🪰 What’s up with those clouds of flies?

🧑‍⚕️ Nearly 1,000 Madison Nurses Could Go on Strike

• Nurses at UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital told the hospital they will go on strike at the end of May as part of contract negotiations that have been going on since January.
• Nearly 1,000 nurses represented by the Service Employees International Union of Wisconsin gave notice of their intention to strike between May 27 and June 1. They are demanding staffing solutions that prioritize nurse and patient safety, compensation to attract and retain nurses, improved security practices, and resolutions to multiple unfair labor practice charges filed by SEIU WI against the hospital. [InBusiness Madison]

📰 Isthmus Mourns Passing of Co-Founder

• Fred Milverstedt, who co-founded Madison’s alternative newspaper Isthmus with Vince O’Hern in 1976, has died. Milverstedt, who previously wrote a sports column for the Capital Times, met O’Hern while O’Hern tended bar at the Dangle Lounge in Madison’s former Red Light District, and the two each chipped in $1,000 to start the newspaper.
• Milverstedt left Madison for New York City a few years later, and subsequently lived in Minneapolis for many decades. Cap Times editor emeritus Dave Zweifel called Milverstedt “probably the best writer to ever come out of this fair city.” [Isthmus, Madison Minutes]

💰Funding Yanked From Dozens of UW Research Projects

• UW-Madison researchers have been told to stop work on three federally-funded research projects and 10 others involving other organizations, and another 62 research grants have been terminated.
• The cancellations have come without warning, some connected to deep federal cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, others related to President Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting diversity and climate change initiatives. The university has appealed some of the cuts.
• 🎧 Dig deeper: The Trump administration has also targeted “indirect costs” for research, such as utilities and buildings. Dr. Jo Handelsman, director of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, told us about the devastating impact of such cuts. [ 🔒 WSJ, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

Madison is already blessed with neighborhood festivals almost every weekend of the summer. But there are plenty of other festivals held in towns and neighborhoods outside of the city limits, many of which reflect the unique flavors of those communities.

On today’s City Cast Madison podcast, for example, host Bianca Martin chats with Sarah Ebert, president of the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce, about their annual Syttende Mai Festival (pronounced “SIT-n-duh MY”). The event celebrates the town’s Norwegian heritage with parades, food and drink, and music and crafts.

Here’s a few more community festivals going on around Dane County that are worth a short drive.

Festa Italia, May 31-June 1, Fitchburg

Celebrate Madison’s Italian heritage at this long-running festival at McKee Farms Park, which includes live music, a pasta dinner, bocce tournament, and presentations on Madison’s Italian cultural history.

Verona Hometown Days, June 6-8, Verona

For over half a century, Verona Hometown Days has brought the community together. Enjoy the fireworks on Friday night, the car show on Saturday morning, and the kids’ activities, live music, and local food vendors all weekend long.

Mount Horeb Summer Frolic, June 12-15, Mount Horeb

The town gathers in Grundahl Park for a carnival, the 5K Norsk Run, the Frolic Parade, a volleyball tournament, and more.

Polka Fest, June 13-14, New Glarus

Roll out the barrel for two days of live polka bands under the big tent. New Glarus Brewing Company beer will be served, and free polka lessons will be taught so even newbies can keep up on the dance floor. And June 14 is also Beer, Bacon, and Cheese Fest, so visitors can enjoy unlimited samples of you-know-what.

Cottage Grove Firemen’s Festival, June 12-15, Cottage Grove

For 94 years, the Cottage Grove Volunteer Fire Department has not only kept the community safe, but sponsored this free community festival. Enjoy carnival rides, a parade, and a kids’ tractor pull.

Meet Harold, an 8-year-old cat who loves all the attention. This sweet cat purrs when you speak gently and loves receiving head and ear scratches and belly rubs. He also enjoys having his long, beautiful fur brushed and rolls around with happiness when petted. Harold makes his own fun, throwing toys up in the air and chasing them. In fact, he’s looking for a home with no other pets where he can keep all the attention for himself.