⚖️ City council may censure one of its own

⚖️ City Council Moves To Censure Myadze

• In an unprecedented move, the Madison City Council is moving to censure one of its own, Ald. Charles Myadze, in the wake of multiple allegations of sexual harassment and assault.
• Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and multiple council members have co-sponsored the resolution, which would be symbolic and does not carry the ability to remove Myadze from office.
• An investigation concluded that three women accusing Myadze of sexual harassment were credible, but that he did not violate city rules or state or federal laws.
• Dig deeper: Madison Alder. Sabrina Madison, one of the resolution’s co-sponsored, talked on the City Cast Madison podcast about why so many city officials want Myazde to resign. [City of Madison, 🔒 WSJ, Tone Madison, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

🚨 Police Chief Wants Body Cameras Made Permanent

• Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said a trial run of equipping officers with body cameras was so successful that he is pushing for full deployment of the devices in his department.
• Barnes is pushing to have funding for the cameras in the 2026 budget and a rollout in 2027. The Madison City Council, which has been divided over the use of body cameras for a decade, will have the final say.
• Dig deeper: A new Wisconsin law allows municipalities to charge public records requesters for the cost of redacting body camera footage and other audio or visual material, which has police transparency advocates worried.[ 🔒 WSJ, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

🍎 Maurer’s Urban Market Coming To Park St. In 2025

• Maurer’s Urban Market has signed a lease to build a full-service grocery store on Park Street. The store is expected to open in mid-2025 on the ground floor of the Park Cedar Apartments.
• The city has been involved in planning to build a grocery store in the neighborhood since 2015, after it was rumored that the Pic ‘n’ Save on S. Park St. would close, and has authorized $9.1 million for the project. [Isthmus]

Welcome to our list of the best new restaurants and bars opening in and around Madison! We’ll update this list on the last Thursday of each month. If we’ve missed a new spot you think we should feature, let us know!

Ancora Cafe + Bakery

3926 Monona Drive

The Madison-grown coffee shop’s fourth location is also its smallest, which is why it has Ancora’s first drive-thru lane. The food menu for the drive-thru is more limited, with just breakfast sammies and a yogurt parfait. Come inside for the full menu – the breakfast burrito hits.

Paleo Mama Bakery

961 S. Park St.

The bakery that specializes in grain-free offerings has been so successful, it’s moving early next year to a larger space, the former Barriques on Park Street near Fish Hatchery Road. Expect a larger grab-and-go retail section along with like-minded products by other businesses.

Tailor Nicole Wine & Cupcakes

2352 S. Park St.

The Black Business Hub will soon be home to this new venture by Milwaukee entrepreneur Shakkiah Curtis, which will feature seven wines on tap alongside locally-baked cupcakes and charcuterie boards. Expect it to open by mid-February.

Stalzy’s Deli

2701 Atwood Ave.

The shop known for its piled-high sandwiches has repurposed to focus on catering and a retail-only business, removing its ready-made sandwiches. Same high-quality ingredients, but now we’ll have to make that Rachel sandwich at home ourselves.

Taco Madres

2827 Atwood Ave.

The former Daisy Cafe and Cupcakery on Atwood Avenue will soon be Taco Madres, a Mexican restaurant. The owner, who also owns both A La Brasa restaurants in town, is shooting for a mid-December opening.