Get Wisconsin news you need straight to your inbox.
Sign up for our free story updates and Friday news roundups. 

Posted inFact briefs

Did a Wisconsin election official say he’s ‘proud’ of depressed voter turnout in Milwaukee?

Yes. Robert Spindell, the Vice Chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, wrote in an email,

“We can be especially proud of the City of Milwaukee (80.2% Dem Vote) casting 37,000 less votes than cast in the 2018 election with the major reduction happening in the overwhelming Black and Hispanic areas.”

Posted inFact briefs

Has Milwaukee’s homicide rate nearly doubled in the past two years?

Yes. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel homicide tracker, the number of Milwaukee homicides in 2019 was 111. In 2020, the number rose to 204. 2021 saw 212 homicides, marking a 91% increase in the rate of homicides over two years. As of Oct. 21, the FBI reports there were 184 homicides in 2022 in Milwaukee — 24 more than last year at this time.