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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 March 8, 4:30 pm
Sunday, March 8, 2026
City of Madison
- Week of March 9, 2026 – Alder Badri Lankella
- City Meetings and Updates Week of March 9 – Alder Derek Field
- Madison City Week Ahead 3/9/26 – Forward Lookout
- Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of March 8th – Alder Jon Duncan
Dane County
- Dane County Week Ahead 3/9/26 – Forward Lookout
- Over a dozen ancient Native canoes have been found in Lake Mendota – Cap Times
Education
- Meet the candidates for Monona Grove School Board – State Journal
- Area school districts supportive of funding lawsuit – State Journal
Spring Elections and Other
Saturday, March 7, 2026
City of Madison
- Printing Madison’s ballots – State Journal
- Downtown apartment building nominated for landmark status as developer seeks to demolish it – State Journal
- Big changes coming to Odana Hills Golf Course – State Journal
- Nitty Gritty bar raid fallout sparks debate over Madison police tactics over one year later – Daily Cardinal
Dane County, Education, Spring Elections and Other
- none yet
Friday, March 6, 2026
City of Madison
- Amtrak plans to bring passenger trains to Madison by 2030 – State Journal
- Free seeds for your garden are now available at 8 Madison Public Library locations – Madison365
- Don’t shrink the Common Council and County Board – Tone Madison
- Madison’s Odana Hills golf course in line to get total overhaul thanks to a celebrated course designer – WMTV Channel 15
- Absentee Ballots Arriving Earlier for Dane County Voters – City of Madison
- Rainy Friday, Urban Flash Flooding Possible Thanks to Frost – City of Madison
- Reimagining and Reinvesting in Odana Hills Golf Course – Alder Bill Tishler
- Week of March 9, 2026 – Alder Joann Pritchett
Dane County
- Oak savanna being restored at Holy Wisdom Monastery – State Journal
- Dane County voters will have access to absentee ballots earlier this upcoming election – WKOW Channel 27
- Henry Vilas Zoo director retires after 15 years – WMTV Channel 15
- Madison, Dane County upgrade ballot printing process after controversy – Cap Times
- Waunakee Village Board members ‘conflicted’ on e-bike ordinance – Waunakee Tribune
- Dane Co. makes final request for EV charging station program – Channel3000.com
- LIVE: Dane County officials announce improvement to absentee voting process – WMTV Channel 15
- Military Ridge State Trail Bridge and Paving Project • Verona, WI – City of Verona
- Skatepark Planning Underway, We Want Your Input! • Verona, WI – City of Verona
- Henry Vilas Zoo director retires after nearly 15 years in role – Channel3000.com
- Henry Vilas Zoo director retiring, county to conduct nationwide search for new zoo leader – WKOW Channel 27
Education
- UW-Madison lukewarm on 3-year degrees despite UW system’s blessing – Cap Times
- UW campuses can start offering 3-year bachelor’s degrees, Board of Regents says – State Journal
- The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) saw steady improvements in student attendance and graduation – WMTV Channel 15
- Three-year college degrees could be coming to some UW campuses – WisPolitics
Spring Elections
- Madison School Board race Q&A: Blair Mosner Feltham and Daniella Molle – Cap Times
- UW College Democrats host Madison Common Council panel to discuss future of District 8
– Badger Herald
- Meet the candidates for Dane County Board, District 20 – State Journal
- Meet the candidates for Dane County Board, District 7 – State Journal
- Meet the candidates for Middleton City Council, District 6 – State Journal
- Meet the candidates for Dane County Board, District 22 – State Journal
Other
- Wisconsin residents could buy BadgerCare insurance under proposals – Cap Times
- In the 608: Final day for News 3 Now Community Baby Shower – Channel3000.com
- DIRECTV/U-Verse customers lose access to WISC-TV – Channel3000.com
- WSUM Named Best College Radio Station in the Nation – WORT 89.9 FM
- DIRECTV/U-Verse customers could lose access to WISC-TV tonight – Channel3000.com
- UnityPoint Health–Meriter workers in Madison push for fair wages – WKOW Channel 27
Thursday, March 5, 2026
