🪧 How to protest like a pro

🫏 Wisconsin Dems Choose Devin Remiker To Be Party Leader

• With Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Ben Wikler stepping down, the party elected his preferred successor, Devin Remiker, as chair at its convention last weekend. Remiker defeated rivals William Garcia and Joe Zepecki to lead the party.
• 🎧 Dig deeper: Aside from doing Eminem karaoke for college students, Wikler has been a little cagey about his future plans. He told City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling that the future looks bright for the state party. [WisPolitics, TikTok, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

⚖️ Supreme Court Restores Powers for Attorney General

• In a unanimous decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down a GOP law that weakened the powers of the state's attorney general. The court sided with Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul’s argument that it was unconstitutional to require him to get approval from a legislative committee (currently controlled by Republicans) before settling certain civil lawsuits.
• 🎧 Dig deeper: Expect a lot of news out of the state’s highest court as their current session winds down. Cap Times statehouse reporter Erin McGroarty briefed us on what else we can expect. [Ch. 3000, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

🚨 Hazmat Incidents Lead to Attempted Homicide Charge

• The owner of a west side residence that was the subject of a hazardous materials investigation, Paul Van Duyne, was booked into Dane County Jail Tuesday on tentative charges of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and stalking.
• Authorities and hazardous material teams swarmed Van Duyne's residential neighborhood just west of Camp Randall Tuesday. A similar hazmat response occurred Monday in the 1400 block of W. Skyline Drive, and police say the two incidents are connected.
• Attorney General Josh Kaul said that his office is involved in a multi-jurisdictional investigation with local and federal officials involving multiple search warrants. Kaul said there is no danger to the public, but that residents should avoid those active search areas while the investigation is underway. [ 🔒 WSJ]

🏗️ Housing Project Will Help Youth Leaving Foster Care

• Construction will start this week on a new South Park Street affordable housing project designed to help youth who are transitioning out of foster care or experiencing homelessness.
• The Park Lofts will have on-site counseling, job training, and community spaces. Local organizations will partner with developer Eminent Development Corporation to provide more services. [Ch. 3000]

Last weekend, an estimated 6 million people (including an estimated 15,000 in Madison) came out to protest peacefully as part of the nationwide “No Kings” rallies opposing the policies of President Donald J. Trump’s administration.

On the City Cast Madison podcast today, executive producer Hayley Sperling talks with Ryan Cox, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union-Wisconsin, about the do’s and don’ts of protesting peacefully.

Here are a few more tips courtesy of the ACLU and Human Rights Campaign.

How To Prepare Ahead of Time

Research the area where the protest will be taking place, print out a map of where you'll be, and familiarize yourself with the available exit routes. Arrange backup travel plans in case you can’t easily get back to your vehicle or public transportation route. If you are going with friends, make plans ahead of time on where and when to reconnect if separated.

Bring water, cash, and any medications you need. Dress for the weather and wear protective clothing like long sleeves, as well as earplugs, shatterproof goggles, and/or a face mask.

Bring a phone charger or battery extender. Memorize the phone numbers of your lawyer and family members in case you get detained (don’t rely on your phone).

What To Do at the Protest

Stay aware of the environment around you. If you see something suspicious (someone acting strangely, unclaimed packages, suspicious vehicle, etc.) notify law enforcement or any protest organizers on site.

The ACLU says your rights are strongest in “traditional public forums” such as streets, sidewalks, and public parks, rather than on private property. Other public spaces, such as plazas in front of government buildings, are safe, as long as you are not blocking access to the building or interfering with its function.

Private property owners can voluntarily allow free speech on their property, and the government cannot restrict that speech if you have the property owner’s consent.

⬆️ Last Week’s Photo

This ghost sign is located inside Good News Ice Cream on King Street, which shares a wall with the Majestic Theatre!

🎉 This was a hard one! Only four people got it right – Nancy R., Mandy Z., Lexie H., and Nancy V. all apparently love great ice cream! Congrats!

⬇️ This Week’s Photo

Do you know where this neon sign is located? A few clues:

• It is located in a community outside the Madison city limits.
• It is in the window of an establishment that has indeed been “famous for pies” since 2006.
• Don’t listen to the nursery rhyme. The cupboard is never bare here!