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Madison Commons - Community journalism powered by UW–Madison's School of Journalism

Madison Commons (https://madisoncommons.org/)

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Education for children without homes is hard enough; COVID is making it worse

By Kate Morton | November 6, 2020

Access to quality education is at risk for housing-insecure children in Madison as their families face the economic blowback of COVID-19 and the end of an eviction moratorium looms. 

Governor Evers announced a $30 million CARES Act fund on Sept. 3, which directs $25 million towards the Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program. The next day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a national eviction moratorium in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. However, come Dec. 31, families will be to pay their accumulated rent. If they are unable to do so, they will be evicted, putting children’s access to quality remote learning at risk.

Neighborhood leaders weigh in on proposal to shrink Common Council, convert to full-time alders

The Madison Common Council is debating whether to add a referendum to the spring ballot that would ask whether the council should undergo structural changes by making alder positions “full-time,” increasing their salary, decreasing the number of alders and implementing term limits. Our Courtney Degen spoke with leaders of several neighborhood associations for their reactions.

College during COVID: UW undergrads share the experience of an unprecedented year

In a semester that many have called “unprecedented,” students say they are simply “trying to cope” and “find normalcy” in their experiences on campus. 

It’s finally Badger Gameday! Here’s what that means for campus-area bars

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, football Saturdays usually mean large crowds, packed bars, and a football stadium full of thousands of fans. But this year will be markedly different. Courtney Degen spoke to public health authorities, neighborhood leaders & a bar owner about what Badger football looks like in the pandemic era.

More Headlines

‘Keep a steady flow’: Small shop owners carefully navigating the pandemic
Judge Nia Trammell makes history, brings a unique perspective to Dane County Circuit Court
‘A service for the 99 percent’: New nonprofit aims to bridge academic access gaps through the pandemic

Read More

  • City Life
    Madison Commons Media Digest, January 17, 2021
    By Lew Friedland | 6 hours ago

    Top Stories COVID deaths in Wisconsin hit a single-day record of 128, Associated Press, Jan. 17; Record-high 128 deaths reported in Wisconsin, positive test rates continue to drop, Robert Chappell, Madison365, Jan.

  • City Life
    Madison Commons Media Digest, January 10, 2021
    By Lew Friedland | January 10, 2021

    Top Stories Protestors call for Sen. Ron Johnson's resignation in Madison march, Wisconsin State Journal, Jan. 10; Mark Pocan joins House Democrats in gearing up for potential impeachment, Brianna Reilly, Capital Times, Jan.

  • City Life
    Madison Commons Media Digest, January 3, 2021
    By Lew Friedland | January 3, 2021

    COVID-19 Positive COVID test rates continue sharp increase, Robert Chappell, Madison365, Jan. 1.

  • City Life
    Madison Commons Media Digest, December 27, 2020
    By Lew Friedland | December 27, 2020

    COVID-19 State reports 2,138 cases, 9 deaths, since Thursday, Robert Chappell, Madison365, Dec. 26.

Recent Posts: WisconsinWatch.org

Wisconsin farmers: Fixing farm finances will improve mental health

Some farmer advocates are pushing for supply management systems that could raise milk prices and reduce volatility

‘The happiness and joy has been sucked out of me’: Wisconsin dairy farmers face mental health crisis

Many Wisconsin milk producers are overwhelmed, dogged by financial worries, a crushing workload, labor shortages and bad weather

Gov. Tony Evers announces mobile COVID-19 vaccination program, aiming to quicken state’s pace — 1/15/21

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Friday announced a new mobile COVID-19 vaccination program, aiming to quicken the state’s pace.

The program will launch nine mobile teams on Tuesday, with plans to scale up as Wisconsin expands eligibility for vaccines. Wisconsin National Guard members will staff the teams along with University of Wisconsin System nursing and pharmacy students. The volunteers will complete safety training.

Wisconsin Weekly: ‘We’re not going to be quiet’: Disability community in Wisconsin demands better access to voting

Voting barriers; first-hand account of Capitol siege; Enbridge defies Michigan order; nuns’ deaths sparks call for change; woes remain with WI unemployment system

What Wisconsin could learn from other states distributing the COVID-19 vaccination — 1/14/21

Today we highlight a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story about the patchwork of COVID-19 vaccination plans across the 50 states — and how Wisconsin’s effort fits in.

About 2.4% of Wisconsin residents have received a vaccine dose, fewer than most of its Midwest neighbors, Fauber and Chen report.

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Special Reports

  • After Oscars

    Losing the Oscar Mayer plant in Madison reflected the general trend of declining manufacturing jobs. But being part of a national trend doesn’t change the reality for the company’s employees and the city.

  • Bridging the Gap

    Bridging the Gap is an in-depth look at Madison’s racial academic achievement gap. This issue spans the city and touches almost every aspect of our community.

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About Madison Commons

Madison Commons is a community journalism project powered by University of Wisconsin–Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Our reporters regularly cover neighborhood news and local issues relating to environment, local food issues, education, development, nonprofits, and social justice. We also do special reports, including one on the closing of Oscar Mayer and the achievement gap.

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