City

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3,700 runners flock to Madison for Marathon

Madison community expresses concern over police body cameras

A proposal that would require Madison Police Department officers to be outfitted with body cameras has sparked a discussion about police relations within the Madison community. A special committee that the Madison Common Council appointed and tasked with evaluating the benefits and setbacks of using the cameras has investigated the proposal since it was first presented.

UW-Madison students balance training and schoolwork in preparation for Madison Marathon

Students across the UW-Madison campus have juggled many different responsibilities in preparing for the Madison Marathon that will take place this Sunday.  

Oscar Mayer slices seven plants, Madison to lose more than 1,000 jobs

Madison’s famed Oscar Mayer plant will close within the next one to two years, leading to the loss of nearly 1,200 jobs in Madison and the surrounding area.

Madison’s K9 teams nominated for state awards

Three of Madison’s K9 teams won state awards at this year’s Wisconsin Law Enforcement Canine Handler Association’s conference, with five teams total receiving nominations.

City, county officials share budgets with ASM committee

Members of the Associated Students of Madison Legislative Affairs Committee took a step back from discussions on state government campaigns Tuesday to learn about the city and county budgets.

Exact Sciences CEO opts out of Judge Doyle Square deal

In light of Exact Sciences’ recent financial struggles, the company’s CEO Kevin Conroy announced Monday he will no longer run the biotechnology company in downtown Madison.

Madison police seek person of interest in downtown battery case

Madison police released surveillance photos Monday of two persons of interest who attacked a 29-year-old man on State Street last month.

Madtown Hopper driver attacked by knife-wielding man

Madison police arrested a 25-year-old man for disorderly conduct after he attacked a Madtown Hopper driver early Saturday morning.

Madhatters bar faces suspension of license

The well-known Madhatters bar could soon close its doors after multiple incidents of selling alcohol to underage patrons, as well as exceeding legal capacity.

More than 34,000 people take on Freakfest

Though thousands of students and downtown residents convened along State Street for the annual Halloween festivities, police said they made no significant arrests. The 10th annual Freakfest event brought more than 34,000 people dressed in various costumes. Madison police arrested nine people, and only two of the nine went to jail, according to an incident report by Madison Police Department Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain. DeSpain wrote that most citations were for violating the city’s glass ban and having open intoxicants on the streets. Police also said a drunken concealed carry permit holder attempted to enter the venue with a loaded handgun. DeSpain reported no significant property damage.

Texting helpline to help teens experiencing dating violence

Domestic Abuse Intervention Services and Dean & St. Mary’s announced Thursday the launch of Dane County’s first domestic violence Texting Help Line, which is geared toward helping teens who have experienced dating violence.

Actor, author Jesse Eisenberg shares new book at Wisconsin Book Festival

The Madison Public Library welcomed Jesse Eisenberg, an actor, playwright and author, to Madison as an extension of the Wisconsin Book Festival Wednesday.

Madison prepares for 10th Freakfest

Madison city officials gathered Wednesday to discuss logistics and entertainment for the upcoming Freakfest, which will have its 10th anniversary Saturday.

Rev. Everett Mitchell to run for circuit court judge

Community activist and attorney Rev. Everett Mitchell now aims to bring restorative justice approaches to the Dane County Circuit Court, after launching a campaign for the fourth branch seat Tuesday. “Given the disparities we’ve had in our communities, I’ve realized that if we are going to have any systemic change, we need to have people involved in the systemic change itself,” Mitchell said. Mitchell currently works as the Director of Community Relations at UW-Madison, and also serves as a pastor at Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church in Madison. Mitchell previously worked as a domestic abuse prosecutor for Dane County, which he said informed him of the various issues people of color face in the courts. “The issue was a mix of race and poverty,” Mitchell said.

Madison West teacher awarded fellowship

Madison West chemistry teacher and UW-Madison grad Helen Yan won a teaching fellowship earlier this month, distributed by the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation. The KSTF, which has awarded over 250 fellowships to the most promising teachers around the country, “seeks to improve STEM education by building a stable, sustainable cadre of networked leading teachers” according to Ebony Freeman, communications and development manager at the foundation. Broken up into three phases throughout the first five years of teaching, the fellowship helps talented new teachers to identify their strengths in the field and develop professional connections. On top of this, the fellowship also awards its members with stipends, funding for professional development, grants for teaching materials and leadership opportunities. Yan received her master’s degree in inorganic chemistry in 2011. In her first year of teaching at Madison West High School, Yan said she hopes her fellowship will help her encourage students to pursue careers in the STEM field and to “demonstrate that [succeeding in chemistry] is something all of her students are capable of.” Yan noted that because chemistry classes are the first courses that college STEM students take, it is especially important to leave a positive impression on students early in their education. Moving forward, Yan said she is hopeful that Madison-area schools will try to improve the STEM learning experience. Yan also said one way to achieve this goal is for counselors and teachers to “set a good example by being positive about students and their abilities in science classes.” This article has been updated Oct.

MPD chief, other law enforcement praise 'Just Mercy'

This year’s Go Big Read book impacted more than just the 5,000 students who received a copy at the Chancellor’s Convocation, as area law enforcement read Bryan Stevenson’s “Just Mercy.”

New Madison resident loses car to fire

A Dodge Durango burst into flames Monday, damaging two parked, unmarked Madison Police Department squad cars just outside of the City County Building on South Carroll Street., according to an incident report by Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain.

City finance committee addresses Soglin budget

With just two weeks left before the Madison Common Council adopts the 2016 budget, the city’s Board of Estimates discussed a slew of amendments to Madison Mayor Paul Soglin’s executive operating budget Tuesday.

New museum celebrates local science

The city’s longstanding ties with historical scientific achievements have a new home in the Madison Science Museum, which opened Thursday.