Madison Media Digest

If you only read one local news story this week, it should be this piece about the Dane County Farmer’s Market and the ways it has and continues to change. 

City Government

Mayor Soglin is hoping to reign in spending in the 2018 budget. The chairwoman of the ethics commission has resigned. The new median safety ordinance is now in effect; police will be focusing on education rather than citations at first. The Dane County Board approved funds for the new homeless day shelter. Kate Toews won the School Board seat. MPD turned down Taser International’s body camera offer. The Madison City Council will remain mostly unchanged after the recent election; Arvina Martin is the only newcomer. 

Business

The Oscar Mayer plant will close at the end of July. The Copps grocery store on Whitney Way will be closing by mid-May. The redevelopment of the Essen Haus has been put on hold. Local banks were mostly highly rated by the FDIC. The design commission has given initial approval for the Judge Doyle Square project. Downtown business owners are excited for the business that a hotel would bring to State Street but are concerned about parking. 

Community

After community resistance, the city has decided to remove beaver traps from Warner Park. The city hopes to create better bicycle and moped parking downtown. A local Facebook group is working to pick up trash and make Madison prettier. A food and art festival might be coming to Olbrich Park in August. A free public market will return to Breese Stevens Field this summer. A night market featuring food, art and music is scheduled for three summer evenings downtown. Early and absentee voting was record-setting this election. New local radio show “Perspectives” aims to help make Madison a better city. Latino Youth Summit emphasized the importance of attending college.