Once you’ve spent two years writing news, you begin to feel like you’ve seen it all. From my very first article to today, when I officially end my time on The Badger Herald news staff, I have covered stories for every beat, but after a while I stopped remembering specific… Read more »

It’s here. Today the 21st century incarnation of Union South opens its doors and invites students, faculty and alumni to check out all it has to offer. The building comes after a long embattled referendum process and a lengthy design period. Union President Patrick Callan said the new building, 70,000… Read more »

Nearly a year after the death of a member of the crew responsible for the deadly Sterling Hall bombing, the FBI released documents detailing its attempts to swiftly bring him and other suspects into custody. The bombing, targeting the Army Mathematics Research Center located in Sterling Hall, was the culmination… Read more »

More than two years after a rape allegedly took place at the Sigma Chi fraternity house, a Milwaukee judge dismissed the much-contested civil case against the fraternity. Both the national and local chapters of Sigma Chi had filed motions claiming there was not sufficient evidence to convince a judge the… Read more »

After rumors a possible split from the University of Wisconsin System may occur broke out last week, UW officials released documents Wednesday night detailing how a public authority university would function and be governed. According to the documents, the 2011-13 budget legislation includes making UW a public authority. A 21-member… Read more »

While round-the-clock protests continue to rage at the Capitol in Madison, one Wisconsin state senator gave The Badger Herald details about his flight from the state and what it would take for him to return. Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, said the decision of the Wisconsin Senate Democrats to leave the… Read more »

The student government took its first look Monday at the budgets for four institutions generally considered to be campus staples. The Student Services Finance Committee heard budget requests from the Child Care Tuition Assistance Program, the University of Wisconsin Unions, University Health Services and Recreational Sports. SSFC Chair Matt Manes… Read more »

The formal announcement of a new polar bear at the Henry Vilas Zoo doubled as a lesson in the necessity of conservation as climate change forces arctic species out of their natural habitats. Zoo Director Jim Hubing said the initial sketch for the new Arctic Passage exhibit was made in… Read more »

MANITOWOC — After a November election which focused largely on job creation, President Barack Obama changed gears, mentioning the future, the 21st century and innovation a total of 19 times in his first major address following Tuesday’s State of the Union. While Obama discussed the creation of jobs and the… Read more »

A UW student died Thursday from what appears to be a case of bacterial meningitis, the second such death at UW in the past year.Senior Thomas Kuehn, 24, was diagnosed with the disease at St. Mary’s Hospital Jan. 14 and died several hours later. The rare infection affects the lining… Read more »

A UW junior was killed in a car crash in Northern Wisconsin last Wednesday after a car she was the passenger in collided with a semi. Anna Shoemaker, 20, suffered severe head injuries on Jan. 12 when a car driven by a friend collided with a semitrailer near the intersection… Read more »

As another semester draws to a close in The Badger Herald news room, questions about the next news cycle are already plaguing our brains. Will the Edgewater Hotel ever get built? How will the Associated Students of Madison Rules Committee handle the controversial Campus Services Fund? Is the high-speed rail… Read more »

MIDDLETON — After 18 years of service in the United States Senate, Senator Russ Feingold taught a lesson in losing with class after last night’s election results were announced. Oshkosh businessman Ron Johnson defeated the three term senator with 53 percent of the vote. “The people of Wisconsin have spoken,… Read more »

Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and Democratic gubernatorial Tom Barrett visited Madison areas bars Thursday night to drum up support for the Tuesday election. Baldwin made it to Chaser’s Bar, but Barrett ducked out after Whiskey River Saloon. Not, Baldwin assured, because he could not handle the bar crawl—he decided to… Read more »

Depending on who is describing it, the Tea Party has been called — among many other things — an educational effort, a conduit for out-of-state special interest funding, a movement of empowerment and the same old conservative rhetoric. Regardless of political ideology, most people would agree the movement has made… Read more »

WAUSAU — While questions at Wisconsin’s second United States Senate debate ranged from health care reform to analysis and application of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, the topic both candidates kept coming back to was the economy. Oshkosh businessman Ron Johnson said as someone working in the private business sector for… Read more »

The same story has run through Madison’s papers countless times since 2007. A bar goes before the Alcohol License Review Committee asking for an entertainment license, a change in capacity or even their first liquor license, and while committee members agree the bar may be a great addition to the… Read more »

