Madison Media Digest: Social Justice, Building, Education

Here’s what we we’re reading while enjoying the silence along our bus route.

Social Justice

Leaders of Madison’s black churches discussed security and their message following Wednesday’s attack on Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., in which an apparent white supremacist shot nine people at a bible study. Madison’s Juneteenth celebration took on a somber tone. Justified Anger’s plan for Madison is described as “For Us By Us.”  Chris Rickert says blaming Chicago for things is really playing the race card. Paul Fanlund asks whether Latino voices are being heard in the community discussion about racial disparities. Members of the Asian community in Madison condemned Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne’s decision not to indict Officer Matt Kenny in the Mar. 6 shooting of Tony Robinson.  The My Brother’s Keeper initiative focuses on improving education outcomes, decreasing incarceration.

Building

The Dane County Board will hear an appeal on its requirement that Enbridge Energy carry a $25M insurance policy to pay for clean-up in case a proposed high-speed pipeline ruptures. The City Council overrode Mayor Paul Soglin’s veto of an ordinance making homelessness a protected class in Madison. The city sought proposals for a pilot study of free Internet in low-income neighborhoods. The Landmarks Commission rejected a building proposal on Willy Street, but larger questions remain about the state of some buildings in the Marquette Neighborhood. A brew pub has been proposed for Regent Street between Randall and Orchard. Dane County home sales were up nearly 10 percent in May. A study suggests renovations to Alliant Energy Center would increase the number of concerts it can host. UW-Madison’s Memorial Union has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Education

More than 700 students in Madison opted-out of standardized tests tied to the Common Core standards. Edgewood High School is renovating its athletic facilities at a cost of $1.5M, the majority of which comes from a grant from the Goodman Foundation. The Madison Metropolitan Links honored African American students for the 29th consecutive year. Hawthorne Elementary’s Girls Running Club participated in May’s Race for the Cure event.