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Konkel Round Up
Local Government News
No sports, no crime, no fluff.
Corrections, press releases and articles can be sent to forwardlookout@gmail.com. Articles are added to the day they are published, however, sometimes they are added not until the following day.
Last updated May 15, 2025 – 7:16 am
Thursday, May 15th, 2025
City of Madison
- Madison hires director to oversee low-income and senior housing – State Journal
- Central Library Upcoming Hours Changes and Celebration – Alder Mike Verveer
Education
- Have stricter cellphone policies helped Dane County’s schools? – State Journal
Wednesday, May 14th, 2025
City of Madison
- City of Madison highlights affordable housing goals – WMTV Channel 15
- Madison Civil Rights director Norman Davis accused of discrimination – Cap Times
- Be aware helicopters will be in use Friday morning to replace lights at the stadium. Backup date is Saturday. – Alder Regina Vidaver
-
Art on the Rooftop on display at Monona Terrace – WKOW Channel 27
- Davidson St, Park Ct, Maher Ave, and Gary St Reconstruction – Alder Dina Nina Marinez-Rutherford
- Monona Terrace opens annual rooftop sculpture exhibit curated by local arts commission – Madison Reporter
- Planning Division invites input for Southwest and Southeast community surveys – Madison Reporter
- Metro Transit’s April ridership hits highest level since 2015 – Madison Reporter
- Director at HUD appointed as new Madison hosing director – WMTV Channel 15
- Monona Terrace 2025 Art on the Rooftop Now on Exhibit – City News
- City of Madison launches community listening sessions on workplace discrimination – WKOW Channel 27
- Madison mayor appoints new housing director – Channel3000.com
- City of Madison hosting community listening sessions on workplace discrimination in June – Fox 47
- City of Madison hosting community listening sessions on workplace discrimination starting in June – Channel3000.com
- City of Madison to Host Community Listening Sessions on Workplace Discrimination – City News
- Community listening session 5/13/25 – Alder Carmella Glenn
- Chad Ruppel Named Madison’s next CDA Housing Director – City News
Dane County
- Community input needed: Dane County Active Transportation Plan – Channel3000.com
- Sun Prairie announces new compost program – Fox 47
- Wisconsin’s lieutenant governor visits with Dane County organizations to address funding concerns – WKOW Channel 27
- City of Fitchburg’s Vision Zero plan awaits funding – WMTV Channel 15
- Dane County Exec. highlights sustainability efforts of Dane County Landfill – WKOW Channel 27
- Sun Prairie swears in new police chief – WKOW Channel 27
Education
Tuesday, May 13th, 2025
City of Madison
- Get a sneak peek inside the coming Madison Public Market – State Journal
- South Bedford Street to close for North Shore Drive Path project – Madison Reporter
- Metro bus route upgrades come amid surge of attacks on bus drivers – WMTV Channel 15
- 124 E Gorham Street Proposal at Landmarks Commission on May 19 – Alder Will Ochowicz
- Police arrest man accused of punching Madison Metro bus driver – WKOW Channel 27
- Rider allegedly punches Madison Metro bus driver after refusing to pay – Fox 47
- Bus passenger arrested for punching driver – State Journal
- MGE installs new EV chargers to utility poles across the city – WMTV Channel 15
- Passenger arrested after hitting Madison Metro bus driver on W. Main St. – WKOW Channel 27
- Rider allegedly punches Madison Metro bus driver after refusing to pay – Channel3000.com
- Madison Metro passenger arrested, accused of punching bus driver – WMTV Channel 15
- New mural by Michael Ford honors South Madison leaders – Madison Reporter
- BRT Powers Metro to Highest April Ridership Since 2015 – Alder Tag Evers
- Residents of Southwest and Southeast areas invited to share perspectives in second community survey – City News
- Madison Gas and Electric unveils new EV charging stations around Madison – WKOW Channel 27