Badger faithful going to Saturday’s football game against UNLV in Las Vegas will have to rely on their iPods to hear On Wisconsin, If You Want to Be a Badger and other classics, as the UW Marching Band will not be there to play them. Dean of the College of… Read more »

MILWAUKEE — The national fraternity organization Sigma Chi will have to wait until October to hear a judge’s decision on whether or not a University of Wisconsin student has shown enough evidence to go to trial over a 2008 sexual assault case. The plaintiff, listed as Jane Doe to protect… Read more »

During the semester, buildings on the University of Wisconsin campus are filled with 18- to 25-year-olds, many of whom are more interested in what they are doing after classes than during them. However, for four days over the summer, the campus is filled with a different kind of student —… Read more »

University of Wisconsin Chancellor Biddy Martin announced the 15 proposals to receive money that complete the second round of Madison Initiative for Undergraduates funding. The announcement comes on the heels of another announcement of seven other proposals to receive MIU funds. Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Aaron Brower said… Read more »

Improperly sanitized lab tools, lack of research documentation and failure to adhere to veterinarians’ instructions — these are just a few of the alleged violations that led to the suspension of a University of Wisconsin researcher. UW professor of physiology Michele Basso’s research privileges and protocols were reinstated in March… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Greek community danced and sang for a good cause this weekend at their annual Humorology variety show. The event featured teams of sororities and fraternities that choreographed and composed short musicals. Although it was a charity event, it was also a heated competition for the casts.… Read more »

A Medical School party got a little too festive last weekend when a small group of attendees created a “back room” featuring their very own erotic entertainment. Medical School Associate Dean of Students Patrick McBride said in an e-mail to The Badger Herald that the party, held April 17 at… Read more »

An anti-war panel discussion scheduled to be held at Memorial Union tonight was displaced due to security costs, communication breakdowns and sponsorship withdrawals. Spokesperson for the Campus Antiwar Network and Badger Herald Opinion writer Steve Horn distributed a press release Sunday morning announcing that the event, which was at different… Read more »

Due to dramatic growth in the number of students and faculty as well as a desire to attract more students, the University of Wisconsin dance program has been upgraded to a department. The dance program currently operates under the Department of Kinesiology in the School of Education. Current Program Chair… Read more »

Members of the Wisconsin State Assembly planned to bring a resolution expelling Rep. Jeff Wood, I-Chippewa Falls, to the Assembly floor Tuesday night after he was charged three times for operating while intoxicated. Becky Sweeney, spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville, said the Assembly Democrats planned to bring the… Read more »

With most major campus sports and events winding down and finals week looming, University of Wisconsin students can relax and recharge this week with the annual All-Campus Party. The party, hosted by the Wisconsin Student Alumni Board, is a series of large and small events for students to have a… Read more »

University of Wisconsin students and other Madison residents joined people around the country to participate in a Day of Silence to support the LGBT community, which culminated in a march and rally near the Capitol. Madison Allies, the LGBT Campus Center, Students for a Fair Wisconsin and Gay Straight Alliance… Read more »

Several University of Wisconsin students celebrating the warm weather went too far this weekend, as a fun, inebriated afternoon turned into a potentially deadly fire hazard. Spokesperson for the Madison Fire Department Lori Wirth said three students were holding a cigarette lighter to the stuffing of a sofa outside their… Read more »

Professors’ right to speak freely without fear of penalization by the University of Wisconsin is now protected by university policy after the Faculty Senate approved an amendment to Faculty Policy and Procedures Monday. Due to a 2006 United States Supreme Court decision that held government employees are not protected by… Read more »

The proposed restructuring of the graduate school moved toward a less sweeping reform, closer to the school’s current format, under a proposal introduced and debated extensively at the Faculty Senate Monday. The new plan would create a vice chancellor of research and dean of the graduate school in duties only—… Read more »

University of Wisconsin Chancellor Biddy Martin’s office announced Friday it will end its apparel contract with Nike after the company’s failure to respond to a series of labor law violations. The UW Labor Licensing Policy Committee announced the end of the partnership at its meeting Friday. The partnership allowed Nike… Read more »

National reports show while the overall student athlete graduation rate at the University of Wisconsin has gone up over the past decade, the rate for female athletes has dropped. According to reports compiled by the NCAA, in 2009, 59 percent of student athletes at UW graduated within six years. This… Read more »

