Luis Rodolfo López, 1st Bilingual Teacher From South Division High School In 1970 Will Posthumously Received The Tony Báez Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 At The WIABE's 47th Annual Conference In Wisconsin

López became the first bilingual teacher at South Division High School in the Milwaukee Public Schools District and State of Wisconsin in 1970.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 16, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Saturday, April 18th, the Wisconsin Association for Bilingual Education (WIABE) will posthumously honor the late Luis Rodolfo López, 81, who in 1970 became the first bilingual teacher at South Division High in the Southside of Milwaukee, including the Milwaukee Public Schools District and in the State of Wisconsin with the Tony Báez Lifetime Achievement Award 2026. 

Gloria González, a former graduate student from South Division High School, and a retired Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Division of Bilingual Multicultural Education at Central Services staff member nominated Maestro López for the Tony Báez Lifetime Achievement Award 2026, and on Thursday, she confirmed to Hispanic News Network U.S.A. that WIABE had chosen López for the posthumously honor at their 47th Annual WIABE Conference over the weekend at Wisconsin Dells.

González says that Maestro López taught Hispanic American Culture, bilingual U.S. history, and language courses to bilingual students at South Division.

Beyond the classroom, Maestro Lopez was a relentless advocate for student belonging and cultural pride. He helped organize the first Hispanic prom at South Division in 1972, creating inclusive spaces where students felt seen and celebrated. As a guidance counselor, he further supported students’ academic and personal growth, always centering their dignity and potential.

His advocacy extended well beyond the school walls. Maestro Lopez served his community through organizations such as UMOS, United Community Center, and Mexican Fiesta, while also contributing to faith-based initiatives at Guadalupe Church. He remained committed to education throughout his life, teaching adult learners in ESL and Adult High School programs at MATC, ensuring that opportunity was accessible at every stage of life.

Maestro Luis Lopez was more than an educator—he was a trailblazer, mentor, and champion for equity. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he transformed, the doors he opened, and the community he strengthened.

Maestro López passed away at age of 81, on August 18, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.

López was originally from México, he had a passion to teach his students in both Spanish and English and made sure that the students succeeded in class, which eventually led to a higher percentage of graduation for Latino and non-Latino students at South Division High School (SDHS). Many of the students that López taught enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, including Milwaukee Area Technical College and other universities, and later graduated and became contributing members in the Southside community and Milwaukee.

López was the first bilingual teacher at SDHS in the early 1970's. The SDHS 1971 year book recognized López as a teacher for Hispanic American Culture, Language and History, and United States History Bilingual.

López was well known for his charismatic and unwavering support for his students at SDHS, and in 1972, he was very instrumental in sponsoring the first Hispanic student South Division High School Prom dance at the Marc Plaza Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.

In 1973, López also worked as a Guidance Counselor in the Guidance Department at SDHS in MPS. López began working at MPS on April 8, 1969 and earned a Master's degree on December 2, 1979.

López later became an administrator at MPS. After retiring from MPS, López moved to Tampa, Florida.

A memorial tribute for Maestro López at South Division High School is planned for June 13, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., according to González. 

35-year-old David Leo Krause Fatally Shot At S. 1 Street And E. Greenfield Ave. In The Southside Of Milwaukee

Krause was fatally shot in the chest, according to Milwaukee police.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 16, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Milwaukee police reported that David Leo Krause, 35, was fatally shot in the chest on April 14, at the 100 block of East Greenfield Ave. in the Southside of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee police were called around 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday to shots fired and when arriving at the scene at  S. 1 St. and E. Greenfield Ave., they located Krause suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Krause died at the scene, according to police.

Police are looking for a suspect(s) involved connection with the Krause homicide.

Southside Homicide Suspect 31-year-old Nicholas S. Maslowski Killed By Milwaukee Police At The S. 35 Street Viaduct

Maslowski was sought by Milwaukee police for the homicide of 27-year-old Christopher J. Aguilar at S. 7 Street and W. Historic Mitchell Street on Monday.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 14, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Monday, Milwaukee police reported that Nicholas S. Maslowski, 31, was shot multiple times by Milwaukee police after a police chase pursuit ended after Maslowski's vehicle crashed at the S. 35 Street viaduct and W. National Ave. just before 5:00 p.m., according to police.

Maslowski after crashing his vehicle fled from the vehicle and fired his weapon at police and at least 8 Milwaukee police officers returned fired striking him as he jumped from the bridge. Several handguns were recovered at the scene.

Maslowski was transported to a local hospital for critical injuries and he later died from his injuries.

A 34-year-old crash victim from another vehicle was also transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive.

Maslowski was sought by Milwaukee police in connection with an early Monday homicide around 5:30 a.m. at S. 7 Street and W. Historic Mitchell Street in front of Voces de la Frontera offices (VDLF), an immigrant rights organization located at 733 W. Historic Mitchell Street. Nearby businesses outdoor video surveillance cameras and the VDLF outdoor video surveillance cameras captured multiple suspects running from the scene and the shooting death of Christopher J. Aguilar, 27, and the alleged homicide suspect(s) involved.

Milwaukee police were looking for the vehicle ( a Nissan) used by the suspect that killed Aguilar. The vehicle had bullet holes on the side.

Police later in the day responded to shots fired at the 1700 block of N. 35 Street and spotted Maslowski's vehicle, which was sought for an earlier homicide in the Southside of Milwaukee. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but Maslowski sped away heading South on the 35 Street viaduct and then crashed into another vehicle near W. National Ave. on S. 35 Street.

The officers that discharged their firearms are a 35-year-old male with over 8 years of service, 33-year-old male with over 14 years of service, 33-year-old male with over 9 years of service, 33-year-old male with over 8 years of service, 30-year-old male with over 11 years of service, 30-year-old male with over 7 years of service, 29-year-old male with over 3 years of service and a 26-year-old male with over 7 months of service. They will be placed on administrative duty as is routine in officer involved shootings.  

The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team is investigating this incident. 

The Wauwatosa Police Department is the lead investigating agency. 

According to the Wisconsin Court record system, Maslowski in 2023, was convicted for two felony counts for burglary of a dwelling.

Maslowski was also convicted for several felonies in February 2021 for armed robbery use of force and armed robbery with threat of force.

In 2025, Aguilar was wanted on an open bench warrant for one misdemeanor count for criminal trespass of a dwelling in Milwaukee  County. In 2019, Aguilar was convicted for two felony counts, 1st-degree recklessly endangering safety including party to a crime and armed robbery including party to a crime. In 2017, Aguilar  was convicted for one felony count for attempt theft movable property from person/corpse.

Bipartisan DACA Act 240 Signed Into Law By Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D)

Bipartisan DACA Act 240 signed into law by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) in the Southside of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, April 9, 2026, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) signed the DACA Bill Act 240 (AB 759, SB 745) into law at El Rey Supermercado at the 900 block of S. César E. Chávez Drive in the Southside of Milwaukee.

