📝 Supreme Court judge to retire

⚖️ Liberal Supreme Court Justice Announces Retirement

• Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley announced she will not seek re-election in 2025. Bradley’s announcement came as a surprise and could shake up the court’s liberal 4-3 majority it built just a year ago.
• Bradley has served on the state’s highest court since 1995. “I know I can win re-election, should I run. But it’s just time to pass the torch, bringing fresh perspectives to the court,” she said in a statement.
• The election won’t be for another year but the stakes are already high. Conservative hopefuls have already launched campaigns for the seat, including former attorney general and Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel, who is expected to be the top Republican candidate. (Technically, the race is nonpartisan.)
• Dig deeper: In 2023, left-leaning Judge Janet Protasiewicz won the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history. Time will tell if 2025 breaks that record. [WPR, City Cast Madison 🎧]

🍃 Gather Up Your Yard Waste

• Spring time yard waste collection starts this weekend. You can find your specific collection date here.
• What’s yard waste anyway? Yard waste includes weeds, leaves, grass clippings, and other organic matter that comes from your lawns or gardens. The city collects the waste and composts it.
• Dig deeper: Remember, leaf-free streets help lead to cleaner lakes in the summer. [City of Madison, Madison Minutes]

😶 County Supervisor Says ‘Sin’ Causes Homelessness

• At a County Board meeting April 4, Sup. Jeff Weigand raised eyebrows when he said “sin is the root cause” of homelessness. The comment came after Weigand cast the sole opposition vote on a resolution to approve a $231,000 grant to Porchlight, a local organization that provides services to those experiencing homelessness and will operate the city’s emergency men’s shelter on the far east side.
• In an interview with Madison365, Weigand explained he was referring broadly to the sinfulness of the human race. But other county officials saw the comment as a conservative dog whistle with racist undertones. As they say, let those without sin cast the first stone. [Madison365, City Cast Madison 🎧]

This week’s floof is a feisty gal named Frida. According to her human Leah J. Friday is a 10-year-old scruffy and spicy dachshund mix who is the definition of small but mighty. Frida is known as the boss of her other two dog companions and loves nothing more than squeaky toys, cucumbers, eating garbage, and belly rubs.

Biden’s Debt Relief Plan, PFAS Problems, and Terrace Time!

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Dylan Brogan, Hayley Sperling, and Molly Stentz recap President Joe Biden’s plan to cancel student loan debt for millions and loan interest for millions more. Plus, everyone wants toxic PFAS chemicals cleaned up, so why isn’t it happening? And it’s Terrace time! The iconic Memorial Union chairs will be outside beginning April 17.