Saturday, December 20, 2025
spot_imgspot_img
Saturday, December 20, 2025

Milwaukee Press Club 'Excellence in Wisconsin Journalism' 2020 & 2021 Award Winners

Suspend Search? Milwaukee Aldermen Want Acting Chief Jeffrey Norman to Lead MPD

spot_img

Even though a judge on Friday gave Morales his job back as chief.

Who is going to be Milwaukee’s new police chief? That’s never been in greater flux. But now multiple aldermen are urging the Fire and Police Commission to suspend the search for a new chief altogether to give new Acting Chief Jeffrey Norman a chance to lead.

That’s despite the fact that Norman was a candidate for the new chief’s job in the first place but didn’t make the final cut.

They want Norman – not former Chief Alfonso Morales – to have a chance to run the department, even though a judge on Friday gave Morales his job back as chief by reversing his demotion to captain. The wrinkle is that Morales has already retired, and it’s unclear whether he would try to come back. The judge, Christopher Foley, didn’t provide any directions for what’s supposed to happen next, either, although it appears the Commission would have to start over to demote Morales. Complicating matters even further, the acting chief, Michael Brunson, is retiring.

Norman is an assistant chief in charge of the department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau. He also has a law degree.

The Commission voiced its support for Norman as acting chief before the Morales decision came down. Meanwhile, the Commission deadlocked 3-3 in selecting the news chief, tying between FBI agent Hoyt Mahaley and Dallas Deputy Chief Malik Aziz. Tom Barrett’s nominee Amanda Avalos would break the tie, but she has drawn controversy because she supports abolishing the Police Department altogether.

Keeping all of that straight?

Aldermen sent out a flurry of press releases on Saturday Dec. 19 in response to the Morales’ decision. They seem to be consolidating around the idea of suspending the police chief search process to allow Norman a chance to essentially try out for the permanent gig. As for Morales? They seem to think the city will reach a settlement with him, not restore him to the top post.

Ald. Michael Murphy issued a statement praising Norman.

“Earlier today my colleague Alderman Bauman called on the FPC to pause their selection of a new police chief and allow Jeffrey Norman an extended opportunity to audition for the role of permanent chief. I concur with the sentiments of Alderman Bauman and am also asking the FPC to afford the soon-to-be acting chief a chance to show how he would perform in the role long term,” wrote Murphy.

In his press release, Ald. Robert Bauman said that the FPC should “pause the chief selection process, keep Norman in the acting chief position for 6 or 9 months to see how he performs, and then determine if he deserves appointment as permanent chief.”

He slammed the three finalists for chief, saying that one was pursuing the Madison police chief job, one was pursuing the Dallas police chief’s job and the third has “minimal supervisory experience.”

“I want to begin by joining with my colleagues Alderman Michael Murphy, Alderman Robert Bauman, and Alderwoman Chantia Lewis who have praised the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners for its appointment of Jeffrey Norman as acting chief of the Milwaukee Police Department. He has earned the trust of many on the Council and in the community,” wrote Ald. Ashanti Hamilton. “Frankly, I was surprised he was not selected as one of the finalists for the position, but I am glad he has been chosen for this role and he is willing to serve.”

He added: “Acting Chief Norman’s 24 years of experience on the force and his skill as a manager and a police officer give the board and the City an opportunity that should not be lost. We all heard last night that former Chief Morales was reinstated to his position by a judge. No one yet seems to know what this means, but it will likely be some time before a settlement of the matter can be reached.”

He then suggested:  “As some of my colleagues have said, the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners should immediately pause its process for the recruitment of a new chief. Let Acting Chief Norman run the department. He is more than able. Let the Office of the City Attorney work to settle matters with the former chief. And, please, let the board take a moment to think about how it is that we all got here and what can be done to try and prevent it from ever happening again.”

Another alderwoman agreed.

“The move by the Fire and Police Commission on Thursday to name Assistant Chief Jeffrey Norman as the next acting chief of the Milwaukee Police Department (effective December 23rd) has my full and enthusiastic support,” wrote Ald. Chantia Lewis.

