Morning Update

What's Madison talking about

Potential volleyball courts, a deeper look at the City Council election, and more. Here's what you need to know today.

In this newsletter

Good morning, Madison!

We've got plenty of ground to cover today so let's just jump right into it all.

But if you're looking for something cool before the news, check out these birds.

— Hayley

🏐 From brewery to volleyball courts?

The former home of Ale Asylum on the city's north side could soon have a new life as an indoor volleyball and athletic facility.
Keva Sports has submitted plans to the city to convert the shuttered brewery into a recreation facility with eight indoor volleyball courts, a restaurant, and taproom, according to the State Journal.
Some context: Ale Asylum was founded in 2006 and closed its taproom in 2022. Recently, the owners of Karben4 Brewing Company revived some of the Ale Asylum beers.

🗳️ This race for City Council isn't over.

A possible recount in District 14: Noah Lieberman leads Isadore Knox Jr. by a two-vote margin in the south side district. The vote won't be official until Friday, when the deadline for provisional voters passes. The city issued 77 provisional ballots Tuesday, including two in District 14, which could tie up the race. (Just goes to show, every vote matters!).
Read this if you're a provisional voter: Voters who cast a ballot without an ID, aka provisional voters, have until this Friday at 4 p.m. to provide the City of Madison Clerk’s Office with their photo identification to have their ballot counted.

✏️ Meet the newest member of the Madison School Board.

Former Madison teacher Blair Mosner Feltham earned roughly 55% of the vote in Tuesday's election. She replaces outgoing board member Chris Gomez Schmidt, who served one term.
Incumbent Nicki Vander Meulen also won reelection. She ran unopposed for Seat 7.

🌿 Yard waste set-out dates are here.

The city has announced set-out dates for brush collection this year. There will be two opportunities for pickup, one this month and one in May. To find yours, check with the city.
What counts as yard waste? It's different from brush. The city classifies yard waste as leaves, weeds, garden trimmings, and other plant debris.

❤️‍🩹 Cleaning up after the Park Street fire.

A fire destroyed multiple businesses last week when it ripped through a warehouse on South Park Street. While no injuries or deaths have been reported, the Madison Fire Department estimates it caused more than $2 million in damage.
Affected businesses are raising funds to help recover their losses and rebuild. You can check out their fundraising campaigns: Acme Ironworks, Jaroslava Sobiskova’s art studio, Unbroken Chain Cycles, and Transmission Latino auto shop.
See more: Cap Times photographer Ruthie Hauge captured some beautiful and haunting images of the aftermath.

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🎙️ Today on City Cast Madison

Madison’s Spicy Cheese Bread Returns to its Roots

Stella’s Hot & Spicy Cheese Bread has long been a staple of the Dane County Farmers’ Market. The huge loaves are stuffed with gooey hot cheese, flecked with red pepper and are best eaten by tearing off a huge hunk as you stroll around contemplating eating more vegetables. Now, Brian Winzenried of the famed Stella’s family is taking the cheese bread to Panama.

What began as a pandemic trip has blossomed into a new business venture, opening this spring. Not only can you enjoy a taste of home while on vacation, but you can learn to bake alongside Brian in his new kitchen, Gamboa Baking Co.

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