🚶 Last steps on the State Street pedestrian mall

🚶Pedestrian Mall Experiment Ends Oct. 30

• Madisonians have another month to walk on the pedestrian mall experiment in the 400-600 blocks of State Street. City officials announced that the tryout, which closed those blocks to non-emergency traffic to let pedestrians and cyclists move freely, will end Wednesday, Oct. 30.
• Events scheduled for October on the pedestrian mall include the Madison Night Market on Oct. 17 and Downtown Madison Family Halloween on Oct. 30.
• The city is collecting feedback from residents on the summer experiment that will help determine whether the pedestrian mall returns in 2025. [City of Madison]

💰 Dane County Board Holds Budget Hearing

• On Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m., the Dane County Board of Supervisors will hold a budget hearing on the proposed 2025 county budget. Members of the public are encouraged to provide input as the board works its way through the budget process.
• The budget was announced by Dane County Executive Jamie Kuhn on Sept. 18 and totals $903.4 million, a 6.7% decrease from the 2024 budget, and raises taxes by $17.04 on the average Madison home.
• The public hearing will be both in-person and virtual. [Dane County]

🚫 Watch Out For Downtown Street Closures

• Starting today, the northbound intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Doty Street will be closed for pavement restoration. From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., southbound vehicles will not have access to continue along MLK Jr Boulevard past Doty Street. Additionally, vehicles traveling north on MLK Jr Boulevard will not be allowed access to Doty Street.
• After 3 p.m., both north and southbound vehicles will be able to continue past Doty Street. Work is expected to be completed on Monday. For visual learners, check out a map of the construction. [City of Madison]

🔥 City Pays Thousands For Resignation of Alleged Drug Trafficking Firefighter

• The Madison Fire Department paid out $8,952 to secure the resignation of a firefighter who is facing felony charges for allegedly selling cocaine out of the station in which he worked.
• According to records obtained by the Wisconsin State Journal, the department agreed to pay the firefighter for the rest of his vacation time rather than instate a disciplinary process that would have kept him on paid leave.
• The firefighter has a history of misconduct, including a drunken driving arrest and driving a firetruck with a suspended license. He also pleaded not guilty to the drug trafficking charges in July. [Wisconsin State Journal, WMTV]