Good morning, Waukesha.

Peter Zehren was named executive director of the Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum on Tuesday—his award-winning public radio work and extensive academic background make him a strong leader for expanding museum programs and community ties.

He plans to boost the museum's offerings and help residents engage with local history.

The Barstow Office Center was donated to ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital by the Mohs, Brand and Kennedy families—ensuring the facility stays at the center of downtown.

ProHealth will invest $9 million in renovations to update clinic spaces and systems with work underway and expected to finish by the end of 2026.

Today at 5 p.m., the new bell tower memorial in Kiwanis Village Park will ring to honor September 11 victims and thank veterans and first responders—an effort that took over six years to complete.

Army veteran Gary Delaney will lead the honor guard with a gun salute during the dedication.

Employees at Shepard Arms gun shop in Menomonee Falls expressed shock after learning that conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon—hoping someone will carry on his political activism legacy.

Today, artist Carmen De La Paz is putting the finishing touches on a sculpture for the Waukesha Christmas Parade Memorial — a tribute to those lost and injured in the tragic attack — as she carves the piece from styrofoam with plans to cast it in concrete and mosaic it with broken tiles. The sculpture will be unveiled on November 21 to mark four years since the parade attack.

La Casa de Esperanza expanded its K4 programming at its original building (423 Arcadian Ave.) to meet growing demand for bilingual education.

The nonprofit now offers two dual-language classrooms and one monolingual classroom, showing its strong commitment to quality early childhood learning in the community.

Waukesha School District is weighing two proposals to address declining enrollment after community feedback—both proposals keep Bethesda Elementary open, with one option establishing three dual language sites at Banting, Bethesda and Heyer and the other organizing elementary schools into grades K through 6; the district will decide later this year while the Alliance for Education urges a pause until an impact study is completed.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit granted a stay on the EPA’s reclassification of southeastern Wisconsin as a 'serious' nonattainment area, halting stricter rules that would force tougher emission limits.

Rep. Scott Allen said the decision protects local businesses and allows officials to review data before any new regulations are put in place—ensuring that future rules are based on sound science.

Clay Fest 2025

10 AM – 3 PM — The Potter's Shop — Free entry — Experience unique pottery creations and live demonstrations at a vibrant outdoor art fair.

Asian Moon Festival and Business Excellence Celebration

1-7 p.m. — Waukesha County Expo Center — $40+ — Experience vibrant cultural performances and community excellence while savoring mooncakes and connecting with local businesses.