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Hey Milwaukee, hope your week’s off to a good start! In case you missed yesterday’s email, BaseLocal Business went live last week… and it’s going way better than I ever could have imagined!
If you run a local business and haven’t signed up, you can join here for free.
The more businesses we have on the platform, the more events, announcements, news, cool spots to check out, and deals we’ll have to share with you all every week. So if you know of a local business that belongs in the newsletter, forward this email to them or send ‘em here so they sign up too! The more the merrier 🙂
That’s all for today – let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
New space for student innovation: Marquette University High School plans to occupy a 16,655-square-foot building one block west of campus for its robotics team. The $200,000 project awaits Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals review — get all the details.
One of seven nationwide: Milwaukee’s Medical College of Wisconsin received the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification earlier this month, a national honor recognizing strong community partnerships after a rigorous voluntary review — get all the details.
Cultivating tomorrow’s green workforce: Milwaukee is recruiting high school students for a Youth Arborist Apprenticeship starting summer 2026, with tree planting, maintenance, and removals, plus tree climbing to explore careers in urban forestry — get all the details.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Funding fuels street safety: Milwaukee County has secured a nearly $25 million federal grant to improve road safety. The SS4A funding will support 67 projects across ten high-risk areas, adding high-visibility crosswalks, expanded sidewalks, and traffic calming on three high-speed corridors. Expect safer walks and slower speeds ahead. Get all the details.
Crisp pours in Bay View: Trying to drink more local local? Cache Cider serves single‑varietal, orchard‑to‑glass pours that let each apple speak for itself… clean, bright, and distinct from glass to glass. A cozy spot to convert that friend who swears they’re not into cider.
Third Ward sneaker stop: If your daily kicks need a glow-up, MODA3 keeps a tight, always-rotating lineup of sneakers and streetwear, plus staff who actually help you nail the fit. Quick browse, no hype-beast stress, and you’re back on the Riverwalk with fresher steps.
A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🍻 Indeed We Can January – Milwaukee Domes Alliance @ Indeed Brewing Company | Tuesday (1/20) at 2:00 PM – Indeed is pouring purpose this January, with Tuesdays sending 100% of taproom sales to the Milwaukee Domes Alliance. Every pint, growler, and snack helps keep the Domes thriving, which, yes, are open. Easiest volunteer shift ever, and the beer’s good too.
🌌 JanBoree: Galaxy Glow Walk @ Rotary Building | Friday (1/23) at 5:30 PM – Take a break from the couch and do a galaxy glow lap around Frame Park, a manageable 1.7 miles your knees might thank you for. Four themed stations along the river, free hot chocolate, glow stick flashlight, and giveaways. Free with registration, part of JanBoree.
🎭 Les Miserables @ Uihlein Hall | Friday (1/23) at 7:30 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a reason to feel feelings in public, Les Misérables will wreck you in the best way. Big voices, bigger drama, live on stage, and 19th century France in revolution mode. Come for Valjean, redemption, and revolt, stay for the goosebumps.
This weekend
🧊 Ice Sculpting Competition @ Downtown Waukesha | Saturday (1/24) at 9:00 AM – Ice sculptors are taking over Downtown Waukesha for JanBoree, turning blocks into showpieces with chainsaws while you sip something warm and pretend this is brisk. Stroll the streets, pop into shops, then circle back for the big reveal and judging. Free, family friendly, very Wisconsin.
📝 32nd Annual Poetry Marathon and Benefit @ Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel | Saturday (1/24) at 10:00 AM – Trade your errands for Milwaukee’s hybrid Poetry Marathon, a two-day, 24-hour procession of poets, music, and moving images at Saint Kate, the Arts Hotel, with a livestream for the slippers crowd. Give what you can, grab lunch or dinner, and help keep Woodland Pattern humming.
🥚 Penguin Egg Hunt @ Cutler Park | Saturday (1/24) at 12:30 PM – Snow days call for a penguin-approved egg hunt, with Lil’ Chill stashing colorful eggs in the snow. The kids score candy, you score cute photos, and a few lucky finders strike golden-egg glory. Part of Waukesha JanBoree, sponsored by Generac; full schedule at janboree.org.
👑 Jibaro Fest! Three Kings Day Celebration @ Saint Francis of Assisi Church, Milwaukee WI | Sunday (1/25) at 1:00 PM – If your holiday spirit refuses to clock out, Puerto Rican Three Kings Day is your encore. Expect bomba and plena dancers, live music, and plates from Sabor Divino and Johanna’s Cafe, plus gifts for everyone. Bring appetite, rhythm, and a friend who appreciates sazón.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Milwaukee report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 16°F – Low: 9°F – Precip: 3%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 16. Wind chill values as low as -16. West wind 5 to 15 mph. Later: Snow. Cloudy. Low around 9, with temperatures rising to around 18 overnight. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 25°F – Low: 8°F – Precip: 35%
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. West wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: A chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
This house is wild
Set on the 27th floor of Regency House, this custom penthouse unites two residences into one home with sweeping Lake Michigan views. New wood floors span an open living and dining area with a wet bar and wine fridge, plus a balcony. A pocket door den functions as an office, and a walk-in closet adds storage. The chef’s kitchen features a Calacatta island, Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, a Ruvati sink, and custom Valley cabinetry.
Two bedrooms pair with two spa-style baths with a soaking tub, double vanities, and Kohler fixtures. In-unit Miele laundry adds convenience. Building amenities include a rooftop lounge, fitness center, garden-level pool, and valet parking.
Take a peek inside →
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