Larry Sandler

@larrysandler

I'm a freelance journalist, with extensive experience covering government, politics, transportation and other topics.

Milwaukee, WI, USA

Joined November 2008

131Following

1KFollowers

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Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jul 6

Unscheduled departure: Milwaukee County's Transportation Director Brown-Martin stepping down days after call for MCTS audit; former WisDOT official led county agency for 7 years before bus system deficit blindsided board and comptroller: @Vanessa_Swales. jsonline.com/story/news/loc…

larrysandler's tweet card. The Department of Transportation oversees the county's transit system that revealed its $10.9 million budget deficit late last month.

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jul 21

Cheaters beware: Coldplay subtly gives crowd warning after 'Kiss Cam' video incident; no illicit hot play caught on Jumbotron during rock band’s Madison concert: ⁦@USATODAY⁩ ⁦@pietlevy⁩. usatoday.com/story/entertai…

larrysandler's tweet card. Coldplay held their first concert after a viral incident that led to a tech CEO resigning. Frontman Chris Martin gave a slight nod to the situation.

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Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jul 20

Purple cash: Milwaukee County Transit lands $21M in federal funding for north-south bus corridor; grant will help improve service on popular route as system struggles with $11M deficit: @Vanessa_Swales. jsonline.com/story/news/loc…

larrysandler's tweet card. The federal grant will provide improvements along the 18-mile bus route between Glendale's Bayshore Mall and the IKEA in Oak Creek along 27th Street

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jul 20

Let the bidding begin: 14-day auction is all that stands between abandoned boat Deep Thought and new owners; Milwaukee County will open online sale July 22 to recoup cost of pulling marooned yacht off lakeshore: @jvanegeren. jsonline.com/story/news/202…

larrysandler's tweet card. Want to own the abandoned boat Deep Thought that spent seven months along the Lake Michigan shore? It will be going up for sale next week.

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Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jul 20

ICYMI: Going, going, almost gone: Milwaukee's abandoned boat 'Deep Thought' could be heading to public auction; county's plan depends on resolving legal issues surrounding yacht's ownership: @Vanessa_Swales. jsonline.com/story/news/loc…

larrysandler's tweet card. Milwaukee County plans to recover costs from salvaging the abandoned Deep Thought boat through an auction, provided it can resolve legal questions.

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jul 20

ICYMI: Setting sale? Milwaukee County readies to auction off abandoned boat 'Deep Thought'; after pulling marooned yacht off lakefront, 'We don't want to pay for it,' parks panel chair says: @Vanessa_Swales. jsonline.com/story/news/loc…

larrysandler's tweet card. An auction might supplement the $30,000 in donations received following the epic saga of Milwaukee's iconic abandoned boat.

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jul 13

Don't ask Allis? Facing key deadlines, east side art museum is unable to detail fundraising progress to Milwaukee County Board; if nonprofit can't meet goals for independence, mansion could be sold and collection moved to Villa Terrace: @journalsentinel. jsonline.com/story/news/loc…

larrysandler's tweet card. Villa Terrace Museum and Gardens has raised $5 million since January, the same can't be said for Charles Allis Art Museum.

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jul 13

ICYMI: Deal of the art: Villa Terrace secures its future, while Charles Allis is left in limbo; county officials back one east side museum's path to independence, but question if the other can survive as nonprofit: @Vanessa_Swales. jsonline.com/story/news/loc…

larrysandler's tweet card. The future of the two museums were thrown into question when Milwaukee supervisors flagged as fiscal burdens on the cash-strapped county.

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jul 12

Ready to hit the brakes: MCTS drivers vote to authorize strike as bus system struggles with projected deficit; 98% of transit union members empower leaders to call job action amid frustration with contract talks and overtime demands: @journalsentinel. jsonline.com/story/news/loc…

larrysandler's tweet card. Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union 998, representing Milwaukee County Transit System drivers, voted 98% in favor of authorizing a strike.

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jul 12

Off the bus: Milwaukee County Transit chief quits as supervisors question officials over $10.9 million deficit; no explanation given for Interim CEO Esch's resignation, one week after county transportation director retires: @AlisonDirr @journalsentinel. jsonline.com/story/news/pol…

larrysandler's tweet card. MCTS leaders fielded questions from a Milwaukee County Board committee on the heels of a second high-level departure from the agency the day before.

