Madison Media Digest: Education, Public Spaces and Community

Here’s what we were reading while learning that Madison has its own flag. 

Education

The Madison Teachers Union sued the state over access to voter lists during annual recertification elections. A 15-year-old brought a loaded gun to school on Thursday, although officials say the student did not pose a threat. Leopold’s parent liaison tries to keep parents involved in their kids’ education. The Preschool of the Arts sponsored a discussion about talking to children about race and privilege.

While Mount Horeb has been tied in knots by a debate over whether to read a book about a transgender child, local physicians say more children are transitioning before puberty. Schools are examining their policies around gender identity as well. Local politicians want UW-Madison student IDs to comply with state voter ID requirements. Madison School and Community Recreation is opening a nearly 11,000 square foot facility on the East Side to host a range of activities. 

Public Spaces

The city may turn a building at 120 S. Fairchild in a men’s shelter. The city is also looking into building housing units for the homeless on the West Side, pointing to successes in other parts of town. The Madison City Council approved $2.8M to provide 159 units of affordable housing. Downtown Madison has become a boomtown, with politics taking center stage. A nonprofit is proposing the first low-income housing for downtown in a decade. The city succeeded in its efforts to have a Madison landlord’s properties declared a public nuisance. A century old house on Willy Street was taken down to make way for an apartment building. The city wants to install as a bike line around the Capitol to reduce conflicts between cars and bikers. Some 15 developers are interested in buying MATC’s downtown campus. A group has formed to start helping fundraising for Public Market.

Community

The rise of black voices in Madison will save the city, writes Neil Heinen. In response to last week’s shootings in San Bernardino, local officials say the city is prepared for a mass shooting event. A grant program aimed at keeping local retail businesses on State Street is a solution in search of a problem, says Chris Rickert. Pinney Library is kicking off a $1.2M capital campaign. The city is studying high-speed Internet in Madison. A new HIV/AIDS clinic is opening in Madison. Pastor Everett Mitchell of Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church described the reasons he is running for judge.

Madison Metro is increasing service to Epic. Consultant Don Edwards discussed MGE’s plans for its energy future. Dane County is starting a program to provide feminine hygiene products for free. Madison has seen a drop in people without health insurance.  Two new animals – an orangutan and a harbor seals – will move into Vilas Zoo next year. WORT’s news operation is inspired by radical reporter John Ross. And now meet  Madison365, a new entry into the Madison media world. Local airbnb operators are not yet complying with regulations.  When will Lake Mendota freeze?