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| What Madison's Talking About |
| |  | Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad has been denied access to the ballot for the Democratic primary for governor. (Bangstad for Wisconsin) |
| 🗳️ Kirk Bangstad is Officially Off the Ballot | | | 🍎 Madison Schools Offers Free Meals For Students This Summer | - Students will be able to get free meals this summer through Madison schools’ 2026 Summer Food Program. The program begins on June 22 and runs through the end of summer, except for on July 3, when schools are closed.
- Ten schools and several community school sites will offer breakfast, lunch and snacks – the full week-by-week menu is available here. No sign-up or application is required, and meals must be eaten on site. [MMSD]
| | 💸 Mayor Asks Departments For 2% Budget Cuts | - Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway has told all city agency heads to make 2% cuts in their proposed budgets for 2027.
- Rhodes-Conway said that the city is facing financial challenges ranging from rising fuel costs to inflation, which topped 4% in May for the first time since 2023. She said that agencies cannot ask for new personnel next year, and should identify “lower priority services” that can be cut.
- Rhodes-Conway will unveil her proposed 2027 budget in October, and the Madison City Council will hold hearings in October and November. [News 3, CNN]
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| | | Clean energy doesn't have to be complicated, and MGE is here to make it simple for you! MGE's Renewable Flat Bill program does two things at once: powers your home with 100% renewable electricity and sets your monthly bill at a single fixed amount for 12 months. If you're an MGE electric customer curious about going fully renewable, MGE’s Renewable Flat Bill option is easy! |
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| Where to Watch the World Cup in Madison |
| | Are you ready for some futbol? FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off today, with 48 teams from around the world competing across the United States, Mexico and Canada until July 19. Your local sports bar might be carrying the games. On the other hand, between baseball and other sports, they might not have the match you want to see on the 100-inch screen. | | But Madison soccer fans are excited, and a lot of places are hosting watch parties through the 39-day tournament. Here are a few places to catch the games that are offering drink specials and other goodies: | | | Where else to watch a soccer game than in a soccer stadium? The historic stadium on East Washington Avenue is hosting watch parties in its Forward Club, as well as on-the-field watch parties for when Team USA plays, such as Friday night’s match against Paraguay. | | | Billing itself as “Madison’s World Cup Headquarters,” this spot on the Capitol Square will have wall-to-wall watch parties in both the main bar area and the upstairs Watch Hall. The Watch Hall will have a 120-inch screen, full bar and a special menu. | | | The former church turned beer hall and sports bar is known as a home for Arsenal fans in Madison to watch matches. They’re adjusting their hours to be open for every match during the tournament. | | | With the State Street bar pausing its DJ sets due to noise complaints from neighbors, they’ll be hosting World Cup watch parties, such as today’s 2 p.m. match between Mexico and South Africa, with drink specials. Just make sure to not cheer too loudly, ok? | | | This Middleton brewpub held a tie dye party with customers dyeing T-shirts in the colors of their favorite team. Through the tournament, they can wear the T-shirts to get food and drink specials. | | | Madison’s new IV vitamin therapy clinic is hosting an active watch party on June 13, where families can take part in a guided soccer workout together. Then relax and recover and watch the game! (Only those 14 and older can receive IV therapy treatment.) | | | The north side music bar is hosting seven watch parties in its Sidecar Lounge, with DJs, buckets of beer and hard seltzer, and a new World Cup signature cocktail. | |
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| | | How do you celebrate 100 years of music in Madison? You welcome more than 50 artists across five stages for two days at the Overture Center—and you make it all free! | | Madison Symphony Orchestra’s gift to the community will feature artists of all genres, including dozens of Madison area favorites, local food vendors and family activities, capped by the Madison Symphony’s Centennial Concert. This Saturday and Sunday, celebrate 100 years with your Madison Symphony. |
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📰 Extra! Extra! A 30-year-old plant at UW-Madison’s Botany Garden and Greenhouse is going out with a big finish. The Agave victoriae-reginae plant has erected a 15-foot-tall “death bloom,” which looks like a giant spiky stalk of asparagus, signaling the end of the plant’s 30-year lifespan. | | The plant and its “death bloom” are expected to stay alive for another week, giving a visitors a few more days to see it 🌱 | |
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