- Madison Metro sees BRT windfall, April ridership surges to 10-year high – Channel3000.com
- MG&E and City of Madison create 5 pole-mounted electric vehicle chargers – Fox 47
Dane County
- Mendota County Park closed for the summer to make way for multi-million-dollar upgrade – State Journal
- Why the Dane County sheriff is buying a $12,000 remote controlled car – Cap Times
- Fitchburg city council votes to adopt Vision Zero policy – WKOW Channel 27
- Fitchburg Common Council approves initiative in effort to create safer roadways – WMTV Channel 15
- **** FOIA Request Sent to Dane County Treasurer Regarding Property Tax Records 2024 – Present on May 12, 2025 ** – Madison Reporter
Monday, May 12th, 2025
City of Madison
- “They will be looking over us now.” New “Colorful Characters” mural honors South Madison heroes – Madison 365
- Monday Morning Round Up – Forward Lookout
- Forward Lookout on WORT 5/12/25 – Forward Lookout
- Metro Transit celebrates 1.3 million rides taken in April – WKOW Channel 27
- Personnel shuffles and quorum notices – WORT 89.9 FM
- Madison church and community center build new future together – WMTV Channel 15
- Mark your Calendar Budget Sessions – Alder Figueroa Cole
- North-South BRT Public Info Mtg this Tuesday, plus more updates – Alder Tag Evers
- Common Council New Business Summaries – May 6, 2025 – Alder John Guequierre
- Goodbye students, hello road construction – Madison Bikes
- Introduction, Committees, Imagination Center Groundbreaking – Alder Julia Matthews
- Metro Transit ridership in April surpasses pre-pandemic numbers for first time – Isthmus
- BRT Powers Metro to Highest April Ridership Since 2015 – City News
Dane County
- Monday Morning Round Up – Forward Lookout
- The Verona Library put stickers on its towering windows. It’s for the birds – WPR
- Forward Lookout on WORT 5/12/25 – Forward Lookout
- Mendota County Park closed for the summer to make way for multi-million-dollar upgrade – State Journal
- Deerfield won’t participate in ‘No Mow May’ this spring – Cambridge News and Deerfield Independent
- Hwy. M closed pavement replacement – Waunakee Tribune
- Madison airport to provide additional nonstop flights to New York City – WKOW Channel 27
Sunday, May 11th, 2025
City of Madison
- Groundbreaking for first new library in 25 years; Water main flushing; Brush collection on N. Franklin; Announcements & Events – Alder Regina Vidaver
- Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of May 12, 2025 – Alder John Duncan
- Highland Ave. Sewer Project to impact Madison Hospitals – WMTV Channel 15
- City Meetings and Updates Week of May 12 – Alder Derek Field
- Week of May 12th Updates – Alder Badri Lankella
- Madison City Week Ahead 10/12/25 – Forward Lookout
- South Bedford Street Closure at North Shore Drive – Alder Mike Verveer
- Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of May 12, 2025 – Alder Bill Tishler
Dane County
- Dane County Week Ahead 5/12/25 – Forward Lookout
Saturday, May 10th, 2025
City of Madison
- Generations of stories come together as Madison libraries celebrate 150 years – WMTV Channel 15
- Board of Health-Salt Use-Madison-County – Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole
- Mural honors Madison leaders’ legacies – Channel3000.com
- Week of May 12th & Budget Engagement Sessions – Alder Sean O’Brien
- PHMDC looks for info on dog that bit person on Madison’s south side – Channel3000.com
Education
- Madison School District seeing reading, math improvements with full-day 4K – State Journal
- Traffic safety study proposed for Waunakee High School campus – Waunakee Tribune
Friday, May 9th, 2025
City of Madison
- 4506 Verona Road-After Community meeting – Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole
- Visit Alicia Ashman Library for Madison Library’s 150th Birthday, Tomorrow, May 10 – Alder John Guequierre
- New south side mural showcases Madison leaders – WMTV Channel 15
- Madison Public Library announces May schedule changes and closures – Madison Reporter
