that will deter the immigrant community from coming to the courthouse.
Milwaukee jazz icon Manty Ellis gets national recognition

1 month ago | onmilwaukee.com | Princess Byers |Devin Blake |Meredith Melland

Manty Ellis is known as the godfather of Milwaukee jazz. Ellis, 92, has been playing jazz music and has paved the way for others to play jazz since the 1960s. On Feb.18, the Jazz Foundation of America announced Ellis was one of 20 inaugural fellows for the Jazz Legacies Fellowship, an initiative launched by the JFA in partnership with the Mellon Foundation. The fellowship honors each recipient with a lifetime achievement award and an unrestricted grant of $100,000.