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jul 6

No fare: MCTS says it lost $4M from passengers not paying for bus rides, contributing to unexpected $10.9M deficit projection; Milwaukee County supervisors call for action plan to improve compliance: @Vanessa_Swales. jsonline.com/story/news/loc…

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jul 6

Seed money: Milwaukee County Board poised to devote $30M to plant roots of growing partnership with nonprofit Domes Alliance to restore iconic conservatory; five-year plan will cost $133M for aging complex to bloom again: @Vanessa_Swales. jsonline.com/story/news/loc…

larrysandler's tweet card. Milwaukee County is looking to allocate $30 million in redevelopment support as it prepares to tap a friends group to take ownership of the Domes.

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jul 4

Cost of driving increases: Fees for Wisconsin driver's licenses and vehicle titles are going up to raise funds for road projects; new state budget includes those fee hikes and authorizes “blackout” and retro yellow-and-black plates: ⁦@hopekarnopp⁩. jsonline.com/story/news/pol…

larrysandler's tweet card. The state budget signed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers includes increases to vehicle title and driver's license fees to boost money for road projects.

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jun 28

From Red Line to red ink: MCTS to face audit after Milwaukee County Comptroller Sumner and board are blindsided by $10.9M deficit; fiscal watchdog launches probe of how bus system veered from balanced budget forecast to huge shortfall: @Vanessa_Swales. jsonline.com/story/news/loc…

larrysandler's tweet card. Milwaukee County officials were blindsided by the transit system's reported budget deficit that could result in service cuts to bus routes countywide.

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jun 28

Recycling Republicans? Businessmen Michels and Hovde consider return to politics with runs for Wisconsin governor; pair of two-time losers could join Washington County Exec Schoemann in 2026 GOP primary: @MollyBeck @jessieopie @DanielBice @lawrencegandrea. jsonline.com/story/news/pol…

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Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jun 23

Longer waits for shorter rides: Facing $10.9M budget deficit, MCTS now looks to cut bus service across Milwaukee County; eight routes could be shortened or run less frequently outside of rush hours, transit officials tell supervisors: @Vanessa_Swales. jsonline.com/story/news/202…

larrysandler's tweet card. Milwaukee County Board supervisors say they were blindsided by the deficit and concerned about the effects cuts to bus routes could have on riders.

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jun 22

Rough road ahead: Milwaukee has 1,370 miles of streets in poor condition, and cost to repair them is $821 million, city engineer warns council; side streets have been sidelined as maintenance efforts have focused on major thoroughfares: @journalsentinel. jsonline.com/story/news/202…

larrysandler's tweet card. The Department of Public Streets last between 25 and 30 years before needing repair, and many streets are nearing, or at, the end of their life.

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jun 14

Backing the bench: Polling shows most Americans think President Trump can't ignore court rulings; solid majorities of Republicans, Democrats and independents agree judiciary has right to check White House power: @WisVoter. jsonline.com/story/news/pol…

larrysandler's tweet card. Nationwide polling from Marquette University suggests the public supports the role of the courts to determine the legality of Trump's actions.

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jun 14

No new cops for courts: Legislative Republicans reject creating law enforcement agency to protect Wisconsin judges; both Democratic Gov. Evers and former conservative Chief Justice Ziegler proposed statewide marshal force as threats rise: @MollyBeck. jsonline.com/story/news/pol…

larrysandler's tweet card. Republicans who control the state budget-writing committee rejected a proposal to create a new law enforcement agency focused on protecting judges.

Larry Sandler@larrysandler · Jun 14

Another chance to do the Summerfest Hop: Milwaukee's streetcar will expand service again for 2025 Big Gig; city plans to merge M and L Lines into Festival Line from June 15 through July 5, with all vehicles reaching lakefront station: @journalsentinel. jsonline.com/story/news/loc…

larrysandler's tweet card. Milwaukee's streetcar, The Hop, will again run both of its lines merged together with service to the lakefront during Summerfest 2025.