“Appointed Acting Chief Norman has been a bright light on MPD’s Command Staff for many years, and when he was part of the initial group of chief candidates I was pleased to see him there, and he was my pick from the beginning.”

She added: “I share the same views of support that have already been expressed (yesterday) for appointed Acting Chief Norman by my colleagues, Alderman Bob Bauman and Alderman Michael Murphy. I also believe that it makes sense to end the current police chief hiring process and allow Acting Chief Norman to demonstrate over a set period of time if he is up to the task of leading the department. I believe he has the leadership skills and the experience to do just that.”

She said she believed that the Morales’ matter will “ultimately be settled in court.” She said that Norman ” has worked as an attorney and lives in Milwaukee, and knows the community well. He’s served as a dedicated officer and as a commander, with the community in mind.”

Who is Acting Chief Jeffrey Norman?

According to his bio, “Assistant Chief Norman was appointed to the Milwaukee Police Department in 1996.  As an officer, Assistant Chief Norman served in District 1, District 2, and the Technical Communications Division until his promotion to detective in 2002.  As a detective, he served in the Robbery Division, Violent Crimes Division and Homicide Division until his promotion to lieutenant in 2010.  As a lieutenant, he served in the Property Crimes Division, Metropolitan Division (Robbery Task Force, Homicide Unit and Cold Case Unit) and District 5 as the dayshift commander. Promoted to captain in 2017, he commanded the Inspections Division and District 3.  In 2020 he was promoted to Assistant Chief.”

The bio continues, “Assistant Chief Norman is the current executive commander of the Criminal Investigation Bureau.” His bio continues, “Assistant Chief Norman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Masters of Public Administration degree from Kaplan University, and a Juris Doctor degree from Marquette University Law School. Assistant Chief Norman is a graduate of the FBI LEEDA’s Executive and Command Institutes, Southern Police Institute’s Chief Executive Leadership, International Associations of Chiefs of Police’s Leadership in Police Organizations and 68th Session of the Police Executive Research Forum-Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) in Boston, MA.”

 

 

Table of Contents

spot_img

Assembly Leaders Call for Dugan’s Resignation, Threaten Impeachment

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s Republican Assembly leaders say they will begin impeachment proceedings if Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan does not resign from her post immediately following a felony obstruction conviction Thursday evening.

Dugan was found guilty of obstructing as Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were attempting to arrest a defendant in her court outside of the courtroom.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August, R-Walworth, sent a statement Friday noting that the last Wisconsin judge was impeached in 1853 but that the Assembly would begin impeachment proceedings if Dugan doesn’t resign.

Dugan’s legal team indicated Thursday that she would appeal the jury’s decision.

“Under a 1976 Attorney General Opinion, Democrat Bronson La Follette stated that when a State Senator was convicted of a felony, a vacancy was created, and the Senator ‘was effectually divested of any right or title to the office. His status with reference to the office was fixed at the time of his conviction,’ the leaders wrote. “Such is the case here, and Judge Dugan must recognize that the law requires her resignation.

“Wisconsinites deserve to know their judiciary is impartial and that justice is blind. Judge Hannah Dugan is neither, and her privilege of serving the people of Wisconsin has come to an end.”

The jury found Dugan not guilty of a misdemeanor charge of concealing related to defendant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was later arrested on the street outside the courthouse and has since been deported.

The obstruction charge could lead to up to five years in prison.

The Assembly leaders cited the Wisconsin constitution, which says “‘[n]o person convicted of a felony, in any court within the United States, no person convicted in federal court of a crime designated, at the time of commission, under federal law as a misdemeanor involving a violation of public trust and no person convicted, in a court of a state, of a crime designated, at the time of commission, under the law of the state as a misdemeanor involving a violation of public trust shall be eligible to any office of trust, profit or honor in this state unless pardoned of the conviction.”

“While we are disappointed in today’s outcome, the failure of the prosecution to secure convictions on both counts demonstrates the opportunity we have to clear Judge Dugan’s name and show she did nothing wrong in the matter,” her legal team said after the verdict was read. “We have planned for this potential outcome and our defense of Judge Dugan is just beginning.”

Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan Guilty of Felony Obstruction During ICE Arrest

(The Center Square) – Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan was found guilty of a felony charge of obstruction by a jury Thursday in a case involving the judge’s actions related to a defendant in her court that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were attempting to arrest outside of the courtroom.

The jury returned the verdict at 8:38 p.m. Central Time.

The jury found Dugan not guilty of a misdemeanor charge of concealing related to defendant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was later arrested on the street outside the courthouse and has since been deported.

The obstruction charge could lead to up to a $100,000 fine and a year in prison.

“While we are disappointed in today’s outcome, the failure of the prosecution to secure convictions on both counts demonstrates the opportunity we have to clear Judge Dugan’s name and show she did nothing wrong in the matter,” her legal team said. “We have planned for this potential outcome and our defense of Judge Dugan is just beginning.”

Video from the courthouse depicts Dugan speaking with ICE officers in the hallway outside her courtroom and defendant Flores-Ruiz walking through a back hallway with a person identified in an affidavit as his attorney before heading to an elevator and then being chased down and arrested on the street outside of the courthouse.

FBI, DOJ Foil Plot For New Year’s Eve Bombings in Southern California

Four alleged members of a pro-Palestine terror group were arrested in connection with alleged plans for New Year’s Eve bombings across Southern California.

Authorities announced the arrests during a news conference Monday with First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis and Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

Essayli said all four suspects are from the Los Angeles area. He said one suspect created a plan to bomb five or more locations across Los Angeles and Orange County, with step-by-step instructions on building improvised explosive devices.

The arrests were made last week in Lucerne Valley, which is east of Los Angeles.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI prevented the bombings.

“The Turtle Island Liberation Front — a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group — was preparing to conduct a series of bombings against multiple targets in California beginning on New Year’s Eve,” Bondi posted on X. “The group also planned to target ICE agents and vehicles.”

Bondi credited “an incredible effort” and "intense investigation" by the FBI and the U.S, Attorney’s Offices for foiling the plot.

“We will continue to pursue these terror groups and bring them to justice,” Bondi said.

Wisconsin All-Terrain, Utility Vehicles Registration Loophole Closed

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin all-terrain and utility task vehicle drivers now must follow Wisconsin laws on where they can drive the vehicles and must pay trail registration fees regardless of where the vehicle is registered.

The bill was recently signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers and it became Wisconsin Act 64.

The law requires any ATV or UTV to follow state law based upon how Wisconsin would classify the vehicle regardless of what the title says for the state where the vehicle is registered.

Lawmakers said the goal of the bill was to close a loophole where Wisconsin UTV and ATV owners would register a vehicle in South Dakota and Montana but drive it in Wisconsin.

“They’re contacting people in Wisconsin and saying ‘Hey, if you register your UTV to an LLC in Montana or South Dakota, we can license that as a motor vehicle, not as an ATV or UTV,’” sponsor Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, said during a public hearing on the bill. “And, because of that, they tell Wisconsin residents that you can now use this motor vehicle on any road in the state of Wisconsin.”

The current system of UTV and ATV routes and trails in the state and laws on using those vehicles are locally regulated and usage is determined on the local level.

The new law allows nonresidents access to all Wisconsin ATV and UTV trails and approved routes with a nonresident trail pass.

The registration system is a tax that allows ATV and UTV owners to pay their way by paying for the trail system, Wisconsin ATV Association President Randy Harden said during a public hearing. This means it is important that out-of-state vehicle owners also pay for using the system.

trump vs biden

Affordability Or Biden Inflation?

“Affordability.” It’s the new buzzword coming from the Democrats and media designed to attack President Trump. The left wants to make Americans believe that...
UW Construction UW Raises Free Speech Protections for UW Schools UW-Madison Race-based Hiring University of Wisconsin Affirmative Action uw tuition increase Diversity & Workforce Development

A New Bill Would Change the Power Structure at UW, Giving Students a Better Education

My program could hire Tom Brokaw or Walter Cronkite (if he was still alive) to teach broadcast journalism, and they would have no vote...
eric toney

‘SIGNIFICANT BROKEN PROMISE’: AG Josh Kaul’s Crime Lab Falls Apart With Longer Delays, Fewer Cases

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul promised to fix the state crime lab. He hasn't. It's gotten worse. That's by his own numbers, released Dec....
hannah dugan

Hannah Dugan Trial: Media Label Accused Illegal Strangler an ‘Undocumented Man’

The Milwaukee and national media are, in some cases, using biased euphemisms to describe the illegal immigrant accused strangler who Judge Hannah Dugan is...