The historic bipartisan DACA bill passed unanimously in the Wisconsin State Assembly and in the Wisconsin State Senate by 31 - 2. DACA Act 240 relating to: eligibility to receive occupational credentials for recipients of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

The DACA Bill 240 Act signing event was by invite only.

Afterwards, Wisconsin State Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milw) held a DACA Bill celebration at Fiesta Cafe.

Video: https://youtu.be/B8Grww1krag

Photos: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DjcN95nRm/

Article: https://tinyurl.com/2s3f4ywe

Wisconsin State Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milw) released the following  press release regarding the Bipartisan Team for Wisconsin that was responsible for passing the Wisconsin DACA Bill Act 240.

Madison, WI- Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D), wants to thank the following people for the Passage of AB759 (ACT 240) DACA Occupational Licensing, in the Wisconsin State Assembly.  The Bi-partisan Team for Wisconsin, that got the work done for ALL OF US.   Former Rep. Macco (R), Rep. Joel Kitchens (R), Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D), Senator Jesse James (R), Senator Cory Tomczyk (R), Senator Tim Carpenter (D), and all our staff.   Justin Morales and Milwaukee Common Council President-Alderman Jose Perez, Daryl Morin, Tony Gonzales, John Schultz, Adam Peterman and JJ Sherman.  I want to also thank Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R), and Senate Leader Devin LeMahieu (R), for giving us an opportunity to come together, as a State and put Wisconsin First.  Finally, I want to thank our Governor Tony Evers (D) for enacting and signing ACT 240 into law.

AB759, is a pragmatic and necessary update to our occupational licensing laws. It expands access to professional licensing for a group of individuals who are already, well vetted, authorized to work in the United States, and actively contributing to our economy, yet are currently barred from working in the very professions they were trained for.

Wisconsin has a shortage of workers.  We invest in people through our K-12 schools, our colleges, and our workforce training programs only to lose that talent to other states, because of unnecessary licensing barriers.  By allowing individuals who are otherwise eligible to work in the United States to obtain professional licenses in Wisconsin, we open the door to filling workforce gaps across multiple industries. This bill strengthens our workforce, supports our economy, and ensures that Wisconsin remains competitive in retaining skilled, reliable, and hardworking talent.  

AB759,  is smart policy, it is pro-workforce, and it reflects our shared commitment to strengthening our state’s future. I look forward to working together to unlock employment opportunities and remove unnecessary barriers for the people who are ready to contribute to Wisconsin’s workforce. 

Posted on April 9, 2026

Source: Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

Former RHC Director Alberto Maldonado Assumes New Position As Asst. Vice-Chancellor For Connections And Achievements Supervising 8 Affinity Centers At UW-Milwaukee

Maldonado was the director of the Roberto Hernández Center at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he assumes his new position as the Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Connections and Achievements who will oversee 8 affinity centers at the university.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 6, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Monday, Alberto Maldonado, 55, the former Director of the Roberto Hernández Center at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee announced that he started his new position at the urban university, which is Assistant Vice-Chancellor For Connections And Achievements within the Division of Student Affairs. According to Maldonado, he will provide strategy,  supervision, and support to 8 affinity centers, which includes the Black Student Cultural Center, First-Generation+ Resource Center, LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Military and Veterans Resource Center, Off-Campus Resource Center, Roberto Hernández Center, Southeast Asian American Student Center, and the Women’s Resource Center.

Maldonado has worked at UWM for 28 years and nearly 10 years at the Roberto Hernández Center. He became the official director of the RHC on November 8, 2018, in 2016, he became the interim director of the RHC, replacing Enrique Figueroa Ph.D. who resigned in August of that year after serving as a director since 2002.

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) attempted to contact Maldonado multiple times on Monday for comment, but was unsuccessful.

The affinity centers will be housed at a centralized Hub area in the ground floor of the Student Union building at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). The affinity groups are currently occupying offices at Bolton Hall, but are expected to move into the Student Union in the Fall of 2026.

UWM announced in January 2026, that it would consolidate 8 affinity centers into one student focused Hub Center in order to secure federal funding after Trump and the U.S. Department of Education engaged in their MAGA (Make Amerikkka Great Again) relentless racially motivated effort to end all related Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs, and had threatened to withhold federal funding from educational institutions who failed to comply and eliminate all related DEI programs. Although, multiple federal courts ruled Trump's executive order to eliminate DEI programs and threatening to withhold federal funding from educational institutions who did not comply with his order was illegal and unconstitutional. The U.S. Department of Education later confirmed that it wouldn’t appeal the federal court rulings declaring that eliminating DEI and its funding was unconstitutional because it infringed on the free speech rights of instructors in classrooms. Although, despite the federal court rulings, both the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) proceeded to eliminate their DEI related programs. MATC President Anthony Cruz decided to eliminate the Office of Multicultural Student Services and terminated 4 student service specialists serving  Latino/Hispanic, African-American, Asian-American and Native-American students in August 2025. The Office of Multicultural Student Services was replaced by the Office of Community Impact at MATC.

UWM also proceeded to merge the 8 affinity centers despite, federal court decisions that Trump's elimination of DEI related programs and threatening to withhold federal funding was illegal and unconstitutional.

When the 8 affinity centers moved into the Student Union Hub Center in the Fall of 2026, the affinity groups will gradually lose their identity structures and their known names as we know them today, and will eventually be phased out, according to allegations made UWM students who will be affected and say that they were never taken into consideration in the UWM decision resulting in the drastic and controversial change. UWM students and numerous student organizations opposed the controversial move by UWM Chancellor Dr. Thomas Gibson in creating the 8 affinity Student Union Hub Center.

The affinity centers services will also be restructured, according to UWM students.

The expected gradual facing out of the Roberto Hernández Center at UW-Milwaukee will be a major betrayal by UWM, which would definitely default and break the 1970's agreement between UWM and the Latino community to keep the RHC (formerly the Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute) autonomous and independently functioning Center providing servives to inspiring Latino students and the community.

The legacy of the Roberto Hernández Center and its history:

The actual creation of the Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute (SSOI), which later became the Roberto Hernández Center at link: http://bit.ly/1hgQkaB

Historic video of the UWM 1970 Takeover and the creation of the SSOI, today the Roberto Hernández Center-UWM https://youtu.be/FzOpOxI_GKw

USDHS False Allegations About Salah Sarsour, 53, President Of The Islamic Society Of Milwaukee Who Was Arrested By USICE And US Marshals On Terrorism Allegations And Lying On Immigration Application

Sarsour was legally allowed to immigrate to the U.S., gained a permanent legal resident status and has lived more than 32 years in the country and has no criminal record in the U.S..

