$156K Settlement Reached In The Powless vs MATC Federal Court Civil Rights Discrimination Lawsuit Filed By Dr. Eva Martinez Powless

MATC payee records showed that Dr. Martinez Powless was issued a $156,000 check labeled "Legal Settlement" dated April 6, 2026, according to the MATC Board of Trustees May 26, 2026 meeting records.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 30, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On April 6, 2026, the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) issued a $156,000 legal settlement check to Dr. Eva Martinez Powless after reaching a settlement agreement by both parties in the federal discrimination lawsuit filed by Powless Martinez for back pay and punitive damages. Dr. Martinez Powless, the former first Milwaukee Area Technical College Vice-President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on December 30, 2024, filed a civil rights discrimination complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Milwaukee District and claimed that MATC violated her right to equal employment.

Dr. Martinez Powless was terminated from her position at MATC on April 15, 2024, according to the federal complaint. (HNNUSA article link: https://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2025/01/federal-civil-rights-complaint-claims.html?m=1)

Dr. Martinez Powless claimed that MATC knownly conducted the malicious discriminatory and retaliatory practices, willfully causing Martinez Powless to suffer substantial economic and non-economic damages, severe mental anguish and emotional distress.

According to the federal complaint, Martinez Powless began to get complaints from MATC employees that they were experiencing discrimination, harassment, retaliation and were not being promoted to other positions when applying for job openings.

When she brought up the MATC employees complaints to her direct manager, Phillip King, the Executive Vice-President of Student Success at MATC, he began to exclude her from leadership team meetings and began to bully her, including the practice of micro-aggression at the workplace, micromanaging her work and treating her in "an unprofessional and inappropriate way", and denying her the same terms and conditions of employment available to employees who are not Latina or immigrants.

Shortly after Dr. Martinez Powless's termination at MATC in April 2024, the MATC Board of Trustees selected Dr. Anthony Cruz as the current President at the technical college on May 2, 2024 during a board meeting.

Since, Dr. Cruz had been hired, he has failed to effectively neutralize the ongoing internal hostile work environment that employees and instructors have been facing for years at MATC. (Here's the October 2024 MATC Board meeting video where Luz Sosa, Carlos Aranda, Patricia Gómez and others exposed the hostile, harassment, retaliation and discrimination practices by leadership administrators at the technical college. https://youtu.be/Lm_ImpZGXn4)

In last two years that Dr. Cruz has worked at the technical college, MATC has doubled its deficit and is facing a $2.5 deficit in 2027. (HNNUSA article link: https://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2026/07/matc-president-anthony-cruz-celebrates.html?m=0)

Today at MATC, there is only one Latina high ranking administrator left in Dr. Cruz's administration. Most of the MATC administrators are composed of White males, according to the administration staff make up.

Most of the Latino/Hispanic high ranking administrators at MATC have either left the technical college for better opportunities, terminated or alleged forced retirement.

Also today, MATC and Dr. Cruz are facing and additional discrimination complaints with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Equal Rights Division after four former student services specialists (Hispanic/Latino, African-American, Asian-American and Native-American) of the Office of Multicultural Student Services were terminated in August 2025, which the Multicultural student services were phased out (eliminated) and replaced by the Office of Community Impact. (HNNUSA article link: https://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2025/11/four-former-student-services.html?m=1)

The current MATC Board of Trustees at link: 

Board of Directors | MATC https://share.google/XlUbk3aq01QMqfpNU

54-year-old Sherry May Long Fatally Struck By Vehicle At The 1100 Block Of W. Historic Mitchell Street In The Southside Of Milwaukee

Long was apparently seating on the Westbound street pavement along W. Historic Mitchell Street when a vehicle struck her causing her death.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 29, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified Sherry May Long, 54, of Oshkosh as the victim of a fatal vehicle collision that resulted in her death. According to witnesses at the scene, Long was seating on the Westbound street lane at the 1100 block of W. Historic Mitchell Street around 11:35 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026 when the Westbound vehicle struck her. Long was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The female driver of the vehicle that struck Long remained at the scene.

Police continue with the ongoing death investigation.

Four Hispanic Teens Identified, Driver Lost Control Of Truck While Speeding On The S. Cicero Avenue Bridge At 69th Street And Plunged Into A Train Box Car Killing Them On Impact In Southwest Chicago

Illinois State Police and Chicago police attempted to stop a red Chevy truck with four teens inside (two males, 2 females), after a report of a rifle taken out of window by teen and aiming it at police vehicle.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 27, 2026

Chicago, Illinois - On Sunday, four teens died after the red Chevy truck they were traveling in lost controlled at the Cicero Avenue bridge on 69th Street and plunged into a train box car underneath. The driver of the truck was fleeing Chicago police at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the truck and went over the bridge. (Video link: https://youtu.be/1y8CVXLLFdA)

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the four teens as, Yuarem García-Peña, 18, from Woodstock; Christopher López Montan, 19, from Woodstock; Yaritza Martinez Villeda, 17, from Crystal Lake and Vanessa Morales, 14, from Palestine in Illinois.