Finally over her jet lag — but not yet over a cold — University of Wisconsin Chancellor Biddy Martin said her spring break trip to China was a huge success. Martin said her goals for the trip included raising UW’s international visibility, deepening connections between UW and its alumni in… Read more »

After four tied votes, the Wisconsin Special Committee on Ethics gave no recommendation to the State Assembly Tuesday on whether Rep. Jeff Wood, I-Chippewa Falls, should be expelled for being charged with five OWIs, three of which occurred during his term. Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, filed a resolution to expel… Read more »

A group of University of Wisconsin faculty and staff will host a “teach-in” tonight and tomorrow to present alternate viewpoints and ideas on the war in Afghanistan. Professor of sociology and one of the organizers of the event, Joseph Elder, said he and the other organizers held a mini teach-in… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Indian Students Association will act, dance and sing tonight to show the university community its cultural pride. The event will be the larger of ISA’s two yearly shows — the ISA Fall Show and India Night — and is the largest cultural show on campus. ISA… Read more »

In the wake of complications with the new downtown central library plans, officials further clarified the city’s options for moving forward Wednesday, adding that the mayor will be meeting with Fiore today to discuss the project. In a previous interview with The Badger Herald, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said the… Read more »

Approximately 250 University of Wisconsin students, faculty, researchers, Madison citizens and animal rights activists did anything but monkey around when they gathered to debate the rights of non-human primate research subjects Monday. Department of Ophthalmology Chair Paul Kaufman — who regularly uses monkeys in his research — debated Co-Director of… Read more »

The United States Secretary of Education and the founder of a non-profit organization will speak at the spring commencement ceremonies, University of Wisconsin officials announced Wednesday. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Youth Speaks founder James Kass were chosen among other potential speakers, Secretary of the Faculty David Musolf… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin announced a new tenure track professor who will focus on Hmong and other Southeast Asian groups has been appointed to the Geography Department. According to a UW press release, after an international search, Ian Baird, who received his doctorate in geography from the University of British… Read more »

University of Wisconsin students gathered Saturday to donate money and test their chili cooking chops at Alpha Epsilon Pi’s Chili for Chile earthquake relief event. The event raised money for Chile relief to be donated through B’nai B’rith International. AEPi President Jeff Herscott said the event raised $650 through selling… Read more »

University of Wisconsin students gathered in Bascom Hall Thursday for an open forum on journalistic ethics and sensitivity. The forum, which was hosted by the UW Dean of Students Office and UW Hillel, was created in response to an advertisement posted on The Badger Herald website purchased by Holocaust denier… Read more »

More than 100 University of Wisconsin community members gathered in Library Mall Wednesday afternoon to remember the events of the Holocaust and come together as a community. The rally was held in response to an ad posted on The Badger Herald website purchased by a Holocaust denier. The Herald refused… Read more »

After a day of investigation, authorities revealed discarded cigarette butts as the cause of the fire that sparked a mass evacuation of the University of Wisconsin’s Grainger Hall. Madison Fire Department spokesperson Lori Wirth said the fire was caused when multiple cigarette butts that were not properly extinguished were thrown… Read more »

A decision on whether to expel a state representative was postponed Wednesday due to his accuser’s failure to appear at the hearing. Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, has led the charge to have Rep. Jeff Wood, I-Chippewa Falls, expelled from the Assembly. Wood has been charged with operating while intoxicated on… Read more »

One of two proposals presented at the University of Wisconsin Faculty Senate meeting Monday would protect faculty members’ rights to speak out against the university. UW professor of political science Donald Downs introduced the proposed addition on free speech protection to the Senate, citing a 2006 Supreme Court decision as… Read more »

University of Wisconsin students studying abroad in Chile are safe after a massive earthquake struck offshore early Saturday morning. According to the United States Geological Survey, the Chilean earthquake had a magnitude of 8.8. The Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti had a magnitude of 7.0. At 21.7 miles below earth’s… Read more »

University of Wisconsin engineers have made a breakthrough in technology that would allow food waste to be converted into clean jet fuel. UW Research Associate Jesse Bond said the process begins by taking biomass — essentially any discarded plant material containing cellulose — and converting it into gamma-valerolactone, which is… Read more »