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 2, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, the MAGA (Make Amerikkka Great Again) U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) known to fabricated charges and has lied in multiple cases involving foreign nationals, U.S. legal status citizens and U.S. citizens is now saying that Salah Sarsour, 53, of Franklin, who is the President of the  Islamic Society of Milwaukee originally from Jordan had lied about his criminal history as a suspected terrorist when he was 15 in Jerusalem when applying for U.S. residency, according to a USDHS press release.

"Salah Salem Sarsour is a terrorist convicted for throwing Molotov cocktails at the homes of Israeli armed forces. This illegal alien from Jordan lied on his green card application to gain legal status in the U.S.," said USDHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "Thanks to President Trump and ICE, this terrorist is out of American communities. This Administration will always put the safety of the American people FIRST and Make America Safe Again."

According to Bis, Sarsour is suspected of funding terror organizations and lying on immigration forms. 

USDHS claims that Sarsour had a prior conviction for throwing a molotov cocktail at the homes of Israeli Forces.

He lied on his immigration application and became a green card holder under President Clinton.

This terrorist will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings, according to USDHS.

The Islamic Society of Milwaukee (ISM) says, "When Salah Sarsour was a teen (he was born in the Israeli occupied West Bank and lived his entire childhood under an inhumane military occupation) he was seized by the occupying Israeli forces and, as a minor, subjected to Israeli brutality and torture, and eventually tried and sentenced on fraudulent charges by an Israeli military "court". When Mr. Sarsour came to the United States in September 1993, the U.S. government was aware of his record. During subsequent interactions with immigration officials in the U.S., all were aware of the (false) accusations made by the Israeli military occupation forces. The fact that the present "Israel first" U.S. government has chosen to target Mr. Sarsour after thirtytwo years in the United States is unconscionable and illegal. Had Mr. Sarsour not been targeted by Israel and its agents, he would likely be receiving accolades for his accomplishments. We are calling on the U.S. government to immediately release Mr. Sarsour, to uphold the first amendment rights of citizens and residents of the U.S. to criticize a foreign regime, to uphold U.S. values of freedom, fairness and the rule of law, (particularly human rights laws) and to place the interests of the U.S. and U.S. citizens and residents over the interests of a foreign regime. 

"Mr. Sarsour has been serving as the elected President of the ISM (a volunteer position) for the past five years. Mr. Sarsour has been a legal resident of the Milwaukee community for over thirty-two years. He is married and, with his wife of 34 years, they have raised six children in the Milwaukee area. His wife and all of his children are U.S. citizens (Mr. Sarsour is a lawful permanent resident) and all of his children are college graduates and are gainfully employed. Four of Mr. Sarsour's children are married, and he has nine grandchildren. Mr. Sarsour has also been a caretaker of his elderly and frail mother," the ISM says.

"This is a man who came to the United States and kind of lived the American dream," Othman Atta, executive director of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, said in a press conference at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. "And they are trying to tarnish his image. They’re trying to target him."

When Sarsour applied for a Green card (permanent residency) to live in the U.S., "The U.S. government fully vetted his visa application at that time," said Kathryn Brady, head of the Muslim Legal Fund of America’s Immigration Litigation Department during the press conference at the ISM.

When Sarsour was detained in Israel when he was 15, he was tortured for months and had been charged by the Israeli government of alleged terrorism. 

Sarsour eventually immigrated to the US in 1993 under the Clinton administration and was allowed to apply for a permanent residency card, which he received in 1998, despite prior allegations made by the Israeli government.

Sarsour was taken into custody after leaving his home by MAGA Gestapo USICE and the U.S. Marshals Service, according to USDHS.

Sarsour was taken to the USICE facility in Broadview, Illinois for processing and then transferred on March 30, 2026 to the Clay Detention Center (Clay Sheriff's Office) in Brazil, Indiana where he was booked at 8:52 p.m. for USICE immigration hold.

A legal defense fund has been created for Salah Sarsour at link: https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/salah_sarsour_justice_fund

Prior Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) article link: https://tinyurl.com/4b26dxpz

Salah Sarsour, President Of Islamic Society Of Milwaukee Arrested By MAGA Gestapo USICE In Wisconsin

MAGA USICE Gestapo agents arrested Sarsour after leaving his residence on Monday, according to the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. Sarsour has been vocal against the Israel Zionist genocide of the Palestinian people including children in the Gaza.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 2, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Monday, at least 10 Make Amerikkka Great Again (MAGA) Gestapo U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) agents arrested Salah Sarsour, 53, the President of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee (ISM) after leaving his residence in Franklin. Sarsour's vehicle was stopped by USICE agents and he was taken into custody. Sarsour was taken to the USICE facility in Broadview, Illinois for processing and then transferred to the Clay Detention Center near Terra Huate, Indiana, according to the ISM. 

Sarsour has been a legal permanent resident in the U.S. for more than 32 years. He has been married for 34 years and has raised 6 children in Milwaukee County.

The USICE officials have not released any information why Sarsour was targeted and taken into custody, but the ISM says that attorneys have filed requests for his immediate release from USICE custody.

The following is the press release from the ISM, "On the morning of Monday March 30, agents of ICE (Immigration and Custom Enforcement) followed ISM President Salah Sarsour as he left his home, surrounded his vehicle, abducted him and placed him in ICE custody. Mr. Sarsour was subsequently transferred to the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois and then to the Clay Detention Center near Terra Haute, Indiana."

"Mr. Sarsour has been serving as the elected President of the ISM (a volunteer position) for the past five years. Mr. Sarsour has been a legal resident of the Milwaukee community for over thirty-two years. He is married and, with his wife of 34 years, they have raised six children in the Milwaukee area. His wife and all of his children are U.S. citizens (Mr. Sarsour is a lawful permanent resident) and all of his children are college graduates and are gainfully employed. Four of Mr. Sarsour's children are married, and he has nine grandchildren. Mr. Sarsour has also been a caretaker of his elderly and frail mother.

"Throughout his years in the United States, Mr. Sarsour has been a successful businessman who employed many citizens and who has always been willing to help those in need. Mr. Sarsour has an exemplary record, with no charges or convictions of any kind. Mr. Sarsour is a shining model of what can only be seen as an American success story. Mr. Sarsour has been detained and is being threatened with deportation for only one reason: the U.S. government is carrying out its stated objective of prioritizing Israel, criminalizing advocacy for Palestine and targeting individuals who speak up against Israeli atrocities and condemn complicit officials in our government. Polls show that most Americans are opposed to supporting, funding and enabling the massive human rights abuses being committed by the genocidal Israeli regime.

