UP: Madison's poor. Mayor Paul Soglin, Community Action Coalition and several hospitals announce the MadMarket Double Dollars Program to match food stamp dollars at local farmers' markets. Food stamp recipients can go to one of four farmers' markets -- Northside Farmers' Market, the Eastside Farmers' Market at Wil-Mar, and markets at the Labor Temple and Villager Mall on the south side -- with their food assistance cards and get up to $30 more in food purchases per week. The markets were chosen based on proximity to food stamp recipients.
DOWN: Fitchburg Fire Department. An investigation by the Dane County Sheriff's Office reveals that the fire department has been operating an unauthorized $25,000 slush fund for nine years. No criminal violations are alleged, but Fitchburg Mayor Shawn Pfaff tells the Wisconsin State Journal: "These are taxpayer dollars. To have a department set up its own account and go around the city budgeting process is concerning."
