Lake Effect Spotlight

In part one, we learned about David Tomblin, who owns over 200 rental properties in Milwaukee. But lawsuits brought by the city and major lenders could ultimately take those properties away. 

These lawsuits follow a long campaign by Common Ground, a nonpartisan advocacy organization, that united Tomblin’s tenants against him. Today, we look at how Common Ground organized Tomblin’s tenants, and how the Milwaukee City Attorney used his legal power to bring Tomblin to court. 

This is part two of “How to Evict Your Landlord,” produced by WUWM’s Jimmy Gutierrez and Lake Effect’s Sam Woods 

In parts one and two, we learned about out-of-state landlord David Tomblin. He owns over 200 rental properties in Milwaukee and is fighting lawsuits that threaten to cut him off from rental income. We also learned about how his tenants united against him, and the city’s case for declaring his business model a public nuisance. 

Today, we examine how the city has tried similar strategies for dealing with negligent landlords in the past, and we finally speak with the man himself - David Tomblin. 

This is the third and final part of “How to Evict Your Landlord," a series produced by WUWM’s Jimmy Gutierrez and Lake Effect’s Sam Woods.  

If you’re trying to live a more plastic-free life, Milwaukee’s new “refillery” might be for you. At ECO MKE Refillery, you can bring in a reusable container, like a mason jar or glass jug, and buy refills of dish soap, detergent, body wash and more.  

Kayla Bouma is the owner and founder of ECO MKE. She says her new brick-and-mortar in the Third Ward also sells sustainable home goods like bamboo utensils, dryer balls and toothpaste tablets.  

Bouma joins Lake Effect’s Xcaret Nuñez to share more about her business and how people can implement eco-friendly habits in their everyday lives. 

Earlier this spring, conservationists marked the return of sturgeon to the Milwaukee River for the first time in more than one hundred years. This past weekend, people gathered to celebrate that return and acknowledge the significance of the restoration for the Indigenous community. 

A traditional game of lacrosse was held at Kletzsch Park – one of the most important sturgeon restoration sites. That’s where WUWM environmental reporter Susan Bence met Mark Denning, a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. He speaks about the cultural significance of the sturgeon and the game of lacrosse. 

An eviction can follow a person for years. Even if the case is dismissed or if the renter was not at fault – experts say it can have a long-lasting impact.  

A record of eviction can prevent someone from finding stable housing and deepen barriers to ever becoming a homeowner. 

WUWM Eric Von Fellow Maria Peralta-Arellano explores a possible way to remove that blemish from someone’s record...as part of our series, Seeking Solutions: Keys to Homeownership. 

Last month, Milwaukee’s Common Council passed a curfew for food trucks operating downtown. 

 Alderman Robert Bauman says a 10 P-M closing time will curb violence and loitering, especially around Water Street. The curfew would affect a two-square mile area encompassing downtown.  

 One food truck owner has filed a lawsuit against the city, and a judge has put the curfew on pause at least until June 10th.  

 But for food truck businesses that rely heavily on late-night customers, this new curfew could threaten their entire livelihood.  

 WUWM’s Katherine Kokal spent some time with Vanessa Gonzalez – owner of the Mr. Taco food truck parked on Water Street.

When you think of maritime music, you might imagine pirates or sailors exploring the ocean on an old, masted ship.  

But what if I told you the Maritime Music Directory International is not based in a sea-faring, fishing village - but on the shores of Lake Michigan, in Racine, Wisconsin?  

That’s where founder Dean Calin manages the directory of international musicians and festivals with a singular devotion to maritime music. He joins Lake Effect's Joy Powers to talk about the directory and the maritime music scene.

Tom Oberhaus is the co-operator of Cozy Nook Farm in Waukesha County. Cozy Nook is primarily a dairy farm, and it supplements its business with seasonal pumpkin and Christmas tree sales. 

When Lake Effect’s Sam Woods spoke with Oberhaus in January, Christmas tree sales were down, and the farm was planning for 2026. Sam checked back in with Oberhaus to see how things are going on the farm ahead of planting season. 

The conversation is part of WUWM's commitment to covering issues our listeners say are top priorities, including the economy. As part of that coverage, we’re exploring how the economy is impacting Wisconsinites with different financial needs and concerns. 

Since the dawn of the internet, online spaces have been rapidly changing and eating up more of our time. Social media and attention-driven apps are shaping how young people think and feel and how they learn. 

A new documentary, “Your Attention Please,” highlights the real-world consequences of social media and how it reshapes all of us. It also shows how a new generation of parents and teens are fighting back against Big Tech’s agenda to keep us scrolling. The film is showing at the Milwaukee Film Festival. To learn more Lake Effect’s Audrey Nowakowski is joined by director Sara Robin, writer & co-creator Jack LeMay, and film participant Kristin Bride. 

A warning to listeners, this conversation does include the topic of suicide.  

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund will likely come to an end this June. Earlier this year, the state senate failed to reauthorize funding for the program. The stewardship fund has helped protect 750-thousand acres of land statewide by investing roughly one-point-three billion dollars to protect Wisconsin’s natural landscape.  

The stewardship fund has been working with government and nonprofits since 1989, but in recent years its faced more politicization. WUWM’s Eric Von Fellow, Maria Peralta-Arellano is joined by DNR facilities and lands bureau director, Terry Bay to learn more.