According to Illinois State Police (ISP), one of the teens in the truck pointed a rifle at a police vehicle. When ISP attempted a traffic stop at the 5500 block of S. Cicero Avenue, the driver briefly stopped, but then he sped away. ISP called for backup and Chicago police joined the pursuit of the fleeing truck. The driver of the truck apparently lost control at the 6900 block of S. Cicero Avenue in Bedford Park neighborhood while going at a high rate of speed and went off (became airborne) the bridge around 2:16 a.m. and plunged head on into a train box car underneath the bridge. A video surveillance camera under the bridge capture the moment the truck flew into the train box car and the impact killed three of the teens (two males and one female). The surviving female teen was conveyed to the Advocate Christ Medical Center where she later succumbed to her injuries of the crash and was pronounced deceased.

25-year-old Luis Barahona López Charged For The Stabbing Homicide Of José Samuel Valdivia, 28, In West Milwaukee

Valdivia was stabbed in bed by 25-year-old suspect who walked into the home of his 25-year-old ex-girlfriend who was also cut in the lower extremities.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 24, 2026

West Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified José Samuel Valdivia, 28, as the stabbing death victim at the 1200 block of S. 52 Street in West Milwaukee. Valdivia was stabbed 17 times by Luis Barahona López, 25, while he slept at his girlfriend's home.

López has been charged with 1st-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon and 1st-degree reckless endangering safety with domestic abuse using a dangerous weapon.

If convicted, López is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole for Valdivia's murder. López has a $100,000 cash bail, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.

According to the criminal complaint, López apparently decided to go to his ex-girlfriend's home and broke into her home. His ex-girlfriend on social  media (Facebook) confirmed that she had her keys to go into her home, the night López broke in. Milwaukee County court paternity records indicate that López has children with his ex-girlfriend (identified by name initials - GPI). 

When López gained unannounced access to his ex-girlfriend's home, he also located Valdivia's wallet on the table. López then went to GPI's bedroom and saw both Valdivia and GPI sleeping together in bed. López went back to the kitchen and grabbed several knives and then barged into the bedroom and in a jealous rage, he began to stabbed Valdivia at least 17 times. His ex-girlfriend suddenly woke up and attempted to stop López from stabbing Valdivia as he slept. She was also injured (cut) in the right hand and leg, according to police.

López has an active restraining order against him filed by GPI, he also has an open case for domestic abuse, according to Milwaukee County court records.

GPI in her social media posts also confirmed that she wasn't talking to López at all for some time, and recently had dropped off her kids with him, but she didn't even look at him.  She also posted text messages that showed, she had finally ended her relationship with López and that Valdivia had been aware of her prior relationship with López.

GPI's parents own a popular chain of Mexican food restaurants in the Milwaukee area.

46-year-old Tony Romo, NFL Broadcaster And Former Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Arrested In Milwaukee For OWI 1st Offense

Romo was allegedly driving while intoxicated along the Hoan Bridge on Southbound I-43, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 24, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, Tony Romo, 46, a native from Burlington and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and NFL broadcaster was taken into custody around 6:18 p.m. after he failed a field sobriety test. According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), Romo was driving Southbound along the Hoan Bridge on I-43 when he was stopped for allegedly operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He was booked at the Milwaukee County jail and then released around 11:00 p.m.. 

Romo was charged with OWI 1st offense, if found guilty, he is facing a fine between $150 to $300, plus a mandatory $435 surcharge and a license revocation for 6 to 9 months.

Romo resides in Dallas. He was in Wisconsin to compete in the Wisconsin Amateur Championship golf tournament in West Bend. Romo tied 73.

Romo is scheduled for a Milwaukee County Court hearing on September 21st.

Editor's note: Tony Romo is just one of the thousands of Wisconsin drivers that drive while OWI in the State of Wisconsin everyday, especially on weekends in Milwaukee where there are more bars (taverns) and night clubs per block than food trucks or grocery stores. Romo's luck just ran out and was stopped for a OWI sobriety check.

City Resolution Recognizing The Work Of The Late Maestro Luis Rodolfo López At South Division High School In Milwaukee Officially Released By Alderman José G. Pérez's Office

The official citation by the Milwaukee Common Council recognizing the work of the late Maestro Luis Rodolfo López as the 1st Bilingual Bicultural Teacher in the Bilingual Program at South Division High School and the Milwaukee Public Schools was publicly released by Alderman José G. Pérez's Office on July 22nd.

