Madison Media Digest

If you only read one local news story this week, it should be The Cap Times’ piece on the importance of youth employment in Madison.

Local Government

With autumn on the way, here’s how you can (and can’t) dispose of fallen leaves. The Connecting Madison program aims to provide affordable internet access for Madisonians. Dane County Board will increase the minimum wage for county workers to $15/hour by 2022. Alders question Mayor Soglin’s priorities in the proposed 2017 budget, which represents a historic high in the amount of capital spending and authorized borrowing. Roadside panhandling, police contracts and liquor licenses were all addressed at last week’s Common Council meeting. The new executive director of the Latino Chamber of Commerce is eager to make an impact. 

Education

Shabazz High School has launched a social media fundraising campaign to combat the effects of recent budget cuts. Concerns about the future are making it difficult for UW–Madison to update its campus master plan. Madison school district’s controversial disciplinary code will remain in use this school year. GIRLZ’BIZ celebrates 21 years of empowering and inspiring middle school girls. Catholic Charities Madison has partnered with Dane County to run the homeless day shelter that will open in 2017. The organization These Teens Mean Busines$ helps teens develop the skills to become successful entrepreneurs. Sixth grade students at Sennet Middle School began school a day earlier than 7th and 8th graders. 

Community

Senior meal sites in Dane County offer conversation and companionship for older adults, as well as good food. A Madison Police Department brainstorming session began with ideas for dealing with issues on State Street and ended with cruel “jokes.” The downtown area may end up facing a shortage of child care centers. The Go Topless pub crawl advocates for gender equality. The Overture Center will host a number of Broadway musicals this fall. Over the last four years, Atwood Barbershop’s unique business model has resulted in more than just a barbershop. Madison restaurants are on the move, especially in the Monroe Street area, as they outgrow their current spaces. An African-American genealogy workshop will be hosted at the Wisconsin Historical Society in October. Faith-based employment program The Joseph Project will come to Madison soon. Madison-based Fair Indigo is one of three businesses nationally to receive the Green America’s People and Planet Award. The State Journal profiled Madison’s 100 neighborhoods in 30 words each.