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Green and gold and green and gold

The draft will be held in Green Bay in 2025.

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Good morning, Madison!

After years of trying, Green Bay will officially host the NFL's biggest off-season event.

The draft will be held in Green Bay in 2025.

"The Packers have a rich and proud history that goes back to the early days of the NFL and are the only community-owned team. That connection to our League's heritage combined with the great passion Packers fans will bring will make the Draft a memorable event for those in attendance and NFL fans watching around the world," Packers President Mark Murphy said in a statement.

According to the team, the draft has the potential to bring in $94 million in economic impact to the state.

— Hayley

💸 How the state's proposed tax boost would affect Madison.

The short answer: Not much.
A proposal currently making its way through the state Legislature would give Madison roughly $2.7 million in additional funding every state fiscal year. But considering the city's current budgetary outlook, that money won't be enough to make much of a difference.
Some context: The city is facing a multi-million dollar budget deficit largely due to its limited revenue sources and inflation.
"I just feel like the scale of the conversation right now is off," the mayor told the Cap Times. "Under the current proposal, we would be getting something like $7.5 million total. If shared revenue had just kept pace with inflation, we would be getting $17 million total."

💡 Four Wisconsin energy companies want rate hikes.

Four of the state's five major utility companies have filed for rate increases in 2024.
The numbers: Madison Gas & Electric is seeking a 7% increase for electricity customers, Xcel is seeking a 5% increase, Alliant Energy is seeking a roughly 18% increase, and We Energies requested a 2.5% increase.
All of the state's energy suppliers instituted rate increases this January. The State's Public Service Commission is expected to make a decision on the changes by the end of the year.
Disclosure: Madison Gas & Electric is a sponsor of Madison Minutes.

🥗 Goodman Community Center is filling community needs.

After Little John's Kitchen abruptly suspended operations earlier this year, the Goodman Community Center has stepped up to help fulfill meal deliveries for local organizations in need.
Goodman has hired more staff and doubled its daily meal output to fulfill SSM Health at Home’s Meals on Wheels program, according to the State Journal.These days, Little John's owner Chef Dave Heide is fundraising to bring a pay-what-you-can restaurant and kitchen to Madison. According to the paper, he's raised about $2.3 million for the effort and is looking to double that.

🚣‍♀️ The head coach of Badgers women's rowing is leaving.

After 19 years leading the team, Wisconsin women's rowing coach Bebe Bryans is stepping down.
During her tenure, Bryans led the Badgers to 15 NCAA championships including UW's first Big Ten title in 2010.
"I have lived and breathed Wisconsin rowing for the past 19 years and appreciate the effort given by every woman who walked into Porter Boathouse. I hope they are proud of what they achieved here," she said in a statement. "There is something about this place, this campus, that fills one with hope for the future and I know that the team will continue to thrive with the foundations that have been built over 50 years."

🥳 Celebrating Monroe Street.

Next week, the Monroe Street Merchants Association will host two days of events to kick off its Grow on Monroe campaign in celebration of the neighborhood's small business community.
The festivities will be held next Friday and Saturday and will include open houses, special offers at businesses on Monroe Street, live music, food trucks, a raffle, and more.

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🎙️ Today on City Cast Madison

Why Madison Buses are About to Change

Starting June 11th, the Madison Metro bus system, as you know it, will change.

Metro bus routes, bus stops and bus numbers will be different. It’s all part of the plan to move people across town faster and make way for the new Bus Rapid Transit system. Madison hopes new express buses in dedicated lanes will make transit easier, faster, and more reliable. That’s coming next year. But first, they’re redesigning all of the regular bus routes.

City Cast Madison talks to City of Madison transit planner Mike Cechvala about what’s happening very soon.

Listen now