- UW Health: Construction beginning near hospital soon, will cause delays – WKOW Channel 27
- New “Colorful Characters” Mural Honors Legacies of South Madison Leaders – City News
- Trumps Skinny Budget Jeopardizes 38% of Local Homelessness Funding – Forward Lookout
Dane County
- Sun Prairie expands use of AI traffic signals to boost safety and efficiency – WMTV Channel 15
- Recreational bridge over the Wisconsin River will unify Sauk and Dane County – WMTV Channel 15
- Dog bite in Madison park prompts urgent search for animal and owner – WKOW Channel 27
- Trumps Skinny Budget Jeopardizes 38% of Local Homelessness Funding – Forward Lookout
Thursday, May 8th, 2025
City of Madison
- Voit Farm (not yet) TIF’s “Less Viable” Lots for Affordable Housing Someday – Forward Lookout
- Survey seeks public input on Dane County’s active transportation plan – Madison Reporter
- In its 150 years, Madison Public Library has been a model for the nation – State Journal
- Let’s Talk Budget 2026 – Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole
- Madison breaks ground on Imagination Center – WKOW Channel 27
- Dane and Sauk counties celebrate long-awaited bridge project – WKOW Channel 27
- City eyes financing assistance for Voit Farm development – Isthmus
- Waunakee board considers uncertain tax credit in solar project – Waunakee Tribune
- Madison Public Library announces May schedule changes – Fox 47
- Madison Public Library announces May schedule changes – Channel3000.com
- North Randall Avenue closes for utility replacement starting May 12 – Madison Reporter
- Campus Drive off-ramp closure announced for sewer pipe replacement – Madison Reporter
- Portion of South Bedford Street to close starting Monday – Channel3000.com
- South Bedford Street Closure at North Shore Drive – City News
- Madison Public Libraries Closed for Staff In-Service Day on May 15; Other Upcoming Hours Changes – City News
Dane County
- Dane and Sauk counties celebrate long-awaited bridge project – WKOW Channel 27
Wednesday, May 7th, 2025
City of Madison
- Trash and repair problems? Madison schools eye hiring service workers – Cap Times
- Madison politics is a ‘one-party game.’ Is it stifling debate? – Cap Times
- Madison’s new generation of leaders faces scrutiny, policy hurdles – Cap Times
- Forward Lookout on WORT 5/5/25 – Forward Lookout
- Our new men’s shelter is too small – Forward Lookout
- Portion of N. Randall Avenue to close through late August – WMTV Channel 15
- Section of North Randall Avenue to close starting Monday – Fox 47
- Section of North Randall Avenue Closes Monday, May 12 – City News
- Officials predict traffic impacts ahead of Highland Ave. sewer project – WKOW Channel 27
Dane County
- Forward Lookout on WORT 5/5/25 – Forward Lookout
- Our new men’s shelter is too small – Forward Lookout
- Dane Co. leaders, residents urge long-term solutions to homelessness crisis – WMTV Channel 15
- No new answers in death of man who drove into Cottage Grove family – State Journal
- Man dies in Dane County Jail after being charged with intentionally driving his car into Cottage Grove family – WPR
- Sun Prairie swears in District 1 Alderperson – Sun Prairie Star
- Sun Prairie to launch pilot compost program this summer – Sun Prairie Star
Education
- Waunakee Community School District to implement school bus tracking technology Fox 47
- MMSD asks residents to complete online survey on future vision, goals – Channel3000.com
Tuesday, May 6th, 2025
City of Madison
- And then Trump’s Budget blows up homeless services altogether – Forward Lookout
- Mother Fool’s crash renews calls for action – WPRT 89.9 FM
- Madison Night Market Returns – Alder Mike Verveer
- Items of Interest for the Week of May 5, 2025 – Alder Davy Mayer
- Items of Interest for the Week of April 28, 2025 – Alder Davy Mayer
- Items of Interest for the Week of April 21, 2025 – Alder Davy Mayer
- Board of Health – Salt usage – City – Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole
