🗳️ How to watch the Wisconsin Senate debate

🗳️ Baldwin, Hovde Meet Friday To Debate

• Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and her Republican challenger, businessman Eric Hovde, will meet Friday in what may be their only debate of the election season. The debate, hosted by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, will air at 7 p.m. on most Madison local TV stations, as well as on C-Span and WisconsinEye.
• The City Cast Madison team talks about all the ins and outs of the election, including the launch of in-person absentee voting on Tuesday, on our Friday News Roundup podcast. Tune in and get ready to vote! [Cap Times, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

⛔ Former Mayor Urges ‘No’ on Referendum

• Former Madison Mayor Paul Soglin called a news conference to urge a “No” vote on the $22 million city budget referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot.
• Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and other city officials say the budget shortfall is a result of declining state contributions, and that the city will have to make deep cuts in services if the referendum doesn’t pass.
• Soglin said Madison officials failed to do an effective job lobbying GOP legislators for more money for the city. [Isthmus]

🎒 Are Madison Schools Over Letter Grades?

• Traditional letter grades and percentages could be phased out of Madison schools by 2026, according to an email sent by Madison East High School Principal Mikki Smith sent to students and families.
• East High has been experimenting with a pilot program for most ninth- and tenth-grade students that measures how well each student has met academic standards.
• A district spokesperson, however, did not commit to Smith’s timeline, and said officials were still in the information-gathering phase on the program. [🔒 WSJ]

Cheese is a handful and a half. He’s full of adventure and energy. His favorite activities are digging in Mom’s plants, shooting through any door at full speed when it’s opened, and jumping on top of open doors. He also loves tackling his tuxedo cat sister, who is named Merlot. Merlot and Cheese? What a perfect pair!