"When Salah Sarsour was a teen (he was born in the Israeli occupied West Bank and lived his entire childhood under an inhumane military occupation) he was seized by the occupying Israeli forces and, as a minor, subjected to Israeli brutality and torture, and eventually tried and sentenced on fraudulent charges by an Israeli military "court". When Mr. Sarsour came to the United States in September 1993, the U.S. government was aware of his record. During subsequent interactions with immigration officials in the U.S., all were aware of the (false) accusations made by the Israeli military occupation forces. The fact that the present "Israel first" U.S. government has chosen to target Mr. Sarsour after thirtytwo years in the United States is unconscionable and illegal. Had Mr. Sarsour not been targeted by Israel and its agents, he would likely be receiving accolades for his accomplishments. We are calling on the U.S. government to immediately release Mr. Sarsour, to uphold the first amendment rights of citizens and residents of the U.S. to criticize a foreign regime, to uphold U.S. values of freedom, fairness and the rule of law, (particularly human rights laws) and to place the interests of the U.S. and U.S. citizens and residents over the interests of a foreign regime. 

"We will do everything in our power to make sure that Mr. Sarsour returns to his family and his community. We are seeking the support of all those who value the U.S. constitution and who are devoted to upholding the interests of the United States, and not the interests and agenda of another country."

"This is a man who came to the United States and kind of lived the American dream," Othman Atta, executive director of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, said in a press conference at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. "And they are trying to tarnish his image. They’re trying to target him."

When Sarsour applied for a Green card (permanent residency) to live in the U.S., "The U.S. government fully vetted his visa application at that time," said Kathryn Brady, head of the Muslim Legal Fund of America’s Immigration Litigation Department during the press conference at the ISM.

The following groups, organizations and public elected officials are also requesting Sarsour's immediate release from USICE custody.

MLFA – Muslim Legal Fund of America

AMP – American Muslims for Palestine

USCMO – US Council of Muslim Organizations

CAIR – Council on American-Islamic Relations

MAS – Muslim American Society

Islamophobia Studies Center

Palestine Center for Public Policy

Islamophobia Studies Journal

Northern California Islamic Council

U.S. Congresswoman Gwen S. Moore (D-Milw, WI)

Wisconsin State Senator Chris Larson (D-Milw)

Wisconsin State Representative Ryan Clancy (D-Milw)

Milwaukee Turners

Voces de la Frontera 

Milwaukee County Supervisors Jack Elkblad, Juan Miguel Martínez, Caroline Gómez-Tom and Justin Bielinski

City of Milwaukee Common Council members Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa and Ald. Alex Brower

Milwaukee Anti-war Committee

Francesca Hong for WI Governor 

David Crowley for WI Governor 

City of Milwaukee  Mayor Cavalier Johnson 

Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression 

Comité Sin Fronteras 

Mandela Barnes for WI Governor 

Jewish Voice for Peace - Milwaukee 

Freedom Road Socialist Organization - WI

Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee 

Arab and Women's Research and Resource Institute (AMWRRI) Milwaukee 

Muslim Women's Coalition 

Kelda Roys for WI Governor 

Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement 

Palestine Diaspora Movement 

Forward Latino

Wisconsin State Representative Priscilla Prado (D-Milw)

Milwaukee Area Labor Council

Citizen Action of Wisconsin 

A legal defense fund has been created for Salah Sarsour at link: https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/salah_sarsour_justice_fund

MATC Administration And Board Of Trustees Including President Dr. Anthony Cruz Get An F-score Each For Failure To Enact Credible Reforms At The Technical College

Editorial: 

To date, both Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) President Dr. Anthony Cruz and the entire Board of Trustees continue to ignore multiple requests and friendly advisory calls from the communities of color to enact reforms, which could eventually restore the Office of Multicultural Student Services, fair employment practices, allow for part-time instructors to get full-time positions, and restore integrity and just hiring practices at the MATC Human Resources, which has been identified by employees as the epicenter of all problematic issues plaguing the MATC administration under Dr. Cruz and Laquitha Bonds-Jones, the Vice-President and Chief Human Resources Officer. (HNNUSA article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2024/12/african-american-network-requested-for.html)

Since May 2024, Dr. Cruz has failed to enact any credible reforms to deal with the unjust work practices (discrimination,  harassment, retaliation and etc. against employees) at MATC affecting employees and instructors of color including other White employees. (HNNUSA article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2026/03/matc-ignores-communities-of-color-needs.html)

Also, it definitely looks like the MATC Board of Trustees have followed in the foot steps of Dr. Cruz and have stood idle, and have not taken even one righteous step in the right direction to remedy Dr. Cruz's inept leadership to fix the internal chaotic administration, HR and employee crisis affecting the daily operations at MATC.

Dr. Cruz and the Board of Trustees have continued to ignore the communities of color concerns regarding the administration, HR and employees internal crisis that has raised allegations that employees and instructors have lost confidence (no confidence) in Dr. Cruz to continue as President.

One thing for sure, according to MATC, Dr. Cruz who earns a salary of more than $285,000 annually and has 30 years experience in education, most definitely lacks any negotiating skills to interact with communities of color. Dr. Cruz has ignored every opportunity that has come up to respond to the communities of color concerns regarding his decision to eliminate the Multicultural Student Services and replacing it with the Office of Community Impact, which eliminated most of the prior student services that the Office of Multicultural had offered to students of color.

Both Dr. Cruz and the Board of Trustees have also ignored to respond to the Multicultural Coalition to Reclaim MATC concerns regarding the elimination of the Office of Multicultural Student Services and terminating four student services specialists in late August 2025.

So far, the Multicultural Coalition to Reclaim MATC hasn't made any further concerns regarding Dr. Cruz, and recently haven't made any information public, regarding the Coalition's next step to hold Dr. Cruz and the Board of Trustees accountable.

Employees, instructors and others that are employed including members of the Multicultural Coalition and members of the communities of color have addressed the Board of Trustees at their monthly meetings, but the Board of Trustees continues to ignore their concerns and have failed to address public comment complaints.

In response, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) gives Dr. Cruz and the MATC Board of Trustees an F-score for their ongoing failure to address the communities of color concerns and their failure to restore the Office of Multicultural Student Services and bring about any meaningful reform to make MATC a better place to work.

Today, HNNUSA wouldn't recommend any student of color to attend MATC, also we wouldn't recommend anyone to apply for work at the technical college, until we actually see some credible reform that would create a good working environment at the technical college.

Posted on March 29, 2026

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. Editorial

60-year-old Leonel "Leo" Molina-Rios Pleaded Guilty To Homicide Use Of Vehicle With PAC In The Death Of James Charles Riegling, 74, In Franklin

Molina-Rios is facing up to 25 years in prison for the death of 74-year-old Jame Charles Riegling in Franklin while Molina-Rios was driving intoxicated, according to the criminal complaint.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 27, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On March 12, Leonel "Leo" Molina-Rios, 60, entered a plea of guilty to one felony count for homicide by use of vehicle with PAC (prohibited alcohol concentration) in the death of James Charles Riegling, 74, in Franklin. Under the plea agreement with prosecutors, several felony charges were dropped against Molina-Rios.