- City of Madison begins Small Business Week with familiarization tour – Madison Reporter
- Parts of Campus Drive at Highland Avenue in Madison to close through June – WMTV Channel 15
- Madison to host five public meetings on 2026 budget priorities – State Journal
- Westbound Campus drive off-ramp at Highland Avenue to close starting Monday – Fox 47
- Westbound Campus Drive Off-Ramp Closure at Highland Avenue – City News
- Help Shape the Future of Biking, Walking and Rolling in Dane County – City News
- Madison officials urge cautious swimming at city beaches during summer season – Badger Herald
Dane County
- Dunn residents talk with McFarland, Dunn boards about new boundary plan – Cambridge News and Deerfield Independent
- Deerfield Village Board opens application for new member – Herald Independent and McFarland Thistle
- And then Trump’s Budget blows up homeless services altogether
– Forward Lookout
- Government Must Fulfill Promise For F-35 Noise Abatement Near Truax Field – Caffeinated Politics
- Driver in deadly Cottage Grove crash found dead at Dane County Jail – Fox 47
- Man accused of driving into Cottage Grove family dies in jail, source says – State Journal
- Suspect accused of hitting Cottage Grove family dies in jail – WKOW Channel 27
- Inmate found dead at Dane Co. Jail was suspect in deadly Cottage Grove crash – WMTV Channel 15
- Dane County residents encouraged to complete transportation survey – Channel3000.com
-
MGE: Solar energy center coming to Fitchburg – Channel3000.com
- Inmate dies in custody at Dane County Jail – WMTV Channel 27
- Inmate found dead in Dane County Jail cell Tuesday morning – State Journal
- Police investigating death of man in custody at Dane County jail – WMTV Channel 15
- Planning & Zoning approves several rezonings near Columbia, Dalmore and N West Street – Sun Prairie Star
- Inmate found unresponsive in Dane County Jail dies – Channel3000.com
- Cottage Grove adds no-parking zone near Bakken Park – Herald-Independent and McFarland Thistle
Education
- More 4K classrooms coming to Madison school district next year – Cap Times
- McFarland School Board votes to rename Conrad Elvehjem Primary School to McFarland Primary School – Cambridge News and Deerfield Independent
- UW-Madison faculty seek ‘mutual defense compact’ with Big Ten against Trump administration – State Journal
Monday, May 5th, 2025
City of Madison
- Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of May 5, 2025 – Alder Carmella Glenn
- Redevelopment to transform East Side church and community center, add housing – State Journal
- East Madison Bikeways and North Shore Drive Path projects to start May 5th – Madison Reporter
- Forward Lookout for the week of March 5, 2025 – WORT 89.9 FM
- Development Proposal Process-4506 Verona Road – Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole
- Madison Boats Kicks Off Their New Season with Two Events…plus More Updates – Alder Tag Evers
- Bikes for Kids sale; exciting construction; school grant. And of course Bike Week – Madison Bikes
Dane County
- Cambridge faces budget woes due to Fire & EMS District costs – Cambridge News and Deerfield Independent
- Forward Lookout for the week of March 5, 2025 – WORT 89.9 FM
Sunday, May 4, 2025
City of Madison
- Week of May 5th Updates – Alder Badri Lankella
- Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of May 5, 2025 – Alder Bill Tishler
- Congrats to Eve Galanter; New businesses at Regent and Allen; Construction now and upcoming; Announcements & Events – Alder Regina Vidaver
- Week of May 5th – Alder Sean O’Brien
- Madison City Week Ahead 5/5/25 – Forward Lookout
-
Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of May 5, 2025 – John Guequierre
- City Meetings and Updates Week of April 5 – Alder Derek Field
Dane County
- Dane County Week Ahead 5/5/25 – Forward Lookout
Saturday, May 3, 2025
City of Madison
- Work scheduled to improve Madison bike paths – Channel3000.com
- Road closures in Madison for USA Cycling event on May 3rd and 4th – Madison Reporter