A lecturer hosted Monday night by the University of Wisconsin Students of Objectivism asserted capitalism is the only moral social system. Craig Biddle, author of “Loving Life” and editor of “The Objective Standard,” said capitalism is widely acknowledged as the most practical social system. He said most people agree the… Read more »

Single-game football tickets will cost $3 more beginning this fall after the University of Wisconsin Athletic Board approved its 2010-11 budget. The board unanimously approved the increase, which will raise the price of season tickets by $21 total. Athletic Board faculty representative and professor of education Adam Gamoran said he… Read more »

Special Olympics Wisconsin will ask Madisonians to be “freezin’ for a reason,” Saturday, as they host the 2010 Polar Plunge in Olin Park. Director of Madison’s Plunge, John Weichelt, said last year Madison raised around $420,000 in pledges and donations, and he thinks this year it should raise at least… Read more »

With the 31 top-ranked Madison Initiative for Undergraduates proposals in the hands of University of Wisconsin Chancellor Biddy Martin, UW officials have begun the next step in the process of choosing which proposals to fund. Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Aaron Brower said more discussion will likely be needed… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin is currently considering the development of several mobile programs that would deliver campus information into the palms of students’ hands. Noting a rise in the use of mobile technology, University Communications and the Department of Information Technology are working together to create programs aimed at students… Read more »

Members of both oversight boards for the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates presented their top ranked second-round proposals Tuesday to University of Wisconsin Chancellor Biddy Martin. Representatives from the MIU Oversight Committee as well as the MIU Student Oversight Board presented 31 top-ranked proposals to Martin. Provost Paul DeLuca began the… Read more »

A recent University of Wisconsin study found stem cells induced from adult cells are not entirely ready to be used in place of embryonic stem cells. Professor of anatomy and author of the study Su-Chun Zhang said the study was initially proposed because induced pluripotent stem cells, which were originally… Read more »

University of Wisconsin senior Daniel Lecoanet has become the first UW student in 30 years to be awarded the Churchill Scholarship, an award that sends a graduated senior to Cambridge University for one year of post baccalaureate study. Lecoanet, a native Madisonian who is graduating this spring, said he is… Read more »

A new University of Wisconsin study will test how effectively Mindfulness Meditation — the calm awareness of one’s body and its functions — can be used to treat alcoholism and other addictions. Professor of family medicine and lead researcher Aleksandra Zgierska said in an email it was her roots in… Read more »

As the final college applications trickle in for the 2010-11 year, University of Wisconsin officials reported an approximate 26 percent increase in international student applications. Interim Director of Admissions Tom Reason said applications from international students increased from about 2,660 last year to 3,360 this year — a jump of… Read more »

The Lake Mendota-bound Statue of Liberty is scheduled to make its second annual appearance this year, with construction to be completed over the next few days as the University of Wisconsin’s Hoofers Winter Carnival approaches. Hoofer’s Vice President of Programs and UW junior Mindy Cummings said those planning this year’s… Read more »

A multidisciplinary team of University of Wisconsin researchers has received a $9.77 million grant to research the causes and possible treatments of sudden cardiac arrest from the National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute. UW professor of physiology Hector Valdivia said the grant will fund study of two heart problems —enlargement… Read more »

While private donations to universities are lower than they have been in more than 50 years, University of Wisconsin officials remain positive as UW remains at the top of the list for fundraising. According to a survey of 1,027 universities throughout the country, published by the Council for Aid to… Read more »

Somber-faced friends, family and faculty members gathered on campus Wednesday afternoon to celebrate, remember and honor the life of University of Wisconsin senior Neha Suri, who died Tuesday afternoon of bacterial meningitis. A slideshow accompanied by music played as attendees entered a Lathrop Hall room packed with more than… Read more »

Although the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates Oversight Committee intended to make final proposal recommendations to Chancellor Biddy Martin after their third meeting Wednesday, the committee may end up going back to the drawing board after a last minute suggestion. Both Associated Students of Madison Vice Chair Tom Templeton and Vice… Read more »

All meetings for the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates Oversight Committee will now be open to the public after a Badger Herald reporter was ejected from a meeting Monday. Spokesperson for the University of Wisconsin John Lucas said after seeing the response from student groups, the committee decided to open today’s… Read more »