City of Madison
- How much can Madison do to keep Park Street safe? – State Journal
- Landmark status sought to block Gilman Street building’s demolition – Cap Times
- Proposed Regent Street redesign garners mixed responses – WORT 89.9 FM
- Week of 3/2/26: Meetings for Playgrounds and Property Taxes – Alder Davy Mayer
- Madison Police Department reports drop in crime rates in 2025 due to new community outreach programs – Badger Herald
- Odana Hills Golf Course in Madison to open for the season on Saturday, March 7 – WKOW Channel 27
- Street Sweeping During the Overnight Hours Begins Sunday, March 8, 2026 – City of Madison
- Madison officials: No conflict in police monitor investigating arrest of police oversight chair – State Journal
Dane County
- Plane departing from Dane County Regional Airport crashes in Chicago suburb – Channel3000.com
- Madison School District is transitioning from pre-packaged lunches to more made-from-scratch meals – State Journal
- Info Session: (Community Campus Plan).- City of Middleton
- Sun Prairie mayor outlines proposed referendum – WKOW Channel 27
- Madison and Milwaukee zoos receive grants for conservation projects – WKOW Channel 27
- DeForest water rates to increase for first time since 2021 – Sun Prairie Star
- City council hears proposal for apartments at the Sentry site – Cambridge News and Deerfield Independent
- Pickleball courts to open – City of McFarland
- Board OKs contract for new senior center/gym – Fitchburg Star
- City holds joint meeting with Oregon – Fitchburg Star
- Village holds joint meeting with Fitchburg – Fitchburg Star
- Dane County Fairest of the Fair search begins – Channel3000.com
Education
- Student group repurposes gently used items during dorm move-out – Daily Cardinal
- Changes to federal immigration process stress members of UW-Madison international community – Daily Cardinal
- UW-Madison police say license plate reader cameras helping investigations on campus – WMTV Channel 15
- UW announces creation of guide for federal agent encounters – Badger Herald
- Madison and Wisconsin’s high school graduation rates improve again – State Journal
- UW requires students to report vaccination records – Badger Herald.4
Spring Elections
- Madison School Board race Q&A: Nicki Vander Meulen and Dani Colussi-Lynde – Cap times
- Sun Prairie District #2 alder candidates answer Q&A – Sun Prairie Star
- Incumbent Rick Rose affirms commitment to transparency – WORT 89.9 FM
- Waunakee school board candidate responds to Q&A – Waunakee Tribune
- Meet the candidates for Dane County Board, District 16 – State Journal
Other
- Report: Child care in Wisconsin may require more state support – State Journal
- Operation Fresh Start hosts second annual Women in Construction Career Fair in Madison – Channel3000.com
- Does ICE have access to Flock data? – Isthmus
- The fight to keep Wisconsin’s government on camera – Madison Commons
- Over one million diapers raised in sixth annual WMTV Diaper Drive – WMTV Channel 15
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
City of Madison
- Rising gas prices impact Madison business as war in Iran continues – Channel3000.com
- Madison Fire Announces Firefighter/EMT Recruitment Open Houses – City of Madison
- Uncover the mysteries of Agatha Christie at Meadowridge Library this March – Isthmus
- Madison faces backlash with lawsuit over 2024 absentee voting errors – Badger Herald
Dane County
- Rising gas prices renew focus on Dane County carpool program – WMTV Channel 15
- Dane County ordinance moves forward to update safety guidelines on frozen lakes – WKOW Channel 27
- DeForest Village President resigns to focus on health and family – WKOW Channel 27
- Verona seeking public input on new skatepark design – WKOW Channel 27
- High Noon Solar operating agreement recommended for approval in P&Z – Waunakee Tribune
- No charges in alleged assault of Middleton mayor – State Journal
- Father Alfred Kunz killing: 28 years later, Dane County sheriff vows justice in unsolved case – WMTV Channel 15
- Middleton mayor withdraws temporary restraining order against former city planner – Channel3000.com
- Dane County airport generated $2.6 billion in 2024 – Verona Press
