Is Wisconsin ‘Behind the curve’ on marijuana laws? -Gov. Tony Evers has introduced plans to officially decriminalize small possessions of marijuana as well as to create a path to legalized medical marijuana for the state.

A quick guide to understanding marijuana laws -What you need to know to understand marijuana and how it’s regulated.

Mental health program at UCC schools serves children at school, home -A pilot program at Bruce Guadalupe Community School and Acosta Middle School that began in September is offering mental health services to students and their families in a partnership with Lutheran Social Services.

Historic designation for Washington Park sparks spirited conversation on public land use – A proposal to designate Washington Park as a historic site could alter the Urban Ecology Center’s plans for the park, which was designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

Carolyn Esswein sets her designs on underserved neighborhoods -Architect and planner Carolyn Esswein believes residents are the key ingredient when it comes to redeveloping underserved neighborhoods.

‘Read-in’ makes black history come alive through the power of poetry, prose -Guest readers make Black History Month come alive for children and their families during the fifth annual Black History Month Read-in at Martin Luther King Library.

‘Who can live and raise a family on $7.25 an hour?’ Milwaukee service workers hope for higher wages -Lorenda Smith, a mother of three with a baby on the way, works hard for her money. But it’s barely enough to take care of her family. Under a resolution by Ald. Tony Zielinski, Milwaukee would officially support Gov. Tony Evers’ plan to increase the minimum wage in Wisconsin to $15.

This homework is music to MPS students’ ears -Twenty excited MPS students were given band and orchestra instruments by the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in what conservatory and MPS representatives hope will be the first of many community-driven initiatives.

Urban Ecology Center moves forward with Washington Park plans – The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors has approved a long-term lease for the Urban Ecology Center in Washington Park that will allow the center to expand its facilities and services. The center also is planning a $14 million fundraising campaign.

‘I will not die young’: Youth summit tackles drugs and violence – Nearly 100 MPS students and community leaders attended the third annual Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention Youth Summit, where youths learned about alternatives to drugs and violence.

So long to traditional senior centers? Policymakers rethink how to best serve an aging population – It will cost $24 million to keep the five county-run senior centers up and running by 2022, a new Wisconsin Policy Forum report says.

‘They’re not appetizing’: MPS students head to Madison to lobby leaders about school lunches – MPS students traveled to the Capitol on Tuesday to lobby elected officials for better school lunches, funding for more counselors and fewer police.

New eviction prevention coalition encourages investment in housing stability – A group of more than 30 stakeholders involved in preventing evictions in Milwaukee worked together for the first time to figure out how to improve systems and services for those at risk of losing their homes.

Greatest barrier to affordable housing in county is low incomes, report finds – A recent Wisconsin Policy Forum report found that just over half of Milwaukee County’s renters are “rent burdened,” meaning they spend at least 30 percent of their income on housing. Low incomes, rather than high rents, are the root of the problem.

Community members share stories , make memes to remember civil rights history – Community members came together to share stories about Milwaukee’s civil rights history at the finale of the MKE Monumental series. Participants also created memes to connect the city’s past and present.

Anti-immigration policies prompt fear, not hope, for local refugees, panelists say – Speakers at a recent UWM panel, “Immigration and the City in the Trump Era,” urged community members to be more informed about the implications of immigration policies under the current administration

Participants invest in future with financial education program – More than 2,330 people have graduated from “Make Your Money Talk,” a financial education program geared toward residents of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, since it began in 2004.

UMedics trainers teach urban first aid for gunshot victims – Martine Caverl and Amika Tendaji, co-founders of the Chicago-based UMedics, brought their workshop to Milwaukee to teach participants how to keep a gunshot victim alive until help arrives.

Women developers work to spark community investment –  Developers Melissa Goins, JoAnne Sabir and Juli Kaufmann combine philanthropy with profit to revitalize underinvested Milwaukee neighborhoods.

YoungStar ratings are rising, but family providers struggle – The YoungStar program has improved child care in Milwaukee County, however 85 percent of family providers have closed in the last 10 years.

MFD defends signs warning firefighters of hazards in vacant buildings – The Milwaukee Fire Department defended its practice of placing warning signs on abandoned homes and vacant buildings, stating that it is important for firefighter safety, while Ald. Robert Bauman expressed concern that they will attract criminal activity.

County committee defeats proposed bus fare enforcement policy – The Milwaukee County Transit System president and several employees successfully argued against a proposal that would have changed the rules about what happens when a bus rider doesn’t pay the fare.

