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| What Madison's Talking About |
|  | A joint planning initiative is guiding decisions on what the future of downtown Madison will look like. (Katie Wheeler / Flickr) |
| 💭 What Should a Future Downtown Madison Look Like? Envision Downtown Madison, a joint planning initiative by the city and Downtown Madison Inc., has zeroed in on some big ideas for the city center’s future. Topping the list were busier commercial centers, more walkable neighborhoods and better access to both Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. [🔒WSJ] | | 💰 School Budget is Counting on More State Aid: The Madison Metropolitan School District’s preliminary $609 million budget is relying on the state to fulfill its promise to up its aid to education. In the current state budget, lawmakers pledged to increase its reimbursement rate for special education from 38% to 45%, but they have yet to deliver. [Cap Times] | | 🏗️ State Sells Downtown Land to Developers: A state committee okayed selling two plots of land at 101 and 125 S. Webster St. for $12.6 million for a developer to build apartments and commercial buildings. A Department of Administration study found that the property value of the land was assessed at over $48 million. | - Sticking to the Vision: The sale is part of Vision 2030, a long-term plan by the state to reduce its physical footprint in downtown Madison. [Daily Cardinal, City Cast Madison]
| | ✈️ More F-35 Training Flights This Week: The Wisconsin Air National Guard has scheduled night training flights in the skies over Madison until 10 p.m. each night through Thursday. Pilots take routes designed to minimize noise as much as possible. [News 3] | | 🧑⚕️ Clinic Will Support Unpaid Caregivers: In an effort to help those who care for their loved ones, UW-Madison will launch the Badger Caregiving Clinic next week to provide hands-on support from its health and social programs for unpaid caregivers. The clinic will offer in-person and telehealth services as well as take-home resources. [WKOW] | | 🎥 ‘Waiting For Guffman’ For Canoeing: The mockumentary “Canoe Dig It?” has a one-night-only screening Sunday at the Bartell Theatre. The film, about a freestyle canoeing competition, is being sponsored by Friends of Wisconsin State Parks, who will host a Q&A after the show. [Bartell Theatre] |
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| | | Hosting friends and family for HOCO? There’s something to know before you go to festivities throughout the city: it’s also a chance to win prize packages! | | That’s because it’s Wish You Were Here season, time for feel-good getaways—and giveaways—that reward you for hosting your besties this fall. Here’s how: | 💌 Live in Madison? Invite someone in! | 📍 Visit featured places on six different itineraries | 💸 Post pics to win hotel stays, gift cards, merch and more | | Learn more. |
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| |  | Don’t be caught off guard this fall by the three constitutional amendments on the ballot. (Unsplash) |
| Know the Constitutional Amendments On Your Fall Ballot | | Much of the discussion about the Nov. 3 election in Wisconsin has centered on the governor’s race, as well as congressional races and the Assembly and Senate races that will decide the balance of power in the state legislature. | | But there’s something else on the ballot this November for voters to consider – three Republican-backed proposed amendments to the state constitution. | | On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks with creative producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and contributor Scott Resnick about the questions facing voters. They also talk about declining attendance at UW Badgers football games. And, with American Girl unveiling its first doll who lives in Madison, Daisy Davenport, put their heads together to design the ideal Madison doll! [Wisconsin Watch, 🎧 City Cast Madison] | | | Here’s a deep dive into the three questions on the November ballot, and how they got there: | | 🗳️ How Does an Amendment Get On the Ballot? | In Wisconsin, lawmakers must sign off on identical language on an amendment during two consecutive two-year terms in order to get it on the ballot. | | For the Legislature, which has been controlled by Republicans since 2011, the constitutional amendment process has been a tactic to bring legislation directly to the voters and make an end run around Democratic Governor Tony Evers’ veto pen. Since Evers took office in 2017, the Legislature has put a dozen amendment questions (including the upcoming three) before voters, of which voters have approved seven. | | Most recently, in April 2025, voters approved an amendment requiring a photo ID to vote. [League of Women Voters, Wisconsin Watch, WisPolitics] | | |
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| | | Meet Doffer! This sweet, shy guy came to DCHS at the end of August after being found as a stray in someone’s backyard. He’s a little nervous, but once he trusts you, his personality shines. He enjoys playing with toys and does the cutest little play bows. He also loves receiving treats, and he snuggles up to people he trusts, even crawling into their laps. | | Doffer is looking for a very patient family with no kids who will give him the time he needs to become comfortable and build trust while also spoiling him with plenty of fun playtime, treats, and love. Doffer is sure to spoil you with his companionship and love! | | |
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