Cause of MGE substation explosion still unknown, businesses regroup, Shelley K. Mesch, Wisconsin State Journal, July 21. Thousands without power after fire cripples MGE facilities, Abigail Becker, Brianna Reilly, Natalie Yahr, Lisa Speckhard Pasque, Steven Elbow; Mayor applauds emergency response, Abigail Becker, Capital Times, July 20. Photos: Explosion and fire in Downtown Madison, Steve Apps and Kyle Jensen, WSJ, July 20. Video: Transformer explosion, Madison.com. Excessive heat warning in effect for Southern Wisconsin, Bill Novak, WSJ, July 19.
As Madison school board members prepare to appoint a replacement for longtime Madison Metropolitan School Board (MMSD) member Mary Burke, they have 26 applications to look through.
MMSD policy requires that the Board choose an immediate replacement to fill Burke’s seat within 60 days of her departure. However, a Wisconsin state statute requires that appointees win election in the next possible spring, in 2020, to continue their service on the board. Additionally, because the person appointed to Burke’s seat would be serving out her original three-year term, that person would be up for re-election yet again in 2021.
Those interested in applying for the vacant board seat was asked to complete a short statement describing their views on critical issues facing the district, and early thoughts about how those issues might be addressed. Those applications were due July 19, and were posted online for public transparency.
Board members plan to discuss potential applicants and select a new board member at its July 22 meeting.
Here’s a look at the applicants, in alphabetical order:
David Aguayo is an executive assistant in the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and has previously held positions as a paralegal in with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and as a commissioner with the Washington D.C. Commission on Latino Community Development. He expressed interested in seeking alternatives to detention as a disciplinary practice, and highlighted the need to attract and retain more teachers of color in MMSD schools.
Erin Arango-Escalante is the administrator for the Division of Early Care and Education at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, and previously held positions at WIDA within the Wisconsin Center for Education Research and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Arango-Escalante, a graduate of MMSD schools, identified issues with funding streams for English Language Learner (ELL) students, community-based early education opportunities, and family outreach as core to her goals as a potential board member.
Micah Ariel-Rohr is a former Chicago Public Schools (CPS) teacher, and currently serves as assistant director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Hillel.
Freewheel, a Madison non-profit which advocates for making bikes accessible for everyone within the community, was distinguished by eBay as one of eight SHINE Awards winners, and is now up for the grand prize -- but needs votes to get there.
The SHINE Awards aim to honor small businesses and non-profit organizations who are using eBay as a partner for fundraising initiatives. Freewheel sells bikes on eBay and invests the revenue in providing free bikes and bike maintenance to those in need here in Madison.
Several hundred people gathered at Brittingham Park in Madison across two events on Friday evening to speak out against the detention of children and families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
A rally hosted by the Close the Concentration Camps Coalition met earlier in the evening at a former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office, and marched about a mile to the park for a candlelight vigil held in conjunction with Lights for Liberty.
Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin is launching a pilot program called “Helpful Harvest” to test the possibility of using an online free food ordering system to connect people who are qualified for receiving the resources.
The three-month pilot began in June, providing free groceries for anyone who submits an order through their website. Second Harvest officials hope the relative anonymity of online ordering helps people who might be reluctant to walk into a food pantry.
Gretchen Underwood is a parent and a preschool teacher. Countless times, she's set up crafting projects for kids and her students, but now it's her turn to get crafty. Revel, in the Parkside building on Hamilton Street in downtown Madison, brings meaning to the idea of a “craft bar” by featuring do-it-yourself projects for adults in a casual, social setting. “Where else can you do anything like this?” Underwood said. “This is my cup of tea. I put things out for my students but I never get to create with them, so it’s pretty exciting.”
'The party's over': Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway targets bad behaviors at the top of State Street, Dean Mosiman, Wisconsin State Journal, July 13. Madison and Dane County
Edgewood High can't use its field to play games, Lisa Speckhard Pasque, Capital Times, July 12; Edgewood exploring 'legal pathways' to hold games on its playing field, Emily Hamer, WSJ, July 13. Citing patrol shortage, Madison police planning to slash proactive policing units, Chris Rickert, WSJ, July 11. Madison to study safety before pilot program for electric scooters, Dean Mosiman, WSJ, July 11. Former board member Ed Hughs will apply for vacant Madison School Board seat, others also mulling plans, Negassi Tesfamichael, CT, July 10.
This Saturday, July 13, both bicycle fans and interested families are called by Fitchburg to the city’s Agora Pavilion for the second annual Festival of Speed, a day of harsh competition followed by some family-friendly fun. “With this being the Wisconsin state criterium championship, obviously it is something that happens once a year so it is very unique. If you are a big bicycle follower, this is right in your wheelhouse ... We also have the two national touring bands, Twin XL and New Politics, so it’s an all-encompassing day,” said event manager Lucas Molloy. Criterium is a form of bicycle racing that takes several laps of a closed course.
Mary Burke steps down from Madison School Board after seven years, Logan Wroge, Wisconsin State Journal, July 6; Madison365 staff, July 5. Madison and Dane County
Shake the Lake shooting prompts Mayer Satya Rhodes-Conway to call for local control over guns, Abigail Becker, Capital Times, July 2. Community
Groundbreaking Healing House set to host its first family, David Dahmer, Madison365, July 4. Fourth Annual Westfest at Elver Park will highlight diversity of Madison's Southwest Side, David Dahmer, Madison365, July 2. Wisconsin veterans homeless program at King to close by September, Katelyn Ferral, CT, July 2.
What began as a small local fundraiser at Madison bookstore A Room of One’s Own to contribute to legal assistance for immigrants and refugees has now ballooned into a national effort of over 30 other “Bookstores Against Borders.”
