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| What Madison's Talking About |
| |  | Numerous businesses near the Williamson Street protest encampment lost business, and temporarily closed, in the wake of the July 22 police shooting of Corey Ruiz. (Hayley Sperling / City Cast Madison) |
| 💰 Council Rejects Money For Willy Street Biz, Police Monitor: On Tuesday, the Madison City Council rejected a proposal to create a $100,000 fund to help Williamson Street businesses that were financially impacted by this summer’s protests following the fatal police shooting of Corey Ruiz. While the Finance Committee supported the idea, some alders worried it would set a precedent for the city to compensate businesses facing unanticipated closures. | - The council also voted down a measure that would transfer an additional $28,500 to the Office of the Independent Police Monitor. [WMTV]
| | 🚨 Mayor’s Budget Includes Police Body Cam Funding: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway released her proposed 2027 Executive Capital Budget this week that includes funding for body-worn cameras for Madison police. Calls for such cameras have grown since the July 22 police shooting of Corey Ruiz, and Ruiz’s attorney, Ben Crump, has called for a statewide law mandating the cameras. [News 3, WMTV] | | ✈️ Get TSA Precheck at Dane County Airport: Eligible travelers can apply for expedited security screenings at a TSA Precheck enrollment event at Dane County Regional Airport this week. The event runs through Friday, and applicants are encouraged to fill out the online application ahead of time and bring required ID and documentation to their appointment. [News 3] | | 🇮🇷 Madison F-35s Reportedly Deployed to Middle East: According to Air & Space Forces Magazine, the Madison-based 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard is being deployed to the Middle East as the United States war with Iran continues. [Air & Space Forces Magazine, News 3] | | 🎸 Joey’s Song Puts a Bird on It in 2027: “Saturday Night Live” and “Portlandia” star Fred Armisen will be one of the new faces at the 2027 Joey’s Song concerts on Jan. 8-9, an all-star benefit to raise money for epilepsy awareness and research. Tickets went on sale Tuesday. | |
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| | | Class is in session, and your home just got a syllabus. Lesson one: seal the drafts. Lesson two: set the thermostat and forget it. Lesson three: cold-water laundry, LED bulbs, unplugged chargers. MGE's back-to-school energy tips break it all down into simple, cozy-home lessons for fall. Read the full list and help your home graduate to a comfier season. |
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| |  | The Essen Haus will celebrate Oktoberfest this weekend. Will it be around to celebrate in 2027? (Rob Thomas / City Cast Madison) |
| Fall means the return of Oktoberfest and, against the odds, Madison’s Essen Haus will be celebrating the German beer festival again in 2026. | | The beer hall and restaurant at 514 E. Wilson St., will host its Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, Sept. 12, with live music both inside and outside the bar and German beer and food specials all day. | | But a few years ago, that didn’t seem to be in the cards. Several attempts have been made by developers to tear down the Essen Haus and the Come Back In next door for a mixed-use development. Another proposal from Lotus Development is awaiting city approval. But, for now, the Essen Haus remains and the beer taps keep flowing. | | Raise a glass (or a boot) to the Essen Haus’ long history and the many times it has escaped the wrecking ball. | | 🇩🇪 A Taste of Germany in Madison | In the 1800s, East Wilson Street was located just a few blocks from the city’s first train station and became a haven for German workers and travelers who came to Madison. But the neighborhood soon fell into disrepair, with a reputation for transient hotels and houses of ill repute. | | That changed in the 1980s when Bob Worm bought several properties in the 500 block, taking over the Come Back In and the Up North Saloon and opening the Essen Haus in 1982 and Hotel Ruby Marie. [Essen Haus] | | 🏗️ The Many Plans to Tear Down the Essen Haus | Plans to raze the Essen Haus have dated back over 20 years, and somehow it’s stayed standing. Here’s a timeline: | | 2004: Developers offered to buy the property from Worm and build a 16-story mixed-used development, but that plan was withdrawn after opposition from neighbors and city officials. | | 2005: The developers came back with a scaled-back plan for an eight-story development with condos, retail and parking, but that fell through. | | 2016: Worm announced he was working with Kothe Real Estate Partners on a plan that would demolish the Essen Haus and Come Back In buildings, but relocate those establishments in a new development on the block that would also include a hotel and housing. But the concept never took off. | | | |
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