Madison Media Digest

If you only read one local news story this week, it should be this piece about the proposed ban on panhandling in medians. 

Schools

An environmental-themed charter school promises improve its performance as its charter comes up for renewal. Wright Middle school will be giving up its charter school status. Madison residents banded together via social media to pay off school lunch balances for local kids.

Development

The proposed homeless day resource center got its land use approval. The parks commission approved the controversial Olbrich Biergarten; its critics vocally oppose it. Underground Food Collective will be opening on the near west side. A development company got land use approval for major parts of the 800 block project. The Urban Design Commission denied initial approval for a downtown apartment complex. A coffee shop catering to bicyclists recently opened on Willy Street. 

Community

Federal tax changes under a Trump administration could negatively impact Madison’s affordable housing initiatives. The city approved an increased special events parking rate. MG&E got approval to raise customers’ rates in 2017. The Sustainable Madison Committee will vote on renewable energy proposals. Protestors from Standing Rock are recuperating in Madison after their tentative victory. At the Goodman Community Center, Madisonians can celebrate 50 years of Kwanzaa. The Black Business Expo will have a Holiday Meet and Greet. An unusual number of uncontested races shows that fewer Madisonians are running for local office. Alder Maurice Cheeks’ “Leading Locally” events will continue post-inauguration.