Madison Media Digest

Here’s what we were reading while trying to come up with a clever name for our apartment building 

Education

A summer free lunch program will serve students at risk for hunger during the period when schools are closed. A custodian at Sherman Middle School saved a choking student’s life. Madison’s high school auditoriums need repairs. A downtown business group wants Madison Area Technical College to keep its campus there rather than focus on a South side expansion, which many there see as an important step in developing that part of town. An Orchard Ridge Elementary school program focuses on storytelling. The Madison school board kept its leaders in place. A former legislative staffer who charged with administering charter schools though a new UW office spoke well of the Madison district. A summit has been called to discuss UW–Madison’s racial climate on campus. 

Government

Dane County donated $5,000 to a food pantry to settle a lawsuit over 911 response times. Madison Metro plans to lease extra storage and apply for a federal grant. Downtown businesses are not thrilled about Mayor Paul Soglin’s proposed moratorium on “beverage businesses,” which he says is aimed at preserving retail businesses. The city attorney said alders who support changing Madison’s governance system violated open meeting laws. The city may look to place the $14M Public Market project on East Washington. A cold, wet Mifflin Street Block Party came off without incident; the cost of policing the event has declined in recent years. A cohousing location may end up as part of the Union Corners project.  The state approved a merger between Unity and Gundersen health plans. 

Community

Madison’s Oscar Mayer plant closes for the last time in March of 2017. Willy St. Co-op will open a location on the north side. Simpson Street Free Press editor and YWCA Woman of Distinction Deidre Green spoke about the power of writing. Madison-Kipp has removed chlorine from its East Side plant, but residents worry about other toxins. Madison health center for the homeless offers new foot care clinic. People wonder whether MG&E will listen to its customers and shareholders. A privately-funded scholarship for ethnic minorities at UW Madison received a $10 million donation. Newly-created CEOs of Tomorrow focuses on educating children about social entrepreneurship. A Madison-area community program celebrated 20 years of teaching young girls about entrepreneurship. A church in Shorewood Hills had its Black Lives Matter sign vandalized for the second time. Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority is looking to add women and people of color to real estate development. Glass facade buildings in Madison are good for aesthetics but bad for birds. A Madison drummer received $80,000 from Prince 15 years ago. April in Madison saw more snow than March. Madison hosts a mini-Maker Faire on May 14.