- Dane County opts for sustainable transport in April challenge – Madison Reporter
- Week of May 5 Updates – Alder Will Ochowicz
Friday, May 2, 2025
City of Madison
- Occupy Madison Plant Sale Starts Tomorrow – Forward Lookout
- Turnover at the top: 5 Madison departments will get new leaders soon – Cap Times
- Here’s what the Madison City Council spends most of its time talking about – State Journal
- City of Madison gives Low Mow May reminders – WMTV Channel 15
- Car accident at Mother Fool’s – Alder Davy Mayer
- N Shore Drive Path & E Madison Bikeways Projects – City News
- City of Madison Kicks Off National Small Business Week with 2025 Familiarization Tour – City News
- Multiple downtown streets closing for cycling championship. – State Journal
- Dairy Drive homeless encampment faces potential closure – WORT 89.9FM
Dane County
- Occupy Madison Plant Sale Starts Tomorrow – Forward Lookout
- Dane Co. avoids 15 tons of carbon dioxide emissions during Spring Roll Challenge – WMTV Channel 15
- Dane Co. Board recognizes Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American Heritage Month – WMTV Channel 15
- DOGE hits Dane County as AmeriCorps program funding terminated – Madison 365
- Sun Prairie might change emergency services to accommodate population growth – State Journal
- USDA gives City of Sun Prairie $109k grant to launch pilot compost program Fox 47
- Alumni, staff, and faculty make strong case for UW–Madison at Day at the Capitol – Campus News
- Residents want answers on F-35 relief – Isthmus
Education
- Oldest Madison ‘community schools’ not showing gains in academics, attendance – State Journal
- UW-Madison alums lobby state Legislature for more money for operations, student housing – Isthmus
Thursday, May 1, 2025
City of Madison
- City of Madison gives Low Mow May reminders – Daily Cardinal
-
Madison announces beginning of Low Mow May – WKOW Channel 27
-
Madison suspends grass enforcement for “Low Mow May” initiative – Madison Reporter
- Madison Public Library launches WE READ for summer engagement – Madison Reporter
- Madison police captain recognized among Wisconsin’s influential Native American leaders
– Madison Reporter
- City of Madison resumes food scraps recycling initiative at Westside Community Market – Madison Reporter
- Madison Police Department shares 2024 Annual Report with the community.- Madison Reporter
- Madison celebrates completion of affordable housing project in Mosaic Ridge – Madison Reporter
- Dane County Residents Make Big Impact Choosing Sustainable Transportation this April – City News
- What You Need to Know About Low Mow May 2025 – City News
- Common Ground with… Muralidharan Govindarajan – Madison Commons
- Are we going to lose another 114 rental subsidies for houseless persons? – Forward Lookout
- Resolution to fund 5th annual Mad Lit Event Series passes City’s Finance Committee – Madison 365
- New approach in low-cost subdivision aims to keep 2 houses affordable indefinitely – State Journal
- Road closures set for some Madison streets this weekend for cycling championships – Channel3000.com
- Food Scraps Recycling Drop-off Returns to Westside Community Market on May 3, 2025 – City News
- Mosaic Ridge Creating Housing Opportunity – Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole
Dane County
- Dane County supervisor introducing ordinance amendment to limit Human Services contract power – Channel3000.com
- Dane County residents participate in April green transportation challenge – Fox 47
- Melissa Agard: Anxious about current events? Here’s a list of things to do – WisPolitics
- Are we going to lose another 114 rental subsidies for houseless persons? – Forward Lookout
- Two Cambridge residents, elected as write-ins, begin their terms on Village Board – Herald-Independent and McFarland Thistle
Education
- WEDC awards DeForest Area School District $25,000 Fab Lab Grant – Sun Prairie Star
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