Molina-Rios is facing up to 25 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines, or both when he is sentenced on May 22, 2026.

According to the criminal complaint, Molina-Rios of Greenfield was initially charged in Milwaukee County for homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and knownly operate a vehicle without a license causing the death of a 74-year-old male victim in a two vehicle crash on November 2, 2024 in Franklin.

Once undocumented Molina-Rios completes his sentence, he will be subject to be deported to Mexico.

Molina-Rios is well known in the Milwaukee Latino community for being a popular Spanish Speaking radio personality and a former member of the Wisconsin Brown Berets.

César E. Chávez Drive BID 38 Changed Name To Sixteen Street BID 38 In Milwaukee's Southside

After unprofound allegations were raised that the late leader César E. Chávez of the United Farm Workers union movement sexually abused women and young girls after 33 years of his death, the César E. Chávez Business Improvement District (BID) 38 changed its name to Sixteen Street BID 38 in the Southside of Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 27, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, the César E. Chávez BID 38 changed its name to Sixteen Street BID 38, after allegations surfaced on March 18th that Chávez had sexually abused women and young girls. The $50,000 Chávez life-size bronze statue at the El Rey Supermercado at the 900 block of S. César E. Chávez Drive was removed days after the allegations were raised by Dolores Huerta, 95, the co-founder of the United Farm Workers union movement. Chávez was also the co-founder of the UFW labor union.

Chávez died in 1993 an innocent man with no criminal history of sexually assaulting women or young girls. The unprofound allegations of sexual abuse by Chávez surfaced after 33 years of his death and he is no longer alive to tell his side of the story.

The allegations of sexual abuse by Huerta  and several other women who say they were 12 and 13 when the sexual abuse occurred, but offered no actual proof or evidence when reported by the New York Times (NYT). The NYT reported that they uncovered evidence that Chávez did commit sexual abuse, but all that they uncovered were mere allegations raised in emails from the UFW and other sources going back ten years ago. Also, the NYT says they interviewed 60 people and Chávez relatives, but none of them actually witnessed the sexual assaults. 

To date, the NYT nor the alleged victims have provided any actual proof of the allegations other then Huerta admitting she had two children (girls) that César E.  Chávez fathered with her.

In addition, an allegation was also raised that Huerta had a third child with César which a DNA test proved he was the father, but apparently Huerta and Richard Chávez's brother raised. Huerta gave up the two daughters with César for other families to raise.

Huerta did admit that she had consensual sex with César and got pregnant, and then on a second occasion, she alleged César sexually assaulted her and became pregnant again.

César's statues, streets and schools named after him were taken down, and his legacy has been erased over mere allegations.

Compared to Trump, the U.S. President who has had a history of alleged accusations of sexual assaults of women and young girls as young as 13. Which the Epstein files documented the allegations and investigations by the FBI against Trump.

Now, the U.S. Treasury wants coins and $100 bills to have his photo and signature, despite being accused of being a known pedophile, according to the Epstein files.

The U.S. has double standards, one for people of color, which are merely accused of sexually abusing women and young girls, and their legacy is erased, and a second for Whites who are allegedly accused as pedophiles, which their legacy stays intact while in office.

Evidence today shows, that Make Amerikkka Great Again (MAGA) and Republicans do protect their own alleged White pedophiles.

Wisconsin State Democrat Representative Sylvia N. Ortiz-Velez Booking Photo Released By The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office

Wisconsin State Democrat Representative Sylvia N. Ortiz-Velez Booking Photo Released By The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office

WI: Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office released the criminal booking photo of Wisconsin State Representative Sylvia N. Ortiz-Velez, 48, (D-Milw) who pled "No Contest" on March 13, 2026 to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and fined $300.00 over allegations threatening to expose Wisconsin State Representative Priscilla Prado, 42, (D-MILW) alleged inappropriate sexual behavior and drunkenness at multiple Democrat gatherings in 2024 to a local reporter in Wisconsin, according to Milwaukee County court records and the Ortiz-Velez defense attorney's statements about Prado's and the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office accusations of Ortiz-Velez during the court hearing on Match 13, 2026.

Full HNNUSA article: https://tinyurl.com/2ux488yd

Posted on March 25, 2026

Source: Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

No Credible And Clear Evidence Exists Today That The Late Iconic UFW Leader César E. Chávez Was An Alleged Pedophile Or Engaged In Sexual Abuse Of Women And Young Girls

Isn't it astonishing that MAGAs and Latinos for Trump protect their own alleged White pedophile U.S. President today, while other Latinos/as in the U.S. can't protect one of their own who was the iconic UFW labor movement leader who fought against unjust working and living conditions, low wages and discrimnatory practices affecting farm workers nationwide. 

It only took less than three days to erase the César E. Chávez legacy, assassinate his character and to taint a dark cloud over the UFW labor movement by merely making unproven allegations of sexual assault after 33 years of Chávez death.

Chávez passed away in 1993 as an innocent man without any criminal history for sexual assault.

The fake Chávez life-long supporters quickly condemn him without a doubt.

It seems that Latinos/as in the U.S. can be easily manipulated and conditioned not to exercise any common sense and without any conscience threw Chávez under the bus for unprofound allegations without having any remorse.

You can be the judge:

The New York Times (NYT) reporters that reported the allegations that Chávez was an alleged sexual predator and rapist, are now trying to justify their years long investigation.

• They reported that they looked at emails going back ten years of the UFW and other sources that talked about the Chávez allegations (rumors). But, that's what they are rumors and allegations.

• They interviewed at least 60 people including Chávez's relatives, but the reporters can't claim that even one of those interviewed was a witness to any of the sexual abuse allegations that were raised.

• The NYT reporters couldn't cite any credible evidence like recorded video, recorded phone calls that show Chávez attempting to groom and entice any young girl under 15, no photos of Chávez groping or sexually abusing women or young girls exists today and the list goes on. It seems that the only credible evidence that the NYT has against Chávez are the allegations raised, which are not facts and can't be proven after 33 years after Chávez death and at least more than 60 years when they allegedly occurred.

Unfortunately in this unprecedented case: The allegations raised by the NYT and alleged victims against Chávez come to light 50 to 60 years after the sexual abuse by Chávez took place, and all the allegations of sexual abuse of women, young girls and children should be taken seriously, but Chávez has been deceased for more than 33 years and he can't be held accountable today, and he can't challenge the allegations raised.

No one allegedly accused of sexually abusing women, young girls and children should escape justice, victims for whatever reason that remain silent inadvertently allow the alleged sexual aggressor (predator) to continue to sexually violate other victims.

Hopefully, the victims can find peace and continue to heal.

Posted on March 22, 2026 by H. Nelson Goodson, a Milwaukee Southsider in Wisconsin.