Associated Students of Madison’s Legislative Affairs will join the Association of Big Ten Students in their summit in March with US senators from around the country in Washington D.C. to bring attention to the affordability of education. The main function of the summit would be to discuss ABTS’ support of… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Faculty Senate voted Monday to support a bill that aims to improve the amount saved through state-mandated furloughs. Current Wisconsin furlough laws require all state employees to take eight unpaid furlough days per year. The new “Smart Furlough” bill, proposed by Rep. Kelda Helen Roys, D-Madison,… Read more »

The decision to make the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates Oversight Committee a closed meeting may have violated state open meeting laws Monday at a meeting to review MIU proposals. A Badger Herald reporter who attempted to attend the meeting was informed upon arrival that the meeting was a closed session… Read more »

An ad hoc committee formed by the University of Wisconsin Faculty Senate to give an opinion on the necessity of graduate school restructuring will not present its report this week as was originally intended. Chair of the University Committee Bill Tracy said the committee is currently in its final edits… Read more »

A University of Wisconsin student group will make the Super Bowl about more than football with its 14th annual ‘Souper’ Bowl fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 6. The Souper Bowl sells ceramic bowls of soup to benefit the UW chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Souper Bowl spokesperson Mitch Holland said some of… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Office of Multicultural Arts Initiative along with the First Wave Hip-Hop Theater Ensemble partnered to sponsor the Wisconsin Youth Poetry Slam competition this week. The semi-finals, which will be free and open to the public, will be held throughout this week at local high schools, a… Read more »

Associated Students of Madison along with the Wisconsin Student Public Interest Research Group helped inspire generosity on the University of Wisconsin campus in Thursday’s Haiti Relief Day of Action. While ASM is still gathering the total amount of money donated, ASM Vice Chair Tom Templeton said he thought the numbers… Read more »

A usual Thursday night in Madison turned violent when police found a resident being beaten in the Equinox Apartments by up to four assailants. Residents of the Equinox gathered in the lobby in confusion as everyone tried to piece together what was going on. According to the police report, victim… Read more »

Though a monumental rise in the average grade point average of University of Wisconsin students may seem like a cause for celebration, UW officials are responding to criticism for the increase with potential explanations. The average GPA of UW students has been steadily rising and has jumped up by almost… Read more »

A University of Wisconsin research facility received an $8.8 million federal grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to perform human clinical trials with stem cell research, including a first of its kind spinal stem cell trial. The Waisman Center will begin testing stem cell treatments on patients… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, more commonly known as FIJI, raised more than $3,200 Saturday to benefit the Red Cross’ efforts in Haiti through their “Dance for Haiti” fundraiser. FIJI member and UW senior Nathan Dau-Schmidt said the fraternity talked about ways they could help disaster relief… Read more »

The harsh sound of hammer on wood echoed through the air as a crew of more than 33 people worked to lay down an ice rink on Camp Randall field Monday. The ice rink will be the site of Culver’s Camp Randall Hockey Classic and the location of a free… Read more »

A University of Wisconsin student group is rallying support for an addition and renovations to what they describe as the UW’s outdated natatorium. UW students may have seen the Students for Nat Up gathering signatures on campus. This student organization is devoted to informing the student body about what a… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Athletic Board met Friday to review plans for the Culver’s Camp Randall Hockey Classic and plans for adding sand volleyball as a new sport in the National College Athletic Association. Senior Associate Athletic Director for Operations Sean Frazier introduced tentative details on the Classic, scheduled Feb.… Read more »

What began as a simple presentation became a heated debate as the University of Wisconsin Union Council finalized plans to keep students involved in the design and renovation of the Memorial Union Thursday night. Wisconsin Union Directorate Vice President of Project Management Patrick Tilley presented plans for a Design Committee… Read more »

A man who allegedly killed University of Wisconsin senior Shanica Adkins with his car in Milwaukee on New Year’s Eve was arrested Sunday. According to the criminal complaint signed by Assistant District Attorney Denis Stingl, Officers Matthew Drought and Dean Lidwin were approaching the intersection of North 35th Street and… Read more »

Two groups of University of Wisconsin students and alumni volunteering in Haiti are finally safe, after several went missing following the Jan. 12 earthquake that tore through the capital city of Port-au-Prince. A group of five UW students of Engineers Without Borders 70 miles north of Port-Au-Prince in Bayonnais Valley,… Read more »

