🚀 To Madison patios, and beyond!

🛣️ Section of US 51 to Close

• Starting Thursday, a portion of US 51 at county B/AB will close to through traffic — this segment is located between McFarland and Stoughton. This closure will last until Aug. 30, but will still allow access to local traffic. The alternative route will use Wis 138 and US 14. [Channel 3000]

🪧 Protesting for Change at UW

• Late last week, about 30 people gathered outside of UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin’s home to protest and advocate for more unbiased antisemitism training at the university.
• In early April, UW facilitated antisemitism training for Student Affairs staff members. However, this training was said to have instances of anti-Black and anti-Indigenous rhetoric and didn’t provide enough resources and information on how to support Jewish students on campus.
• Mnookin didn’t speak with the protestors because she was out of the state. [Madison365, Daily Cardinal]

☢️ What’s Up With Nuclear Fusion?

• UW-Madison physicists are taking the next step in nuclear fusion. Researchers recently made plasma for the first time using their fusion device, or mirror machines, located in Stoughton. The research opens the door to making the carbon-free energy source a reality. [UW-Madison]

Madison has many opportunities to enjoy great patios during the summer months. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin sat down with Cap Times photographer Ruthie Hauge to discuss hot patio spots in and around town. They laid out a ton of patios in the podcast there are 10 more that weren’t mentioned!

Banzo: Enjoy some delicious Mediterranean food while sitting on the patio of this quaint, green-colored house. With string lights and hanging plants, this cozy patio is not to be missed. It’s also covered, so even if it rains, you can still enjoy this patio. 2105 Sherman Ave.

Blind Shot Social Club: Known for its golf simulators, this is a great place to grab a drink and practice your shot. What you may not know is they have a great patio for people to enjoy. Full of Adirondack chairs, what’s a better place to kick back and enjoy yourself? 177 S Fair Oaks Ave.

Camp Trippalindee: If you go to the entrance to the left of the Graduate, you will find Camp Trippalindee. Here, you are transported to a cozy bar that will make you feel like you’re at summer camp. Their patio overlooks part of downtown and you can even catch a glimpse of Lake Mendota. 601 Langdon St.

Christy’s Landing: Located on Lake Waubesa, this patio will make you feel like you have gone to an ocean-side town on the East Coast. With waterfront dining, a tiki bar, boat docking, volleyball, and more, there is a ton to do while enjoying the outdoors. 2952 Waubesa Ave.

East Side Club: Catch some live music at the East Side Club’s famous Tiki Bar. They also serve food every night of the summer including a brat fry hosted by the American Legion on Friday Nights. 3735 Monona Drive

Dane County Humane Society would like you to meet Willow, an energetic 4-year-old, who is looking for an active family. She loves to run around the yard with other dogs, but note that Willow may be a little too energetic for young children.

She is a smart pup and would benefit from a family who can provide her with lots of physical and mental enrichment, including positive reinforcement training. In fact, her adoption includes a scholarship to GoodPup, an online training program.

The Capitol’s Newest Statue is a Historic First

Amid calls for more diverse representation at the Capitol, a statue of Hans Christian Heg was torn down and tossed in the lake during a protest following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. After this, an idea was born: Wisconsin should create a statue memorializing civil rights pioneer Vel Phillips. She was the first woman judge in the state and the first Black woman elected to a statewide office, among many other firsts. Now that statue is a reality. Listen to what Vel’s son, Michael Phillips, says about his mother’s legacy and the importance of the new piece.