A personal note to kick off the latest weekly digest: Tosa Forward News is about to pass one year old. I had made a few previous stabs at a Tosa-centric news website, but the current endeavor really launched on Aug. 10, 2025, with coverage of that month's devastating flooding and its aftermath.
In the news business, disaster coverage operates a little differently. There are typically a lot of stories to write and a lot of adrenaline fueling the coverage. So in those first two weeks, I hustled and posted about two dozens stories, mostly about the flooding but also about things like Tosa's citywide revaluation, the school district's Chromebook policy and George Webb's Brewers bandwagon burger giveaway.
From there, Tosa Forward News was up and running. It has never been quite as prolific as in those first two weeks, but I'm always looking for ways to inform readers, dig into local issues and fill the widening chasm left by a news industry that mostly treats coverage of Wauwatosa as an afterthought.
This site hasn't always been perfect — and all readers are encouraged to email editor@tosanews.com when you think the reporting misses the mark or flubs this or that detail — but I hope you have found it useful. The site now has more than 100 paying members and more than 1,200 readers like you who have provided email addresses to subscribe and receive this email newsletter.
I would call that a decent start. So, thanks to all of you, and I hope you'll stay engaged for the website's next chapter.
— David Paulsen, editor
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David Paulsen
Catching up on some school news, this story takes a closer look at several factors at play in the Wauwatosa School District's budget and what it means for the upcoming tax levy. So far, it sounds like good news for Tosa taxpayers who still might be stressed over last year's tax hike.
We received an update today on a ongoing city government story: District 6 residents can now apply for appointment to the district's vacant seat on the Common Council. If you are interested and eligible, you have until Aug. 21.
The primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 11. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Our preview of the primary in Assembly District 13 can be found here. The Democratic challengers are Amy Zimmerman and David Sanchez. (You probably have seen their signs around town.)
The developer looking to build about a dozen housing units on a tight triangular parcel in Tosa Village offered additional details about the development in seeking approval from the city's Design Review Board. Update: The board isn't yet satisfied with some of those details and asked the developer, JJH3group, to come back again with revisions.
In the meantime, you can get a preview here of the development, which goes by the name Sonne.
David Paulsen
Tosa Forward News has several stories in the works looking at how members of the community are doing one year after the August 2025 flooding. Today, this story posted catching up with the Wauwatosa Curling Club, which lost its basement club room at Hart Park when it was swamped by Menomonee River floodwaters.
Watch for additional stories in the coming weeks.
Speaking of Hart Park, did you make it there for this year's Tosa's Night Out on Wednesday? Wauwatosa Police Department did.
We missed the news earlier this week of a driver crashing into the Qdoba in Tosa Village, but WISN-TV has that covered for you here.
There clearly are some Bobby Tanzilo fans on this newsletter's distribution list, because every mention of a Tanzilo real estate profile for OnMilwaukee gets several clicks. Here's his latest, about a "stunning 1925 Tosa home" in the Olde Hillcrest neighborhood.
Finally, this Saturday, Aug. 8, is the 10th annual TOSA Youth Tri, hosted by Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool. If you aren't planning to be on the sidelines cheering on the event's young athletes, be aware of some road closures tied to the race, particularly along the Menomonee River Parkway.
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