Madison Media Digest

Today is Indigenous People’s Day in Madison. 

Madison Police Department

Madison’s educational resource officers say that they just want to help the children they supervise. The ERO contract was recently approved. Madison police officer Corey Saffold held a forum on the unique position of being a black cop. Three companies are interviewing to be the outside expert in the review of the Madison police department. So far in 2016, MPD has recorded more calls for guns being fired than in all of last year. A new initiative will soon allow nonviolent drug offenders to choose between arrest and treatment. 

Racial Justice

A new health center will provide better access to health information for men of color in Madison. The Justified Anger Coalition wants to address the concerns of Madison’s black community. Focused Interruption Coalition hopes that city budget allotment will inspire others to contribute to their mission. 

Community

Madison food cart review panel faces the difficult task of evaluating new and old food carts to choose who will get one of the 40 available spaces. Madison Veteran’s Hospital spent $410,000 on equipment it couldn’t use and later sold for a fraction of the price. Conversations at Neighborhood Conference include creating spaces for social gatherings. Mallat’s Pharmacies will no longer be pharmacies but will carry on selling costumes and retail goods. Funding for a free laundry program for Madison’s homeless individuals has been ended. Budget debates continue between the mayor and the Common Council; the budget currently comes in at a proposed $299.5 million. MSD will hold two school budget informational meetings. An investigation into missing absentee ballots is underway.