Madison Media Digest: Education, Government and Community

Here’s what we were reading while mourning the loss of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Egg rolls. 

Education

The Goodman Community Center found that their racial equity programs have been producing results. Spring Harbor Middle School debuted its new greenhouse. UW Madison hosts a campus forum on its racial climate tonight at 6 p.m. Students protested the arrest of a student who was charged with vandalism after posting graffiti calling attention to issues of race on campus; UW-Madison police chief apologized for the disruption the arrest caused. The Madison Reading Project aims to collect 5000 books to donate to children and schools in the Madison area. The Madison Public Library is one of ten recipients of a national award.  The Madison School Board passed a budget that cuts 66 positions, primarily classroom teachers, and raises taxes 2.5 percent. Community members are split about future plans for Madison Area Technical College. Caliph Muab’El works with Madison youth to help them find the right path. 

Government

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi is pushing for municipalities to lower their fines on marijuana possession. Parking enforcement in Madison is made easy with high-tech autoChalk vehicles. City staff travel to North Carolina has been banned due to North Carolina’s discriminatory policies against LGBTQ+ individuals. Mayor Paul Soglin wants a moratorium on bars and coffee shops downtown. It took 15 ballots, but Mike Verveer is the new city council president, replacing Chris Schmidt, who stepped down earlier this year. The Capital Times hopes municipal government reform expands democracy in Madison. Dane County’s video explaining the voter ID laws is gaining national recognition. The City Council picked a $170M proposal for the redevelopment of Judge Doyle Square just off the Capitol, months after a more than $200M plan fell through. A plan to redevelop a building on Willy Street passed with no opposition, a rarity. The Planning Commission rejected a Kwik-Trip on the Far East Side. 

Community

Madison immigrant families rallied at Centro Hispano to urge the Supreme Court to uphold President Obama’s deportation protection legislation. MG&E worked to advance their Energy 2030 framework during their latest Community Energy Conversation. A senior meal program at the West Madison Senior Center seeks more seniors of color. WPR introduced more news and culture programs. The new director of the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce talks about the importance of economic empowerment. A day-long summit on May 9th will focus on diversity and economic development in Madison. The value of single-family homes in Madison is the highest it’s been since the early 2000s. A Madison startup brewery is relocating to Milwaukee.A nationally renowned mediator shared his thoughts on Madison’s racial climate. A local developer has agreed to monitor pollution caused by a development south of the Beltline. Madison’s Hindu Community hosted a spring festival. Madison wants to host the 2022 Gay Games. Former UW women’s basketball coach Bobby Kelsey-Grayson joined the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County.  UW Health and Meriter have affiliated with hospice Agrace. An electrical problem will keep Tenney Locks closed until May 20. The Orpheum Theater is under new management. Spectrum Brands will expand in Middleton after the city provided $700K in funding. One of the founders of PerBlue has become a fixture in the entrepreneurial community.