Milwaukee Magazine

Vehicle emissions testing – that every-other-year inevitability for Southeastern Wisconsin motorists – has been a target for years. Now, federal lawmakers are taking a turn at changing the rules after recent effort at the state level went nowhere.

The tailpipe tests have been required by the federal Clean Air Act for vehicles registered in seven Southeastern Wisconsin counties since 1984. It now costs about $3.5 million a year, but mechanics only make $2 on every test they perform, and many have left the program because of it.

Read more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/will-lawmakers-finally-repeal-wisconsin-emissions-testing/

Story by: Ethan Duran
Illustration by: Sophie Yufa

This story originally appeared in our May 2026 issue. Ensure every month’s issue is delivered right to your door for less than $20 a year. Subscribe now: https://tr.ee/MilMagSubscribe

Pride Month is here, and Milwaukee is showing up ready to slay with a packed calendar. Whether you’re looking to find love with The Butchelorette, cruise through the city in a Pride motorcycle ride, bring the whole family to the Pride Parade, or dance the night away at PrideFest, there’s something for everyone to uplift and celebrate Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ community.

See the events: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/pride-month-events-milwaukee-2026/

Story by: Brianna Schubert
Photo: Courtesy of Milwaukee Pride Parade

At Talking Walls, Jodi Lurie has created a design oasis. The wallpaper boutique and showroom in Brown Deer is fit for both homeowners and professional designers, with thousands of designs to choose from. We asked Jodi to share her expertise.

Learn more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/meet-milwaukees-expert-of-the-month-jodi-lurie/

Our Summer Guide was built to help you make the most of our most outdoorsy season.

Read more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/summer-guide-our-top-7-outdoor-summer-essentials/

Story by: Chelsea Mamerow and Chris Drosner

We asked Margaret Zickuhr – a legal expert, partner at Houseman and Feind and adjunct professor of law at Marquette University – what Wisconsin couples need to know before divorce.

Learn more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/qa-a-milwaukee-legal-expert-talks-divorce/

A theater company finds its new home, a new craft store in South Milwaukee, and a mystery novel by a former Wisconsin Poet Laureate.

Read more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/3-new-things-milwaukee-this-june/

Story by: Evan Musil
Photo: Courtesy Pink Umbrella

PrideFest returns to the lakefront, Art64 takes over Tosa Village, a new farmers market arrives in Milwaukee and more.

Read more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/15-things-to-do-in-milwaukee-this-weekend-june-4-7/

Story by: Anya Keley
Photo by: Navia-Ayauna Erbst

June is Pride Month, which began as an acknowledgement of the LGBTQ+ community’s fight for equality and evolved into a celebration of culture, identity and history. In keeping with the spirit of honoring individuality, PrideFest – Milwaukee’s annual LGBTQ+ celebration, this year from June 4-6 at Henry Maier Festival Park – is designed to offer a little bit of everything.

Read more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/summer-guide-pride/

Story by: Brianna Schubet
Photo: Courtesy of Visit Milwaukee

This story originally appeared in our June 2026 issue. Ensure every month’s issue is delivered right to your door for less than $20 a year. Subscribe now: https://tr.ee/MilMagSubscribe

For more than three decades, this building materials supplier and remodeler have teamed up to craft dream homes.

Learn more: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/bliffert-and-ruvin-bros-bring-homeowners-dreams-to-life/