Milwaukee Public Schools encourages retired teachers to apply for district positions (MILWAUKEE)
Retired teachers are asked to return to the classroom In Milwaukee. Milwaukee Public Schools is making the offer to retirees from any Wisconsin school district to help fill 83 teacher vacancies. MPS seeks licensed retired teachers for full-time or part-time opportunities depending on what their pension allows. Superintendent Brenda Cassellius says job sharing would also be considered. A $1,000 bonus is also available with the offer.
Man convicted in death of Sade Robinson ordered to pay over $90K in restitution (MILWAUKEE)
The man convicted in the death of a Milwaukee woman is ordered to pay nearly $93,000 in restitution. Maxwell Anderson is serving a life sentence in prison without parole after being found guilty of killing and dismembering 19-year-old Sade Robinson. Anderson appeared virtually from an out-of-state prison for a Thursday hearing. Since Anderson is serving a life sentence, any wages he earns in prison will go directly to Robinson’s family. Anderson, who maintained his innocence throughout his trial, made the first steps in appealing his case last August. A motion hearing for a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Robinson’s family against Anderson will be held next month.
Former Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler won’t run for governor (MADISON)
The former head of the Wisconsin Democratic Party won’t be running for governor. Ben Wikler announced his decision Thursday, planning instead to support the eventual Democratic nominee, and the party’s effort to regain majorities in the state Assembly and Senate in 2026. Wikler stepped down as state party chair this past April after serving since 2019. He unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic National Committee chairmanship earlier this year. Wikler said he chose not to run for governor so he can spend more time with his family.
Three teens shot outside community center (RACINE)
Three teens were shot outside a community center in Racine Thursday evening. Police say the teens were shot around 6 P.M. during a fight outside the Tyler Domer Community Center. A 14-year-old and 16-year-old suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while another 16-year-old was airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee with multiple wounds. There’s no word on a suspect in the shooting as an investigation continues.
Henry Vilas Zoo to welcome male polar bear for breeding purposes (MADISON)
A Chicago bear is on the move to Madison. The Henry Vilas Zoo announced Thursday that a male polar bear named Siku will arrive in the coming weeks as a breeding recommendation. Siku has been a resident of Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo since 2016. Vilas zoo says it will pair Siku with female polar bear Nora, who will arrive from the zoo in Portland, Oregon. It’s hoped that she can raise cubs. The moves are part of a polar bear conservation initiative to maintain a population of the threatened species.