Thousands of Afghan Refugees Qualified For Slew of Costly Benefits

Tens of thousands of Afghan evacuees, including the gunman charged in the shootings of two National Guard members, killing one just blocks from the White House, were eligible for a slew of benefits, including housing and medical at the expense of the American taxpayer.

Following the pullout of American forces from Afghanistan in 2021, the Biden administration admitted nearly 200,000 evacuees between 2021 and 2023, including two recently arrested on terrorism charges. Through various reports and testimony by government officials, it was revealed that many of the Afghan nationals couldn’t be properly vetted.

Afghans who entered the U.S. on a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), under a special immigrant parole (SQ/SI), and were granted humanitarian parole as part of the Biden Administration’s Operation Allies Welcome were eligible for over a dozen taxpayer benefits, many continuing four years later.

The benefits include: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC), HUD Public Housing and Section 8 housing vouchers, emergency Medicaid, Affordable Care Act health plans and subsidies, full-scope Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), federal student aid and Pell grants, REAL ID, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act services, refugee resettlement programs through the Office of Refugee Resettlement and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), according to the National Immigration Law Center.

For those who didn’t qualify for SSI or TANF, refugees were eligible for up to 12 months of Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) through the ORR.

In addition, many refugees qualified for employment assistance through Refugee Support Services, which included: childcare, transportation, “employability services,” job training and preparation, job search assistance, placement and retention, English language training, translation and interpreter services and case management, according to the Administration for Children and Families Office of Refugee Resettlement.

The ORR also noted that “some clients may be eligible for specialized programs such as health services, technical assistance for small business start-ups and financial savings.”

Many refugees also qualified for “immigration-related legal assistance” to assist them “on their pathway to obtaining a permanent status.”

Despite the multitude of services provided to Afghan refugees, “they are less likely to be proficient in English, have lower educational attainment, and lower labor force participation” compared to other immigrants in the U.S., according to the Migration Policy Institute. Additionally, “compared to both the native born and the overall foreign-born population, they are much more likely to be living in poverty.”

The institute noted that Afghans “tend to have lower educational attainment” compared to American and foreign-born populations, citing a 2022 statistic showing 28% of Afghan immigrants age 25 and older “reported having at least a bachelor’s degree” as compared to 36% of Americans and 35% of all foreign-born populations.

While 29% of Afghan adults reported having less than a high school diploma, compared to 25% of other immigrant populations, there were some slight improvements among those who arrived in the U.S. between 2020 and 2022, with 36% having at least a four-year degree. However, that figure is 12 points less than other immigrant populations arriving during the same period.

The institute highlighted the “relatively low labor force participation rate” of Afghan immigrants ages 16 and older, showing that in 2022, 61% were in the civilian labor market, compared to 67% of other immigrant populations and 63% of U.S.-born individuals.

Afghan immigrants have a higher poverty rate compared to the American and foreign-born populations. As of 2022, 39% of Afghan nationals were living in poverty, compared to 12% of Americans and 14% of other immigrant populations.

Among the many benefits Afghan refugees are eligible to receive, one of the most costly may be housing in the form of public housing and the Section 8 program.

The institute showed that a majority of immigrants from Afghanistan are concentrated in some of the regions with the highest housing costs in the nation, including the metro areas of Washington, D.C., Sacramento, San Fransico, Los Angeles, New York City, Seattle and San Diego.

When asked if Afghan refugees are still receiving housing benefits, a HUD official told The Center Square that the department “is working in coordination with appropriate agencies to align the Department’s guidance related to immigration status to ensure taxpayer-funded benefits are not used for any unintended purpose.”

