📝 The best time to get a flu shot

🚌 Madison Schools are Riding the Struggle Bus.

• The new school year has begun but when it comes to getting students to class, things are off to a bumpy start for Metropolitan School District’s new bus contractor, First Student. On the first day of school, some buses were as much as two hours late. At Sennett Middle School, the principal stepped in and drove some routes himself. [Cap Times]
• What’s the problem? A lack of drivers. First Student is about 30 drivers short in MMSD. But according to the Cap Times, conditions should improve since there are 16 candidates currently in training.

🍻 Minocqua Brewing Company is Coming to Town

• A brewery that’s stirred controversy in northern Wisconsin for its liberal views has announced plans to open a Madison tap room. The Minocqua Brewing Company is currently in a legal battle with the Town of Minocqua and Oneida County over zoning disputes. [Wisconsin State Journal]
• The Madison location will be next to Trixie’s Liquor on East Washington Ave. The space was previously home to Growlers to Go-Go. Brewery Owner Kirk Bangstad said he chose Madison in part for its left-leaning politics. In 2020, Bangstad ran an unsuccessful race for State Assembly and recently founded a liberal super PAC. [Facebook, Ballotopedia]

✨ The Night Market Cometh

• The second-to-last Madison Night Market of the season is Thursday, Sept. 14. The market is located along State and Gilman Streets and features a variety of local vendors, food trucks, and entertainment. It kicks off at 5 p.m. and closes up at 9 p.m. [Madison Night Market]

🎙️ Your Lunchtime Listen: Who’s Behind the Voice of Madison Metro?

• Madison’s bus system recently went through its biggest service update in decades — and there are more changes on the way. In fact, the city is hosting public information sessions this week on proposed Metro Transit service changes, which would go into effect in December. But one part of Metro that has remained a constant over the years is the voice behind it all. Meet the man behind the speaker in this episode of City Cast Madison.

• Brews and Q's Taproom Trivia at Young Blood Beer Company - North Street
• Chasten Buttigieg Book Talk at Pinney Library
• Clean Lakes 101: Healthy Lakes, Healthy Climate at The Edgewater Hotel
• Conservation Park Tour at Edna Taylor Conservation Park
• Trivia at Starkweather Brewing Company
• Nate Chappell Asks You Several Questions at Gib's
• Nerd Nite! Women's Wrestling, Velomobiles, and Four Leaf Clovers at High Noon Saloon
• Rainbow Happy Hour at Delta Beer Lab
• What The Fruit Fly Can Teach Us About Stem Cells, Diet, and Fertility at the Discovery Building
• WN@tL: "Fate of Aquatic Pesticides Used for Invasive Species in Lakes" at UW Genetics-Biotechnology Center

Wisconsin’s Supreme Court Battle Keeps Getting Uglier

For the first time in 15 years, liberals have a majority on the officially non-partisan Wisconsin Supreme Court.  But the court’s locked in a power struggle with the Republican-controlled state legislature. Assembly Majority Leader Robin Vos has threatened to impeach the newly-elected Justice Janet Protasiewicz and change the balance of power. Now, voters have sued, seeking to block any impeachment vote. Meanwhile, tensions are high between the justices on the court.

We speak to Jack Kelly, statehouse reporter for Wisconsin Watch, for the latest on how the political divisiveness is playing out behind the scenes.