In 2023, a family farm fought for survival as corporate operations moved in. An indie music believer connected burgeoning local bands with bookers and venues. And students waited for hours in the rain for a chance to see if Kendall Jenner was on a mysterious bus parked in front of Chasers 2.0.
These stories found their way to print thanks to our Daily Cardinal staff, the beating heart of our student newspaper.
There are too many stellar articles to count from this dedicated group, which made picking favorites a tall task for our desk editors. However, we believe this slate of articles is a good cross-section of the best work from our staff writers and photographers.
Read on to see 10 stories we loved from 2023.
UW-Madison evicted its last student housing co-op. It survived anyway
By Mary Bosch, incoming photo editor
The moment Mary came on the scene and took to the campus sustainability beat with aplomb, I think we all knew someone special joined the Cardinal. When I pitched this Action Project article to her, I was excited to see how she’d approach a longer-form piece and reporting process.
She didn’t disappoint. The result is a heartfelt story about a community that found a way to survive despite tough circumstances and opposition from the university. It’s a combination of the investigative and narrative-driven pieces Mary does so well, and it’s absolutely worth your time.
- Liam Beran, campus news editor
Police call over Pride flag sparks outrage in Dane County township
By Ella Hanley, staff writer
The Town of Berry, a small community just a stone's throw from Madison, found itself at the center of controversy when police were called on its Rural Pride Forum in late June.
In her story, Ella weaves together the sequence of events that transpired, where Town of Berry Chairman Duane Haag phoned police about Supervisor Travis Austin's event. The incident occurred days after Austin's proposal to fly the Pride flag over Berry's town hall was shot down in favor of Haag's resolution, prompting criticism and frustration from community members and leaders.
- Jasper Bernstein, associate news editor
Students defend ‘iconic’ Vintage restaurant as luxury redevelopment looms
Marin Rosen, incoming city news editor
Would you rather see a puppy get shot in the face or watch as the wrecking ball caves in the walls of your favorite local hangout spot?
Over the summer, a developer announced plans to raze Vintage Bar & Grill, a popular campus area restaurant, to build an apartment complex. From her experience reporting on student-focused events such as the Mifflin Street Block Party, I knew Marin would be able to find unique perspectives on what the potential loss of this beloved downtown icon would mean for students.
After spending much of her summer break speaking with the restaurant’s owners and customers, Marin wrote a thorough and heartfelt article that also contained some of the funniest quotes I’ve ever seen put to print. Her article serves as a great look into how the city of Madison’s changing housing and commercial landscape affects UW-Madison students.
- Francesca Pica, outgoing city news editor
Agriculture is rapidly changing. While small farms bear the brunt, a few stand strong
By Alexander Tan, senior staff writer
Alex, who typically excels at extensive research, tackled a more demanding piece on how small farms overcome economic exclusion in the face of industrial farming.
He had a breakthrough with this story. After sifting through data and conducting lengthy interviews, I watched him draw connections with the Brattset Family Farm’s narrative and the challenges posed by CAFOs.
I had the goal to broaden the state desk’s coverage beyond traditional political reporting, and without a doubt, Alex’s dedication to this story outperformed my expectations. It’s true — farming can be incredibly juicy.
- Ava Menkes, state news editor
Et tu, Bucky: Why UW-Madison men think about the Roman Empire
By Clara Zimban, staff writer
The features desk provides writers the opportunity to dive into topics they’re passionate about and investigate them further, and that’s exactly what Clara did.
Clara came to me and expressed her interest in the viral trend, “How often do men think about the Roman Empire?” She thought there was a way to investigate it further. Not only did I think it was an interesting idea, but I thought it was so fun! She went and interviewed strangers on the street, asking, “How often do you think about the Roman Empire? Why?”
She came back to me with a great story that was interesting, informative and, most of all, entertaining. She dove deeper into the viral trend and provided readers an explanation.
- Ellie Bourdo, features editor
Column: An international student’s take on the wild world of American college sports
By Ava Griffiths, staff writer
Ava’s column compared the cultural differences between college sports in the U.S. and college sports in the U.K. In her article, you'll learn that American college sports are full of spirit and excitement from students as well as fans, something that differs from university sports in the U.K.
Instead, Ava’s experiences in her hometown sports revolve around professional teams, and there’s a much different environment around English university athletics. We chose to highlight this story because it provides a stark, unique difference in content compared to the rest of the sports stories we publish.
- Seth Kruger and Maddie Sacks, sports editors
Arthur Machado believes in Madison's DIY music scene
By Lillian Mihelich, staff writer
Wisconsinites know Madison is the perfect place to catch a concert. But few are familiar with the work happening behind the scenes to support the city’s lesser-known musicians.
Lillian wrote an article in November examining the role local indie kingpin Arthur Machado plays in supporting Madison’s underground music scene. Lillian’s work on this article skillfully unwinds the thread running between Machado and Madison’s indie music scene.
The article weaves this thread into a vivid and informative story Madison residents shouldn’t miss. Don’t miss out on this and the rest of Lillian’s phenomenal work with the Cardinal.
- Noah Fellinger and Gabi Hartlaub, arts editors
Activists see frightening future for energy as Wisconsin utility rates increase
By Britta Wellenstein, staff writer
When I started my term as science editor, I had one goal: to make science accessible. Britta does just that.
This piece intertwines complex topics of climate, politics, art, and activism into one local package. It takes the story of rising Wisconsin energy rates beyond facts and immerses you in the people these changes affect, all from a neutral viewpoint.
If you're tired of reading scientific jargon and wondering, "What does this mean for me?," I encourage you to read this — and the rest of — Britta's stories. Suddenly, science will be in the palm of your hand.
- Madelyn Anderson, science editor
Kendall Jenner’s rumored arrival at UW-Madison spreads like wildfire
By Ashley Barrera, staff writer
When we heard Kendall Jenner was in Madison, we sent out an email titled, “Calling all Kendall Jenner Fans!” Ashley answered within two minutes, willing to take the story. In the rain, she interviewed soaked Kardashian fans hoping to catch a glimpse of Jenner's arrival. This dedication carried through her communication and execution of the story, making it a top-five Cardinal story of the week. So, next time you’re looking for advice, a community guide or gossip, head over to Ashley’s article. Then, venture to the Life & Style page, where you’ll find a little bit of everything.
- Erin Mercuri and Hina Suzuki, life & style editors
B-Side Records – A small business with an impactful history
By Mary Bosch, Cameron Schneider and Cora Spychalla
My vision for The Daily Cardinal’s fall Action Project was an in-depth review of a State Street small business that gave it the recognition it deserves, especially in light of State Street’s increased commercialization.
Mary, Cameron and Cora arranged their plans quite quickly and worked together to get shots of B-Side Records and interview its owner, Steve Manley. They captured the essence of the record store, each implementing their individual creative and artistic styles. Mary assisted me in creating the two-page spread highlighting the iconic State Street staple.
I was surprised yet very grateful for the timely contributions from the three, especially since two of them were newer to the Cardinal. The teamwork and dedication they put into the project made the end results amazing. I am happy that during my time as photo editor, the desk was able to produce a memorable photo essay telling a simple yet impactful story — a goal of mine when I was elected.
- Lauren Aguila and Meghan Spirito, outgoing photo editors