- Explore the full report – City of Middleton
- Dane County sheriff releases statement on 28th anniversary of Father Alfred Kunz’s murder – WKOW Channel 27
- Brush and Yard Waste Site is open – City of McFarland
- Legal reinterpretation leads to solar farm rejection in Waunakee – Waunakee Tribune
- Bridge replacement planned on CTH M – State Journal
- Pilot killed in northern Illinois plane crash after departing from Madison – WKOW Channel 27
Education
- Madison school board gets progress update on special education plan – WORT 89.9 FM
- UW-Madison students studying abroad in Middle East relocated – WKOW Channel 27
- March 2026: Notes from the Chancellor – UW-Madison
- 4K issues could impact future state equalization funding for Waunakee School District – Waunakee Tribune
- What UW-Madison provost finalists say they’ll bring to campus – Cap Times
- University responds to Middle East conflict – UW Madison
Spring Elections
- Goodwill Obieze wants to lower child care costs – WORT 89.9 FM
- Dane County budget should prioritize essential services, Simran Arora … – WORT 89.9 FM
- Meet the candidates for Middleton mayor – State Journal
- Meet the candidates for Fitchburg mayor – State Journal
- DeForest trustee candidates tackle growth, trust issues in forum – Sun Prairie Star
Other
- WMTV Diaper Drive campaign tops $75k goal, supports families in need – WMTV Channel 15
- Did Milwaukee just make itself a sanctuary city? – WisPolitics
- Wisconsin could expand newly-implemented school cell phone ban – WisPolitics
- Gov. Evers says federal hemp law will hurt Wisconsin – WisPolitics
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
City of Madison
- ‘We could not be happier’: Regent Street reconstruction plan heads to Transportation Commission – WMTV Channel 15
- Olbrich Gardens launches expansion process, seeks public input – Isthmus
Dane County
- Henry Vilas Zoo reintroduces the Tundra Buggy – WMTV Channel 15
- Citing health reasons, DeForest village president resigns – Sun Prairie Star
- Prescribed Burns Planned for Stormwater Basins • Verona, WI – Verona Press
- Henry Vilas Zoo reopening Tundra Buggy – Channel3000.com
- Deerfield grant program funds shuffleboard, street trees, food pantry equipment – Cambridge News and Deerfield Independent
- Melissa Agard: Dane County must live within our means – WisPolitics
- Longtime Dane County parks and conservation leader Bill Lunney dies at 84 – State Journal
- Dane County: Mourns the loss of parks leader and conservation champion Bill Lunney – WisPolitics
- City of Stoughton Hires Brandon Hill as Chief of Police – City of Stoughton
- McFarland Village Board appoints Quiroga as new municipal judge – Cambridge News and Deerfield Independent
Education
- Judge dismisses lawsuit against Sun Prairie School Board, former superintendent – Channel3000.com
- UW-Madison students in Jordan evacuating to nearby Turkey – State Journal
- Judge dismisses lawsuit against Sun Prairie School Board and superintendent – WKOW Channel 27
- How UW–Madison and industry are working together to shape Wisconsin’s AI future – UW Madison
- Kennedy Elementary parents, employees decry district’s proposed staff cuts – Cap Times
- WSUM 91.7 on the campus of UW-Madison – State Journal
Spring Elections
- Patrick Buchholz seeks to become new face on Cottage Grove Town Board – Cambridge News and Deerfield Independent
- Meet the candidates for Madison City Council, District 14 – State Journal
- Monona Community Media to host Monona Grove School Board candidate forum – Cambridge News and Deerfield Independent
- Meet the candidates for Fitchburg City Council District 4, Seat 8 – State Journal
- Sun Prairie City Council District #4 candidates answer Q&A – Sun Prairie Star
- Waunakee Dane County board candidates respond to Q&A – Waunakee Tribune
Other
- Madison event highlights homelessness struggles through immersive experience – Channel3000.com
- Urban Triage hosts homelessness awareness event on Capitol Square – WKOW Channel 27
- Help eliminate diaper insecurity in Wisconsin through WMTV Diaper Drive – WMTV Channel 15
Monday, March 2, 2026
City of Madison
- Social Justice Center fights city over denied food pantry agreement – WKOW Channel 27
