Viewpoints

Milwaukee residents determined to make a difference in the city have an opportunity to help fund their goal through the State Farm Neighborhood Assist grant program, which awards 40 $25,000 grants to individuals wanting to improve the quality of life in their community.

Menomonee Falls-based Kohl's Department Stores announced Wednesday the launch of the Kohl's Cares Field Trip Grant Program, which will provide $750,000 in funding to eligible schools throughout the metro-Milwaukee area to help cover the cost of field trips during the 2013-2014 school year.

United Way of Greater Milwaukee has announced its 2013-2014 Board of Directors.

The Wisconsin Partnership Program has awarded $2.25 million to 12 Milwaukee projects working to provide support and resources to African American families and end infant mortality in the city.

The Brico Fund has awarded Hunger Task Force a $50,000 grant in response to both a shortage in food supply and a need for more funding.

The Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) has exceeded its goal of $2 million within Fran's Fund, a scholarship fund created in 2008 to grant music opportunities to underprivileged kids in southeastern Wisconsin.

Lawmakers in Washington have done what previously seemed unthinkable: They have allowed sequestration to mindlessly cut spending across the board rather than agree to a coherent deficit-reduction plan.

Michael Crowley Jr., chairman and CEO of Brown Deer-based Bank Mutual Corp., has informed the company's board of directors he will retire on July 1.

Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp announced that it donated more than $611,000 to United Way of Greater Milwaukee's 2012 fundraising campaign through employee contributions and corporate gifts.

Milwaukee-based Brady Corp. announced a net loss of $8.7 million for its fiscal second quarter, an improvement from a $90 million net loss from the previous fiscal second quarter.