🗳️ Second Madison politician joins guv race

🗳️ Rep. Francesca Hong Jumps Into Guv Race

• A second Madison politician this week has announced her candidacy to run for the Democratic nomination for governor. Following State Sen. Kelda Roys’ campaign announcement on Monday, Rep. Francesca Hong said Wednesday she is running for governor as well.
• Hong, a chef and co-owner of the now-closed Morris Ramen, currently represents the 76th District. She said she plans to build a “working-class coalition” with her campaign, prioritizing increased school funding, universal child care, and improved conditions for health care workers. [Cap Times]

💰 Dairy Drive Extension Narrowly Falls Short

• A proposal to extend the contract of the Dairy Drive homeless encampment was narrowly voted down by the Madison City Council Tuesday night.
• The city’s Board of Public Works recommended dismantling the tiny home encampment, which was created using one-time federal pandemic dollars. Although some advocates had proposed a city-county partnership to keep Dairy Drive open until next spring, the extension failed by one vote. If nothing changes, Dairy Drive residents will need to leave by Sept. 26.
• 🎧 Dig deeper: Brenda Konkel of Madison Street Medicine came on the City Cast Madison podcast recently to talk about the future of Dairy Drive and other challenges facing Madison’s unhoused population right now. [WMTV, Cap Times, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

💧 DeForest Ousts Anti-Fluoride Board Member

• DeForest Village Board member Bill Landgraf, who successfully pushed to have fluoride removed from the village’s drinking water, lost Tuesday’s recall election in a landslide.
• Challenger Alicia Williams received 1,884 votes while Landgraf received 260 votes. Over 1,500 residents signed a recall petition against Landgraf after he was accused of harassing and stalking residents following the anti-fluoride vote, including sitting outside their homes in his car. [Channel 3000, Wisconsin Public Radio]

No matter how big your TV is at home, there’s something about being out at a sports bar that you can’t replicate at home, cheering on your favorite team with your fellow fans.

But most of those bars tend to cater to male sports and male sports fans. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks to Rita Adair, who hopes to honor her late wife by turning the former Red Rooster bar into Madison’s first sports bar geared toward women.

Until that dream is realized, here are some of Madison’s favorite places to go see the big game. Check them out on our map on Overlook Maps!

Players Sports Bar & Grill

This near east side dive bar institution on Winnebago Street has plenty of TVs for catching the game. But when you want a break from the action, watch the cook make you one of the best burgers in Madison on the grill, or play a game of Ping-Pong.

Jordan’s Big 10 Pub

There are so many good Badger bars along Regent Street, including The Red Zone and Lucky’s 1313 Brew Pub. But my favorite is the Big 10 Pub, which has big-screen TVs everywhere, along with great food and an adventurous tap list.

Pitcher’s Pub

Hidden away in a commercial area just off the Beltline, this dive bar has lots of TVs and plenty of pool tables. Make sure to order the bar’s signature Swampwater cocktail – vodka and lemon-lime mix in a mason jar.

One of the perks of becoming a City Cast Madison Neighbor is that our members get the chance to shout out something in Madison that means a lot to them, be it a business, a nonprofit, an event, or some great thing that makes our city a little better. This week, our Neighbors wanted to shout out two organizations providing compassionate care to Madison.

📣 Courtney V. wants to celebrate Mission Respite, a local nonprofit that provides “much-needed breaks to the primary caregivers of special needs children and is currently hiring respite companions to make a difference in the lives of these incredible kids.”

📣 Lauren B. wants to shout out Journeys Home, which “provides compassionate and peaceful at-home pet goodbyes in Dane County. Their veterinarians are so warm and gentle to pet owners navigating the hardest decision, and they treat animals with extreme sensitivity and care throughout the process. The Journeys Home doctors are truly angels.”

Thanks Courtney and Lauren! If you’re a City Cast Madison Neighbor, send us your Shoutout and we’ll amplify it in the Madison Minutes newsletter and on the podcast. And if you’re not yet a Neighbor, maybe it’s time to become one!