Madison journalist and author John Nichols reflected on the state of politics in Wisconsin and the February labor protests Thursday, saying citizens participated in the beginning of an international movement. Nichols, associate editor of the Cap Times and contributor to The Nation magazine, showcased his book, “Uprising: How Wisconsin Renewed… Read more »

The proposed construction for North Henry Street was up for consideration on Thursday, with business owners voicing concerns that narrowing the street would make already tricky shipping areas more difficult. North Henry, which is slated to go through full reconstruction, would be narrowed to make more room for sidewalk space.… Read more »

Two new members, who are little in terms of both age and size, have arrived at the Henry Vilas Zoo. The zoo announced Tuesday the adoption of a set of Geoffroy’s Marmosets, an endangered species of monkey rare in zoos around the world. According to a statement released by the… Read more »

Members of a city business group scrutinized a proposed design for remodeling the Memorial Union, a controversial plan that could alter the famed campus landmark and increase student accessibility. Members of the Madison Central Business Improvement District met Thursday and received an update on the project. Mark Guthier, director of… Read more »

The city’s Board of Public Works considered the reconstruction and assessment of several student-occupied downtown areas in addition to the renovation of a Madison Police training center during a meeting Wednesday. Board members said some of the reconstruction plans may directly affect University of Wisconsin students’ safety and living quality.… Read more »

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi signed the 2012 county budget Thursday, OKing more than $4.4 million in increased funds for programs administered by Dane County Human Services.Parisi said one of the main goals for the budget was ensuring absolute minimum cuts to basic services deemed necessary to maintain the quality… Read more »

NORTH BROOM STEET: Battery On Monday night, two downtown roommates found a man hanging down from a second floor balcony outside their residence, an MPD report said. An accomplice was nearby. The intruders started a fight with the two men. Their other roommates came out to try to keep the… Read more »

Law enforcement officials, including federal and state prosecutors, the FBI and the city attorney, gathered Tuesday to offer a choice to the city’s 10 most prominent criminals: make a change with the help of community members or receive the maximum penalty allowed by law. Madison Police Chief Noble Wray said… Read more »

Overture Center staff members gathered in front of the City Council Tuesday night to express their disappointment concerning the council’s previous decision to reduce the center’s budget and urged the alders to increase funding to support local art. Although the city promised the nonprofit Overture Center Foundation a $2 million… Read more »

The Dane County Board of Supervisors personnel and finance committee met with the Board of Estimates Wednesday to review cuts within the county executive’s cabinet, delinquency collections and budgets for the upcoming recall elections. A highlight of the agenda was the discussion on changes in the Department of Administration’s operating… Read more »

The Madison Arts Commission took steps to increase Madison youth and students’ access to poetry and other art forms with projects including the nomination of the next poet laureate and the poetry on Madison Metro Transit buses project at its meeting Tuesday. Fabu Carter Brisco, the city’s current poet laureate,… Read more »

Members of the Madison City Council are proposing to add $1 million in spending to the mayor’s budget for 2012, $500,000 of which will go to the Overture Center. The council proposed 29 amendments that will add a total of $1 million of spending to Mayor Paul Soglin’s $250.4 million… Read more »

ROCKEFELLER LANE — BATTERY A dispute over money on Facebook turned into a physical faceoff Wednesday night when the two women involved brought their boyfriends to confront each other on Rockefeller Lane, according to a Madison Police Department incident report. According to an MPD report, one of the men brought… Read more »

A mock election conducted by the Madison City Clerk’s Office Tuesday intended to test out the effects of the voter ID bill found voters would have to wait significantly longer to cast their ballots, which some city officials said could turn voters away from the polls. According to a statement… Read more »

The Madison State Street Design Oversight Committee decided last night to remove two benches on State Street because of reported problems of loitering and drug dealing. The committee had been working on a design of State Street for a reconstruction project. One of the key issues on the agenda was… Read more »

After 10 members of the Dane County Board of Supervisors voted to postpone the county’s bonding resolution, County Executive Joe Parisi is calling upon the members to rethink their actions in order to allow for the implementation of a new emergency communications system. During a press conference Tuesday, Parisi said… Read more »

Fort Hays State University in Kansas has initiated a tuition incentive program for students earning better-than-average grades, as part of a payback plan for stimulus money received this year. As part of the Tuition Incentive Program, students who receive a grade of C or higher will receive $5 back for… Read more »

Due to extreme blizzard conditions, the University of Wisconsin System closed all universities except UW-Superior. Most of the UW System campuses — including UW-Madison, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Whitewater — were closed. Classes were canceled for the whole day, and non-essential employees were asked not to report to work. According to… Read more »

A University of Wisconsin alumna who graduated last spring was selected as one of 35 Marshall Scholars in the United States this year, making her the first person selected from UW in 10 years.� Triple majoring in physics, math and French, Erin Conrad received her undergraduate degree this past… Read more »

Students from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse voted to increase their academic initiative fees in an effort to preserve student programs and faculty positions. According to Joe Gow, chancellor of UW-La Crosse, student turnout for the vote was higher than expected. The majority was in favor of an increase, with… Read more »

Associated Students of Madison’s Academic Affairs Committee launched its Affordable Textbook Campaign, mainly targeted at lowering textbook costs for students, which was endorsed by Student Council this week and will be presented to the University Committee next Monday. Jonah Zinn, chair of Academic Affairs, said at the current stage… Read more »

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire plans to increase its tuition by $1,500 annually over a phase-in period of the next four years to enhance the quality of the school’s education. The proposed plan, known as the Blugold Commitment, aims to improve UW-Eau Claire’s educational system with contributions from students, families, alumni… Read more »

University of Wisconsin agricultural research stations that conduct research and testing on a variety of vegetables will be sending their food surpluses to local food banks and other food redistributors as the weather gets colder. According to Judy Rozelle, superintendent at the West Madison Research Station, her group is working… Read more »