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Sam Woods

@wamsoods.bsky.social
1K followers 146 following 29 posts

Producer at WUWM Milwaukee's NPR. Milwaukee NNS alum. Gardener and Giannis-appreciator.

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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
When you see statistics on homelessness anywhere in the US, it likely comes from a once a year count called "Point In Time" It's a flawed stat, but HUD requires it every January. Here's how the count works in Milwaukee, and what it misses.
wuwm.com
Milwaukee's annual Point-In-Time Count tracks homelessness, but it's not the whole picture
On one night in January every year, Milwaukee County workers scour the area looking for people experiencing homelessness for the annual Point-In-Time Count. This is a federal requirement, but it is on...
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Ald Scott Spiker claims the city could gain $9 million in unpaid parking tickets by "habitual" violators. Good context here is that property owners currently owe about $47 million in delinquent taxes, over $30M by businesses and landlords. Interesting choice of enemies here.
wpr.org
Milwaukee cracking down on people who have unpaid parking tickets
The city of Milwaukee is cracking down on habitual parking violators this year.
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
FairWave also owns Milwaukee-based Anodyne Coffee. Anodyne workers are currently in contract negotiations after the NLRB certified their union despite FairWave's objections. More on why they unionized last spring👇
wuwm.com
Anodyne unionization: Firings, a nationwide coffee conglomerate, and an upcoming vote
Workers at Anodyne will vote on forming a union. But the story of its unionization effort uncovers a nationwide coffee conglomerate, a private equity portfolio and a barrage of firings.
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
From last week: Fiddleheads Coffee acquired by FairWave, a Kansas City-based conglomerate that owns several other coffee brands across the nation. FairWave is owned by Great Range Capital, a private equity firm.
wuwm.com
Wisconsin-based Fiddleheads Coffee acquired by FairWave, current owner of Anodyne
FairWave Specialty Coffee Collective has acquired Milwaukee-area coffee brand Fiddleheads Coffee. FairWave is a Kansas City-based company that owns coffee brands across the nation, including Milwaukee...
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
The MKE Roots program helps teachers make social studies relevant to students by focusing on local history. The Trump admin cut its funding, labeling it DEI. It was replaced by a grant focused on commemorating 1776 Learn more 👇
share.google
MKE Roots, federal funding cuts and the renegotiation of civic education
MKE Roots is a program designed to spark an interest in local history within Milwaukee-area teachers. The Trump administration cut its funding, signaling its desire to focus on commemorating the Decla...
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
When comparing state tax records for July '24 and '23 in Milwaukee County, hotel sales were up 42%. But food/drink was down 1% and entertainment down 19% There are similarly mixed results for surrounding counties that have a sales tax. This excludes Waukesha and Racine Counties.
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
A year ago the RNC was in Milwaukee, with some expecting an economic windfall. Did that happen? An official report tallies a $321 million impact. But this report does not account for normal resident spending that was lost due to the convention.
wuwm.com
RNC economic impact estimated at $321M, but lost regular business not included
A report claims that the 2024 Republican National Convention generated a $321 million economic impact for the Milwaukee-area economy. But this report does not account for losses of regular business.
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
Anodyne Coffee's parent company is challenging this month's successful union vote, delaying certification. Workers voted 37-0 to unionize. But FairWave, a KC-based coffee conglomerate that owns Anodyne, alleges foul play. Union says it's a delay tactic. My latest: www.wuwm.com/economy-busi...
wuwm.com
Anodyne Coffee parent company challenges workers' union vote, delays certification
Workers at Anodyne Coffee voted unanimously to unionize in early June, but last week its parent company challenged the election results. A hearing will determine whether the union vote will stand.
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Anodyne workers will vote on forming a union today. 100% of workers signed union cards, but their employer - a nationwide coffee conglomerate owned by private equity - is forcing an NLRB election. How a string of firings and a fight for local control got us here 👇 www.wuwm.com/economy-busi...
wuwm.com
Anodyne unionization: Firings, a nationwide coffee conglomerate, and an upcoming vote
Workers at Anodyne will vote on forming a union. But the story of its unionization effort uncovers a nationwide coffee conglomerate, a private equity portfolio and a barrage of firings.
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
I'm also an alum, class of 2019. It taught me how to live with one foot in the world I have, and one foot in the world I want. I can't overstate how much a personal gut punch this news was.
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
What do MKE County Exec David Crowley, Unfinished Legacy founder Brema Brema, and HOOPS creator Nicole Acosta have in common? They're all alum of Public Allies, an often under-the-radar leadership organization. The program is in jeopardy following cuts to AmeriCorps. www.wuwm.com/government-p...
wuwm.com
