🚨 Holy mackerel! Gov. Evers isn’t running

🚨 Gov. Evers Won’t Run For Reelection

• Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers scrambled the electoral politics of 2026 by announcing Thursday that he will not run for a third term in office.
• Evers, 73, said he intended to spend more time with his family. "For five decades, my family has sacrificed to give me the gift of service,” he said in a video statement.
• Evers, who previously served as Wisconsin Superintendent of Schools, defeated Republican Gov. Scott Walker in 2018, and was re-elected over challenger Tim Michels in 2022. (Who may or may not be considering another run himself.) Evers spent all of his eight-year tenure dealing with a Republican-controlled state Legislature, using his veto pen more than any other Wisconsin governor to deny or amend GOP-approved legislation.
• The announcement has left Democrats wondering who they’ll field as a candidate to be Evers’ successor. On the Republican side, businessman and former Navy SEAL Bill Berrien has already announced his candidacy. [Cap Times, 🔒 Journal Sentinel, WPR]

🚔 It’s Down To Three Finalists For Madison Police Chief

• The Madison Police and Fire Commission is expected to decide in the next few weeks who will lead Madison’s police department following the departure of former Chief Shon Barnes in January.
• The three finalists are current interim Police Chief John Patterson, Milwaukee Police Department Assistant Chief Steven Johnson, and Madison Police Capt. Stephanie Drescher. If Drescher is selected, she would be the first female chief in Madison history. [Cap Times, 🎧City Cast Madison]

🎉 Celebrate Disability Pride Festival This Weekend at Warner Park

• On July 26, the Disability Pride Festival comes to Warner Park from 12 to 5 p.m., showcasing the joy, creativity, and resilience of Madison’s disability community.
• The annual event to celebrate Disability Pride Month includes live music with ASL interpretation, a drag show, and over 80 booths showcasing products and resources for the disability community. There’s also a performance by the aerial wheelchair dance troupe Heels and Wheels.
• Patrons are asked to wear a mask to protect others, and there are mask-free zones for people to eat and recharge.
• 🎧 Dig deeper: But wait! There’s more going on this weekend! The City Cast Madison team breaks it down on the Friday news roundup. Plus we talk about the AI blunder that made it to the front page of the Wisconsin State Journal, and the Dane County Humane Society’s urgent call for help. Listen in! [Madison365, Disability Pride Madison, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

We’ve got a double Floof this Friday...meet Jeff and Gary! These handsome fellas were adopted from the Dane County Humane Society in 2018. Like all good boys, they love treats and scritches.