Madison Media Digest: Racial disparity, public service, the environment

As the first really warm days of the year hit, here's what Madison media what looking at:

Racial Disparity

In The Cap Times, Jack Craver wrote about the Republican Party’s efforts to diversify its base of support, while Pat Schneider covered UW-Madison’s new student-approved diversity measure. In an editorial, Jon Schultz said that congregations can play a role in closing the racial divide. The Badger Herald wrote about the lack of diversity among America’s teachers, and focused on growing efforts from the Latino community in Madison aimed at ending racial disparity.

Public Services

New Police Chief Mike Koval spoke in a Q&A about viewing the role of police as demilitarized “guardians.” Koval aims to continue Madison’s legacy of community policing. After the recent double-homicide, Koval stressed the importance of “introspective examination” as well as third-party independent examinations of complex issues like officer involved shootings.

In education, The Capital City Hues highlighted a discussion with Erroll B. Davis Jr., superintendent for Atlanta’s public schools and a recent keynote speaker at Madison Civics Club, on the goals and challenges of a public education system.

The Isthmus explored Madison’s new zoning code, which allows projects like the newly approved “tiny house village” on the east side. Public resistance to increased development is showing as the Marquette Neighborhood Association continues to oppose a plan for Willy Street.

In another sign of increased development downtown, for the first time in 16 years WORT had to move its block party out of the Bassett Neighborhood (near its office headquarters) when local condominium owners rejected the petition to close the block because of the inconveniences.

In transportaion, Dave Zweifel calls for more responsible spending from the Department of Transportation, focusing on low-cost projects instead of expensive highway expansions.

Environment

In the third installment of Murky Waters, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism looks at the impact of leaky sewer pipes on lake cleanliness and health. Meanwhile, Dane County is kickstarting a fundraising campaign this week for a new endowment aimed at supporting local parks for generations.