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 23, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, the 12th Aldermanic District Office of Alderman José G. Pérez and President of the Milwaukee Common Council officially released the resolution (citation) recognizing the work of the late Luis Rodolfo López, 81, as the 1st Bilingual Bicultural Teacher in the Bilingual Program at South Division High School and the Milwaukee Public Schools system. The López resolution was introduced on June 2, 2026 along with other local recognition resolutions during the Milwaukee Common Council meeting and were unanimously approved by the Common Council. (Video link: https://youtu.be/DnIPe_knUCY)

Due to unexplained circumstances and inter-office miscommunication, the López citation remained undetected for official release or delivery to the scheduled López family memorial and celebration of life gathering on June 13, 2026 for the late Luis Rodolfo López at South Division High School in the Southside of Milwaukee. (HNNUSA article link: https://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2026/06/tribute-to-late-luis-rodolfo-lopez-1st.html)

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) published an article on Tuesday reporting that the López resolution hadn't been provided or released to the López family as anticipated by the 12th Aldermanic District, Alderman Pérez's Office. (HNNUSA article link: https://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2026/07/milwaukee-alderman-jose-g-perezs-office.html?m=0)

According to information received by HNNUSA, Ald. Pérez emailed José Trejo, the Principal at South Division High on Wednesday and informed him that the citation was ready for release.

Also on Wednesday, Clifton Crump, the Policy and Administration Director for the Milwaukee Common Council President José G. Pérez and the City of Milwaukee contacted HNNUSA and expressed a sincere apology from Ald. Pérez for the late official release of the López resolution to the López family and South Division High School.

HNNUSA and the coordinators of the López memorial and celebration of life gathering, Gloria González, Dr. José Trejo (South Division High School) and H. Nelson Goodson, and sponsor Wisconsin Association for Bilingual Education (WIABE) would like to thank the Milwaukee Common Council and President of the Milwaukee Common Council, Alderman Pérez and his administrative staff Maribel Sánchez-Murrillo and Elisa Hernández including Crump, the Policy and Administration Director for the López citation that was finally made available and released on Wednesday.

Both González and Goodson are South Division High School alumni and were also students of Maestro López.

The López citation will be personally hand delivered to the López family on behalf of the Milwaukee Common Council and Alderman Pérez.

Milwaukee Alderman Jóse G. Pérez's Office Failed To Issue Requested Official Recognition Citation For 1st Bilingual Teacher Luis Rodolfo López At South Division High School

The Aldermanic 12th District has yet to officially issue a recognition citation for the late Luis Rodolfo López, the 1st Bilingual Bicultural Teacher in the Bilingual Program at South Division High School and the Milwaukee Public Schools.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 21, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, Jóse Trejo, the Principal at South Division High School (SDHS) confirmed to Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA), that SDHS has not received an official recognition citation from Alderman Jóse G. Pérez's Office from the 12th Aldermanic District to recognized the late Luis Rodolfo López, the 1st Bilingual Bicultural Teacher in the Bilingual Program at South Division High School and Milwaukee Public Schools. In April 2026, Maribel Sánchez-Murrillo, the administrative assistant to Ald. Pérez was contacted in order to request a recognition citation for López, the former Bilingual Teacher for his major contributions as an inspiring teacher for many bilingual students at SDHS during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The named Aldermanic citation was requested for June 13, 2026 to be presented at SDHS during the memorial, celebration  of life and recognition for López, but it was never officially issued, delivered or presented that day. (HNNUSA article link: https://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2026/06/tribute-to-late-luis-rodolfo-lopez-1st.html)

A week or so before, Sánchez-Murillo and Alderman Pérez were contacted and they confirmed that they would issue the citation for the López memorial gathering at SDHS of family, former Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) administrators, teachers and MPS Bilingual Program personnel, friends and community members including former students that López had taught.

When contacted again after the López memorial gathering, Sánchez-Murillo indicated that Elisa Hernández had worked on the López citation, but as of Tuesday, July 21st, no López citation has been officially released to SDHS or the López family by Ald. Pérez. SDHS is located in Ald. Pérez, 12th Aldermanic District.

An email was sent to Ald. Pérez, Sánchez-Murillo and Hernández by HNNUSA per request by Sánchez-Murillo, and HNNUSA also sent a copy of the email to the Milwaukee Common Council regarding the requested López citation, which apparently never materialized, unfortunately, none of the members of the Milwaukee Common Council including Ald. Pérez, the President of the Milwaukee Common Council have responded.

Editor's note: Alderman Jóse G. Pérez and the Milwaukee Common Council were quick to erase the legacy of the late César E. Chávez, the former leader of the United Farm Workers Union by renaming S. César E. Chávez Drive back to S. 16th Street after mere allegations without any actual proof spread by the New York Times in late March 2026, that Chávez had allegedly molested young girls. The Chávez allegations came after 30 years of his death.

And in López case, months have passed and no recognition citation yet, which López as the 1st Bilingual Teacher was very instrumental in the success of the Milwaukee Public Schools Bilingual Program when it was initiated in the late 1960s, and continues to be a success today.