🏥 Dane County might lose its detox center

📖 Mayor Proposes More Money for Imagination Center

• Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said she is putting an additional $320,000 in her proposed 2026 executive operating budget to make sure the new Imagination Center library will be fully staffed.
• The center, a multi-purpose indoor/outdoor library and community space in Reindahl Park on Madison’s northeast side, is scheduled to open in September 2026. On the City Cast Madison podcast, District 17 Ald. Sabrina Madison laid out exactly why the Imagination Center will make such a difference to the city. [City of Madison, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

⚖️ First Conservative Candidate Enters Supreme Court Race

• Judge Maria Lazar, who serves on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in District 2, launched her candidacy for the Wisconsin Supreme Court Wednesday, becoming the first conservative to enter the race.
• Lazar is running for the open seat being vacated by Justice Rebecca Bradley, a fellow conservative. She will face Judge Chris Taylor, a liberal who serves on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in District 4, who announced her candidacy in May. No matter which candidate wins next April, the court will retain its liberal majority. [News 3]

🏥 Dane County Could Lose Detox Center

• The nonprofit that runs Dane County’s detoxification program says it will end its contract in December unless the county picks up more of the cost.
• Tellurian Health has partnered with the county for nearly 40 years to provide staff and space to monitor and treat people incapacitated by alcohol and drugs. But Tellurian says the county has not kept up with its share of the costs, and the nonprofit lost $773,000 last year.
• Without Tellurian’s help, law enforcement and hospitals will have to take responsibility, Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne said. [🔒 WSJ]

It sometimes might be hard to find a parking spot on East Johnson Street. But it’s worth it to stop in to Public Parking, the new(ish) cocktail bar that has taken Madison by storm.

As the bar prepares to celebrate its first anniversary with a big party this weekend, co-owner JR Mocanu talks to host Bianca Martin on the City Cast Madison podcast today about Public Parking’s first year and its mission as a quintessential neighborhood bar.

Public Parking was recently honored by Bon Appetit Magazine as one of the “9 Best New Bars of 2025.”

“The folks behind the bar bring a heavy hand of helpful Midwest nice to complement their sophisticated creations," the article reads.

Here are a few other Madison-area restaurants that have gotten national huzzahs. Check out the list on Overlook Maps!

Harvey House

This high-end throwback to the Wisconsin supper club was named one of Esquire’s 40 best new restaurants in America when it opened in 2021, and one of the New York Times’ 50 favorite restaurants in 2022.

Esquire also shouted out Harvey House for having one of the best martinis in America, noting that when the writer had half-finished their glass, a waiter swooped in and deposited the remainder of the drink into a fresh ice-cold glass.

Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge

The north side music lounge was cited by Food & Wine magazine as being evidence that Madison is one of the “Next Great Food Cities.” It’s a “vibe with late night icy martinis set to a Motown soundtrack.”

Ahan

Food & Wine also shouted out this popular Willy Street spot for its “creative Southeast Asian dishes, including standout tropical soft serve adorned with housemade chili oil.” Earlier this year, Ahan chefs Jamie and Chuckie Brown-Soukaseume were semifinalists for the James Beard Awards in the Best Chef: Midwest category.

As I said in the intro above, we’re entering the home stretch of our City Cast Madison fall membership campaign. One of the neat perks we offer to our Neighbors is the chance to shout out a business, a nonprofit, a person – anything that they believe makes Madison a better community to live in.

📣 Deb N. is shouting out Groundlings Theater! Founded by Hannah Nies in 2024, the theater is “an initiative of Create Waunakee dedicated to making affordable and fun community theater for all.” Later this month, Groundlings is holding auditions for its upcoming radio show production of “It’s a Wonderful Life!”

Thanks Deb! And welcome to our newest City Cast Madison Neighbors, Elizabeth B., Emily M., Dena K., Jane H., Allison B., Sarah D., Cynthia P., Sarah U., Vanessa O., and Grant S.!

Emily M. moved to Madison within the last year. Sarah U. has lived here for 26 years. But both told us that City Cast Madison is an essential resource for connecting them to the city.

If you find value in our work and want to join them and do your own Neighborhood Shoutout, become a City Cast Madison Neighbor today!