💡 Let there be light on Lakeshore Path?

💸 Referendum Backers Spend Over $200K

• Supporters of both the city’s proposed operating referendum and both of the Madison Metropolitan School District’s proposed referendums have together spent nearly $250,000 to make their cases to voters.
• According to campaign finance documents, the bulk of that money was spent by Strong Schools, Strong Community, an arm of the Madison Public Schools Foundation, in support of both school referendums. (The foundation is a sponsor of City Cast Madison.)
• Don’t forget! Sunday is the last day for in-person absentee voting. A list of polling locations is here.
• Listen: On the City Cast Madison podcast today, it’s the Friday News Roundup! We break down everything that’s on Tuesday’s ballot from those referendums to the presidential race. Plus, a pizza mishap that left dozens of people dazed and confused. [Cap Times, 🎧City Cast Madison]

💰 Dane County Board Approves 2025 Budget

• The Dane County Board approved its 2025 budget Wednesday night, including a $813.7 million operating budget and a $112.4 million capital budget.
• The average Madison home will see county taxes increase by $19.65. The capital budget is a 37% decrease from the previous year’s budget.
• The operating budget includes $30 million for affordable housing creation and preservation, which county officials agreed was a top priority in the fast-growing region. [Channel 3000]

💡 Should Lakeshore Path Be Lit and Paved?

• University officials are seeking public input on whether to light and pave a section of the Howard Temin Lakeshore Path along Lake Mendota.
• The university hired a consultant to examine the idea, and that consultant will be holding a public hearing on Nov. 6 at the Holt Center.
• While the path along the lake between Willow Creek and the Limnology Building is unlit, campus police said there have been very few police reports related to the path in recent years. [Cap Times, UW-Madison]

Meet Willow! Willow is the most social of the three kittens in her household. She’s always the first one to greet you at the front door. As you can see, she’s also quite the beauty queen and sun magnet, finding the most sunny spot in the house for a photo op.