📝 State St. holiday trolley is back!

🗳️ The Race Is On

• State Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard announced her bid for Dane County executive Thursday. Agard was born and raised in Dane County and is a longtime public servant. As a state senator, her district covers much of east and north Madison. Prior to joining the senate in 2020, she served as a state representative and Dane County supervisor.
• Agard’s departure from the senate will leave an important leadership role open. A vote to elect a new minority leader will be held Monday.
• So far, Agard is the second candidate to throw their hat in the ring. Madison Ald. Regina Vidaver announced her campaign in October.
• What exactly does the county executive do? We talked to the guy who’s been doing it for the past decade. [Cap Times, City Cast Madison 🎧]

🎁 Don’t Miss the Holiday Trolley

• Madison’s Holiday Shopping Trolley will be out and about downtown this weekend. The trolley takes shoppers around Capitol Square and up and down State Street to get their retail needs sorted out before the holiday season. This year the trolley will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 2, 9 and 16. [Downtown Madison]

🍂 Last Chance for Leaf Collection

• Streets Division crews will be out on Dec. 3 picking up leaves for the final time this year. If you’ve got ‘em, pile leaves on the terrace or right of way space in front of your home. Do not place them directly in the street. You can cover the piles with tarps or put the leaves in bags but if you opt for the bag option, compostable paper lawn bags are preferred.
• Have you ever wondered who cares for Madison’s trees? The city has a whole forestry staff to help advise on how to manage some of the city’s oldest residents. [City of Madison, Madison Minutes, City Cast Madison 🎧]

🏐 Big Ten Player of the Year

• Wisconsin’s senior outside hitter Sarah Franklin was named the 2023 Volleyball Player of the Year by the Big Ten Conference. The 6-foot-4 Franklin is the sixth Badger to earn the title and the first since Dana Rettke had the honor in 2019. Franklin isn’t alone in her success, four other Badger volleyball players also earned Big Ten honor for the 2023 season.
• Did you know: These days, college athletes can profit from their name, image, and likeness. [UW Athletics, City Cast Madison 🎧]

Friday, Dec. 1

• A Madison Symphony Christmas at Overture Center
• Badger Brawl at Alliant Energy Center
• The Blue Olives at Red Rooster Madison
• Dyke Dive: Queer Kitsch at The Bur Oak
• Friday Fish Fry and Rotating DJ at The Rigby
• Full Light - Magnum Opus Ballet at Bartell Theatre
• Harmonious Wail Simon & Simon at Stoughton Opera House
• Holiday Rock 2023 at The Rigby
• Hot Flash: An early dance party at The Cardinal Bar
• Kitchen Dwellers at The Sylvee
• Matt Braunger at Comedy on State
• Orson Welles Presents at Bartell Theatre
• Out at the Symphony at Overture Center
• Russ Johnson Quartet at Arts + Literature Laboratory
• Valentino Khan at Liquid Madison

Saturday, Dec. 2

• Holiday Open House & Print Sale at Tandem Press
• Artists’ Reception: Mary Burns & Madeline Grace Martin at James Watrous Gallery
• Black Art Expo at Fountain of Life
• The Blues Disciples at Red Rooster Madison
• The Crafty Fair at Goodman Community Center
• Dane County Farmers' Market - Holiday Market at Monona Terrace
• Pan-Asian Brunch at The Deliciouser
• Free Community Carol Sing at Overture Center
• Full Light - Magnum Opus Ballet at Bartell Theatre
• Good Vibes: A Comedy Show at The Cardinal Bar
• Hannah Berner at Orpheum Madison
• Hmong New Year Celebration at Madison College
• Holiday Art Market at FCI at Food Concepts Inc.
• Holiday Cocktail Class at Garver Feed Mill
• JOHN DENVER CHRISTMAS at The Barrymore Theatre
• Keys N Krates at Liquid Madison
• Madison Jazz Jam at Cafe CODA
• Madison’s 27th Annual Fair Trade Holiday Festival at Monona Terrace
• Matt Braunger at Comedy on State
• Meshuggah at The Sylvee
• Local Talent Showcase Cover bands spanning 70's - 90's hits! at High Noon Saloon
• Orson Welles Presents at Bartell Theatre
• Sam Gilliam: A Generosity of Time at Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
• Santa Day: Free Admission at Madison Children's Museum
• Santa Saturday at Glass Nickel Pizza Co
• VANISHINGKIDS, Ruin Dweller, Poison Widow at The Bur Oak

Sunday, Dec. 3

• 2023 Madison Polish Film Festival at The Marquee Cinema at Union South
• Beer & Chocolate Pairing with Gail Ambrosius at Delta Beer Lab
• The Crafty Fair at Goodman Community Center
• Holiday Art Market at FCI at Food Concepts Inc.
• Holiday Market at Aldo Leopold Nature Center
• Lil Tjay at The Sylvee
• MadFiddle at High Noon Saloon
• Nature Hike at UW–Madison Arboretum
• Night of the Improvisor Jam Session hosted by Percussionist Kevin Carnes and Rob DZ at Cafe CODA
• Ryan O'Flanagan at The Bur Oak
• Toys for Tots Benefit at Majestic Madison

Parental Oversight at Libraries, Elk Love, & That Alarming Email From UW’s President

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Bianca Martin, Hayley Sperling and Molly Stentz discuss where the UW System might be headed, after the president mentioned cutting back liberal arts programs on some campuses in an email. Plus, state lawmakers are calling for increased parental involvement in the books kids borrow, and an elk visits McFarland in search of… love?