- Madison police report drop in violent and property crimes in 2025 – WMTV Channel 15
- Speed, Seed, EV Charging, Owen History, and CDBG – Alder John Guequierre
- Madison police report year-over-year crime reductions – State Journal
- Public parking expanded to Wilson lot during evenings and weekends – State Journal
- Madison Launching the Third Year of the Building Energy Savings Program (BESP) – City of Madison
- Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of March 2, 2026 – Alder Dina Nina Martinez Rutherford
- Regent St at TC, Transportation Academy, and upcoming PIMs – Madison Bikes
- Pick Up Free Seeds for Your Garden from Eight Madison Public Library Locations Beginning March 2 – City of Madison
- ‘Weird’ Park Street building wins OK, some neighbors still oppose it – Cap Times
- Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of March 2, 2026 – Alder Bill Tishler
- Community Connection Week of March 2nd, 2026 – Alder Carmella Glenn
- Madison crime drops across all categories in 2025, police chief credits community partnerships – Channel3000.com
- Madison sees drop in violent crime in 2025 – City of Madison
Dane County
- Dane County mourns the loss of former parks commissioner – WMTV Channel 15
- Acting Chief appointed as Stoughton Chief of Police – WKOW Channel 27
- Avian influenza confirmed in backyard chicken flock in Dane County. – WMTV Channel 15
- Dane County mourns loss of Bill Lunney, a parks and conservation icon – WKOW Channel 27
- Dane County mourns loss of former park commission chair – Channel3000.com
- Bird flu confirmed in small flock in Dane County – WKOW Channel 27
- Bird flu case confirmed in Dane County – Channel3000.com
- Upcoming Routine Trail Maintenance Operations at McGaw Park • Fitchburg, WI – City of Fitchburg
- Good Neighbor News – City of Middleton
- MGE Electric Upgrades – City of Middleton
- Stoughton police appoints new chief – Channel3000.com
Education
- 3.2. 26Instruction Work Group – YouTube
- Former Sun Prairie West principal pleads not guilty in child abuse reporting case – WMTV Channel 15
- Former Sun Prairie principal accused of failing to report child abuse given signature bond – Channel3000.com
- Former Sun Prairie West principal makes initial appearance on charges of failing to report child abuse – WKOW Channel 27
- Mother, lawmaker demand action after student reportedly fed dog food – WisPolitics
- Provost finalists make their cases for the role – Daily Cardinal
Spring Elections
- Five in a race for 3 open Waunakee trustee seats – Waunakee Tribune
- Support candidates who show independence, commitment – Waunakee Tribune
- Meet the candidates for Fitchburg City Council, District 3, Seat 6 – State Journal
Other
- Village Diaper Bank partnerships help reach families in Dane Co. experiencing homelessness – WMTV Channel 15
- Madison’s Center for Black Excellence and Culture announces grand opening – State Journal
- UnityPoint Health-Meriter names new chief nursing officer – Channel3000.com
- The Center for Black Excellence and Culture: Announces its grand opening with community open house – WisPolitics
- In the 608: How you can help local families during the Community Baby Shower – Channel3000.com
- Chrysalis, Inc.’s 4th annual Shared Threads a chance to share personal stories of resilience and connection – Madison365
Sunday, March 1, 2026
City of Madison
- City Meetings and Updates Week of March 2 – Alder Derek Field
- City Meetings and Updates Week of March 2 – Alder Badri Lankella
- Madison’s electric buses are passing a brutal cold-weather test – Cap Times
- Regent Street plan tweaks; University and Meadow development update; MPD hosting Assemblies and Demonstrations training; Lots of parks PIMs and more! – Alder Regina Vidaver
- Traffic Enforcement, Speeder’s Hotline, and More Updates – Alder Tag Evers
- Week of March 2, 2026 – Alder Joann Pritchett
Dane County
- Dane County jail consolidation “a tough project,” staff say in pro… – WORt 89.9 FM
- Mark Your Calendars! (Paper Shredding)- City of Middleton
Education
- Superintendent Joe Gothard on property tax sticker shock, future referendum and state funding fixes – State Journal
Spring Elections
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