Milwaukee Radio Station WMSE-FM Has Endured For 40 Years

METRO MILWAUKEE, WI — A little thing like a global pandemic isn't going to stop WMSE-FM from celebrating its 40th anniversary Wednesday.

Adversity has been baked into the station since its founding in 1981 as part of the Milwaukee School of Engineering. In one day, the station saw a walkout by half of its staff, its program director getting fired, and the disbandment of a club that helped with its programming, according to a story by Piet Levy for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

So COVID-19 was just another challenge for the non-commercial station to overcome. Early on during the pandemic, the station faced deep financial cuts after it had to cancel fundraising events and financial support from local businesses dropped.

"We were really starting to question how we were going to stay on the air," Tom Crawford, the station's longtime manager, told the Journal Sentinel.

WMSE has been able to weather the pandemic-fueled storm thanks in part to community support and most of the station's volunteer DJs choosing to stay on and host their shows, Crawford said. Read more about the station and its anniversary.

The Quest for Milwaukee's Best Reuben Sandwich

Amanda DeSua wasn't content with just getting a cake to celebrate her father Mike Frank's 70th birthday — she wanted it to be an adventure.

DeSua decided to take her father on a quest to find Milwaukee’s best Reuben sandwich, Frank's favorite, according to Jordyn Noenning for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Metro Milwaukee Headlines

• Milwaukee County Jail Inmate Dies: Authorities are investigating the death of a 41-year-old man who was found unresponsive Sunday in his Milwaukee County Jail cell.
• Man Accused of Hitting College Students: Marquette University police said they arrested a man accused of threatening and hitting women around the campus.
• Mayor Barrett Hopeful Of City Reopening: Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said he hopes the county's health department will let the city lift some of its COVID-19 restrictions as soon as Thursday.
• Vaccination Clinic To Receive Federal Support: Gov. Tony Evers said Monday the Federal Emergency Management Agency will help with COVID-19 vaccinations at the Wisconsin Center.

"I still can't believe I was given the opportunity to sing for these four incredible coaches, and I could have never immagined it would turn out this way."

— Milwaukee native Anna Grace about auditioning on NBC's "The Voice"

SPORTS TALK: The Green Bay Packers are sticking with Aaron Jones at running back. Jones and the team have agreed on a four-year deal worth $48 million.

“We anticipated bigger offers in free agency, but Aaron wanted to stay with the Packers,” said Jones’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Read more from ESPN.

WEATHER IN A WORD: Cold

LET’S MAKE PLANS: The City of Milwaukee Equal Rights Commission will hold its monthly meeting at noon Thursday. The meeting, on Zoom, will focus this month on "Women in Milwaukee: Emerging Leadership and Empowerment." The meeting is free to join and can be livestreamed through the commission’s Facebook page.

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