SAFEride cab services reduced the number of free rides given to University of Wisconsin students from four rides per month to six rides per semester to address budget concerns and cut down on non-emergency rides. Student Services Finance Committee Vice Chair Michael Romenesko said the changes were made to SAFEride… Read more »

As students rejoiced in the end of classes and finals last semester, the staff of University Health Services breathed a sigh of relief for a semester that ended with low swine flu activity, though UHS officials are wary of a resurgence as students return from break. At a press… Read more »

The year 2009 ended in a tragic turn when University of Wisconsin senior Shanica Adkins was killed in a car accident early New Years Eve. According to Milwaukee Police Department Officer Jonathon Newport, a moving vehicle hit Adkins at 2:30 a.m. Newport said she died at the scene of the… Read more »

Madison developer Otto Gebhardt III plans to build a housing development on land the University of Wisconsin identified as the site of a new academic building in its 20-year Master Plan. When looking to sell the current properties located at 1208, 1212 and 1214 Spring St. the current owner of… Read more »

The State of Wisconsin Claims Board denied a request for more than $1.7 million from the company that helped demolish the old Ogg dormitory, citing violations of safety standards that ended their contract. Dore and Associates had a contract with the Wisconsin Department of Administration that was terminated March 19,… Read more »

Athletic Director Barry Alvarez announced at an Athletic Board meeting Friday the Big Ten will push next year to add a 12th member to the league. According to Alvarez, having 11 teams in the conference creates problems with scheduling. He said if another team was added, the conference could split… Read more »

There were no books, no papers, no last minutes tests to be had at Bascom Wednesday. Yet, as residents of the Lakeshore dorms and their Southeast rivals surveyed the powdery landscape in front of them, they understood what their new lesson for the day covered: snow-based warfare. A small group… Read more »

For the first time in history with records dating back to 1965, the University of Wisconsin cancelled today’s classes due to extreme blizzard conditions. According to the National Weather Service, 10 to 14 inches of snow accumulation is expected by Wednesday afternoon. Chancellor Biddy Martin said many factors contributed to… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Faculty Senate approved Monday a new policy for awarding degrees to students who die before completing all of their course requirements. UW professor of chemistry and pharmacology Judith Burstyn introduced the new policy, which removed a qualification that a recipient of a posthumous baccalaureate degree have… Read more »

The first snowfall of the year caused frustration for the Madison Streets Division and numerous accidents Thursday night. Streets division supervisor Al Schumacher said many aspects of the night were challenging to the department. “In a word, [the night was] frustrating,” Schumacher said.� According to Schumacher, the type of snow,… Read more »

The Madison Landmarks Commission denied both a certificate of appropriateness and a variance to the new plans for the Edgewater Hotel Monday. Hammes Company President Bob Dunn, along with design architect David Manfredi and Director of Development Amy Supple, presented the current plans for the hotel. The plans would rehabilitate… Read more »

For the first time in 20 years, the city of Madison will end the year with a budget deficit. According to Madison City Comptroller Dean Brasser, the city is expected to have overspent their revenue by $3.6 million. Brasser said the deficit is not a result of overspending. “A lot… Read more »

The Blue Velvet Lounge’s capacity was increased from 99 to 120 after the owner brought the issue to the Alcohol License Review Committee last Wednesday. Larry Schmock, owner of the Blue Velvet Lounge, initially requested the capacity be raised to 160, the maximum number of people the square footage of… Read more »

The Alcohol License Review Committee denied the local bar Blue Velvet’s application to increase its capacity Wednesday. The Blue Velvet Lounge on Gilman Street applied to increase its capacity from 99 to 168. City Attorney Steve Brist informed the committee that under the current alcohol density plan, the committee could… Read more »

The Dane County Board of Supervisors approved the 2010 operating and capital budgets Monday night, retaining just fewer than 3 percent budget cuts for human services and county employees’ wages. The passage of the capital budget was approved with little discussion; yet, the passage of the operating budget came after… Read more »

Former University of Wisconsin and NFL football player Erasmus James pled not guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct after a fight broke out at Wando’s early Nov. 6. James is also charged with a felony of substantial battery-intended bodily harm. He has not yet entered a plea on… Read more »

The family of the late Brittany Zimmermann, the University of Wisconsin junior who was killed in her Doty Street apartment in 2008, announced Monday a scholarship will be awarded by the family to a UW freshman from her hometown of Marshfield, Wis. According to university spokesperson John Lucas, the scholarship… Read more »

