🤢 What’s the worst bar in Madison?

🏗️ Developer Rethinks Plans For Downtown MATC Site

• Long-stalled plans to build a hotel on the site for the former Madison Area Technical College downtown campus between Wisconsin Ave. and North Carroll Street appear to be back on.
• Drury Southwest had won approval to build a 310-room hotel on the site in 2018. But the project was stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic and never resumed.
• Now, the same developer is back with plans for a 205-room, eight-story hotel. If the project is approved by the city, construction will begin next year. [ 🔒 WSJ]

🏈 Are the UW Badgers Cooked This Season?

• The UW Badgers are only four games into their 2025 season. But based on the fan reaction at Camp Randall on Saturday during their 27-10 loss to the Maryland Terrapins, you’d think it was all over.
• Fans booed the team as they exited the field at halftime, with chants of “Fire Fickell!” aimed at Coach Luke Fickell breaking out. The team is now 2-2, and after taking this week off, they will enter a tough October against three ranked opponents. [Daily Cardinal]

🚣 Rutabaga Owner Closing Fitchburg Store To Become a Chaplain

• Darren Bush, longtime owner of Rutabaga Paddlesports in Fitchburg, announced in his Substack newsletter that he is closing the business to focus on his calling as a hospice chaplain.
• “I have always found deep meaning in helping people, and it’s time to keep doing that in a different way,” Bush wrote. “Chaplaincy is calling my name, and I must answer.”
• Bush said the store will close at the end of 2025, and is urging customers to buy up his inventory. Canoecopia, the paddle sports expo held each year at Alliant Energy Center, will continue. [Substack]

Last month, the City Cast Madison team took some of our Neighbors on a tour of the state capitol. (By the way, if you want to become a member and join our next event, sign up!) Our fantastic tour guide, Steve, told us some fun and fascinating facts about Madison’s iconic building.

How much do YOU know? Take our quiz and find out!

What is the name of the stuffed eagle who watches over the Wisconsin State Assembly?

• Eddie
• Old Abe
• Sam
• Eagle-Eye Cherry

For Take Me Home Tuesday, meet King! (Actually, meet another King, since we had King the cat last week!) This royal pooch is an adult dog who is nervous when meeting new people, but once comfortable, gets extremely wiggly and playful. King loves treats and is very food motivated.

Because he is nervous, King is looking for a home with no small children, and any introductions with other dogs in the house should be done slowly. He’d love an active family who will give him plenty of exercise and attention, while also spoiling him with snuggles and love.