Southside City Of Milwaukee Park To Be Named In Honor Of The Late Latina Activist Clementina R. Castro

Castro is well known for her activism in the Southside of Milwaukee that led to the creation of La Causa Daycare.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 21, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On March 23, the City of Milwaukee park located at the 400 block of W. Mineral St. will be dedicated in honor of the late Clementina Rocha Castro, a well known Latina activist in the Southside of Milwaukee.

A resolution to name the Southside City park to Clementina R. Castro was sponsored by Milwaukee Southside Alderman and President of the Common Council Jóse G. Pérez and endorsed by Milwaukee County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martínez.

Castro passed away at thr age of 83 in 2016 and known for being instrumental in creating La Causa Daycare and becoming the co-founder.

According to the City resolution 250060 that passed in the Milwaukee Common and signed by Mayor Cavalier Johnson in May 2025, it says, "Castro advocated for women's rights and in 1972 founded La Causa Daycare in order to support working mothers..."

She is also remembered for her civil rights activism during the Latino community struggle for reforms in the early 1970's, that led to higher education opportunities for Latinos, jobs and enforcement of farm worker rights in Wisconsin.

Castro was also one of the Latino Educational activists that took over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) chancellor's office on August 27, 1970, which help eliminate the discriminatory policies that prevent local Latinos/as from enrolling at UWM. (HNNUSA article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2016/12/milwaukee-civil-rights-farm-worker.html)

Castro also played a key role in organizing a 1969 march from Milwaukee to Madison advocating for welfare rights and economic justice, according to a press release by Milwaukee County Supervisor Martinez.

The renaming of the City park ceremony will take place on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., location at 937 S. 4 Street, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Update: Toddler park named after Clementina Castro in the City of Milwaukee on March 23, 2026.

Youtube video of the presentation to rename a Southside toddler City park to Clementina Castro in Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. https://youtu.be/4njQswzhuNw

Judge Me Not After I'm Dead, César E. Chávez Would Probably Say While Rolling In His Grave

Judge me not after I'm dead, Chávez would probably say while rolling in his grave. 

The Latino hypocrisy or Hispanics are just to gallible to believe that the late leader of the United Farm Workers (UFW) union César E. Chávez was an alleged pedophile that targeted young girls ages 12, 13 and 15 and the alleged rapist of 20-year-old Dolores Huerta, the co-founder of the UFW?

Let's make it clear, Chávez died in 1993 and he is not here today to answer to the recent sexual abuse allegations that Huerta, Ana Murguia and Debra Rojas had exposed after 33 years of his death.

Huerta alleged that she was raped by Chávez in the 1960's when she was 20, and that Chávez fathered two of her children, which she gave up for adoption, Murguia says she was sexually assaulted by Chávez when she was 15 and Rojas revealed that Chávez groped her breasts at the age of 13, according to the New York Times report.

Now, questions are being raised, why did it take over 60 years to bring up the allegations that Chávez sexually abused women and young girls ages 12, 13 and 15 during the farm workers labor movement? Huerta in her personal statement at the age of 95 says, she kept the sexual assaults committed against her by Chávez a secret because she didn't want to destroy or hurt the labor movement at the time.

In her personal statement in Facebook, Huerta didn't say, if she got paid by the New York Times to revealed and tell her story. Also, Murguia and Rojas haven't said, if they also got paid by the New York Times to tell their stories about being sexually abused by Chávez.

Many Latinos/as find it hard to believe that Chávez was an alleged pedophile and a rapist. 

Let's be clear, Huerta by her own will and reasons never went to authorities at the time and accused Chávez of sexual assault. She remained by Chávez side during the Labor movement because she also benefited from the movement and became known as the co-founder of the UFW movement.

Also, where were the parents of Murguia and Rojas at the time Chávez allegedly sexually assaulted them? Why would the parents allow the two young girls meet with Chávez in private and not suspect that he was sexually abusing them. 

Chávez has had no documented history (or criminal history) of sexually abusing any young girls and women while he was alive.

If Huerta would have come forward sooner, after she was allegedly raped by Chávez, most likely there wouldn't be any young victims.

It seems, that the Latino community nationwide is showing how gallible they are to accept such unproven allegations after decades of Chávez passing away. 

Like in many occassions, remaining silent is being complicit to what happened.

Huerta had a clear choice when she was 20, she could have gone public, filed a criminal complaint with authorities against Chávez for raping her, but she remained quiet until recently at the age of 95 to reveal that Chávez had allegedly raped her.

The most important question today is, how deep and widespread was the sexual abuse among the rank and file in the UFW during the labor movement that involved young girls under 15? We will probably never know, because most of the rank and file in the UFW labor movement are now deceased and have taken the secret to their graves.

One thing for sure, the Latino sentiment that has ignited against Chávez without actual prove that he was a pedophile and sexually assaulted women is just the tip of the iceberg. 

If Chávez was an actual pedophile and raped women as Huerta, Murguia and Rojas have alleged, then justice hasn't been served, because Chávez died as the iconic UFW leader of the labor farm workers union.

For example, in the Make Amerikkka Great Again (MAGA) movement, the Epstein files revealed multiple allegations of sexual assault by young girls against a seating U.S. President who is Donald J. Trump, and his MAGA cult elected him, eventhough, he has had a history of allegations that he molested young girls as young as 13, and investigation files were created by the FBI. Yet, Trump remains as president.

A quick note, Chávez name doesn't appear in the Epstein files.

Today, we are left to judge and condemn Chávez after 33 years of his death, without any actual proof that he was an alleged pedophile and a rapist, and what makes it even more difficult to comprehend is that Chávez is not here today to tell his side of the story.

Chávez did not leave a wealthy estate when he passed away, he lived in poverty by choice. So, civil lawsuits by alleged victims against the Chávez estate are not prevelent.

May all the alleged Chávez victims find peace and continue to heal today. 

Posted on March 19, 2026, by H. Nelson Goodson, a Milwaukee Southsider in Wisconsin.

Mexican Fiesta And City Of Milwaukee Will Not Hold César E. Chávez Day Events For March 2026, After Sexual Abuse Of Women And Young Girls As Young As 12 By Chávez Were Made Public

The Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation/Mexican Fiesta will not hold their annual César E. Chávez Day this year, also the City of Milwaukee will not hold a Chávez Day event at the end of March.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 18, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. has learned that the annual César E. Chávez Day event celebrating the life of Chávez at the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, Inc./Mexican Fiesta's Flores Hall will not be held this Month, according to sources.

No annual César E. Chávez Day event has been scheduled at the Mexican Fiesta location at the 2900 block of  S. 20 Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Also, the City of Milwaukee Common Council or Mayor Cavalier Johnson have not announced any scheduled events at City Hall to commemorate César E. Chávez Day this month for on Chávez's Birthday March 31st.

Although, Milwaukee Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa released a press release saying that the Chávez Day planned event at the end of March, at City Hall will not take place. Ald. Zamarripa says that young girls as young as 12 became sexual abused victims of Chávez. 

