Cameron Bren
David Michael Miller
Recycling program struggles
China, one of the world’s largest buyers of recyclables, has drastically limited the amount of material it will accept. That means the city is now sending things like children’s toys and five-gallon paint buckets to the landfill. more
Cameron Bren
Affordable ownership
A new group successfully bought and rehabbed a four-unit apartment building into a housing co-op. Now they want to help others do the same. more
David Michael Miller
Veteran affairs
Valor on Washington would offer 64 affordable housing units, with a special focus on women veterans and veterans with children. It would be the largest development of this type in the country. more
Police “desperate” for psychiatric hospital
The closest psychiatric hospital is Winnebago Mental Health Institute, at least a two-hour drive from Madison. That drive time adds to the lengthy process of putting someone in protective custody. more
David Michael Miller
Making connections, finding capital
Black-owned businesses are growing, but still lag behind their white counterparts. Several organizations in Madison are trying to help them make connections, get attention and raise money. more
Waste management
Madison’s pilot composting project has been plagued by contamination of plastic and the city no longer has anywhere to process the waste. But officials insist city-wide composting will eventually happen. more
Cameron Bren
The sharing place
Longtable Beer Cafe is all about beer and conviviality. The new Middleton eatery and tap comes from the owners of Brasserie V. more
Cameron Bren
Treasure hunt
In each of the past four years, the city has hauled more than 500 tons of garbage to the landfill during Hippie Christmas. The treasure may be tempting for scavengers, but the risks include bedbugs and mercury poisoning. more
Cameron Bren
Pedal power
If awarded the contract at Judge Doyle Square, Freewheel would include a small retail area, but most of the space would be used for classes and workshops, including basic mechanics courses, safety education and classes geared specifically for women. more
The long game
The Republican-controlled Legislature shows little interest in allowing medical marijuana. But that hasn’t stopped advocates from pushing for reform. more
Cameron Bren
The perfect bottle
Casetta Kitchen and Counter offers thoughtful pairings for dine-in or take-out. Co-owner James Juedes has a wide-ranging background in wines. more
David Michael Miller
County expands opioid deferment program
For three years, Dane County has given a select number of addicts a chance to avoid prosecution, provided they complete a rigorous deferment program. The county is now looking to double the program’s capacity. more
Double-checking
Wisconsin officials dismiss claims that the state’s election system might have been hacked or manipulated. But they also agree a recount could be valuable in reassuring voters that the system works. more
Cameron Bren
Brokedown palace
A bloody fight on Oct. 4 put one “traveling dirty kid” in intensive care and another one in jail. The fight illustrates how dangerous the nomadic lifestyle can be. more
Cameron Bren
Carefree highway?
Every summer, a few self-proclaimed “dirty kids” show up in Madison to enjoy the city’s tolerant, laid-back atmosphere. Just who are these people, and what are they up to? Cameron Bren investigates. more
Sandwich, chips and Jesus
The Jesus Lunch will return outside of Middleton High School this year, after the city’s Common Council failed to impose any restrictions. Many parents say officials are afraid of a lawsuit. And they worry about kids being proselytized. more
Cameron Bren
Uncertain future for Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative
Founded in 1989, Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative has been a leftist mainstay off of State Street. Struggling with declining sales and growing costs, the volunteer collective is struggling to survive. more
Cameron Bren
A forever home
Housing cooperatives have been popular in Madison for decades, primarily with college-age people whose lives are in transition. A group of co-op veterans are forming Perennial Co-op on the south side, with ambitions of settling into the neighborhood. more
Smoke break
Although people at all income levels use marijuana, poor people suffer disproportionately from the high fines levied for possession. Dane County Executive Joe Parisi is urging municipalities to lower the fines. more
-
Cameron Bren
MACHA members (left to right) Anna Castaneda, Brel Hutton-Okpalaeke, Nate Hinahara and Gabrielle Hinahara.
-
Cameron Bren
Matt Van Nest will apply lessons from Brasserie V to his new venture, Longtable.
-
Cameron Bren
-
Cameron Bren
On his porch, Andy Bose plays the violin he found during Hippie Christmas.
-
Cameron Bren
-
Cameron Bren
Nick Pastore works on a bike at the Freewheel’s Park Street location, where he is head mechanic. The collective hopes to open a second location in Judge Doyle Square.
