Madison Media Digest

If you only read one local news story this week, it should be this piece about addressing issues of diversity amongst city employees.

Education

The cost of creating bus routes is preventing a later start time for city middle schools. Most parents wouldn’t object to a later start. Madison resident Gloria Ladson-Billings is the new president of the National Academy of Education. Teachers and parents are still divided over new Personalized Pathways program. A new after-school program offers free piano lessons for elementary school students.

Local Government

Two MPD officers face discipline for off-color remarks on social media. Mayor Soglin highlights Madison’s economic and community success using Sean Duffy’s “communist” remarks. Soglin also said that calling Duffy a moron and a charlatan was part of a strategy to escalate discussions about economic development. A revised version of the new panhandling ordinance applies primarily to spaces where safety issues exist. The city council approved $1.57 million for a new homeless housing project. Soglin plans on seeking up to $6 million in state funds for the public market.

Community

Here’s how to avoid a parking ticket during a snow emergency. Record snowfall has skiers excited for a long winter of outdoor fun. BKM Group proposes a biergarten in Olbrich Park, promising an communal and authentic experience. Imagine Madison’s public listening campaign seeks voices of city residents to create a plan for the city’s future. A one-day-only pop-up art event drew a large crowd to an otherwise vacant municipal building. A plan to downsize a mixed-use development of a prominent South Side space is being met with opposition. Black Sheep Bazaar offers alternatives to cookie cutter holiday gifts.