Sam Woods
@wamsoods.bsky.social
Producer at WUWM Milwaukee's NPR. Milwaukee NNS alum. Gardener and Giannis-appreciator.
When comparing state tax records for July '24 and '23 in Milwaukee County, hotel sales were up 42%. But food/drink was down 1% and entertainment down 19%
There are similarly mixed results for surrounding counties that have a sales tax. This excludes Waukesha and Racine Counties.
There are similarly mixed results for surrounding counties that have a sales tax. This excludes Waukesha and Racine Counties.
July 16, 2025 at 5:13 PM
When comparing state tax records for July '24 and '23 in Milwaukee County, hotel sales were up 42%. But food/drink was down 1% and entertainment down 19%
There are similarly mixed results for surrounding counties that have a sales tax. This excludes Waukesha and Racine Counties.
There are similarly mixed results for surrounding counties that have a sales tax. This excludes Waukesha and Racine Counties.
I'm also an alum, class of 2019. It taught me how to live with one foot in the world I have, and one foot in the world I want. I can't overstate how much a personal gut punch this news was.
May 12, 2025 at 8:32 PM
I'm also an alum, class of 2019. It taught me how to live with one foot in the world I have, and one foot in the world I want. I can't overstate how much a personal gut punch this news was.
Additional note on sanctuary city comments:
Mayor Johnson emphasized that MPD does not inquire about citizenship status, and that he thinks the city can be welcoming to immigrants without a sanctuary city designation.
MPD policy related to immigration: city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary...
Mayor Johnson emphasized that MPD does not inquire about citizenship status, and that he thinks the city can be welcoming to immigrants without a sanctuary city designation.
MPD policy related to immigration: city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary...
city.milwaukee.gov
January 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Additional note on sanctuary city comments:
Mayor Johnson emphasized that MPD does not inquire about citizenship status, and that he thinks the city can be welcoming to immigrants without a sanctuary city designation.
MPD policy related to immigration: city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary...
Mayor Johnson emphasized that MPD does not inquire about citizenship status, and that he thinks the city can be welcoming to immigrants without a sanctuary city designation.
MPD policy related to immigration: city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary...
Do you see value in declaring Milwaukee a “sanctuary city” despite it not having a legal definition?
“I don't want to put Milwaukee in a position where we're being targeted by the Trump administration... I don't think we need to have that title on us to be able to execute [our values]"
“I don't want to put Milwaukee in a position where we're being targeted by the Trump administration... I don't think we need to have that title on us to be able to execute [our values]"
January 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Do you see value in declaring Milwaukee a “sanctuary city” despite it not having a legal definition?
“I don't want to put Milwaukee in a position where we're being targeted by the Trump administration... I don't think we need to have that title on us to be able to execute [our values]"
“I don't want to put Milwaukee in a position where we're being targeted by the Trump administration... I don't think we need to have that title on us to be able to execute [our values]"
Can you commit to regular updates on ICE activity in the city?
“I don't know if they would tell us that information anyhow…I think if there were to be a raid from Immigration Customs Enforcement, I think that information would be presented and known to the public, as it were.”
“I don't know if they would tell us that information anyhow…I think if there were to be a raid from Immigration Customs Enforcement, I think that information would be presented and known to the public, as it were.”
January 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Can you commit to regular updates on ICE activity in the city?
“I don't know if they would tell us that information anyhow…I think if there were to be a raid from Immigration Customs Enforcement, I think that information would be presented and known to the public, as it were.”
“I don't know if they would tell us that information anyhow…I think if there were to be a raid from Immigration Customs Enforcement, I think that information would be presented and known to the public, as it were.”
If Trump withholds federal funds in exchange for further cooperation with ICE, will you do anything differently?
“I don't want to speculate on what will or may not happen. Let's see how this unfolds before we tell them what our lines in the sand are as it relates to that.”
“I don't want to speculate on what will or may not happen. Let's see how this unfolds before we tell them what our lines in the sand are as it relates to that.”
January 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
If Trump withholds federal funds in exchange for further cooperation with ICE, will you do anything differently?
“I don't want to speculate on what will or may not happen. Let's see how this unfolds before we tell them what our lines in the sand are as it relates to that.”
“I don't want to speculate on what will or may not happen. Let's see how this unfolds before we tell them what our lines in the sand are as it relates to that.”
Is that something you've ever requested?
“That's not something that I've requested, but I don't think that's something that they would necessarily share either, right?”
“That's not something that I've requested, but I don't think that's something that they would necessarily share either, right?”
January 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Is that something you've ever requested?
“That's not something that I've requested, but I don't think that's something that they would necessarily share either, right?”
“That's not something that I've requested, but I don't think that's something that they would necessarily share either, right?”
Do you receive regular updates on ICE operations in the city?
“No, I've not gotten that information – and not just as mayor…I haven't gotten that information as [Common Council] president either, what ICE is doing out in the field.”
“No, I've not gotten that information – and not just as mayor…I haven't gotten that information as [Common Council] president either, what ICE is doing out in the field.”
January 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Do you receive regular updates on ICE operations in the city?
“No, I've not gotten that information – and not just as mayor…I haven't gotten that information as [Common Council] president either, what ICE is doing out in the field.”
“No, I've not gotten that information – and not just as mayor…I haven't gotten that information as [Common Council] president either, what ICE is doing out in the field.”
Does the city share info with ICE?
“For us, there may be some very small, very small areas where there's some collaboration. That's if someone is, say, a violent felon or something of that sort of type.”
“For us, there may be some very small, very small areas where there's some collaboration. That's if someone is, say, a violent felon or something of that sort of type.”
January 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Does the city share info with ICE?
“For us, there may be some very small, very small areas where there's some collaboration. That's if someone is, say, a violent felon or something of that sort of type.”
“For us, there may be some very small, very small areas where there's some collaboration. That's if someone is, say, a violent felon or something of that sort of type.”
Spoiler: we are, but hurt people hurt people
November 15, 2024 at 10:05 PM
Spoiler: we are, but hurt people hurt people
Jazz is about the notes that aren't played ☝️
November 15, 2024 at 12:29 AM
Jazz is about the notes that aren't played ☝️