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Rise and shine, Milwaukee! Historic factory turns into apartments, a black truffle dinner with Jérôme Bocuse, rooftop stargazing, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Historic renovation gains approvals: Developer Ken Breunig has filed plans to turn a cream-city brick factory in Menomonee Valley into 47 apartments, with commercial space below and a parking structure as project moves ahead — get all the project details.
Homeownership support gains momentum: Milwaukee nonprofit Acts Housing was awarded $1 million in federal funding to expand affordable homes, secured by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin through a recently passed bipartisan government funding bill — get all the details.
Citywide push for pet reunions: Friends of MADACC funded microchip scanners for every Milwaukee firehouse, officially unveiled Wednesday at Station 30, to help firefighters identify lost dogs and reunite them with their families — get all the details.
Project-based learning starts earlier: Milwaukee’s Pathways High School will add grades 6 to 8 starting fall 2026. It has joined the New Tech Network, and enrollment for the new middle school is open — get all the details.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
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.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*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
New hangout taking shape: Mornings Like This Café is planned for a two-story building in Bay View. The project includes $160,000 in construction to the entire building and $380,000 for exterior stair upgrades. Led by Shorewest Realtors agent Khes López, the café will share the building’s pedestrian plaza. Read the full story.
Four-phase buildout explained: The Menomonee Falls Village Board approved tax incentives for Milwaukee Tool’s $206 million expansion. It converts a 164,000 square foot building into an electric lab and R and D hub, adds buildings through 2038, and could add a private road to Fond du Lac Avenue if 2,000 employees are reached. Get all the details.
Where smoke meets bourbon: At Smoke Shack, dry-rub, slow-smoked barbecue lands just right: tender brisket, barky ribs, and sides that steal the spotlight. A legit bourbon lineup turns weeknights into small victory laps, all comfort, smoke, and a little swagger.
Fresh cut, less fuss: In the 5th Ward, Avenue M Salon & Spa keeps it easy with thoughtful consultations, precision cuts, and color in a modern, relaxing space, complete with little comforts while you wait. Their team refreshes shape and shade with care, for hair that behaves and feels new.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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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.
🎉 130th Anniversary Celebration @ Horicon Bank | Monday (2/23) at 8:30 AM – If you needed an excuse to swing by the New Berlin branch, a weeklong 130th anniversary bash should do it. Expect sweet treats, raffles and swag, local gift card giveaways, and the wonderfully silly Find the Goose game, because of course there’s a goose.
🦢 Swan Lake @ Pabst Theater | Tuesday (2/24) at 7:00 PM – Trade Netflix for Tchaikovsky as the Grand Kyiv Ballet brings Swan Lake to the Pabst, all velvet seats, soaring strings, and swans with better posture than any of us. A classic, beautifully danced, and blissfully drama-filled evening where you just sit, sip, and exhale.
⛺ Camper, Travel & RV Show @ Wisconsin Expo Center At Wisconsin State Fair Park | Thursday (2/26) at 1:00 AM – Whether you’re RV-curious or ready to trade hotel points for pine needles, the big camper show is parking at the Wisconsin Expo Center. Swing by Prosser’s to poke around the brand-new 2026 Aliners, from compact cuties to off-road brutes, then start plotting your quieter weekends.
🍽 A Tribute Dinner to M. Paul Bocuse @ Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro | Thursday (2/26) at 6:30 PM – Think your truffle game is strong? Jérôme Bocuse joins Paul Bartolotta at Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro for a one-night, five-course black truffle dinner with wine pairings, stories, and a toast to Monsieur Paul’s legacy. It is heritage, mentorship, and serious French flavor, no passport required.
🎹 August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson @ Associated Bank Theater Center | Thursday (2/26) at 7:30 PM – Set in the Great Depression, August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson finds a family at war over a piano etched with their past, and their future. Not a recital, a sharp, haunted debate that proves Milwaukee theater still beats the couch, and your neighbor’s soundbar.
🎨 Where the Sky Meets You Paint & Sip @ Stroke of Genius | Friday (2/27) at 6:30 PM – Craving a window seat without battling TSA? Stroke of Genius hosts a guided paint and sip where you’ll capture glowing skies from an airplane window, all supplies included, wine for purchase. Beginner friendly, great for date night, cheaper than airfare, longer than a layover.
🔭 Rooftop Stargazing @ UWM Physics Building Skydeck | Friday (2/27) at 8:00 PM – Rooftop stargazing on the UWM Skydeck means real stars, not just the ones on your streaming queue. Peer through telescopes at the Moon, planets, and clusters. It’s free, open to the public, and gloriously weather permitting, so check the site before you bundle up.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Milwaukee report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 26°F – Low: 18°F – Precip: 2%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 26. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 39°F – Low: 23°F – Precip: 51%
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of snow before 9pm, then a slight chance of rain between 9pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
This house is wild
This vintage Bay View revival sits on a quiet street a half block from Starbucks. The 4-bed, 4-bath layout adds a main-level office and a lower-level family room with custom cabinetry and a wet bar. Solar trims utility costs. A prairie garden fronts a fenced backyard with garage potential. Permitted updates passed city inspections. Laundry upstairs, updated systems, abundant light.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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