Tom Jenz

Among his many interests and positions, Louis Fortis is the owner and publisher of the Shepherd Express. A rather humble man, he was reluctant to do an interview with me, but, over several months, I finally convinced him. “When I was in politics, I worked hard to get interviews, but those days are over,” he told me. “I am proud of what I’ve done in my life so far. I’ve worked very hard, sacrificed a lot. But I’m kind of shy talking about my accomplishments. But I suppose you will get it out of me.”

The book by a Racine high school teacher is a testament to the strength of young people and the transformative power of activism within the educational system.

The renowned author and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou, once wrote, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.’ The LOTUS Legal Clinic knows about untold stories because it provides comprehensive civil legal services to survivors of human trafficking and sexual violence.

Mexico: the colorful beauty of a country rich in diversity. The celebration of the Mexico culture will take place this August 23-25, noon to midnight, at the Summerfest Grounds. It’s the 50th anniversary of Mexican Fiesta, and all are welcome to enjoy the music, art and food of this colorful Latin American country.

Three years ago, when I first met Kenneth Ginlack, he related his life story, which was so emotionally profound that it still stays with me. Ginlack’s personal history has been wounded with drug and alcohol addiction, drug dealing, petty theft, and a trail of emotional wreckage. He lived inside trauma.

Solomon Juneau in Juneau Park overlooking Lake Michigan When I was a boy in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, I often heard my mother telling friends and family members about her father and five uncles. All six had been lawyers, and one, Paul Husting, had been a Democrat U.S. Senator from Wisconsin. The mother of these six lawyers, Mary Husting, had been the daughter of Solomon Juneau, the founder of Milwaukee, which was named Juneautown in the early going. Naturally, Solomon Juneau stories and folklore have been passed down our family tree.

If you live in the Milwaukee area, you have probably heard the term BID (Business Improvement District). A BID is a defined area within a city where local businesses and property owners work together to improve their environment. In Milwaukee, there are a total of 30 BIDs.

Not long ago, I read this in the Milwaukee news: “A man was shot and killed and another person injured at Sherman Park. This represents one of 94 homicides so far in 2024.”

Lawyer, municipal judge for 22 years, lecturer, foodie, restaurant critic and historian.

His work is in permanent collections at the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Museum of Wisconsin Art and, currently, at Var Gallery.