Your Daily Guide

🇺🇸 The Cost of the Wisconsin G.I. Bill is Going Up: As more veterans and their families take advantage of the state law that allows them and their children to attend state universities for free, the cost to the colleges has risen. In the last two decades, the cost of tuition remission went from $4.6 million to $41 million, and leaders of state colleges and universities are saying state funding has failed to keep up with the rising costs. [The Cap Times]

📚 Dane County Budget Could Cut $55k for Kids Literacy: As county officials work to close the roughly $15 million budget gap, the Madison Reading Project program is on the chopping block. The program provides literacy resources and free books to over 2,000 Dane County children. [WMTV]

👮 New Listening Session for Next Independent Police Monitor: Madison’s Police Civilian Oversight Board is hosting a listening session today at 6 p.m. at Freedom, Inc. for community members to share what they would like to see in the next independent police monitor. [City of Madison]

❌ Former Gov. Asks Regents To Pause UW System President Hiring: In a letter to UW Regents, former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson called for a delay in the hiring of a UW system President until a new governor and lawmakers have been sworn in on Jan. 4. The three finalists for the position have already made their public pitches for why they should get the job. [Wisconsin State Journal]

🚨 Overdoses Spike in Dane County: On Monday, there were at least five emergency incidents involving overdoses in a 24 period. This spike has led Public Health Madison & Dane County to issue a public health alert. The current reason for the spike is unknown.

• Related: Learn the signs of overdose and how to help prevent fatal drug encounters. [City of Madison, City Cast Madison]

🎧 Pod plug! Today on the City Cast Madison podcast, executive producer Hayley Sperling and Madison365 executive editor Rob Chappell talk with grocery store owner Kristie Maurer about her long-awaited Maurer's Urban Market. Plus, Rob gives his predictions for Forward Madison's playoff games. And Wisconsin Hmong Association Vice President Ady Lee gives the scoop on the Hmong New Year celebration happening this weekend at the Alliant Energy Center.

Each month, we run down the best new restaurants in the Madison area that have either opened or announced plans to open in the near future. If you know of any that we missed, drop us a line at madison@citycast.fm.

October 2026

Waltzing Matilda’s (Dudgeon-Monroe)

After opening in late October, this breakfast and lunch cafe from the owner of Lallande and Bloom Bake Shop is still evolving. While their current menu features unique breakfast and lunch offerings like Eggs En Cocotte and Man'oushé, the website promises wine, cocktails, beer, and small plates in the evenings come December.

Rokuaji Asian Bistro (Capitol Square)

Rokuaji, which had its soft opening in early October, is in the former Brocach space right off Capitol Square. The bistro serves sushi, ramen, and other Asian cuisine. Its name translates to “six flavors,” which the restaurant’s website says is because a good meal isn’t built on just one note, but “six flavors making room for one another.”

Killdevil Rum Club (Schenk-Atwood)

This rum lounge will be making its way to the east side in December, and we are so excited to see what the mind behind I/O Arcade Bar will create in the basement space under Baked Lab.

Melly Mell’s Soul Food (Madison Public Market)

This spot has a storied history in the Isthmus, it opened in 2010 as a restaurant, transitioned to catering in 2015, and half way through October of 2026, it reopened in the Madison Public Market. It serves standard soul food, which is, of course, delicious!

Osaka Ramen & Hibachi (Marquette)

Opened last month, Osaka Ramen & Hibachi’s menu features a variety of signature and specialty ramen as well as teriyaki and hibachi offerings.