Madison Media Digest

Here’s what we were reading while getting ready for a beer on the Terrace.

Education

Madison Area Technical College’s board approved a plan to lease its downtown campus in order to expand on in South Madison. Members of the Madison Common Council are split over Madison Area Technical College’s decision to lease its downtown campus and expand in South Madison. Madison Metropolitan School District began hiring staff for its community schools program. The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County introduces kids to dental care as a health habit and a career option. A longtime guidance counselor in Madison school is retiring. The school district offers scholarships for drivers education. West High School needs a new athletic director. Madison schools also adjusted athletic eligibility requirements, saying sports keep at-risk students engaged. Women In Focus awarded scholarships to outstanding Madison-area students. 

Government

Chris Rickert isn’t sure an investigation into potential violations of open meetings laws by Common Council is really about government transparency. The Common Council’s rejection of a symbolic resolution illustrates the breakdown in relations between Mayor Paul Soglin and the Common Council, says Dave Zwifel. City employees of color say they encounter a hostile work environment. Madison’s new urban forestry charge is hurting some neighborhood associations. The city will support expanded outdoor programming downtown. Soglin named 23-year-old alder Zach Wood to the finance committee. Should emergency responders respect city borders or focus on proximity?  Wesley Sparkman will be the director of Dane County’s Tamara Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusion.

Community

An exhibit of photos of community reaction after the death of unarmed teenager Tony Robinson by a Madison police officer last March opened. A UW student arrested for graffiti related to the racial climate on campus will not face criminal charges. Dane County Airport’s traffic is either up or down, depending on who you ask. MGE saw its profits fall after a warm winter. Community Pharmacy on State Street needs business if it is going to survive. The city won nearly $28M in federal money to support affordable housing developments.  The Children’s Theater of Madison is presenting “To Kill a Mockingbird.”  Fresh Madison Market will no longer be selling tobacco products. Vote Riders will take you to the DMV to get a state ID so you can vote. The Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission will unveil the 2016 Art Poster on May 16th.Most of Madison’s major roads are in “mediocre to poor” shape, according to a highway lobbyist group. Madison’s Just Bakery works to help recently incarcerated individuals prepare for culinary jobs.