Madison Media Digest: Education, homelessness, government, community

Here’s what we were reading while mourning the champ.

Education

The Madison School Board may push back middle school start times. Chris Rickert supports the idea. West High School’s Rocketry Team won second place in a NASA competition. The Madison Public Library was honored in a ceremony at the White House. The north side’s Vera Court Neighborhood Center comes up with clever and creative ways to confront budget constraints and entertain children.

Homelessness

Homelessness is on the rise in Madison and Wisconsin, with inadequate state support seen as one reason.  As part of its series, the Wisconsin State Journal spoke to a number of homeless individuals to discuss the challenges they face. About a dozen homeless individuals moved into supportive housing. We looked at the challenges homeless students face. 

Government

Bob Jambois will run against Ismael Ozanne for Dane County District Attorney. Some Madison-area state representatives face contested races in November. Three people have filed to run for Dane County Treasurer. In response to a proposed moratorium on alcohol-selling establishments, Downtown business owners said issues beyond the rise in bars contribute to a challenging business climate. Madison has embraced urban agriculture and more intensive projects are possible under current law. Madison received a grant from the USDA to help combat food insecurity and expand the availability of farmer’s markets throughout the city. MPD’s SWAT Team might get body cameras. Dave Blaska thinks the city needs to get serious on dealing with crime and gun violence. Madison Bikes will advocate for two-wheel travel. 

Community

Opioid usage and overdoses are up in Madison. The Progressive announced its new publisher. The North Side is without a grocery story as Willy Street Co-Op prepares to open in the old Pierce’s location. A South Madison activist focuses on health issues and food availability. We wrote about Mothers in the Neighborhood last year. Business incubator 100State partnered with Centro Hispano. Madison’s Muslim community held a graduation for UW-Madison students.

The Evjue Foundation awarded $1.2M in grants to a range of community groups. Centro Hispano will host a Farmer’s Market for the second year in a row. The Marquette Waterfront Festival is one of the East Side’s four signature summer events. Downtown bookstore A Room of One’s Own is up for sale. It will take two restaurants to replace the departed Bluephies on Monroe, and those will serve healthier fare. A new bakery will open on State Street. Henry Vilas Zoo studied its own safety procedures after an incident in Cincinnati in which a 3-year-old fell into a gorilla enclosure, causing zoo staff to kill the animal.

Madison’s May temperatures were above average, but cooler than recent Mays. Brat Fest buys rain insurance, in case weather disrupts the musical acts. A Madison company has received an NIH grant to test a tool that would help connect patients to health care resources. A new Madison learning-based video game company is running a Kickstarter.  A local app designer won an exclusive contract with New York’s Fashion Week.