The César E. Chávez BID 38 also released a press release indicating a possible new direction for the business district, but it did not indicate, if they will stop using the Chávez name for the BID 38 or removing the Chávez life-size bronze statue at the 900 block of S. Chávez Drive (El Rey Super Mercado property) and renaming Chávez Drive.

Many scheduled events and marches planned for the César E. Chávez Day throughout the U.S. have been canceled since, national mainstream media reported that César E. Chávez had allegedly engaged in the sexual assault of women and grooming young girls ages 12, 13 and 15 who became victims of sexual abuse by the late Chávez who was the former leader of the United Farm Workers union movement.

Ana Murguia says she was groomed and sexually molested at the age of 13 by Chávez and Debra Rojas claimed that she had her breast inappropriately groped by Chávez at the age of 12, and then later she was sexually abused.

Dolores Huerta, 95, also confirmed that she was sexually assaulted by Chávez when she was 20, and he fathered two children that were placed for adoption.

UFW Labor Leader And Activist Dolores Huerta Confirmed That She Was Compelled To Have Sexual Encounters With The Late UFW Leader César E. Chávez And Got Pregnant Twice

Recent allegations were raised by the national mainstream media that the late United Farm Workers union leader César E. Chávez allegedly had sexually abused women and young girls, which the iconic UFW labor activist Dolores Huerta confirmed that she was one of the victims who got pregnant twice by Chávez.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 18, 2026

California- On Wednesday, the iconic United Farm Workers (UFW) union labor leader and activist Dolores Huerta, 95, confirmed that she was one of the sexual abuse victims of the late UFW leader César E. Chávez who also is accused of sexually abusing young girls ages 12, 13 and 15.

Ana Murguia says she was groomed and sexually molested at the age of 13 by Chávez and Debra Rojas claimed that she had her breast inappropriately groped by Chávez at the age of 12, and then later she was sexually abused.

Huerta also confirmed that she was sexually assaulted by Chávez when she was 20, and he fathered two children that were placed for adoption.

Chávez passed away in 1993 at the age of 66, in San Luis, Arizona.

The United Farm Workers Foundation also released a statement confirming that it will not be participating in any upcoming César E. Chávez Day events and o steady will be concentrating on the victims. (Statement link: Statement from the UFW Foundation • UFW Foundation https://share.google/jM9wFor7WMJpH6fXE)

The following is the full statement from Huerta posted in her personal Facebook account at link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18qRycrybS/

Huerta posted in Facebook, "I am nearly 96 years old, and for the last 60 years have kept a secret because I believed that exposing the truth would hurt the farmworker movement I have spent my entire life fighting for."

"I have encouraged people to always use their voice. Following the New York Times'  multi-year investigation into sexual misconduct by Cesar Chavez, I can no longer stay silent and must share my own experiences.

"As a young mother in the 1960s, I experienced two separate sexual encounters with Cesar. The first time I was manipulated and pressured into having sex with him, and I didn't feel I could say no because he was someone that I admired, my boss and the leader of the movement I had already devoted years of my life to. The second time I was forced, against my will, and in an environment where I felt trapped. 

"I had experienced abuse and sexual violence before, and I convinced myself these were incidents that I had to endure alone and in secret. Both sexual encounters with Cesar led to pregnancies. I chose to keep my pregnancies secret and, after the children were born, I arranged for them to be raised by other families that could give them stable lives.

"Over the years, I have been fortunate to develop a deep relationship with these children, who are now close to my other children, their siblings. But even then, no one knew the full truth about how they were conceived until just a few weeks ago.

"I carried this secret for as long as I did because building the movement and securing farmworker rights was my life's work. The formation of a union was the only vehicle to accomplish and secure those rights and I wasn't going to let Cesar or anyone else get in the way. I channeled everything I had into advocating on behalf of millions of farmworkers and others who were suffering and deserved equal rights.

"I have never identified myself as a victim, but I now understand that I am a survivor — of violence, of sexual abuse, of domineering men who saw me, and other women, as property, or things to control.

"I am telling my story because the New York Times has indicated that I was not the only one — there were others. Women are coming forward, sharing that they were sexually abused and assaulted by Cesar when they were girls and teenagers.

"The knowledge that he hurt young girls sickens me. My heart aches for everyone who suffered alone and in silence for years. There are no words strong enough to condemn those deplorable actions that he did. Cesar's actions do not reflect the values of our community and our movement.

"The farmworker movement has always been bigger and far more important than any one individual. Cesar's actions do not diminish the permanent improvements achieved for farmworkers with the help of thousands of people. We must continue to engage and support our community, which needs advocacy and activism now more than ever.

"I will continue my commitments to workers, as well as my commitment to women's rights, to make sure we have a voice and that our communities are treated with dignity and given the equity that they have so long been denied. 

"I have kept this secret long enough. My silence ends here."

Read the full statement and Spanish-language version here: https://medium.com/p/e74c20430555?postPublishedType=initial

Wisconsin DACA Bill SB 745 Passed State Senate, Now Bill Goes Before WI Governor Tony Evers (D) To Sign Bill Into Law

DACA Bill SB 745/AB 759 passed both chamber in the Wisconsin State legislative chambers.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 17, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin- On March 17, 2026, the Wisconsin State Senate passed the DACA bill SB 745 on 31-2 vote in a bipartisan vote.

State Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milw) confirmed that the DACA Bill passed the State Senate on Tuesday.

The DACA Bill AB 759 also passed on a vote of 97-0 in the State Assembly on February 20, 2026.

The DACA Bill now goes before Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) to sign the bill into law.

Senate Bill 745 https://share.google/KcLGRgpuEBdATbkUs

2025 Assembly Bill 759 https://share.google/DjVkbJiU89L6g7bde

48-year-old Wisconsin State Representative Sylvia N. Ortiz-Velez (D-Milw) Enters No Contest Plea To Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct In Milwaukee County

Ortiz-Velez pleaded no contest to misdemeanor criminal charge of disorderly conduct after a dispute over several legislative resolutions that got to personal in nature.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 13, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, Wisconsin State Representative Sylvia N. Ortiz-Velez, 48, (D-Milw) in a plea agreement with the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office entered a "no contest" plea to one misdemeanor criminal count for disorderly conduct. Rep. Ortiz-Velez in return for her plea agreement, she 

received a $300 fine, must provide DNA, plus court costs including no probation, nor jail time. Ortiz-Velez was facing 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines, if convicted.

Rep. Ortiz-Velez released a statement regarding her decision to plea "no contest". Pleading no contest, means that you are not pleading guilty, but you do know that the prosecution has enough evidence to prosecute you.

The misdemeanor criminal charge of disorderly conduct against Rep. Ortiz-Velez was in connection with alleged threats to Wisconsin State Representative Priscilla Prado, 42, (D-Milw) over a dispute regarding a Hispanic Month Joint 2025 Resolution and a Veteran's Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution during last year's Hispanic Heritage Month in the State.