Adding to housing benefits, The Center Square reported Tuesday exclusively that amid a national housing crisis, the Biden administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development produced guidelines encouraging property owners to forgo some fair housing practices to favor Afghan refugees, which the Trump administration directed to be terminated.

The Center Square obtained a HUD directive from the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity rescinding the Biden-era guidance document, “Operation Allies Welcome: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Fair Housing Issues,” and withdrawing from a FHEO guidance document “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Renting to Refugees and Eligible Newcomers,” which the agency claims violates the Fair Housing Act.

HUD Secretary Scott Turner argues the Biden-era guidelines prioritized nearly 200,000 Afghan refugees who were admitted following the 2021 pullout of American forces from Afghanistan by encouraging landlords and property owners to forgo credit checks, occupancy limitations, and engage in targeted marketing toward Afghans.

“After President Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, his administration made a bad situation worse by prioritizing housing assistance for Afghan refugees, who we now know were unvetted and unchecked,” Turner told The Center Square. “Since day one, our mission has been clear: to serve the American people and end the misuse and abuse of American taxpayer-funded resources. That is why we rescinded this Operation Allies Welcome guidance, which encouraged landlords and property owners to violate federal civil rights law to protect Afghan refugees. Under President Trump’s leadership, the days of putting Americans last is over.”

Mandela Barnes vs. Ron Johnson barnes for senate

Mandela Barnes for Wisconsin Governor: 15 Things to Know About the Candidate

Lying about a college degree...arguably helping incite a violent riot in Kenosha...here are 15 things to know about Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Mandela Barnes. Democrats have...
Reducing Prison Populations is Now Sexy

Mandela Barnes Said ‘Reducing Prison Populations is Now Sexy’ [VIDEO]

Mandela Barnes, who announced on December 2, 2025, that he is running for Wisconsin governor, once said that he believes “reducing prison populations is...
John Siegel

Flashback: One of Mandela Barnes’ Few Cop Endorsements Says He Never Endorsed Him

We are reprinting this story now that Mandela Barnes is running for Wisconsin governor, a decision he announced in December 2025. One of Mandela Barnes's...
mandela barnes for senate

Mandela Barnes Voted Against Protecting Cops & Their Families From Threats

Mandela Barnes refused to protect prosecutors, cops, and their families when he had the chance. Now that he has announced his candidacy for Wisconsin...
judge panel

NOT NEUTRAL: Wisconsin Supreme Court Handpicks Democrat Donors, Evers Appointees to Hear Congressional Maps

One judge chosen for a panel prejudged the congressional maps, writing, "Those maps diluted the votes of many Wisconsinites and enabled some legislators to...
Wisconsin Supreme Court

Wisconsin Supreme Court Throws State Into Electoral ‘Chaos’ in Thanksgiving Week Legal Massacre

"Hand picking circuit court judges to perform political maneuvering is unimaginable. Yet, my colleagues persist and appear to do this, all in furtherance of delivering...
chad mecca

State FAILED TO NOTIFY Morgan Geyser’s Victim That Slender Man Stabber Escaped: DA

The state of Wisconsin failed to notify Morgan Geyser's victim Payton Leutner and her family that the Slender Man attacker was on the run,...
morgan geyser

Wisconsin Department of Corrections Didn’t Forward Morgan Geyser Apprehension Order to Police

Madison police say the state Department of Corrections issued an apprehension order for Slender Man suspect Morgan Geyser around midnight on Saturday night, but...
northshore classical academy

New NorthShore Classical Academy School Is Taking Off, Gets President’s Support

It's not an easy thing to create a school from scratch. But that's exactly what shooting range/salon owner Cheryle Rebholz and other supporters are...
julio roses

Author Exposes the Tragic Realities of the 2020 Riots & the ‘Gaslighting of America’ [REVIEW]

This article was written by Chris Mann. An in-depth review of "Fiery But Mostly Peaceful: The 2020 Riots and the Gaslighting of America by Julio...

The Crash of 1929 vs Today

This is an opinion column. Book Recommendation: 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin takes you through the details of why and how the stock market crash...