☕ Madison coffee roasters get jumpy about tariffs

🍦 Schoep’s Ice Cream Hits Rocky Road With Health Officials

• Madison-based Schoep’s Ice Cream has been cited for illegally dumping ice cream ingredients, including purple and blue dye, that made its way into the storm sewer.
• Officials at Public Health Madison and Dane County said a public inspection found a large amount of purple liquid spilling out from the ice cream factory’s dumpster room, running across the sidewalk and into a sewer. The liquid had bubbles and a strong odor, indicating bacteriological growth and decomposition.
• Two days later, public officials said they found a similar spill involving blue liquid. The matter was referred to the city’s attorney office. [PHMDC]

🫏 Who Will Fill Ben Wikler’s Shoes?

• Three people have already jumped into the race to succeed Ben Wikler as chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Former state party executive director Devin Remiker, Glendale Mayor Bryan Kennedy, and La Crosse County party chair William Garcia have all announced their candidacies.
• Wikler, widely credited with reviving the party’s fortunes in Wisconsin, announced earlier this month that he wouldn’t seek another term when his current term expires in June. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, Wikler talks to executive producer Hayley Sperling about the state of the party in Wisconsin and nationwide, and what he might do next. [WPR, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

☕ Tariffs May Give Caffeine Headaches to Madison Roasters

• President Donald Trump’s tariff plans have Madison coffee shops and roasters worried that they will raise the price of coffee for themselves and their customers.
• Many coffee-producing companies, including Vietnam and Indonesia, could face steep tariffs, the cost of which could be passed on down the supply chain to U.S. importers and distributors, and eventually to consumers. Laura Salinger Johnson, co-owner of JBC Coffee Roasters, said some importers the Madison company works with are already raising prices. [Cap Times]

The days of whipping out your old driver’s license as a form of ID at the TSA checkpoint when you fly domestically are almost over. Beginning May 7, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will require an enhanced form of identification called a “REAL ID” to get on the plane.

Here’s some info on what REAL ID is, when you will need it, and how to get yours.

🪪 What is REAL ID?

In 2005, President George W. Bush signed the REAL ID Act, which was based on recommendations from the federal 9/11 Commission that the federal government set minimum standards for ID, such as driver’s licenses.

Believe it or not, the law was originally supposed to go into effect back in 2008, but has been pushed back year after year. But on May 7, 2025, REAL ID will finally go into effect.

🤔 What’s Different About a REAL ID?

A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state-issued ID has additional security features that make it more difficult to counterfeit than a standard driver’s license, including a barcode and a star.

✈️ When Do I Need to Show a REAL ID?

Beginning May 7, a REAL ID will be required when boarding commercial aircraft, entering a nuclear power plant, or entering certain federal facilities, including military bases. A valid U.S. passport will also be accepted.