Rep. Prado in the criminal complaint says that Ortiz-Velez had threatened her and that she would expose her and another male state legislator for alleged certain personal information regarding them. The criminal complaint did not specifically identify those alleged personal attacks.

During the court initial hearing on Friday, Micheal L. Chermin, the attorney representing Ortiz-Velez revealed that the alleged personal attack that was not included (mentioned) in the criminal complaint was that Rep. Prado allegedly engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior and drunkenness (while at a Democrat party gatherings). 

Attorney Chermin also told the court that Rep. Ortiz-Velez had talked on the phone with the minority Democrat leadership (Rep. Kalan Haywood) who recorded the call without her knowing, which Ortiz-Velez told him about Rep. Prado's inappropriate behavior while in office. Then the minority Democrat leadership used the call against Ortiz-Velez for Prado to filed criminal charges against her.

Then in September 2025, Rep. Ortiz-Velez was allegedly accused by multiple Democrats including State Assembly Representative Greta Neubauer, 34, (D-Racine) that Rep. Ortiz-Velez had made a gun threat against certain Democrats, but Ortiz-Velez denied the allegations and no criminal charges were ever filed against her by Capitol Police.

HNNUSA learned in September that she had talked to Rep. Neubauer about the Hispanic joint resolutions pending, then Rep. Kalan Haywood, 26, (D-Milw) talked to Rep. Ortiz-Velez on the phone while he was recording her without her knowing. Haywood then shared the recorded call with Rep. Neubauer who then shared it with Capitol Police claiming that Rep. Ortiz-Velez had threatened to shoot up the dems. Which after an investigation and speaking to Rep. Ortiz-Velez, they found no probable cause to charge Ortiz-Velez. Ortiz-Velez in her alleged threats had used a metaphor, according to Capitol Police.

Rep. Ortiz-Velez claimed that Rep. Neubauer and others were targeting her because she was going to propose legislation in connection with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley who exceeded his powers during the COVID-19 crisis in 2010, when Ortiz-Velez was a Southside Milwaukee County Supervisor. Rep. Ortiz-Velez was able to introduce legislation to limit the powers of County Executives and it passed into law. (Article and Facebook post links: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2025/09/wisconsin-state-rep-greta-neubauer-d.html and https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BvjthTz9r/)

Crowley (D-Milw) is a candidate for Wisconsin Governor.

On February 20, 2026, Rep. Ortiz-Velez during the State Assembly floor address, she exposed Rep. Neubauer, the minority leader of prohibiting other Dems in the State Assembly from voting with Republicans on issues they favored.

Rep. Ortiz-Velez actively campaigned to elect Rep. Prado into office, and once Prado was elected, she later turned on Ortiz-Velez.

Editor's note: The Milwaukee County Court records in CCAP first reported that on Friday, Rep. Sylvia N. Ortiz-Velez entered a Not Guilty plea, then she decided to enter a "No Contest" plea, but CCAP then in a error reported that Ortiz-Velez pleaded guilty, which is an error committed by the court staffer logging the court results.

CCAP on March 17, 2026 corrected the logged in error from Guilty Plea to Guilty due to No Contest Plea in the Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez criminal case.

Wanted 35-year-old Tow Truck Driver Johnathan Jay Otto Fatally Shot By Milwaukee Police Officer In The Southside Of Milwaukee

35-year-old Otto was fatally shot by a Milwaukee police officer in the Southside of Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 12, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, a Milwaukee police officer who was holding to the driver's side door of a flatbed White tow truck fatally shot Johnathan Jay Otto, 35, a Native-American, who was the truck driver who failed to stop.

The officer attempted to arrest Otto by his residence for a parole violation, but he sped away with a passenger in the tow truck, while the officer held on to the driver's side door. The officer told Otto multiple times to stop or he would shoot him, but Otto kept on going and the officer then shot him. The tow truck then stopped at the 1500 block of W. Grant Street in the Southside of Milwaukee.

Ana Rios released the video recording to media showing the tow truck moving while the Milwaukee police officer held on.

According to Otto's wife (girlfriend) Emily Hernández on Wednesday, in a posted social media video (6:57 minutes) says, that she witnessed her husband get killed by a Milwaukee police officer, who jumped on the tow truck and wouldn't get off when asked by her and her husband Otto to get off. She said, that Otto stopped twice for the officer to get off the truck, but he wouldn't get off. She said that, Otto was driving at least 20 mph, but stopped twice for the officer to get off, she begged the officer to get off, but he wouldn't, then the officer told Otto "I'm going to fucking kill you", he grabbed his gun and shot Otto on the head at point blank. Otto died in front of his wife. She also alleged that Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey B. Norman lied about what had happen and she is seeking justice for Johnathan Otto. (Facebook video by Otto's wife at link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FBmmwtBqb/)

The Milwaukee Police Department released the following press release regarding the police involved shooting.

On Thursday, March 12, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Milwaukee Police Department officers along with a Department of Corrections Agent responded to the 1900 block of South 12th Street to check for a wanted suspect with a parole violation.

Upon arrival, an officer in full uniform encountered the suspect who was inside a full-sized flatbed tow truck with a passenger in the truck. The officer approached the suspect and ordered that he exit the truck. The suspect refused and the officer attempted to remove him from the truck at which time the suspect immediately started the vehicle and suddenly drove off at a high rate of speed while the officer was clinging to the suspect and the driver's side window.

The suspect drove the truck for several blocks as the officer clung to the side of the truck. The officer gave several commands to the suspect to stop the truck, even informing the suspect that if he did not stop he would shoot. The suspect continued to refuse these commands multiple times. At this time, the officer discharged his firearm subsequently striking the suspect, and finally stopping the truck.

While this was occurring, the officer's partner was in pursuit of the truck with lights and sirens activated attempting to catch up to pull over the truck.

The suspect, a 35-year-old male, sustained fatal injuries. The passenger was not physically injured by the gunfire but was transported for medical treatment out of an abundance of caution. We recognize that exposure to incidents like this are traumatic and our thoughts are with the passenger.

The officer that discharged his firearm is a 46-year-old male with over 21 years of service. 

He was transported to a hospital for treatment of non-fatal injuries. He will be placed on administrative duty as is routine in officer involved shootings.

The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team will be investigating this incident. The West Allis Police Department is the lead investigating agency.

Update: The cop shooting death of tow truck driver Johnathan Jay Otto, 35, in the Southside of Milwaukee.

MPD police officer body camera video dated March 12, 2026 released, Otto's girlfriend says they stopped twice to let the cop off, although the more than 3 minutes video doesn't show that Otto stopped twice, but he slows down to stop, as he is stopping at minute 3:21, then he is fatally shot in the head by the officer. Video link: https://youtu.be/vHkYPATpYoc