It's political season. Of course Milwaukee is in the news.

Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·4 min read
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It's Day 2 of the re-launched Daily Briefing newsletter by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Sign up here to get it sent to your inbox each morning.

I'm Bill Glauber, a general assignment reporter who covers a lot of politics, focusing on the race for U.S. Senate. I'll be writing the Daily Briefing on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The weather? Glad you asked. It'll be in the upper 70s and sunny today.

Now for the news.

Milwaukee as an election issue

Water Street District Code of Conduct in downtown Milwaukee.
Water Street District Code of Conduct in downtown Milwaukee.

It's election season. Crime is top of mind in a lot of the races, and several high-profile cases in Milwaukee feed into a narrative that the state's biggest city has a big problem.

Corrinne Hess reports on the latest pol to come downtown to tackle the situation, Eric Toney, a Republican running for Attorney General.

Toney's solution: the state should take over prosecuting crimes in Milwaukee. But he couldn't say how it would be paid for.

His appearance came days after Friday's shocking incident in the city's bar district as homicide suspect Ernest Blakney died in a shootout with police. An innocent bystander was wounded. Video captured the sights and sounds of frightening moments.

But this goes beyond the election-year politics.

City officials and others have been trying to get a handle on downtown violence for more than a year even as they deal with multiple shootings.

They've installed more lighting, bolstered parking enforcement, enforced a youth curfew and created a Water Street District Code of Conduct. Signs point to a list of prohibited activities including no open alcohol, no illegal drugs, no loitering and no portable speakers.

Kristine Hillmer, president and chief executive of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, said since 2020 a group of restaurant and bar owners have regularly met with city officials.

They dealt with the depths of the pandemic. And now they're trying to get a handle on security concerns.

"It's going to take an all-hands-on-deck approach" she said.

In a related issue: Groups are coming together to reduce the harm of gun violence. It's a collaborative effort and it has never been more urgent as Milwaukee appears to be set to break its homicide record for a third consecutive year.

Don't miss these

How to plan a food truck

Jose Luis Gonzalez, owner of Tacos Guelaguetzza, from left at window, along with his staff, Noe Mendoza Isidro, in cap, and Juvinaldo Ocampo Montaloo at his food truck on S. 13th Street in Milwaukee during lunch hour.
Jose Luis Gonzalez, owner of Tacos Guelaguetzza, from left at window, along with his staff, Noe Mendoza Isidro, in cap, and Juvinaldo Ocampo Montaloo at his food truck on S. 13th Street in Milwaukee during lunch hour.

For diners, food trucks are fun. Get to sample some unique dishes, meet some interesting people and support business owners trying to make a go of it on four wheels.

So, here's some food truck news to digest.

Carol Deptolla has a piece on 18 Acres Hospitality rolling out its food truck at two public events.

And Jennifer Sawhney has a fantastic article: "How three food truck operators put careful thought into their restaurants on wheels." It's all about tight spaces, unique kitchens and meeting restaurant standards.

And you gotta love José Luis Gonzalez, owner of Tacos Guelaguetzza, who bought his first truck in 2015 off Craigslist.

Oh, and did we mention pizza?

Brute Pizza's PPPP pie: Ezzo pepperoni, bell peppers, Peppadew peppers and Pleasant Ridge Reserve cheese. The counter-service pizzeria is at 316 N. Milwaukee St. in the Third Ward's Landmark Building.
Brute Pizza's PPPP pie: Ezzo pepperoni, bell peppers, Peppadew peppers and Pleasant Ridge Reserve cheese. The counter-service pizzeria is at 316 N. Milwaukee St. in the Third Ward's Landmark Building.

Carol Deptolla calls "Brute Pizza a significant new player in Milwaukee's pizza landscape."

And if you know Carol, that's saying something.

She writes: "I found a lot to love about the pizza and, of all things, the salads from Brute, in the Third Ward."

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee as an election issue; planning a food truck