Public Allies: How AmeriCorps cuts affect Milwaukee's culture, social safety net
AmeriCorps cuts hit organizations like Public Allies hard, creating reverberations around the Milwaukee area.
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
In Milwaukee, a growing coalition of immigrant rights, labor, and anti-war groups are mobilizing this week in response to last week's arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan. Thursday will see the annual May Day "Day Without Immigrants" action and a commemoration of last year's student encampments at UWM 👇
wuwm.com
'Come out to the community': Milwaukee groups call for shared risk in wake of Judge Dugan's arrest
FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan in the Courthouse last Friday, alleging she obstructed an ICE investigation. Dugan’s arrest triggered multiple protests over the weekend.
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Additional note on sanctuary city comments: Mayor Johnson emphasized that MPD does not inquire about citizenship status, and that he thinks the city can be welcoming to immigrants without a sanctuary city designation. MPD policy related to immigration: city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary...
city.milwaukee.gov
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Do you see value in declaring Milwaukee a “sanctuary city” despite it not having a legal definition? “I don't want to put Milwaukee in a position where we're being targeted by the Trump administration... I don't think we need to have that title on us to be able to execute [our values]"
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Can you commit to regular updates on ICE activity in the city? “I don't know if they would tell us that information anyhow…I think if there were to be a raid from Immigration Customs Enforcement, I think that information would be presented and known to the public, as it were.”
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
If Trump withholds federal funds in exchange for further cooperation with ICE, will you do anything differently? “I don't want to speculate on what will or may not happen. Let's see how this unfolds before we tell them what our lines in the sand are as it relates to that.”
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Is that something you've ever requested? “That's not something that I've requested, but I don't think that's something that they would necessarily share either, right?”
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Do you receive regular updates on ICE operations in the city? “No, I've not gotten that information – and not just as mayor…I haven't gotten that information as [Common Council] president either, what ICE is doing out in the field.”
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Does the city share info with ICE? “For us, there may be some very small, very small areas where there's some collaboration. That's if someone is, say, a violent felon or something of that sort of type.”
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
I spoke with Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson about the extent of the city's collaboration with ICE He stopped short of declaring Milwaukee a sanctuary city, says he doesn't want MKE to be "targeted by the Trump administration" Full unedited interview linked. Q&As 👇 www.wuwm.com/government-p...
wuwm.com
Milwaukee Mayor Johnson aims to welcome immigrants without being 'targeted' by Trump
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson outlines how the city welcomes immigrants, but stops short of calling Milwaukee a sanctuary city fearing repercussions from the Trump administration.
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
But it's a dry cold
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
I'm working on a Very Important story about Milwaukee winter custard culture, which includes devising a rating system for what makes a good custard. So Bluesky - what makes a good custard? Is it all about flavor? Texture? Vibes? A combination of things?
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
In other Wisconsin news, lame duck exports are up this quarter 📈
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
Cousin's kid: why do you have long hair when you're a boy? Me: listen kid, every second you are absorbing a worldview that you may never understand. You will spend decades unlearning preferences that you accept now without question. Kid: what? Me: boys can have long hair too
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
As of today, Milwaukee’s youth shelter capacity will be cut in half at the end of the year. This is due to federal funders ghosting the Walker's Point Youth and Family Center after funding them for decades. Next week the Common Council will vote on reallocating funds to pick up the tab
wuwm.com
Milwaukee youth shelter loses funding as winter looms
The Walker's Point Youth and Family Center has received federal support for its youth shelter since 1970s. Without warning, this funding was pulled, leaving Milwaukee with half its capacity for homele...
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Spoiler: we are, but hurt people hurt people
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
@jimmygootz.bsky.social asking the real questions
wuwm.com
Is Milwaukee a community of haters?
For Bubbler Talk, we look into a question posed by a Milwaukee native: are we a bunch of haters?
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Jazz is about the notes that aren't played ☝️
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Sam Woods @wamsoods.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
I'm leaving the past in the Xitter. I am reborn, I am whole. I will still lie about understanding jazz.
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