Happy Haunting: The Twisted are Waiting – “The darkness is closing in and they’re coming for you. All the boogeymen from your wickedest nightmares creep from the shadows. Your lungs heave shallow breaths in the heavy, damp air. Screams grate your eardrums like nails on glass. Welcome to Twisted Realms.”

 Adulting or Nah? “Millennials have been branded as impatient, lazy, entitled and whiny ambassadors of #selfienation. They are now also the largest sector of the American workforce.”

Dirty Dancing Live Show Preview – “Before people knew how to Dougie, and before twerking swept the nation, there was Dirty Dancing…”

Dirty Dancing Live Show Review – “People were still shuffling in to find their seats at the Marcus Center Tuesday for the opening night of Dirty Dancing, on stage, when a deep, omnipresent voice filled the theater. ‘Welcome to Dirty Dancing ladies and gentlemen. May we also remind you that this is 1963, where cell phones have not yet been invented.’ The voice boomed.”

Joshua Radin Review – “Ohio born Joshua Radin thanked fellow Midwesterners for braving the cold last Thursday to attend his acoustic show at the Pabst Theater. His fifth appearance at the venue, he was happy to be back at one of his ‘favorite places.'”

Lion King Live Show Preview – “The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts will be presenting Disney’s world famous The Lion King musical opening at the Milwaukee Theatre on Tuesday night, November 11. The then sold-out show last came to Milwaukee in 2008.”

Lion King Live Show Review – “Opening night of The Lion King mesmerized a pack house of children and adults alike last Thursday night, November 13, at the Milwaukee Theatre. As the Aftican hand drums beat lowly on either side of the stage, the “Circle of Life” opening scene immediately awakens your inner child’s memories, going back to the first time you heard these magical songs. Except now you can feel like a part of the African landscape.”

Melissa Etheridge Review – “Fashion experts agree that the 1990’s are trending: Jean jackets are back. That didn’t explain the sea of denim and crimped hair at The Pabst Theater Wednesday night. Singer-songwriter and rock icon Melissa Etheridge ended her six month “This is M.E.” tour as a solo show in the quaint, interpersonal venue.”

Rocky Horror Review – “‘Do we have any virgins here tonight?’ The cast yelled.

‘Yes!’ Yelled some brave members of the long line wrapped around the block outside the Oriental Theater Friday night. Members of the Sensual Daydreams cast of The Rocky Horror Picture Show treated with and teased doppelganger Magentas, Frank N. Furters,  and Rockys outside before the midnight showing and play began.”

Ryan Adams Review – “Lights dimmed, faded to blue and a slow fog rose as Ryan Adams took the stage Tuesday night for his first Milwaukee show in seven years. For close to two hours, nearly all of the 2,450 seats at The Riverside Theater remained vacant, as most of the audience preferred instead to stand and sing along for the entire performance.”

The Book of Mormon Review – “For those who didn’t read the playbill beforehand, Wednesday evening’s performance of “The Book of Mormon” at The Marus Performing Arts Center, may have shell-shocked unsuspecting audience members. From the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, with Tony Award winning musical director Robert Lopez, this raunchy, boundary pushing show tests the fundamental values of the Mormon faith.”

The Great Divorce Review – “Despite technical difficulties with the lighting, a system reboot and a ten minute delay last Friday at The Pabst, the theatrical adaptation of C.S Lewis’ “The Great Divorce” was a hit.Producer and artistic director Max McLean called it ‘spiritual theater for a secular audience.’ “The Great Divorce” is a a visual and virtual journey from a bus stop in Hell to the outskirts of Heaven (and sadly, sometimes back again.)”

The Night Before Review – “‘Three bros, three dudes, three ride or die homies.’ This sets the stage for the latest bro comedy “The Night Before,” opening in theaters this Friday, November 20. With big names like Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie on the bill for this raunchy X-mas flick ,expectations are high. Here’s some things to know.”

ZZ Top Review – “Sunday evening’s ZZ Top show at The Riverside Theater united more leather-clad, inked, and bearded biker dudes than a Harley convention.”

Vinyl v.s Streaming in the Digital age – “The needle dropped into the grooves of track one of Journey’s 1981 album “Escape.” An E note, then an F#, to a G#, then a B, the iconic melody of “Don’t Stop Believing” warbles out of silver speakers on a teal, dashboard style radio face of a cherry red Crosley record player.”