After failing to strip the Edgewater project of it’s funding in Board of Estimates, city alders will try once more to remove it from the Madison capital budget. An amendment to the 2010 capital budget removes $16 million from the budget over the next two years currently set aside… Read more »

The City Council gave final approval Tuesday for plans to renovate Lisa Link Peace Park, adding a visitor’s center, public bathrooms, an ATM and an outdoor theater. Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, told the council how excited he was the plan was finally before them because there are so few… Read more »

The five-story apartment proposed to be built on the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church property on West Johnson Street was approved Monday by the city’s Landmarks Commission. The commission granted the design a certificate of appropriateness under the condition the developers, Knothe & Bruce Architects, make the building one story shorter,… Read more »

The Madison Police Department will be partnering with the Wisconsin State Patrol to enhance and bolster traffic law enforcement Friday in anticipation of city Halloween festivities. The state patrol will be assigning approximately 40 officers on East Washington Avenue and University Avenue, according to patrolman Lt. Brad Altman. The officers… Read more »

The city’s Board of Estimates will consider amendments to the 2010 operating budget today, including an amendment that restores funding for the maintenance of some public ice rinks. The amendment proposes adding $38,000 to the budget to fund land, heating of some shelters and workers to maintain rinks. The Parks… Read more »

The city’s Alcohol License Review Committee voted to approve The Pub’s entertainment license Wednesday, which allows the bar to host live music and DJs. According to managers, the music would not be a major attraction on weekends, but it would just be something to stimulate business on slower nights. The… Read more »

Members of the Mansion Hill neighborhood, along with parishioners of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, met Monday to review plans to build an apartment complex in the church parking lot.The proposed building would be five stories tall and contain 46 units ranging from one to three bedrooms. There would also… Read more »

Residents of the West Mifflin neighborhood met Wednesday with Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, to address concerns for the proposed renovation plans of the Mifflin Street area. According to Verveer, there are currently two competing proposals for renovating Mifflin Street. The first plan requires buildings being torn down because of… Read more »

The city’s Financial Committee put off an amendment requiring a referendum on the new Central Library renovation Monday.Ald. Michael Schumacher, District 18, Ald. Mark Clear, District 19, Ald. Judy Compton, District 16, and Ald. Paul Skidmore, District 9, introduced an amendment to the budget saying Madison citizens have the right… Read more »

Local downtown business owners voiced their concerns surrounding the logistics of this year’s Freakfest Wednesday at a meeting held by city staff. One of the main concerns raised by various business owners was event attendees could try to avoid paying to enter State Street by sneaking through their businesses’ buildings.… Read more »

The City of Madison Plan Commission voted Monday to approve the proposed renovations of Lisa Link Peace Park. The plans for the State Street park include a visitor’s center with public restrooms, outdoor performance space, fountains, bike parking, a surcharge-free ATM and a small police workstation. The commission and members… Read more »

The Dane County Office of Equal Opportunity presented the final report from a task force investigating racial disparities in the Wisconsin criminal justice system Wednesday.The Office of Equal Opportunity appointed the task force one year ago in response to a report from Gov. Jim Doyle’s office highlighting problems throughout the… Read more »

The Joint Southeast Campus Area Committee was presented with reno-vation plans for the power plant on Charter Street Monday night, in-cluding phasing out coal and utilizing more renew-able fuels. The new plans involve removing the four coal boilers and replacing them with two that burn natural gas and one that… Read more »

The Dane County Executive’s Office has asked county employees to take an estimated 5 percent pay cut through 2010 to free up money for the 2010 budget. The preliminary budget already includes money saving efforts, but without more, some employees may have to be laid off to fund budget requests.… Read more »

Freakfest producer Frank Productions announced new information Friday about this year’s Freakfest including band lineup and costume contest information. Headlining at the Mountain Dew Amp stage on the Capitol Square will be Third Eye Blind, along with Cage the Elephant and Push Play. Smaller stages will feature Locksley, local band… Read more »

Members of the Urban Design Commission voted Wednesday to give their final approval to the renovation plans for Lisa Link Peace Park, which include a public visitor center and extensive landscaping. Additional plans for renovation include gardens, fountains, a large lawn area, an outdoor performance space and indoor bathrooms. Ken… Read more »